Cherry Blossoms Upon a Wintry Sword

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Lin Rufei was the youngest son of the head of the Kunlun Sect.

The disciples of Kunlun had been the sharpest among those in Jianghu, and were revered as legends among men.

But Lin Rufei had a problem. If he so much as tripped, he would need to lay in bed for three days.

As Lin Rufei thought about whether he could salvage something from his ill health or not, he realized that a mysterious … phenomenon had happened to his body.

Associated Names
One entry per line
CBUAWS
Han Jian Xi Tao Hua
Đào rơi nơi Hàn Kiếm
กระบี่เหมันต์ในป่าท้อ
寒剑栖桃花
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
Record of the Missing Sect Master (2)
Heaven Official’s Blessing (2)
Nan Chan (1)
My Hubby Frequently Loses His Memory (1)
Everyday, the Demon Lord is Escaping His Marriage (1)
Ghost Bridegroom (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Completed
  2. Reading Shelf
  3. good BL - completed + ratings and reviews
  4. All BL Novels I've Read Part (1)
  5. Quero ler

Latest Release

Date Group Release
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 7 (end)
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 6
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 5
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 4
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 3
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 2
11/12/21 Half Moon Translations extra 1
11/11/21 Half Moon Translations c92
11/10/21 Half Moon Translations c91
11/09/21 Half Moon Translations c90
11/08/21 Half Moon Translations c89
11/07/21 Half Moon Translations c88
11/06/21 Half Moon Translations c87
11/05/21 Half Moon Translations c86
11/04/21 Half Moon Translations c85
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55 Reviews sorted by


Sivajani
Sivajani rated it
November 15, 2021
Status: Completed
I really enjoyed the main cp + side couple pairings.

Tho the main cp got HE, for most of the side cps it's a bittersweet ending. BT's love tho omg it really makes one feel heavy hearted.

Read it guys it's so good that I fin it within a day
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This person is dying
This person is dying
November 3, 2021
Status: c71
I haven't finished reading, but I can't resist to share a piece of my mind.

Plot Progression/Writing Style:

If you like episodic stories like the series "Kino no Tabi" or "Majo no Tabi-Tabi", but set in Jianghu with gay couples, then this book is totally for you.

... more>> But you have to read it per arc in one sitting or at least read until the later half, or it'll be painful to read.

The first half of most arcs are more boring than the usual slice-of-life stories (at least for me). Perhaps it's because the MC didn't have any motivation/goal or plan, so beside not knowing where the story go, I felt that most events were just filler to be skipped.

Later, the MC had a goal, but it still had nothing to do with whatever happen around him. The MC would start out as "one who's buying soy sauce" (aka a bystander), so most arc began with "whatever" (whatever happen happen). But once the MC got more involved or immersed in the story around him, as a reader I'ld also get to know what actually happened and looking forward to what would happen.

After several arcs, I became used to the plot style, that most inconsistent events at the start of every arc are the foundation of the major event in the later part.

I didn't need to read it in one sitting anymore. In fact, if you read several arcs a day, your hearts might feel tired because the aftertaste of every arc can be quite different (range from bittersweet to comedy, etc)

Characters:

In this type of story, it's normal that every side characters have colorful personality and important roles in their own arc. Fortunately they are not too vibrant as to overshadow the main characters.

The main characters (pairing) are not bland, but they aren't too distinct either compared to characters from top danmei stories. But their personality are in line with their identity or history, it's consistent.

Romance:

Very slow. I was looking forward to "master-disciplie relationship" but this tag actually a spoiler and the current relationship of the main couple is more or less a traveller mate (as per ch 70ties)

Most side couple are also gay, but since our MC is just a bystander, unfortunately their story are not really told.

No worries, the plot are good enough to distract me.

Interesting theme:

Spoiler

ML is a ghost-like existence. No one can see the ML beside the MC. Other spiritual existance can't see him either! It seems as if the MC has imaginery friend and it's funny and not that pitiful

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Other thoughts:

Maybe because I usually read in the dead of night, the book really can give me creep. Most arcs have some creepy elements in the middle of mystery. Well, Jianghu full of scary and dangerous people, blood and corpse, and even the ML is a ghost, so it's no wonder.

Throughout the story though, comedy are scattered, so even if I get scared I can still laugh.

Rating:

I'll not rate this for now, but if there's no major downhill or something I'm alergic with, I'll straight out give this a 4.5 (rounded to 5).

Still sour with the start which is too hard to read (boring) although everything will have a point in the end.

Add (finished)

I quite like the end. I think the author glossing over the second journey is a good choice as it won't give the same feeling as the first one. The author also doesn't forget the event where everyone (invited and not invited) comes together. I'm really satisfied. Most novel often forgot about that kind of last event (like fireworks in the end of a festival)

Last curious point:

Spoiler

Still wonder how ghost Gu Xuandu works. He can hold and eat food but sometimes it's mentioned he cannot touch material object casually. But, he really do carry around food, and he can buy them from the vendor -- most probably by snatching and leaving coins on the table.

Earlier he can be seen by yao, then he can't be. Seems it's my eyes instead that doesn't work properly.

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I'm just curious though, it's not that important after enjoying the series to the end. <<less
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NobbyCat
NobbyCat rated it
October 19, 2021
Status: c60
One of my favorite novels so far! It’s very laid back and keeps you entertained. It’s a nice healthy relationship between MC and ml, with a bit of mystery and action mixed in! If you have some time, I’d recommend sitting down to read this in one sitting. The story is not extremely long and each arc is only about 15 chapters. Overall a wonderful read.
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Hellios
Hellios rated it
July 14, 2022
Status: Completed
This is a very good story. A masterpiece. With a touch of melancholy and mystery. And such a sweet love, overcoming so much.. All of this is just fascinating. I’m in love with this book.

The pacing is quite slow. The beginning was even a bit too slow, but than it’s became much better.

The plot is quite good. You can feel just how much work author put in it. There is many unexpected events, the same as a nice mysteries. And some very touching angst as a good addition.

I’m really fascinated... more>> with all of this. I had many guesses how the story will go, but it was every time an unexpected twist. I really like it.

This books has its own atmosphere that is very sweet and entangling.

The ending was also very nice. Sad that there is no extra about Wu Ao, and our main couple living a good life they deserve.

I will definitely read this book again when I’ll be in melancholy mood. This is book is like a healing to the soul. Tender, sweet but at the same time very down-to-earth and melancholy. It’s like a good wine, need to be taster slowly and left you with the slight drowsiness.

I totally recommend you this book. It’s amazing. <<less
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yellauraya
yellauraya rated it
April 3, 2022
Status: Completed
★★★★☆ [4/5 stars]

At this moment, Lin Rufei thought this was their first encounter.

But he did not know that this was a reunion after hundreds of years apart.

This is a wonderful novel! I love the concept of reincarnation with fated lovers. Those things together really brought melancholy and warmth at the same time. The plot itself also has some mystery and the journey of the MC and ML to different places reminded me so much of the anime Kino no Tabi. I will definitely recommend this to literally everyone!
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jaybirb
jaybirb rated it
December 7, 2021
Status: --
A very good read. The MC is a sheltered young master in a weak body who is calm, patient, sweet-tempered, mischievous, curious and so keen to experience life. The ML is mysterious, patient only with the MC, shameless, helpless against the MC and wants MC to be able to experience life too.

There's an overarching plot involving MC and ML's past, and unravelling the mysteries there, but along the way, we are introduced to many interesting and moving side characters. There are many unexpected turns in the story, and while MC... more>> is experiencing life, the story also takes the readers through the many facets of life, from the utterly heartbreaking to the wonderful to the mundane. There are many hints that lie within the side stories too.

This novel was a real pleasure to read. The writer did a brilliant job. <<less
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1darling
1darling rated it
November 14, 2021
Status: c84
first of all just go for it and don't hesitate... the translation is well done and is completed so what more can you ask for???

I am currently at chapter 83 and the story is progressing so excellent so far... I have to say that the side couples are so f*cking adorable even from the story one it was so amazing and our dynamic is going a bit slow but we are here for Shonen ai so might as well expect some slow burn and god damnit... this novel is... more>> so good and I am gonna add this to my list which I have made as my favorites and you guys can definitely compare them... but actually its so good that you cannot stop reading it and it has a very big mystery so it'll be all worth it... I guarantee you guys wont regret reading it... although its not famous rn in nu but sooner or later it'll gather the attention... I really love it.....

please enjoiiii >< <<less
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aevintyri
aevintyri rated it
October 13, 2021
Status: --
What a wonderful novel with great translation work. The characters are all so well written and so developed. The MC and ML have hilarious chemistry. MC initially seems quite naive and innocent but is surprisingly quite a sassy little thing and ML is just helpless against him, it's a great dynamic (: The story arcs are quite episodic and always very interesting with smart twists
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En-Jay99
En-Jay99 rated it
April 19, 2023
Status: Completed
Genuinely wasn’t sure how to rate this one. It had all the elements for a fantastic story, and yet it fell flat in the second half.

There was no reason to drag on the reveal for so long, especially when the MC had guessed half of it. The ‘bad guy’ was a bit boring in all honesty. The romance was ML flirting heavily with MC and then confessing out of the blue and MC agreeing. I think it’s the pacing that dragged the story down a bit. 1-2 less arcs perhaps.... more>> Also the time skip from ML not having a body to just having one? Odd. Finding out that the MC quite literally raised the ML since he was 5 was kinda bleh, not my cup of tea for romance.

Just. It was okay but I feel like it could’ve been way better because it genuinely had good main characters and very colourful side characters too. The stories of each arc by itself wasn’t that bad either. <<less
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Adriana28
Adriana28 rated it
October 9, 2022
Status: Completed
Omg! This is a masterpiece......

I am not a professional in writing reviews though just my simple thoughts about this🥰

I read reviews many people saying it's similar to tgcf but I dont think so. Tgcf is an amazing novel so is it, but they are completely different so must not be compared to each other.

... more>> This novel is amazing I can't describe in words, it's amazingness.

Although it a slow paced one and took me about 4-5 days reading it but it was completely worth it.

I read it so slowly and never left a detail. A wonderfully writen story. It's same as an old wine rich and mellow and will leave a lasting taste of wanting more.

I fell in love with this story whether be it's plot it's twist it's ml, MC and be the side characters and the villain as well (though not actually a villain) .

Ohhhh! And our MC so cute so dense and amazingly sweet and straightforward. And our ML so domineering, possesive and tsundre. Such a sweet plot and their love story would love more if it would have more extras about their life.

And our lovely villain I actually liked him alot he was just a poor soul. And wish it had more extras about him and his love life.

So. Thankuuuuu author for writing such a masterpiece.

And last but not least thankuu dear translator for such amazing translation, just loved it.. <<less
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Tomoti
Tomoti rated it
August 10, 2022
Status: Completed
I love the whole flow. I would say its a relaxing read. The story did remind me of TGCF. Love how the MC grows stronger as he learns more about himself.

Spoiler

However, towards the end everything seemed a bit rushed.

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ScarlettOhara
ScarlettOhara rated it
July 6, 2022
Status: --
A slow, oftentimes cute, and somewhat decent story with no real antagonist.

What I particularly liked about the book was the side characters. The author took the time to flesh them out and make them likable. The side ships were lovely and I found myself rooting for them.

The book explores myriad facets of human nature and emotions. It also explores a host of relationships - friendship, loyalty, reverence, love, and so on.

... more>> I have a few complaints though.

-the ending was rushed. We don’t quite get a glimpse into LRF’s last journey.
-the chemistry between the protagonists while cute, lacks depth. I couldn’t feel their longing. The angst didn’t hit me in the face.

Overall a cute book but somewhat forgettable. <<less
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Anuskaa
Anuskaa rated it
April 3, 2022
Status: Completed
God...... uh. it was really nice but sensei why do I feel a bit confused... anyway. I started to wonder about the ending so much that I always thought of the ending while reading after chapter twenty. the main characters were so funny that it brought tears to my eyes, then after everything was over I didn't want to get out of bed out of sadness. I can die in peace because they are happy. I have loved many couples. The brothers' relationship with each other was very good. In... more>> short, I really liked the book, the translation is just as good as the book. I'm happyyyyy~~~ <<less
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earlgreyt
earlgreyt rated it
January 23, 2022
Status: Completed
Not bad, a fairly predictable book overall but the cases and mysteries were interesting enough that they caught attention and made me want to keep reading.

It's not one of those books that break cliches in a significant manner or made me want to drop everything to continue reading it, but it was good to pass the time with.

The main character while a weak chicken, doesn't whine about it. A pleasant protagonist who is willing to take risks, has a brain, and is very brave, despite his sickly body.

... more>>
Spoiler

I wish the author had spent a tad more time on the ending.

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Translation flowed well. I don't personally agree with all the translator's choices as many of the idioms were kept very literal and there were a couple dialogue parts that could have been better translated, but overall translation wasn't a pain to read, and considering the supernatural/cultivation nature of the novel, is a success. <<less
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Pandablackeyes
Pandablackeyes rated it
January 23, 2022
Status: Completed
Awesome!!

Every arc is very interesting and not boring. Every character is unique and worth remembering. This novel deserve a 5 stars rate!!!

I really like MC family, his siblings doted and love him so much even though he is weak, considering that his family held so much power and reputation. There is no family, power struggle and whatnot.

The side characters stories in every arc is very interesting. They are protagonist "like" in thier own. The story in each arc is worth contemplating and Im hoping to see and read the entire... more>> story from the beginning to the end.

Some of them have a happy ending and some of them could I only say have a "better ending" though not happy and satisfying nor best and worthy ending but just "better". Better for both of them. Or Not.

Anyways. It's quite sad but not frustrating.

The relationship between MC and ML does not fall into the dark side cause its
Spoiler

mutual since their past life. To be exact they were together for three lifetime and there is no forcing and etc.

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Better read this guys! Its fun and worth spending time. !! :) <<less
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Reyleisha
Reyleisha rated it
January 12, 2022
Status: Completed
Rating: 4/5- Really captivating story with lovely characters.

I enjoyed the jianghu adventures the MC experienced more than the love story. It’s not as well placed as some other novels in the genre so read it more for the plot. There’s not a lot of romance so it won’t really take away from the reading experience.

Very well written overall with interesting characters and a nice solid plot. I genuinely enjoyed reading this and found it unique. MC is a solidly likeable character and really owns his decisions and views. The ML... more>> is sort of like a side character really, it’s mostly about our MC and I really enjoyed that. He was well written enough to start and carry this story to its end.

Definitely recommend! <<less
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Gold_strength
Gold_strength rated it
December 19, 2021
Status: Completed
I loved it! Wonderful story. Wonderful characters. Wonderful translation.
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cherryb379
cherryb379
December 16, 2021
Status: Completed
Beautiful, heartwarming and interesting... a sick MC and powerful ML... a love story spanning hundreds of years and across life times... I would have like to know what happened to BT in the Daijing extras (BT and the monk) and also to the second disciple of heavenly ruler... just to tie everything together... would have loved to see the master greeting the disciple... if anyone understood the conclusion of the story between the monk and BT, p. ease let me know... other than that thanking the author and the... more>> translator for this piece of gem🙏💎 <<less
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stuffiedlikefoiegras
stuffiedlikefoiegras rated it
December 19, 2023
Status: c84
Thank you to the author and the translators! I really loved reading this novel.

... more>>
Spoiler

It is extremely difficult to try and rate this novel. Another reviewer explained, "... it had all the elements for a fantastic story, but fell in the second half, " and I believe it completely encapsulates reading the novel.

To be perfectly honest, it was extremely inconsistent in terms of quality. Its best qualities, which I think include its premise, captivating writing style and in-depth characterization (where all characters are not exempt from this!) also work as it's worst qualities.

To start with, the beginning of the novel was addicting to read. The scenes were vivid in imagination but subtle in tone, and as another person described it, "... beautiful scenery as it changed from one scene to another." Although Lin Rufei was a classic sick beauty, I loved reading how he lived on Kunlun Peak, and his characterization fit well with the surrounding scenery. When he left Kunlun Peak to start his adventure of traveling Jianghu, it really did seem like he was an exiled immortal descending to the mortal realms. Coming with that impression, it would have been amazing if Lin Rufei really took this as an opportunity to explore Jianghu and everything it has to offer. The novel literally quotes this every once in a while, like a means to the end of the arc (which I have a problem with too...), but the writing itself does not deliver.

Firstly, the novel seems to move away from its languid and descriptive writing style later on in the novel, seemingly becoming less "slice-of-life". I put that in apostrophes, because it's not actually a slice-of-life, but just has a picturesque way of describing everything.

Secondly, while the novel has an episodic-like pacing, there is not much emphasis on the world-building.

The side-characters have unique temperaments and backstories, with the only thing in common between them is that all of them comes in different shades of grey; none could be considered to be good nor bad, they really were just people who had different ways of handling problems life throws at them. I love this, and I also really like how there are no inherently bad antagonists- only those who just coincidentally have different motives to Lin Rufei. However besides that, nothing is done to show anything else, and we will always have a very shallow understanding of them.

For example, characters such as his maids, Fu Hua and Yu Rui, are superficial. They don't seem to have any motives, ambitions or literally anything fueling their actions throughout the novel. For characters who were present from the first chapter of the novel to the literal end, this is extremely disappointing. Although they are side-characters, something could have been done over the course of the ~90 chapters they were in. The only time they aren't forgotten, is when they are necessary for exposition or to get rid of tedious obstacles in the way.

Another character that faced the same fate was Gu Xuandu. There are other reviews that better explain this, but the author failed in retaining the tension behind Lin Rufei and Gu Xuandu's shared past together over the course of the novel (which was essentially the whole characterization of Gu Xuandu anyways). The author seemingly withheld every single bit of information for most of the novel (although it wasn't hard to guess), but then relinquished some of the biggest mysteries with no suspense whatsoever at the very end. There was no smooth build-up to the climax, which resulted in little to no satisfaction when actually reading it.

Speaking of their relationship, what the f*ck happened genuinely. Their confession scene was spontaneous and sudden, and there was also no build up to it at all. I didn't really feel their chemistry, and they seemed to be more like traveling companions. I think it would have been cool if that was initially the case, with Gu Xuandu just suffering with a permanent case of unrequited love, whilst unable to do anything about it. (Also, if we had access to more of Gu Xuandu's thoughts throughout the novel, it would've been great!!) That would have made a much more realistic development of their relationship, I think.

Furthermore, is it really necessary to have so many couples within this book? I understand they were there to teach Lin Rufei first and foremost about how love could exist in many forms, and can persist no matter how tragic the lovers' fate is. However, I really began to dislike it because it is very perfunctory. If you were to not tell me in advance that they were in a romantic relationship or there was no scene of them kissing, I would simply think they were acquaintances. They had no chemistry at all (or had no time to showcase their chemistry).

Also, forgive me for being biased but it was tragic seeing so many gay couples but no lesbian pairings. Every single man that we came across either was ostentatiously gay, or rarely, was straight. Yet for women (if there even were a lot of prevalent female side characters) they fell in love once coming across a man.

Anyways, to add an extra layer of depth and contribute to the overarching theme, it would have been amazing if different types of love were explored within the novel (besides romantic). For example, the relationship between Lin Rufei and his maids, or the exploration of Lin Rufei and his childhood best friend's past. Like you're telling me that the author did not write about his dynamics with his childhood best friend, and his servant? It was a missed opportunity to reflect on their changing dynamics as they grew apart.

Another one was the emperor and his third daughter. Think of the endless potential about a father who seemingly favors his third daughter only because he wistfully remembers his first love whenever he sees her.

It seemed as if the author wanted to add a lot of moving scenes but did not want to spend a lot of time completely exploring everything in depth. The ideas behind subplots, were amazing to imagine but were stringed together quite clumsily in context to the main plot. Further contributing to the lack of build-up for the climax of the novel. I felt like I was constantly getting edged but there was no release at the end.

Moving on, there is no exploration of the Xuanhuan aspects of the novel. At first I was excited for how Lin Rufei will overcome his conflicting state of having an overwhelming sword Qi (despite having a frail body that cannot handle it), but the author shallowly brushes over this. Lin Rufei's powers does not serve to open up his character, and rather just acts as another means to the end for the convenience of the plot. Lin Rufei himself also doesn't seem keen to explore his new discovery about himself, and his brief lessons with Gu Xuandu feel forced.

Honestly this leads to the other great problem I had with the novel. Lin Rufei was not proactive at all within his own story, and the only time he was doing something of his own initiative, it was for Gu Xuandu, not for himself. It could have been a more interesting development if he initially was proactive because of Gu Xuandu's unique situation, but then as the story progresses, he himself became more interested and took the initiative to discover himself and their shared past.

I always mention something along the lines of, "take the initiative himself" because everything seemed to be handed to him. Does he go out of his own initiative to actually do something himself? Either his maids were gathering information for him (before he can ask), Gu Xuandu is conveniently there so he can simply just hide in plain sight, or the book mentions that Lin Rufei was not really interested in finding out, before there is a development in the plot which coincidentally handed him the information.

Anyways, despite the lengthy criticism, I still think it's a nice book to read. Think of this entire critique as how I express my love for it, because if someone truly does not like it, they wouldn't spend as much time writing a review talking about its limitless possibilities.

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KaseKase
KaseKase rated it
June 25, 2023
Status: Completed
3.5 - while this was a good story, I won't say that it was the best.

I guess it's a bit spoiler-ish to say, but most of the story is a foreshadowing of the ending. Everything that MC goes through or learns in a way is related to the ending.

I wasn't that fond of the little stories that happened on the journey (I was expecting more MC and ML action) but they were kind of enjoyable too. Chi Yu is by far my favorite character.

Now on to the ending:

... more>>
Spoiler

I was disappointed with that ending. It seemed like everything was rushed towards the end, because let's be honest, the side characters had better written mysteries than the mains.

MC really embodied the dense protagonist tag because it was so obvious at the end that a blind man would have seen it coming from a mile away.

This is my personal opinion: but why didn't they just switch the formation bodies back to the original guy? The rules never said that it couldn't be fine and it wasn't like he needed a soul to do it.

And what was with the time skip? And the little man? ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ

ㅠ.ㅠ so many questions...

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Would I reread it? Maybe. Is four stars to high? Probably, but since I finished the entire story it at least deserved that. <<less
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