Truthfully this is a really unique and interesting novel that I have recently taken to. It's a shame their aren't many chapters and the chapters feel a little short but still pack enough. The translation is of good quality their are some sentences that don't quite mesh together right or seem to get the original translations intended meaning across but these are few and the overall translation is still very good. Highly recommended

Top-tier con artist MC.

Honestly his gaslighting skills alone make this series a must read. It's peak entertainment watching him scheme, he's a manipulation genius even Lee Kiyoung could pick up a thing or two from him. His quick wit and snap decision making have surprised me more than once. If you're into MCs who fabricate their entire past to manipulate people, this series is for you.

I don't agree with complaints in other reviews about MC being weak. The whole shtick of the novel is about a weak protag struggling to... more>> survive in a martial arts world, relying solely on his wit to gaslight people. If you prefer OP munchkin MCs who also gaslight, that's a different subgenre. You might enjoy Fated to be loved by villains if that's your thing.

On the other hand, when MC's not pulling tricks, he's kinda bland to read about, and dense about love too... Writing can get overly wordy, though there are rare moments where I enjoy the flowery language, I read edited MTL so I can't complain too much about the writing style. I do have a slight issue with the fan translation from SkyDemonOrder, they leave many terms untranslated making it hard to follow sometimes. The worldbuilding, linear plot and heroines are pretty average, if you've read a few good murim series this one offers more of the same. The author should've cut out a ton of filler, like the parts (light spoiler alert in early arcs) where he's a woodworker or storyteller.

But despite all that, his shenanigans make it a worthwhile read. <<less

A novel with great world-building.

The character interactions are lovely, the MC is eloquent and I've found most situations realistic, it's a very entertaining novel.

However, there are some frustrating situations, namely the main-character lack of self-improvement and some forced situations.

... more>> The main character is a story writer, his strength mostly lies in his wits, meaning he also should have high intelligence.

This same character with high intelligence keeps getting his ass handled by destiny, he can't catch a break.

Robbed thrice. One time was when he conveniently fought with his guard and she was not present and was almost getting his ankles cut, had a difficulty surviving fleeing for one year, had to live in a deplorable shack infested by rats and having to lie down on straws, got a knife put on his throat by an assassin and had to think fast to survive, etc etc.

Almost everything good that happened to him as of now is also setup to a bad situation he will inadvertently find himself in. It's pretty much forced at this point, give the guy a break.

Another frustrating point; he's a weakling.

Worse yet, a weakling that doesn't seem to have the will to improve. And this is quite forced since the story seems to want him to continue being a weakling despite what he realized.

It's quite bad. In the first chapters he already sought a martial art in order to evade stabbings, he already understood that if he is without strength, he will be considered lesser than others and will be at the mercy of thug's, robbers and other criminals. What he does to improve this? Nothing, he doesn't try to join a sect, he doesn't try to learn new martial arts. Heck there's an incredibly powerful assassin right next to you that has an favorable impression of you and doesn't want to see you in harm's way, what both characters do to improve his self-defense skills? Nothing.

You could ask her for her teachings, once you've found enough financial stability learn some skills for self-defense but nah. The MC has to continue being miserable, unlucky and impotent, having only his tongue to speak himself out of dangerous situations because this is what the story seems to be going for.

Overall 4/5 but this is frustrating and I hope it gets better. Would be an easy 5/5 if it gets sorted out. <<less

This is simply the the most uniquely written dialogue and character interactions in a wuxia setting. MC is not a power creeping martial artist thats using meta knowledge of his transmigration to speedrun the world. Hes really living in it and going through the world. Everything as it is written is just refreshing and right.

This is a unique and culturally blended Wuxia. The author really went all out in developing the world and characters in this story. It has all your cliche tropes but so well blended with twists and turns, you find yourself loving it as you read. I can’t talk about more without spoiling so I’ll leave this to the readers to read and make their own discoveries.

The story has crazy beginning, not in a bad way but in a good way but, damn do I always curious what would happen on the next chapter. This is not a really a review. I have a great time reading it from chapter 1 to 47. Absolutely recommend reading it, though if you dislike weak protagonist (in term of strength as in combat) then this might be not for you.