The first time I read this, I remember being confused and overwhelmed because it sounded like a sequel to Po Yun but I think it's better to think of it as happening after the first book, but largely separate.

After a reread I've discovered that I really do enjoy this one and it has grown on me much more— the writing is still quite tidy and the cp is much less flagrant and hesitant to start with— and I think that's actually really enjoyable. Nice character development, intriguing plot with secrets... more>> to uncover, and fun cast.

I also enjoy how at the end, the Po Yun cp also makes an appearance and they get to become friends, and the bit of salt sprinkled at cultural misogyny and corruption, something that keeps getting censored these days.

Would definitely recommend, I recall the translation team for the first book being excellent— I ended up reading the raws, but I trust that these translations are solid! <<less

A must read, the story line is really intriguing and keeps you guessing the whole time. Somehow the author makes it clear enough for you to follow along but never obvious enough to catch on to any plot twists. The characters all come alive in the story and the main two were exquisite, they had so much depth and life. I will miss them both.

Brother!!! When I tell you I was hooked, I was HOOKED. I rarely read stories about police and investigations (because I belong to the people that cannot see/imagine any image in my head and imagining the action scenes took a lot of brain cell), but this one got me on the edge of my seat every single chapter. I love the translator. They did a very good job at piecing the story together and preserving as much of the original text as they could. I know how difficult to translate... more>> underlying meanings!

The story starts with our Wu Yu trying to be as insignificant as possible. But as we all know, paper cannot hide fire and no matter what, fate always brought Wu Yu back to where he should be. Which is at the top, shining and blazing. I feel for him and his past. I cannot fathom the years he was undercover.

Everything about this book was great. And I truly meant it. My only regret was that I didn’t read Breaking Through the Cloud beforehand. <<less