MC gets drugged w/ an aphrodisiac during a fight while ML's in the middle of retrieving the sword he used in his previous life. MC then gets news that ML might be in trouble, so ignoring the fact that he's poisoned and that rushing back would agitate his poison more, MC still selflessly flies to where ML is as fast as he can.

MC helps ML from descending into madness, and ML returns to his senses. I have to stress this: ML is 100% within his right mind at this point. MC then asks ML for the panacea antidote MC gave him before, and what does ML do?

ML refuses, and proceeds to r*pe MC instead.

And that's not even the worst part. After MC wakes up, he realizes that while he was compromised, not only did ML r*pe him again and again, but ML also forced him into signing a death marriage contract. The contract can't be altered, can't be erased, and all of its terms were completely dictated by ML alone.

I don't know what you guys consider a fluffy romance, but this is furthest thing away from that for me. To be honest, the kinds of methods ML was using before this to get MC to agree to be with him were already straight up emotional manipulation/ab*se. And then literally a day after MC (reluctantly) agrees to be with him, ML r*pes MC like the scumbag that he is.

True love? Yeah, right.

All I can see from their "romance" 2/3 of the way through this novel is that ML has zero respect for MC, doesn't care at all about MC's feelings, and chose his own s*xual gratification over MC's well-being.

I can't remember a single instance in which ML chose MC over himself. All of his "doting" is founded on the basis that it doesn't inconvenience or go against his personal goals/desires. Not once has he sacrificed anything for MC, and even his "sacrifice" last life was b/c he knew he could go back in time and reset everything, which makes it not a sacrifice at all. ML doesn't treat MC like a lover; ML treats MC like a favored toy.

Forcing MC into a permanent death pact completely against his will, is not love. Threatening to destroy the world unless MC always stays by his side, is not love. Kidnapping the only relative on MC's mother's side who cares about MC and never allowing them to meet again out of petty and completely unfounded jealousy, is not love.

That's just some of what ML has done, and it finally culminated into MC getting r*ped and forced into a permanent bond that's not much different from those s*ave collars you often see in fantasy isekai. Except this one can't be removed, ever. MC now literally has no other option but to stay forever w/ ML. No autonomy, no choice, no respect.

Some people might like this kind of abusive relationship. I don't. Some might even argue that it gets better in the last 1/3. But to me, a "romance" that's founded on forced coercion, blackmail, and r*pe is just a Stockholm Syndrome tragedy. ML is irredeemable as far as I'm concerned, and I regret reading this so much.

There was a chapter when the Shizun spoke to the ML to treat his future partner or crush with respect and loyalty ; if he can't make them stay they have to try hard to keep them by his side. He also added that if they don't want to stay, the ML cannot force them to.

Yet the ML ignored all the good things the Shizun had said in the three full pages of quotes and only took the part where the master had said; to keep your beloved by your lside no matter what or among those lines. And he mentioned along with torture.

And he did EXACTLY just that.

How can you r*pe someone you love? Force him to marry you? Regardless of the situation, two way consent is very much needed.

And to think after raping him, his master beat him up, the ML dares to say.

"It's your fault. It's because you were poisoned and attached yourself to me. You must take responsibility!"

I was so shaken I wanted to cry and I just dropped the book immediately. He didn't have to say that, why didn't he show any remorse? How could he blame his teacher? How could he not have the slightest bit of respect to his Shizun?

Why does the r*ped victim had to take the responsibility? It's not cute and it's not funny at all. The scene was traumatizing and upsetting and I hated the scene so bad.

And to think the Shizun didn't even say anything despite knowing that his disciple was putting the blame on his shoulder, was just plain s*upid. Mu Chen lacks so many common sense it annoys me from the first chapters of the book.

Prior to the non-consensual part. Mu Chen was already rather protective of Gu Yunjue and would get jealous of his friendly interactions with other people. He's a bit slow and quite stubborn so he doesn't admit his disciple has a rather high place in his heart.

Mu Chen starts to feel different towards Gu Yunjue when he followed GY to the secret Realm to retrieve the GY's sword inheritance. He gets s**ked in into some unknown portal with GY dashing into it with him without thinking of the possible peril. Mu Chen's heartbeat becomes erratic when he realizes how much GY treasures him to be able to dash into a space that reduces their capabilities into mere mortals.

Fast forward, he gets poisoned with an aphrodisiac. He can only live he engages in the deed with someone or takes an antidote. GY has the antidote but he's been repressing his urges for too long and decides to take advantage of the situation. While Mu Chen's mental capabilities are impaired GY initiates a death marriage contract where if one dies the other follows. Can't agree with GY's action here. Although, Mu Chen does seem like a guy that you need to push to make some progress. GY's kisses didn't work so I guess the author thought r*pe would help make some progress. GY only initiated the death marriage contract to make sure Mu Chen doesn't shrug off what happened. This dispels Mu Chen's intent to give GY a drug to wipe his memory of the event. GY did not demand that Mu Chen be with him or else he'll wreak havoc in the 3 realms as far as the current plot goes. Mu Chen did not agree to be with GY after a day. They continue to travel for serval months with some awkwardness to find the cure for Mu Chen's spiritual backlash. No smut scenes at all yet. The story didn't turn dark as Mu Chen and GY do cherish each other very much.

As for the Mu Chen's kidnapped uncle Chen Mo: GY kidnapped him to prevent him from telling Mu Chen GY's real identity. There's a pothole here so didn't get the full details but he eventually follows one of GY's minion to the Devil Realm to live freely from Chen family's responsibilities. GY is a yandere so its good enough he didn't kill Mu Chen's relative.

In the end, the Mu side family didn't recognized Gu Yunjue fully so I'm kinda hopeful to see how will Gu make them give them their blessings as a couple.... ah it's kinda disappointing it ended abruptly.