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* CompleteMonster (includes ''Literature/HeWhoDrownedTheWorld''): [[ShadowArchetype Chen Youliang]] is Zhu Chongba's [[ArchEnemy most dangerous and personal nemesis]]. Plotting alongside Zhu and weaving through the deadly decadence of their faction's courts, Chen thinks nothing of ensuring his rivals' deaths and even going so far as to see one [[FlayingAlive skinned alive]] before their peers while he smiles. After seemingly dying after Zhu betrays him, Chen forms a power base to fight Zhu's own and sends a message to Zhu by [[BadBoss severing many of his own soldiers' arms]]. After this, Chen proceeds to mutilate bodies and dump them under the ocean water to make a barrier of [[AndIMustScream agonized, trapped souls]] that will horrifically kill anyone who crosses it. When Zhu finally confronts him, Chen murders her best friend and honorary brother Xu Da and [[MockingTheMourner mocks her about it]], still devoted to claiming power for himself [[TheUnfettered at any cost]] and tormenting anyone who would dare to oppose him.
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Changed line(s) 10 (click to see context) from:
** Ouyang finally claims vengeance in [[spoiler: eliminating the Temur bloodline]], but it doesn't fill the hole in his heart. All he can muster is misery as [[spoiler: he holds Esen's body in his hands]], and soon after he commands his army to [[spoiler: attack the Great Khan]] while fully knowing it's a fight they cannot win.
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** Ouyang finally claims vengeance in [[spoiler: eliminating the Temur bloodline]], but it doesn't fill the hole in his heart. All he can muster is misery as [[spoiler: he holds Esen's body in his hands]], and soon after he commands his army to [[spoiler: attack the Great Khan]] while fully knowing it's a fight they cannot win.win.
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* MagnificentBastard:
** The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
** The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
to:
* MagnificentBastard:
**MagnificentBastard: The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
**
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All of these have been cut as per the cleanup thread.
Deleted line(s) 8,10 (click to see context) :
** [[BigBad Chen Youliang]] is the [[ArchEnemy nemesis]] of Zhu Chongba and a political and general in the court of the Emperor. Navigating the treacherous court of his enemies, Chen Youliang effortlessly outsmarts the Guos, promising one assistance with his rebellion, only to betray him and see him painfully executed to remove him as a rival. Using his troop placements to assist and hinder Zhu Chongba to gain benefit to himself, Chen Youliang betrays her so the mongols will finish her and he can usurp the Emperor's favor and eventually take the empire for himself, forcing Zhu Chongba to ally with Ouyang just for a chance to best him.
** [[FourStarBadass General Ouyang]] is a Mongol "eunuch general," having suffered castration after the death of his family at the hand of Esen-Temur's father. Becoming the general and lover of Esen, Ouyang bides his time and plays along with the Mongols, plotting his vengeance among their own ranks despite an initial defeat by Zhu Chongba. Playing on Esen's suspicions, Ouyang slowly destroys his life and picks off his family. After outfoxing one of Zhu's plans, Ouyang takes Zhu on in single combat and severs her hand, and later [[EnemyMine allies with her]] to achieve their ends once it's clear she survived. Once he returns, Ouyang works with power-hungry nobles and officials to instigate a coup before ruthlessly executing Esen, securing his vengeance completely.
** [[HiddenAgendaVillain Lord Wang Baoxiang]] is the adoptive son of Chaghan-Temur, and General Ouyang's greatest rival and ally. A brilliant noble and official, he uses his role as an educated and passive nobleman to hide from scrutiny. Brilliant at analyzing and manipulating others, Lord Wang discovers and covertly aids General Ouyang's plot against his adoptive father and brother, showing [[NervesOfSteel great calm]] no matter the danger he's in. When Ouyang ultimately enacts his masterstroke, Lord Wang escapes Ouyang's wrath by [[LoopholeAbuse pointing out that he's not part of the Temur bloodline]] and [[TheBadGuyWins walks away having gotten everything he ever wanted]].
** [[FourStarBadass General Ouyang]] is a Mongol "eunuch general," having suffered castration after the death of his family at the hand of Esen-Temur's father. Becoming the general and lover of Esen, Ouyang bides his time and plays along with the Mongols, plotting his vengeance among their own ranks despite an initial defeat by Zhu Chongba. Playing on Esen's suspicions, Ouyang slowly destroys his life and picks off his family. After outfoxing one of Zhu's plans, Ouyang takes Zhu on in single combat and severs her hand, and later [[EnemyMine allies with her]] to achieve their ends once it's clear she survived. Once he returns, Ouyang works with power-hungry nobles and officials to instigate a coup before ruthlessly executing Esen, securing his vengeance completely.
** [[HiddenAgendaVillain Lord Wang Baoxiang]] is the adoptive son of Chaghan-Temur, and General Ouyang's greatest rival and ally. A brilliant noble and official, he uses his role as an educated and passive nobleman to hide from scrutiny. Brilliant at analyzing and manipulating others, Lord Wang discovers and covertly aids General Ouyang's plot against his adoptive father and brother, showing [[NervesOfSteel great calm]] no matter the danger he's in. When Ouyang ultimately enacts his masterstroke, Lord Wang escapes Ouyang's wrath by [[LoopholeAbuse pointing out that he's not part of the Temur bloodline]] and [[TheBadGuyWins walks away having gotten everything he ever wanted]].
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Removed the comment about Ouyang's positive relationship with Zhu being proof he can work with women. He pointedly only works with her when he thinks she's a man.
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** Is Ouyang simply envious of Esen's female lovers, or is the fact he's been emasculated causing him to overcompensate. It bears mention that his [[WorthyOpponent positive relationship with Zhu]] proves that he ''can'' respect a woman if she earns it.
to:
** Is Ouyang simply envious of Esen's female lovers, or is the fact he's been emasculated causing him to overcompensate. It bears mention that his [[WorthyOpponent positive relationship with Zhu]] proves that he ''can'' respect a woman if she earns it.
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Changed line(s) 7 (click to see context) from:
** The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
to:
** The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[WarriorMonk "[[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
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Added DiffLines:
* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:
** Was Chen Youliang once like Zhu? While we see him in the future, his nature as a ShadowArchetype and the book's grim displays of how the court can twist people's ambitions into evil. His grim satisfaction toward his rival's deaths can also be seen as either indicative of sadism, or of relief as he has one less obstacle to worry about on his path to power.
** Is Ouyang simply envious of Esen's female lovers, or is the fact he's been emasculated causing him to overcompensate. It bears mention that his [[WorthyOpponent positive relationship with Zhu]] proves that he ''can'' respect a woman if she earns it.
** While there's no question in whether Ouyang loves Esen, the question of whether Esen loves him in return or merely views him as a possession to obsess over is raised within the text itself. Ouyang simultaneously adores Esen and expresses the fear that [[QuestionableConsent Esen would not listen if he refused an advance]].
* SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments: The relationship between Ma Xiuying and Zhu Chongba is a sweet and healthy love that carries on no matter their struggles.
* MagnificentBastard:
** The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
** [[BigBad Chen Youliang]] is the [[ArchEnemy nemesis]] of Zhu Chongba and a political and general in the court of the Emperor. Navigating the treacherous court of his enemies, Chen Youliang effortlessly outsmarts the Guos, promising one assistance with his rebellion, only to betray him and see him painfully executed to remove him as a rival. Using his troop placements to assist and hinder Zhu Chongba to gain benefit to himself, Chen Youliang betrays her so the mongols will finish her and he can usurp the Emperor's favor and eventually take the empire for himself, forcing Zhu Chongba to ally with Ouyang just for a chance to best him.
** [[FourStarBadass General Ouyang]] is a Mongol "eunuch general," having suffered castration after the death of his family at the hand of Esen-Temur's father. Becoming the general and lover of Esen, Ouyang bides his time and plays along with the Mongols, plotting his vengeance among their own ranks despite an initial defeat by Zhu Chongba. Playing on Esen's suspicions, Ouyang slowly destroys his life and picks off his family. After outfoxing one of Zhu's plans, Ouyang takes Zhu on in single combat and severs her hand, and later [[EnemyMine allies with her]] to achieve their ends once it's clear she survived. Once he returns, Ouyang works with power-hungry nobles and officials to instigate a coup before ruthlessly executing Esen, securing his vengeance completely.
** [[HiddenAgendaVillain Lord Wang Baoxiang]] is the adoptive son of Chaghan-Temur, and General Ouyang's greatest rival and ally. A brilliant noble and official, he uses his role as an educated and passive nobleman to hide from scrutiny. Brilliant at analyzing and manipulating others, Lord Wang discovers and covertly aids General Ouyang's plot against his adoptive father and brother, showing [[NervesOfSteel great calm]] no matter the danger he's in. When Ouyang ultimately enacts his masterstroke, Lord Wang escapes Ouyang's wrath by [[LoopholeAbuse pointing out that he's not part of the Temur bloodline]] and [[TheBadGuyWins walks away having gotten everything he ever wanted]].
* NightmareFuel: Chen Youliang has one of his rivals skinned alive before the entire court, watching with only a slight sign of glee at his ascent.
* TearJerker:
** Though Zhu [[spoiler: claims her throne]], it costs her everything. [[spoiler: She shatters her own decaying morals by murdering a child to take the throne for herself, earning [[DisappointedInYou disappointment]] from her beloved Ma Xiuying, and sacrifices everything she once loved about herself to gain power]]. The only consolation is that she makes a vow to rule well to ensure her descent wasn't in vain.
** Ouyang finally claims vengeance in [[spoiler: eliminating the Temur bloodline]], but it doesn't fill the hole in his heart. All he can muster is misery as [[spoiler: he holds Esen's body in his hands]], and soon after he commands his army to [[spoiler: attack the Great Khan]] while fully knowing it's a fight they cannot win.
** Was Chen Youliang once like Zhu? While we see him in the future, his nature as a ShadowArchetype and the book's grim displays of how the court can twist people's ambitions into evil. His grim satisfaction toward his rival's deaths can also be seen as either indicative of sadism, or of relief as he has one less obstacle to worry about on his path to power.
** Is Ouyang simply envious of Esen's female lovers, or is the fact he's been emasculated causing him to overcompensate. It bears mention that his [[WorthyOpponent positive relationship with Zhu]] proves that he ''can'' respect a woman if she earns it.
** While there's no question in whether Ouyang loves Esen, the question of whether Esen loves him in return or merely views him as a possession to obsess over is raised within the text itself. Ouyang simultaneously adores Esen and expresses the fear that [[QuestionableConsent Esen would not listen if he refused an advance]].
* SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments: The relationship between Ma Xiuying and Zhu Chongba is a sweet and healthy love that carries on no matter their struggles.
* MagnificentBastard:
** The [[FromNobodyToNightmare nameless peasant girl]] who takes the name "[WarriorMonk Zhu Chongba]]" from her late brother, along with his glorious fate. Disguising herself as a man to infiltrate a monastery, Zhu Chongba eventually becomes a glorious military commander feared and renowned for her strategies. Navigating the treacherous imperial court and surviving a brutal defeat at the hands of General Ouyang that costs her a hand, Zhu instead makes a deal with Ouyang to deal with both their enemies in the thick of battle, returns to court and kills the Prime Minister. Initially saving the Emperor's son with her loving wife Ma, Zhu realizes he is an impediment to her destiny and regretfully kills him, albeit as painlessly as possible to conclude her ascent to the throne and [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning ensure her name will be remembered for all time]].
** [[BigBad Chen Youliang]] is the [[ArchEnemy nemesis]] of Zhu Chongba and a political and general in the court of the Emperor. Navigating the treacherous court of his enemies, Chen Youliang effortlessly outsmarts the Guos, promising one assistance with his rebellion, only to betray him and see him painfully executed to remove him as a rival. Using his troop placements to assist and hinder Zhu Chongba to gain benefit to himself, Chen Youliang betrays her so the mongols will finish her and he can usurp the Emperor's favor and eventually take the empire for himself, forcing Zhu Chongba to ally with Ouyang just for a chance to best him.
** [[FourStarBadass General Ouyang]] is a Mongol "eunuch general," having suffered castration after the death of his family at the hand of Esen-Temur's father. Becoming the general and lover of Esen, Ouyang bides his time and plays along with the Mongols, plotting his vengeance among their own ranks despite an initial defeat by Zhu Chongba. Playing on Esen's suspicions, Ouyang slowly destroys his life and picks off his family. After outfoxing one of Zhu's plans, Ouyang takes Zhu on in single combat and severs her hand, and later [[EnemyMine allies with her]] to achieve their ends once it's clear she survived. Once he returns, Ouyang works with power-hungry nobles and officials to instigate a coup before ruthlessly executing Esen, securing his vengeance completely.
** [[HiddenAgendaVillain Lord Wang Baoxiang]] is the adoptive son of Chaghan-Temur, and General Ouyang's greatest rival and ally. A brilliant noble and official, he uses his role as an educated and passive nobleman to hide from scrutiny. Brilliant at analyzing and manipulating others, Lord Wang discovers and covertly aids General Ouyang's plot against his adoptive father and brother, showing [[NervesOfSteel great calm]] no matter the danger he's in. When Ouyang ultimately enacts his masterstroke, Lord Wang escapes Ouyang's wrath by [[LoopholeAbuse pointing out that he's not part of the Temur bloodline]] and [[TheBadGuyWins walks away having gotten everything he ever wanted]].
* NightmareFuel: Chen Youliang has one of his rivals skinned alive before the entire court, watching with only a slight sign of glee at his ascent.
* TearJerker:
** Though Zhu [[spoiler: claims her throne]], it costs her everything. [[spoiler: She shatters her own decaying morals by murdering a child to take the throne for herself, earning [[DisappointedInYou disappointment]] from her beloved Ma Xiuying, and sacrifices everything she once loved about herself to gain power]]. The only consolation is that she makes a vow to rule well to ensure her descent wasn't in vain.
** Ouyang finally claims vengeance in [[spoiler: eliminating the Temur bloodline]], but it doesn't fill the hole in his heart. All he can muster is misery as [[spoiler: he holds Esen's body in his hands]], and soon after he commands his army to [[spoiler: attack the Great Khan]] while fully knowing it's a fight they cannot win.
