It had so much potential to become phenomenal but the directing/editing team just wasted all the potential with dragging later episodes and disappointing ending. It became such a disappointment when you had so much expectations for the drama with such a great premise and great casts. Like everyone who watched would say, the drama deviates so much from the synopsis which would mislead the expectations. I had expected a more action-packed female heroine-themed drama based around the spy networks. But, the spies became only a small theme of the drama while it focused and dragged so much on one sub-plot which is the revenge of Yan Xun. And the ending!! It is very clear that they gave us an open ending to keep the potential for Season 2 but seriously, can't they just give closure to us? It's not like they have well-planned to give Season 2 with all the casts back. Well ,enough with my rants. Despite the flaws and disappointments, I still gave a very high rating because of all the feels I experienced while watching. YWY alone saved the drama. I might be biased in saying this but regardless of how tired I got from watching it dragged and dragged, I still continued watching it because of YWY and XingYue couple. Last time, I watched TMOPB, I thought Ye Hua must be the most suffering hero in all C-drama, but YWY just took the title. His love was so selfless and understanding that he does not ask for her to stay but only wants her to live happily. And of course, LGX brought YWY to life. Chu Qiao was very appealing and satisfying to watch as a female heroine who rose from slave status to a famous general in the beginning; yet, it became a subdued character in later episodes when she kept staying besides Yan Xun despite all that he has done. And the romance felt real and the two had so much chemistry that even with all the separations, every scene they are together, so much emotions felt between them. Acting-wise, all the casts did a very great job. No one was lacking in his/her role. LGX especially stood out for me because his portrayal of YWY was majestic. ZLY, of course, did justice to her character. I didn't mention much of YX character because I wasn't a big fan of his, yet, Shawn Dou also did a great job portraying his character change. So, to conclude, regardless of all the flaws and negative points, it was one of the great dramas this year, evidenced by the ratings and online views. I would still recommend to watch it if you are a great fan of Chinese historical/wuxia dramas and if you are a fan of either of the main leads and of course, if you can stand their pace and editing style.