hi there! im new to mdzs and I was wondering where you recommend reading the novel or manhua! to my knowledge there's the novel, manhua, donghua, and drama? I did find one site but they said that there may be bits missing due to censorship, do you know if there's anywhere that has the full series? Or even physical copies of the book translated? sorry for so many questions lol, thanks for your help!
Hi ✨ welcome to the fandom! Yes, it can be SUPER confusing to navigate all the releases etc., without my friends in this fandom I would’ve been lost too 🥺 I personally recommend you read the novel translated by exiled rebels scanlations you can read the manhua there as well 😌
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Read time: 8 Days
Rating: 5/5
The quote: Who cares about the crowded, broad road? I’ll walk the single-plank bridge all the night. — Wei WuXian
Warnings: The novel has some not minor issues with consent. It can be read as non-con or dub-con. It gets even murkier in the added chapters.
A big thank you to @exiledrebelsscans for the translation.
In the interests of full disclosure I read Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (aka Mo Dao Zu She or MDZS) after seeing The Untamed Okay so I saw it twice in quick succession, sue me. This prior knowledge meant I know the endgame to a degree I know the villains, I know most of the main players and I know the general plot. This review, as all my status updates did may contain so minor spoilers. But given the popularity of MDZS's adaptations, it's more than what people likely already know coming in. This review uses the standard short forms for character names.
The plot is gritty and at times nearing grotesque. If you are reading a translation chances are it is the Exiledrebelsscanlations version, heed their warnings there are some things that you really don't want to read while eating. The writing is layered and complex. You are required to keep track of time and people, weapons and families. One of the most telling quotes is “We are all human.” It is something that is at the heart of the story. Humanity, love. And the price we pay for both. It challenges your ethics and your concept of perception if you let it. Or you can just treat it as a fun ride. But you do need to think enough to follow the characters and plot.
My familiarity with The Untamed lead of course to comparisons between the source material and the adaptation.
The most glaring difference is the treatment of women. MXTX is a woman, it makes sense that her women are strong characters. Madame Jin is so much more than we see. Like Madam Yu, she is a fierce woman who intimidates her husband. Both these women are feared in the novel but Jin is played differently in the adaptation.
Separate post for Wen Qing. The Untamed did not do WQ justice. You know those scenes where her and Wei WuXian are searching for a way to help Jiang Cheng? Core regrowth or transfer in eps 17 & 18 yeah they are redundant. Mo Xiang Tong Xiu's vision of WQ is a badass. She created that process herself, well before WWX and JC the theoretical nature remains but she created it. Why would you remove that? The lady is a boss.
Writing allows for characters motives and actions to be better explained. JC and Jin Ling in the endgame. WWX and relationship with Xiao XingChen, his sympathy. Su She and his whole deal. Everything is still set up. But it's easier to keep secrets where required.
The characters are more balanced. As in WWX is still his prodigious self but he doesn't know everything. People have the knowledge they impart to him and Lan WangJi. Such as LXC and NHS.
The glaring difference is the use of sexuality. This is a Yaoi novel. WWX uses Mo XuanYu's homosexuality as a weapon. And there is a typical level of homophobia given the appearance of the apparent time. That said, MXY/WWX is referred to as a cut-sleeve as a slur, it comes from an amazing place and I love it
I want to ramble about the Yi City Arc (aka the Grasses chapters). This arc is dangerous to emotions in all forms this is something that fans talk about a lot. It is so well written it's a brilliant use of narration and skill. But to me, The Untamed did it better. Wang HaoXuan's performance changed a whole character and added depth. My favourite comment on Yi City (which I could talk about for hours) is "in a world of noble families Yi City is just four orphans destroying each other body and soul" Among the extra chapters there was one I liked. Villainous friends add some depth to the Yi City Arc characters. It adds Xue Yang's courtesy name, how he met Song Lan & Xiao XingChen, and the slight that started their deterioration. Also Song Lan's mysophobia. The rest of them aren't great. I can see why they exist by I wish I hadn't read them. (See also my rant on consent)
Okay. We need to address the elephant in the corner. Consent. For reasons not made especially clear one of the main characters wears an intimate accessory in full view and within reach of everyone at all times. The nature of this item is not readily explained but for another to touch it without permission is a violation. This violation occurs multiple times and it's never addressed not really. There are some worrying issues with drunken sexual activity, WWX knows LWJ isn't in his right mind and proceeds anyway. To a degree, I think this might be a cultural thing (ie BL/ Yaoi) but it made me hesitant. Not nearly as much as the rape fantasy, just thrown out there with no discussion. Or the two-time travel extras. They are rape (? I think, I skim read) and adult!WWX having sex with only-just-legal!LWJ (kind of, it's complicated). Though Bichen being used as a toy is certainly something. Look there is explicit consent, implicit consent, dubious consent and non-consent. This book runs a very fine line sometimes. It is a book I know, and I'm judging by western standards but the medium doesn't negate the need for clear writing, particularly when the target audience is young/ new adult. Usually with consent this murky it would lose a star it hasn't because I'm truly not sure where the fault lies.
Right to wrap this up because this was a rambling mess. I think fans who read this will have the same problem I did. Comparing it to an adaptation. This is Chinese, the adaptations have the issue with censorship. This has more freedom and allows some women to be strong and do their thing. There are some problematic elements but they are cultural. But it is beautiful and well worth reading if you follow along. If you can get through the first few chapters you can get through the book.
Goodreads
If you haven’t watched The Untamed the full mainland China version is available through Viki.com
