[spoilers for volume 3/ch 98]
You guys liked the last QJJ song ramble, so here’s another! The last one was a little silly, but I’m locking in for this post!
This song has been a favorite of mine for years. I truly didn’t believe I could love it more, but after finishing Ballad of Sword and Wine, I can’t help but go “this is literally him 🥺”. A song that is way too good for the anime it ended up in 😒 aLIEz by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk].
When I hallucinate to this jingle, I personally imagine Shen Zechuan singing this song after he and Xiao Chiye escape Qudu. Specifically when he realizes he needs to change tactics since his mind games weren’t enough to shift the status quo the way he wanted them to. He’ll need to take a more brute force approach. He’s still struggling with Qi Huilian’s death, but with help from Xiao Chiye, he’s putting the pieces back together.
For the sake of this post I will be using the AmaLee English cover lyrics because, if I’m being honest, that’s the version I rock my head to while screaming my heart out. But some parts I will reference a more literal translation for clarity and to hurt your feelings more 😁
I will rise in resistance
Sing the oath of rebellion
End cease-fire on this high wire
When those eyes in the mirror stare back at me
I’m reminded that the ghost of pride is clear to see
While Shen Zechuan was driven out from Qudu, his determination to see Qi Huilian’s dream to fruition hasn’t faltered! I like to see this part as Shen Zechuan psyching himself up for “what he needs to do”. A phoenix rising from the ashes 🗣🗣🗣
And we can’t forget that Shen Zechuan is self reportedly vindictive. In his dramatic exit, quite a few names were added to his shit list (poor them). That ghost of pride can’t simply let those things slide. Though, in a more literal translation, rather than “a ghost of pride”, the narrator sees a pitiful reflection of shame. This also fits Shen Zechuan, especially considering where he’s at in the story. Being driven out is his greatest failure thus far, and he lost his teacher.
The original text for this section is more focused on the narrator putting up a facade—which Shen Zechuan does frequently. Acting like they’re confident and put together, when in reality, they’re unsure. Scared, even. With the initial shock of Qi Huilian’s death, such feelings on Shen Zechuan’s part are more than understandable, though he wavers a handful of times throughout the story (Which I love to see. It gives him so much depth💖).
Will you let those scars define you?
Or will they adorn you as we carve our way to victory?
Doubt is crying out but I refuse to let it drown me
Wearing down my fight till nothing's left
First of all, I simply adore the way this flows lyrically. Continuing with the hype sesh, Shen Zechuan is admonishing himself. Get up. Move on. We don’t have time for this! Throughout the story we get to witness just how far Shen Zechuan is willing to go for his goals. He constantly pushes his body to its limits. And once that limit is reached, he pushes even further. Bro is a beast. He has dedicated his life to Qi Huilian’s cause. If he dies, he failed. That’s all.
I stand gazing down at death as they say, war
They say fight for peace, but what is that?
The audible manifestation of his inner turmoil. He promised to see Qi Huilian’s dream to the end, but Shen Zechuan knows the horror of war. Of course he’d want to avoid it. We know he’s capable of ruthless killings, but beneath the blood is still that 15 year old boy who was forced onto the path he now walks.
The “gazing down at death” part especially hits because of his nightmares of the Chashi Sinkhole ☹️
Raise a shield to the bullets
Hold my ground, all I got now
But I'm defenseless, all but helpless if it gives beneath my feet
I turn from the mirror, that desperate plea
I refuse and can't believe those eyes belong to me
Outside of Qudu, Shen Zechuan has no status. Especially since he’s a convict now (well, again), he’s very vulnerable. Of course Xiao Chiye wouldn’t hesitate to give Shen Zechuan some men, at the end of the day, the Imperial Army is loyal to Xiao Chiye, not Shen Zechuan. And Shen Zechuan would rather have his own power as well, not borrowed men.
My ravaged voice betrays me mid-shout
Will you never hear those final words I failed to choke out?
I tried to survive by putting all my faith in instinct
But now I regret, what have I done?
Perhaps a quick flashback to that fateful moment on the bridge? Shen Zechuan watching Qi Huilian’s final stand and once again questioning himself. This goes back to Shen Zechuan having to change his methods when it comes to this fight against the Eight Great Clans. I believe he even called himself “naive” for thinking his old tactic would work. In his grief, Shen Zechuan could be thinking of things he could have done differently. If there was any action that would have saved his teacher 😔
A cowardly façade weaves into my voice
As I call for war, blinded by this far-fetched noble cause
Although I had a choice, I believed the lies
But it's all a dream, ending when I open up my eyes
A moment of self awareness. Dismantling the Eight Great Clan’s influence is a tall order, but Shen Zechuan resolved to himself what he needs to do. The how? …He’ll figure it out later.
In the original text, “the lies” are the narrator envisioning the future they want to see. However, since it’s simply a dream, the narrator is left unsatisfied. Wasting time imagining a perfect world rather than making it (Does this remind someone of a sub conflict in the story? Hmmm). Fantasies are useless. Shen Zechuan needs tangible results.
My hand, can you reach it?
Can you, can you tell me if this "dream" was worth it?
My hand, can you reach it?
Can you, can you help me?
Wake me from this nightmare
The last section is obviously Shen Zechuan reaching out to Xiao Chiye for comfort. No explanation needed.
I skipped a few sections because of repetition, but I hope you get the gist of my vision! I have more of these. The next one is a cizhou song 🤭 But I have quite a few for other characters as well. I really wanted to do a Shen Zechuan one before their power couple song 💪
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, reblogs, asks, and/or DMs! I’ve really enjoyed sharing my rambles on this blog, so thanks to all of you who read my posts✨
Here are the songs again for those who want em:
