The Heaven Official’s Blessing (Chinese: 天官赐福) is a novella by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (Chinese: 墨香铜臭) about a story of mystery, adventure, and love. The protagonist, Xie Lian, is a deity who has been brought down to the mortal world and who endures trials and tribulations in the human world, ultimately revealing the machinations of heaven. In addition to the original novel, Heaven Official’s Blessing has been adapted into a manga and an anime, further expanding its influence. The anime version premiered in 2020 and quickly became one of the audience’s favorites. Heaven Official’s Blessing is indeed categorized as a boys’ romance (BL) series.
Introduction to the protagonist of Heavenly Officials’ Blessing
- Xie Lian: Originally the Crown Prince of Xianle Kingdom, Xie Lian practiced at the Imperial Jiguan in Taicang Mountain when he was young. When he was seventeen years old, he saved a child (Huacheng) who fell from the city wall during the Shangyuan Festival Tour, and his mask fell off and he became one of the “Four Famous Scenes” – “Prince Yue Shen”. He is gentle and kind-hearted, with a divine nature engraved in his bones. Although he has gone through the world for 800 years, he still sticks to his original heart.
- Hua Cheng: The fate is extremely fierce, early on, by the immortal music master counted out that it is the ‘Heavenly Fury’, the fate of extinction. As a child, he was bullied and spurned for her strange demeanor, leading to a childhood aversion to the world, not to mention not understanding the meaning of living until he met Prince Xie Lian. A glimpse of the divine martial arts path, a hundred worlds fell. Since then, he has become Xie Lian’s most loyal believer.
The process of love between the main characters of Heavenly Officials’ Blessing
The development of love between the protagonists Xie Lian and Hua Cheng in Tian Guan Zhi Fu is a very special and deeply emotional process. Their meeting and getting to know each other occurs during Xie Lian’s assignment to the earth. When Xie Lian meets Hua Cheng for the first time, he is attracted by Hua Cheng’s wisdom and courage. Hua Cheng, originally regarded as the body of a natural disaster, demonstrated resilience and a persistent pursuit of life, which made Xie Ren feel deep respect and sympathy for him.
As time passes, the relationship between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng gradually sublimates into a deep emotional connection. Hua Cheng’s loyalty and support for Xie Lian, as well as his selfless devotion, make Xie Lian rely on him more and more. At the same time, Hua Cheng’s deep affection and respect for Xie Lian facilitates the growth of his love for Hua Cheng. Their time together and shared experiences not only deepen their understanding of each other, but also increase their intimacy.
It is worth noting that Hua Cheng’s love for Xie Lian did not arise overnight, but developed slowly as they went through hardships and challenges together. This love is full of sincerity and purity, based on a deep understanding and unconditional acceptance of each other. Therefore, when Xie Lian finally realized her love for Hua Cheng, this love had already been deeply rooted in their hearts and had become part of their lives.
Differences between Heaven’s Official Blessing and typical BL works
- Theme and Plot: Heaven Official’s Blessing primarily explores elements of the supernatural, adventure, and mystery, rather than focusing on erotic relationships between men. While it contains a romantic relationship between the male characters, it does not form its central story line. In contrast, typical BL works usually center on male homosexuality, emphasizing the portrayal of emotions and sexuality.
- Character Dynamics: In Heaven Official’s Blessing, the protagonists have a more egalitarian relationship, without the clear division of labor between “Seme” and “Uke” found in traditional BL. Their interactions are based more on friendship, loyalty, and shared adventures than on sexual role-playing.
- Complexity of the storyline: The storyline of The Heaven Official’s Blessing, is rich and complex, involving myths, religious beliefs, power struggles, and much more. Such a rich background and complex plot line make it a conventional model for BL works, providing a more fluid narrative space.
- Cultural Background: Tian Guan Zhi Fu originates from the Chinese online literature scene, so its cultural background and storyline are deeply rooted in both traditional and modern Chinese culture. In contrast, many typical BL works may be influenced by Japanese-influenced anime culture with different styles and themes.
As fans of “Heaven Official’s Blessing” dive deeper into the enchanting world of Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, one accessory has become a cherished memento of their journey—The Heaven Official’s Blessing Ring.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this ring isn’t just a piece of jewelry; it’s a token of the bond between the celestial beings and the mortal realm, reflecting the series’ themes of love, duty, and the quest for truth. Whether you’re a devotee of Xie Lian’s noble deeds or captivated by Hua Cheng’s mysterious allure, the Heaven Official’s Blessing Ring serves as a daily reminder of the series’ enduring appeal and the magic that lies within us all.
