Heaven Official's Blessing

*Heaven Official's Blessing*
Heaven Official's Blessing
Chinese	天官賜福
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Tiān Guān Cì Fú
IPA	[tʰjɛ́n kwán tsʰɹ̩̂ fǔ]

*Heaven Official's Blessing*
Heaven Official's Blessing
	天官赐福
Genre	Xianxia
Based on	Tian Guan Ci Fu by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
Written by	Season 1:; Chunri Youling (春日幽鈴); Season 2:; Heibai Hujiao (黒白胡椒);
Directed by	Season 1:; Li Haoling (李豪凌); Season 2:; Hu Ya (虎牙);
Music by	Yang Bingyin (楊秉音)
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin Chinese
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	24
Production
Executive producers	Zhang Shengyan (张圣晏); Luo Yanyan (骆艳艳);
Producers	Liu Qi (刘綦); Pan Linlin (潘琳琳); Wang Rong (王蓉);
Animators	Season 1:; Haoliners Animation League; Season 2:; Red Dog Culture House;
Production company	Bilibili
Original release
Network	Bilibili (seasons 1 and 2); Funimation (season 1); Crunchyroll (season 2);
Release	October 31, 2020 –; January 17, 2024

Heaven Official's Blessing (Chinese: 天官赐福; pinyin: Tiān Guān Cì Fú) is a Chinese novel series written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu (墨香铜臭). The serialization started on Jinjiang Literature City, a popular Chinese website for publishing and serializing web fiction, on June 16, 2017, and was completed on February 25, 2018.^{[citation needed]} It consists of 24 chapters and eight extra chapters. A manhua adaptation, illustrated by STARember and published by Bilibili, was released on October 19, 2019.^{[citation needed]} A donghua adaptation was released on Bilibili and Funimation on October 31, 2020.^[2]

Synopsis

Eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian was the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Xianle. He was loved by his citizens and was considered the darling of the heavens. He ascended to the heavens at 17 years old; however, due to unfortunate circumstances, was quickly banished back to the mortal realm. Years later, he ascends again–only to be banished again a few minutes after his ascension.

Now, eight hundred years later, Xie Lian ascends to the heavens for the third time as the laughing stock among all three realms. On his first task as a god thrice ascended, he meets a mysterious ghost who rules the ghosts and terrifies the heavens, yet, unbeknownst to Xie Lian, this ghost king has been paying attention to him for a very, very long time.^[3]

Plot

"啊那个收破烂的天界公务员，跟鬼界第一大佬有一腿！"
(English: "Ah! That Scrap-Collecting Heavenly Official is having an affair with the King of the Ghost Realm!")

— Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Heaven Official's Blessing epigraph

Novel

Though not chronologically, the novel follows the life of Xie Lian, a once-human crown prince of the Kingdom of Xianle in the east who ascends to godhood at seventeen after dedicating himself to cultivation and martial training. During the inaugural years of his divinity, his kingdom experiences upheaval and war, due in part to drought and a terrifying new disease. Going against the edicts of both the heavenly realm and of fate, Xie Lian involves himself in the affairs of the mortals who have always loved and supported him, hoping to achieve peace and relieve suffering in his kingdom. Unfortunately, his appearance in the mortal world only amplifies the conflicts between his people, and their desperation leads to the dramatic and abrupt downfall of Xianle, as well as the downfall of Xie Lian. The people destroy his temples, statues, and shrines, abandoning him as their most respected religious figure and earning him the reputation of a God of Misfortune.

Much later in his immortal life, after being banished twice by the Emperor of the Heavenly Realm, Xie Lian again ascends to the heavens to work as a godly official. Now known as a peculiar, peripatetic scrap-collector with perennially bad luck, Xie Lian is ridiculed or ignored by most other heavenly officials. Nevertheless, he retains his good-hearted nature and only wishes to fulfill his duties as a god.

For Xie Lian's first assignment of his third ascension, he is tasked with solving the mystery of a number of brides who have disappeared during their wedding processions through Mount Yujun in the mortal world. During his investigation, he is unexpectedly greeted by a ghost whose form resembles that of a young man wearing maple-red robes and silver vambraces, with black boots and attached silver chains. Silver butterflies and a rain of blood also accompany the first appearance of the youthful ghost. He interacts with Xie Lian only to briefly guide him in his mission, by taking his hand and walking with him through Mount Yujun, simultaneously breaking an enchantment array on the mountain that was preventing Xie Lian from detecting the culprit of the disappearances. After his completion of the assignment, bemused by an encounter he describes as "oddly charming to the extreme," Xie Lian learns from heaven that he had encountered Hua Cheng, or Crimson Rain Sought Flower (血雨探花), one of four fearsome ghost kings known as the Four Great Calamities.^[4]

Heedless of warnings to stay away from Hua Cheng, Xie Lian continues to cross paths with the nonchalant and intelligent ghost king as he becomes increasingly enveloped in the affairs of the three realms of heaven, earth, and ghost. Their interactions gradually lead to the building of a close, mutually protective relationship. As he unravels his feelings for Hua Cheng, and as Hua Cheng establishes himself as a steady fixture in his life, Xie Lian is yet to realize just how long their pasts have been entwined.

Translation

The novels were officially translated into English by Seven Seas Entertainment, with eight volumes in total. The translation is accompanied by illustrations from ZeldaCW, and the first volume was released on December 14, 2021.^[5] The final volume of the series was released November 28, 2023,^[6] alongside two special editions.^[7]

The seventh volume of the translation reached #5 on The New York Times Best Seller list for the week of October 1, 2023,^[8] which was the highest ranking of any novel written by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu up to that point.^[9]

Origin

Regarding her conception of the story, Mo Xiang Tong Xiu has said:

...In a broken and defeated temple with a soon-to-be forgotten god and a young devout follower was the first image that floated into my mind for this novel, and was also what gave me the impulse to write it. I'm the kind that would write up an entire book just for a scene.

— Heaven Official's Blessing Book 2, Author's Notes

The term "Heaven Official's Blessing" traditionally referred to the Shangyuan Festival of the Daoism. It was said that on the date of the Shangyuan Festival, the xian Tianguan visits the mortal realm to bring blessings. The phrase is said as a blessing and written on fai chun for the festival.^[10]^[11]

Adaptations

Donghua

The donghua was released on Bilibili and Funimation in October 2020.^[12] The production of a second season was confirmed by Bilibili in January 2021.^[13] A special episode was released on February 16, 2021.^[14] Netflix also began streaming the series (including the special episode) as of April 9, 2021.^[15] A trailer for the upcoming second season was released on November 24, 2021.^[16] The second season started airing from October 26, 2023.^[17]

The English dub premiered on November 12, 2021, on Funimation.^[18]

Season 1 (2020–2021)

No.	Title ^[19]^[a]^[20]	Original release date
1	"The Bride Prince" Transliteration: "Tàizǐ xīnniáng" (Chinese: 太子新娘)	October 31, 2020 (2020-10-31)
After incurring a debt of 8.88 million merit credits, Xie Lian is tasked with heading to the mortal realm to deal with a ghost bridegroom kidnapping brides on Mount Yujun. Xie Lian sets a trap to catch the bridegroom in the act with the help of two middle heaven junior officials, Fu Yao and Nan Feng.
2	"Mountain-Locked Ming Guang" Transliteration: "Shān suǒ míngguāng" (Chinese: 山锁明光)	October 31, 2020 (2020-10-31)
Xie Lian eventually comes upon a temple of Ming Guang on Mount Yujun. He finds the missing brides inside and comes to a startling conclusion.
3	"Confidant's Past Grudge" Transliteration: "Jiù hèn hóngyán" (Chinese: 旧恨红颜)	November 7, 2020 (2020-11-07)
The ghost behind all the kidnappings is revealed and Xie Lian is caught between catching the perpetrator and keeping the villagers safe. However, capturing the ghost only brings up more questions than answers as a disease is found which should have died out centuries ago.
4	"Ghost King Hua Cheng" Transliteration: "Guǐ wáng huāchéng" (Chinese: 鬼王花城)	November 14, 2020 (2020-11-14)
Xie Lian goes to the other gods to ask about all he saw on Mount Yujun. We learn of 4 ghost kings, in particular Hua Cheng who caused the demise of thirty-three heavenly officials. Xie Lian clears his debt and heads once more to the mortal realm with plans to open a temple and gain followers.
5	"Daily Life at Puqi Temple" Transliteration: "Pú qí jìshì" (Chinese: 菩荠记事)	November 21, 2020 (2020-11-21)
Xie Lian meets a young man while travelling on ox-pulled cart. The two have a long discussion about gods and ghosts, before being interrupted by ghosts along the forest path. While Xie Lian attempts to sneak by, the ghosts confront him only to abruptly back down in fear. Once back at his temple, Xie Lian offers the young man a place to stay in his shrine.
6	"Lost In Banyue" Transliteration: "Bànyuè mí zōng" (Chinese: 半月迷踪)	November 28, 2020 (2020-11-28)
A puppet disguised as a disease-ridden man appears at the shrine, panicked. The men realize he was not human and subdue him. After the former State Preceptor of Banyue was brought up, the two men along with Fu Yao and Nan Feng travel to Banyue. During their journey, they spotted 2 running women and got engulfed in a heavy sandstorm.
7	"Scorpion-Tailed Snake Shadow" Transliteration: "Xiē wěi shé yǐng" (Chinese: 蝎尾蛇影)	December 5, 2020 (2020-12-05)
The group survives the sandstorm and enters a cave with some merchants and artifacts from Banyue. Among the artifacts is a tombstone with details the life of a General from the army which opposed Banyue. After a nearly-lethal run in with a scorpion-tailed snake leaving a merchant and Xie Lian injured, the group and the merchant's guide head to Banyue for an herbal antidote. Upon reaching Banyue, they see the two running women from the previous episode and hide, only to be spotted.
8	"Foreboding Wind in the Ancient Country" Transliteration: "Fēng qǐ gǔguó" (Chinese: 风起古国)	December 12, 2020 (2020-12-12)
Nan Feng draws the women away, while the others head for the ruined palace. San Lang finds the herb and uses it to heal Xie Lian, but the group is captured by the undead Banyue army. The soldiers, led by General Ke Mo, bring the group to the “Sinner’s Pit” jail. Ke Mo declares that two people will be thrown to the pit’s bottom. A-Zhao is thrown, and Ke Mo chooses a merchant’s child to be the second. Xie Lian attempts to convince Ke Mo to throw him instead, but a smiling San Lang jumps before Xie Lian is able to.
9	"Scourge of Evil Taoist" Transliteration: "Yāo dào zhī huò" (Chinese: 妖道之祸)	December 19, 2020 (2020-12-19)
A woman in black who was hanging above the pit suddenly appears and pushes all of Ke Mo’s soldiers into the Sinners’ Pit. Xie Lian and Ke Mo fall, sending Ke Mo into a fit of rage. Xie Lian is caught by San Lang who says that the floor is dirty and refuses to put him down. After convincing Ke Mo that they are not on the side of the Imperial Preceptor, Ke Mo starts answering Xie Lian's questioning. Xie Lian realizes that Ke Mo's Half-Moon Daoist enemy is the woman who just pushed the soldiers into the pit. Xie Lian still feels suspicious of the general’s story when the woman in black jumps down herself.
10	"Bygone Banyue Days" Transliteration: "Bànyuè wǎngshì" (Chinese: 半月往事)	December 26, 2020 (2020-12-26)
Xie Lian realizes the woman in black is the Imperial Preceptor that Ke Mo talked about, named Banyue. Ke Mo becomes enraged again and begins to beat the Imperial Precepter, but Xie Lian steps in to protect her. Getting a closer look, Banyue recognizes Xie Lian, calling him General Hua. Xie Lian realizes Banyue is the girl he saved when he was a General. After jumping into the pit to join them, Fu Yao figures out that Xie Lian is the General from the tombstone. Banyue tells her side of the story, how she opened the city gates leading to a massacre of Banyue soldiers and claiming she is unable to control the snakes. Snakes begin to rain down on them, engulfing the bottom of the pit in chaos.
11	"Sand-buried Rights and Wrongs" Transliteration: "Shā mái gōngguò" (Chinese: 沙埋功过)	January 2, 2021 (2021-01-02)
As the snakes rain down, Xie Lian realizes there’s a sixth person in the pit. He remembers a young heavenly official, Pei Xiu, who orchestrated a massacre before ascending. Both Ke Mo and Banyue recognize A-Zhao as Pei Xiu, Banyue's childhood friend. Suddenly, everyone gets pulled out of the pit by a strong wind. At the top, they see Nan Feng, a woman in teal, and a woman in black. The woman in teal turns out to be the Wind Master. She scolds Pei Xiu and apologizes to the rest for getting stuck in the wind storm earlier. The two woman take Ke Mo and Pei Xiu for punishment. Afterwards, Xie Lian returns to the cave with the antidote for the merchant who had been bitten. Xie Lian says his goodbyes, and Nan Feng and Fu Yao return to heaven.
12	"Special Episode"	February 14, 2021 (2021-02-14)
After the events in Half-Moon Pass, Xie Lian, San Lang, and Banyue return to Puqi Temple. Xie Lian and San Lang talk about the old days, and Xie Lian reveals that he knows San Lang is actually Hua Cheng, the supreme Ghost King Crimson Rain Sought Flower. Banyue reminds Xie Lian of something he said 200 years ago that touched her deeply. Hua Cheng explains that while this body was his true form, this appearance was not his true face. Xie Lian asks if he can see Hua Cheng's real face, and he replies that the next time they meet he will see Hua Cheng's true appearance. When Xie Lian wakes, San Lang is no longer there.

Season 2 (2023–2024)

The English release switched platforms from Funimation to Crunchyroll but the Chinese release continued to be on Bilibili

No.	Title ^[21]^[b]^[22]	Original release date
1	"The Ghost King Appears" Transliteration: "Guǐ Wáng Xiànshēn" (Chinese: 鬼王現身)	October 18, 2023 (2023-10-18)
The Heavenly Emperor Jun Wu returns to the capital and calls a meeting to decide the fate of Pei Xiu. Although General Pei Ming attempts to cast doubt on Xie Lian’s testimony, Pei Xiu confesses and is exiled. Jun Wu informs Xie Lian of his suspicions that a heavenly official is being held captive. Xie Lian and the Wind Master Shi Qingxuan infiltrate Ghost City to investigate.
2	"Accidentally Entered a Gambling Den" Transliteration: "Dǔ Zhōng Línglóng" (Chinese: 賭盅玲瓏)	October 25, 2023 (2023-10-25)
Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan end up in a gambling den where Shi Qingxuan planned to meet the Martial God of the East, Lang Qianqiu. The gambling is being presided over by Hua Cheng, the ruler of Ghost City. A disapproving Lang Qianqiu interrupts the proceedings and Hua Cheng restrains him. He then announces that the winner of the next round will be given Lang Qianqiu as payment. Xie Lian wins after Hua Cheng instructs him on how to roll the die. Later, Xie Lian learns the bandit boy he met on Mount Yujun is in the city.
3	"Ghost Binding Cursed Shackle" Transliteration: "Guǐ Shǐ Zhòu Jiā" (Chinese: 鬼使咒枷)	November 1, 2023 (2023-11-01)
4	"The Secret Chamber" Transliteration: "Mì Dào Chūtáo" (Chinese: 密道出逃)	November 8, 2023 (2023-11-08)
5	"The Second Coming of Fang Xin" Transliteration: "Fāng Xīn Zàilín" (Chinese: 芳心再臨)	November 15, 2023 (2023-11-15)
6	"Heavenly Palace Raid" Transliteration: "Wàn Dié Zhěng Jūn" (Chinese: 萬諜拯君)	December 6, 2023 (2023-12-06)
7	"A Thousand Miles Away" Transliteration: "Wéi Niàn Yīrén" (Chinese: 唯念一人)	December 13, 2023 (2023-12-13)
8	"The Green-Clothed Ghost Qi Rong" Transliteration: "Qīng Dēng Yè Yóu" (Chinese: 青燈夜遊)	December 20, 2023 (2023-12-20)
9	"Yong An and Xian Le" Transliteration: "Xiānlè Yǒng'ān" (Chinese: 仙樂永安)	December 27, 2023 (2023-12-27)
10	"Bloodstained Banquet" Transliteration: "Xiānlè Lùchū Zhēnmiànmù" (Chinese: 仙樂露出真面目)	January 3, 2024 (2024-01-03)
11	"A Sad Parting Under Moonlight" Transliteration: "Yuè Xià Xībié" (Chinese: 月下惜別)	January 10, 2024 (2024-01-10)
12	"May All Taboos be Shattered" Transliteration: "Sān Láng Gēgē Fēnbié" (Chinese: 三郞哥哥分別)	January 17, 2024 (2024-01-17)

Live-action

A live-action series, Eternal Faith, began production in 2021.^[23] Chen Jialin will direct the series.^[24]

Characters

Main characters

Xie Lian (谢怜;)

Protagonist. A very unlucky god who collects scraps for a living. Also known by the titles Crown Prince, God-Pleasing Crown Prince, and Flower-Crowned Martial God.

Voiced by: Jiang Guangtao (donghua S1), Deng Youxi (donghua S2), Hiroshi Kamiya (Japanese dub), Park Yohan (Korean dub), Howard Wang (English dub), Non Sepho (นนท์ ศรีโพธิ์, Thai dub)

Hua Cheng (花城)

Main character and love interest. A ghost king known as the terror of the heavens. One of the Four Calamities. Also known as Crimson Rain Sought Flower (血雨探花) or San Lang (三郎).

Voiced by: Ma Zhengyang (donghua), Jun Fukuyama (Japanese dub), Jeong Joo-won (Korean dub), James Cheek (English dub), Sakarach Amsom (ศักราช อ่ำส้ม, Thai dub)

Heavenly Court

Jun Wu (君吾)

The Heavenly Emperor of the Upper Court. The most powerful martial god.

Ling Wen (灵文)

A civil goddess who provides information on assignments through a spiritual communication array. Also known as Ling Wen Zhen Jun (灵文真君).

Voiced by: Huang Ying (donghua), Yoko Hikasa (Japanese dub), Kim Bo-na (Korean dub), Wendee Lee (English dub)

Shi Wudu (师无渡)

The elemental master of water. Elder brother of Shi Qingxuan. Also known as Lord Water Master or the Water Tyrant.

Shi Qingxuan (师青玄)
Voiced by (female form): Qiu Qiu (donghua), Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese dub), Anjali Kunapaneni (English dub) Voiced by (male form): Lu Zhixing (Donghua)

The elemental master of the wind. The younger sibling of Shi Wudu. Also known as Lord Wind Master or Lady Wind Master.

Ming Yi (明仪)

The elemental master of earth. Also known as Lord Earth Master or Lady Earth Master.

Yushi Huang (雨师篁)

The elemental master of rain. Also known as the Rain Master.

Feng Xin (风信)

The martial god of the southeast. Was in service to Xie Lian when he was still the prince of Xianle. Also known by the title General Nan Yeng (南阳真君).

Voiced by: Wen Sen (donghua)

Nan Feng (南风)

A Middle Court junior official from the palace of General Nan Yang.

Voiced by: Wen Sen (donghua), Makoto Furukawa (Japanese dub), Choi Seung-hun (Korean dub), Phil Song (English dub)

Mu Qing (慕情)

The martial god of the southwest. Was also in service to Xie Lian when he was still the prince of Xianle. Also known by the title General Xuan Zhen (玄真将军).

Voiced by: Hu Liangwei (donghua)

Fu Yao (扶摇)

A Middle Court junior official from the palace of General Xuan Zhen.

Voiced by: Hu Liangwei (donghua), Chiaki Kobayashi (Japanese dub), Nam Doh-hyeong (Korean dub), Lucien Dodge (English dub)

Pei Ming (裴茗)

The martial god of the north. Also known as General Ming Guang or General Pei.

Voiced by: Tu Xiongfei (donghua), Junichi Suwabe (Japanese dub), Aaron Campbell (English dub)

Pei Su (裴宿)

A martial god and an indirect descendant of Pei Ming. Also known as Little Pei or A-Zhao.

Voiced by: Ling Fei (donghua), Toshiki Masuda (Japanese dub), Aaron Campbell (English dub)

Quan Yizhen (权一真)

The martial god of the west. Also known as Qi Ying.

Lang Qianqiu (郎千秋)

The current martial god of the east. Also known as Prince Tai Hua.

Ghost Realm

Bai Wuxiang (白无相)

The main antagonist of the story. The eldest and the most powerful of the Four Great Calamities. He is the one responsible for the fall of the kingdom of Xianle. Also known as the White-Clothed Calamity (白衣祸世) or White No-Face.

He Xuan (贺玄)

One of the Four Calamities. A powerful water demon. Also known as Black Water Sinking Ships (黑水沉舟).

Qi Rong (戚容)

One of the Four Calamities. Ranks as a Savage, one step behind the other three Calamities' rankings of Supreme. Also known as the Night-Touring Green Lantern (青灯夜游) or Green Ghost.

Banyue (半月)

A Savage-ranked female ghost. Former State Preceptor of Banyue Kingdom.

Voiced by: Tao Dian (Donghua), Kana Hanazawa (Japanese dub), Emi Lo (English dub)

Xuan Ji (宣姬)

A Wrath-ranked female ghost. A former lover of Pei Ming before he ascended to the heavens.

Voiced by: Shan Xin (Donghua), Yuko Kaida (Japanese dub), Michelle Rojas (English dub)