REVIEW: Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi Vol 2

This review contains major spoilers for Copper Coins: Tong Qian Kan Shi Vol 2.

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I had no idea how much I missed Xue Xian until I started reading this volume. Xue Xian has such a loud and distinct personality, he easily stands out as a main character across all the danmei I’ve read so far. His dynamic with Xuanmin is hilarious and where volume one had the two reluctantly working together, volume two shifts the tone. As opposed to being forced together, the two seems to be more willing to get closer. But getting closer means unraveling secrets and memories the two aren’t always sure they are ready to know about.

The Story Thus Far

In volume two of Copper Coins, the story makes leaps and bounds forward. Xue Xian, Xuanmin, Jiang Shining, Lu Nianqi, and newly added Shitou Zhang, make their way to Qingping County to find Jiang Shining’s sister. On this journey, Xue Xian and Xuanmin start trying to put together the pieces of Xuanmin’s past and memory. Xuanmin seems willing to let Xue Xian in on the little he knows. They feel that there is no coincidence they’ve been brought together and that their pasts have been connected.

Xue Xian also uncovers a memory regarding the capture that led to his bones being stolen. In this memory, someone who looks and feels like Xuanmin is responsible, with the only exception being that the person in the memory has hair. This discovery is troublesome to Xue Xian, as Xuanmin is the only person he trusts.

As for Xuanmin, wanted posters with a face that looks like his seem to be everywhere they go. He has no idea what happened to him before and people seem to be scared of him. The memories he is gaining are troubling and the spider thing inside him doesn’t make things any easier.

My Thoughts

Xue Xian and Xuanmin

This story is by all means a slow burn, and by slow burn, I mean you are getting the absolute tiniest of crumbs of a romance. Most of the development is read from Xue Xian’s point-of-view and that makes it incredibly entertaining. Xue Xian continues to be a brat in this volume, but with the regaining of his dragon form and some bones, he’s gaining power and more confidence. As a result, he’s closer to being on equal footing with Xuanmin.

Being that it is Xue Xian’s point-of-view, we continue to see how he views Xuanmin changing. He’s curious on what happened to Xuanmin in the past, as it seems to tie in with his past, but he’s also showing a new concern for Xuanmin. It’s cute to see Xue Xian try to rationalize to himself why he’s thinking about Xuanmin as much as he is. His thoughts betray what he’s outwardly trying to do.

“And Xuanmin… Whether he was useful or not, Xue Xian felt he had to bring him along. He couldn’t explain this impulse. Perhaps it was habit after they’d traveled together for so long. Not bringing him just felt odd.”

While we do get some of Xuanmin’s thoughts, a lot of the ways we can tell he’s falling for Xue Xian is through the small change in behavior. He’s talking more, acknowledging Xue Xian, and looking out for him in a caring way. He helps Xue Xian gain back another bone and let’s him utilize the copper coins to heal spiritually. He also let’s Xue Xian be the clingy dragon he wants to be to cool down.

As this volume ends, we’re left on an incredible cliffhanger where Xuanmin is overwhelmed with other worldly desires due to Xue Xian’s dragon saliva. The tension between the two has been boiling over at this point so I wonder what is awaiting on the other side. Especially because Xuanmin is soooooooooo reserved and controlled. Will he really lose control and go crazy with Xue Xian?!?! This is my first book of Mu Su Li’s so I don’t know if the books go there but I hope so.

Jiang Shining’s Family Reunion

Aside from the “will they, won’t they” of Xue Xian and Xuanmin, I’ve been super invested in Jiang Shining’s story. My heart ached for him in volume one, as he’s stuck earth side due to unfinished business. I was anticipating the reunion with his sister and was so nervous leading up to it. When they reunited, I cried so much. It broke my heart that Jiang Shining was so terrified of scaring Jiang Shijing, since he’s a ghost afterall. But of course, being the big sister that she is, she didn’t care at all. I cried right along with her as she held on to Jiang Shining.

“She had barely spoken a few words before a heavy sob escaped her. “How would you ever startle me? No matter what you look like, you could never startle me. Your sister isn’t afraid. Come out. Don’t hide…”

Lu Nianqi’s Story

The only area where this volume left me wanting more was in regards to Lu Nianqi. Where volume one ends, Lu Nianqi’s story was devastating. His brother, Lu Shijiu sacrificed his life to save him. Lu Nianqi inherits Lu Shijiu’s divination powers and now has become somewhat like him. His arc in volume one made me cry my eyes out. In this volume, Lu Nianqi is part of the group but a lot of times he fades into the background. I do believe there’s more to come with his story, but I wished he got to dive a little deeper into him.

What’s Next

I am sooooo curious to see how Xue Xian and Xuanmin progress in the next volume, especially being that it is the last volume! Three volumes feels so short because I love them all so much already. I can’t wait to think of a million different theories on what Xuanmin’s past is and what happens moving forward. I’ll be counting down to April.

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