Remnants of Filth by Rao Bao Bu Chi Rou

After reading this volume, Remnants is my new favorite series by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou. Honestly, the writing just seems more mature than even The Husky and his White Cat Shizun, especially whatever messed up plot ultimately caused Gu Mang to defect. Because there is a ton more to unpack there (obviously) but I have a feeling the Emperor is going to be at the center of it and I hope they get to take him out, because quite frankly he's a jerk. 

The relationship between Gu Mang and Mo Xi is so freaking heartbreaking and complicated, though. There is definitely this feeling that if Mo Xi had maybe tried to be *less* of a noble before Gu Mang's defection, none of this would have even happened. While I understand Mo Xi's feelings in terms of Lu Zhanxing's role in this whole mess, I don't necessarily think Lu was entirely *wrong*. What I do think is that everyone around Gu Mang should stop making decisions for him, Mo Xi included. That being said, I don't think Mo Xi has had a full wake-up call yet, and I definitely think that Gu Mang is still hiding a lot. Like a lot, a lot. I'm not buying that he's only got some fragments from the timeframe he had defected. 

That last chapter, though? Oh dear gods, just stomp on my heart a bit more why don't you? I know I should have bought volume 4 at the same time now. I've got to wait a few days, and it's going to be a painful few days 😭

Remnants of Filth Vol. 4

I only have three words: Poor Gu Mang! 

Okay, maybe I have a few more. 

First of all I'm still finding it really hard to trust the Emperor, I mean he's just going to have to do way better than he did to get me to believe that he's actually trying to enact change for the better.

I think Mo Xi *finally* maybe understands Gu Mang fully; how could he not after the Time Mirror and the Jade Scrolls?

But omg Gu Mang, everything he endures is just too much, and to have no one else know about it? Even without all of the just straight-up torture, it's, as the book says, a testament to his dedication to his dream that he has not fully lost his mind. Yet. 

And ugh, that ending. I have so many questions. Where the hell is Jiang Fuli going is a huge one. He was just a side character at best up until this point. I mean, even with him healing Gu Mang, he's still only got a couple of lines, but with that ending, he's clearly got a bigger role to play. I dont believe there is any way that the goushi in Liang isn't a traitor from Chonghua. I just don't. He can't be some random dude that just hates Chonghua for no reason, so I think it's going to be really interesting when his identity is revealed. 

I am now, of course, incredibly sad I didn't pick up volume 5!