Mystery of the Parchment

Canti Lau Sek Ming as Zhao Xiao Xie
Gallen Lo Ka Leung as Hai Du
Kitty Lai Mei Han as Song Yao Qin
Donna Chu Git Yee as Weng Yue Feng
Betty Mak Chui Han as Duan Ming Ming
Wong Wai as Duan Fei Yun

Mystery of the Parchment is about two friends, Song king Zhao Xiao Xie
and Mongol king Hai Du, who agree to join hands to find the missing
treasures that are hidden in a perilous snowy mountain. Of interest to
the Mongol king is a sheepskin with royal order written in blood by
his father, the previous Khan. With this sheepskin the Mongol king can
overthrow the current Khan and restore his kingship. For the Song
king, he hopes to find the flying bow gun, which belongs to his
country. Even though the two countries are at war, the two kingly
friends vow to use the treasures to stop the war and restore peace
among citizens. However, once they have found the treasures one king
has a change of heart and wants everything for himself. A battle
ensues.

The three ladies (Song Yao Qin, Weng Yue Feng, and Duan Ming Ming)
each belongs to their respective clan headed by their father. Their
fathers are good friends and each holds a piece of the map leading to
the snowy mountain where the treasures are hidden. Sadly, one of them
secretly covets the other pieces of the map and goes to evil ends to
obtain them, even if it means betraying and killing his friends.

Mystery of the Parchment is an enjoyable series to watch even though
it has nothing new to offer in terms of storyline/plot. The story,
humor, romance, and fighting are all reminiscence of previous wuxia
series that I’ve seen. Nevertheless, it is still entertaining. The
story is well-paced and there aren’t any dull moments. I like the
fights choreography in here, although I wish they lasted longer. One
strange thing, sometimes the characters disappear for a long time.

I like all the characters, including the lesser important ones, such
as Xiao Xie’s two sidekicks—they help provide comic relief to an
otherwise serious plot. The love story between Hai Du and Ming Ming
makes me think of Yang Kang and Mu Nian Ci in ROCH. The character Hai
Du teaches that a man can truly love a woman and at the same time uses
her. The love triangle of Xiao Xie, Yao Qin and Yue Feng is
interesting as well, although it seems kind of strange that Xiao Xie
could open his heart to another woman when he has fought long and hard
to win Yao Qin over. I didn’t think that our villain was capable of
feelings since he’s so evil but he proves me wrong at the end. All in
all, I give this series 4/5 stars. It doesn’t hurt to watch this at
least once.