The Black Horse

On that year, he was returning to civilian’s life. Stepping his foot into a vessel, embarking for Jiangnan. In regards to the yearnings for women of the army chiefs from the barracks, if one were to summarize it in a sentence: The beauties in Jiangnan had long since gone. Afterwards, he was made perplexed by that valiant and formidable looking female brigand, who dallied with women better than any man: Since when did the beauties in Jiangnan transform into such troublemakers? This is a story of a shipping group’s female young leader wearing men’s clothes VS. an old-fashioned guy who had shed his armor to return to civilian’s life.

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on The Black Horse "The Black Horse" promised a fun blend of adventure, comedy, and a touch of historical flair, and for the most part, it delivered! This novel is a complete original, though the translation is ongoing. I found myself quickly drawn into the world and the antics of the main character. ### First Impressions From the get-go, the cross-dressing premise and the female lead's carefree attitude hooked me. It's a refreshing take on the typical ancient China setting, and I was eager to see how she navigated the challenges of living as a man. The initial chapters were light and engaging, establishing the characters and the world in a way that felt both familiar and unique. ### What Works Well The strength of "The Black Horse" undoubtedly lies in its characters. The female lead is a breath of fresh air – clever, capable, and endearingly mischievous. I appreciated that she takes responsibility for her actions, a trait that's surprisingly rare in many web novels. The translator is excellent and the dialogue is very well written. The world-building is also a plus, drawing inspiration from the Ming-Qing Dynasty to create a believable backdrop for the story. The pacing is well-managed, keeping me invested without feeling rushed or dragged out. ### Areas of Concern While I generally enjoyed the story, I did find myself agreeing with the opinions of some other readers regarding the male lead. He comes across as somewhat cold and patronizing, and I struggled to feel any real chemistry between him and the female lead. Their relationship felt more like a forced plot point than a natural development, which was a bit disappointing. The romance aspect of the novel, overall, felt underdeveloped and unsatisfying. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have pointed out specific instances where the male lead's actions and thoughts regarding the female lead's gender felt jarring and out of place. For example, his surprise at her skills and his constant reminders that "it's a pity she's a girl" felt unnecessary, especially since the world-building doesn't emphasize the limitations of women. Additionally, the ending marriage proposal felt rushed and unearned. ### Final Verdict Despite my reservations about the romance, "The Black Horse" is still an enjoyable read. The strong female lead, the engaging plot, and the comedic undertones make it a worthwhile experience. If you're looking for a lighthearted adventure with a unique protagonist and aren't too focused on a deeply developed romance, I would recommend giving this novel a try. Just be prepared for a male lead who might not quite live up to expectations. I'm giving it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.