Principal photography began on 16 April and finished on 10 August 2012 in Mainland China. Filming locations include Hengdian World Studios, Xiangshan Movie & Television Town in Zhejiang Province and Tianmo Natural Desert in Huailai County Hebei Province. The series began airing in China on 4 channels (Zhejiang TV, Dragon TV, Shenzhen TV, Yunnan TV) simultaneously on 14 August 2013.[1] The series was also aired in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Thailand and other Asia-Pacific countries.[2][3]
Synopsis
The Prince of Lan Ling is one of the four most handsome men in ancient Chinese history. Known as the God of War, he led his army into battle and vanquished his foes while wearing a fearsome mask to hide his face. His real name was Gao Changgong, a famed general during the Northern Qi period who is wise and loyal, and treats his soldiers with great generosity and respect.
A prophecy foretold that victory would go to the one who has the priestess's blessing. Yang Xuewu, the last priestess of her clan, unwittingly becomes embroiled in a war between Northern Qi and Northern Zhou. Although she foresees a tragic fate for the Prince of Lan Ling, the military general of Northern Qi, she falls in love with him and helps him win the war against Yuwen Yong, the Emperor of Northern Zhou. However, her attempts only bring him closer to his fate. As his standing among his people grows, so does the murderous jealousy in Crown prince’s heart. Can she protect him when it’s his family who wants him dead?[4]
Crowned with the title “Beautiful God of War”, the Prince of Lan Ling is an undefeatable and strong general, who possesses both strength and intelligence. As a prince of royal blood, he treats everyone equally, regardless of their rank and background. He fights battles, seeing them each as a step towards world peace. Being a kindhearted man, he chooses to wear a demonic mask whenever he goes on a war, and under the mask, he becomes a cruel and heartless general who soars to bring victory to his kingdom. Upon seeing his mother’s fate of not being able to be with the man that she loves, he vows to marry and love only one woman in his lifetime, not wanting his wife to share the same misery as his mother.
The last descendant of the legendary line of female seers known as the Heavenly Maiden. A cheerful, intelligent and kind-hearted girl. She is naive and trusting, and often willing to step out bravely and protect what she think is right. Even with her limited medical knowledge, she is able to cure many illnesses and this, coupled with her intelligence, people unanimously acknowledged her as the Heavenly Maiden.
A natural ruler with good looks, wisdom, perception and strength, he is also a ruthless emperor who does not tolerate betrayal. Having to survive in the Palace to protect his throne, he learnt to protect himself and to never reveal his weakness to anyone. He is kind to his servants and loving to his niece, Zhen Er. He views the Prince of Lan Ling as an honourable rival and strikes up a peace treaty between the two states. Unfortunately, only one of them can survive to be the ruler of the North.
Prince of Lan Ling’s beloved younger half brother; he is also his capable assistant. Entering the palace with the same circumstance as his elder brother, he is very dependent on and loyal to his brother. A flirtatious man who is good with ladies, he also helped match-make his brother and Xue Wu. Eventually, he marries and settles down with Xue Wu's servant, Xiao Cui.
Born as the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Qi, people have high expectations of him, including his father who treated him strictly since young; resulting in him feeling belittled and underappreciated. He is kindhearted in nature, but seeing that he is surpassed by his cousin, the Prince of Lan Ling, he becomes bitter and feels the need to prove himself to everyone. This causes him to becomes a multi-faceted and cruel man due to his jealousy taking over. He is often reckless when making important decisions, and resorts to every means in order to get to the throne, including murdering his father. He has been in love with Zheng Er since he was young, but Zheng Er abuses his love to exact revenge on the Prince of Lan Ling and Xue Wu.
A palace maid of the previous Empress of Qi, who fell in love with the Prince of Lan Ling at first sight. She is later tricked by the Empress and Zu Ting and becomes a slave for participating in a conspiracy of which she was unaware of. She eventually escapes the slave camp, only to arrive at Lan Ling Manor in time to find out that Xue Wu was to marry the Prince. This causes her to be filled with jealousy and hatred, and she resorts to all means to destroy Xue Wu's reputation. Eventually, the Prince finds out about her trickery and banishes her. She then takes on the identity of Feng Xiaolian and becomes the current Empress of Qi, an extremely scheming woman who manipulates the Emperor of Qi (Gao Wei) to take revenge.
Shawn Wei as Han Xiaodong
Protector of Xue Wu who is extremely loyal and caring towards her. Originally a poor boy from Beggars' Village, he tricks Xue Wu and sells her to a slave trader. However, after she escapes and sees the terrible conditions that made it necessary for him to commit crimes to gain money, she forgives him and helps the Village recover. Since then, Xiao Dong has been working at Lan Ling Manor. He is secretly in love with Xue Wu, but remains silent.
Northern Qi official and Gao Wei's trusted advisor. He causes tension between the Prince of Lan Ling and Gao Wei by instilling jealousy in Gao Wei. He planned to betray Northern Qi empire by poisoning Yuwen Yong and controlling him, but he was later killed by Prince of Lan Ling.
Great Northern Qi general. He was Killed by Gao Wei for his honest comments towards him.
Wang Tianye as Hulu Xu Da
Northern Qi general, son of Hulu Guang. He is a trusted friend to the Prince of Lan Ling since young. He was captured and tortured by the Northern Zhou army, and died.
Deng Sha as Prince of Lan Ling's birth mother
Zhu Haijun as Xiao Cui
Prince of Lan Ling's house maid and loyal servant. She is one of the first to notice Zheng Er's suspicious behaviour and protects Xue Wu. She stays with Prince An De after all his concubines leave him.
A wise and knowledgeable woman who is able to aid her husband to acquire and become the ruler of the North. She is married to Yuwen Yong politically, but loves him deeply.
Northern Zhou general, loyal subordinate of Yuwen Yong. Ambitious and unscrupulous, his main goal is to defeat his enemies. Yuwen Yong was forced to kill him after the Chief Minister Yuwen Hu shames him for losing a battle against the Prince of Lan Ling.
Zhang Zimu as Yuwen Zhen
Yuwen Yong's niece. She is a sickly child. Yuwen Yong is very protective of her since her father was killed by his uncle Yuwen Hu.
Xue Wu's grandmother. She is very protective of Xue Wu since they are the last of their tribe. She predicted the prophecy of the Prince of Lan Ling's tragic fate.
