Heaven Official's Blessing: Vol. 1

Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù’s Heaven Official’s Blessing employs dramatic irony and shifting perspectives to explore The Illusion of Truth, the power of narrative control, and Power and Corruption in divine hierarchies. The prologue establishes Xie Lian’s backstory as a fallen Heavenly Official, but the author deconstructs this seemingly straightforward tale as the novel unfolds. While Xie Lian’s legend paints him as a failure, the novel suggests that the real failure lies within the corrupt celestial order that rejects him. The novel questions who controls the truth, how faith and perception shape power, and the consequences of a hierarchical system where divine favor is as arbitrary as it is influential.

The novel subverts traditional xianxia tropes by demonstrating that power and corruption persist even in the Heavenly Realm. The xianxia genre blends Chinese mythology, Daoist and Buddhist principles, and fantasy with the belief that self-cultivation can lead to godhood. However, Heaven Official’s Blessing highlights that ascension does not eliminate human failings but instead exacerbates them. Many gods were once mortals, yet their time in the divine realm only deepens their flaws rather than purging them of mortal attachments. The heavenly officials—a term used interchangeably with gods— were once mortal and remain susceptible to greed and self-interest, mainly because their power stems from mortal prayers and offerings. This is starkly revealed when Xie Lian overhears gods mocking his third ascension in the communication array, treating his return as a joke rather than a miraculous feat. Instead of welcoming him back, they bet on how quickly he will be banished again, demonstrating that the heavenly realm is more preoccupied with status and spectacle than actual divinity.

This system privileges the wealthy, as seen in Mount Yujun, where a ghost groom kills 17 brides over a century. The Heavenly Realm only intervenes when the 17th bride’s father—a man with political connections—conducts an extravagant religious campaign: “Without going to such ends, it was practically impossible for the voices of insignificant mortals to reach the ears of gods in heaven” (49). The fact that divine intervention is contingent on wealth and influence underscores the novel’s critique of institutionalized inequality. It also raises the unsettling issue of gods responding only to those with resources, presenting class tensions among the poor and powerless who pray in desperation but lack the means to be heard.

The randomness of ascension further challenges the notion that power equates with worthiness. Heavenly officials must endure a “Heavenly Tribulation” to ascend, yet this trial is arbitrary, granting godhood not necessarily to the most righteous but often to the fortunate. Many figures in the novel are highly capable yet remain in limbo as junior officials, assisting their superiors despite possessing comparable abilities. As the novel states, “It must be known that there were definitely geniuses and outstanding figures with impressive spiritual power among [the junior officials], and what they were missing was only that one Heavenly Tribulation before they could become real heavenly officials” (44). This dynamic exposes the flaws in the ascension system, revealing that godhood is not necessarily a mark of superior morality or skill. Instead, ascension is more like winning a celestial lottery—one that favors luck, political ties, and strategic maneuvering over inherent virtue.

Xie Lian, however, is an exception—he is uniquely moral and compassionate despite his repeated banishments. Unlike other gods, whose power stems from influence and wealth, Xie Lian’s strength comes from perseverance and kindness. His third ascension is particularly significant because, unlike his previous two, it occurs without worshippers or temples—defying the fundamental premise that divine power requires faith. Instead of being celebrated, Xie Lian is met with resentment and disbelief, as his ascension threatens the established order by proving that a god can rise without the validation of mortals. Xie Lian embraces self-reliance, believing that even without worshippers, he will continue to honor and uphold his own path. This mindset sets him apart from his celestial peers, who seek validation through devotion. His journey defies expectations, as lore dictates that a fallen heavenly official either disappears into obscurity or becomes a vengeful ghost. The heavenly officials assume that Xie Lian will eventually succumb to bitterness and transform into a malevolent force, yet he resists this fate. Even when abandoned by mortals and gods alike, he does not seek revenge—his survival itself is an act of defiance. His ability to ascend a third time—despite lacking mortal followers or divine favor—demonstrates the novel’s theme of Redemption and Forgiveness through self-determination rather than external validation.

However, Xie Lian’s return to the Heavenly Realm does not bring him respect or vindication; instead, he remains an outcast. His mission—“I want to save the common people” (10)—is viewed as naïve, yet he continues to act with selflessness, as seen in his protection of Xiao-Ying, his refusal to endanger another bride in the ghost groom investigation, and his concern for the “bandaged creature” on Mount Yujun. While other gods accumulate power by maintaining distance from the mortal world, Xie Lian remains deeply involved, suggesting that true divinity is not about detachment but about engagement. His persistence in helping others, even at his own expense, contrasts sharply with their self-serving actions. In this sense, Xie Lian’s presence threatens the status quo; he is a reminder that godhood does not have to be transactional. By choosing to assist mortals without expectation of worship or reward, he embodies a version of divinity that stands in direct opposition to the other heavenly officials.

The complex relationships between Xie Lian, Feng Xin, and Mu Qing further emphasize the themes of Redemption and Forgiveness. Initially, Xie Lian elevates them as his junior officials during his first ascension, but animosity marks their reunion in the Heavenly Realm. Feng Xin, now known as Nan Feng, treats Xie Lian with indifference, while Mu Qing, now Xuan Zhen, actively works against him, blocking his access to allies and undermining his efforts. Mu Qing’s hostility suggests lingering resentment rather than mere rivalry, as he attempts to sever Xie Lian’s influence within the Heavenly Realm. His actions highlight an unspoken truth: Those who have struggled alongside Xie Lian are also victims of the celestial hierarchy, yet rather than uniting against it, they have turned on each other.

However, their continued involvement in Xie Lian’s journey suggests unresolved ties and a reluctant sense of duty. They send junior officials—Nan Feng (Feng Xin) and Fu Yao (Mu Qing)—to serve as proxies and accompany him to Mount Yujun, implying a residual loyalty beneath their antagonistic exteriors. Though they claim indifference, their presence signals an inability to fully sever ties with their former leader. This tension is evident in moments of subtle care: They prevent Xie Lian from eating food off the ground and use their powers to shield him from harm. Their treatment of Xie Lian mirrors the contradictions within the celestial order—gods may claim superiority over mortals, but their behavior is often rooted in deeply human emotions like pride, guilt, and longing. This is especially evident in how they view Xie Lian’s persistence—what they see as foolishness or self-sabotage is, in reality, a testament to his resilience. Even when stripped of power, Xie Lian continues to live by his ideals. Though small, their gestures of protection hint at an underlying bond and admiration that neither Feng Xin nor Mu Qing is willing to acknowledge outright. Their dynamic encapsulates the novel’s exploration of fractured relationships and the struggle between resentment and lingering attachment.

Ultimately, Heaven Official’s Blessing deconstructs the traditional xianxia narrative by exposing the flaws in divine institutions and redefining the meaning of power. The novel challenges the assumption that gods are inherently righteous, instead portraying them as flawed beings determined by arbitrary factors. Through Xie Lian, the story raises the question of what truly separates gods from humans if the heavens are no better than mortals. Xie Lian’s story, in particular, subverts expectations, as he remains an outlier in a system that prioritizes influence over virtue. His relationships with Feng Xin and Mu Qing further complicate the narrative, illustrating how loyalty and betrayal can coexist within the same bond. In a celestial system where worth is measured by reputation rather than deeds, Xie Lian’s refusal to conform makes him an anomaly—one who, despite all odds, continues to seek justice in a world that has long since abandoned it.