The Enemy General is a Bondservant

“All you need to do is open your mouth to beg me. I’ll buy you if you do, and you’ll be mine and mine only. But if you don’t… if you’re not willing, then you won’t just be mine…” “I choose them… Duanmu Li, listen carefully. I choose them! I’d rather die than choose you!” Zhan Tianbai was originally Yao Country’s “Crimson Flame General”, but was made to drink poisoned wine thanks to the machinations of the Nanchu Qinwang, Duanmu Li. He didn’t die, but he became an invalid. Yao Country was defeated, and Zhan Tianbai was sold off to a brothel house in Nanchu to become a male prostitute. On the night he was first auctioned off, Zhan Tianbai and Duanmu Li’s paths crossed again, and Duanmu Li bought Zhan Tianbai. He originally wanted to “play” with Zhan Tianbai until he was completely ruined, but somehow ended up falling for him…

Original Publisher

Unknown

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *The Enemy General is a Bondservant* ### First Impressions Alright, let's dive into *The Enemy General is a Bondservant*. Going in, I was intrigued by the premise: enemies-to-lovers with a historical Chinese setting and a bondservant twist? Sounds like a recipe for some compelling drama. The tags promised action, martial arts, and a "manly gay couple," so I was ready for an epic ride. However, after digging deeper, I'm left with mixed feelings. ### What Works Well There are definitely elements that caught my attention. The flashbacks, for example, seem to offer glimpses of a genuine connection budding between the characters. I also saw some potential in the obsessive love aspect of the male lead, if executed well. The author does seem to try and redeem the ML later in the story by having him save the MC from poison. ### Areas of Concern Here's where things get tricky. I found it hard to reconcile the potential for a beautiful romance with the darker elements hinted at in the earlier chapters. The power dynamics are incredibly skewed, and it seems the MC is placed in degrading and humiliating situations. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, here's where I need to tread carefully because we're entering spoiler territory. Some readers have expressed concerns about non-consensual acts happening between the leads. The MC's internal conflict is also a point of contention. It's hard to root for a relationship when it seems to be built on a foundation of trauma and forced submission. The MC's feelings are complicated, and the author's way of conveying them may be difficult for some to digest, because it seems that the MC begins to develop feelings for the ML despite what happened to him. ### Final Verdict Ultimately, *The Enemy General is a Bondservant* is a novel with potential that might not be for everyone. If you're drawn to enemies-to-lovers stories with complex characters and don't mind navigating some morally gray areas, this might be worth a try. However, be prepared for a potentially bumpy ride with questionable power dynamics and a romance that demands a hefty suspension of disbelief. For me, I'm on the fence, and I think I'll be passing on this one for now.