Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy

Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy
Genre	Mythology Fantasy Historical fiction
Based on	Hai Shang Mu Yun Ji by Jin Hezai
Written by	Cao Dun Jin Hezai Wei Jingna Tian Yanjuan
Directed by	Cao Dun
Starring	Huang Xuan Shawn Dou Zhou Yiwei Xu Lu Janice Man Zhang Jianing
Country of origin	China
Original language	Mandarin
No. of episodes	75
Production
Executive producers	Wang Heran Liang Chao
Producer	Wang Heran
Production locations	China (Xinjiang, Xiangshan, Beijing, Nanjing) Japan
Running time	45 mins
Production companies	Novoland International Cultural Communication Ltd Netease
Budget	US$45.2 million
Release
Original network	iQiyi, Tencent, Youku, Hunan TV
Original release	21 November 2017 (2017-11-21) – 4 January 2018 (2018-01-04)

Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy (Chinese: 九州·海上牧云记; pinyin: Jiu Zhou Hai Shang Mu Yun Ji) is a 2017 Chinese television series adapted from the novel of the same name written by Jin Hezai and directed by Cao Dun. It stars Huang Xuan, Shawn Dou, Zhou Yiwei, Xu Lu, Janice Man and Zhang Jianing. The series airs on iQiyi, Tencent and Youku starting November 21, 2017.^[1][2]

The series was a hit among international fans due to its high standard of production, impressive storyline and exceptional performance.^[3] The series currently has a 6.8 rating on Douban.^[4]

Synopsis[]

The series is set in the fictional world of Novoland and tells the story of loyalty, friendship, enmity and romance between the young descendants during the twilight years of the Duan Dynasty. The Novoland Duan Dynasty/Empire has been in existence for more than 200 years after it was established from a Barbarian invasion. The people adopted the culture of Zhongzhou and despite its outward appearance of power and prosperity, it is showing signs of decay.

Young prince Muyun Sheng (Huang Xuan), who was born of a beautiful spirit mother, was shunned and disliked since young due to his identity. Having lived in seclusion and loneliness throughout his life, he one day finds out the truth about his mother's death from her previous attendant-in-waiting. Along with the new-found knowledge, he was given a magical crystalline sphere which once belonged to his mother. While his brothers fight for the throne, the whimsical half-spirit prince spent his days seeking the mysteries of the gem. To the outside world, he was declared insane and then dead.

Years later, when the emperor and his brothers died, the abandoned prince was pushed to the throne. Longing for the world of the gem and the woman he saw in it (Janice Man), he escapes the palace by blowing apart the barrier between it and the River Folks. Along with the palace, he left behind chaos and a country under attack on all sides. Leading the attack on land is Shuofeng Heye (Zhou Yiwei), a man who has tamed the wolves and seeks to unify the nomadic tribes and finally give them a home of their own.

And then there is Muru Hanjiang (Shawn Dou), the son of the exiled family of generals who were once equals with the Muyun’s. Returning from the land of giants to seek revenge for the betrayal by the Muyun family, he ends being an unlikely ally to the young Emperor against the new ruler, Muyun Sheng’s uncle (Wang Qianyuan).

Interwoven among the men are the women who also cannot escape from the storm of prophecies. The woman who was prophesied to become Empress (Xu Lu) but whose heart belongs to Muru Hanjiang; the Princess who lusts for blood (Zhang Jianing); princess of a fallen kingdom who is determined for revenge (Kan Qingzi); the treacherous Empress (Jiang Qinqin) and her niece (Wan Qian), who schemes to be the Empress.

Pain and sorrows of past wounds now manifest in the new generation.

Cast[]

Muyun Family[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Lu Fangsheng	Muyun Qin	Emperor Ming of Duan. He is constantly pained with the loss of his true love, Yinrong, whom he sacrificed to keep his throne.
Wang Qianyuan	Muyun Luan	Prince Ye. The Emperor's older brother, who was stripped of his position as the Crown Prince by the late Emperor years ago. He aims to usurp the throne, hiding a cunning and scheming personality behind a humorous facade.
Wang Yinan	Muyun Yan	The Emperor's young sister. Muru Shuo's wife; Muru Hanshan, Hanchuan and Hanjiang's mother.
Li Zifeng	Muyun Han	Eldest prince (Prince Sawu). Upright and candid, with supreme martial arts skills.
Sun Jian	Muyun Lu	Second prince (Prince Ruiwen). Elegant and kind, he is a master of strategies and tactics. He has a one-sided love for Su Yuning.
Peng Guanying	Muyun Hege	Third prince (Prince Yuxing), son of the Empress. Ambitious and talented, his greed for the throne eventually destroyed him. He loves Nanku Yueli and resents Muyun Sheng, whom he sees as a "monster".
Huang Xuan Zheng Hao (young)	Muyun Sheng	Sixth prince (Prince Ningrui, Crown Prince). A half-human and half-spirit. Born with a cursed fate, he was prophesied to become the future Emperor and destroy the world. His true love is Panxi.
Zhang Jianing	Muyun Yanshuang	Princess Jing. A warrior who is eager to win and competitive. She admires Muyun Han, and also has a complex relationship with Shuofeng Heye, whom she saved from slavery when they were young. Her true love is Shuofeng Heye.
Zhang Xiaochen Zhou Qi (young)	Muyun De	Muyun Luan's second son. Head of Wanchuan's Chamber of Commerce. A hot-headed and sly man who often moves with a purpose in mind, his goal is to conquer the world with magical arts.

Muru Family[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Cao Weiyu	Muru Shuo	General of Duan, known for his loyalty and allegiance toward the royal family.
Zhang Yao	Muru Ping	Muru Shuo's sister, Muyun Luan's wife and Muyun De's mother.
Qu Gaowei	Muru Hanshan	Eldest son of Muru family.
Zhang Junming	Muru Hanchuan	Second son of Muru family.
Shawn Dou Shi Yunpeng (young)	Muru Hanjiang	Third son of Muru family. Due to a prophecy that has declared him as a future monarch, his father abandoned him since young. He grows into a resilient young man with a strong personality. He yearns for freedom, but at the same time is dedicated to protecting the peace of the world. He falls in love with Su Yuning and tells her he will protect her. Su Yuning is his true love.

Nanku Family[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Jiang Qinqin	Nanku Mingyi	Empress of Duan, Muyun Hege's mother. Despite her authority and power, her love for her husband was never reciprocated.
Yanko Kouji	Nanku Qi	Empress Nanku's older brother. A court minister.
Wan Qian Ma Zehan (young)	Nanku Yueli	Empress Nanku's niece. Tyrannical and evil, she schemes to become the next empress. She harbors hatred for Su Yuning due to jealousy arising from the latter's royal destiny.

Shuofeng Tribe[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Jiang Yi	Shuofeng Da	Shuofeng Heye's father. Head of Northern Hanzhou Shuofeng clan.
Li Nian	Longke Danzhu	Shuofeng Heye's mother.
Zhou Yiwei Zheng Wei (young)	Shuofeng Heye	Heir of the Northern Hanzhou Shuofeng clan. Since young, he was prophesied to become the "tieqin", the Ruler of the Seas and Land. He grows from a vindictive and revengeful man into a brave and insightful ruler, who seeks to unify the nomadic tribes and finally give them a home of their own.His true love is Muyun Yanshuang
Chen Bingqiang Cao Yingrui (young)	Shuofeng Suhe	A shaman.

Helan Tribe[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
You Daqing	Helan Dao	Head of the Helan tribe.
Cai Lu Di Xiaoguang (young)	Helan Tieyuan	Helan Duo's son.
Wang Sisi Chen Qianyang (young)	Helan Tieduo	Helan Duo's daughter. An overbearing and cruel beauty. She is in love with Shuofeng Heye.

Others[]

People in Duan court[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Xu Lu Eleanor Lee (young)	Su Yuning	Daughter of a Eunuch. She was prophesied to be the future Empress, but only loves Muru Hanjiang.
Song Yunhao	Lingge Qing	Prophet of the Duan empire. Leader of the Huangji Jingtian Sect.
Su Guotao	Gu Songzhi	Court minister.
Liu Bo	Jin Bingyi	Muyun Qin's Head Eunuch.
Wang Gang	Wu Ruyi	Empress's Head Eunuch.
Sun Zhenglin	Mu Yuan	Muyun Luan's assistant.
Feng Xinyi	Yu Xinji	General Long Kui, Muyun Han's loyal assistant.
He Dujuan	Lan Yu'er	Muyun Sheng's personal attendant. She loves Muyun Sheng, but left him to follow Muyun De after being deceived by the latter.
Yu Haoming	Gu Songtuo	Lieutenant general of the Muyun Silver Armor.
Zhang Yanyan	Su Zhen	Su Yuning's etiquette teacher.

Magical beings[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Janice Man	Panxi	A spirit who resides in a magical sphere, and Muyun Sheng’s true love. Her actual identity is the slave of the Universe God.
Janine Chang	Yinrong	Muyun Sheng's spirit mother. Once the most beautiful woman in the world, and the Emperor's true love. She was killed by the Emperor.
Li Xinai	Heshu Hongling	A female wizard residing in the Black Forest, who is in charge of guarding the Snow Wolves.
Huo Zhengyan		King of the Snow Wolves. He pledged allegiance toward Shuofeng Heye after the latter saved his life.
Gu Xuan	Qianhong	A spirit.
Jia Haitao	Fanla Kaise	King of the Titans.
Hou Yidi	Meiyin	Leader of the Merfolks.
Du Chun	Lu Ranqing	King of the Winged Tribe.

People in Zhongzhou[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Zhao Wei	Mr. Mo	A mysterious man from Chen Yue Sect who is skilled in magical arts. His ultimate goal is to cause chaos in the world.
Kan Qingzi	Ji Yuncong	Princess of the fallen Sheng kingdom who harbors a dream of rebuilding her country.
Du Yuming	Long Jinhuan	Head of Tian Luo Hall, who assists Princess Ji.

People in Hanzhou[]

Actor	Character	Introduction
Re Yizha	Jin Zhuhai	Shuofeng Heye's former and deceased wife.
Ji Huanbo	Longke Kun	Fiercest hunter of the Longke Tribe.
Gao Ye	Suqin Ziyan	Female Head of Suqin Tribe. In the end she becomes a witch.
Han Pujun	Agebu	A barbarian businessman who owns many slaves.

Production[]

Produced by Novoland International Cultural Communication Ltd, Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy is one of the most expensive Chinese dramas produced, boasting a budget ranging from 300 Million RMB to 500 Million RMB.^[5][6] Filming began in August 2015 at Xinjiang, China and wrapped up on 27 May 2016 at Hikone, Japan; taking a total of 270 days.^[7][8]

Crew[]

The series is directed by Cao Dun, who directed the hit social commentary Dwelling Narrowness. It is co-written by Jin Hezai, the author of the original novel. Other notable cast members include artistic director Huang Wei who once worked as the creative director of Vogue and is known for his costume designs in Tiny Times and My Sunshine; as well as stunt choreographer Lin Peng who has mostly worked in Hollywood productions like Kingsman: The Secret Service and Urban Games.^[7]

It is reportedly the first Chinese television series to employ the Animatronics filming technique.^[9] The special effects are handled by French company Technicolor SA.

Awards and nominations[]

Year	Award	Category	Nominee	Result	Ref.
2017	8th Macau International Television Festival	Best Supporting Actor	Zhou Yiwei	Nominated	[10]
2018	24th Shanghai Television Festival	Best Cinematography	Jing Chong	Nominated	[11]
		Best Art Direction	N/A	Nominated
	24th Huading Awards	Best Actor (Ancient Drama)	Huang Xuan	Nominated	[12]

International broadcast[]

Country	Network	Airing dates
China	Tencent Video iQiyi Youku	November 21, 2017 - (20 updates each Tuesday to Saturday Members see ahead of next Saturday)
Malaysia	dimsum	December 19, 2017 - (20:00 Tuesday to Saturday update two episodes) (Horse Network Premiere)
Thailand	Amarin TV (อมรินทร์ทีวี)	March 3, 2018 - March 26, 2018 (Every Saturday and Sunday at 18.36 - 19.30.)
Taiwan	GTV (八大電視)	December 11, 2017 - February 15, 2018 (Monday to Friday 23:00 - 00:00 From February 5, it will be changed to 22:00 - 00:00)
Singapore Malaysia Thailand United States	Sony One, Dramafever.com	Dramafever.com in the United States.

References[]

External links[]

• Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy at IMDb
• Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy on Sina Weibo (in Chinese)