It's a shame this series is called "Nirvana in Fire II" ... cause not only it doesn't come close to deliver the level of the original series, it is nothing like the original either.

While the original series is clever, calculating, had a well thought out, comprehensive plot, this series doesn't even try to follow the footstep of the original. The plot for this series is simple, naive, and most of the times you've got a feeling they just make it up as they shoot the series. And as the series goes along the plot gets so predictable, so drama-cliche to a point it's almost comical.

I wouldn't say it's a total waste of time, but it's a very average, run-of-the-mills ancient Chinese imperial series with some love subplots. Thus, going back to my original point, standalone this series would be pretty meh, but it's a shame it is called "Nirvana in Fire II" and it falls WAAAAAY short of that name.