The Myth (神话)

The Myth is a 2010 Chinese television series based on the 2005 Hong Kong film of the same name, produced by Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong. The story follows Yi Xiaochuan, a carefree and irresponsible young man, who inadvertently triggers an ancient time portal in his family's archaeological site. Together with Gao Yao (his girlfriend's brother), he is transported 2,200 years back in time to the tumultuous Qin Dynasty. In the ancient past, Xiaochuan is mistaken for the lost general Meng Yi and becomes entangled in historical events alongside figures like Xiang Yu, Liu Bang, and the ill-fated Princess Yushu. Meanwhile, the ambitious Gao Yao endures extreme persecution, eventually transforming into the notorious eunuch Zhao Gao as a result of his suffering and resentment. As the two protagonists adapt to their ancient environment in vastly different ways, their modern-day family members desperately search for clues to bring them back. The narrative intertwines epic romance, martial arts spectacle, palace intrigue, and intense moral conflicts.

The 50-episode series (approx. 45 min each) can be broadly divided into the following four main story arcs:

• Act 1: The Time Portal Opens & The Initial Arrival in the Qin Dynasty (Episodes 1-10): Yi Xiaochuan discovers a mysterious tiger pendant. After he and his friend Gao Yao open a 2,000-year-old box, they are transported through a portal into ancient China. Arriving in a chaotic execution scene, Xiaochuan saves the rebel Xiang Liang. The two modern-day travelers are quickly separated, embarking on completely different fates.
• Act 2: The Rise of Meng Yi & The Ordeal of Gao Yao (Episodes 11-30): After being mistaken for the legendary general Meng Tian's long-lost brother, Xiaochuan takes on the identity of the great Qin general Meng Yi, eventually commanding armies and witnessing the might of the Qin empire. At the same time, Gao Yao endures immense hardship, is cruelly castrated, and is forced to become an imperial eunuch. Following years of torment, he is later appointed as the notorious "Zhao Gao," a name associated with corruption and tyranny.
• Act 3: Love Across Time & The Rise of the "Zhao Gao" Villain (Episodes 31-40): While serving as a Qin general, Xiaochuan meets the beautiful Princess Yushu of the Tu'an Kingdom. A deep but forbidden love begins to bloom between them, even as Yushu is forced to become the Emperor's concubine. Meanwhile, the brutal transformation of Gao Yao reaches its peak; his heart now corrupted, he pursues wealth, power, and a ruthless revenge against everyone who wronged him.
• Act 4: The Fall of the Empire & The Collapse of a Dream (Episodes 41-50): The corrupt and power-hungry Zhao Gao (Gao Yao) orchestrates the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. In the ensuing chaos, the Qin Emperor's mausoleum is sealed, trapping Yushu inside. She waits in an underground paradise for Meng Yi (Xiaochuan) for over 2,000 years. The drama concludes in the present day when Xiaochuan finally returns, only to witness the woman he loves choose to stay in her sealed world forever, resulting in a tragic and bittersweet farewell.