Beware of spoilers
This story has feral sex, dubcon somnophilia, graphic imagery, violence, in-universe cannibalism, possessive couple, oviposition, name calling, age gap, in-universe misogyny, torture, self-aware object insertion
Please be mindful.

Just finished reading the main text of “The Merman Emperor is a War Prize.”.
I believe this is my favorite novel so far in 2025, without a doubt. The author is undoubtedly someone with exceptional literary skills and profound historical knowledge. Both the plot development and emotional progression are perfectly executed.
What exceptionally stands out is the character development. I can confidently say that among the novels I’ve read in the past two years, few possess such well-rounded character portrayals. Whether protagonists or supporting roles, each character—from their appearance and personality to emotional evolution and combat style—exhibits distinct traits, all of which are captivating. The protagonist’s character is particularly well-crafted, emerging from hardship. While upright characters are common in novels, the author makes great efforts to showcase his uniqueness and emotional depth.
From the perspective of the entire novel, there isn’t a particularly grand or novel worldview. What keeps readers engaged in such a lengthy work is the tight pacing of the plot, the cleverly laid-out foreshadowing, and the well-balanced depiction of war—neither too dry nor too tedious. The well-timed intimate moments between the main characters, while maintaining high sexual tension, are cleverly interspersed throughout the story, preventing reader fatigue from excessive displays of affection or a lack of emotional depth.The dramatic twists and turns of the plot are balanced with a stable emotional arc, creating a sense of immersion where even their successes bring tears to my eyes. Near the end, I was moved—despite being a happily-ever-after, feel-good conclusion, it truly gave me a sense of achievement as if I had weathered countless storms.
I hope this novel can make it into my top three by the end of this year

First of all, I’m very grateful to the author for creating this long novel, The Merman Emperor is a War Prize, and for telling us the story of Lao Yiand Bai Ling. I remember stumbling upon a post about a week ago, and the premise really appealed to me, so I searched for it on JJWC and read it. After reading it, I can only say it was thoroughly enjoyable and logically consistent.

I’m so glad I clicked on this story out of interest, and had the opportunity to experience the author’s story firsthand, witnessing the equally matched love between a hero on a desperate path and a lonely emperor; I’m also glad it was already finished when I read it, allowing me to read over 300 chapters in one go without the agonizing wait of following a serial novel; and I’m also glad to find so many settings that fit my personal preferences in one story. However, I also regret not discovering this wonderful novel sooner, not witnessing its rise on the charts, not being able to offer timely support when the author was sick and hospitalized, and not being able to confidently say, “Author, you don’t need comparisons to prove how excellent you are,” when the author was embroiled in controversy.

At first, I worried that with so many elements, so many couples, and so many settings, wouldn’t it feel like a hodgepodge? However, the author’s writing skills are truly outstanding. The outline is presented in a clear and engaging manner, without any rote memorization. Instead, the world is presented from different perspectives, revealing a sense of rationality within absurdity, a blend of humor and pain. I can’t even imagine the immense effort required to achieve such a vast worldview, complex situation, and diverse characters, maintaining a logical coherence and foreshadowing throughout. Religion and faith, old systems and new laws—beneath the lighthearted writing lies the tragedy of an era. I admire Bai Ling, the hero at the end of his rope. Even his first life’s demise was dramatic and spectacular. The emperor, facing certain death, held onto his scepter. It’s not a clichéd, world-destroying alliance of powerful figures; they were all once broken and destitute. They loved each other but were not dependent on one another. They could be online friends comforting each other across the internet, only to become solitary heroes in the end.

I really loved that line in the author’s article, “With nutrition, I too can bloom.” Bai Ling’s past life was incredibly difficult. He tried to rebel, but ultimately failed. He struggled to live, even in his most painful moments, thinking only of how to survive. Humiliation and dignity couldn’t compare to a hot meal. His hysterical outburst in his memories made me truly appreciate his charisma for the first time. His death was a death wish, but he would desperately grasp at any glimmer of hope to live.

Perhaps everyone feels inferior in front of their loved ones. The scene where Bai Ling meets Mr. D is, in my opinion, an incredibly well-written part, bittersweet and desperate. Their first meeting wasn’t exactly dignified, and at that moment, I truly felt sorry for Bai Ling. He could have approached Mr. D with pride.

Honestly, it’s rare to see a supporting cast written like protagonists. Whether it’s the secondary couples, the concubines from the beginning, or the warriors recruited later, you can see their growth. They aren’t just background characters or NPCs driving the story; they are beings with independent behavioral logic. I sincerely admire the author for this.