Ngl, I just finished reading the first arc and I just wanna say that it kind of felt like a mash of tropes used in MXTX novels.
Like the ML being bullied by the OG! MC who was in a power authority and validating other people to pick on the ML.
The carriage scene felt straight out of SVSSS and the MC's death atlast also seemed similar to when Shen Qingqiu self denoted and Binghe was mourning his death.
Also I don't know if the human face disease is a common trope but I don't think it really is cuz i haven't encountered it anywhere else than tgcf.
The third arc is literally reversed!The Little Mermaid ???