Chinese Paladin 2005 drama and game comparison

There are several major and minor differences between the original RPG “The Legend of Sword and Fairy” and the 2005 television adaptation “Chinese Paladin”. Below is a comparison table highlighting the differences specifically related to the relationship between Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling’er.

The Legend of Sword and Fairy (PAL)	Chinese Paladin 2005 drama
When Xiaoyao first saw Ling’er bathing, he takes her clothing, intending to use it as a means to barter for medicine for his sick aunt.	Xiaoyao doesn’t use the clothing for exchange but is caught by Ling’er, who promptly tells him not to look.
This is the first time Xiaoyao and Ling’er meet.	Ling’er had already met Xiaoyao ten years ago—a hero who saved her and made a promise to return.
Xiaoyao was compelled to marry Ling’er after Lao Lao, a snake demon, threatened to devour him.	Lao Lao, who wasn’t a snake demon, proposed that Xiaoyao marry Ling’er in exchange for medicine for his aunt. Reluctantly, Xiaoyao agreed, but as the ceremony unfolded, he halted it, recognizing that he was not worthy of Ling’er.
After the wedding ceremony, Xiaoyao searches for a way to escape Xian Ling Dao and return home with medicine for his aunt. Ling’er, saddened by the thought of his departure, worries that he might forget her. In response, Xiaoyao reassures her, asserting that they are married and he will never abandon her. They consummate their marriage.	Xiaoyao and Ling’er reach an understanding, and the two consummate their marriage. Ling’er casts a spell on Xiaoyao’s palm; the word ‘ling’ would appear if he loves her.
The next morning, while Lao Lao is away, Xiaoyao leaves Ling’er, promising that he will return for her and take her to see his aunt once she has recovered.	The next morning, just as Xiaoyao was about to leave, Xian Ling Dao came under attack. Ling’er urged him to escape while she stayed behind, knowing that Lao Lao had been severely injured by the Bai Yue Sect.
After Xiaoyao gives the medicine to his aunt, he loses all memory of Ling’er. The pill he consumed earlier activates, automatically erasing his memories as soon as he feeds the medicine to his aunt.	Previously, without suspecting the Bai Yue sect, Xiaoyao consumed a pill unaware that it was meant to be used against him. This pill erased all his memories of Xian Ling Dao, taking effect just as the Bai Yue Sect began their chanting.
Xiaoyao saves a kidnapped Ling’er and they both fight against the 3 people from the Bai Yue sect. They claim she is the princess of Nan Zhao Guo.	Xiaoyao frees Ling’er, but both of them run away and is saved by Drunken Sword Master. There is no mention of Ling’er being a princess.
Ling’er refrains from mentioning their marriage, unaware that Xiaoyao has lost all memory of her. Instead, she feels a deep sadness as she notices his unfamiliar behavior, longing for the connection they once shared.	Ling’er insists that she was married to Xiaoyao, but he refuses to believe her. It’s only through Lao Lao that she learns the heartbreaking truth: Xiaoyao has lost his memory due to a pill he consumed.
Xiaoyao and Ling’er don’t share any particular gestures.	Xiaoyao and Ling’er share a sweet nose-tapping gesture that signifies their affection for one another, a playful and tender expression of their bond.
Lao Lao was buried so Ling’er didn’t have her ashes.	Ling’er carries Lao Lao’s ashes in an urn and brings it along in their journey. It breaks and Xiaoyao comforts her.
Xiaoyao and Ling’er fight together against Yueru when they first meet.	Only Xiaoyao fights Yueru, while Ling’er frees the two victims.
No signs of doubt between Liu Jin Yuan and Ling’er.	Xiaoyao notices Liu Jin Yuan being particularly friendly with Ling’er, and a wave of jealousy washes over him.
Xiaoyao doesn’t mention not marrying Yueru, in fact he wasn’t aware of it and just wanted to teach her a lesson.	During the combat for the marriage contest, Xiaoyao boldly declares to everyone that even if he emerges victorious, he will never take Yueru as his wife.
Ling’er turns into a half human half snake, and is last seen by Xiaoyao and Yueru.	Ling’er turns into a half human half snake and out of fear runs away. She was last seen by Liu Jin Yuan.
No signs of people pressuring her to leave Xiaoyao.	Constant signs of people pressuring her and telling her to leave Xiaoyao.
We don’t know what Ling’er was doing during her disappearance. The game’s storyline is only from Xiaoyao’s perspective.	Ling’er had hoped to meet up with Xiaoyao, but when she sees him playfully tapping Yueru’s nose, her heart sinks. Feeling a wave of sadness, she decides against seeing him, unsure of how to confront her emotions.
People ordered by Shi Zhang Lao have come for Ling’er, and Xiaoyao and Yueru are captured while they were trying to rescue the nurse. To free them, Ling’er agrees to go with them.	Shi Zhang Lao has captured the local nurse. In exchange for the nurse, they asked for Ling’er.
Inn episodes do not occur and Xiaoyao and Ling’er don’t break up.	Xiaoyao and Ling’er break up during the Inn episodes.
Ling’er is captured by Sword Saint and placed into the Demon Locking Tower, guarded by 7 powerful dragons. He claims she is a demon and is dangerous to society.	Ling’er is taken away by Sword Saint, placed in the Demon Locking Tower to protect her from outsiders.
Xiaoyao sees Ling’er’s true form and is frightened. Ling’er recites lines of poetry and he remembers everything that happened in Xian Ling Dao.	Before Xiaoyao reached Ling’er, he suddenly remembered everything and rushes to her. He sees her in her Nuwa form, but doesn’t care at all. Ling’er is unconscious.
Xiaoyao says that the three of them (Ling’er, Yueru and himself) will stay together forever.	There is conflict and Xiaoyao doesn’t know what to do with Yueru.
After the 3 destroy the 7 Dragons protecting the tower- it starts to crumble. While they were trying to escape, a part of the tower falls onto Yueru, killing her in the process.	There are no dragons but there was a curse. It’s either two or none will make it out alive- there must be one person sacrificed. Yueru pushes the other two away and is killed.
In order to save Ling’er, Xiaoyao must obtain the Phoenix Egg Shell and the Horn of Qilin	To save Ling’er he obtains the remaining elemental pearls.
Does not happen since they officially married in the beginning.	Xiaoyao and Ling’er finish their last bow from the wedding ceremony.
Ling’er has a baby and she names her Yi Ru in memory of Yueru.	Ling’er has a baby, and both Xiaoyao and Ling’er name her Yiru.
The Water Demon combined with Bai Yue obtains Ling’er’s blood and becomes invincible. Without any choice, Ling’er commits suicide with it.	Xiaoyao defeats Bai Yue and Ling’er fought the water demon. Due to severe internal injures, Ling’er dies in Xiaoyao’s arms.
Doesn’t exist.	Red dandelions are a symbolic flower Ling’er likes.

Thanks to LightBrand and Whistler for some corrections.