this series is really the most violent i have seen from china and on top of that its very well writting, i will dare to say it deserve the masterpiece status !

This and blades of the guardians

indeed ^^ but in blades of the guardians there is some kind of manga vibe if you now what i mean, as for huo leng liao yuan its pure war with chess playing vibe like we use to see in those cheap drama xD thats why i didnt think of associating them

Ravages of Time really is incredible for making both Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shao of all people likable.