Open Windows Settings --> language and time setting --> language tab --> administrative language setting --> Change system locale --> enable [Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support] (need to restart after setting)

Other possible solutions:

"Easy solution:
1. Verify game files' integrity
2. Delete a file in the game folder called Version.dll. You may not be able to play some mods that contain coding but you will be able to play the game.
or Download the x86 version of Melon loader from it's official website and replace it with the one in game files.
To access game file, please go to your library and right-click on the game. Then hover over Manage and click Browse local files.

You can also:
1. Close steam
2. Go to <steam>/steamlib/steamapps
3. Open file appmanifest_1468810.acf with text editor
4. Rename "installdir" "鬼谷八荒" to "installdir" "TOI"
5. Go to <steam>/steamlib/steamapps/common and rename game forlder鬼谷八荒 to TOI
6. Verify game files' integrity
or
Turn on the UFT-8 language supports in Windows setting (as was mentioned above),
and Verify game files' integrity
These should allow you to play mods."

easiest solution is launching by clicking the .exe from the game folder.
Somehow steam is super slow


Also instead of changing timezone and whatever: just instal chinese language pack in the languages option of windows (for the keyboard and stuff)

Originally posted by Battler:

Open Windows Settings --> language and time setting --> language tab --> administrative language setting --> Change system locale --> enable [Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support] (need to restart after setting)

Thx alot man this helped now i can finally play