By the Banks of the Zhuchima River

What loyalty, what morality, what love? In the face of such a brutal age of chaos, they're nothing but things children believe in.

A subordinate who was laughing with you and dreaming about the future just a moment ago might press a cold blade to your neck the instant you turn your back. Someone who married your sister on an auspicious day might, before you've even had the chance to see the Lantern Festival lights, lead soldiers to tie up your entire family. If he thinks highly enough of you, perhaps he'll even hang your head on the city gate for passersby to admire...

In this darkest of ages, everyone harbors great ambitions.

"The world has already fallen into such a sorry state, so why cling to worldly conventions?"

And yet, at every turn, there are those who go against the tide of their times, unwaveringly following their own path.

These people may also scheme and deceive, but they all share the same dream: to use every means at their disposal to end this shameless state of affairs and restore peace to this battered nation.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.