Hundreds of years after the War Between the Witches and Demons, humanity is destined to rise.
Duan Xiaolou, heir to the Prince of Nanming, broke into the forbidden back mountains of famous sects like Wudang, Longhu, and Zhongnan nine times. Each time, he was rewarded with a sore backside, driven down the mountain, and forbidden from ever returning.
A mischievous artist turned his escapades into a satirical series of paintings called A Night in Xiaolou, and the Spring Winds Return. All nine editions caused the court’s civil and military officials to burst into laughter, earning Duan Xiaolou the title of Little Devil of Nanming. His reputation spread through every street and alley of the empire.
Yet he only grinned, utterly unbothered, and kept his late mother’s final words close to heart as he unraveled the secret of: “The King of Nanming commands the fire, the North Liang River runs cold; war flames rise across the Central Plains, and hooves thunder over ten thousand miles of land.”
Tightly linked, with distinct characters and bohemian charm, it's worth a look.