In the fictional Zhou Dynasty, during the Longqing era, powerful clans are deeply entrenched at court, where the imperial authority and aristocratic families vie with each other in secret. In the martial world, undercurrents are stirring, and various factions are poised to act. The war on the northern frontier remains unresolved, while floods frequently plague the south. Beset by troubles within and threats from without, the situation grows ever more intricate. The bloody case, twenty years ago, in which the entire Yun family was executed, has become the focus of a struggle among the factions at court and in the martial world. Behind the truth lies a vast conspiracy and a host of secrets.
