In an oriental steampunk city called "Liu Li City", the operation of the city relies on a huge and sophisticated central mechanical core - the "celestial instrument". It not only provides the entire city with energy called "spiritual source", but also maintains the subtle flow of time here.
Shen Xinghui is the only "time mechanic" in the city. His duty is to repair the subtle time cracks caused by the occasional instability of the "celestial instrument" and erase those "things that shouldn't appear." He is calm and rational, and believes that everything can be explained and corrected by precise gears and scales.
Su Wanying is a "fragrant smeller", a mysterious profession who travels in the market. She has a sense of smell that is different from ordinary people and can "smell" the memories and emotions carried by items from the residual smell. She is emotional and uninhibited, and believes that the truth of the world is hidden in the invisible flow and breath.
When the most famous "Yongzhen Bell Tower" in Liulic City rang the thirteenth bell at midnight, the time in the entire city began to experience unprecedented chaos. The phantoms of history flash in the streets, the reverberations of the future echo in the ears, and taboo things that should have been forgotten appear out of thin air.
In order to investigate the source of the abnormal bell sound, the law enforcement official made an exception and hired Shen Xinghui and Su Wanying at the same time. One holds a cold calibrated instrument, one relies on the ephemeral scent of nothingness. Reason and sensibility, order and chaos, this seemingly incompatible pair are forced to work together to sneak into the center of the chaotic vortex of time. What they will face is not only the chaos of time and space and the enemies hiding in the dark, but also the cruel truth about the birth of this city that is buried deeply by the "celestial instrument".
