In late spring, Chang'an is bustling on the surface, but undercurrents churn beneath. A bizarre murder at the entrance to Pingkang Ward bears a striking resemblance to the earlier death of a cloth merchant in the Eastern Market: the victim's face was blue, fangs bared, and a strange talisman was etched into his wrist. Mysterious footprints on the damp flagstones and a dark red cinnabar symbol beneath the wall only strengthened rumors that evil spirits were at work.
Su Wuming, a disciple personally trained by Judge Dee, is entrusted with the case in a moment of crisis. He reunites with his close friend Lu Lingfeng, Pei Xijun, whose painting skills are nothing short of divine, the miracle doctor Fei Jishi, and the clever young Xue Huan. They pierce the fog of street rumors, track down occult practitioners from the Western Regions, and decipher cryptic symbols in the ancient texts of Chongwen Academy, unaware that they have stepped into a carefully woven conspiracy. A mysterious organization is using dark magic to stir up public panic, hoping to topple the foundations of the Tang dynasty amid the power vacuum at court.
From spying in the ghost market to strange happenings at temples, from bizarre corpses to sinister rituals, the investigation team faces danger at every turn. As the evil sacrifice on the night of the full moon draws near and murderous intent emerges from the shadows around them, can Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng rely on their wits and blades to uncover the truth behind the secret talismans and defend the final line protecting Chang'an in its golden age?
