The Sword Rises over the Cold River

In the middle years of the Great Jing Dynasty, the martial world is divided between the Southern School, led by the Flowing Flower Palace and known for its elegant techniques, and the Northern Sect, dominated by the Black Iron Gate and famed for its powerful inner strength. There is also the secretive Cold River Alliance, which investigates unsolved cases involving collusion between the martial world and the imperial court. Its members are mostly lone wolves burdened by blood feuds, and its token is half of a bronze plaque engraved with the character "River."

Ten years ago, the Tragedy of Yandang Mountain wiped out the seven great Northern Sect schools in a single night. Only Shen Yanqiu, the young master of the Black Iron Gate, survived. Around the same time, the Flowing Flower Palace of the Southern School lost the Marrow-Washing Manual, and Su Wanli, daughter of its matriarch Zhang Qingyan, was suspected of stealing it and fleeing. Ten years later, the Cold River Alliance's investigation brings the two old cases together again, revealing a plot by the court's powerful eunuch, Eunuch Wei, to control the martial world and seize power in a coup.

- Marrow-Washing Manual: A martial arts scripture capable of reshaping inner strength. In truth, it is the "key" to Eunuch Wei's bid for power, as it contains clues to the late emperor's secret edict.

- Cold River Bronze Token: One half can help its bearer find allies. Together, both halves can mobilize the Cold River Alliance's hidden forces, including an armory in a sunken ship and its covert guards.