The Song Dynasty’s Strange Case of the Beheaded

During the Northern Song dynasty, the city of Bianliang in Dongjing remains as prosperous as ever. Yet beneath this golden age lurks an unsettling darkness.

At the Kaifeng Prefecture, Bao Zheng is reviewing official reports from across the land when hurried footsteps suddenly approach. Zhan Zhao rushes in, his expression grave. “My lord, a strange murder has occurred in the west of the city. The victim was decapitated, and the scene is horrifying.” Bao Zheng immediately sets down the report and heads to the crime scene with Zhan Zhao.