In an age of turmoil as long as the night, the fires of war have raged for over a century, and peace has always been a fleeting illusion.
The Mingxia Kingdom and the Hanxiao Kingdom face each other across the Canglan River, each ruling one side of the river. To the east stand towering peaks, a perilous mountain range crowned with snow that never melts. To the west stretches a vast, boundless ocean, its huge waves crashing against the shore.
The Mingxia Kingdom’s capital is Xiazhang City, where the court has long since rotted away. The foolish emperor indulges in pleasure and neglects state affairs; civil officials form factions for personal gain, monopolizing power; and military officials grow arrogant on the strength of their achievements, behaving with brute force and contempt for all restraint. Fortunately, the south has a mild climate and fertile soil, with thriving agriculture and overflowing granaries. Even as war drags on, the markets and trades remain prosperous, creating an illusion of peace.
The Hanxiao Kingdom’s capital is Xiaomo City. Its lands endure a harsh climate and poor soil, and its people make their living as nomads. The hostile environment has forged their resilient spirit. From young to old, men and women alike train in martial arts from childhood. Every one of them is a brave fighter, ready to don armor and take the field.
The conflict began with scattered skirmishes, then grew into an all-out war engulfing both kingdoms. For a century, both sides drained their treasuries and poured in countless lives. Bones littered the wilderness, and blood filled the rivers. The fighting would pause, then begin again. Through this endless cycle of war and truce, hatred between nations and vengeance between families had long since sunk into their bones and tied itself into an unbreakable knot. Even as time passed, there seemed no hope of undoing it...
