Yan Ling, the youngest constable in the East, receives a secret order: head west and assassinate the pale-skinned Demon King who eats children alive. She assembles an absurd little team: an alcoholic Taoist, a talkative warrior monk, a Japanese warrior with terrible Chinese, an animal tamer left with only a monkey, a gunslinger, a stunningly beautiful female thief, and a cousin who’s in disgrace.
The West’s youngest hero, Kyle, is commissioned to set out on an eastern expedition: conquer the East and defeat the black-haired witch who skins people and refines their souls. He takes a more traditional party: a straightforward warrior, an introverted mage, a sharp-tongued ranger, and other dependable, if unconventional, companions.
The two teams cross the continent separately, slaying monsters and vanquishing evil, until they gradually discover something strange: murals in the Demon King’s castle depict an oath of friendship, while the witch’s secret chamber contains a peace treaty. Then, in a remote border town, they draw their swords against each other...
“Demon King’s minions, face me!”
“Wretched witch, die!”
The instant their blades collide, Yan Ling’s tiger tally and Kyle’s badge both grow hot, projecting the truth from three hundred years ago: their kings once raised their cups in alliance, and their ancestors once fought side by side.
It turns out the Eastern and Western continents were once brother nations.
It turns out the evidence of the Demon King’s crimes they carry was all forged by their own countries’ leaders as a pretext for war.
It turns out the black dragon once met Yan Ling’s grandfather, and Kyle’s sword bears an ancient family motto engraved on it.
Now the two “heroes” betrayed by their own countries must choose:
Complete their mission and become pawns that ignite a war?
Or overturn the board, even if it means standing against the entire world?
“So,” Yan Ling says, slamming her tiger tally onto the table, “your dad got screwed over by the king too?”
“Pretty much.” Kyle slides over a cup of ale. “Alliance?”
“Alliance.” She clinks her cup against his. “First we beat up the mastermind, then we can argue over who’s buying.”
