During the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty, Yan Song held sway at court while blades clashed throughout the martial world. Xu Jie, Minister of Rites, was a civil official who had risen through the ranks by writing Daoist prayers. After narrowly escaping an assassination attempt by Yan Shifan, he unexpectedly gathered a group of top swordsmen: the patient Yuchi Changfeng, wielder of the Glimmering Sword; the righteous Duo Suiying, wielder of the Autumn Water Sword; the troubled Mo Tingfeng, wielder of the Severing Water Saber; the talkative Shi Jing, wielder of the Mountain-Splitting Saber; the mischievous elder Baili Xinglan; the aloof twin-sword wielder Zhao Qingyu; the strong young woman Xia Xiaoman; and the wine-loving madman Jiang Yusheng. The Yan faction also recruited most of the top saber fighters, including the grateful Sima Fei, the battle-hungry Wang Baihong, and the sinister Xing Cangqiong.
The two sides head north according to the rules of the martial world: every seven days, they move to a new city and duel outside its walls, with the victor going first. Yang Jisheng’s bloodstained clothes, old grudges at the Ancient Lotus Pond, and the humiliation at Liuchuan Pavilion all become cold glints on the tips of their blades. It is a contest of patience and explosive force. When the top saber and sword fighters clash head-on, who will be the last one moving the pieces? Fiery battles, brutal politics, and humorous everyday moments all await.
