Antiques dealer Lu Chen's father disappeared in the Qinling Mountains three years ago, leaving behind half a blank Heavenly Book and a bronze key that won't open anything. Someone offers 30 million yuan for a key he has never even mentioned to anyone. On the night Lu Chen turns down the offer, blood reveals words on the Heavenly Book: "Qinling Mountains. Black Dragon Pass. Open in the Gengchen year."
This draws Lu Chen into a truth hidden for a thousand years: China's imperial tombs were not built for the emperors' enjoyment after death. They form a chain, each tomb a "lock" holding back something deep beneath the earth. And the blood flowing through Lu Chen's veins belongs to a lineage of "Lockbearers" who have passed down the duty through generations.
The lock is about to break. Within ten days, he must enter the Black Dragon Tomb and complete the ritual that has maintained the lock without interruption for a thousand years. Otherwise, whatever lies beneath the lock will awaken.
