Everyone laughs at Ximen Qing, calling him a lecher, a spoiled rich merchant with no great ambitions.
No one knows he possesses peerless martial arts and unmatched political cunning, lying low in Yanggu as he coolly watches the turbulent chessboard of the Song Dynasty unfold.
Wu Song is peerlessly fierce, taking lives with his blade, yet cannot force Ximen Qing to reveal his hand.
Song Jiang wins people over across the land, using benevolence and righteousness to sway hearts, yet cannot outmaneuver him by even half a step.
Wu Yong’s schemes are unparalleled and his calculations exhaustive, yet he is always one ruthless move behind.
He follows neither propriety nor convention. Others care about their reputations, their loyalties, and the court. He cares only about the greater plan, breaking deadlocks, and deciding who wins.
Everyone else is trapped by the fate of Water Margin. Only Ximen Qing escapes the cycle.
He rescues Jinlian, takes control of the purse strings, gathers loyal followers, subdues the heroes, swallows Liangshan, puts down Fang La, and purges treacherous officials.
His charm is a façade, and killing is his way of doing things. His true destination is the throne of all under heaven.
