The Cold Sparrow's Journey

He is a young assassin from the Western Regions, born in Ningzhou, in the Kingdom of Longyan. Fourteen years ago, his people in Longyan were implicated in the Crown Prince’s treason case. The Emperor ordered his entire clan put to death, leaving him with a blood feud to avenge.

He is a prince of the Tang Dynasty, appointed as the nominal governor of Yongzhou. He is also the Emperor’s most beloved son, and is about to take the long-vacant position of Crown Prince.

Within the imperial city, the Prince of Dongping is assassinated in the dead of night. Is it revenge? Political infighting? Or a deliberate murder, the result of an enemy’s brilliant scheme?

The court’s political landscape is treacherous and confusing. Who is eyeing the throne in the imperial city, the seat above all others?

Rumors spread through the streets and alleys. Who is circulating folk songs about assassins from Liangzhou?

A murderous saber, a hazy recollection of the past: when these two meet, why do they feel they have met before?

Reader’s guide:

1. The protagonist, Sun Chuanyao, has no romantic pairing.

2. All relationships are platonic.

Theme: A little kindness can ease the world’s bitter cold.