A deadly secret: After being reborn, Qiao Liang discovers that the “stolen sea chart” he investigated in his previous life is closely tied to the massacre of the Western Regions beauty Aisha’s clan. The mastermind is none other than his most trusted superior in his previous life, Zhao Heng, commander of Zheng He’s fleet. If the secret comes to light, the entire fleet and even the imperial court will hunt him down.
An impossible choice: On one side is the imperial mission to recover the sea chart and maintain stability along the coast. On the other is Aisha’s determination to avenge her people and reclaim her family’s secret art. Qiao Liang must choose between loyalty and justice, the law and personal bonds.
A countdown to disaster: Zhao Heng has allied himself with Persian merchants and plans to use a treasure from an ancient shipwreck to open the “Star Gate” on the night of the spring tide seven days from now, bringing Japanese pirates and a coalition of pirates to launch a surprise attack on the Ming coast. In the time he has left, Qiao Liang must expose the conspiracy, gather allies, and stop the catastrophe.
