Despite injury, capture, and enemy pursuit, Nic and Feng Guo succeed in finding the camp of the mysterious northern general — a man who also seems to have a common enemy in the rebellious General Zeng. Other good news is sparse. Suspicious of strangers, the northern general Bai Yan does not welcome their presence. Will they have time to convince him to join their alliance before they must return to Shanmen Fortress?

As Nic and Feng Guo race to return before his absence is detected, Zeng's nefarious plans for Shanmen are already in motion, trapping the soldiers behind the walls. Only a shunned monk and Nic's cross-time special forces team remain to defend the people of the town ...