As Chang Geng continues his dangerous mission investigating corruption in the south, Gu Yun races back to the capital in hopes of stopping a bloody insurrection. But internal unrest is not all that threatens the throne of Great Liang as foreign enemies gather on both land and sea. When Great Liang's northern foe sends an envoy of peace to the capital, an end to the war may be in sight. But the northern tribes come with their own desperate plan: a mechanism to ignite the curse lurking in Chang Geng's blood and turn him against all he holds dear. To save Chang Geng, Gu Yun must find the secret to the curse of the wu'ergu—before both of them run out of time.