With minute attention to historical detail, this beautifully written novel is at once a murder mystery, a story of passionate love and a political thriller, winner of the Local Legend Spiritual Writing Competition. It is a true page-turner that builds to a terrifying and tragic climax.

Teacher Feng, a middle-aged and humble widower, lives quietly in Tang Dynasty China, caring for his beloved daughter Feier. But life changes dramatically when his best friend is murdered and local girls are kidnapped. Feng sets out on an arduous journey of discovery, little suspecting that he is involving himself with powerful forces that threaten the very Empire itself.