‚Sometimes not even love is stronger than hate. 
Sometimes sacrifices must be made.
Hua Minglan is trapped, presumed dead, and back where it all started.
Home. 
A place that once brought peace to her mind, a place she’d abandoned in order to seek her revenge. 
But that was before. Before the dragon awoke inside her to destroy an entire village. 
Before she ceded control. 
And now, the dragon has a mission, one Hua must do anything to stop. 
Kill the emperor. 
There is one way to defeat the beast inside her. 
Hua Minglan must die. 
Only one man can prevent her sacrifice. As Jian Li races across Piao to save both Hua and his brother, the emperor, he knows he’ll have to choose. 
Even if he chooses the right one, it might mean the end of Piao. 
Because the Kou have returned, ready to finish their war.
And the only creature that can save the empire also wants it destroyed.‘