The Empress of Grand Xia is attacked. Her sister betrays her, and the Cloudpiercer Sword Sect closes in. On the run, she is afflicted with Esoteric Poison. She struggles into a cave, encountering a blind stranger. A Crimson-Blood Demon Tiger bursts in. The blind man slays the tiger with a single sword strike. He takes the poisoned Empress to heal her. Thus begins a legend of imperial grievances, demonic beasts, and a mysterious blind swordsman.