Blood Oath

Blood Oath is a new historical novel by the web novelist Mo Wu, centered on the Northern Song general Di Qing and tracing the life of a peasant boy who rises to become a celebrated frontier commander. The story opens with the death of Emperor Zhenzong and the accession of the young Zhao Zhen: Empress Dowager Liu holds court, powerful ministers and eunuchs each harbor their own designs, and the rising Western Xia casts a covetous eye on the Central Plains, leaving the Song beset by troubles within and without. By accident Di Qing is forced into the army; he wins merit in suppressing the Maitreya sect but is gravely wounded, and afterward comes unexpectedly into possession of the mysterious "Five Dragons," from which point strange events and ceaseless conflicts dog his steps. He falls in love at first sight with the gentle Yang Yushang, by a fortunate chance becomes a close friend of the reigning emperor, and meets loyal and capable figures such as Fan Zhongyan, Guo Zun, Ye Zhiqiu, and Wang Gui, helping the emperor foil palace intrigues. As Di Qing volunteers to defend the frontier and fight the Western Xia cavalry, the mystery surrounding "Shambhala" unfolds layer by layer, with the Song, Western Xia, Khitan, and Dali all entangled. The book combines the weight of historical romance with the twists of a martial-arts legend; the title Blood Oath is taken from the meaning of swearing a blood oath and pledging life and death. The print edition is being released in successive volumes, including Song of Rainbow Garments, Song of the Pass and River, and Shooting the Heavenly Wolf.