In the late years of the Sui Dynasty, chaos reigned across the land. On the tenth day of the third month of the fourteenth year of Daye, a mutiny broke out in Jiangdu, Emperor Yang was killed, and the divine beast Kui Ox was left ownerless. Rebel forces from all directions and local powers mobilized to Jiangdu in search of the legendary divine sword that could subdue the Kui Ox. A scholar journeyed to Jiangdu for the imperial examination and, by twist of fate, arrived at the mysterious Caohang Ferry Inn. Within the small inn, there were aspiring scholars like him who possessed ambitions but were scattered across the world, as well as a delicate and enigmatic mute woman, and seemingly unreliable free-spirited martial artists.
Keen to bring honor to his clan, young villager Dong Yilong embarks on a perilous journey to compete in a tournament that selects warriors for battle.