That winter, a horrific crime left veteran police captain Peng Zhaolin deeply shaken. A decade earlier, he had unknowingly crossed paths with the suspect, Deng Ligang, missing a crucial chance to stop the crime spree. Despite a relentless pursuit, the criminals vanished without a trace. Years later, a new clue emerges, prompting Peng Zhaolin and young officer Zhen Zhen to reopen the case and seek justice for the victims.
The beautiful melon seller, Ye Liuxi, and the shadow puppet performer, Chang Dong, join forces to venture deep into the desert. One seeks to unravel the mystery of their origins, while the other aims to retrieve the remains of his deceased girlfriend. As they encounter numerous anomalies in the uninhabited area, they are led to the weathered Yumen Pass. They navigate between the Imperial Guards, Taoist Priests, and the Scorpion-Eyed, unraveling the truth amidst various enigmas, and gaining insights into true love through numerous life-and-death trials. The truth seems within reach, but they find themselves ensnared in an even larger conspiracy.