Xin hears a tale of Piao's heroism during Wang Yi's ambush, but he also learns that King Zheng has even fewer allies than he'd been told. With little time left to forestall a civil war, Zheng decides on a dangerous path, to seek out unlikely allies.

Zheng, Xin, and their companions arrive at the gates of Xianyang, capital of the Qin Kingdom, with a force far too small to assault such a great fortress. A stratagem may get them inside the walls, but they won't reach the Royal Court without a fight.

Just when it seems the battle on the She Gan Plain is finally going their way, Qin's forces are suddenly surprised by the advent of three generals: their own, the enemy's... and one who's not even supposed to be there!

Xin learns some things about Qiang Lei's past, and Diao has to make an important decision about the future.

When Xin approaches Wang Yi looking for a mentor to make him stronger, he discovers that the great general doesn't make things easy.

Wang Yi smells something fishy about Zhao's sudden retreat, but his endgame remains the same: find and kill Nuan Pang. Xin and Qiang Lei give him a little inadvertent help.

Zheng tells Xiang about his days as a young hostage in Zhao, and about the unexpected people called upon to get him safely back to the Kingdom of Qin.

He Liao Diao pulls out all the stops in a strategy meant to shut down Wei troops bent on revenge for the Fei Xin Force's fierce battle at Shanyang.