Peerless (Novel) Vol. 2

A HAUNTING IN THE DESERT Rival investigators Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao embark on a diplomatic journey westward, hoping to build a key alliance that will stand against the power-hungry Eastern Khaganate. But they get more than they bargained for when they stop to rest at the oasis city of Qiemo, where they find a haunted inn, a beleaguered Sui magistrate, and the city divided between two powerful self-styled rulers. Despite their larger mission, Cui Buqu has an audacious idea--one that will turn the city upside down and bring Qiemo back under Sui control if he succeeds. Even Feng Xiao must admit that, while Cui Buqu’s schemes are outrageous, there’s something increasingly intriguing about this sickly chief of the Zuoyue Bureau. Yet more is at stake in the city than petty power struggles: as the investigative duo digs into the underbelly of Qiemo, they uncover evidence of a conspiracy that stretches across Great Sui and beyond.

Autorentext

Meng Xi Shi is a Chinese danmei author with a number of popular novel series, including Thousand Autumns, Peerless, and The Fourteenth Year of Chenghua (inspiration for the drama series The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty).

Klappentext

*This danmei/Boys' Love novel series originally released in Chinese–and coming to the English language for the first time–is set in the universe of the author's other popular novel and animated series *Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu!

In this historical wuxia tale, two rival investigators try to get to the bottom of a mystery...and their own complicated feelings.

One dark and snowy night, after the Sui dynasty has come into power, a convoy sent by the Kingdom of Khotan is ambushed and massacred. Not a living victim remains–and the attackers, along with a chest holding precious treasure in tribute, have vanished.

A member of Emperor Yang Jian's secret intelligence agency, the Jiejian Bureau, pursues the case: the highly successful chief Feng Xiao. Feng Xiao's investigations take him to Liugong City, where all the top martial powers across the land are coming to meet. But another intelligence agency, the Zuoyue Bureau, has business in the same city–and they have sent Cui Buqu, an ailing but brilliant man who rivals Feng Xiao. These two equally proud men immediately clash and begin a battle of wits, only to hit a dead end on the increasingly cold case. Is the answer to this mystery out of reach, or can Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu find a way to the truth?

This historical fiction mystery about powerful martial artists (wuxia) built around the desire between two men (danmei) takes place in the same universe as the beloved novel series Thousand Autumns: Qian Qiu. The Seven Seas English-language edition will feature uncensored text and exclusive new art.

Zusammenfassung
A HAUNTING IN THE DESERT

Rival investigators Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao embark on a diplomatic journey westward, hoping to build a key alliance that will stand against the power-hungry Eastern Khaganate. But they get more than they bargained for when they stop to rest at the oasis city of Qiemo, where they find a haunted inn, a beleaguered Sui magistrate, and the city divided between two powerful self-styled rulers.

Despite their larger mission, Cui Buqu has an audacious idea—one that will turn the city upside down and bring Qiemo back under Sui control if he succeeds. Even Feng Xiao must admit that, while Cui Buqu’s schemes are outrageous, there’s something increasingly intriguing about this sickly chief of the Zuoyue Bureau. Yet more is at stake in the city than petty power struggles: as the investigative duo digs into the underbelly of Qiemo, they uncover evidence of a conspiracy that stretches across Great Sui and beyond.