Set in 1582 during the Ming Dynasty, the series follows Zhong Yuan, the chief imperial bodyguard, as he investigates a series of mysterious events in Beijing. These include the disappearance of the imperial treasury's silver, the escape of notorious criminals, and the emergence of the "Jiangyang Eight," a group of highly skilled thieves. As Zhong Yuan delves deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy involving the corrupt eunuch Feng Bao and strives to protect the emperor and the realm from internal threats.