Sun Lin

Mei Zhuyu, a calm and reserved nobleman from a lesser branch of the Mei family, arrives in Chang'an as an official at the Bureau of Mystic Investigations. During a banquet, he meets Wu Zhen, the bold and unruly younger sister of the Empress and secret Guardian of the Demon Underworld. Both hide their true identities. Wu, a half-demon striving to keep peace, and Mei, a skilled demon slayer, seek the truth behind the fire 18 years ago. As bone demons rise and unrest grows, they fight side by side, forming a bond that deepens into love until the Changxi Palace launches a purge, forcing them to face each other's secrets and the past they share.

Chen Guan, a poor scholar, gives up the imperial examination to become a novelist of monsters. He meets a silent young swordsman, Cui Chengyu, and together they travel to Changxing County, where the snake plague has resurfaced, and overcome all the difficulties and obstacles.