Lin Tianjiao (Guo Shutong) is the top girl in her school. During one of her tests, she resorted to copying from notes, and is spotted by Gao Xiang (Bai Jingting), who is considered a wayward student. When the note was discovered by the teacher, Gao Xiang chooses to claim responsibility for trying to cheat. Lin Tianjiao feels apologetic towards Gao Xiang, and begins their friendship. Meanwhile, Lin Tianjiao’s good friend, Lu Tiantian (Wang Herun) is courting Ou Xiaoyang (Ding Guansen). However, due to his poor academic standing, Lin Tianjiao ignores him completely. Classmate Huang Tao (Li Hongyi) is secretly in love with Lin Tianjiao, but is too shy to express it. As a result, he and his best buddy, Li Tao (Zhao Wenlong) are at loggerheads with Gao Xiang.

In the year 198 BC, Cao Cao (Chow Yun Fat), Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, ventured to the east and defeated China’s greatest warrior Lu Bu, terrifying every ambitious warlord across the country. Several years later, after taking the Han Emperor under his wing, Cao crowns himself King of Wei. He built a magnificent Bronze Sparrow Island to symbolize his power and rumors spread that he would replace the Emperor. Meanwhile, young lovers Mu Shun (Hiroshi Tamaki) and Ling Ju (Liu Yi-Fei) are taken from a prison camp to a hidden tomb, where they spend five cruel years together, training as assassins for a secret mission. In the year 220 BC astronomical signs predict dramatic change. As a result, Cao’s son Cao Pi (Yau Sam-Chi) and Cao’s followers urge Cao to become the new Emperor – but unknown opposing forces plot against him.