The Empire's Warbands

BOOK 3 OF THE WAR OF THE DRAGON THRONE SERIES
THE IMPERIAL ARMY COLLIDES WITH THE MARTIAL ARTS UNDERWORLD
The Ming Empire scrambles to prepare for war as the resurgent clans of Jianhgu, the martial arts underworld, form alliances and makes maneuvers to overthrow and destabilize the dynasty. To set the stage for the invasion of the nonhuman foreigners called Terukk, the martial underworld amasses an army of its own and utilizes ancient dark arts to counter the might of the Ming Imperial Army. The legendary swordsman and knight-errant, Sun Xin, embarks on another harrowing operation with his motley team into the heart of the underworld to discover their enemies' plans. They must buy the Ming Empire enough time to muster her defenses and forge its own alliances in anticipation of a massive Terukk invasion.
Meanwhile, Captain Shao Lian of the Jinyiwei Imperial Assassins and Secret Police returns to court and reveals to the emperor his discoveries of world-shattering prehistorical secrets that could change the tide of war before it could even begin. Legendary factions, powerful armies, and bitter rivals will wage all-out war for the preservation of civilization, or for the creation of a new world through the restoration of the primeval one.