Tang Baojia (played by Zhang Fengyi) is a handsome and upright commoner youth who, under pressure from his parents and the harsh realities of life, elopes with his beloved girl Lu Yao (played by Guan Zhilin), only to be captured and sentenced to death. The treacherous Wei Zhongxian is assembling his own Jinyiwei (Imperial Secret Police) and takes a liking to Tang Baojia in the death row, thus granting him a second chance at life and bestowing the name 'Tang Zhan', turning him into a ruthless assassin under Wei Zhongxian. Tang Zhan repeatedly earns 'merits,' gaining great appreciation from Wei Zhongxian. However, his success draws envy from another assassin, Song Zhong. During a mission, Tang Zhan accidentally sees his former beloved Lu Yao, which leads to the failure of the operation, forcing him into a path of escape. The relentless pursuit from Wei Zhongxian and Song Zhong puts Tang Zhan in a series of desperate situations. However, through these challenges, Tang Zhan gradually rediscovers the kind and upright person he once was and begins a happy life anew with Lu Yao. Amid constant dangers, Tang Zhan embarks on a long journey of self-rescue.
