When a shipment of magic Dragon Art commissioned by the Emperor goes missing, it's up to the Black Lotus Clan to track it down and punish the thieves. "Assassins of Brush and Blade" originally appeared in the Complete Tales of the Floating World. It can be read as a prequel to Thorn of the Night Blossoms.

For an imperial assassin, assignment as a courtesan in the Floating World seems like a waste of her talents... until killers target her clan sisters. In the legendary Floating World, wars are waged with wit, the strongest soldier can be bound with threads of silk, and flesh is the currency by which life, death, and freedom can all be purchased. Half-elf Jie doesn’t mind her temporary assignment as a Night Blossom in the most sought-after house. It’s perfect cover for her real work as an assassin in the emperor’s service, and keeps her close to one who matters most. Her life belongs to her clan, but her heart lies with clan junior, Lilian. Lilian’s talents trade stealth for sensuality, poison for poetry. With looks as sharp as any blade, she can coax information from any man, and still leave him paying for the pleasure. She’s enthralled many a noble, none more important than the warlord who can calm a brewing insurrection. Only her sweet whispers can secure his obedience to the throne. But now, his increasing abuse has Jie seeking a new assignment for Lilian—even if it means their separation. When killers target clan sisters, and the seeds of rebellion find fertile soil in the Floating World, Jie must choose between loyalty and love.

A lord has been assassinated, and only an awkward boy can uncover the mastermind. Banished from the capital, ten-year-old Zheng Tian joins the Black Lotus Clan. As son of a great lord, he is utterly unprepared for this new life—a fact complicated by his awkwardness. As of yet untrained in the arts of stealth, he is thrust into an investigation into a lord's murder.

A serial killer roves the Trench, and only an eight-year-old girl can stop him. One of the most promising Black Lotus adepts, Yuna returns to the slums of her birth to assassinate a Triad boss. At stake: the secret of the clan's existence. Led by the half-elf Jie and joined by new recruit Tian, Yuna must come to terms with her past if the mission is to succeed. With a serial killer on the loose, it will be no easy task.

Both the Emperor and a criminal want the contents of a lord's safe, and only the Black Lotus Clan can retrieve it. \*Contains on-screen sex.

The mysterious ringleader of a deep-rooted conspiracy threatens peace and stability in the realm, and only the memories of a dead woman can unearth him. Before her death at Jie's hands, Lilian left clues to her many secrets. Among them, the identity of a rebellion's leader.

The conclusion of the Floating World segment of Scions of the Black Lotus. The ringleader of a rebellion has holed up with his allies in an unassailable castle, and it is up to Jie, Tian, and other members of the Black Lotus clan's Floating World cell to assassinate him.

For an imperial assassin, assignment as a courtesan feels like a waste of her talents... until killers target her clan sisters. As the Black Lotus Clan’s most formidable operative, half-elf Jie hoped the emperor would send her on critical missions to safeguard the realm. Instead, she’s ordered to infiltrate the legendary Floating World, where elite courtesans wage wars with wit, vanquish the staunchest warriors with threads of silk, and coax out secrets with gentle whispers. It’s a set of skills she lacks. An utter waste of her talents… …until conspirators try to murder her clan sisters. Now, with seeds of insurrection finding fertile ground in the Floating World, uncovering ringleaders could mean sacrificing her friends. Jie must decide who lives and dies. Because when faced with a nascent rebellion, your choices could save an empire. Or topple it. \—- Download The Complete Tales of the Floating World now for eight episodic tales of spy training, sisterhood, and betrayal. This set includes six books, two bonus stories, exclusive artwork, and links to high-resolution posters: Thorn of the Night Blossoms White Sheep of the Family Interlude (Bonus Story) Wretches of the Trench Temptress of Fates Last Heir of the North Second Interlude (Bonus story) Last Bloom of the Jade Lotus