While navigating the seas of Liangkiau, in the southern end of Taiwan, in spring 1867, the American merchant ship "Rover" struck a coral reef and capsized. As they entered a sacred territory, fourteen American sailors were killed by local Taiwanese tribes. In a land torn by power struggles, this incident will lead Tokitok, Chief of the Liangkiau 18 Community, to confront new challenges.

Charles W. Le Gendre, the American consul at Amoy and Formosa, travels to Taiwan to investigate the "Rover incident." He discovers, to his surprise, that Liangkiau does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Qing government. Meanwhile, Tiap-moe, a young woman working for the British merchant William A. Pickering in Taiwanfu, makes her best effort to repatriate her brother to the city.

Charles continues pressuring local officials to send troops to Liangkiau. At the same time, the legends surrounding local tribes in the Seqalu nation start intriguing him. An army is finally raised and heads down to Liangkiau, but the journey to this rebel territory is fraught with danger.

After many false leads, Charles and his group finally reach the shipwreck site and discover the remains of the sailors lying on the shore. The arrival of foreigners creates tensions within the local communities, and Chieftain Tokitok faces the rebellion of his Deputy Chief, Isa.

The U.S. Navy becomes formally involved in the "Rover incident" as American soldiers land in Liangkiau for a punitive expedition. Facing an inevitable war, the people of Seqalu place their destiny in the hands of the spirits that protect their land. Tiap-moe and her brother continue their quest for identity.

The battle continues in the Seqalu nation and threatens to increase in intensity when troops of the Qing government face the indigenous people. Tokitok's daughter, Umi, steps in and tries to play the role of mediator between her tribe and local communities.