Seven Seas Entertainment revealed the cover for Volume 5 of Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu, a danmei novel series by Tang Jiu Qing.
St. (Twitter/X, Bluesky) returns as the series artist, after also providing the covers and interior illustrations for all previous volumes. St. has also provided art for other Seven Seas danmei releases, such as The Husky and His White Cat Shizun and Remnants of Filth. The volume cover features the female supporting characters Qi Zhuyin (background) and Hua Xiangyi (foreground), who are in a canonical lesbian relationship in the series.
![[Series artist St., providing key information about their work:] ✂️ the smudge around qi zhuyin's mouth is indeed meant to be lipstick 😉](https://www.danmeinews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/qjj-vol-5-st-lipstick.png)
Seven Seas has provided the following volume summary:
SINS OF THE FATHER
As Shen Zechuan attempts to consolidate power in Zhongbo with the aid of Yao Wenyu, his greatest stumbling block continues to be his own name. No matter how great his deeds, so long as he bears the stain of the traitor Shen Wei, he remains foiled in his ambitions. If Shen Zechuan is to expand his hold over the region, he must find a way to overcome his past.
Meanwhile, in the north, Xiao Chiye struggles to find his footing in the Libei Armored Cavalry. Their enemy Amur has sent his most powerful general northward, and the cavalry find themselves pressed back time and again by an adversary who seems to anticipate their every move. Xiao Chiye is hungry to step out of his father and brother’s shadow and become the commander who carries Libei to victory—but can he prove himself before it’s too late?
Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu Vol. 5 is slated for a August 19, 2025 release, in both print and digital. Preorders are available from several major retailers:
U.S.:
Canada:
International:
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Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (将进酒) is a danmei webnovel written by Tang Jiu Qing, also known to fans as “T97.” It was originally serialized on JJWXC starting in 2018, where it ran for 282 chapters (with 12 additional extras). It has inspired a manhua adaptation, an audio drama, and an audio book (Chinese-only).
Seven Seas provides the following series summary:
Shen Zechuan is the eighth son of the traitorous Prince of Jianxing, a man who doomed his cities and people to destruction at the hands of the foreign enemy. As the only surviving member of his reviled line, Shen Zechuan is dragged to the capital in chains. He bears the hatred of the nation, but no one’s hate burns hotter than that of Xiao Chiye, the youngest son of the powerful Prince of Libei.
Xiao Chiye would love nothing more than to see Shen Zechuan dead–but against all odds, he clings to life. Rather than succumb to his family’s disgrace, he becomes a thorn in Xiao Chiye’s side, clawing his way into the cutthroat political world of the capital. Yet as these two bitter enemies beat against the bonds of their fate, they find themselves kindred spirits, unlikely allies…and perhaps something more. The Seven Seas English-language edition will feature uncensored text along with all-new covers and interior illustrations.
Tang Jiu Qing also wrote the series Nan Chan, which is being released in English by Rosmei.
Source: Seven Seas Bluesky
