Seven Seas revealed the cover and their special edition plans for the Vol. 8 finale of Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu, a historical danmei series by Tang Jiu Qing. Series artist St. returns after providing the covers and interiors for all previous volumes. [Source: Twitter/X, Bluesky]
Seven Seas provides the following volume summary:
FALL OF AN EMPIRE
Fresh from victory at Duanzhou, Xiao Chiye leads the Libei Armored Cavalry deep into the eastern desert, hoping to deliver a killing blow to Amur and his Biansha Horsemen. Xiao Chiye will gamble everything on this final strike—but even as he forges ahead, Amur’s Scorpions lurk in the heart of the empire, poised to strike at everything Xiao Chiye has left behind, including his beloved.
Shen Zechuan, far from defenseless, prepares his Zhongbo troops to confront the capital of Qudu and its girl emperor, Li Jianting. But the coming battle will test more than military might. Shen Zechuan understands better than anyone that the real war will be won or lost in the hearts of the people. Can the nation ever kneel to the son of Shen Wei, the empire’s most reviled traitor?
This triumphant series finale contains an exclusive new chapter from Tang Jiu Qing!
A special edition version of the volume will also be available for purchase. The Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu Vol. 8 Special Edition comes with a double-sided bookmark, a sticker sheet, a paper standee, and four postcards; all with art unique to the Seven Seas release. The associated artists will be revealed on the volume’s release date (Aug. 11, 2026). As with all of Seven Seas’ danmei special editions, they are limited to a single print run and will not be available for purchase again after stock is sold out.
Seven Seas usually offers Special Editions for the first volumes of select danmei series, though prior to mid-2024 they would instead offer them for select series’ final volumes. Ballad of Sword and Wine entered production before this process change, and thus its Special Edition is being released with its last volume.
When a Seven Seas Danmei release receives postcards with its finale volume, the cards generally feature art from every previous volume’s covers. Ballad‘s eight volumes would necessitate more than four postcards unless they are printed double-sided, making them unusable as postcards as well as making it difficult for those who want to use the cards as display pieces. A similar issue surrounding postcards was brought up by fans in regards to the upcoming Special Edition finale for The Husky and His White Cat Shizun.
Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu Vol. 8 is scheduled for release on August 11, 2026. Preorders are available from several major retailers:
Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu Vol. 8 (Standard Edition) – $19.99 USD
U.S.:
Canada:
International:
Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu Vol. 8 (Special Edition) – $29.99 USD
U.S.:
Canada:
International:
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Ballad of Sword and Wine
将进酒
[Synopsis Provided by Seven Seas Entertainment:]
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.
Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (将进酒) is a danmei novel by Tang Jiu Qing (also known to fans as “T97”). It began serialization in 2018 and ran for 282 chapters (plus 12 Extras). It is available to read in Chinese on JJWXC.
The series has received a manhua adaptation, an audio drama adaptation, and an audio book (Chinese-only).
You can learn more about Ballad of Sword and Wine in the DanmeiNews catalog.
