Pierre Dimaculangan is a digital artist, designer, and author of Trials of the Middle Kingdom series. He was born in Manila and grew up in Queens, New York. He’s a lover of world history and Chinese culture and civilization. He loves to read, conquer story-driven video games, play drums, and practice Muay Thai and Parkour. He’s currently pursuing a master’s in history at Harvard University Extension School. 

Follow the story of a legendary wandering swordsman and a political cabal of vigilantes known as the Martial Scholars as they investigate the maritime arrival of a mysterious nonhuman military force. A thorough investigation reveals the truth about their agenda as well as a conspiracy against the emperor and the entire Ming Empire. Through careful planning and utilization of their deep network, they succeed in warning the emperor who then prepares the nation for the possibility of war. First however, he must quell the Underworld where rebel groups and secret societies have risen against him, and conspire with the nonhuman foreigners to create a new world order. Together with a motley crew of misfits, the legendary swordsman ventures into the Underworld to discover the deeper plans of the enemy. His new friend, an enigmatic sage, insists that the real battle is, in fact, a spiritual one, and that victory lies only through following the will of Heaven.

Trials of the Middle Kingdom

"When was the last time you saw your parents, Ren?" Long Shen asked his fellow infantryman. There was not much to do outside the city limits. Guard patrol duty was increasingly dull especially being furthest from the main camps. Even good conversation was becoming harder to come by. The nights grew colder and morale was on a low plateau. Even the armor they wore did not instill the same level of pride in their hearts than when they had first donned it. Boredom, especially for the younger troops, negatively affected the men more than most realized. 


Chapter 28: The Battle for Beijing