Mid 19th century. Having put an end to the Polish rebels and practically pacifying the Caucasus, the Russian Empire began preparations for a decisive advance into Asia - Emperor Alexander II intended to expand the borders of the Power in the east with his sword. To collect the latest information about the distant and largely unknown region, General Staff Captain Fyodor Kutergin arrives on the border with Turkestan. From the first days of his mission, he finds himself in the midst of intense, dangerous events and intricate intrigues, by chance becoming involved in one of the mysterious secrets of the East - the recipe for Avicenna's balm, which supposedly bestows immortality and is inextricably linked with an ancient map of Asia, necessary for the success of military expeditions. Loyalty to duty, extraordinary courage and natural ingenuity help Kutergin understand the intricacies of Asian intrigues. The death of fighting friends, vile betrayal, brutal hand-to-hand and saber duels - a whirlwind of adventures in pursuit of a secret ancient map picks up our hero and takes him further and further from Russia: first through deserts and mountain passes to Afghanistan, then to mysterious India, and from there through Arabia and Egypt - to Italy...