Warring States: The Legend of Chu Moran, A Fateful Encounter

In the middle of the Warring States period, the Seven Kingdoms stand in opposition, and war rages without end. Chu Moran, a commoner's son, travels from state to state in search of the true meaning of martial arts. Through countless clashes of steel, he hones both his fighting skills and his eye for judging people. Su Nianyao, daughter of a feudal lord, grows up deep within the palace, accustomed to political intrigue. Yet she secretly studies military strategy and dreams of bringing peace to the realm, yearning for the world beyond the palace and the hardships of ordinary people. A sparring match at a market brings the two together despite their vastly different backgrounds. Chu Moran's honesty and courage see through Su Nianyao's disguise, while her intelligence and insight make him see her in a new light. When the border comes under attack, Chu Moran joins the army to fight the enemy, while Su Nianyao is forced to leave the capital amid palace turmoil. The two meet again amid the chaos of battle. She turns the tide with her military knowledge, and he protects her with his martial prowess. Strangers become allies, wariness gives way to trust, and they come to fight side by side. But the gulf between their classes and the schemes of their families haunt them at every turn. Su Nianyao's father plans to marry her to a prince from a powerful state to secure an alliance, while Chu Moran's humble birth makes the feudal powers dismiss him as “less than dirt.” They must find their footing amid war and political intrigue, and protect their newly kindled feelings in the face of mounting obstacles. The first book lays the foundation for their growth and the story of how they met, as well as their first life-and-death trial and struggle against the barriers of class in a world torn by war.