Kingdom, Volume 1 (Kingdom #1-8)

Long ago, China was set in a horrendous period in history, the Warring States, after over hundreds of years fighting there only remained seven states left, Qin, Chu, Zhao, Yan, Wei, Han, & Qi. However, in the rural countryside of Qin, 245 B.C. there resides two boys who saw each other as brothers, Xin (Shin) & Piao (Hyou) always battled each other in duels with the dreams of becoming the Greatest Generals under the Heavens, there's a catch though, they're sadly slaves.

They are greeted by a man by the name of Lord Chang Wen Jun (Shoubunkun) who wishes to have Hyou come with him back to the Royal Palace in Xianyang (Kanyou) however, he can only bring Hyou. Shin is left behind as a slave, knowing that one day he and Hyou will be under the same banner as Great Generals. But tragedy strikes, as in turns out Hyou was brought to be a body double for the King, Ying Zheng (Ei Sei) due to Sei's younger brother Cheng Jiao (Sei Kyou) staging a rebellion inside the Capital.

Hyou was killed but before he died traveled back to Shin, telling him to continue his dream of becoming the Greatest General under the Heavens, and that he'll always be with Shin no matter what, Hyou then dies in front of his closest friend. Before he died, he instructed Shin to take a message and travel to meet someone important, this being the King Ei Sei himself, along the way a petty criminal He Liao Diao (Ka Ryo Ten) joins him as a promise that she'll receive great wealth for helping the King take back control in the Capital. And so, the three embark on a journey that will start to change the course in history.