The First Ogre King: Book I

Every step Arimaru takes on his crippled leg is a reminder of his lies. In the Amingji dynasty’s bustling trade hub, he plays the role of a broken father and family man. But his true burden isn’t his injury – it’s the weight of being one of the dynasty’s spy-assassins, a secret that’s slowly poisoning his soul. When the world’s first firearms disappear, Arimaru’s two worlds violently collide, forcing him to face the price of his lifetime of deception and death dealing.

Meanwhile, Tzairi drowns under the crushing weight of the Imperial Exam. Her teacher demands perfection – flawless brushstrokes, perfect recitation, absolute dedication to scholarly balance. But her father’s training calls to her like a fever dream. How can she follow the Scholar-official’s path of wisdom when violence and cunning sing in her blood? Does she even want to?

Set on the unforgiving jungle frontier of a Song-Dynasty-inspired empire- Daoist wisdom, Buddhist peace, and Confucian duty clash in the shadows of Choryu. This isn’t just about saving the dynasty; it’s about a father and daughter fighting with secrets that threaten to destroy everything they love.