Inquiry into the Cauldron

In the twilight years of the Great Yin Dynasty, the Nine Provinces are torn apart as warlords carve out their own domains, commanding armies through the power of the 'Tiger Tallies.' Shen Yanzhi, a destitute scholar from Yunjin Ferry, dreams of unifying the realm but repeatedly fails the imperial exams. Well-versed in military strategy and tactics, he is gentle as jade on the surface, yet harbors a reckless madness within. Pei Zheng, the son of a blacksmith, is born with extraordinary strength and a brash, loyal nature. Discovered by Shen Yanzhi, he rises from an unknown soldier to become the commander of the Zhenbei Army. Gu Qingluan, the premier dancer of Fengqi City, is secretly the orphaned princess of the former dynasty and shares a past with Shen Yanzhi. — Description from novelcodex.org