Chapter 18
Anyang, China 1150 B.C.
The young King Zhou Xin could barely eat or sleep after looking upon the face and figure of the Goddess Nüwa. None of his wives or concubines could hold a candle to the beautiful goddess. Finally, in despair, his advisors suggested he search for the most attractive human female in the kingdom, and use her to help him forget about the one he could never possess.
Eventually, word came to him that the woman he sought was the exquisite daughter of the powerful Duke Su Hu of Ji.
The king asked Duke Su to allow his daughter, Daji, to become his concubine—a request that the king considered to be a high honor.
To his amazement, the duke refused. At that, the king sent an army to persuade him, but the duke met them with an army of his own. Their clash resulte
