Ardeshir ben Nabonidus lives in the shadow of his father, an accomplished gladiator-indeed, the Roman emperor's champion-who accumulated thirty kills to eventually become the undisputed prince of Persia. Struggling to find his identity in a world that overlooks him, young Ardeshir finds himself exiled on a trade mission to the far east, fueled by a single mantra that pushes him forward: "The Way is the way."

At the palace of the Han emperor, Ardeshir seems to have nothing but a common gardener for a friend. But when he saves the life of the emperor's daughter, everything goes topsy-turvy. His love for the princess soon escalates into an intense conflict with a diabolical general, and his man-eating leopard, who is intent on securing the princess's affections for himself.