The Art of Destiny

Chapter One

The Mail

The caravan of covered wagons snaked along the craggy face of a mountain range known as the Five Ugly Brothers. They were three quarters of the way up the fourth Ugly Brother, and running late. Jai Janus had hoped they would reach the mail post before nightfall, but he wasn t sure if the oxen had enough pull in them to clear the final stretch. To be honest, he wasn t having an easy time keeping his own eyelids open either. Fortunately, his side-­seat driver was excellent at keeping him awake.

Besides being able to navigate routes and flash signal codes, Aimei was incredibly adept at talking for hours on end, pausing only occasionally to breathe. She had been prating on about her latest drama since dawn, when they had set off from the peak of the second Ugly Brother. He s out all night creeping around with his smelly friends before slinking home in the middle of the night stinking like sweat and piss. I have to dunk him in the tub every morning just to keep the smell off my sheets.

Janus bit his lip and swallowed another sigh. Why don t you just ­

Aimei finished taking a breath. The worst part is he always brings home a midnight snack and insists on eating it right on the bed. There s gross leftovers scattered all over the sheets every morning. And my mattress is woven from loose straw, so you know I can t just wipe it off. To clean up all the bits of food ­can t have crumbs, mind you. It ll attract sludge beetles ­I have to comb through the straw and individually pick every piece out. She gesticulated with conviction. Don t get me started on his breath. It s like death. Like if I just mouth-­kissed a ten day-­old corpse.

You did what?

Aimei s eyes brimmed. He used to be so affectionate, so much fun. Now he ignores me and pretends I don t exist unless he needs something, like I m just a servant or cook or some occasional plaything when he s bored. It s really unfair. I m always so nice to him.

Just

Wesley Chu

Praise for The Art of Prophecy

[The Art of Prophecy] is squarely directed at kung fu, wuxia, and wire-fu fans who adore Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Hero; The Legend of Drunken Master; Kung Fu Hustle, and the like, providing a story with an epic sweep punctuated with dashes of humor and sharp-edged banter. . . . Dramatic, fun, thoughtful, clever, and (literally) punchy. Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The Art of Prophecy is an ambitious and touching exploration of disillusionment in faith, tradition, and family, but it s also unexpectedly funny. I loved following Wesley Chu s intricate narrative through this sprawling universe full of glorious reinvention of fantasy and wuxia tropes. Naomi Novik

In this superb fantasy saga of tough old martial-arts masters and inexperienced young heroes, Wesley Chu has given us a richly inventive page-turner that delights throughout. The Art of Prophecy is Wesley Chu at the height of his imaginative powers, and I can t wait for the next installment! Helene Wecker

Electrifying, thrilling, and a glorious, romantic ride, The Art of Prophecy is a true delight. Readers won t be able to put it down. Robert Jackson Bennett

The Art of Prophecy is a terrific and compelling story that plays off so many classic tales taken from our own world and reinvents them all in classic fashion. Terry Brooks

Come for the awesome fight choreography, stay for the sly wit, the worldbuilding, and a fresh and unexpected take on the hero s journey! Jacqueline Carey

A whirlwind tale rich with politics and fantastical martial arts . . . Chu tells a refreshing coming-of-age story with a chosen one who faces real challenges to become a hero. Robin Hobb

In The Art of Prophecy, Wesley Chu writes like a master war artist. The War Arts Saga introduces a lavish world of martial arts that transcends into the mystical, just as this grandiose epic fantasy