Yesugei, the Chieftain of Kiyat Clan, launches an attack against the tartars to avenge for their previous attacks. His victory is made more joyous when his wife, Hoelun, gives birth to a baby boy, later named Temujin. To celebrate Temujin's birth, Yesugei releases the sIaves of the Tartar Clan. Years later, Yesugei is poisoned to death by the Tartars. He has the loyal Mulhika promise to take care of his family. Mulhika later on becomes the husband of Hoelun and the stepfather of Temujin. Temujin and his brother Kasai are thorns in the eyes of their half? brother Pikha, who thinks the' two are better favoured by Mulhika. In a dispute, Kasai kills Pikha. Temujin takes over the blame of killing, and is severely reprimanded by Hoelun. Temujin grows to be a fine and brave young man, which is viewed as threats by the Taijint Clan.… ...

Temujin hides himself up a mountain, hungry and cold. Only the memories of his childhood give him strength. Years before, his father Yesugei takes him to visit the Onggirat Clan. Temujin is betrothed to Berta, the daughter of the Clan's Chieftain, Dai Sechen. According to convention, Temujin stays in his future father-in-law place for one year. On his way back alone, Yesugei is poisoned by the Tatars. He dies after returning home. Temujin is sent back home. Reflecting his role as the son of a dignified chieftain, Temujin decides to confront his enemies, which ends in his captivity. Temujin is harshly tortured. Two former slaves of Kiyat Clan, Chilaun, the brother, and Kataan the sister, witness his suffering and decides to help him escape. They unchain him on the night when a big feast is held. The next day, the enemies begin their pursuit of Temujin. Chilaun and Kataan are actually childhood acquaintances of Temujin.… ...

Kataan, devoted to Temujin in their childhood, nurses Temujin with great care. Temujin is greatly touched. Longing to rejoin hi s family, Temujin departs with Kataan. On his way, he gets acquainted with Jamuka, who helps him fight off his enemies. The two quickly become great friends and solemnly declare ‘anda ' (friends). Jamuka’s two brothers, Yita and Saita view it with bitter jealousy. Jamuka escorts Temujin home, and joins the celebration of the family reunion. Hoelun reminds Temujin of his betrothal with Berta. Reflecting on his own belittled state, TemuJin sets off with Kasai for his marriage quest with little confidence of success. To his surprise, Dai Sechen gladly offers his daughter to him with rich dowry. Dai Sechen also encourages Temujin to summon his clansmen back to rebuild his clan. Berta is a beautiful woman as well as a competent housewife. She is a delight and comfort to the whole family of Temujin.

To rebuild his clan, Temujin seeks the advice and help from an anda of his father called Peili. Peili is greedy, fickle and totally insincere in helping Temujin. His son Toghrul is jealous and hostile to Temujin for losing a combat contest to him. The Merkits grab Berta and Suechi to revenge for Yesugei's taking away Hoelun years ago. The beautiful Berta is ravished by Chila, the son of Chieftain Chilatu. Temujin secures the help of Jamuka and Peili to retrieve Berta. They fought a victorious battIe against the Merkits. Berta is saved, but Suechi is killed. Jamuka falls for Berta's beauty. He views her fortunate husband, Temujin with great envy. Kataan refuses to marry a Taichiut. She follows her brother Chilaun to seek Temujin, intending to reveal her affection. When she witnesses the happy marriage of Temujin and Berta, she changes her mind and consents to the marriage.

Temujin is distressed when Berta tells him that she is conceiving Chila's baby. His compassion for Berta overpowers. He names the baby boy Jochi and treats him as his son, Jamuka goes as far as forcing himself on Berta. Temujin appears in time to stop him. The friendship between the two andas suffers; Temujin decides to leave Jamuka's Clan to build his own. Temujin grows more reputed as a warrior and military talent since the battle with the Merkits. More and More clansmen and tribesmen come to join him. Temujin highly values his followers, he has the good sense to trust his subordinates to help him. In return, he wins the steadfast loyalties from them. When the time ripens, they declare him their Khan. Jamuka’s relationship with Temujin deteriorates. He launches an attack against him but is defeated. His brother dies in the battle, which deepens his hatred towards Temujin.

Tatatu is a teacher and a great friend of Temujin. From him, Temujin Iearns of the flouishing land in the south and its sophisticated military tactics. Instead of waiting to defend his enemies, Temujin launches an attack against the Taichiuts and exterminates them. Kataan is the wife of a Taichiut slave. Knowing that she is Widowed, Temujin houses her in his own home. Temujin gives away most of the treasures he gets from the victory to greedy Peili, who has started to be waried of Temujin's growing strength. Tonghrul falls for Kataan and proposes marriage. To his indignation, Kataan strictly refused. After the victory of Temujin over the Taichiuts, Mulhika leaves Hoelun and the family, feeling his duties are now over. In his wanderings, he learns of Jamuka "s imminent attack against Temujin and hurries back home with the news. Reunited with him, Hoelun persuades him to stay.

Learning that Jamuka has allied with other tribes against him, Temujin seeks the ally of Peili. Peili is convinced by Toghrul, his vengeful son to join the belligerent force instead. Alone and unhelped, Temujin is more determined than ever to win. Temujin successfully leads the army of Jamuka into a valley and has them ambushed. He proves that small but determined army can defeat a big one. Jamuka loses the battle, and comes to hate Temujin more. To vent his frustration and humiliation, he orders the slaughter of his slaves and subordinates. He becomes a notorious tyrant and comes to lose the support from his people. Berta observes Kataan’s devotion to Temujin. During periods of war, Kataan has stayed closely with Temuj in and served him. Touched by her devotion, Berta arranges Temujin to marry her.

Years have passed. Headed by Temujin, the Kiyat Clan has grown steadily strong and prosperous. Peili, usurped by his brother of the throne, is thrown out of his clan. He seeks the help of Temujin, who promises to help him get back his throne. The Tartars have grown weak. Temujin plans an attack against them to avenge for his father. He seeks the ally of Peili, who readily agrees in the hope to grab a share of the Tartars’ treasures. Temujin launches a two-side attack on the Tartars, only to find that they have already been exterminated by army from the Golden Empire. Temujin kills the Chieftain Selkujin to avenge his father's death. Temujin offers the head of Seikujin to Wanyen, the minister of the Golden Empire. Wanyen arrogantly decrees an official title to Temujin, and has the Mongols subordinate to the Golden Empire. It is great humiliation to Temujin, who is determined to subordinate to none.

Seeing that Temujin and Peili join forces, Jamuka seeks the alliance of the smaller clans across the steppe. A dancer in Jamuka's clan, Paika, passes on the news to Temujin that Jamuka is to wage a war against him. Temujin awaits his attack. Jamuka has planned to use a good bowsman to aim at Temujin. Temujin is wounded, and escapes gravely. His escape greatly affects the morale of the army. Seeing the Kiyat Clan greatly weakened, Peili turns against Temujin and joins the alliance of Jamuka. Temujin orders the army to retreat, as he is forced into a disadvantageous position. He enlists more people with great military skills and wait for a chance to revive his fame. Though a mere dancer, Paika is good-natured. Temujin arranges her marriage with Kasai. The two become deeply devoted to each other. To exterminate Temujin Jamuka conspires with Peili to propose marriage deals with Temujin. Secretly, Jamuka has ambushed the meeting place.… ...

Jamuka learns of Paika's betrayal and abducts her. When Kasai retrieves her, she’s already fatally tortured by Jamuka. In the deadly confrontation, Temujin finally defeats Jamuka, who escapes and seeks refuge from the Naimans. Toghrul goes west, and robs to survive. In his last resort, Jamuka borrows soldiers from the Sun Khan. He launches his final attack but is again defeated. Temujin grants him the death of a noble. Temujin units all Mongol tribes to become the supreme Khan of "all who dwells in tents of feet".