In 1298 the Genoese fleet attacks the Venetian ships. Marco Polo is captured and ends up in prison, where he starts dictating his memoirs to Rustichello da Pisa...

Prince Chinkin, during an imperial hunting trip, is struck by an epileptic seizure: Marco Polo helps him, but risks being executed, since the disease is a disgrace that no one must know about. Meanwhile, the court has returned to Cambaluc and the Mongol general Bayan, who led Kublai Khan's army against the Chinese Song dynasty, announces victory over Southern China.

Prince Chinkin dies and the loss deeply saddens Kublai Khan, who, upon hearing the news of Nayan's rebellion, does not hesitate to lead the army to subdue it. For the Polos the time comes to leave again to accompany Princess Kokacin to Persia to see her future husband.