Original subtitles

[hooves clattering]

- [horse whinnying] - [man speaks indistinctly]

Your lordship, we greet you, sir.

[horse whinnies]

My lord, I greet you, sir.

My lord.

A rough trip?

All right, enough greeting.

Down to business.

[both] Yes, sir.

Bai Chung, report now.

Your lordship, the rebel group is not far away.

They're hiding out in Wancha village.

Prince Chu, did you see him?

Your lordship, I saw him quite clearly.

He's there.

Prince Chu, nowhere in the world is safe for you

since you've chosen to oppose me.

You fool.

[horse whinnying]

Let's go!

[dramatic music]

[gong clanging]

[gentle soulful music]

[dramatic music]

His royal highness is very important to the Ming dynasty,

and therefore his safety must be ensured.

[men] Sir!

Highness, I suggest that you leave now.

I agree.

I know the eunuch's men are close behind me and I thank you.

Goodbye and good fortune.

[men] Farewell, your highness.

[gentle music]

Thank you all.

[chickens squawking]

[hooves clattering]

[horses whinnying]

- [gong clanging] - Royal decree.

Leave your homes.

Come out on the street to hear the royal decree.

[gong clanging]

[ominous music]

[music continues]

[whooshing]

[horses whinnying]

[arrows whooshing]

[shouting]

[men grunting]

[men grunting]

Quick!

- [indistinct shouting] - [horses whinnying]

Let us leave.

Sir!

[horse whinnying]

[dramatic music]

[gentle music]

- Break it. - Sir!

Right!

[dramatic music]

[all screaming]

[crashing]

[screaming continues]

[sword clangs]

[men grunting]

- [man] Right, come on. - [man 2] Get in there.

[men screaming]

[men grunting]

Are you all right, sir?

- [swords clanging] - [men grunting]

- [swords clanging] - [men grunting]

[sword scraping]

[man groaning]

[scraping]

- [swords clanging] - [men grunting]

Hold it!

[sword scrapes]

Hey, old man.

Come here.

[somber music]

- Take him. - Sir!

[triumphant music]

Kneel.

All right.

Let him stand.

Old man, you know your crime?

What we have done was not a crime.

[chuckling]

You ignored the orders from the great emperor,

and then attacked his men, killed some too.

And just for that, your entire family ought to die.

Eunuch Chao, you're forgetting your history.

Eunuch Wei did the same.

That is, gave false orders,

issued decrees while his emperor had no knowledge

of the killings carried out in his name.

Huh.

Prince Chu wants to usurp the throne.

He is a traitor and everybody knows that fact.

That is not true.

Royal Prince Chu helped the emperor.

He wanted to reform the whole system

and to forbid the imperial eunuchs

from interfering in court politics.

But you plotted against him,

falsely accused him of treachery

and set the emperor against the prince

so you could retain your corrupt position.

Hold it.

Let him live.

You think that I will tell where the prince is?

Eunuch Chao, you depraved monster.

I'll never talk.

Hm.

As you will.

But you are mistaken,

because I already know where the prince will have gone to.

H-how could you?

He's desperately looking for some sanctuary, legal.

[gasps]

What you saying?

He went to find a temple

which could offer legal sanctuary,

such as one Huang-chueh Su.

- [tense music] - [gasps]

But he's wrong.

Because when acting on imperial edict,

no temple is a sanctuary.

Kill him.

[dramatic music]

[bell clanging]

[clanging]

[tense music]

[clanging]

[music continues]

[hooves clattering]

- Highness. - [gentle music]

We have a young student here.

His name is Tan Hsiao-chien, and he could beat the Eunuch Chao.

Tan Hsiao-chien?

A good family, the son of Tang.

Oh?

He was a legendary loyalist warrior, a brave man.

He refused to obey the eunuchs,

and when he refused to do so, they had him dismissed.

Yes, that's right.

And now he's dead.

He was murdered 12 years ago.

And his son has been studying kung fu ever since.

With his skill and filial piety,

I think that he's the only man

who could beat the Eunuch Chao.

So we have a loyalist to continue my battle.

Well, that's a good thought.

I wish I could've seen him.

Highness, I shall order him to leave the temple at once

to ensure that he survives,

and then he'll work to carry on your cause here.

[sighs]

[ominous music]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

[grunting]

My lord.

Who ordered this?

[sword scrapes]

My lord, no one did.

I wished to test my skill and nothing more.

Your ability is the ultimate test for me.

Lang Si-yu, tell me.

You were in the capital.

Why'd you come here?

Your lordship, I was just afraid for you

and for your safety here,

because I know that your two generals,

Kwei and Tsao Tsang-Wen are useless, incapable.

That's why I thought I'd come here.

But you tried to kill me though.

My lord, I was just testing your guards.

And at the same time,

I was also testing my own abilities.

I would never have hurt you.

You do know that.

Maybe so, but you did nearly kill me though.

I've angered you.

Please kill me.

- Get up. - I dare not.

[scoffs] That's all right.

Keep on trying.

It will assist in keeping the wood sharp for both of us.

My lord may be right, but I would not dare again.

[chuckling]

Now you say you doubt the ability of my generals.

Could you beat them?

Those two stupid fools?

In fighting they might beat me,

but in intelligence, no comparison.

So that means I could beat them,

for it's brains that finally count.

Mm.

But kung fu must have a solid base.

Simply relying on clever tricks is to invite defeat.

I think they fight better than you, both of them.

And you wouldn't have a chance.

So don't you try them.

Sir.

Don't you know those two could hear all that?

I did know that.

You did?

Because you know I could beat them both.

So there had to be a reason for what you said.

And so I assumed that you would praise them

to make sure they wouldn't feel jealous.

[laughing]

Lang Si-yu.

Lang Si-yu.

That's why Eunuch Wei trusted you so much.

And that's why I didn't want to have you killed,

and let you live.

But now then, I'll give you some advice.

So you listen to me.

I would be flattered.

Never you be too contemptuous of any of your opponents,

even when they're obviously inferior to you.

So never relax.

I mean, because even rats will sometimes fight back.

[gentle music]

Master.

Get up.

We're going to see the prince.

Prince Chu?

Why has he come to the temple?

Because Eunuch Chao and his men are seeking to kill him.

[dramatic music]

[man] My lord, it's near midnight.

- Call up the men. - [man] Sir.

Lord, why start off at midnight?

It will take us six hours to arrive there.

So if we start off at evening,

we arrive at midnight.

And in the dark, they could quite easily escape us.

And if we start off at dawn, then they could spot us coming.

I see.

So you start off at midnight, arriving just at dawn.

When they wake up,

our soldiers will have got the place surrounded.

I want everybody there killed.

None must escape us.

[soft music]

Hsiao-chien, you must leave here now.

If you find trouble at the prince's house,

then you read the contents of this letter.

Yes, teacher.

[horse whinnies]

[dramatic music]

You must leave now,

but please all pray for Tan Hsiao-chien,

that he may succeed.

[all]] Buddha bless him.

Mm.

You may go now.

[hooves clattering]

[horses whinnying]

[inaudible]

[inaudible]

[both] We have searched the place.

It's empty, sir.

- Again. - [both] Sir!

Go on.

[somber music]

My lord, may I go in and take a look around?

Right.

My lord, there's no one inside.

Hm.

Impossible.

My lord.

Post some guards.

Nobody goes in.

Yes, sir.

[ominous music]

- [whooshing] - [man screaming]

I allowed the monks to exist in this temple for 12 years,

but it seems they don't value their lives.

[men grunting]

[whooshing]

[men grunting]

[shouts]

[men grunting]

[shouts]

[whooshing]

[men grunting]

[clanging]

[dramatic music]

Traitor.

But at least I destroyed your skill with my head blow.

I am very sorry to have to disappoint you,

but I will recover in a week.

I know that you will.

That's why... I have... ordered,

in the next week,

you must... die.

[men grunting]

[dramatic music]

You're dead.

At long last.

Even if you did it yourself.

[whooshing]

[Lang Si-yu] My lord.

Lordship.

I was extremely worried about your safety.

After all, someone could...

Nobody could.

The prince is dead.

No matter how he died, he's finally dead.

Come, brother.

Get up.

Thank you.

General Lu?

[Lu] Sir.

Go and take over the guard at Kwan An.

Yes, sir.

My chair.

[ominous music]

[monk] Kill Eunuch Chao within seven days,

otherwise he can never be killed.

Your master's will.

[dramatic music]

[solemn music]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[horse whinnies]

[man] Assassins!

Assassins! Get him! There he goes!

- Go on! - [man 2] Get him!

[indistinct clamoring]

Over here! There he goes!

- [swords clanging] - [men grunting]

Come on! Get him over here!

[indistinct shouting]

[horse whinnies]

Your lordship.

[Chao] Hmm.

Bring him here.

Move.

[grunting]

Tell me, who was it?

Who ordered this?

Traitor!

The devil ordered me.

Devil?

Huh.

So he'd like my company, huh?

Well, you tell him he wasted your life

[chuckles]

Because no one can kill me.

[grunting]

[sword scrapes]

- Hm. - [sword scrapes]

Lord, they were much too careless.

You could have been killed.

So I killed them as a special warning to your other guards.

Good.

You're quite right.

That should act to warn them.

Get back!

General Tsao.

Sir.

You will support General Lu

to guard this place and guard it well.

Sir!

[rattling]

[rattling continues]

[rattling intensifies]

- [men grunting] - [dramatic music]

[man] Who are you?

[tense music]

The debt payer.

What do you want?

Your lives.

[men grunting]

[dramatic music]

[sword scrapes]

[sighs shakily]

It's him.

General Lu, let's report to his lordship.

He'll know what to do.

What?

What do you say?

Repo... [shouts]

- Tell his lordship? - [groans]

Then he would simply order me to catch the murderer.

So why don't we just report

after we've caught the man?

You idiot!

[man] Ah, yes, sir.

- [Lu] Go on now. - [man] Yes, si... sir. Yes.

[horse snorts]

Looks to me that that wound there

was actually caused by that coin then.

Coin?

- [Tsao] Mm. - Whose coin is it?

My lord's.

Ah, his coin?

I want the guard doubled.

Yes, sir.

You two men, over here.

- Sir! - Yes, sir.

- [man] Quick, alert! - [man 2] Come on.

Hurry!

Double the guards.

Sir!

Double those guards.

Sir!

Double the guards.

Yes, sir.

- [sword whooshes] - Hurry up!

Come on!

Quick!

Lord Fong.

Lord Fong.

I think the killer's around here.

Where is he?

Well, I think, I... I just saw him outside.

That letter says General Lu should arrive here tonight

with his men.

[man] Yes.

[ominous rattling]

He's here.

[man screaming]

He's here.

- [rattling continues] - [tense music]

Well, what the hell is keeping General Lu?

[men screaming]

[screaming continues]

Oh my God!

He's got us caught like a rat in a trap.

[men screaming]

[doors creaking]

[dramatic music]

[tense music]

[doors creaking]

Fong Chun?

[slamming]

[door creaking]

[indistinct] Goddammit!

[clattering]

[grunting]

[gasps]

Wu Sang-yen.

[thudding]

- [whooshing] - [man grunting]

[gasps]

[dramatic music]

[footsteps tapping]

[clanging]

[man grunting]

Goddammit!

Come on out and fight like a man.

Just what sort of coward are you then?

[clattering]

- [dramatic music] - [man grunting]

- [clanging] - [man screaming]

Goddammit!

[gasps]

Fong Chun.

[dramatic music]

[screams]

[clattering]

[Tan Hsiao-chien] Lu Kwei.

Return the life of my parents.

Lu Kwei.

Return the life of my mother.

Lu Kwei.

The life of my dead teacher.

Lu Kwei.

Repay the lives.

Lu Kwei.

Lu Kwei.

Repay the lives.

[screams]

Lu Kwei.

Return the life of my parents.

Lu Kwei.

[music continues]

Lu Kwei.

Return the lives of my masters.

Lu Kwei.

Lu Kwei.

Return my parents' lives.

Lu Kwei.

Return the lives of my parents.

[whooshing]

[screams]

Lu Kwei.

Repay the life.

Repay the life of my teacher.

[grunting]

[panting]

- Lu Kwei. - Huh?

Repay.

[screaming]

[gasps, grunts]

[fluttering]

[Lu screams]

- [dramatic music] - [screaming]

[grunting]

[shouts]

[dramatic music]

[shouts]

[Lu shouts]

[grunting]

[grunting]

[whooshing]

[shouts]

[whooshing]

[groans]

[screams]

[shouts]

[grunting]

[whooshing]

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

[man] Tan Hsiao-chien, I'm gonna take your life.

[ominous music]

[both] Your lordship.

You've traveled for days.

You should rest and report tomorrow.

[Chao] Tell me the news from the city first.

Your lordship.

Lordship Xian Jun Kwai and Jin Sin

have both conspired against yourself.

So please give us orders and then we can arrest them both.

Hmm.

Wait three days and then act.

Sir!

Now give orders.

As from today, the men are all on full alert.

[man] Sir!

General.

Hm?

[sword clanging]

[man] My life, spare my life.

[coins clattering]

[sword scraping]

And where did you find him?

[man] Just nearby in the woods.

Even Lu couldn't beat him.

So maybe even if his lordship himself took him on,

it's possible he might just lose.

That won't be necessary.

I'll finish him.

I'm not Lu Kwei.

No?

Did you ever have a contest with Lu and win?

Hm. In kung fu, I'm a lot better.

And as for brains, I have more than twice as many as Lu.

And I do have a plan.

Now, you better make arrangements

to replace our general.

But still, let me advise you.

Make sure that you make a better job of it than he did.

[gentle music]

[dramatic music]

[men grunting]

[men grunting]

[clattering]

[weapons whooshing]

[weapons clanging]

[weapons whooshing]

[weapons clanging]

[dramatic music]

- [men shouting] - [weapons clanging]

[music continues]

[weapons whooshing]

- [men shouting] - [weapons clanging]

[weapons whooshing]

[shouts]

[whooshing, clanging]

[grunting]

[all shouting]

[weapons whooshing]

[clanging]

[all shouting]

[shouting]

[water rushing]

[gentle music]

You think your ambush will get him?

My plans are always perfect.

Not had a failure yet.

Not met him before.

Hm. Just you wait and see.

[music continues]

General Tsao.

Hm?

Huh?

[dramatic music]

Well, it does seem that your brilliant plan

didn't quite work.

Quick. Come on.

We better split up.

You go first.

I see.

You take Lu's place, isn't enough then.

Hm.

[water rushing]

[Tsao] Hm.

Well now, it seems that you're the first person

to come through my little trap alive.

Just what do you want?

I just want your life.

- [swords scraping] - [grunting]

[straining]

[shouts]

[whooshing]

You need a sword.

Your kung fu is useless.

Where'd you learn to use it?

No, you don't.

I know that one.

Trying to trick me.

Bastard!

Shut your mouth and let's fight.

[sword whooshing]

[men grunting]

Ha.

A pity.

You got no sons yet?

So nobody will look after your grave.

- [sword whooshing] - [grunting]

[umbrella whooshing]

[umbrella whooshing]

[shouts]

[groaning]

- [whooshing] - [grunts]

[straining]

[grunting]

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

The cost of revenge is high.

Just take your friend and go bury him.

Very good. Congratulations.

[grunts]

You're wounded.

I won't fight.

I can wait.

[screams]

[grunting]

Lang Si-yu.

You...

You watched me kill both your friends, just stood back.

You want Chao's job.

You're a bastard.

You really are.

You are even worse than Chao.

You may be right, but I won't kill you.

I may have use for you.

Well, I'll kill you.

But we two, we could defeat Chao.

So let's combine, fight him, kill him.

Bastard!

[grunting]

When you've recovered, you think about it

and then come to see me.

[dramatic music]

I'm sorry, sir.

No one is allowed in today.

You're stopping me?

No, sir.

But your sword.

So those two fools refused your help?

Not exactly.

But even so, if I had fought, then I would be dead as well.

And so...

you lived to fight another day.

My lord, to replace Lu, I know a man.

Good kung fu and a great swordsman.

He's an all-around expert.

But what do you know about his background?

Well, there is a snag.

That isn't too good.

He's Tan Khan's son.

Tan Khan?

But he's a well-known student from the Huang-chueh Temple.

Mm.

Hm. And he wants to avenge himself.

[rattling in distance]

[ominous music]

[Tan Hsiao-chien] Eunuch Chao, return the life of the prince.

Return the life of my master.

Eunuch Chao, return the lives of my parents.

[music continues]

[rattling]

Stay here.

[rattling continues]

[Tan Hsiao-chien] Eunuch Chao, I want your life.

Eunuch Chao.

My friend.

I have given out orders to double the guards.

And from now on, you must not leave my side

until we get to Tan Hsiao-chien.

My lord.

I've already lost my two generals.

And so I must rely on you.

Thanks for your confidence.

But still, I'd like to try to talk to Tan.

Talk of what?

Offer him the job of general.

I might just persuade him to change sides.

Hmm. Right.

You can try it.

Thank you, sir.

[Chao] Come back.

Sir!

Stop the search.

It's useless

[both] Sir!

- Come with me. - Sir!

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[Lang Si-yu chuckles]

I said next time I saw you I'd kill you.

And I said, I wanna talk.

What do you want?

You can't be that certain you alone could beat Chao.

His kung fu may scare you, but not me though.

[Lang Si-yu] Hm.

But if we combined, we might stand a good chance.

But if you should try it alone, you're dead.

No, thanks.

I'll take that chance.

I won't let you.

[Lang Si-yu chuckles]

[men grunting]

I risked my life to tell you

that man's kung fu is much too good.

Well, I'll find out.

- [clanging] - [grunting]

[tense music]

[man] Your lordship.

Lang Si-yu and Tan Hsiao-chien were talking together.

They were plotting against you.

My guards.

[both] Sir!

[dramatic music]

- [sword scraping] - [shouts]

- [grunting] - [swords clanging]

[grunting, clanging continue]

Men, split up.

Some protect his lordship.

Hurry up.

Come on, you men.

Protect his lordship.

[indistinct shouting]

[grunting, clanging continue]

Get back!

Can't make it. Get out.

I won't kill you.

Get back.

[men grunting]

[grunting, shouting]

[Lang Si-yu] Hold it!

Protect his lordship.

[all] Sir!

My lord.

Where's Tan?

I'm useless.

Failed to capture him.

Oh.

So he escaped then?

[Lang Si-yu] Yes, sir.

Oh, you were hurt?

It's just a scratch.

It was nothing, sir.

Hmm.

Well, I had a chance to see his skill.

He's about as good as you.

But even with lots of men,

you not only couldn't get him, but you got injured.

Should I still have confidence in you?

My lord?

[laughs]

Lang Si-yu.

You're too ambitious,

but you're the first who managed to fool me.

You just stood back and let my generals die.

And I didn't guess,

until I received a report on your conversation

with Tan Hsiao-chien in the courtyard.

I still didn't believe it.

Until only just a few minutes ago.

Lang Si-yu, you're very good.

- [swords clanging] - [men grunting]

I suppose I should have guessed

when we were inside that temple.

Yes, you should.

And I missed my first chance to kill you

when your brain was injured.

The other time was in the sedan chair.

I could've got you.

The third time is now and I'll kill you while I can

before you recover from that brain injury.

Tell me.

Are you simply after my position in the court then?

[scoffs softly]

You would think that.

Well, just what is your purpose?

Tell me.

Destroy the eunuch system, for once and for all.

We'll see.

[sword clanging]

[men grunting]

[shouts]

[whooshing]

[Chao] Get back.

[coin clinking]

Listen, you are much too good.

It would be a waste if you were killed.

Accept the position of general.

Traitor!

You won't see the seventh day.

[dramatic music]

[men grunting]

Huh?

[shouts]

[grunting]

[grunting continues]

[groaning]

[Lang Si-yu straining]

[shouts]

[dramatic music]

- [blow lands] - [Lang Si-yu groaning]

Lang Si-yu, you must realize,

your sacrifice is not gonna help your friend.

Before I die, I can still tell him though

about the brain wound that you got from his teacher.

Huh.

Seems you've forgotten.

This is the seventh day.

I'm fully recovered.

- [sword whooshing] - [grunting]

Wait!

Listen, go for the head.

Just forget the body.

[whooshing]

[whooshing]

[Lang Si-yu grunting]

[swords clanging]

[men grunting]

[shouts]

[dramatic music]

[shouts]

[armor rattling]

[shouts]

[shouts]

[men grunting]

[armor rattling]

[whooshing]

[whooshing continues]

[rattling]

[groaning]

[shouts]

[men grunting]

[groans]

[both groaning]

[dramatic music]

[both groaning]

[screaming]

- [clanging] - [men grunting]

[breathing heavily]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[gentle music]

[music continues]