Original subtitles

THE PRODUCTION OF SHAW BROTHERS (HK) LTD.

STARRING: WU MA, YEUNG CHI-HING,

DEAN SHEK, KUO-CHU CHING, CHIANG LING, WANG HSIEH, YUE FUNG

CO-STARRING: LEE HO, CHIANG NAN, LIU WAI, SITU LIN, YEUNG CHAK-LAM,

CHAN CHAN-KONG, YAO MING, LAW HON, ZHU LING

Ladies and gentlemen, let's have a drink or two

to keep you warm in this cold weather.

Each of us has a different destiny.

As a monk, I never worry about being poor,

but I do worry about an empty stomach.

It is fate that we have the opportunity to gather here.

I'd like to do a small favor for you.

Are you interested in seeing something priceless?

If you do,

please listen to my story.

Yesterday, I hit the road after a few drinks and...

It was dusk in the blink of an eye,

and I couldn't find a shelter.

- I saw a tree by the road. - Let's eat.

And I climbed up.

I sat on the branch the whole night. Luckily, I didn't fall.

I was resting, but I could hear the sounds of a cart.

A retired official was returning home with a full load.

To repair the wheel, his servants brought down a large box.

He was so worried

that he opened the box and checked the items inside.

On the tree, I saw everything

and screamed, "Oh my God!"

Hey! What did you see?

I had never seen any of those in all my life.

Corals, agate, diamond phoenix,

emerald papaya, jade hibiscus,

fist-sized cat's eye stones,

stacks of pearls, and golden dragons.

They are all priceless.

I was stunned to see them.

This retired official is heading south.

He's easy to rob.

Don't move!

Get out!

Hurry and get out!

Damn it! Come on!

Hurry up!

Get out now!

Move aside.

Thank you for your help, hero.

It's my pleasure. Where are you heading to, sir?

We're heading to Ouyang Canyon.

I'm going that way too.

What a coincidence.

This way, my daughter and I can feel at ease on the road.

If you don't mind, I'd be traveling with you.

Back to the cart.

Hero, please.

After you.

GAO'S TAVERN

Doggie.

Get me some hot water.

I've just brought you fresh water a while ago.

Skunk, let me give you something smelly.

- You're teasing him again? - He started it.

Are you sure? With the way you look?

Nonsense!

There's no sign of anyone outside.

Why bother making the buns?

It's snowing.

It's expected.

I doubt whether we can get any business in this bad weather.

It seems that you haven't learned anything about business over the years.

This is the perfect weather to make money.

Listen. I think we have guests.

Let me.

It's warm inside, please go in.

Please.

Please have a seat.

Are you alone?

Yes.

- Do you sell steamed buns? Yes.

Buns made with human flesh.

You must be kidding, sir.

There are no buns made with human flesh.

It would be a joke

if Gao's Tavern didn't sell those.

What do you mean?

- What do you mean? - How can we do business if you say so?

Then let me do it.

We always take good care of our guests.

These ten taels of silver are for you. Keep them.

Tigress, have some respect.

I failed to recognize a great person.

So you're Master Liu Tong, the Iron Arm.

Please accept my apology.

How did you know?

I'm impressed.

Everyone here knows about you, the famous Iron Arm.

Doggie, prepare some dishes.

- Let's have a welcome meal for Master Liu. - Yes.

- Come down, San Niang. - Oh.

Please have a seat.

San Niang, come on. Let's toast to Master Liu.

We need Master Liu's help from now on.

Yes, we do.

Guess what I'm doing here in this bad weather?

Let's have a drink first. Cheers!

There's a big business.

A big business?

We don't do business outside the tavern. You should know about it.

If it's outside, why would I be here?

Are you sure they will come here to stay?

Look at this bad weather.

When will they get here?

- After dawn. - Gao San Feng.

Let me be frank with you,

we'll split the profit afterward.

- What is the ratio? - Fifty-fifty.

- Fifty for you alone? - What?

He's our friend.

- We'll listen to Master Liu. - All right, then.

Who's coming?

Hai Gang Feng.

Hai Gang Feng?

- I heard he was a poor official. - Not at all!

He's carrying a box of stuff accepted as bribes.

You'll be stunned if you know the details.

What kind of treasures are they?

Corals, agate, diamond phoenix, emerald papaya, jade hibiscus,

fist-sized cat's eye stones,

stacks of pearls, and golden dragons.

GAO'S TAVERN

Let me help you, sir.

Master and Young Lady, please come out.

Greetings, Master and Young Lady.

No need for that.

It's windy outside, please come in.

Please.

EVERYONE HERE IS OUR DISTINGUISHED GUEST

Master, it must have been a tough journey.

This way, please.

Please.

Please have a seat.

Please have a seat.

- Do you have rooms? - Yes, we do.

We'll take two rooms.

Certainly.

- Jing Hong. - Here.

- Accompany your young lady to the room. - Yes.

This way, please.

Ladies, please follow me.

Should we carry the box upstairs, Master?

Sure.

Master, may I know your name?

My surname is Hai, which means sea.

Master Hai.

Master Hai, what can we do for you?

I'm tired.

I just need some rest.

Bring a pot of good tea into my room.

Right away.

This way, please.

Do you know Hai Gang Feng?

I haven't seen him before.

Something's wrong.

His internal power is so great.

Who exactly is he?

Could he be the wicked man?

Who?

- Zheng Shou Shan, the Whipmaster. - Him?

Exactly.

You guessed it right.

Who are you?

What plans do you have?

Tell me honestly.

Jing Lu, we're in a black tavern.

A black tavern?

Gao's Tavern always takes good care of our guests.

And you're our honorable guest.

We wouldn't dare to try anything funny.

It sounds so nice. But I guess you're thinking differently.

You think I'm Hai Gang Feng?

Hai Gang Feng?

Who's that?

I have no idea.

It's a piece of important information. Are you sure you are not aware of it?

Hai Gang Feng is retiring to his hometown.

He's brought with him a box of valuables.

And he's about to reach this tavern.

So you're interested in this robbery.

Very well, we'll be glad to serve you.

You really know how to grab the opportunity.

But you can talk very well.

How could I trust you?

Catch them!

Damn it! Liu Tong, you've done so much harm.

I'm risking it all. Kill!

- Let's take a look in the kitchen. - All right.

San Niang!

So you're the Whipmaster, Zheng Shou Shan.

It's my honor to meet you here.

You could've chosen an easy way.

But then, you did it the hard way.

What do you want?

I'm interested to be a part of it.

How?

With this.

Master, he's helped us earlier. Let him join us.

What do you think?

Well...

I'm just trying to repay you.

Repay me?

Yes.

All right, only because it's you.

GAO'S TAVERN

Look.

Northwesterly wind blowing in.

A flower blooms for the right man.

She's laughing away.

I wonder what's on her mind.

I think she has fallen in love with him.

Shut up, or I'll tear your mouth off.

Where do you think you can run? Stop there!

LUST COULD KILL

I was just singing. It has nothing to do with you.

So unreasonable.

Apologize now.

We have a guest.

Wandering around

as time passes.

My life as a slave was terrible then.

Now I know the perks of being a monk.

When trying to marry,

I was told all wives

are monsters.

I'm insulted that I'm nothing,

and I wouldn't retaliate.

I take no notice of the people.

I'm still just being me.

No one bothers me all day.

I live a happy life.

I have no worries

or concerns, either.

Oh, my life.

Wandering around

as time passes.

I realize

there's only boredom,

only dirt,

when I awake.

Stop!

What are you doing here?

I'm trying to beg alms in this snowy weather.

Begging alms? You should have asked for my permission.

Well, I didn't see you.

What? Can't you see me?

For Buddha's sake, please forgive me.

Leave now! We don't do any business with monks.

This place is so remote. Where could I go?

I don't care.

Hey! Stop!

Don't you know the rules?

All right, then.

Is it all right if I rest here?

Listen! You can't beg from our guests.

Got it!

Also, don't make a sound.

Well, that's hard.

Listen.

Guess I'd need at least 20 buns to make this stop.

Twenty buns?

Yes, not one less.

Wait here.

Sure.

Jing Hu, who's there?

A poor monk.

Come upstairs.

I made these poison gas bombs.

Come and take a look.

Yes.

Come here.

What's the smell?

People will faint when they smell it.

Here's the antidote.

Take three pills when you're using the bomb.

Otherwise, you'll faint along with the enemy.

Jing Hong, you and Jing Hu are in charge of this.

- Be careful. - Yes.

Master, it's getting late.

Jing Hu.

- Are you certain? - Yes, I'm very certain.

Don't worry.

Early this morning,

I saw them leave Sanyang County

and head this way.

So I followed them.

I'm very certain that they will pass here.

That's why I'm here to report it to you.

Master, why did you pretend to be Official Hai?

I saw them acting strange as soon as I entered this tavern,

that's why I pretended to be Official Hai to test them.

I didn't expect they had the same motives as us.

How can I let them go?

In that case,

I've got the upper hand.

You should thank Jing Lu.

Someone's outside.

Be careful.

Damn it! It's you again.

- Get lost! - Hey!

I can't. I'm really starving.

- Tell him to come in. - Yes.

- The master asks you to come in. - Thank you.

EVERYONE HERE IS OUR DISTINGUISHED GUEST

Greetings, my benefactor.

Help yourself.

Let me go!

- Jing Hu. Yes.

- He can have those buns. - Yes.

Here you go.

Leave now!

Leave now!

Please go to another tavern, buddy.

Another tavern?

Is there another tavern within 20 miles from here?

I travel a lot,

and I've stayed here many times.

What? Is there a new owner?

No. I just don't want to scare the guests.

How's that possible? Look.

You...

That's strange.

The lady boss seems to be younger than before.

Don't get it wrong.

She's the lady boss' younger sister.

No wonder.

What would you like to order?

The usual.

But I'm new here.

Silly me.

It's not your fault, we hit it off right away.

Wine, a dish of beef, and ten steamed buns.

Waiter.

I want another pot of heated wine.

DRUG HIM

Sure.

Oh, no! The zombies have come alive!

Oh, no! The zombies have come alive!

- What's going on? - The zombies have come alive!

Mind your tongue, monk.

You don't believe me?

Look!

Oh, no! The zombies have come alive!

I was in a rush and forgot to use the spell.

Stop pretending.

You have them disguised as zombies to guard the door,

so you would have an advantage if someone rich arrives.

What are you talking about? I don't understand.

Come on, buddy.

Your cover's blown, stop the act.

Your cunning plan has been exposed now.

I recognize them now. They are the Five Ghosts of Xiangxi.

So you want to do business here.

What if we are?

Then you must die.

A COZY PLACE TO STAY

We've arrived, Master.

You've had a long trip, sir.

- Lead the way. Yes.

This way, please.

Who are they?

Robbers.

You're lucky that you didn't arrive earlier.

If not for this hero,

my daughter and I would be dead.

Please.

Please.

Hero, may I know your name?

Zha Xiao Yu.

How about you, sir?

- I'm Hai Gang Feng. - I see.

Oh, it's Official Hai. What a pleasure.

What's your name?

I'm Li Xiu Fu.

Please have a seat, Official Hai.

- Waiter. - Here.

You should report the incident to the officials.

Certainly.

But it's a long way.

Also, it's late and snowing.

I'll report it the first thing tomorrow morning.

- Jing Hong. - Here.

- Go and help the boss. Yes.

- And she is? - My daughter, Jing Hong.

Come here.

Greet Official Hai.

Greetings, Official Hai.

Forget the etiquette.

You can go now.

It's freezing cold now, but you're still on the road.

You must have something important to deal with.

Not at all.

Evil officials are in power.

I'm retiring to my hometown as a farmer.

I see.

- Do you have any rooms? - For how many guests?

- Just one. - Follow me, please.

This way, please.

Old Zhang, pull the cart into the courtyard.

Should I carry the box inside?

No need. I mean, since we're staying for a short time.

Let's just rest in the cart.

- What are you doing? - Freeze!

Old Zhang.

Little brat! It's you again.

The gods have the virtue of sparing life,

and you had to come here to die.

Don't worry, Hero Zha has killed the robbers.

Go and check it out.

Are you carrying something valuable?

Me?

No.

That's strange.

Would the robbers be interested in me?

Waiter!

- Here. - Bring me some hot tea.

Sure.

Carry Old Zhang into the cart.

- Drag the cart into the courtyard. - Yes.

A COZY PLACE TO STAY

Do you know them?

No, I don't.

Your master is a prominent figure in the mobster world.

He must know them.

Who are they?

They are Cao Hu, Cao Bao, and Cao Xiong.

They are also known as the Three-Headed Cobra.

Five Ghosts of Xiangxi?

You two take care of Old Zhang.

- I'll report to Official Hai. Yes.

Welcome!

Welcome! Please have a seat.

Please have a seat.

- What would you like to order? - Bring your best dishes here.

- Yes. - Make it quick.

What else do you need?

Yes.

Official Hai. Old Zhang...

I know.

Hero Zha, thank you for your help.

It's my pleasure.

- Please sit down. - Thank you.

How's Old Zhang?

He's seriously wounded. They are dressing his wound now.

Don't worry about me, go and take care of Old Zhang.

All right.

Very well.

It's impressive

that Gao's Tavern has so many guests in this kind of bad weather.

Are you here for a meal or a drink, sir?

Aren't you the student of Zheng Shou Shan, the Whipmaster?

Have you changed trades?

Student? I think you've mistaken me for someone else.

Is that so? Let me take a closer look.

Who is he?

He seems too crazy to be a decent man.

What are you waiting for, lady?

Bring me the wine.

Coming.

Coming.

Waiter, is this wine doped?

Sir, it's impossible for us to do such dreadful things.

Isn't this a black tavern?

We've been around for many years, how's that possible?

Brother Hu.

Please.

Please.

What a lively evening.

Jing Hong.

Go upstairs and get my medicine.

- It's time for me to take medicine. - Yes.

You're sick?

Rheumatism.

- Well, it's the disease of old folk. - Indeed.

Hey, you haven't paid yet.

Do you think you can run off just like this?

Is this yours?

It's mine when I've set my eyes on it.

Jing Hong, where are the poison gas bombs?

They are gone.

Master, what should we do with Hai Gang Feng?

We must kill him now to avoid trouble.

There's a female guest upstairs.

Well, kill them all.

Don't leave anyone alive.

- Jing Hu. - Here.

Move the box inside.

We'll leave once we've taken care of everything.

Yes.

He's still alive.

Don't kill him.

You don't understand, pal. It's trouble to keep him alive.

- Go upstairs! - Yes.

Li Xiu Fu!

I didn't expect you to really be a killer and a robber.

You were quite convincing.

What are you two doing over there?

- Kill them now! - Yes.

Lady Hermit?

Exactly.

I'm Zhang Cai Bing, a student of Lady Hermit.

It's none of your business.

You shouldn't have poked your nose into this.

Then you shouldn't have done so many evil deeds.

You're a crafty old fox,

but you are tricked this time.

Open the box.

So that at least you'll understand even if you're to die.

Open it!

Haven't you thought about it?

Official Hai is honest.

How can he possess a box full of accepted bribes?

It's easy enough to trick you bunch of robbers

because you're all very greedy.

So it's your plan all along!

You scum of the martial arts world.

I've been trying to get rid of you all for ages.

Idiot!

Zha Xiao Yu, why aren't you helping?

If I do, that would ruin your master's reputation.

- Jing Hong, where are the gas bombs? - They are gone.

They are with me.

Zheng Shou Shan, you're a smart man.

Too bad you choose to travel on the dark path.

What do you mean?

Don't you get it?

Jing Lu, he's not a good person, you're tricked.

You bunch of villains.

And you call yourselves good people by killing,

robbing, and committing arson?

Jing Hu!

Tai An.

- Tie them up. - Yes.

Damn it!

Why are you leaving?

It was a scary night. I don't want to stay here anymore.

Let's go.

- Please have some tea. - Please.

Official Hai.

You're officers of the law.

Why can't you take care of this?

- Farewell, Official Hai. - Farewell.

Thank you for your help. I hope to see you again.

I spread the word that you're carrying a box of bribes.

I'm sorry to have ruined your reputation, Official Hai.

I'm impressed with your good plan.

I don't mind at all.

- Farewell. - Farewell.

Till the next time we meet.

Farewell.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

A COZY PLACE TO STAY

Subtitle translation by Joseph Ang