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How is Master doing?

Not good.

Your top apprentice is back.

Have a duel.

Have a seat.

This isn't for us to watch.

Shen An, your kung fu has improved.

You taught me well ten years ago.

If you don't beat him,

he won't know what I taught you.

Later, he'll be beaten by others.

That's more like it.

Master!

Your master has passed.

Let us bear witness.

The academy will not pass to his son

but to his top apprentice.

He'll be in charge from now on.

Father was known for being cultivated.

Growing up, he never lost his temper.

One day, he snapped at me.

I knew our father-son relationship was over,

and he wouldn't be around much longer.

Tell me.

Can I win?

Whether you win or lose,

the academy is Qi Quan's.

He can have it.

But I want another fight.

Father's words are spreading

that his apprentice got all his skills,

not his son.

I've been humiliated.

Your father hoped that you would leave the circle.

He arranged a job for you at the bank,

but you refused.

He was trying to stop you.

I'm gifted in martial arts.

If I did anything else,

my skills would be wasted.

Are you more gifted than your father?

In the past, martial artists were looked down upon.

We were thought to be vulgar and ruthless.

Now, those in power

have turned us into celebrities.

Your father arranged a job for you at a bank.

He used all of his connections to do it.

This martial arts circle

will never have it that easy.

Seize it and move up.

Don't look back.

In the future, your children will be grateful.

After the fight, I'll take the bank job.

There will be no fight!

No judge, witness, or referee.

Not one person will show up.

Repeat after me.

There will be no fight.

There will be no fight.

The vendors start making money around four o'clock.

That's when the hoodlums show up.

When Father was shopping,

they wouldn't dare try anything.

Thank you for taking over the academy

and keeping the tradition.

Of course.

You learned my family's three Fist Fight Forms.

Do you want to learn the fourth?

Oh, is there one?

It's this.

Young Master, please stop.

We're trying to make a living here.

That was just dirt.

Keep going...

and I'll switch to iron.

Martial artists don't fight in the street.

Only hoodlums do that.

Let's not make fools of ourselves.

Sorry, Wu.

Shen An!

Gui Ying.

Don't laugh. I'm performing at city hall.

I've got to hurry. No time to talk.

What did you promise me?

There was no fight.

I had a chat with Qi Quan about fighting forms.

Don't be a smart ass.

You'll never last.

People are curious about martial artists.

Everyone wants to pick a fight

to see how skilled you are.

You will never go out on your own.

You will be surrounded by bodyguards,

not for protection,

but so you don't have to be constantly on guard.

It will make you crazy.

Do you really want this kind of life?

Go work at the bank.

You'll stop being harassed by people.

Young Master has quit the circle.

The lot of you,

report to the new academy chief.

Stop hanging around him unless you're quitting too.

We bid you farewell then.

You have a visitor.

He remains standing.

I couldn't get him to sit down.

Qi Quan sent me.

I humiliated you in the market.

Bones take three months to heal.

This is a formal apology.

Do you accept it?

The teapot is still intact,

but your bone is broken.

The teapot must stay intact,

or I'll look incompetent.

That I believe.

When my father went to the market,

I always thought he was a threat to you.

I've only learned now

that you were a threat to him.

You could've taken his life at any time.

He didn't go every day.

Most days,

you could still extort the vendors.

Playing vigilante

was just a show.

We all played our parts.

Because of the old man,

we made a little less,

but the market vendors continued to come.

Shen An, the bank manager is looking for you.

This is an old friend of mine.

He claims his bodyguards are highly skilled.

I told him I have someone skilled too.

Why don't you give it a shot?

We need two weeks of training before any duel

for both parties to perform their best.

Martial arts is reacting to extraordinary events, no?

Consider this an extraordinary event.

Even if we fight, you can't watch.

Dueling in public

is an insult to our predecessors.

Give me a room

and I'll fight them.

You can see who walks out in one piece.

You have too many excuses.

What's up? What's up?

Sorry,

I'll pass.

The guy is leaving.

He doesn't want to fight. What do you think about that?

- What a coward. - What do you think?

You said it.

I didn't, you know?

What are you laughing at?

Dearest Shen An.

I'll fight.

No kicking.

He can't kick me.

My arms are longer than his legs.

Go ahead.

I don't need to kick you to beat you.

- Come on. - Yes.

Come on.

Kevin!

For three months,

I thought I did a good job.

But I'm still just a martial artist to you.

I can't be bothered to write a letter.

Consider this my resignation.

In Tianjin,

every fight

is arranged in advance

by us.

From hundreds to dozens.

From dozens to one-on-one.

We don't get involved in personal disputes

and we limit the use of violence.

That's what we're supposed to do.

And what do you do?

Recruit hoodlums from the piers?

Have them bow to you?

Train them?

That's an accomplishment.

Our circle has never mingled with hoodlums.

We lose this balance

and there will be chaos.

Apologize for your wrongdoing.

Apologize!

He's the academy chief now.

We can't lecture him like a kid.

You're wrong.

And I'm wrong.

In this city,

our circle is like a piece of wood

wedged between a rafter and a column.

We're responsible for keeping the balance.

We can't become bigger.

If there's chaos in our circle,

there's chaos in the streets.

I'm not the one who disrupted the balance.

Banks, chambers of commerce, factories, and shipyards

are all a part of it.

It's already chaos.

Our circle needs to adapt.

I plan to recruit bouncers from clubs,

gym teachers from schools,

rickshaw pullers from the streets,

workers from construction sites,

and youths playing basketball.

I can lead everyone forward.

Not her.

What words!

Nonsense!

No one knows.

We can't say who is right or wrong.

For new ideas,

our predecessors would give him two years and see how it turns out.

A two-year limit

to see its effect.

That's how it's done.

I agree.

No one knows.

One more thing.

No one knows who will win or lose.

Fighting is divine judgment.

Your master left you the academy.

Your master's son

has the right to accountability.

If he loses,

you get two years.

If you lose,

you leave this martial arts circle.

Why so severe?

He can just make amends.

Why force him to leave?

The next generation is lacking talent.

We should cherish them.

Do you accept?

I accept.

I don't want to fight him.

It's pointless.

At the market,

I couldn't even dodge the slingshots.

I know my skills are useless.

My father seemed to intimidate hoodlums.

But actually, they just let him.

Unarmed,

they wouldn't dare make a move against him.

They know

every academy has guns.

Previous generations of our martial arts circle

used to move valuables between cities.

To protect against bandits,

they carried guns.

After opening the martial arts academy in the city,

they held onto them.

Martial arts are still of great use.

Guns are useless.

If everyone has guns,

conflicts get bigger and bigger

and everyone dies.

Only martial arts

can resolve disputes.

You bet the future of the circle on me.

Are you sure that I can win?

Use the fourth Fist Fight Form.

It doesn't exist.

I made it up to get Qi Quan to fight me.

It exists.

We'll talk more.

This society

doesn't allow women to excel.

Your father was a good man.

He supported me.

Listen to him

and you'll be fine.

Stay away from all this.

Don't pursue.

Take no revenge.

Forget what happened today.

My work here is done.

My debts are now paid.

SHEN'S FIST FORMS ACADEMY

This was taught by your father.

You should know

you can't get through.

The blade is not sharpened.

Can't you see?

Everyone is going easy on you.

If we fight for real,

you won't make it.

Wu,

even you see me this way.

I was going easy on you.

I'm not talking to you.

The elders will be here soon.

Will we have our fight?

It was Chairman Meng's idea.

She's gone now.

We have no interest in seeing it through.

Chairman Meng's death will be investigated by the police.

You suspect Qi Quan because you don't understand the circle.

Your father never taught you properly.

From our point of view,

it can't possibly be him.

He and Chairman Meng had a good relationship.

Say something.

I swear to heaven...

It's easy to point and swear.

This is the time for a fight.

If the truth isn't revealed,

we settle it with a duel.

If he wins,

I'll accept that he's innocent.

What if he loses?

There will be retribution.

We'll use weapons

for this fight.

I was 15

when I was challenged to my first duel.

From the white envelope,

I pulled out a red invitation.

I was captivated.

Your actions are unreasonable.

But I'm captivated.

I accept.

I want to explain.

Talking while standing is disrespectful.

There was a girl I grew up with.

Her father and my father were friends.

Everyone thought I would marry her,

including her.

After you and I got together,

I thought my father would be angry.

But he never said anything.

I found out later

that he wanted me to leave martial arts.

He would never let me marry a girl in the circle.

But things have changed.

I have to go back.

I'm sorry.

I never thought we would be long-term.

I was just having fun.

Are you going to go find her?

No, I won't.

But it will be her.

Martial artists

marry other martial artists.

Outsiders can't stand us

and we can't stand outsiders.

I'll always remember

how good you were.

If you're ever in trouble,

find me.

I'll make it up to you.

I have something to tell you too.

Meet me at the dance hall tonight.

I'm not allowed in.

Find a way.

You look dashing.

You got all dressed up to break up with me.

All the dance halls in Tianjin copy this place.

The ambassador's wife.

The warlord's son.

The magistrate's mistress.

I'm the illegitimate daughter of the bank manager.

Before the age of 15,

he completely ignored me.

But since then,

he has trained me to be of use

to get close to people.

That's right.

Your job at the bank

came through me.

That day

you tried to stop me in the street,

I thought you were interesting

but didn't think we'd end up together.

The next day, your father found me.

He hoped I could lure you from the circle.

He gave me an offer I couldn't refuse.

You're the only person I know

who isn't allowed in here.

The two of us

don't owe any apologies.

I'm just having fun too.

How did you get in?

Not through the front door.

You can leave the way you came.

Hey.

You're so rude.

You don't say goodbye?

Don't believe anything you see

or anything that happens.

Who I am now is someone else.

One day, you'll see the real me.

Qi Quan recruited the dance hall bouncers.

I begged him...

for a new job.

Is there a problem?

It's nothing.

We should all try to move up in the world.

Qi Quan changed my life.

If you hurt him...

I'll take your life.

Don't worry.

He'll wake up in five minutes.

It's his fault

for humiliating me in front of the Westerners.

It's hard for someone like me

to join the Westerners' circle.

I despise him.

Anyway, you broke the rules.

Give us an apology.

My arm just healed.

Go.

Thanks.

Qi Quan ordered us to keep you safe before the duel.

Does our family have a fourth Fist Fight Form?

No.

Why are you here?

We had a deal.

You don't show up in my life.

Get lost.

Father, I met you when I was 15.

I can't understand you when you speak fast.

My dear,

I have a family now.

We agreed you wouldn't disrupt my life.

Father,

I've done so much for you.

I'm not young anymore.

You must keep your promise.

When the day comes that I stop working for you,

I'll be rewarded handsomely.

Who is the asshole that broke your heart?

Young Master has disappeared.

Do you know his whereabouts?

You have a fight coming up.

He's probably somewhere practicing.

Probably.

You're family friends.

Does his family have a fourth Fist Fight Form?

No.

Definitely not.

Could it be short sabers?

He wants to use weapons.

When I was an apprentice,

there was a rumor.

When Master was young,

while running valuables long-distance,

he fell in love with a female bandit.

When they parted ways,

she taught him a Short Sabers Form.

It was for survival,

to fight your way out of an ambush.

Do you believe that?

Based on Master's personality,

it's not possible.

There couldn't be a female bandit,

much less a Short Sabers Form.

I heard when Master fell sick,

he stayed with your family for two months.

Did he teach you the Short Sabers Form?

My father was treating him with herbal medicine.

That's all.

Qi Quan, is that you?

I saw Master's Short Sabers Form.

You shouldn't have lied.

I was keeping a secret.

Very well.

You weren't wrong.

Let me guess Master's intentions.

This Short Sabers Form

is to be used against me.

If I run the academy well,

it will never be needed.

But if I don't,

it can be used against me.

Wrong.

Master wanted Shen An to leave the circle.

If he learned it, he would never leave.

So he didn't tempt him.

He taught you instead.

You were his appointed daughter-in-law.

Teaching you would be the same.

If I needed to be stopped,

you could teach Shen An.

Master didn't teach you

because it was from bandits,

not the martial arts circle.

You're his successor to the clan.

He wasn't keeping it from you.

He taught you

everything else.

Was there really a female bandit?

I wasn't his appointed daughter-in-law.

You all just presumed.

Master wanted his son to leave the circle.

He would never choose me.

He only taught me

because he was buddies with my father.

He wanted to pass it along

to my family.

It was with good intentions.

But the outcome is the same.

You heard Young Master will fight me with weapons,

so teach him.

If I lose,

I quit martial arts.

It comes full circle.

Master's Short Sabers Form will be used against me.

Only bad guys use outcome-based thinking.

It doesn't help at all.

Am I the bad guy?

Aren't you?

I'm determined to change the martial arts circle.

My work isn't done.

I cannot lose this fight.

Finding Young Master

and ambushing him is not something I can do.

What I can do is keep you from teaching him.

The Short Sabers Form is a train of thought.

Figure it out and it's learned.

It doesn't matter how many times it is taught.

There's another way.

You can teach me.

Forget it.

There are so many secrets in our circle.

Outsiders can't stand us.

We tend to marry within the group.

You don't have many options.

Young Master is one.

And I am one.

This is where I come to think.

The last generation came to the city to teach martial arts.

If there was trouble

within 100 yards of the entrance,

it was dealt with.

That's how the martial arts circle began.

Master extended the 100 yards by two blocks.

Looking at the gate,

I often wonder...

how far I can go.

Check it out for me.

Are you letting me go?

You chose me.

I have to trust you.

Hey!

It goes really far!

Of the top, middle, and lower torso,

the top and lower are off-limits.

Strike only in the middle.

Understood?

The weapons aren't sharpened,

but both of you are skillful

and strong enough to inflict damage.

This duel

is to determine right and wrong.

We don't want anyone killed.

Understood?

You're not using short sabers?

Why would I?

My father's strength was in swordplay.

Right.

That's my strength as well.

That's enough.

- Stop! - Stop!

- Qi Quan, stop! - Outrageous!

- What are you doing? - This is out of line!

- Out of line! - You can't do this!

Again.

Will you all bear witness?

This is no longer a duel.

No!

Gui Ying!

This is off the record since we're on the ground.

We don't want anything leaked.

We won't bring this up again.

This has already gotten out of hand.

As for Chairman Meng's death,

let's wipe the slate clean.

Many people die every year

from all sorts of freak accidents,

which go unsolved for decades.

If we continue investigating, we'll only hurt the ones living.

Let it go.

Your generation needs to learn that.

Qi Quan will remain the academy chief.

You'll take Chairman Meng's place

and be our spokesperson.

The rest of us

will assist you.

You lost. What are you supposed to do?

Take responsibility for Meng's death

and leave the circle.

Do it.

I invite you all to bear witness.

I'm leaving the circle.

No need for that.

This circle needs you.

No need to be like this.

I've recruited

more than enough manpower...

to start my own circle.

You

can't be helped.

Well, then,

let's stand up.

Fourth Elder,

impressive.

Let me tell you something.

Master sent me to Canton ten years ago

and I recruited Westerners.

Passing our secrets to Westerners

was already a big mistake.

If you found out,

you would never accept it.

I was bound to set up my own circle.

I have no words for you.

Shen An, nice move.

You tricked me.

You know everything I know.

How is there a trick?

You're a good actor.

SHEN'S FIST FORMS ACADEMY

Once you walk out this door,

you're no longer one of us.

Even if you're dying out there,

don't ever come back.

I accept the consequences

but don't think it's fair.

Get down here.

Let's have another round.

Forget it.

Only hoodlums fight in the street.

You don't have the guts.

Don't.

I'm going to prove to my father...

that I'm worthy of the academy.

Close the gate.

Wait for my return.

- Boss. - Boss.

Time to clear the streets.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Get off the streets.

- Time to clear out. - Clear out.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sorry for the trouble.

Thanks for helping.

Fight with these.

I don't know how.

Don't you?

These are why I lost.

You need to practice swordplay.

Whoever invented the Short Sabers Form was just a man.

You're a man.

You can invent your own forms.

Use them.

Or you'll get a round of slingshots.

I came for you. Are you not fighting?

It's not right for us to fight.

This form was designed

to survive an ambush.

It's not meant for one-on-one.

What is this?

A trick.

Either you trick me

or I trick you.

I don't know how.

Not bad.

Very smart.

Go join the fun.

I don't know how!

Stop! Separate them.

Boss.

He spared me once.

I ask on his behalf

to allow him to pick up his weapons.

Please.

I'll get the hang of it.

Let's go.

One-on-one,

I have nothing to say.

But...

not like this.

Are you turning on me?

That's right.

Fellas, we're switching to iron.

Fight!

Who fired that shot?

Was it you?

I thought it was you.

Then who was it?

How do I know?

It had to be you.

Everyone shut up!

Quiet!

A shot was fired.

The police are coming.

We're changing venues.

We don't interfere with postal workers.

I'll talk to her.

Miss,

you can't do this.

We're in the middle of something.

Get off the bike.

Get off.

It didn't work.

Make something up when the police come.

Will do.

You're brave.

I could only save you on my own.

If I brought help, they would be provoked.

Then I would never get you out.

Smart.

They say mixed-blood children are smart.

What's the use of being smart?

There are plenty of mixed-bloods in Tianjin.

Most are like me

and grew up without a father.

The conscientious ones

get a postal job.

No one interferes with the post office.

They see us as Westerners.

But we're neither welcome

nor have access to the Western community.

FRENCH POST OFFICE

After ten years in the dance hall,

this is finally mine.

Only five days ago.

Lower your weapons.

Lower your weapons.

Unless you want to fight.

You're outnumbered.

Young Master, we're ready.

It's not far.

Just a few steps.

This isn't fair.

I can't fight.

Do you want to change your weapon?

Okay. Let me confirm.

He's wounded.

I'm bringing him inside for some water.

He can have water outside the building.

You're using these

because I used them in our duel.

To be fair, I'll teach you the formula.

It's straightforward

but unseen by most.

Three strikes in one.

Your opponent might block the first

but not the second or third.

One strike is one strike.

How can there be three in one?

It's your family's secret.

He won't run.

He can't run his whole life.

After today,

you won't be bothered anymore.

You sound

like a hoodlum.

I'll wait for you.

Your father wanted me to take you from the circle.

He offered me something I couldn't refuse.

Not money.

It was a wooden trunk

containing 40 blue leather-bound booklets.

It was your family tree.

The last one

had my name on it.

It was an offer I couldn't refuse.

I knew you could be my husband.

That's when I fell for you.

Games between men are pathetic.

Don't go.

You don't say goodbye?

You can escape.

Allow me.

Stop following me.

I'll be distracted.

Trust me.

My family's Short Sabers Form will protect us.

Let's fight for real.

Stop bouncing.

Hold tight.

One-on-one.

One-on-one.

Shen An.

Every move has a counterattack.

What are you doing?

Every move has a counterattack.

I'm not sure how to outplay you.

Right.

You're in danger if you retreat.

Give me two steps

and you die.

I'll give you three.

I'm still standing.

Pure luck.

You were too slow.

What was your plan?

It was a nice move,

but you couldn't deliver.

I'm better than you.

Come on then.

I have big plans.

I can't have blood on my hands.

Go.

You won't see me again

and I won't see you.

If our paths cross, get out of my way.

One more round.

We're done.

I was thinking what would happen if you died.

Thinking seriously.

Hit his legs.

FRENCH POST OFFICE

Leave for three years.

We can talk after.

Our circle is like a piece of wood

wedged between a rafter and a column

to reduce friction.

Today, you overstepped.

When there's an imbalance,

no one is happy.

We're sending you off.

This is best for you.

Understand?

Someone wants to see you.

Helping Young Master was the right thing to do.

My promise to you remains the same.

You can take me with you.

No.

A man who has lost everything

is apt to learn.

This just crossed my mind...

Does the Shen family have a Short Sabers Form?

No.

It's my family's.

My only mistake

was not marrying you sooner

or you would have helped me.

Don't come back.

Hold no grievances.

THREE YEARS LATER

You come back and don't say hello?

I figured you would know I was back.

The police solved Chairman Meng's case.

She was shot

in an upscale Western neighborhood.

An eight-year-old and ten-year-old,

two brothers,

found their father's hunting rifle.

They saw someone outside

and aimed and fired for fun.

They had no idea the gun was loaded.

Is that really what happened?

That's the theory.

Don't you want to inquire about Seventh Elder and Fourth Elder?

How are they?

They've aged a lot in the past two years.

They don't manage much anymore.

They keep saying we don't have enough new talent.

You and Qi Quan are both talents.

They regret not being able to keep the two of you.

I've been watching over your father's academy

and waiting for you to come back and take over.

No, thanks.

I've got a job lined up.

At the post office?

Then you're the first Chinese person in Tianjin

to work at the post office.

We're all proud of you.

I came back

to be with my wife,

not to fight with you.

Thanks.

FRENCH POST OFFICE

Where is the furthest I can send?

Paris.

Who's the most famous person in Paris?

Picasso.

Send these to him.

Don't send these to Picasso. Give them to me.

I want peace within 100 yards of this entrance.

Free of trouble.

Within 100 yards of the entrance.

That's how the martial arts circle began.