Original subtitles

[gong]

- During the Qing dynasty, a strange incident occurred,

in which the most famous police inspector of the period

was called in to solve the case,

which he eventually did and so earned a place in history.

It all started one day, while the emperor

was hunting deer in his park.

[suspenseful music]

[clashing weapons]

[shouting]

[upbeat music]

[crashing]

- [Voiceover] There's someone there.

Quickly!

[jungle noises]

[dramatic music]

[gong]

- My Lord.

My Lord, what happened?

[whimpering]

- Stop it!

[screams]

You're an imposter!

Guards! Quickly!

Someone help!

[screaming]

- [Voiceover] An assassin! An assassin!

[suspenseful music]

- Chamberlain, do you realize an assassin broke in?

My wife.

- My Lord, you better rest.

Leave this to me, I'll find out who's responsible.

Tell the magistrate I want to see him now!

This is most serious.

I want a thorough investigation.

- Yes.

- Who do you suggest be put in charge of this investigation?

- In my opinion, Chief Inspector Coolhead.

He's the man we need, he's intelligent, and persistent.

He never likes to give up on a case.

He's the man for the job, I'll alert him.

- Coolhead?

- It's you, please come inside.

Please.

Sit down.

Inspector, why have you come here?

What is on your mind?

- It's this knife.

Recognize it?

- Yes, certainly.

It belongs to me.

- Only last night, someone used it

to assassinate the emperor's wife.

- What's that?

- My friend, did you kill the lady?

- You can't accuse me.

- But it's your knife

and this was the knife that killed her.

- Inspector, I know you're a hardworking cop,

but why don't you use your brain for a change?

- What do you mean?

- If I am the killer, would I really

have left the knife behind as evidence?

- If you're not the killer, why was your knife found there?

- I lost that knife a long, long time ago.

- Who stole the knife from you?

- Oh, I don't know.

- Tell me who stole it or I'll arrest you.

- Better not push me too far!

- I have no choice.

[blows landing]

[breaking dish]

- Oh, son!

- Ma!

- My son.

- Ma.

Ma.

- Inspector, please, you must believe me,

I swear to you, my son did not go out of the house.

He was worried about me.

He stayed here to nurse me.

I beg you, I beg you.

- Madame, I do believe he didn't commit murder,

however, it is his knife

and he refuses to tell me who took it,

so I must arrest him.

- The knife.

Tell him, son, who did you give it to?

Why don't you tell the inspector the truth?

You'll be accused of murder.

You could be executed!

- Ma, there's nothing more to say.

- I see.

It must be one of your friends, and you're protecting him,

but what about me, who's going to protect me if you're gone?

- Madame, no need to worry,

I'll send someone to care for you.

My friend, let's go.

- My son!

My son.

[weeping]

[gong]

- Magistrate, are you ready?

- Go ahead.

- Li San, you're a murderer.

Why did you do it?

Who's behind you?

You better tell us the truth.

- I didn't do it.

I live by hunting deer with my mother.

I am a good citizen and I have never killed anybody.

Somebody else did it.

I swear to you, it's not me.

- You do your hunting by night.

That's not like a good citizen.

- I stopped poaching long ago!

- I want the truth!

Don't you try playing any games with me.

Torture him!

- It's not me!

I swear!

It's not me.

[moaning]

- Now confess!

- I didn't do it.

- More!

- Sir, the prisoner has fainted.

[suspenseful music]

- The Emperor is most anxious.

This case is solved.

- Yes.

- Sir.

- Lock up Li San in the prison til he comes to.

- Sir.

Sergeant.

- [Sergeant] Sir, what are your orders, sir?

- Get some lotion, treat his wounds.

- [Sergeant] Sir.

[giggling and upbeat music]

- Sister?

- What's the matter?

- Where's Sister?

- She's here!

- [Voiceover] Sister?

- Sister!

- Li San's in big trouble!

- He may even be executed!

- Oh, what on Earth has he done?

- He supposed to have murdered the emperor's wife

and they found the knife.

- [Sister] Where is he?

- They have him locked up in prison.

- [Together] Sister, we have to rescue Li San!

- Shao Fong, Tai Fong, pack up all your things.

We're leaving.

We've not a moment to lose.

- [Together] Yeah, let's go!

[chatting and cheering]

- [Coolhead] How do you suggest I should proceed now, Sir?

- Do you think Li San is the guilty one?

- He respects his mother, I know that.

He promised his mother that he would never break the law,

but there is still the knife.

It's incriminating evidence.

- Mmm.

The chamberlain wants the case all wrapped up now.

What do you think?

- I think Li San is still hiding something from us.

I would like to have another talk with him, alone.

- All right.

- [Prisoners] Give me water!

I want some water!

Let me out!

- Li San?

Li San!

- Hurry up, don't make trouble!

- Thank you.

[suspenseful music]

- Who are you?

- Shh, brother?

Your mother asked me to bring some food in for you.

- How is mother?

- Fine, but she misses you very much.

[grunts]

[screams]

- [Coolhead] Listen to me, do as I say.

[moaning]

- [Prisoners] Did you see that?

What happened to her?

- Inspector, what do we do?

- Carry them out of here.

- Sir.

- Well, sir, Li San has been murdered.

It's all my fault, I was careless.

Please, excuse me.

- Ah, you can't blame yourself for what happened.

Now, tell me, who do you think's responsible?

- I think it proves that there's some conspiracy here.

They wanted him silenced.

- Are you certain?

- [Voiceover] The Court Chamberlain!

- Please, have a seat, Chamberlain.

- Magistrate, Inspector, you have both done well.

[laughing]

- There's no need to say that, sir.

- The emperor is pleased you solved this case so soon.

He has told me to give you a reward of a thousand dollars.

I brought it with me.

- Please, thank the emperor for his kindness,

but I can't accept.

I am very sorry, please take it back.

- Why not?

- The only evidence we have is circumstantial.

This-

- Oh, yes, the weapon.

That's proof enough.

- I've given this case a lot of thought

and there are just too many loose ends.

I don't like it.

It's suspicious.

Why was Li San murdered in jail?

So he couldn't tell something?

- Li San was a bandit, he deserved it.

The emperor is satisfied.

I want no more argument, accept the reward.

- I am a public servant, and I've taken an oath

to uphold justice and seek truth,

no matter where that should take me.

That is my duty.

- Coolhead, you talk a lot of nonsense,

and now you refuse the reward!

You disobey the emperor?

What do you mean?

- Chamberlain, that is not my intention.

- I have offered you the reward.

Take it or leave it, or explain yourself to the emperor.

- You must understand, Coolhead didn't meant it.

If he has offended you, please accept his apology.

There's no need to get upset.

- All right, then you may take the reward,

since you're the senior officer here.

- Thank you, you're too kind, Chamberlain.

And when you next see the emperor, please, mention my name.

Coolhead, you went too close to the wind that time.

- But sir, something rotten is going on.

I don't see why the emperor wants the case closed.

- Coolhead, you must learn to be patient.

This is politics.

You have to be more circumspect.

If you keep on like this, you will only bring

a load of trouble on yourself,

and on me, and I can't help you anymore.

- I would like to thank you for

all that you have done for me,

but you cannot ask me to lie.

I cannot live like that.

It's the way I am.

- Then take care of yourself.

- Thank you, sir.

[drums]

- [mumbles] says that Coolhead is coming this way.

Now, listen to me, I want that man stopped

no matter what the cost!

- [Together] Yes, sir!

- What'll you do if you happen

to fall into Coolhead's hands?

- [Together] We will kill ourselves.

- Fine, fine.

That's right, our code is do or die!

The Brotherhood comes first!

What is your mission?

What are you meant to do to him?

- [Together] Execute him and leave him for dead!

- All right, give them their pills.

[serious music]

[adventure music]

- [Tai] Sister, do you know

the reputation of this inspector?

- No, what's his reputation?

- I gather that this detective doesn't care

if you're guilty, if he dislikes you.

You can be innocent, but he'll charge you.

- If that's the case, this famous

inspector's no good at his job.

He thinks he's the cat's whiskers.

[neighing]

- Hey, why are you always following me?

- Nonsense, this highway doesn't belong to you.

We three have every right to be here,

just as much as you have.

You're not scared of us, just because we're girls.

- Who are you?

- Not your affair.

If you need any help in solving this case,

why not put us in charge?

- Don't be stupid.

Hya! yaah!

- Hyah!

- Hey mister, hey!

Take a rest!

Have some watermelon, come on!

The watermelon here is most thirst quenching.

- Hey, the watermelon's excellent.

- [Coolhead] Okay, give me some.

- Here you are, it's really good.

[dramatic music]

- I ask you, this knife, where'd you get it?

- I don't know.

Ow, ow!

- Talk!

[grunts and blows landing]

[neighing]

- Hey, hey!

[knocking]

- [Innkeeper] Who is it?

- [Coolhead] I'm checking in.

- [Innkeeper] I'm coming!

Ah, Inspector, why have you come so late?

I'll take you to your room, it's all ready.

Please, this way.

- How did you know that I was coming?

- [Innkeeper] The lady already booked in for you.

This way.

- [Coolhead] Now, what did she look like?

- Ah, well, I think she's a lady,

though she dresses like a beggar.

It's this way, sir.

- [Coolhead] And this lady who booked my room,

is she staying here, as well?

- [Innkeeper] She said she didn't like this hotel.

- But why?

- [Innkeeper] The lady said is wasn't suitable for them all.

They wanted to all be together,

so they're all three staying in an old house

that's not very far away from here.

- Well, bring me a basin of hot water.

My feet need a wash.

- [Innkeeper] Yes, sir.

- Also, bring me a hot meal.

- [Innkeeper] Yes, sir.

[dramatic music]

[clashing weapons]

- Now, you wait for me in here.

Don't go out.

I'll go out, myself.

- Oh, Sister!

- Come on!

[tense music]

[howling]

[maniacal laughter]

- [Voiceover] Coolhead.

Take a look at what is on the alter.

We've been burning incense for you,

in anticipation of your death.

[weapons clashing]

[suspenseful music]

- Hold it.

- I might have guessed it was you.

- I ask you, what offence is Li San guilty of?

- He murdered the emperor's wife.

- What is your proof?

- His knife was found.

- His case has yet to come to court.

But even so, you had him killed.

- You'd better watch what you say.

Don't you accuse me wrongly.

- Li San never killed innocent people.

You know you went and arrested the wrong man.

- Not your business.

- I'll take revenge for Li San.

- On your own?

- Right.

- Shao Feng, don't help!

- You better behave yourself.

- Ow!

Ow, ow!

Ow!

- Get up, get up!

- Come on.

- Leave me alone!

Oh, bastard!

- Hey, isn't this your flute?

Hmm?

- They should be there.

They'll be at Silver Town now.

I've sent out my men to ambush them all,

but I don't think they'll manage.

- Brother, you shouldn't think so.

Your own men'll die for you.

Once we get rid of those three young women,

which shouldn't be too hard, there's only Coolhead,

and he'll be easy to kill alone.

- What you have said is quite correct,

but don't rush into this.

Think first or you will make a mistake.

- Hey, what do you mean a mistake?

Deputy, I've plenty of fighters with me,

we can just surround them.

My men should have no problems.

- Ha, ha, not so, not so.

Master, I know we've lots of men,

but we will have to use them more carefully.

Why don't we send our Third Master?

He'll be certain to kill at least two girls.

- All right, all right, Deputy.

You better tell Third Master.

- Yes, sir.

If he can't handle them alone,

then come back here immediately.

If my estimate's correct, Li Fu's fighting him now.

I wonder how he's doing.

[bones cracking]

- My friend, you will talk.

- I don't know anything!

- Really?

This knife, where'd you get it?

- It's, it's...

- Talk!

- Be careful!

- Shao Fung!

- You bastard!

- Shao Fung!

[dramatic music]

- Shao Fung!

- Don't touch her!

[crying]

- I must thank you and your sisters for helping me,

but these are dangerous opponents.

They strike suddenly and die before surrendering.

So, I decided, you better go back home.

- How dare you suggest such a thing!

We haven't come all this way to help you.

- But--

- We came to find out what happened to our brother, Li San.

That's why we were following you.

And now, because my sister tried to help, she's been killed.

You don't consider our feelings.

You just tell us that we're to go home.

- Sister, this man has a cold heart,

don't bother talking to him.

- Lady.

- You have something else to say?

- I'm not ungrateful for what you've done.

I appreciate all that you three girls have done.

But I have to consider your safety.

It will be dangerous.

I must advise you, it's too risky to proceed.

- No need to be so generous.

It's out of character.

I ask you, is there a chance Li San's alive?

- He is.

- Where is he?

- I don't know.

He might be on his way here.

- Why's that?

- To find out who the real killer is.

- What clues have you?

- Only this knife.

- The knife of Li San.

- Right.

I ask you, do you remember at all

how many knives Li San used to have?

- He had four.

- But on our way here,

how many knives do you think we've seen?

- That means--

- Somebody's trying to frame Li San,

deliberately giving us false leads.

Also, as soon as we catch any of our attackers,

they kill themselves.

They all seem to work to a plan.

All I'm saying is we're up against someone dangerous.

I'm protecting you.

- No, I have to carry on with this now,

for the sake of my sister.

If you still want to stop me, then you're my enemy

and I will defeat you.

Hmm.

[gentle music]

[dramatic music]

- Chao Fong! Chao Fong!

Chao Fong! Chao Fong!

Chao Fong! Chao Fong!

- I cannot go with you, you must...

- Chao Fong!

[sad music]

- Oh, Chao Fong!

- Why the hell don't you leave me alone?

- But you're wounded.

- Leave me alone!

- Hurry up, get in here.

You're lucky, you came just in time.

Otherwise, she would be a goner.

[crying out in pain]

- Leave me be!

I'll look after myself.

[dramatic music]

- Inspector, follow me

if you want to know who the killer is!

[dramatic music]

- You, who the hell are you?

- I, I--

- Hold it!

- It's Coolhead!

Quickly!

- They've committed suicide.

- This knife!

Where'd you get it?

Talk!

- Mister Two.

- The man who murdered my wife was killed while in prison,

so that closes the case.

Why do you allow this Coolhead

to still carry on investigating?

- It's all my fault, please, forgive me, Lord.

- [Emperor] Chamberlain.

- Sir?

- Post my imperial edict everywhere,

Inspector Coolhead must be stopped or he'll be killed.

- That's too drastic, my Lord, please.

- Have mercy, Lord.

Please, consider his good record in the past.

Give him a chance.

- What do you suggest?

- Arrest Inspector Coolhead, then you decide.

- All right.

Chamberlain?

- Sir?

- You're to take care of this case without delay.

- Sir.

- If he doesn't obey, you're to kill him.

- Sir.

[dramatic music]

- Have a seat.

- Mister, I have come here to see your master.

- Fine, I'll show you the way.

- Master, master!

Master! Master!

Coolhead's at the umbrella store!

Go there, quickly!

- Who is this Li San?

- Don't you worry, he can't get away.

I will see to it.

- Good.

- Come on.

[gentle music]

- Miss?

- What do you want here?

- Miss, he's fainted!

- [Guards] Quickly, step to it! Come on!

- We better take him in fast.

- Yes.

[guards shouting]

- Come on!

[gentle music]

- Did you just notice a young man pass by here?

- A man?

What kind of man?

You can't find him?

What would I do with a man?

- Ah.

Carry on searching!

- Anyone there?

- I've been waiting for you.

- Who are you?

- I'm called Mister Two.

- Well, that's fine.

I ask you, see this knife here?

Where'd you get it from?

- I've got many knives like that.

I don't see why you're making such a fuss.

- No matter, just tell me who's the man behind you.

- Inspector, why don't you use your brains?

You're very smart,

you should have solved this case long ago.

- I'm only doing my job.

I won't give up until I've solved the case.

[laughing]

- You certainly talk big.

Inspector, if you keep looking,

then your days are numbered.

You'll soon be dead.

[clanging metal]

- Tell me, where's Mister Two?

- Please, forgive--

Please, forgive me, Inspector!

- I ask you, where did you get this knife from?

- From Chai Gibau.

- Chai Gibau.

Where is he now?

- At Tiger Valley.

- Tiger Valley.

- Thank you for sparing my life.

- Brother, you'd better make up now.

Don't you realize that you're being used?

Think it over, even if your plan's successful,

you're only a pawn in their plans, not your own man.

Also, they won't let you do whatever you want,

they'll own you, body and soul.

- Who told you this?

[guards shouting]

Who'd have thought that even my own

lovely sister would plot against me.

Li San, why did you break into my palace?

- To prove that I am innocent.

- Oh, so the Inspector let you go?

You would have been wiser to have hidden yourself away.

Instead you have caused me a lot of trouble.

You won't get away with it.

- Ha, Inspector Coolhead will be here soon.

Then you'll die like a dog.

- What, me die?

Do you think I'm afraid of a stupid police inspector?

I have great power with me, great power.

- Do you have no respect for the law?

- What law?

There is no law here, except the law that I make,

and I decide that you will die.

[suspenseful music]

Sergeant.

- Sir?

- Send out guards around the back.

No one's to be allowed to get in or out.

- Sir.

Take him away.

[dramatic music]

- Praises, my Lord!

- My Lord?

- Chamberlain.

Chamberlain, what are you doing here?

- Waiting.

- [Coolhead] What, waiting for me?

- I am ordered by the emperor to arrest Inspector Coolhead.

- What?

I'm just doing my job.

You can't arrest me.

- The murder case is closed.

The killer Li San died in prison, so that is an end to it.

Why do you still persist in making trouble

by questioning everybody?

- Because Li San's death was much too suspicious,

too many loose ends.

- Li San deserved it.

Why was his death so suspicious?

You want to make a name for yourself.

You're not serving justice.

- All I know is being a cop, and a good cop.

I don't make trouble, unless there's a man to be caught.

- And I ask you, if you think Li San isn't the killer,

who is the murderer?

- That's what I've been investigating.

All I need is more time, two weeks, that's all.

And I will arrest him.

[laughing]

- You're joking, of course.

If you don't come peacefully, I will have to arrest you.

- You can do anything you want,

but you won't keep me from this case.

I will solve it.

- Right.

- You give me little alternative.

[shouting]

[ominous music]

- Chamberlain!

It's essential that I go to Tiger Valley.

Sorry.

- Tiger Valley?

- Huh, I gave you an order to have Coolhead killed.

Is such a simple order completely beyond you?

- That Coolhead's not easy to deal with.

He's not alone, he has help.

- You mean the girl dressed like a beggar?

I know she's been looking after him.

But he was wounded!

You should have been able to kill him then,

he couldn't move properly.

- We'll have to resort to a trick.

Make him come to us instead, we'll kill him here.

[laughing]

- Aren't you gonna let him come here?

This time nothing must be allowed to go wrong.

Understand?

Coolhead is already on his way here.

By my estimation he should arrive tomorrow!

Are you sure everything's set?

- Everything's set.

Tiger Valley is full of traps.

If Coolhead does dare to come,

then he will never leave alive.

- You better not fail me!

[tense music]

- Shh.

No, wait.

Tiger Valley will be full of traps.

- I don't care, I'm going.

- Why do you always pick a quarrel?

On my way here, you've stolen all my money,

you tried to beat me up--

- I've been too kind to you.

After I've revenged my sister, I'll settle with you.

- But we have no reason to quarrel.

I thought everything was settled between us already.

- But why didn't you tell me that Li San's alive?

If you had, we wouldn't have followed you.

And both my sisters would still be alive.

- But how was I to know who you were?

Why didn't you tell me?

In my job, I must be careful.

For all I knew, you could have been a spy.

- You have to be stupid if you can't tell

who's on your side or not.

That's why you accuse the wrong people.

[screams]

[suspenseful music]

[bang]

- You--

[bang]

- Hm.

[dramatic music]

- Hm.

- Come on, over here!

You go, you go through.

Hey, wait for me!

Please, help me.

[screaming]

- Help me up!

I can't swim, I'll drown!

Coolhead!

Don't just stand there, help me!

I'll get you, I promise I really will kill you!

- Get out!

You can get out by yourself, it's simple.

- How can I get out?

- Just drink all the water!

- Coolhead!

I'll never forgive you!

- Thatta girl, if you try to kill me,

after I'm gone, I'll come back to haunt you.

- Oh Coolhead, you really are mean!

I'm sorry that I ever helped you.

- Come on, you better climb on my back.

Okay, that's it, you're gonna learn to swim.

Keep your head up, all right.

- I float in the water.

- Keep your head up.

[gasping for air]

I drank some too, it don't taste too good.

All right, are you ready?

We're about to vanish.

Ready?

[tense music]

- Hi old friend, remember me?

I am the dragon.

- I'm Two.

- I'm Pao.

- This knife, do you recognize it?

- Inspector, all along the way here,

you've been asking about these knives.

- That's right, I'm after the truth.

- So, Inspector, the truth.

Our friend, you are much too obstinate.

You should have left this case alone.

- Tell me, who is your boss?

Why didn't you kill the emperor's wife

and then frame Li San?

- I can't tell you that.

- I want to see your master.

- Of course.

But first you'll have to get past the three of us,

before you see him.

And I assure you, our master won't be too pleased.

Okay, get him.

- Bring him in.

- What are you doing?

- What do you think?

I'm going to finish him, that's what.

Take him away.

- I'm not playing chicken.

- [Voiceover] Hold it!

- Greetings, Lord.

- Coolhead.

Greetings, Lord.

- Greetings to you, my Lord.

- How dare you?

You disobeyed me.

I told you to return.

You're a disgrace.

- Coolhead, if you're so sure the one

who murdered the emperor's wife is in Tiger Valley,

where is he now?

- Uh, he--

- Hmm.

- You joined forces with the outlaws.

You broke the law.

Chamberlain, place this man under arrest.

- Please, forgive me, but I had to try to solve this case,

no matter what, I--

- All right, you've said enough.

Take him out of here, now.

- Get rid of him.

- [Voiceover] Hold it!

- Brother Li?

- The real lord is here.

- Don't be afraid, he's not the lord,

the real lord is here.

That's my brother.

My brother's chest has a tiger tattoo.

Brother, don't be stupid, don't listen to him, brother!

- The woman's mad, get away from me.

- Brother?

- Wu Tan, can't you tell the difference?

- Brother, you must wake up!

[dramatic music]

- [Brother] Have you gone crazy?

Get away!

- [Yu] Brother!

- Oh, sister!

Sister!

- Miss Yu Yen!

- Sister!

- Brother, brother.

- Sister!

- Miss Yu Yen!

- Right, I'm not the lord, but it wasn't my idea,

it was all Wu Tai's.

Wu Tai planned it all.

It's Wu Tai's idea.

I've nothing to do with it.

- That's right, I'm the person who's behind it.

- [Coolhead] But why did you do this?

- Even though I'm very powerful,

I cannot call myself Emperor.

Otherwise, everyone would challenge the throne.

I'm glad to see that you're all here,

now no one will leave here alive.

- Wait, Tai Fung, go help Li San.

- No, first I revenge my sister.

- Li San, take the emperor and get out of here.

- Miss Yu Yen! Yu Yen!

[sad music]

Yu Yen! Yu Yen! Yu Yen!

- Quick, get out of here!

Hurry, get out.

Go on.

- [Tai] Brother Li!

- [Li] Tai Fung!

- Brother Li, Coolhead, he's in--

- Chamberlain, it's your turn now.

- Let's see how good you really are.

Steel finger!

- The dedicated cop!

I warned you to forget this case, but you didn't!

Well, now, it's much too late to say you're sorry.

- You're a disgrace.

You deserve to die!

I am your executioner.

You will soon see!

- Fine, you better say your prayers.

- Who do you want?

- I come for--

- Sister Tai?

- He's come to see guess who!

- Welcome!

[romantic music]

- Tai Fung, you look fantastic, dressed like a girl.

Here.

No?

Oh, my god!

Oh, it hurts!

[laughing]