Original subtitles

It says in the writings of the wise:

You should not despise the serpent because he has no horns.

Nobody knows whether she won't one day become a dragon,

just as a single man can become an entire army.

1000 years ago, during the Sung Dynasty,

There was a cruel and corrupt government in China.

These gunmen here are outcasts

who have taken up the fight against tyranny.

There is a price on the heads of these heroes.

They live in voluntary exile and operate out of Liang Shan Po,

an Iabyrinthian river delta far south of the capital.

Legend has it that these rebels have souls

were reborn by freedom fighters from ancient times.

But now there was plague and famine,

and death reaped a bountiful harvest throughout China.

Only for vultures and crows was it a good time.

They got fat and spread.

So the emperor sent his favorite Kao Chiu to the holy mountain,

because he hoped to be able to banish the misfortune in this way.

Kao Chiu, a devious and power-obsessed courtier,

enjoyed traveling like a senior Mandarin.

The holy men and priests in the temples on the holy mountain

prayed with Kao Chiu and made offerings.

Seat of the demons? What does that mean?

A vault sealed for eternity by a previous emperor.

It's the prison for the souls of nine dozen

rebellious knights.

They were wrongly banished there, their rebellion was just.

Do you think?

I think that's pure superstition. Break the seals and open the gate!

- They are holy seals! - Silence, priest!

- I speak for the Son of Heaven. - Don't abuse his name!

They are the seals of his ancestor, I will not tolerate you desecrating them!

- His curse will strike you! - Nonsense!

Now stop defying my command.

The Son of Heaven does not tolerate superstition, loosens the seals

- and break open the gate! - I'm warning you!

"Kao Chiu will one day invade here and..."

How could they know your name so many 100 years ago?

- Now remove the capstone! - Yes, Your Excellency.

Souls banished inside... Foolish priestly chatter!

An empty cellar, nothing more.

But they were there nonetheless, the souls of nine dozen rebel knights.

And they burst forth.

Finally freed, the comets and shooting stars swept across China

fiery paths through the sky and traveled into new bodies.

Nine dozen Gentiles were born again...

During the Sung Dynasty it was the eastern capital of the empire

famous for her beauty.

But all the luxury and wealth she displayed

luxury and wealth were less.

Away from the markets

people were starving on the streets,

with the full knowledge of the harsh, irresponsible government,

who didn't care whether entire families were exterminated.

Even the essential salt had become rare and unaffordable.

The salt trade was a state monopoly, and the disloyal officials,

those under his command had increased the price tenfold.

In order to keep their positions, they had to pay bribes to their superiors.

And in order to make a profit themselves, they often mixed sand with the salt.

This fraudster, now he has mixed more sand into the salt!

- He deserves a reminder! - Bash his skull in!

Quiet! Sedition and mutiny will be punished!

- Go now or you will be arrested! - Better arrest that cheater!

Make sure you get away, otherwise you'll get something!

Get your salt! Do not be afraid!

It's free today and it will never be this cheap again!

And and!

Or do you want a written invitation?

Don't rush, you have plenty of time. There is enough for everyone!

- Just don't step on your toes! - This is Wu Sung, the tiger hunter.

- A folk hero! - He tortures the tigers with his bare hands!

Get your salt, don't be afraid!

As long as I protect you, nobody will harm you.

And tell everyone across town!

What does this crowd mean here? Clear the road!

The tiger hunter instigated them to get the salt.

You have to return the salt!

Halt!

You don't touch this man. I'll arrest him myself.

- Lin Chung is fast as a leopard. - The tiger fights with the lion.

I'll let you throw me right now, then you flee as fast as you can!

How come?

- Are you submitting your farewell request? - Yes.

I have lost my face. A simple hunter defeated me.

Don't lie, Lin Chung!

Are you kidding me, do you think I don't have two eyes in my head?!

Even if your opponent was the Tiger Hunter,

you could never have been defeated so easily!

You were just acting!

Maybe you did the right thing.

But don't try to fool me any longer.

- You let him defeat you! - Yes.

Be glad no one else saw through you

otherwise you would be charged with treason.

And for an officer of the Imperial Guard

means short process. Namely: head off!

- I risked that. - What?!

You risked your neck for that woodsman and a few pounds of salt?!

The man was right! That scam with the salt

and the other frauds that our corrupt officials perpetrate,

must end, Excellency.

So, do you think?

You are a soldier.

We are both soldiers.

We have to do what we're told. Everything else is none of our business.

But even as soldiers we are allowed to have an opinion on things.

Even if you were right:

You are not a politician, just an instrument of politics.

I know.

If you act politically as a soldier, you get yourself into trouble.

- I feel the same way too. - Why, my general?

- Well my transfer is coming up. - Are you being transferred?

I am relieved as General of the Imperial Guard,

- Kao Chiu takes my place. -Kao Chiu?

Then all power is in the hands of this libertine?

He is our emperor's favorite. Are you still enemies?

I don't want to comment on that.

So he will want to harm you, you have to be very careful.

The saying goes: Where the roof is low,

a Welser can only walk with his head bowed.

It is unimaginable, even the Son of Heaven is not safe

- with so much power in his hands! -Lin Chung.

- Aren't you going too far? - No!

I fear the worst for the future of our people

- and the entire Middle Kingdom. - Still, you would have to obey him.

This puts you in an unbearable situation.

That's why I'm temporarily suspending you, my friend.

And.

You go home now and wait to see how things develop,

Lin Chung.

For your own safety!

By command, I am bound to you forever!

Political and military power were now in the same hands.

Gifts and bribes for Kao Chiu arrived from all over China,

in return for future or already performed favors.

The governor of Sin Kian sent the ivory tusk,

I don't know what he wants, but we already have a few of them.

And this closet,

Richly dressed in ivory, the governor of Hu sends.

My name is Hu San Niang.

I am my father's gift for the kindnesses shown.

The provinces of Hu and Shu swear allegiance to you.

- A nice way to say thank you. - For being a provincial,

- he has very original ideas. - Excellence.

The officers of the Imperial Guard stand ready to greet you.

We'll talk later.

I hand you over

By express order of our Emperor and Supreme Warlord,

the command of his guard.

By order of the emperor and supreme warlord

I, Kao Chiu, will take command of the guards with immediate effect.

Kao Chiu, it is said that even the lame

can follow in the tiger's trail.

That's what it says, yes.

You now command 800,000 officers and men,

You have extraordinary powers.

All the kingdom's hopes of peace and justice, up

the end of arbitrariness and corruption rests on your being loyal.

Do your best to allay the fears of the people.

You must not abuse the power,

and you must win the love and trust of the people.

Thank you for the kind reminder.

- I keep them in my heart. - I hope so!

Officer corps ready for muster by the commander.

Are all of the Guard officers present or is one missing?

- The officers are complete! - No, Lin Chung is missing!

- He's not on duty at the moment. - Oh yeah, Lin Chung?

- Why isn't he at the handover? - He was suspended from duty.

- By order of the commander. - What?!

I'll have him executed for disregard for my person!

This suspension does not apply to me!

I think he'll probably be outside the city walls by now...

I mean the general.

And.

I had so much to talk to him about.

How can the Son of Heaven have such a deserving man

relocate to the province

- and trust someone like Kao Chiu? - You can't talk like that.

And.

He is not a human, but a wild animal.

I can't forgive him for what he wanted to do to me back then...

And he, he will definitely never forget this humiliation.

I'm so afraid he'll take revenge at some point!

Don't worry, he's a resentful person,

but he will be an excellent commander of the Imperial Guard.

He won't let on what happened between us.

Lin Chung should appear before the commander immediately!

You have insulted your new employer by staying away.

- I was on leave. - Don't contradict me!

Stop the shouting.

I hear you've been suspended.

And for what reason?

Lin Chung, highly decorated officer of the Imperial Guard,

was intended to disperse a crowd.

He gets into a scuffle with one of the ringleaders.

It shouldn't have been difficult for him to defeat and arrest him.

But instead he is overpowered and the man flees.

You disgraced the Guard, I await an explanation for this disgrace.

There is nothing I can offer in my apology.

Lin Chung,

the best swordsman in the entire imperial guard?

There's no way a champion like you can be defeated by a tiger hunter!

- And yet it happened. - Don't you think so?

that this story sounds pretty unbelievable?

I can't prove anything to you...

But if what I suspect were true, it would be outrageous.

A betrayal on a scale

that the mere thought of it would be worthy of death.

It's true I've been beaten, but I don't regret it.

- I'm sorry, what? - The better one of us won, him

- fought for freedom and justice. - So what!

- With that he has pronounced his verdict! - And I'm proud of it,

that he defeated me first.

Await my direction. I will judge you.

Now hear your verdict as Kao Chiu gave it.

For your shameful failure, Lin Chung,

you will be dishonorably discharged from the Imperial Guard!

I am disgusted with you! I don't want you to touch me!

- Then why are you here? - Because I was forced to do it!

My own father and the shameful family gave me away,

as if I were one thing, but hereby I renounce her!

You are not the man I want.

- I don't give myself to just anyone! - You don't even know me yet.

This won't happen, you can save yourself any further effort.

- I don't like you, deal with it. - But I like you. What do you say now?

- That it leaves me cold! - That can be changed,

I would already know about that! and ways.

- I could force you to marry. - You will not,

a nobleman does not commit violence against a woman!

No man will ever be able to force me to do anything!

Call your guards, I've known how to use the sword since I was little!

Don't forget, I'm Hu San-Niang!

guards! Hold her tight!

She's just a little unruly, so catch her alive for me.

Don't hurt her, I'll take care of it myself.

Aren't you ashamed to draw swords against a girl?

He's not a captain anymore, he was dishonorably discharged!

- Forward, arrest this man! - Yes indeed!

You should arrest him, you cowards!

Like Chiu.

Your judgment has been rendered and I have been expelled from the Guard.

As a good soldier, I accept the verdict and leave, but I take the woman with me.

Either you let us both go, or you must kill me, Your Excellency.

She has rejected you, you cannot hold her against her will.

We'll be safe soon, just this gate.

Thank you, but your intervention was not necessary.

I would have defeated them alone, I can handle anyone.

Is that true? Then I can understand Kao Chiu.

Does that mean you too would commit violence against a woman?!

No, that just means I can understand if he likes you.

So yes!

Whatever you want, you're not that pretty.

A dangerous man.

Dangerous for me...

And a danger to the entire empire.

You should think about what to do with him in good time.

We'll think of something.

My beloved Lord...

If only we could be together like this forever...

That would be too long, the memory of my actions begins to fade.

This situation can only be endured because you stick by me

and you are near me.

This is a very special sword.

It comes from ancient times.

And it gives magical powers to whoever uses it.

Your Grace!

- Don't ignore your fate! - What do you want from me?

I don't want anything from you. But this sword calls to you!

Don't you have eyes in your head? This sword demands you!

I already own seven good swords, leave me alone!

But certainly not one like this, hardened in blood and centuries old.

I can feel it longing for you.

pulls!

Didn't I say it? The sword wants to be yours!

Careless fool. I almost had to kill you.

I have to check whether you are worthy of him. And you are.

You two belong together! Pay me what it's worth.

I can't afford it, I'm a soldier without a position.

- This weapon is worth a fortune. - Is the sword really that good?

Yes. Matchless.

- Would 500 kuan be appropriate, yes? - What did you say?

Well, Lin Chung, don't you ever get tired of staring at this sword?

No, it's a wonderful weapon.

- And I owe it to you. - You don't have to thank me for that.

I'm already happy when I see how happy you are.

I'm really very happy, but where does this wealth come from?

Anyone who is married to a soldier

should make sure he has some reserves.

Excuse me, I forgot you aren't one anymore.

It's nothing.

It won't last forever and the day will come

where they will need me.

Sorry if I'm disturbing you. I bring you a message

of Commander-in-Chief Kao Chiu.

He heard that you bought an excellent sword.

That you did this even though you are no longer on duty,

he recognizes as exemplary behavior.

I don't want to give you false hopes,

but Kao Chiu wants to see this miracle sword for himself.

Your Excellency is looking for an excuse to reinstate you,

you should give him a gift. Accompany me to the palace.

I myself am not allowed to enter this area of ​​the palace,

but you are expected on the other side of the courtyard.

Arrest him, he's a murderer!

I know what he's up to! He was an officer in the Guards and was fired!

Whoever carries weapons within these walls

desecrate the hallowed inner precincts of the palace!

- No, Kao Chiu... - Shut up!

You know the laws of the palace as well as I do.

To carry weapons here,

To do so without service is treason and is punishable by death.

Listen! Your master has sent for me!

Why would he do something like that?

What could he possibly want from such a dishonorable nobody?

- It's a trap, he wanted to see me! - You are a liar! Arrest him!

No, believe me! He wanted to see that sword!

What are you waiting for? Arrest him!

You drew your sword! You killed!

You have defiled the holy precincts with blood and committed treason!

No one will believe that this wasn't intentional.

You will be executed without trial.

Take him to the place of execution and behead him!

Maybe any last words?

Please tell your Lord:

An entire people can rise up because one person is being wronged.

If you do injustice to an entire people, it changes the world!

Anything else?

Tell my wife...

- Yes, what? - No.

Not through your mouth.

A blessing for China that we exterminate people like you.

Do your job, executioner.

Stop immediately! Stop!

- Who are you? - My name is Sung Chiang.

- This execution is illegal! - Oh, the honest judge!

I've heard that you like to get involved.

It's none of your business, don't talk to me!

- A soldier has been killed! - From that man there!

So the soldier died by Lin Chung's sword,

- that's why!! he lose his head? - That's the way it is!

Under what law? According to military law?

The accused is no longer a soldier.

It no longer falls under military law, but under civil law!

- Military law, because the dead man was a soldier! - Incorrect!

Only the Emperor himself can hand him over to the military tribunal!

Civil law applies here.

Arrange for the accused to be placed in my custody.

I will initiate due process against him,

and until then he will remain in my custody!

I told you the absolute truth, Your Honor!

An emissary from Kao Chiu has come!

First of all, you must beware of naming names.

Nothing can prove what you say.

And.

Certainly there are some indications that from an unknown source

a plot has been hatched against your husband.

But this does not undo the fact that he joined the emperor

approached armed.

A soldier died by his sword.

Please don't lose your composure.

He will get a fair trial.

Until then, I'll do what I can for him.

Our court system can still be trusted.

There are still people in our country who are not corrupt.

Lin Chung.

It must now be proven that you are guilty.

Nevertheless, too much in this case remains obscure.

In view of this, I can reduce the sentence by one degree.

You don't get the maximum sentence, you get in

- exiled from the Sangshu penal camp. - Your Honor, I accept the verdict.

Then put the cuffs on him now.

An entire people can rise up because one person is being wronged.

If you do injustice to an entire people, it changes the world.

The road to Sangshu will be bad for you.

The prison camp itself is even worse. But a more lenient sentence is impossible.

You are famous throughout the land for your incorruptible justice.

Justice where the truth could not be proven.

These hands have killed a man and it's only fair

if I have to pay for it now. I am and remain a soldier,

and swore to respect the laws.

So I accept the inevitable.

Because without law there is no justice and no hope for the people.

I admire your honesty; that takes a lot of courage these days.

For me, honesty and respect for the law are also important

- the cornerstones of our state. - We experience the opposite every day.

I despise and fear corruption,

with which Kao Chiu poisons the entire empire and all of us.

Listen.

Wherever a tyrant holds power in this way, there are men

- who fight for the truth. - After I met you,

I have a little hope again that the truth will prevail.

I wished,

we would have met under more favorable circumstances.

Lin Chung, get up!

lead away!

- Now they're taking him to the prison camp. - Who is this?

That's my savior.

Shamefully tied up!

Wu Sung, now you have to help him!

The man with the magic sword is part of the plot.

Now I know they won't rest until I'm dead.

- Where are they taking you? - Hey!

What do you want? go away

Please! Please have a heart and let me talk to my husband!

Ah, go away!

Come on, world!

do it!

Here, take this!

- Beloved! - Hey, you, don't take so long.

- We have no time to lose. - Beloved, please forgive me!

If only I hadn't bought the sword! where are they taking you

Leave me alone.

go now please I hereby dissolve our marriage.

The penal camp is far away, nobody returns from there.

You will start a new life, Hsiao Lan.

You can do whatever you want, you are free. This is a goodbye forever.

No, that shouldn't be the case! I will wait for you all my life.

Whatever they do to us, I will remain your wife!

You have to think about the future. Divorce me.

beloved!

But now I've had enough. Forward!

The population is demanding Lin Chung's release.

More petitions are submitted every day, hundreds of them.

From all classes and the entire empire. What should I do, Your Excellency?

Let them burn.

Of course, the actual problem has not yet been solved.

I'm afraid,

As a martyr, Lin Chung becomes even more dangerous to us.

This is the root of future evil and we cannot tolerate it.

I have understood.

And how about you? Did you understand me too?

And.

I have already taken certain measures.

So, Lin Chung, how are your feet, do they still hurt?

Here, this will do you good. Would you like a little foot bath?

Had a lot to endure...

Wait!

Hold on tight!

- Go ahead! - Stop it now!

What do you want here?

Everything OK? It's me, Wu Sung.

You are free. I owed you that because you let me go.

I owe you a great debt of gratitude, my brother.

So now let's get out of here!

- What are you up to, my friend? - I'll take you to the woods.

China is a big country, I know areas where hardly anyone comes,

- where we can live freely. - I am very grateful to you, tiger hunter,

- but I can't go with you. - What?

- Yes. - But why?

Because I am legally convicted and have accepted the sentence.

That was a misjudgment! You have been lured into a trap.

- I vowed to go to Sangshu. - Who did you swear this to?

- To me, and I keep the oath. - What?

My honor dictates that I accept the punishment.

Ah, what is honor anyway?

- Is that why you're getting yourself killed? - I'll survive, I can't die.

After that they will not ask you in sangshu!

- Nobody left the camp alive! - I'll survive!

Fate has determined my punishment.

Such a stubborn, really!

But I have to say, I like you even more for that!

That might suit you, huh?

You eat your bellies and you make him fast!

And then at home you turn his ration into money!

He is worth ten times, a thousand times as much as you two cowards!

And now listen,

I'll keep a close eye on you all the way to the Sangshu camp!

- So just treat him decently! - Yes, sure.

Please, water... water!

Have you heard?

Here.

Forward!

More quickly!

Forward!

Come on, take the cuffs off him.

Do you recognize it? This is the sword.

It thirsts for you and will bring you death!

- Why do you want me dead? - Because I get paid for it.

Therefore.

Here.

- Take this sword. - Did Kao Chiu pay you for this?

It doesn't matter to me, I get an order and carry it out.

I always kill at the first strike, and I am infallible.

So, get ready to die.

Pull!

Now even the honest judge can no longer help you.

I will be your executioner!

Okay, Lin Chung.

You know how to wield a sword!

Don't thank me. It is thanks to you that I am standing here now.

Also.

You now take a horse and ride to freedom!

Put the cuffs back on me.

What are you doing, have you lost your mind?!

No, my mind is the same, I'm going to Sangshu for captivity.

I understand.

Because of your wife. Because otherwise she and her family would be killed as hostages.

Am I right? Because of Hsiao Lan, I could have guessed that!

I gave her back her freedom.

You divorced Hsiao Lan?

Put him in chains again if he wishes!

Then go into captivity! I don't care, we're even!

Just die from me! Forward!

But...

I don't want you to die! Be strong!

I don't want you to die!

Forward, run!

Diverse are the adventures that fate

still has ready for Lin Chung,

on his journey into exile and captivity.

And like the silkworm must spin thousands of threads,

until a silk cocoon is formed, the sky takes 1000 detours,

until he's the nine dozen born-again heroes

united in the river delta of Liang Shan Po.