Duel to the Death (生死決)

BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES PAVILION

LOST MANUAL ON BREAKING THE SWORDPLAY STANCES OF ALL CLANS

Amitabha (Buddha be praised). I have been humbly waiting for you.

I know what is in your mind.

You want to go out there and test your martial arts skills, don't you?

If you really want to go, then go.

"Winning is not a blessing; losing is not a curse."

Those Japanese sorcerers failed in their mission and wasted their lives for nothing.

Amitabha. What a pity.

Abbott, I believe they were acting in accordance with their national character.

As students of martial arts, I feel that we should also emulate their perseverance.

And in this respect, many of us Chinese could hardly compare.

Ching Wan, I surmise it is your belief that the mid-autumn duel is inevitable?

I have been training here at Shaolin Temple for over a decade.

This duel will be the best opportunity to test myself.

Amitabha!

Ching Wan, sometimes an opportunity is insignificant.

On the contrary, a duel is not the sole alternative to resolution.

That is just a matter of opinion.

As you are a scholar, brother, you perceive things differently.

In the martial arts world, a duel is the only way to resolve conflicts.

The Japanese have always viewed victory and defeat with utmost importance.

After all these years at Shaolin,

have you still not grasped the futility of winning and losing?

Abbott, you are right.

Precisely because of how seriously the Japanese feel about this duel

every 10 years, would they be content if I do not attend?

It's not just the Japanese. You, our little brother, will not be content either.

Executive Producer: Raymond Chow Man-Wai

Planning: Louis Sit Chi-Hung

DUEL TO THE DEATH

Starring: Norman Tsui Siu-Keung

Damian Lau Chung-Yan

Flora Cheung Tin-Oi

Executive Producer: Cheung Yan Kin Music: Michael Lai Siu-Tin

Cinematographers: Danny Lee Yau-Tong, Lau Hung-Chuen

Editor: Peter Cheung Yiu-Chung

Screenwriters: Manfred Wong, David Lai Dai-Wai, Jiang Lung

Martial Arts Choreography: Tony Ching Siu-Tung, Lau Chi-Ho

Directed by: Tony Ching Siu-Tung

Welcome, Master from afar.

Please.

Like Xuanzang and Bodhidharma, who came to seek the holy sutras,

I envy that your Han culture has such a long and respectable heritage.

Kinya, kinya (Peace with Buddha). You are too kind, Master.

Shaolin martial arts is renowned around the world.

Sadly, it is now in decline and can hardly withstand the test of time.

Unlike our Kinkaku monastery, which is now flourishing at its most glorious.

That is not true indeed.

Without our ancestors' hard work, we would have no such strong heritage.

This monastery has been a sacred ground to Chinese Buddhists for centuries.

I believe not even the Kinkaku monastery of your country

can begin to compare.

Shaolin's 72 unique martial arts techniques are world renowned.

According to you, Abbott, they must have been the fruits of your ancestors' labour as well.

Yet how many of your disciples today have a full grasp of their achievements?

The goal of practising martial arts

is to improve one's health, protect the country and help the weak.

It is not for reaping fame and fortune.

Very well said!

So, Abbott, are you implying that Shaolin martial arts is the most superior?

Tsui Fook of the Qin dynasty took 3,000 Chinese boys and girls to Japan.

They stayed and settled themselves there.

This proves that China and Japan are really one family.

As monks, we should value harmony above all. Why dwell on determining whose martial arts is better?

Abbott, you are kind and sagacious.

But I am not as wise as you, therefore I still long for winning and fame.

I just want to seize this opportunity to affirm Shaolin Kung Fu's validity.

My martial arts skills are shallow,

and I am not the representative of this duel between China and Japan.

Master, I believe you've come all this way just to arrange this event?

A great institution like Shaolin

doesn't even have one person to come out and fight me?

And I thought Shaolin represented the zenith of martial arts

when you don't even have one person that can carry your ancestors' legacy.

Please teach me.

Pardon my disrespect.

Amitabha!

I am Yun Bei of Shaolin Temple. Your martial arts is impressive indeed.

A Scholar Monk of Shaolin! You flatter me.

My kung fu is so rudimentary, I am not even ranked in my own country.

It's pure luck that I was able to win over the warrior monk by a move or two.

Younger brother, we are all monks.

You should treat our guest with courtesy.

Our representative for the duel, Miyamoto Ichiro

is chosen from among thousands of our Yagyu clan's Shinkage Sect.

On the second day of the ninth month,

he shall await your representative at the House of the Holy Sword.

I take my leave now.

Amitabha.

Ching Wan, once that Japanese monk finds out what you did,

he will be filled with utter disgrace.

I knew you couldn't tolerate his arrogance.

Only my elder brother would treat him as a guest.

If we keep tolerating him, he'd think we're afraid of him.

That's why I wanted to teach him a lesson.

Even if Abbot found out, he wouldn't blame you.

Good! You really know my temper.

We've been together for so many years now, uncle. Of course I know your temper!

Ching Wan, I really hope I can see you defeat the Shinkage candidate.

I must leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow.

Before you go, you should visit that old and stubborn master of yours.

Hey, why did you hit me so hard? We're only practising!

- I didn't! - Yes you did!

Admit it! You're just not as good as me!

Uncle.

See? He needs help!

- Is he for real? - Are you done? Get back here!

Thank you!

Come on! Fight!

Hit him! Hit him!!

He's so useless!!

"Yagyu"

Uncle, I defeated him! Thank you so much!

Goodbye!

I am Miyamoto Ichiro, 4th generation disciple of Yagyu's Shinkage Sect.

I bow to you, Shogun.

Preserving the honour of Japan's martial arts rests on your shoulders.

Your servant shall not disappoint you, even if it means sacrificing my life.

Make good use of this precious sword.

Yes!

Thank you, Shogun.

"Alcohol"

Big brother, why aren't you dancing?!

Go! Come on!

A toast, for our big brother! Cheers!

- Master! - Master!

I hope you shall bring honour and glory to Shinkage.

Yes.

Big brother. Here!

Let's drink. Cheers!

Let's have another round!

- Where's big brother? - He's leaving? Don't let him slip away!

Don't go yet, big brother. Have another drink!

I have to go home now. Can't keep you company anymore.

"Alcohol" "Eel, Sake, Oden"

Who are you??

Master!

There is no higher honour than to die at the hands of a superior Samurai.

Yes.

Remember... you have to pursue glory... for Shinkage.

- Recite Shinkage's first scripture now. - Yes.

"Those who practise martial arts must fight to win

and attack to conquer.

This is Shinkage's first motto.

Forsake compassion in combat.

If the gods get in the way, vanquish them.

If it's Buddha who tries to thwart you, destroy him with all your might.

With such determination, one will attain the highest peak of martial arts.

Confront obstacles with fearless spirit.

Be it the incarnation of a devil or a god. Show no fear and overcome all with valour..."

"Amh" "Hou'in"

"Sincerity and Honesty" "Grhapati"

Hey, chicken! Chicken?

Chicken!

- Chicken, where is Master? - He is coming!

Catch me!

Serves you right!

Bad chicken! Go to Hell!

Master is sensitive. Stop teasing him.

I'll deal with you later!

I told you to catch me! Why didn't you?

You told me to catch you, so I didn't. Because you always say the opposite thing!

Right, right.

Why are you looking for me?

Not for you. I came to visit Chicken.

- But, your brother did ask me to see you. - You're pissing me off!

- Careful, don't fall! - I'm not old!

And those monks aren't young either!

Chicken, come here.

- Am I really that old? - Your coffin is waiting for you!

What?! No feed for you this month!

Don't you worry about me.

Well, I'm leaving. Take care of yourself.

I'm telling you. Don't embarrass me.

If you lose the duel, don't you dare come back to see me!

If I lose, I won't live to see you anyway.

I'll wait to see you in hell then.

I'm not cursing you. I'm just not sure how well those old monks have taught you.

If you had doubts, you wouldn't have sent me to them to learn swordplay.

- Still begrudge me for leaving you there? - I know you did it for my own good.

I knew you had the potential

to be chosen to represent China in the duel one day.

I wanted you to fulfill my dream.

- He's lying! - I'll poison you!

- And this is why you raised me? - Aren't you honoured to be chosen?

All I know is that I'm fighting in this duel to repay you.

I wasn't hoping you'd repay me when I adopted you!

I don't understand, why do you value success or failure so much?

Chicken, let's go!

Fine. Do what you want! What's the use of raising you?

Now that you're all grown up, you don't need me any more!

- Don't get too excited! - Who says I'm excited?!

Master!

- Master, are you all right? - Don't touch me!

- I don't have a disciple like you! - Master!

I'll win the duel for you. I promise!

Chicken, take good care of Master.

Goodbye!

- Miss him already? - Mind your own business!