Hand of Death (少林門)

BUDDHA

Since its establishment, the Shaolin Temple has undertaken promotion of martial arts development

having created many chivalrous young heroes for meritorious service to past emperors.

Now, in order to eliminate dissidents, the Qing court has exercised control over the martial circle

going so far as to collude with bad elements from within the temple to destroy Shaolin.

The torture and murder of numerous monks became a catastrophe for the martial circle.

In fact, masters and disciples from temples across various regions,

in order to defend its reputation and integrity, and preserve the 'good roots',

were reluctantly compelled to leave the temple, and dispersed across the country.

Unfortunately, the righteous path is beset by evil temptations from the outside world.

Born in Shaolin Temple, Shih Shao-Feng went back on his word,

willingly acting as running dog and extinguishing his natural instincts.

The number of masters and disciples slaughtered was innumerable.

Leave.

Master, go quickly!

Go!

Shih Shao-Feng?

Shih Shao-Feng knows he has made too many enemies.

These past ten years, besides training The Eight Tiger Generals to protect him from outsiders,

he has never for a moment been complacent in his own martial arts.

He's done perfecting the White Crane-Soul Chasing Fist.

To avoid the disaster of extermination, we flee to the east, hide in the west.

Years pass in the blink of an eye. When can we bring this traitor to justice?

Master, please allow our disciples to go down the mountain.

We've studied for five years to subdue Shaolin's traitor.

You want to deal with Shih Shao-Feng? That's not an easy thing to do.

First, you must pass all the tests in Shaolin martial arts.

Or else, you'll find it very difficult to get close to him.

We submit, Master, although at present our training is incomplete,

in future, we can go down the mountain

to gather the underground heroes. If our will is united, we're sure to be capable of dealing with him.

Your zeal is commendable.

But to deal with Shih Shao-Feng... only one of you is up to the task.

PUNCH the TIGER and LEOPARD of SOUTH MOUNTAIN

KICK the DRAGON of NORTH SEA

Southern Fist - Tiger Form.

Co-starring: SAMMO HUNG, YANG WEI, MU SZU-CHENG, KIM KI-JU, JIN BONG-JIN, JOHN WOO

Northern Leg - Eighteen Forms.

Co-starring: YUAN BIAO, CHO CHUN, JANG JEONG-KUK, JANG IN-HAN, SIN CHAN-IL, YUEN WAH, LAM HAK-MING, TONG KAM-TONG, TO WAI-WO.

Five Tiger Stick Method - Crazy Dragon Sword.

Very good.

Kneel down.

Yun Fei, your ability to pass the Shaolin array test proves your martial arts is already accomplished.

Master will now send you down the mountain to deal with the Shaolin traitor, Shih Shao-Feng.

Yes.

I, Yun Fei, swear before heaven, to face neither my master nor my ancestors until I kill Shih Shao-Feng.

Yun Fei, before annihilating Shih Shao-Feng, you must first destroy his major conspiracy.

What conspiracy?

At present we have heroes everywhere plotting to overthrow the Manchu Qing.

Seven days from now they will rendezvous in the foreign settlement.

There's a man named Chang I...

who will come to the meeting with a secret map of the Qing army's main garrison in the Liangguang region.

Shih Shao-Feng knows about it?

He also knows that to keep the appointment it's necessary for Chang I to pass through his garrison in White Rock.

Crossing White River to the settlement, Shih Shao-Feng has already cast many heavy nets to trap and kill him.

I must find Chang I before Shih Shao-Feng, keep him safely away from the garrison.

Also, you must first go to White Rock and get in contact with your junior disciple Chiu Kuo.

- Then you'll learn Chang I's whereabouts. - Yes.

People say White Rock is a tiger's lair.

Shih Shao-Feng is a crazy dragon.

You must be careful.

Master, please don't worry.

You said that the purpose of martial arts is to help save lives and focus on justice.

I will complete the appointment regardless of life or death.

Good spirit.

Although Shih Shao-Feng has ample experience, your root comprehension is better than his.

As for how to defeat his martial arts, you'll have to watch for your chance.

Thank you, Master, for your advice. Take care of yourself.

Thanks.

Hey, halt...

What are you doing here?

Oh, I'm delivering firewood to the Commander's house.

Did you see any strangers on the way, eh?

No, no...

- Who's he? - Ah, my brother. Fuck!

Ah, that's right! My uncle.

What did you say? Fuck your Uncle?

Son-of-a-bitch!

Little bastard!

This kid!

- Get going... - Thank you, Officer.

Come on out.

Come on, lend a hand.

- Who is this? - Maybe it's a Shaolin brother who was killed?

- Are you a fugitive? - No.

Studied martial arts?

Who the hell are you?

A Shaolin brother.

Thank you for helping me through the checkpoint.

What are you doing?

I don't want...

to let his flesh be eaten by wild birds.

Ah, young brother. Wait a minute.

I tell you, there are two kinds of people who aren't fit to survive in this place.

One kind is inclined to be too inquisitive.

The other kind is... Shaolin brothers.

Mind your own business!

- You... - This way.

This way.

Now, hear this.

Serious criminal Chiu Kuo will receive the punishment of beheading for plotting to assassinate Commander Shih.

In future, any person involved in the same offence, will have their entire clan exterminated without exception.

Beheaded in the street. Today, he's an example.

Chiu Kuo?

Yes, I hear he's a leading rebel against the Qing court.

Who's that on the roof over there?

Those men must have come to rescue him.

That one down there?

One of Shih Shao-Feng's Tiger Generals?

- Oh, no! - What's 'oh, no'?

Big Brother, go quickly!

Fuck! They fell into a trap.

They really are too cunning.

Merciful Buddha.

- Search all sides. Hurry up! - Yes.

Who is it? Who are you?

- Quick, help him into a room. - Wait over there.

Come.

Open up...

Fuck! Taking so long to open a door?

Officer, I'm sorry...

Oh, Lord Tu, how are you?

Have you seen a wounded dog crawl in?

I haven't seen it. I haven't seen it, my Lord.

- Search. - Yes.

- Look here. - OK.

Lord Tu, you have much forgiveness.

Bastards, disturbing my nap!

Retreat.

Very powerful boxing.

- May I know your name? - I'm nobody.

For several years, I've been against these pestilent demons.

A skill such as yours is rarely seen.

- Want to be an official? - I appreciate the thought.

Commander Shih admires me. This is known as a hero acknowledging a hero.

I admire you very much, too.

I can smell a hero from within a hundred paces.

As long as I think highly of you, you can do great things.

My name's Tu Ching. Once you've thought it over, come find me at the court.

Let's go.

Our guest is leaving? Thank you...

Guest, how badly is he hurt?

He may recover in just a few days.

Young people have a shared mobility.

Look how desperate he was to fight those Qing soldiers. He truly deserves to be called a Shaolin hero.

Pity he had such bad luck.

Guest, I see you're unfamiliar. You must have a purpose for coming here?

I'm also here to deal with Shih Shao-Feng.

So, you're...?

A Shaolin brother.

Oh, I should've seen it already.

You could say, a wise head keeps a closed mouth.

No wonder that official dog Tu Ching also thinks you're a big hero.

But you can't talk about it.

Of course. I'm a Han too, aren't I?

Boss, today inside the inn there was an individual carrying a long sword.

A mighty hero skilled in blowing a bamboo flute. Who is he?

Oh, he's totally different from you. He's a good-for-nothing.

He looks like a hero in the martial circle. Why would you say that?

Having said that, the man's not too bad at all.

This vagrant comes with quite a bit of history.

Until some years ago, no one knew from where this young fellow came.

A master of pen and sword, obscure and nameless.

Everyone called him the 'Prodigal Son of Jiangnan'.

Prodigal Son, please show us your sword.

- Let us see your experience. - Yes.

That's right, let us see your experience, OK?

Go on.

- That's scary. - Help her inside, hurry...

What a Prodigal Son of Jiangnan!

Oh, what kind of wind has blown Lord Shih here today?

Inside the Spring Moon, our famous 'flowers' are each delicate as a flower.

Lord Shih, who would you like to serve you?

- Autumn Moon. - Oh?

Lord Shih, Autumn Moon has a guest today.

- Take me through. - Yes!

- Lord Shih, are you tired? - How about something to eat?

Autumn Moon...

What is it?

Our Lord likes you.

- So arrogant! - Fuck you, kid!

Prodigal Son, the sword!

Autumn Moon...

My Lord, get rid of this kid.

Save your energy. He's suffering more now than if dead.

The Prodigal Son's been down and out ever since, his sword long sheathed.

The Jiangnan sword's disappearance has left only a false reputation.

Lingering on wine and women all day long...

What a pity for a hero!

It's a waste to abandon great martial arts just for a woman.

A man like this has no aspiration.

Not necessarily. As the saying goes, "everyone is good for something".

Whether useful or not depends on oneself.

- My two friends. - Brother Chiu.

You mustn't move about. Be careful of your wounds.

Thank you... for saving my life.

Brother Chiu, don't mention it. We admire your courage.

Hateful... my martial arts aren't good enough to eliminate that brigand, Shih Shao-Feng.

Really ashamed, I'm really ashamed.

- Brother Chiu. - You...