Shaolin Mantis (螳螂)

My son Wei Fung comes to salute your highness.

- Greetings. Long live the emperor. - Long live the emperor.

- Arise. - Thank you, sire.

Scholar Wei, your son ever work?

No, Highness, he's a student.

Of various arts.

Oh, martial arts?

Yes, he can fight.

Good, Scholar Wei.

As it would seem, he has skill...

...in many disciplines.

We may, perhaps, have use for him.

We'll discuss it.

So then, you may withdraw.

Sire, as you command.

Wei Fung?

Sire?

There's a priest here, and a Mongol fighter.

I've asked them to test your martial arts skill.

Sire...

Sire.

Let the contest begin!

Sir.

Good! Very good technique.

Thank you for your praise, sire.

I am honored.

Wei Fung, come here.

Sire...

- Wei Fung. - Yes, sire.

General Wu plans to overthrow me.

You've heard that?

I'm always absorbed in my studies.

I've heard nothing.

I hear he's plotting with the remnants of the Ming rebels.

I believe that.

Those few men have no strength.

But there is one clan that is well organized.

My Lord, which clan?

It's the Tien clan.

They are conspiring with Wu to commence a rebellion.

There is no doubt about it.

In that case, why not send troops?

Because before I attack, I want proof.

Lists and names of everybody.

You are wise, sire.

So I want you to go to Tien clan.

Spy on them and get the evidence.

I have no experience in such things.

But you are talented. You can do it.

If there's anybody can, you can succeed.

You'll be rewarded.

My Lord, l...

- My orders. - Sire.

You are to proceed to Chi Ping

and get the proof of the Tiens' treachery.

When you have, you will report here at once.

Sire.

But still, if you fail after three months,

then your father will be stripped of his posts.

After six months, your whole family will be jailed.

After a year, I will behead them!

TlAN'S TOWN

FlVE SUN MANOR

No! I've been a teacher now for years.

- But such a pupil? - Teacher, you must go!

No respect? I don't deserve that.

- Please. - Not at my age.

Teacher, now you know what she's like.

- Now, come on. - No, I won't go!

I must speak my mind!

Or else I'll never teach again!

I think you ought to give up teaching.

Just retire and enjoy your old age!

You! How dare you do that to me?

You wicked young girl!

You've no respect, beating up your own teacher!

Hey, I didn't hit you.

I just touched you.

Quite lightly.

But you're so weak, you can't stand up!

You... You hit me again!

Go on, or I'll beat you!

Hey, go on. You deserve this.

Deserved it? But why is that?

- You're a teacher? - Yes, I'm a teacher.

Oh, dear. Would Confucius have lived so long

- if he had pupils like her? - Forget Confucius.

Seems to me...

...you've taught her right and wrong.

Of course.

But it still doesn't appear that she's learned.

- What? - She's rude.

No respect.

She wants to hit you.

What was that?

That proves you taught badly.

You didn't do your job, at least not properly.

Tell me, you, do you think I'm right?

Huh? Nonsense!

It was all her fault! She wouldn't learn her lessons. What could I do?

She's so arrogant!

Thank you!

Let's get out of here! Come on!

Hey! Take this!

Give me my umbrella.

Hey!

What's your name? Tell me.

First Wei, then Fung.

That's a strange way to put it.

But accurate.

My name's Wei Fung.

So it's Wei Fung. Why not just say so?

I say what I want.

- Always. - Hey.

You haven't asked my name.

- Go on. - My name's Chi-Chi.

My last name is Tien.

That's Tien Chi-Chi.

They say that you're the girl who's got the nasty temper.

That right?

Who says? I'll beat 'em up!

Doesn't matter. Just now, that teacher that you threw out...

They say he's the 1 8th one.

Don't like him.

Even so, you shouldn't hit him.

You say that, I'll hit you!

- No you won't. - Why not?

Hey!

I'm not your teacher.

So you can't.

Just behave yourself.

Hey, are you a teacher?

Well, then, I'll engage your services, all right?

No thanks.

Wei Fung, why not?

You've no respect.

You just called me Wei Fung

instead of Teacher Wei.

Don't want to.

All right. I'll go.

Fatty?

You'll teach me?

No.

Right. If you refuse, then you'll be punched!

Three times!

And what's more...

...you leave town hopping on one leg.

Teacher Wei, I think you should take the job.

I won't.

Hey, teacher,

please teach me.

Right. But always respect your teacher.

Be polite.

And listen to him.

And study hard. Also...

Never hit teacher, right?

- Right. -

FLYlNG DRAGON

Uncle Chung, I've found a new teacher!

- This is... - Teacher Wei.

Tell me, where's Ma?

Chi-Chi! Don't bother your uncle.

Why aren't you studying?

Ma!

Grand Aunt!

Yes, I have a new teacher.

New teacher?

And Mr. Wong?

Old fool. Useless. Threw him out.

Chi-Chi, that was naughty.

When your granddad hears, he'll be mad.

Granddad? No he won't. I'll go and tell him now.

Hey... Teacher Wei...

My mother, Grand Aunt.

How do you do?

The master comes!

Repairs to the temple are completed.

Also, we should have a good harvest this year.

Granddad!

Good morning, uncles! Good morning!

Granddad, listen...

Granddad, have some tea.

Teacher Wei, the Tiens are a big clan.

You will be treated well here.

- Thank you, sir. - Hmm.

But still, our clan rules are very strict.

Both the study and the gardens, these are open to you.

But anywhere else in this place you may not enter.

I see.

Tien Chung. Take him inside.

Sir.

Granddad, I'll go too!

Chi-Chi... Chi-Chi!

Please...

Father, you spoil her.

Dad, that teacher... He does seem a bit young.

Right. Chi-Chi is so naive.

I'm scared.

Yes, I know.

He's younger than the others.