The Recruit

BOU VILLAGE

STRIDING SKY

Father, what's the name of this sword?

It's called The Ultimate Sword.

It is the best sword I've ever made in my life!

Which one is more important?

Martial arts or a good sword?

A good sword

can help a novice.

It can make an expert powerful.

However, the most important thing is the wielder of the sword.

Cloud, you must remember.

Kindness is invincible!

Lord Conqueror has led the Under Heaven Society

to its strong position today.

Mud Buddha, you're just praising yourself.

You're in charge of geomancy here.

And if we do well, so will you.

I hope so.

Jester, you are Lord Conqueror's right-hand man.

You are truly a servant of one and a master of thousands.

It's a dangerous way of living.

The grass is always greener on the other side.

His lordship has been waiting all day.

- Greetings, my lord! - Greetings, my lord!

CONQUEROR

You are here.

We've known each other for years.

You know me so well.

How will I do

in my duel with Sword Saint?

My lord's martial arts skills are no match in the world.

Nameless in the south and Sword Saint in the north

are not your worthy opponents.

Mud Buddha, when did you start talking like Jester?

My lord, I didn't teach him to talk like that.

If I can defeat Sword Saint,

the Under Heaven Society will soon rule the world.

But I can tell you this, my lord.

You might have to wait for another ten years

for the duel with Sword Saint.

Why do you say so?

The time has not come yet.

My lord, this is a gift for you.

What is it?

"When Wind and Cloud combine,

the Fish with Golden Scales becomes a Dragon."

These two birth charts

are of the two disciples you will have.

One of them has the name Wind.

The other is Cloud.

Wind and Cloud?

The wind is formless

and it never stays in place.

The cloud is scattered all around

and unpredictable.

As to how to find them

to build the empire for you,

that depends on your fate.

What about after I find them?

You will be invincible

for the first half of your life.

How about the last half?

You'll have to find Wind and Cloud first.

Jester.

Yes, my lord. What would you like me to do?

Use all necessary means.

You must find Wind and Cloud.

Yes, my lord.

This box

is made by Persian artisans.

It is called the Ying Yang Magic Box.

It has 108 Celestial Stems and Terrestrial Branches.

My lord is an intelligent man.

If you can find the correct combination

of the 108 Celestial Stems and Terrestrial Branches,

the box will open.

It holds the answer

to the second half of your life.

Only then will I be able to give you an explanation.

Do not use force to open this box.

If you do,

the Persian firearms inside it

will explode and all will be destroyed.

All right.

I, Conqueror, can certainly open this box.

YUK LUI SIN CITY

- Don't get in the way. Move! - Move!

By order of the Under Heaven Society, all boys with the listed birth chart

must become the disciples of the society.

Hurry up!

- Master! - Exert more force!

Master.

The Under Heaven Society is asking for Young Master's birth chart.

Don't ever let them know

Cloud's birth chart.

Got it.

Cloud.

Come here.

Hurry!

- Come on. Hurry! - Let's go!

Hurry!

Come on.

Hurry. Like this.

How was your practice?

Don't worry, Father. I didn't play around.

"When the river reaches Buddha's knee, it will burn down Ling Wan Cave."

Father, what does this mean?

This river floods all the time.

Legend says that

when Buddha's knees are covered with water,

Ling Wan Cave up in the mountains will catch fire.

So the villages will be flooded too?

Wind, I have carried you for so long.

Why don't you get down and walk?

Father, I like the feeling of being carried by you.

Father, will we get to see Mother?

Who told you that?

I'm already ten years old. I'm no longer a kid.

Promise me

to never mention your mother again.

All women

are trouble.

Conqueror, I have retired for many years.

Why are you forcing me?

Fire Unicorn Sword in the south and Ice Blizzard in the north.

My goal in life is to gather the world's ten greatest weapons.

It is a crime punishable by death that you possess the Blizzard Blade.

I have already buried it in the hills.

If you want to fight,

we'll use bamboo.

But if I win,

I'll choose between the Blizzard Blade or your wife.

If I lose today's duel,

you can have the Fire Unicorn Sword.

You must pay the price for your madness!

Whispering Prince, you used bamboo as a weapon.

This is only the first round.

I'll give you two years.

Bring the Blizzard Blade to me at Ling Wan Cave.

For now,

I will take your wife.

Wait here for me.

Father, I hope you'll bring Mother back.

It's been quite a while.

Are you alone?

Ngan Ying.

Darling.

How have you been for the past two years?

Very happy.

Whispering Prince,

you still don't get it?

Ngan Ying was the one who wanted to come with me.

I never forced her.

Ngan Ying!

Haven't you realized?

Ever since your retirement to the countryside,

I have never smiled.

What I want

is a real man who is celebrated as a hero.

I want your humble visitors

to adore me.

Now, I understand.

Only by robbing you of your love

can I arouse your fighting spirit

and force you to use the Blizzard Blade.

I will tell you a secret.

For the past two years,

I've only used her to vent my desires. I never loved her.

Conqueror, you are so despicable!

Mother!

- Mother. - Wind!

I missed you.

We will fight to the death,

but I have one request.

A request?

Tell me.

I have only one son, Wind.

If I die,

please let him live.

All right, I promise you.

WHEN THE RIVER REACHES BUDDHA'S KNEE,

IT WILL BURN DOWN LING WAN CAVE

I have done you and your father wrong.

Sorry!

Mother, don't die!

Mother!

Mother!

Father! Help!

Father!

- Wind, run! Go away! - No, I won't go!

Run!

- Hurry! Run! - Father!

Father!

What did Bou Village do to you?

Why do you have to wipe us out?

It is our lord's order.

Hand over your son and the Ultimate Sword.

Give it to the Under Heaven Society and we will spare you.

I'd rather die than surrender!