Blade of Fury (一刀傾城)

In 1895, the Qing Dynasty ceded Taiwan to Japan at the end of the Sino-Japanese War

Taiwanese rebels formed their own vigilante group

Known as the Black Flag Army

They sought to fend off the Japanese takeover

The Black Flag Army

The Black Flag Army

Great and powerful

Great and powerful

Death to all invaders

Death to all invaders

Protect our country

Protect our country

Die on our feet, not live on our knees

Tai-shek, are you sure you want to do this?

Brother, we follow you loyally. I have no regrets

Never ending courage

Never ending farewell song

Never drop the sword of justice

Never stop killing the enemy

Let's go!

The whole camp is brightly lit apart from those two tents

They must be for arms and gun powder

The brightest tent must be the commander's

Tai-shek, you and I attack from the west

The rest attack from the north

We launch the raid from both sides

Careful! Land mines...

Raiders!

Tai-shek!

Stay back

We came to kill - not to rescue

Kill these Japanese!

Fools!

Damn it

Man-tin

Brother, you better go

No!

I fight till the end

You must live on

To continue the Black Flag's work

Go and extinguish the fire. Quickly!

Never drop the sword of justice

Never stop killing the enemy

Stop him - don't let him get away!

This land is no longer our own country

We have no home

The world is vast, yet there is no place for me

CHINA, 1898 NORTH-EASTERN BORDER

Look, the breeze is gentle and the people seem friendly

It looks so peaceful

Just the sound of horse hooves on the earth

I wonder... have we come here on a misunderstanding?

Master, Mr Kang wrote to you himself

Asking for your help with government reforms

How can it be a misunderstanding?

Well, that's your problem

You only listen to half the story

Then talk up more than the other half

That's why I'm not boring

No...

...just a bit troublesome

Welcome, gentlemen

Are you after a room or just something to eat?

Dinner first, then accommodation

Then breakfast, and lunch follows after that...

Kau Kan

Please forgive my servant

He always talks too much, and most of it rubbish

- This way, sir... - Master, please...

Let me get your seat

It's alright

I'll take their order

Master, are you going to the capital?

You are correct. How did you guess?

I don't have to guess

You have a cultured air, sir

I can tell you are an official or something

Well, you're not entirely right, boss

He's not what you think he is

At least, not yet

But when we get to Beijing, he'll be made an important government official

Excuse me. Can we have some food quickly?

My servant's so hungry...

...he can't keep his mouth shut

Of course. What would you like?

Some beef stew and a pot of wine

Very well

Sorry, no wine

Water will be fine

Hey, master...

And five dumplings too

Anything to keep his mouth busy

As you wish

We must be careful on this trip

Talk less and drink less

There is a lot of unrest in this region

So you must watch what you say

Yes, master

Careful

Are you alright?

I'm alright, thank you, thank you...

Master, when we get to Beijing...

...I'll buy you candied fruits

I know that's your favourite

You mean it's your favourite

I like whatever you like, sir

Go to your rooms. See nothing, say nothing

Otherwise I'll gouge your eyes out

And cut out your tongues

Upstairs

Tie the camels

Tell everyone to leave

You, that way, hurry up!

Master, these people are bad news

They look like thieves and bandits

Why don't we take the initiative and capture their leader?

Then the rest will be easier to handle

I agree that they do look like bandits

But we don't know their motives and appearances can be deceptive

True. But bad guys also look like bad guys...

...so let's take the initiative from them just in case

I disagree

We shouldn't do anything rash

We may get into deeper trouble

Just stay calm

But Master, my sense of righteousness...

...is bursting to come out

My blood is boiling

I suspect they are the Blue Lantern movement known to be agitating around here

There are so many of them

Where would we even start?

Start with the ugliest one

Sit down!

I'm sorry if I'm in your way, sir

Are there any other routes to Lo Yang? I want to avoid this town

As far as I know, this is the only road to Lo Yang, sir

Who are they?

Refugees

Their village is beset by plague. There's many more coming, sir

Then let's go to town

He's coming!

Everyone get ready

Who's forging iron at a time like this?

Find the bastard!

They're coming, they're coming...

Forget it then

Go get ready!

Master, look

We must help the refugees

But remember - just the refugees

Got it

Kill Yuan Shi-kai! Go...

Protect the refugees

Let's help

It's okay, don't panic

This way

You're safe now. Go on

Thank you, sir

Go now

My son...

My son...

Be good, don't cry, it's okay

Thank you so much

Okay?

Let's go

You're safe now, you better go

Hold tight. Let's go...

Where are those refugees? Ran away

Might as well fight

Don't hurt them...

Kau Kan, what are you doing?

I'm helping people

People? People...?

Yuan Shi-kai

"Excellency" to you

Help!

Black Flag Army?

Thank you for your help

Master...

Could it be him?

Thank you for helping us, sir

It's nothing

I appreciate your assistance, sir

I'm To An, Captain of the Green Banner forces

May I know your name?

I'm Tan Si-tong

Tan Si-tong?

A pleasure to meet you both

Fare thee well

Are you Tan Si-tong?

That's right. And you are...?

My name is Yuan. Yuan Shi-kai

I met with Mr Kang when I was in Beijing

So we have a mutual friend in Mr Kang?

Pleased to meet you

We're not exactly "friends"

Mr Kang has the Emperor's ear

He's a very important man in the government

I'm only a low-ranking official

I'm not worthy of being his friend