Original subtitles

"Demi Monde"

I didn't know what it meant

I just knew that papa moved us around a lot

Across rivers and lakes

But he never told me why

I remember hearing many dialects

I soon got used to hearing them

But I don't remember where they came from

Papa used to tell me stories

Mostly about supply and demand

He would say...

Everything has its price

If we want to survive...

Buy more time...

...a price must be paid

Life or death? Both have a cost

Everyone pays

I don't know the true meaning of "cost" or "price"

Or if it's fair

It is what it is

Papa used to say...

"Justice" is a point of view

Right or wrong is hard to define

You may witness something unjust...

...and try to right it

But later find you were in the wrong

Regret is pointless

No one will pity you

His reasons were none of my business

I didn't know what papa did for a living

Then one day...

A beautiful light shone through my window

Brightly blinking. Yet darkly tinkling

It was like magic to me

As if a Muse would soon appear

But then I learnt where that light came from

And my magical world vanished

I began to see...

...in the "demi monde"...

...there is always a price to pay

We can make a curved sabre

Two feet long

Made from three steel blades pressed together

"Ah, it's light and unbreakable!"

Ha, ha - he's reeling in another customer

I have my own "underworld"

It involves two workers

Ti Dao has worked with us for four years

Every time he looks at me, I remember our first exchange

Then there was Ding On

An orphan papa found

The scar on his face was my fault

He was seven and I was five

He never made a sound

I will owe him forever

My debt is on his face

Kitty!

Kitty?

A TSUI HARK FILM

BLADE

I often have wicked thoughts

Imagining my two men fighting

And I was the prize

The winner would belong to me

I decided on a plan and put it to work

The battle was about to begin

I've made some soup for you in the kitchen

I've made some soup for you in the kitchen

I thought it would work

How can you expect two strong men to share one bowl of soup?

What I didn't know...

...was the fight was not between the two of them

But between me and them

I told you they'd never share one bowl between them...

...and now it's cold

Drink it yourself before it spoils

Where are they?

Where are you?

The soup stunt was our first unfinished business

I didn't expect the price of my death to be so high

This copper pot is magnificent

It's a great deal

Don't waste your time...

This one is also nice

Very beautiful

One of a kind

I'll do a special price just for you

Is this a sword?

It's a western amulet

In western religions, they all wear one

The necklace has a dead man on it...

The Christians believe this man is their saviour

He forgives their sins

If you buy this, you'll have peace forever

You'll be 'saved' as well

Who did it save?

It's just a necklace

How much?

Are you sure?

We've no money left

I've saved a bit

Kill the pig!

What's he doing?

He'll scare any girls away

We'll pay later

Find some whores

Hurry up. Let's go

Please, someone help me

Sir, please help me...

You idiot. You're useless. Get lost!

That's way too expensive

Add it up again and get it right this time

It is right

4 x 3 is 12. Plus the large jug of wine comes to 16

I'm not paying that much for this swill

Always cheating...

Is there a problem here?

Here are the blades you ordered to skin the ox

Hold on, hold on...

Damn you, monk!

Never start what you can't finish

Can you fix a wheel?

My cart's broken and I need to get it fixed

Money's on the table

Oh, great, thanks

Count it carefully

Come on, hurry, hurry...

Why? What's wrong?

The monk's being beaten up

- Who'd do that? // - There's a whole bunch of them

They're gonna kill him for sure

Wait, what's that?

Teacher? Teacher!

Run!

Ti Dao!

Where are they? Tell me!

Ti Dao!

No, stop it. Stop!

He's one of them!

Tell me where they are?!

If you kill him, you're as bad as them

So what?

Are you crazy?

We must avenge him!

Revenge?

We have work to do

Ti Dao

Where'd those bastards go?

Tell me where they are!

We won't forget this

My brothers will get revenge!

You know we make blades

You can't get away with murder!

We'll come for you tonight

They'll pay for their crimes

Meet me at the cliff tonight...

Or you're all cowards!

By the cliff tonight!

Calm down!

Be there!

We make the sabres

We're not responsible for how they're used

Our business must remain neutral in such quarrels

Ti Dao and Ding On have changed

They don't talk to me anymore

Ti Dao just stares at that wine ball

While Ding On stares at the window

They weren't like this before

I began to think there would be a battle after all

But would it be over me?

Who cares

As long as the winner is mine...

...I'll be happy

I hate those damn hunters

Ti Dao, today they die!

You're right. If we do nothing...

...they won't stop

What's this?

There's work to do

Why are you dressed for battle?

There's hunters in town

They're making trouble. We must stop them

How?

You plan to kill them all?

Scare them off

Scare them off?

Did you come here to learn a craft or to fight?

Well?

Why are you looking at him?

Louder!

Thank you!

Louder!

Thank you!

I have to... I have to do it

You won't act

How heroic!

Master, he just wants to help

Get back!

Insolent! Kneel down. Kneel down!

He was a Buddhist!

Don't you even care?

The man was a monk

Did Buddha tell you to kill?

I have a reputation. My name has value

I won't let you ruin that

If you do, our business is finished

Say it!

Master, if only you'd seen what they did to that monk...

Shut up!

You wanna be punished too?

Say it!

Just say it!

Two days later, the factory had its ceremonial day

A day that would bring many changes

From that day on...

I began to understand the codes of their "demi monde"

And it's a bloody world

Listen, if you behave today...

I'll get you some flowers

And put them in a lovely vase

I won't do what you say

I'm not a child

I decided then

If I could, I would kill them both

Of course I couldn't

Today is our Annual Celebration of the Sword

This broken blade has brought us 20 years of peace

Because its traumatic history...

...encourages us all...

...to be moral

Now I'm old. But making sabres is young man's work

For my successor, I've chosen one of you

Ding On

He has been with me from the beginning

And now I leave the factory in his charge

Master!

Master, I'm not ready. I wouldn't know what to do

You understand enough. More than the others

That's why I've chosen you

My decision is final

From now on, his voice will speak for me

And I expect you to obey him

No discussion

Ready your armour for the battle with the hunters

We're on our own

There's no future for cowards

Go cry on Ding On's shoulder

He's the boss now?

So what? I won't take his orders

Let them fire me

If he becomes boss, we should all quit

Yeah, let's see how he runs the factory then

He can't even make a good blade

What about Ling? Who's gonna get her?

The new 'master'? He's not man enough

We'd show her a better time!

Hey, save your strength. You'll need it

Come on, get ready

You afraid?

What? I'm afraid the master will disown us

Just put your armour on

Do it or I'll break your teeth

I feel sorry for the new master, his succession was poorly handled

They will hate him

Your father didn't think it through

He should never have done it like this

Ding's father died so brutally

Even if your father feels indebted, this is not right

Indebted?

I've heard stories about his death

What happened?

He was hung and skinned alive

It was a gruesome death

Horrible

I promised not to tell. I shouldn't have said anything

Please don't cry

I knew... I knew...

Then came a black shadow

I knew it was Ding On

And I saw the pain on his face

In that darkness...

The nightmare the elders had tried to bury...

...was brought back to earth

Alive

I tried to run

But his eyes wouldn't let me go

I'd never seen him like that

I don't know anything. I swear I don't

What was his name?

I don't know

Tell me

I overheard something a long time ago

But I can't remember it

I swear

I want my name

My father's name? Tell me!

I... I think it's "Lai"

But they call called him "Fast Sword"

Yet...

...his blade weighed 100lbs

And how did he die?

Papa thinks you'll want revenge, so he kept it secret

How did he die?!

He was killed by a demon

A savage phantom

He could fly

His body covered in terrifying tattoos

But... it was long ago

When they lived far from here

Some bandits pillaged their town

Your family was slaughtered

So your father went to find the murderers...

...with you on his back

The broken blade...

...was your father's

Master - my father's killer is here

Falcon?

You're too slow! Come on - faster! Faster! Faster!

Falcon!

So that's his name

He flies

Tattooed

They call him Falcon

Now I know

Tell me

What do you want?

Master...

...is it Lai?

Is that my family name?

Who told you that?

I need to know. I have to

I can't tell you

I made a promise to your father

I swore I would never reveal his killer's identity

Fine

I respect your promise

But please, I must know. Who was my father?

Did he deserve to die?

Save my son!

Did he deserve to die?

No

Was he a good man?

Yes

Master

You raised me

I thank you

I want you to have this amulet

It will bring you peace

For you

Hurry! Hurry!

Come on!

Ding On!

Where are you?

A bird flew in our cage. Here she is...

Siu Ling!

Hey - here's a pig!

Give me back the girl

Siu Ling!

Siu Ling!

Siu Ling?

Siu Ling...

It's alright

It's alright

We're going home

Ding On, they're coming, let's run!

We have to go!

Siu Ling!

You're dead now!

Any money in it?

Leave my father's sword!

Over here

Over here

Give it back

Give it back to me

Give it back!

Over there

Ding On fell down there?

Go down and look

It's too deep

TI Dao! Ti Dao!

I'm over here!

Ding On is hurt

You must find him

Quickly!

Forget about me. You have to save him

Leave me here

Are you listening?

Ding On will die out there

Hurry!

The terrain there was heavily wooded

They couldn't start a search until daybreak

But after two days, they still hadn't found his body

Some said he was eaten by wolves

Others felt sure he was still alive

They found his arm and bought it back

They put it with his father's shrine

Ding On is that you?

Ding On?

I pictured him coming through the door

They said it was his spirit

Sifted through my mind

We have to pray

Come on

Let's pray together

"Ding On"

...the name means serenity and quiet

But my father and the factory...

...were not at peace

My arm!

My arm!

Where's my arm?!

Where's my arm?

Father...

Now I've lost my arm...

I can't avenge you

I'm no good to you now...

I'll build a new life here

Sorry

Your blade...

...take it back

One-arm, wake up

They're calling you

You need to work harder

Hurry up, faster...

Falcon!

Is that the man they say can fly?

Cripple!

Don't touch me!

Get lost!

He was a thick-headed pig

He trampled on all the poles

So we cut his head off...

And stuck it on a pole

But it bent the wood!

Fuck him

He's dead now

You're not entitled to a living

You've got to take risks

But at least you don't slave all day

For low pay? Is that what life's worth?

You gotta take opportunities where you find them

Only the fast survive, right?

You snooze, you lose

Where's the value in struggle?

Right?

Hey lazy one-arm!

What're you doing here?

The boss is calling you

Go on!

Put it down

Pigs' heads come off easily!

Ling, get up!

Shut up!

On your feet!

Locked away

What would Ding On think?

You look like a ghost

Go outside

You think he's still alive?

Do something

I'll help you look

The state of you

Get dressed. Let's go!

Wake up

Melon

Hey, I nearly caught a rabbit

With that old thing?

I use it every day. You never noticed before

I could've used your sword...

...but you went and buried it

So what else is there?

Your stupid questions

Did you get paid?

These precision blades are from the sword-makers

Ling Fung factory?

They're the best there is

Do they really come from Ling Fung?

See this?

The stamp proves it's authentic

Which Ling Fung?

There's only one. The famous one

You kidding me?

That'll do, you got a good bargain...

Even if you don't know it

Lots of things have changed since childhood

The marketplace

The people

The demi-monde...

This is where I heard those stories

In that moment, I understood

My desired fight between Ding On and Ti Dao...

...would not be about me

I was afraid of her

She didn't know me

But her eyes seemed to see into me

I don't understand these people...

They act happy

But they should be miserable

They were living a wretched life

Are they really happy?

Maybe so

What do they know I don't?

Why are you staring at me?

Just get out

Get out!

Take this knife

You might need it

Get some sleep

I'll go

Don't worry

I'll keep watch outside

You'll be safe

I'll leave it here

We'll eat later

Everyone gets a blade

It was my turn

Suddenly I hated everyone

I hated Ti Dao

I hated Ding On

Most of all, I hated myself...

...for being nothing

I felt so alone

I couldn't go downstairs to be with them

It felt like they were playing a game

An animalistic game

That I could play no part in

I've been looking for you

Drink

Shut up!

Throwing wine at me?

Don't ever do that again!

Lick it off!

Every drop

I don't recognise you

You new here?

That's right

Master's found a new ho. Watch...

You want a drink?

No, I'm not stopping

Turning me down...

...I lose face

I don't appreciate that

Learn to drink alone

Get ready

My turn

Go!

What did you do?

Go!

Why are they chasing us?

What did you do?

Stay here. I'll make sure we're safe...

Keep quiet or I'm walking

You said he was your best bounty hunter

Look at him now

This man...

...wanted to stop us...

...from getting rich

Give us everything you have

Otherwise...

Now you're sewing!

See if there's any food left

Where's the left-over rice?

Ding On! Ding On!

I found a book in the ashes

Read it to me

Maybe it says something about my parents

Or where I came from

You can read. Read it to me

Are these pictures of my parents?

It's a martial arts manual

Half burnt

It must say something about me!

It's not about you

Just kung fu

It can't be

It was in my house

It must mention me somewhere

It's all I've got left of my parents

Please read it to me

Let go!

Give it back to me then

I'll read it myself

It's alright for you...

You know who your parents were and that they named you Ding On

That's not true...

I'm just like you, I don't know my past

Give it back

I have to know what it says in there

Even my stupid pigs have given names

But I'm a nobody

Why can't I have a name? I can't stand it

The book may be useful

I'll look after it

I just want to know who I am...

How much is this one?

Very expensive

These swords are very popular

So, prices go up

200 taels

Can you afford it?

I don't have it, but can I trade with medicinal herbs?

Stop wasting my time

Damn cripple

Don't make trouble - just go

Go on

You only have one arm

You can't use a sword

Go on, get moving

Don't come back

This broken blade has brought us 20 years of peace

Because its traumatic history…

…encourages us all…

…to be virtuous

Where's the other half?

How can I learn?

What do you want?

Why are you doing this?

What good is a sword to you?

We can't defend ourselves

We just have to hide

Otherwise it will never end

If a cat catches a mouse, do you think it's unfair?

If a man steps on an ant, should you punish him?

You can't change the order of things

You can't win against them

They will kill you. You're no match for them

I don't want you to die

You'll never beat them

Ti Dao...

What have you done?

She doesn't understand

I saved her

She's frightened

You "saved" her? Why tie her up?

Let her go!

Not yet

Untie her!

I can't

She'll run

She's "wanted"

It's safe here

Don't worry

She'll calm down

It's okay...

Better clean her

She's bloody

My knife

Where is it?

Is this what you "saved" her for?

Never mind

Don't you get it?

All men are the same

He'll treat you this way too

I won't

I'm not like that

Then why'd you do it to her?

I love her

You love her?

Love her?

All men say that

Let's run away

I can't. I'm searching for someone

Who are you looking for?

Why bother?

Even if you find him, he'll treat you the same way

No

No!

Ding On isn't like that

He'll never treat me like that. I must find him

I have to go!

Leave me alone

Get off me!

I don't need your help

Let me go!

Go away! Go away!

I'm going

Calm down

I'll find him

The most important thing in life...

...is to know who you love

And not to let others...

...make that choice for you

Blackie...

Hide quickly

Leave him to me!

Damn cripple

Time to die

Master, I'll do it...

Not afraid?

Come back - I'll kill you

Where is he - Don't go

He's possessed!

Kill the both of them!

Burn the house!

Burn the house!

Burn it!

Burn it!

Burn the evil!

Not my house!

Not my food! Not my things!

I'll kill you first - you filthy scumbag!

Falcon

Is it true?

Can you fly like they say?

Which pigs do you want me to kill?

How many? Out with it

A blade factory to the west of town

The boss used to be a good fighter once

He has some men too

Go there

Kill them all

The boss...

...a fighter?

You can't do it on your own

Well, then...

There's a price to pay

I've always been unfair

And my brothers like to earn money

What's in those two boxes....

...won't be enough

So...?

Wanna see who's fastest?

What about the one-armed swordsman?

A one-armed pig too?

That's something else

I can't afford to hire you

Listen!

I don't like playing games!

If you don't have the cash, fuck off!

Stop staring

Falcon...

I'll work with you

But when I can...

I'll kill you

There's our hero

Blade on show

Wherever he goes

Blood will flow

With only one hand

His skill is great

He sends his foes

To meet their final fate

Get back!

Master!

That's my ancestral home

What kind of hotel is this?

I can't see a thing

I admit it's not a high-class hotel

But at least it was free

At least the darkness means...

I don't have to stare at pigs

Hey Mr Pig

You're so fat, count each day as a blessing

Your time will come

Light! Light!

I stole a candle

Look, light

What are you doing?

Thinking

Have you been in love?

Good or bad...

They're all the same

You always miss them when they're gone

Something will remind you of him

Good men can act bad

Bad men good

So really...

It's all the same

I don't think like that

The one you seek...

Is it love?

I used to love him

But now... I can't tell the difference...

...between love and hate

I put it here... where is it?

Is this it?

Oh, I can't have lost it

No, I'm sure I put it in here

I stole that so we could see in here

I can't see in the dark

Get another

You can't trust men

How did you do that?

Don't trust women either

Wait here...

What's all that noise?

Go to hell!

Come on...

Quick, hurry up

Stay back

A sword...

Give me...

A woman

Who is she?

She's no bandit

Why did you want to kill us?

It's you

I remember you

You're no villain

What are you doing here?

There's a girl upstairs

Rescue her

I'll go look...

Stop!

Get back inside, quickly

Are you the one-armed killer?

Is that you, Ding On?

Is that you, Ding On?

Silence! Shut up!

Ding On!

Are you Ding On?

Are you Ding On?

I know you're Ding On

Take your mask off

Take it off!

Who is she anyway?

Who is she?

Why knock her out?

Siu Ling!

Hold her

Blackie, let's go

Take this

You saved them, why run away?

I've been looking everywhere for you two

Master!

Ding On!

He's here?

He's alive

I saw him

They're calling you

Why are you avoiding them?

When evil is done

The fates will punish

Theirs is the only true power

When a blade is held

It is always used

In peacetime, everything is fine

But now bandits are in town

Our men will end up tempting fate

Boss!

Open the gate!

Boss

Please open up

Who's there?

It's Uncle Wah

It's Uncle Wah!

The town is full of bandits

We have nowhere else to go

Please open the gate

Seems fine

Hey!

Master?

Check them for weapons

Open the door

What's going on?

Why is he so pale?

He was wounded by bandits

True, he might die

Don't move!

I don't know these men

No weapons. Open the gate

Open up

Don't open yet, it could be a trick

Master, there are no weapons, he checked

Let's help them out

We outnumber them anyway

It'll be okay...

Open up!

Open it

Ti Dao

Watch them, I'll go down

Yes, Master

Come on, come on, hurry

Hey, Uncle Wah

Where are you going?

Bandits!

Close it!

Close it!

Bandits!

Hurry - close the gate

Get Siu Ling out of here

We have to leave

Right now!

Let's go Auntie Ma, let's go

It's dangerous here

Watch the gate

Ti Dao, watch the gate. Hurry. Go

Falcon

I've killed a lot of pigs

I'm surprised any pig that survived would live here

I get why the long hair was so afraid

But don't worry

I've defeated this loser before

Slaughtering pigs... it's easy

Do you want to stay and watch?

Or go lick your wounds?

Stop talking. Just kill them

I kill swine for money

And today you are pigs

Wait

Hey, Ti Dao!

Don't be a hero. He's too strong

We'll die anyway

I'd rather fight

It's not your fight. Stay back

Let them go. This is between us

You and me

Sure

I'll let them go

If you cut off your arm

Then we'll talk

Just an arm? After all I paid you

I want them all dead

Come on

Why wait?

Go on

Scared?

Master!

Don't!

Ti Dao!

Faster! Faster! You're too slow!

Use your sword. Faster! Faster!

Finish him

Master - a blade...

Get back

Siu Ling

Papa?

Dad!

Are you alright?

Why did you come back here?

Auntie Ma is in a safe place

Why didn't you stay with her?

What are you pointing at?

Ding On

Come on. Let's go

Are you the one they call Falcon?

My father...

...was killed by you!

Ding On, let go of the past

Just walk away!

I can't

I came here to stop wandering like a ghost

By avenging my father

Who was he?

Answer me

If you mean "Fast Sword in the River at Noon"

Then you're a "Lai"

So the man I skinned like a dog years ago...

...was your father?

Doesn't he know his ancestry?

Oh, then allow me...

His name was Lai Bat-fui

Bat-fui?

Good

Now I can take revenge

Don't do it, hold back

Then suddenly...

...it was clear to me

In the demi-monde, there is a code

If you break it, you will pay

If not to this generation, then the next

If I'm the only one who escapes today...

...then I too will have a debt to collect

You're a cripple

You can't always be lucky

And today...

I'm taking your luck away

You're just too slow

Some swords are faster

I'll take you all, you dirty pigs

Papa

Siu Ling

Ding On and Ti Dao had come back to me at last

Now I knew why papa had hidden the truth

And why we always had to move from place to place

A game of trades...

...had begun long ago

From one generation to the next

For as long as time

Never ending

Ding On left

Ti Dao too

Why did they come? Why did they leave?

Why are we here at all?

Why?

I never looked for them

Every so often...

...they'd come to see me

Ding On!

I knew you'd come

Each year, the same ritual

It feels like nothing has changed

They are still beautiful

They never stay long

But it doesn't matter

I'm always waiting

Maybe next time...

...they'll stay longer

What is the demi-monde?

I'm still not sure

But I don't care

I'm just waiting for the one I love most