Original subtitles

TEMPLE OF THE GOD OF CHIVALRY

BIRTHDAY OF THE GOD OF CHIVALRY

Ceremonial host — please step forward to offer joss sticks.

Wait.

Today we celebrate the God of Chivalry.

Every martial arts school will be paying its respects.

A host of high esteem should be conducting this ceremony.

Should we be allowing a junior like this to host?

Master Wu, the ceremony is hosted by Lin Zan-tian's school every year.

Why?

Master Lin is next in the Shaolin line of succession and is widely respected.

I have heard of him. But he can't be this young?

Master Lin is in the village recovering from an illness — this is his student.

His name is Master Cheung.

If Master Lin were here, I would not question this. But he isn't.

So this matter must be discussed.

Do you suggest that your Manchurian School should host the ceremony?

That could be a possibility.

You are joking. The God of Chivalry is Han. Why would we let you Manchurians host?

The court respects the God of Chivalry and it makes no distinction between Han and Qing.

Why can't the Manchurians do it?

This is nonsense!

Master Wu, you have pointed out that the court respects the God of Chivalry.

With that in mind, can we respect tradition and celebrate his birth without trouble?

Offer the joss sticks!

Who is this?

He is one of Master Lin's students. His name is Master Law.

Another pupil from Lin's school?

Is today's entire ceremony being conducted by the Shaolin?

As per tradition, he who leads the ceremony should perform with the sword.

Given your protestations, let's have Master Law perform.

Afterwards, we will invite a representative from the Manchurian school to perform.

Then we can appreciate the skills of both schools.

But this is not tradition.

Master Cheung, what do you think?

Alright.

Take the weapon.

Brother Law, give him the blade.

He should be ashamed of his technique.

How dare you look down on us?

How dare you resort to violence during this sacred ceremony?

Brother Law is gravely injured. I fear he can't be saved.

He's dead!

Attack!

Let's go.

Hand over the murderer!

You are making trouble! Are you rebels?

Our people have been murdered! Why are you blaming us?

All we want is for the murderer to be handed over to us.

It is difficult to pick out a murderer in a gang fight.

Sir, please look closely. None of us are carrying weapons.

Our brother has been eviscerated. The weapon is still here in the room.

This is not a gang fight.

This is a gang fight.

We won't arrest you this time,

but keep causing trouble and see what happens.

The authorities have been monitoring your Shaolin school very closely.

Wu Chung-ping to see the General.

I ordered you to establish a new martial arts school.

Are you making progress in your mission to eliminate the Shaolin rebels?

General, the Guangdong people are tough.

Those who practise martial arts are particularly strong.

Nonsense!

Yes, our school has recruited many pupils and we are growing in number.

You shouldn't speak so optimistically.

I hear that there are Shaolin rebels in your town.

General, they are no threat.

Are you hiding things from me?

- I wouldn't dare! - Shaolin rebels always look for trouble.

The court has decreed several times that they are to be suppressed.

Yet, you and your men start a fight at the festival and are defeated.

You have disgraced us. How should you be punished?

Have mercy, General!

General, he is guilty but loyal. Let him make it up to us.

I will spare you this time. Get up!

- Wu Chung-ping. - I await your instructions.

You boast about your kung fu skills, but I see no evidence of them.

I'm sorry, I am useless.

I knew that you alone would not be able to dispose of these rebels.

Master He Lian is a kung fu expert. He has assisted me for many years.

He is my confidante.

I instructed him to travel over the border and invite his two pupils to join us.

They are both highly skilled martial arts heroes.

This is Ba Gang.

This is Yu Bi.

Don't let their youth fool you. No weapons can harm them.

You will see what I mean when they purge these Shaolin dissidents.

Right.

These two men are our master's favourite pupils.

You should get to know each other.

Yes.

Who leads the Shaolin school?

Lin Zan-tian.

But he is old and sick. He lives in the village as a hermit.

These rival martial arts schools are a threat to the court.

These three men will help you to take on the Shaolin school and annihilate them.

Yes, with these three masters we will be invincible.

Father, you must have a lot on your mind. You have been sitting here for a long time.

You should look after your health.

I'm old, don't worry about me.

My only fear is that, under Manchurian reign, the court will treat the Shaolin as a threat.

I fear for the future.

Father, all of your pupils are brave and strong combatants.

Yes, but it is because they are young and courageous that I am even more worried.

Father, you had better rest inside.

Uncle Lin, sister Zhen Xiu is bullying me!

Zhen Xiu, look at you.

If you keep running your mouth, I will have to teach you a lesson!

And if you keep being mean, I'II warn Bao-rong about you.

Is he here?

I saw Bao-rong boarding a boat. I came to tell her with good intentions.

But she beat me up instead!

Ah Wai, you...!

See if you can run from me!

Why are you so reckless?

Are you blind?

Watch where you're going, do you understand?

Miss, you bumped into me! This isn't my fault.

Who are you calling "Miss"?

Open your eyes and look at me.

Brother, wait for me!

So, you are Uncle Lin's pupil? I'll tell him to punish you.

The Manchu school is always causing trouble for us.

They are betting on Qing support to do whatever they like to us.

Are we going to let Brother Law die in vain, murdered by them during a sacred festival?

Our homeland has been torn apart.

We Shaolin boxers and our ancestors, men like Fang Shih-yu and Hu Huei-chen,

have died many heroic deaths.

Why did you start trouble over something so petty?

If you had just let them lead the ceremony,

none of this would have happened!

We will do as you say in future.

You have insulted them in public. They will not let this go.

You must now be on your guard at all times.

LIN'S MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

I said I wasn't going to go, but you forced me to.

Stop that nonsense. What did our teacher say?

He scolded me and told us to be restrained and patient.

We are to upload our morals and recruit new students.

Otherwise, we wait for the right opportunity to overthrow the Qings.

Brother, heed our teacher's words.

Did you tell him that they came to the ceremony looking for trouble?

That they killed Brother Law?

Yes but he said we should not have challenged them to host the ceremony or fought with them.

He says that they are sure to find us and cause more trouble.

SHAOLIN LINE OF SUCCESSION

Relax! It's even better if they come back for us.

We'll have a chance to avenge Brother Law.

Our seniors Fang Shih-yu and Hung Hsi-kuan wouldn't hide.

They would strike back at our enemies!

Our teacher must have his reasons. We should listen to him.

What else did our teacher say?

Li Yao told you everything.

He says nothing until you poke him. What a waste of time.

MANCHU MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Assemble everyone at the school tomorrow.

Yes.

If you can get him interested in you, I'll pay you ten taels of silver.

ReaHy?

You will lose. Yu Lin is famous for her ability to charm people.

You want to win the silver, right?

Yes.

Come.

See? You have lost.

Don't be impatient. Just watch.

Master He, these two masters have practised kung fu since childhood.

Doesn't this go against their training?

Just wait and see.

Well? Did you beat me?

- This Master Ba, he... - What about him?

What happened?

Master Wu, our brother has learned the Steel Armour technique.

And his armour covers everything.

That's impressive.

I heard that the priest Pai Mei from Er Mei knew such kung fu.

You had better come with me. I have another kind of skill.

MANCHU MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Masters, please.

LIN'S MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Wu.

Where did you find these men?

At least you're thick-skinned, that's one good thing about you.

Li Yao, come back.

This guy is too sensitive.

Who will come forward and fight?

- And you are...? - Never mind that.

Nameless upstarts are not eligible to fight.

Wang Jing-he.

Fine. Strike me with three blows. Then I will return those three blows.

- I don't want to take advantage of you. - I don't think you can.

Follow me outside.

Brother, be careful!

Brother Wang!

Watch this.

He hit me with his three blows. I haven't even retaliated.

What are you even doing out here?

Does a Shaolin disciple need back up when he competes?

Come on, then.

I will die standing.

Step down!

It seems Shaolin king fu is nothing. Your pupil folds like a paper doll.

It only took three blows to end this fight.

Your Qi Gong is not bad.

Don't think you will take turns trying to tire him — I'II handle you instead.

Attack!

Go.

Brother, we must talk to our teacher.

Strange, they have disappeared.

They must have gone that way. Let's go!

Master.

We didn't want to start trouble. They brought their men here.

Master, our brothers died a cruel death.

You met two true masters.

Follow me.

Hey!

Master.

One of them practises Steel Armour and the other practises Qi Gong.

Both have reached the apex of their art.

- So they are invincible? - There's no such thing.

There's always someone stronger.

Steel Armour makes the muscles tough as a log and impervious to physical attack.

But the groin remains vulnerable.

Rolling Eagle Claw!

Qi Gong can dissipate the power of physical blows.

At its most powerful, it can reflect the force of a blow

and injure the one who threw the punch instead.

However, it cannot reflect an attack with an open hand.

We could use Eagle Claw!

This used to be the Shaolin style, but it is not my area of expertise.

Besides, I am old and sick, my energy is weak.

With the foundational training I have given you, with the right teacher,

you could win a fight with them in about three months.

Teacher, Brother Chen and me...

You must find the King of Eagle Claw.

His Eagle Claw style is at the highest level.

He could teach you both Eagle Claw and Rolling Eagle Claw.

You could ask for his mentorship.

He has been a recluse for many years, but he could help you in this matter.

Stand up.

Your teacher is useless.

How many years have you spent training with him?

- Seven years. - Eight years.

Seven years, eight years?

Your kung fu should be far more advanced.

I want to test you.

Be careful.

Your teacher must want you to learn this kick.

What a speedy kick!

Right.

You must coordinate the kick with your body movement.

Then, even if your opponent knows that it is coming, he still can't escape.

Careful.

Sir, I want to learn the Eagle Claw.

Do you have the patience?

Yes.

There are carp in this river that only taste good if caught by hand. I love carp.

Catch fifty a day for me and don't come back to me until you have done so.

I am not afraid of you!

Why did you douse me with water?

You deserve it, you splashed me first!

I have nothing to say to a kid like you.

Who says I'm a "kid"?

The only thing you seem to enjoy is making fun of other people.

Look at you all! You do nothing but pull a long face all day.

You're not going to hurt your enemies with a long face.

I have nothing to say to you, "kid."

Don't stop!

What a coward! How dare he not come after me.

He practises all day and ignores me.

Ah Wai.

Who are you talking to?

Who are you calling "coward"?

The one who practises all day and ignores you?

No! I won't be lazy.

Exactly fifty, all caught today.

Sir, now you will teach me the Eagle Claw, right?

I have been doing this every day for a month.

Let me look at your hands.

From tomorrow onwards, you will go and chop trees in the forest.

I want a branch as wide as the diameter of a bowl.

Each should be three feet long. And I want a total of fifty.

Chopping down trees?

Yes.

My brother and I came here to learn from you.

He practises kung fu every day while I am out catching fish.

And now you want me to chop down trees?

You can leave.

These fish are very nice.

Brother He.

Do you know how Brother Mai is progressing?

Talking to you is no better than talking to a rock.

Li Yao, I thought you weren't afraid of anything?

Why do you look so scared whenever you see Ah Wai?

Don't worry about it. I'm going to practise.

Ifl dared to be as idle as she is, she would be scared when she saw me too.

Asking for forgiveness?

Ah Wai, I thought we had agreed that you two wouldn't argue again.

So why are you arguing?

She agrees not to argue with me?

Ah Wai.

You had better keep your mouth shut.

No more tricks, I hope.

Look, all those trees have been chopped today.

- Fifty altogether. No more, no less. - I don't want any bark on them.

Fine, let me slice them slowly.

No need.

No need? You want me to do it with my hands?

That's right.

Senior, I understand.

Should we go back to see our teacher?

We ought to go to the Qing school first and scope it out.

Then we'll return to our teacher and discuss our tactics.

Good.

If the General knew that you have destroyed over ten martial arts schools

in just a few short months, he would be very pleased with you.

Did the General give you any further instructions?

He asked us to be mindful of letting anyone escape.

He said that there will be further trouble if we don't kill them all.

With the three of you on his side, what could he possibly fear?

Teacher, we have caught four of Lin Zan-tian's students.

Bring them in!

Yes!

Go!

What are you doing?

Move!

Men from the Qing school have caught four of Master Lin's students.

The Qing men have captured four of our brothers.

Let's go and rescue them.

You were told to practise every day here at our school.

So why haven't you come?!

- We are Hans! - How dare you talk like that!

Who else isn't convinced?

Stop!

I see that some runaways have come here looking for their death.

There's quite the audience here.

This is a good opportunity for our adepts to show off their skills.

Eagle Claw! Yu Bi, watch out!

Ba Gang!

From now on, whoever dares to stand against us will die.

These people are not convinced.

We can't let them go.

They will go and report back to their people.

This time, we need to wipe them out for good.

Hurry up. Follow them.

Yes.

Report to the authorities and then hang these bodies

outside of Lan Zan-tian's martial arts school.

TWO SHAOLIN DISCIPLES WHO DARED TO CAUSE TROUBLE AT THE QING SCHOOL

What's going on?

Hurry, come outside!

What's happening?

It's Brother Ho and Brother Mai.

I led them to their deaths.

Téachen

Brother Ho kicked Ba Gang's groin. Why didn't it hurt him?

I didn't expect him to have mastered Steel Armour to the level of Pai Mei.

This means he is able to protect even his groin from attack.

Teacher, brother Mai's Eagle Claw should have overpowered Qi Gong, too.

But Yu Bi was prepared and Brother Mai couldn't defeat him.

Teacher, what are we going to do next?

You must rest first.

Li Yao, Chen Bao-rong. Come here.

Teacher says that Master Liang has a very bad temper.

You have to be patient.

You wanted to learn Wing Chun kung fu, but I'm afraid that this might be too hard.

Let's go.

Where has Li Yao gone?

He has gone to study under a famous teacher.

Let's go and tell father!

Father!

Those Qing dogs are here. Go, quickly.

Teacher, we will not leave you.

Father, what can we do?

There is no other choice. Do you really refuse to leave?

Teacher, please instruct us.

Go! Let the Qing clogs know that Shaolin disciples would rather die than yield.

Father!

Leave through the back entrance while the four of them fight.

Father?

Do as I say.

Tell Bao-rong to remember this hatred.

Quick, get Ah Wai out of here.

Uncle Lin!

- You old fool. You had better surrender. - Shaolin disciples never yield.

Ba Gang's Steel Armour kung fu has reached the same level as priest Pai Mei.

Back then, our Shaolin disciples annihilated that traitor

through the efforts of Hung Wan-ding and Wu Ah-biu.

Priest Pai Mei could only be killed by using the Tiger and Crane Fist together.

Li Yao, you must train hard, or you will fail.

Are you determined?

Bao-rong, show me your skills.

With these skills, you can 't possibly hope to take Yu Bi by suprise.

You will be making the same mistake as Mai Han.

You could only take him by surprise at close range.

Wing Chun teaches the power of close-range combat — it is another branch of Shaolin.

It originated with the Great Master Wu Mei.

You must be able to release your power within an inch of your opponent.

Otherwise, you will die in vain.

Get lost!

You want to learn the Tiger and Crane Fist?

Master Liang, please listen to me.

Are you leaving or not?

Li Yao, the only one who could teach you the Tiger and Crane Fist is Master Liang.

He is unwelcoming — you will have to suffer him and beg him to teach you.

Master Liang.

Are you still here?

I have read your teacher's letter.

It is a huge change for you to go from using the wide stances of Hung Ga

to unleashing your power in short punches.

I am a man of few words.

If you don't think you can do this, thenleave.

I will work hard!

Master, good morning.

Teacher, I have trained for a month.

You have just been watching me practise to try and learn my techniques.

Forget it.

TAI YU RESTAU RANT

That way, please.

How did you get on? Did you find anything out?

Lin Zan-tian Martial Arts School has already been destroyed by the Qing school.

What about Lin Zan-tian?

It took me a lot of effort to find Master Lin's daughter.

Master Lin is dead.

Thank you for showing me the way.

Haven't you had enough of spending your nights out here in the open?

Thank you, teacher!

What did teacher Lin say to you when he sent you here?

That you are considerate and warm-hearted.

And you are the only one to whom Hong Zhi-guan taught the Tiger and Crane Fist.

Only you could teach it to me.

Since the opponent's Steel Armour kung fu has reached the same level as priest Pai Mei,

you must know that it is now only his eyes that are vulnerable.

If you use the Crane style to attack his eyes,

how will he defend himself?

My teacher told me that after I have learned the Tiger and Crane Fist,

I should only fight with the Tiger Fist and not reveal my knowledge of the Crane style

until I get the opportunity to strike successfully.

You should know that even if you know the Tiger and Crane Fist,

if you fail to attack successfully with the Crane style,

your opponent will then be on guard and you may still die at his hands.

I know.

I can teach you, but it is you who must defeat your opponent.

Yes.

Bao-rong, I have been here for a long time, but I did not want to distract you.

I agreed with your master that I would not see you yet.

Why aren't you practising?

I have failed. I'm going to tell my teacher that I'm quitting.

My father can't hear you anymore.

When you left, a gang came...

What are you doing?

Teacher, I always feel there are people watching me.

Nonsense. Get up.

I did it!

Still a long way to go.

How many inches left?

Five inches.

You can only defeat your enemy within two inches of him.

I will practise.

I wonder how Li Yao is progressing.

He's smarter than I am, he must be far ahead of me.

Ah Wai is looking for him too, but I told her not to.

I'm afraid that he will be distracted by her.

Ah Wai, if you keep peeping from outside, sooner or later he's going to find out.

I have a way to deal with that.

Did he suspect that the food I sent came from me?

Yes, he stopped and considered each mouthful.

I wonder what he was thinking about.

Master Liang, don't be too harsh on him.

Stop talking nonsense.

Master.

When did you get here?

When you were still living outside of Master Liang's house.

That was a hard month.

But I established a good foundation by watching Master Liang practise.

You are shameless.

You looked pitiful when you were scolded by the master.

Be careful or he'll scold you for peeping over the wall.

Don't worry.

Master Liang is very kind to me. He won't scold me.

How's Master Lin? What about Sister Zhen Xiu?

Are they not worried about you?

Sister Zhen Xiu went to look for Brother Bao-rong.

What about Master Lin?

Someone came to the Lin school shortly after you left.

Master Lin...

- You...? - I have to practise, stop distracting me.

What's going on? Say something.

Even you have nothing to say.

What more can we add?

Master Liang said that he could only teach me kung fu.

Whether I can defeat Ba Gang depends on me and me alone.

You are leaving early tomorrow morning.

You have to eat something.

SHAOLIN LINE OF SUCCESSION

We must rebuild the school and the reputation of Shaolin.

Master, please bless us and help us take revenge on the Qing clogs.

MANCHU MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

Who is it?

Hurry! Go!