Original subtitles

Lu Tien Kang...

You are awaited outside.

Will you go'!

I will.

You've come for a duel.

Why bring along a woman'!

I want her to witness

as to how I'll defeat you and be crowned 'King of Swords.'

It's not too late to pullout.

You are doomed to lose.

That's up to your sword- not your words.

Young man, you don't understand.

The sword knows no emotions...

You should be free of emotions and hindrances

and only focus on your enemy.

But as she is in your heart...

...you're most likely to lose.

You can still retreat now!

Silence! Draw your sword!

The duel begins.

brought to You by falang01

Can't you get rid of your hat'!

Over my dead body.

The outcome is determined, go.

Chief Instructor Lu is indeed 'King of Swords'!

Bury the young man with due respects.

Award Lu 500 taels of gold

and 200 rolls of silk.

With a celebration feast tomorrow...

Old sir, what are you doing'!

You see,

the young man who just died?

I am engraving his name.

He's already dead, why bother?

He was a good swordsman

but would be soon forgotten.

Indeed very soon...

I want him remembered.

Is there no one who can defeat Lu'!

Not up to now...

Maybe in the future.

I don't know if I'll live to see that day...

I'm sure you will! I will defeat him!

You'! You'll have to train for 10 years...

Maybe even before you see his face...

...you'll die.

I'll be here...

And engrave a name...

...which will be yours.

I'll go today and see

what exactly he looks like.

Stand down!

Can't you see he's just a kid'!

What do you want'!

Your hat always covers your face. You must be hiding something.

I want to see what you look like!

Remember this...

My hat won't be removed by mere hands,

but by a sword.

Maybe when you can face me with a sword

you will already be dead under my sword.

"Stone Bridge Village"

In this Pai Kwa Hall,

many swordsmen have died.

White-faced Chiu, Siu Lu the Magnificent,

the Dynamic Duo, the Green Swordsman...

They have all died here.

You're but a nobody.

Look at your shoes.

You have little experience

and wouldn't know who these swordsmen are.

Our doors are always open.

You have entered here today,

it's not too late to go back now.

If I wanted to re-trace my steps,

I wouldn't have come in the first place.

There are eight of us, who do you want to have a duel with'!

You have no name or credentials...

What makes you worthy to fight with my master?

My worth is my sword!

Monk Loong...

Had you drawn your sword sooner

they would not have died for nothing!

Declare your name

so you'll be remembered after your death.

A corpse contaminates the ground.

I will live and glorify my name!

Lu Tien Kang...

He is closing in on you.

No, Sire,

he still has many hurdles to cross.

He has neither name nor credentials.

And looks like an uncommon swordsman.

No!

He also needs to be cold and unhindered...

...to have a chance to succeed.

But this is difficult for young people.

He stormed the Hall.

Killed Monk Loong.

You should be more cautious.

I never pay attention to a nobody.

But if Sire is concerned...

...I will deal with him seriously.

If I were you I would sit still!

I have awaited you for along time.

I never expected you would attack me.

All is fair in love and war...

All is fair in swordplay.

This is a bathing pool for men.

You dare to enter...

What guts!

There are three kinds of people...

Men, women and dead people.

You don't look like a man to me,

but rather a dead person!

You want me to fight you barehanded'!

First class swordsmanship

by the slightest movement

can be lethal.

You boast you can defeat me.

Don't you possess such skills?

It has been rumored

that the Sword Lady from Lo Yeung is highly skilled.

To die by your sword...

I accept totally.

Tell me your history, and I will

give you the chance to draw your sword.

You're merely one of many swordsmen from Lo Yeung.

You are not worthy to know this.

You son of a...!

Looking at you now,

neither do you look like a woman,

but rather a dead person.

Who's there?

You can evade three of my advances,

but I will not let you off!

And who might you be'!

I am a tenant here

who happened to come and bathe,

little expecting you two would fight!

They tried to ambush me!

Excellent swordsmanship!

I crossed you just now...

I hope you'll forgive me.

Think nothing of it! To venture forth in the world one has to be careful.

You are too kind, old sir. Here's to you!

May I know your name please?

Chiu I at your service...

'Chiu' as in popular surnames,

'l' as in number one.

My name has been selected

to mean there is nothing I can't cure.

--So, you're a doctor'! --At your service.

Within the Sire': residence.

Merely holding a humble position.

Well, you praised my swordsmanship.

Meaning that apart from medical knowledge,

you are an expert in swordplay too.

You flatter me.

I know nothing about swordplay...

It's just that during my practice of medicine

I have encountered many famous swordsmen

and can talk my way through like an expert.

Unfortunately, I haven't even touched a sword.

This means you know of Lu Tien Kang'!

Of course I do.

All who reside in Sire': residence

I have treated at one time or another.

You mean, even Lu'!

Yes.

What's his ailment?

He always covers his face

and never allows anyone to see him.

That's a kind of sickness.

That's mental sickness

which cannot be completely cured.

Young man...

You seem to be very interested in Lu.

Would you be the Nobody without credentials or affinity to any style

who stormed the Pai Kwa Hall

and slaughtered Monk Loong's swordsmen'!

You have missed the Lo Yeung Sword Lady.

Oh, I should have known it was you!

In your awkward situation she had ambushed you...

That conduct is so unbecoming!

All is fair in swordplay.

Lu Tien Kang said something like that once.

What did he say'!

I remember distinctly. He remarked...

Cold steel knows no mercy.

That's what he said'!

Correct!

A swordsman must be amoral and merciless.

Unhindered, or he'll fail.

It has been rumored

you wish to challenge Lu

and be crowned 'King of Swords.'

Such a title to a swordsman...

...is an honorable life-long pursuit.

But of course.

Young people ought to have such an aspiration.

For swordsmen like you,

similar to people like us,

are after many things.

The reality is,

there is a price for everything.

You don't mind me saying this, do you'!

It's quite late...

Old sir, you should rest.

I have some matters to attend to. After you...

Goodbye.

You give me great face.

Allow me to finish with my drink and guest

before you confront me.

You nameless upstart, causing a stir...

Wanting to become 'King of Swords'...

ls there no due respect for the eight of us'!

You're wrong.There are only seven of you left...

...as he is dead!

And I don't want to wipe out the lot of you.

I'll leave you two

to cheer things up a bit.

Be gone!

Boss, boss...

Don't touch him... he is not dead yet.

Here, let me help him.

He is wounded.

Treat him with the 13-mix herbal medicine,

adding rare herbal medicine,

boiling all ingredients together...

Then take two more doses of Zi Jian Dan.

If there are problems let me know.

An insignificant effort unworthy of mentioning.

If I could save a dying man with a needle

I would be happy.

I'd like to know...

When you kill a living person with a sword

does that make you equally happy'!

It's only when I get the title- 'King of Swords'...

Then will I be truly happy.

,

Sire,

someone at the door is demanding a duel with Lu.

What's his name'!

Nameless, sort of...

There has never been a swordsman

who could enter with such ease.

Dare him to storm the gates with his prowess.

Is that so'!

Prostrate yourself...

Those hiding behind the door... come out!

A long-enough sword...

"but flaccid.

Do you think you could win by this'!

That's enough.

Stop!

Come here, young man.

Yes.

The Nameless with no credentials or affinity

pays respects to Sire.

How can I get your name and history?

When I have defeated 'King of Swords' Lu.

You remain nameless even in my presence?

I beg Sire': forgiveness.

A man of principles! Rise.

Unfortunately, Lu is out visiting friends

and is not here.

I can wait for his return.

All right! On his return

you two can arrange a duel

and see who emerges the 'King of Swords.'

My great appreciation, Sire.

Announce to the household to entertain the Nameless Swordsman.

,

You have been following me!

Was it you just now'!

Were you behind all that'!

What are you doing'!

That you be properly entertained.

First thing tomorrow morning Chiu I will accompany you.

What has happened here'!

Nothing really.

Really?

Yes, nothing.

When can we visit your place'!

I'll bet you have many children and grand-children.

I am quite embarrassed actually.

A' my age...

Apart from a pack of needles

I have no possessions.

Not to mention a home.

And I definitely have no family.

Oh really?

I should have a family like everyone else,

but then I don't.

I'll tell you all a funny story today

about a monkey climbing a pole

and changing of guards.

There was this old businessman...

Very rich...

He took a bride...

...beautiful and young.

But as he was a business man

he had to travel a few times a year.

On this particular day he was traveling again,

but he was worried about his young wife

being alone at home.

So he thought of an idea...

He painted a guard on her private region.

His wife was worried about him too.

And so...

She drew a monkey on his private organ.

And the old merchant went off on his trip.

But with time,

the sexual urge increases

such that a man needs a woman.

And carried away during sex,

all is forgotten.

After sex, lo and behold! What did happen?

Only the monkey's bottom remained!

The old man then thought of an idea

and drew a monkey on himself.

This way he could answer to his wife.

On the other hand...

That young wife of his

was tormented by sexual desire.

After flirting around

she hit on her cousin.

And after sexual intercourse...

Oh no, what happened?

The guard was gone!

Now what?!

She also had an idea,

which was to re-draw the guard herself.

Soon after, the old man returned home

and the two so missed each other

that they hopped into bed.

But the wife screamed,

"Oh no, something is wrong...

The monkey should be on the underside.

How come it has climbed to the topside?!"

The old man said, "The monkey knows how to climb a pole

and after climbing

he has gone to the topside."

Having said that he too screamed,

"Something's wrong...

The guard should be on the left.

Why is it now on the right?!"

The young wife said,

"Are you dumb'!

This is the guard post.

Naturally he patrols back and forth.

As such,

he has changed sides."

He is blind

and cannot see.

Yet he is fast.

If it were you,

wouldn't you have done the same'!

I am truly happy...

Haven't I told you before?

People like you and I

rarely leave our worries

and enjoy ourselves.

I'll bring you to a place

which will make you forget everything.

Really?

This is Mei Yuan': Four Sisters.

They seldom entertain clients.

Don't you like any one of them'!

Frolicking with prostitutes requires the right mood.

But I have something else on my mind.

Additionally, for swordsmen like us,

to be as promiscuous as you

would hurt our health.

That's unfounded theory!

We doctors rely on balancing Yin and Yang.

Nonsense!

You are in danger of over-doing it.

Mr.Chiu,

I haven't had the pleasure of knowing his name.

Him'! He is called Nameless.

So he was born from a rock!

Come on friend, leave aside your sword.

Listen to music, drink and be merry.

It is a joy-

Is it'!

Truly.

Siu Chui, Siu Fan...

Come and entertain our guest.

Coming...

Entertain him well.

Come...

Chiu I admires your swordsmanship...

As regards women,

even at my age

I have to see howl measure up.

--Here, let me toast to you. --No... drink up.

I can't drink, no,that's enough...

Old sir, come quickly.

Old sir!

What is it'!

Come, come, move it.

What's the matter?

Follow me.

Where are my pants'!

They're here.

You want to steal?!

You little bastards!

I'll show you I mean business!

Little brother, please wait.

From this alley to the East Gate

it is mostly populated by prostitutes.

The world has degenerated!

Stealing at such a young age!

I'll tear you to pieces!

Where do you want to go'!

The 'Hau Yuan' Shop.

That's a lady's shop.

YOU are a swordsman.

What would you want at such a place'!

I don't know either.

Come. Let's take a look.

Little buster, you still fight and argue!

Despite my age, my eyes are keen!

Granny, why are you scolding people again'!

Who has got to you this time'!

Ouch!

Thank you.

Thank you.

What sort of a world is this!

Holding a lady's hand in broad day-light!

I'll not be a woman in my next life...

...and be touched by you men!

You bunch of bastards!

Stealing from me again, huh?!

She is notorious.

Apart from having meals, she scolds people in her sleep.

Don't bother with her.

Only a beggar and a prostitute would come here...!

Mr.Yien...

Why haven't you gone to Miss Ho's to buy a belt'!

You little punk!

How many belts do you wish to buy'!

You can't use them as toilet paper.Why buy so many'!

Mr. Yien, what would you like to buy'!

Miss Ho, I've come to see you.

Well, I'm just ordinary.

What's there to look at'!

Her name is Ho Lien.

The little beauty of our town.

He accosts her...

He can't even hold her hand.

Old sir,

I wanted to ask you,

can someone rise from the dead'!

Dead is dead.

There is no reason for resurrection.

The way you asked..

Does it mean you have seen the dead resurrected?

I'd sure like to see that.

I'm afraid there is no such thing.

Excuse me...

Sorry, sorry.

Dear all, my apologies.

Dear customers our apologies.

The Eight Swordsmen are meeting in our tavern.

They have booked the whole place.

Please help yourselves...

...and forgive us.

Old sir...

You mean that...

To fully enjoy drinking, one must disregard everything else.

--Come, let's drink... --Thanks.

Please... come inside and sit...

Have a seat.

Haven't the two hunchbacks returned?

Here we are...

...with your wine!

This is good wine, don't waste it!

Come...

Here comes the food!

Dear sirs, I am Nameless.

We don't mind your party.

I am Chiu I.

If anyone has any ailments

I can cure them.

What a good doctor...

Let's see how you can cure us!

Your disease lies in your muscles and bones

and can't be cured instantly.

If the nerve is damaged...

...it could mean being crippled.

You�).!

You dare to be insolent'!

Bullying an old man...

You are hunchbacks.

I'll cure you in the wink of an eye.

You can try if you don't believe.

See how you 'cure' us...

Attack!

What's going on'!

Have you finished?

You have opened my eyes again.

You flatter me;just minor techniques.

What were you doing at the shop today'!

I do not have to disclose that to you.

You should know Ho Lien is mine.

Yours'!

You should tell her that.

Or put up notices around town to that extent.

"She is yours."

Are you interested in her'!

A gentleman doesn't take from others!

You were gone the whole of last night.

Was it because of her'!

Could it be you really like her'!

She wouldn't like you.

She wouldn't fall for someone with a sword.

You measly bastard!

Robbing in broad day-light.

What's the world coming to!

You little bastard!

If you dare to be more furious, I'll gobble you up.

Little rascal...

Mr.Yien...

Miss Ho.

What, you've returned to buy a belt'!

You have bought all our belts.

Why are you suddenly so aloof?

You pay me money, I give you the goods.

When had I promised more'!

What's with this fellow?

He's queer...

Since last night,

he hasn't had anything to eat or drink.

Or gone to the toilet.

Excellent skill!

You may pass for an expert with a theatre troupe.

Still want to cross swords?

Don't push me too far!

Rarely does one admit being beaten.

This way one can learn wisely...

Can seize new opportunities...

If you still do not submit

I can give you another chance.

Had enough?

I'll tell you, Ho Lien is not yours.

I have followed her one full day and night,

so I am taking her with me.

This should wake you up.

Mr. Yien, Mr. Yien...

I have only talked once with you

and you want to take me away'!

Yes, I'll take you away right now.

When I first saw you,

I already gave my whole heart to you.

Why do you force yourself on me'!

Perhaps I'm used to it!

Used to violence?

No, used to depending on my sword.

You've got what you wanted.

You are not serious, are you'!

Why don't you draw your sword'!

A gentlemen will die for a bosom friend.

I am not sure if Miss Ho knows how you feel right now.

Get lost!

I don't want to see you again.

She must be very beautiful.

Otherwise, you wouldn't be this serious.

Thank you, Sire.

I have been standing outside

waiting for Yien to draw his sword.

When the time comes

I'll help him.

In fact, it matters little whether you can win.

Your courage is commendable.

Unfortunately,Yien lacks such prowess.

Announce this...

Henceforth no such swordsmen shall reside here.

Yes!

Come with me.

I have something to talk to you about.

I have seen many swordsmen,

you are number one for being daring.

Sire is too kind.

Actually, daring may not always be good.

The fact that I can talk to Sire here

is attributed to my swordsmanship.

Makes sense.

With your swordsmanship,

I can make you Assistant Chief Instructor.

Are you interested?

The annual pay is 1,000 loads of rice.

But it is 2,000 for a Chief Instructor.

By what you say, you must fight with Lu'!

That's what I have waited for all my life.

Well said, well said!

I like you, so I should advise you...

It may be coincidental...

Still, I must tell you.

Your predecessor who lived here

was a young swordsman like you.

Also nameless?

That's not the key point.

The point is he also sought a duel with Lu.

And Lu was not here again'!

He was, and the two fought by night.

That Swordsman...

...eventually died by Lu's sword.

I don't understand Sire': intention.

When that swordsman came

he was accompanied by a woman.

No one knew if she was the swordsman': wife...

When the swordsman fell to Lu's feet...

She...

...committed suicide.

I don't mind you bringing a woman in here.

However...

Your situation is too similar to that young guy.

Regardless of whether lam like that swordsman,

I will have Ho Lien stay at the residence.

In that same room.

Though I will similarly challenge Lu,

I will not be killed by him.

But this is not determined by your words,

but by your sword!

Ho Lien is not coming back.

She will.

She was born here,

so was her father.

So was her father's father.

This is her home.

Why wouldn't she return?

She is really not coming back.

Go back to the village.

I have brought her up

and she is gone just like that.

We've met only twice...

You are poor, yet she likes you.

Even over the mountain

I can smell your poverty.

You should treat her well.

She is a good girl.

You want to obstruct my way'!

And take your life too.

You know who I am'!

I am Nameless,

neither do I want to know who you are.

Why don't you draw your sword'!

Sharp sword, indeed.

Pity, it's somewhat flaccid.

Leaves when dead will fall.

You should understand this.

You have two choices.

One is to lie down

like a corpse.

The other one... well, you know better than I do.

Can you let it leave you for a moment?

Since I was ambushed by the Sword Lady...

...every time I take a bath I must hold on to my sword.

I really don't understand.

How many men can live like you'!

I live by my sword.

Then is your sword more important than me'!

YOU are closest to me.

Yet I don't even know your name.

Someday I will let the world know.

At that time...

...I should be the first to know.

I'll tell you one thing now...

One thing which I haven't told anyone.

Really?

That woman who looked like me

really killed herself?

Yes.

For that young swordsman...

...she committed suicide.

Is it true only the cold and merciless

are fit to be the best swordsmen'!

Maybe so.

I understand.

The girl who killed herself

always appears before your eyes.

That's because you've always feared

someone might enter your heart.

You fear the predicament

faced by that young swordsman.

No I wouldn't.

Definitely not.

I only need to have a sword in hand.

What I want...

...I'll surely get.

Nobody can stop me.

Just as now someone wants to ambush me

to take you away from me.

Come out, all of you!

I've let you go twice...

This time I'll surely kill you.

You are not worthy to fight with me.

Please wait!

For my sake...

...spare him again.

A cat has nine lives...

Are you a cat or a dog'!

What would a swordsman

in your spot think'!

Who are you'!

'Lady of Three Moves.'

As long as one lives

one can seize opportunity sooner or later.

Do you want revenge?

If only I could kill him...

I'll do anything.

Good.

Follow me.

Chief Instructor...

Would you for the sake of a girl

set free your enemy?

The Chief Instructor of the palace,

the 'King of Swords,'

I, Lu Tien Kang, will certainly not.

I've seen him kill my men

as if he were chopping down trees.

Can you defeat him'!

He is doomed to lose!

Sire.

I heard in Sire': residence all swordsmen have been killed by you.

No, two are left.

Yien stopped being a swordsman long ago.

I believe Lu still counts?

Has he returned?

He just arrived.

Why don't you stop him'!

Because I desire to see...

...who ultimately is the 'King of Swords.'

Old sir...

You are so hasty.

You might be accidentally killed.

This is the moment I've been waiting for...

Why be in my way?

Young fellow,

I have some heart-felt words

which I had not the chance to say,

and I almost lost the opportunity.

A slight discrepancy makes a great difference.

What one pursues is not the present moment.

Why'!

Your skills and Lu's are at the pinnacle.

I can't say which is better.

However, Lu has only one opponent

and has a little less obstruction than you.

What is that'!

Ho Lien.

When expert swordsmen fight,

the deciding factor hangs by a hair.

A slight movement or sound

and by some distracting thoughts

or some hindrances...

Unless you get rid of these obstacles

you're beaten before you start.

Ho Lien is your hindrance.

You need to think seriously about that.

I am really worried about you both.

Ho Lien.

Ho Lien.

Ho Lien.

Why have you returned alone'!

You went to meet Lu...

I feared you might not return at all.

I've been thinking about the girl who killed herself.

I didn't want to stay here alone.

If I had to die it should be at home.

Haven't I returned?

You've killed Lu'!

No, I haven't seen him.

Don't challenge him to a duel anymore.

Stay here...

Treat this as your home.

I will do anything for you.

All you need to do is watch the shop for me.

You don't have to do anything.

You don't even have to tell me your name.

Then, I can use this sword to chop firewood.

I know...

It's a palace you aspire for, not a home.

You want the 'King of Swords' title, not me!

Gog

I don't want to see you anymore.

I am aware your sword is not for firewood.

Yes, I can't use it for that purpose.

Neither can I pretend this is my home.

I cannot forget that young swordsman!

You want to kill me'!

You have taken me away for no reason.

I willingly followed for no apparent reason.

It's like a dream.

All seems so unreal.

Look...

Only you and me in such a big house.

Would you rather kill that bastard

and do anything to succeed?

If only I could kill him.

I'll do anything...

I'll do anything for you.

Really?

Then, have a drink for my sake.

I've seen that bastard in the bath...

Your flesh is whiter than his.

You haven't seen my bedroom.

Come!

I am a man.

You are too much!

Damn, men!

A big man!

Didn't you say

you'll do anything for me'!

What'! Do you regret it'!

I tell you...

No opponent has escaped my fourth move.

Only I can kill that bastard!

If you want him dead

Follow me.

Ho Lien is your hindrance.

What'! You have to go'!

Really have to go'!

I understand you will leave me sooner or later...

But will you leave just like this?

I forgot to tell you one thing.

It's my name.

Of all people...

...I want you to be the first to know.

Really? Tell me quickly!

So that's what you are called!

According to my nurse

this is a favorite name among villagers.

If only I were 'King of Swords,'

a more common name would be uncommon.

You want a duel with Lu...

I wouldn't deter you from that.

I want to tell you...

I really like that name.

I'll wait for your return...

And I indeed believe you will.

You remember that night'!

You stood in the rain,

the rain pouring from your boots.

I was peeping at you from here.

My heart beats faster when I think of that.

You can focus on getting the swordsman title...

...can you still remember me'!

Who is it'!

Me.

You are you'!

Nameless.

You've come at last.

Ho Lien must have died.

I want to ask you...

If you were crowned 'King of Swords,'

would you be really happy'!

Would you regret one day and think

what you lost is more valuable than what is gained'!

Like me...

Always prepared to kill

and prepared to be killed.

No friends or family.

I just want to tell you

I have come.

Without your hat you might not have been struck.

Without discarding the hat have I not pierced you'!

Chiu I?

No, I am Lu Tien Kang.

'King of Swords'...

Chief Instructor...

You dare not disclose your real self.

It's a pity...

...you have ruined it.

Maybe one day in the future...

...you will find it useful.

The outcome is decided...

You must now be very happy.

With sword in hand

and still standing in front of me!

How can the duel be ended?

I've long realized the 'King of Swords' must relinquish his sword,

and what price he has to pay.

The reason I am defeated by you...

...is because I really like you somewhat.

Young man...

You are the 'King of Swords' from this day.

The Palace': Chief Instructor.

With an annual wage of 2,000 loads of rice.

No need.

You said once

when you are crowned the 'King of Swords'

you would tell me your name.

Now you can.

"Nameless"

You don't want to be 'King of Swords'

nor the Chief Instructor!

What do you want'!

This world is in a mess!

I really don't understand...

What do you people want'!

Ho Lien, I am back.

I have returned to you.

No one has ever escaped my fourth move...

You are no exception!

Could someone as low down as you...

...be the first among swordsman'!

Let me tell you...

Ho Lien should be mine when alive.

I won't let her be with you even in death!

Ho Lien...

I have learned my lesson...

I...

I can never...

...leave you!