Original subtitles

[Based on Historical Events]

[Ming dynasty, 33 year of the Jiajing Era.]

Senior, their martial art challenge who do you think will win?

I think is Senior Wu Zheng.

Because he is full of strength.

The purpose of martial art is to discipline oneself, not to punish others.

Wu Zheng does possess great power.

But Wu Yuan has learned to conquer strength with gentleness these past few years.

Let's make a bet!

If you lose, you ought to buy me a roasted chicken.

All you can think about is food all day.

Look at your belly!

You don't look like a monk who practices martial art.

Senior you don't know, It's all strength underneath!

Strength?

Hey, where is it?

Hai yah!

Is this your strength?

Let you eat roasted chicken! Do you still want roasted chicken?

Do you want more?

Watch out!

You must honor your bet!

Incredible.

Senior Wu Zheng is amazing.

Hurry!

Shaolin Buddhist Temple has long been the monastery to protect the country.

Now Japanese pirates are rampantly plundering the commoners, [Mahamudra Temple]

Shaolin martial art precisely should be the traditional way to defend against Japanese pirates.

The emperor has decreed for Shaolin monks to leave for Feiyu Fortress in Eastern Zhejiang,

and teach the frontline soldiers the Shaolin Staff to prevent the Japanese pirates from advancing, and protecting our land.

Any disciple volunteers to head there,

please step forwards.

Disciple, Wu Zheng, am willing to go.

Disciple, Wu Neng, am willing to go.

Disciple, Wu Hai, am willing to go.

Disciple, Wu Jue, am willing to go.

Disciple, Wu Zhou, am willing to go.

Disciple, Wu Yuan, am willing to go.

The court has awarded us 18 horses, and 18 Jiashas. (T/N: one-piece, patchworked rectangular fabric)

The court asked for those exemplary of the best martial art and virtue.

The first 18 of you to pass the test

will be representing Shaolin Monks in combating the Japanese pirates.

Amitabha Buddha.

[Buddhism]

[Buddhism]

Wu Jue, how long has it been since you joined the monastery?

More than 20 years.

You excel at both Buddhism and martial art.

It's an arduous journey ahead. Please take care of your fellow apprentices.

Disciple understood.

The mundane world outside is in stark contrast with the monastery.

Never lose yourself.

Maintain monastic discipline, and show mercy for all living things and their suffering.

Headmaster, rest assured. After, we head down the mountain to teach martial art. We'll be returning quickly.

Rein back on greed.

The Japanese pirates killed my fellow citizen.

I must drive them out.

I wish to come back to the headmaster as quickly as we can to continue studying Buddhism.

In this world, every deed has its consequences.

When the moment of enlightenment comes, whether you harbor hatred or compassion,

it's going to determine the destination of your pilgrimage.

I will bear it in mind.

Wu Yuan, you are born with a big heart and compassion.

There would be full of illusions this time going down the mountain.

How your choices will be reflections of your heart.

How will I chooses when Headmaster won't be there?

All things come from your heart.

I understand now.

In the 31st year of Jiajing Emperor of the Ming Dynasty,

the Japanese pirates landed at Hangzhou Harbor in China, and advanced northbound,

sweeping across Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangsu provinces, with little resistance.

They were burning, killing, and pillaging the people wherever they went and committing shocking outrage.

The court declared war on the invaders.

Shaolin Monastery heeded the call and sent Martial art monks to the front line.

[Eighteen Arhats of Shaolin Temple]

Hey, good.

Hurry up over there!

I told you!

Get moving.

I already told you.

Sorry.

Let's just do that.

Dang, so huge.

You are an animal!

Kill them all.

Look at his face.

Do it! Hurry up!

Father!

Father!

Love that look on his face.

Next! Hurry up! Get on with it!

Aren't you going to do it?

Get your ass moving.

Sorry, you lost.

Get started.

Hurry up and do it!

Hey.

What's going on?

What's happening?

One should fight back when squeezed by vicious people

Our Buddha is compassionate and also punishes evil.

Quite interesting.

Impressive!

What is this?

Seems like a monk's certificate issued by the Ming court.

- Major General Konishi. - What?

You are set to capture Feiyu Fortress in three days.

He asks to join forces with you.

It's the business between me and my brother. Keep your nose out of it.

Bitch.

[Payment to Shaolin Monk Yue Wu. Written receipt.]

- Senior, I am going to fetch water. - Okay.

Everyone, unload the luggage! Let's have a break!

- Okay. - Senior, Here the map you asked for.

Good.

Senior, how far away are we?

After we pass this woodland, Feiyu Fortress is right ahead.

Do you think they sell roasted chicken in Feiyu Fortress?

Is there any or not?

Senior! Senior!

Senior!

- What's the problem, Wu Yuan? - Look over there!

Amitabha Buddha.

Senior!

Let's go!

Assassin! Run!

- Father! - Run!

They are catching up!

Run!

Run quickly!

Hurry! Run!

- They're catching up! - Help! - Hurry up!

Run! They're catching up!

Xiao Shitou!

Help!

Help me!

They're here! Run!

They've caught up!

Die!

They've caught up!

Don't kill me!

Wu Yuan, take the staff!

Rescue the people!

Be careful!

Help the people, Wu Yuan!

Be careful, Wu Yuan!

Be careful! Watch out!

No!

Wu Yuan, Wu Yuan, Wu Yuan!

Rescue the civilians.

Bald men again.

Interesting.

Wu Xheng, do not kill the living.

Hey!

Idiots!

Wu Zheng!

Amitabha Buddha.

Tie Zhu!

Tie Zhu, where are you? - Here.

- Thank you. - Eat up.

- Here. - Thank you.

Elderly.

That's enough.

Brother.

- What's wrong? - I am hungry.

Tie Zhu!

Here you go.

Keep these for the road.

Thank you, Brother.

Master, have you seen a boy,

about this height, with a braid?

No.

Thank you for rescuing us, Master.

Miss, which village are you from?

We are from the Hejia Village.

We were attacked by Japanese pirates yesterday.

My younger brother and I also got separated.

Where are you going to go after that?

Where can we go?

The Japanese pirates are everywhere.

Our soldiers have either been killed or fled.

The autumn harvest is around the corner.

How about we'll send you back home?

- Thank you! - Elderly, please rise! You must not!

Thank you.

Rest assured, Elderly.

Wu Jin, bring the horse over!

Thank you for saving my life.

My son!

How did this happen?

Xiao Shitou!

- Xiao Shitou! - Help us!

Xiao Shitou! Xiao Shitou!

Where are you?

Xiao Shitou!

Xiao Shitou!

Xiao Shitou...

These are the Japanese pirates.

If you don't kill them, they will come back to kill you.

Xiao Shitou!

Xiao Shitou!

Husband!

What will I do if you leave me?

How can we go on?

Amitabha Buddha. Amitabha Buddha.

Husband!

Husband!

Husband!

What am I going to do without you?

Husband!

Where will you go from here?

- Where are you going, Masters? - How can I go on?

We have been ordered by the court to go to the Feiyu Fortress.

The fortress is protected by the Ming guards.

I heard many refugees have fled to the villages behind the Feiyu Fortress.

Can we come with you to the west, Masters?

Where is this place?

- No clue. - Why isn't there anyone here?

Is this really the Feiyu Fortress?

I really don't know.

Get out of the way! Get out of the way!

Everyone, stay alert.

Search in pairs.

Senior, how come this armory is sealed? [Seal by Government Military.]

If they want to flee, what's the use of these weapons?

Wu Yuan, let's go!

Master, is this Feiyu Fortress?

Why is there, not a single person here?

It seems that the defenders of the fortress were informed that General Konishi is coming,

- and all fly away like goddamn fishes! - What?

General, who is General Konishi? - If they come, we won't be able to defend them.

He is the most savage honcho of the Japanese pirates around the coastal area.

He is full of ambition, and his nickname is Cao Cao.

We were defeated by him.

The samurai you killed today could very likely be his twin brother.

What do we do now?

What other choice do we have?

We can only continue to move forward.

What if General Konishi catches up to us?

Monk,

why don't you escort them and leave first?

Senior, we come down from the mountain to teach the Ming army martial arts.

Now our students are all gone.

Should we, as teachers, also just...

General. The people here are either women, children, or Elderly.

They won't be able to out run the Japanese pirates.

If we don't stay and guard this place, they won't be able to leave safely.

Exactly.

We shall stay and wait for that so-called General.

We must not allow them to get past the fortress.

Brother, they are going to guard the fortress!

You are merely a few monks. Think you can guard the fortress?

Look at your small build, and your battered staffs.

How can you fight against their hand cannons?

We barely have enough food to feed you.

Don't bite off more than you can chew.

What did you just say? You want to fight a duel?

What do you think you are doing?

Knock it off.

General, the 18 of us have the same conviction.

Hope you could understand.

Good. Good luck to you then.

Move! What are you waiting for?

We want to stay with the monks.

Don't say any more, Uncle.

Follow them then.

Let's go!

All right.

It will be tough to advance at night. Let's take a rest.

- Wu Zhou, set up the fire. - Yes.

Stay still.

Slower!

How lucky.

Polluted senses.

Go fetch water!

Go.

Elderly.

Master.

We don't have anything nice, but this is a little token from us to express our gratitude.

I hope you won't mind how small it is.

- Please take it. - Please take it.

Elderly, I can't take it.

- We've been counting on your protection all along. - That's right.

- Just take it. - Please take it. - I appreciate your kindness.

But I really can't take it.

But...

- Take it. - Exactly.

So be it.

[...to live outside the castle walls...] [...the Tang...] [The garden in summer...]

[Death]

Miyamoto, capture Feiyu Fortress.

Yes, Sir.

Shiranui, follow me to slaughter the rest of the temples.

Let's go.

Let's proceed.

Brother, it looks like we can stay away from the monks, but not the temples.

Do you not want to eat?

Go ask for alms.

Begging for food in the temple is also called asking for alms?

- Cut the crap! - All right. [Dajing Temple]

Excuse me! We are here to ask for alms!

Genera Konishi.

Let's go!

Brother!

Wu Liang! Go get more rice!

Our food won't last long.

- Be careful! -Thank you so much.

- Thank you. - Stop running around. Come back.

Here you go.

- Quick! - Wu Zhou, evacuate the civilians.

- This way! - Hurry up!

This way! Run!

- Run! - Hurry up!

Xiao Shitou! Come on!

Keep up!

Here you are.

Ronin Squad, charge!

Kill them!

- Listen up, everyone, just drive them back. - Kill them!

Attack!

Charge!

Die!

Crush them! Kill them!

Die!

We can't have mercy for our enemies!

Wu Zheng!

- Senior! - Senior!

Staff formation!

Pull back!

Retreat!

Ouch! Be gentle.

Senior.

What?

I did not come back to guard the fortress.

I just don't want to watch you die in vain.

General, the court must not know that this place is left unguarded.

You are a general. You have the authority to call for reinforcement to reform the defense here at the fortress.

Stop thinking about reinforcements.

General, I don't understand. Feiyu Fortress is a vital stronghold.

We can't afford to lose it to the Japanese pirates.

Are you finished?

I'm going to sleep.

If all of the Ming soldiers are like you, who is going to protect the civilians?

- General, no matter what, we must... - Enough!

What makes you think you have the right to preach to me?

I, Cao Xiaotian, survived countless battles!

You want reinforcements? Sure, come!

Here are all the reinforcements!

In the battle of Shidun Mountain,

a few hundred Japanese pirates killed our entire force.

[Squad Commander, Zhao Juefu] [Assistant Commander of Guards, Bai Shichen]

There're no reinforcements!

I've been gathering all the badges of fallen generals and putting their names into the journal.

So maybe one day, if I can get back alive,

I could let their families know.

[Assistant Commander of Guards, Bai Shichen]

Amitabha Buddha.

I appreciate your honesty with me, General.

Sorry to disturb you.

You got lucky this time around with Miyamoto.

Next time, you won't be so lucky.

Chanting Buddhist scripture cannot drive away the Japanese pirates.

You are too benevolent.

You can't win.

To stand by watching lives in danger is killing.

To save a life in exchange for another is also killing.

We don't have a choice.

Monk, this is not your responsibility.

Just leave.

We are warrior monks from Shaolin. We are monks and also soldiers.

Senior, come quickly!

Be right there!

Here you go.

What's going on?

Senior, this man claims to be from the Hejia Village.

He came here after escaping from the Japanese pirates.

There are Japanese pirates nearby?

Not far to the southeast.

Master Wu Jue, please take us and leave together.

With your protection, we would feel more secure.

Wu Ming, Wu Qing, and Wu Yuan, you three, stay extra vigilant tonight. Watch for any raids by the Japanese pirates.

- Yes. - Don't worry, Elderly.

As long as we are here, we will ensure your safety.

Thank you. Thank you.

Uncle He? Uncle He!

Did you see our Xiao Shitou?

The Japanese pirates seized dozens of villagers, including my wife and Xiao Shitou.

They have all been captured.

Xiao Shitou.

Is Xiao Shitou all right?

He's fine.

Master! Please, I beg you to rescue my Xiao Shitou!

Master. Please, I beg of you!

Please save them, will you?

Senior! Senior!

Senior Wu Zheng left with a couple of others.

Uncle He.

- I did it! - That was fun!

Drink up!

- Come on! - Let's keep going!

Let's drink ourselves, silly!

More!

You!

You are ronins

doesn't mean that you can just slob around.

We've got some fun over there.

Go check it out.

Next one! Let's get started!

Come on!

What the hell are you doing?

Get it together!

A real man!

What do you want to bet on this time?

Boy or girl?

Boy or girl?

A girl!

Hurry up and get on with it!

The answer should be inside.

It's calling Daddy!

For the boy, this side!

The Girl, over there!

Place your bet!

A girl! A girl!

- A girl! - A guy!

Hey!

Boy or girl?

It has to be a boy.

It has to be a boy.

For all these days since we landed on Ming's land, you guys are still empty-handed.

What a dud!

Total dud!

To make up for your failure.

Do it!

- Do it! - Hurry up!

- Do it! - Kill her!

Kill her!

Kill her!

Hurry up and kill her!

- Kill her! - Kill her!

Hurry up! Do it!

Do it!

Do it!

Do it! Kill her!

Come on! Kill her!

Move it!

Xiao Shitou?

Xiao Shitou?

Don't be scared. I am here to get all of you out.

Xiao Shitou?

Xiao Shitou? Xiao Shitou?

- Xiao Shitou. - Brother.

Move back.

Hurry up! Hurry! Move! Move!

Fire!

Kill them!

Die!

Die!

Senior!

Wu Jin!

Wu Jin! Wu Jin!

- Assist him! - What are you doing?

- Let me go! - Go!

Let them go! Put out the fire!

Let's go!

- Move it! - Let go!

- They are back. - Mother!

Senior.

They're finally back.

I thought I'd never see you again.

Are you okay?

Hurry on in.

Xiao Shitou! Xiao Shitou!

Xiao Shitou.

Hang on. Hurry up.

Are you all right?

Ever since you left Shaolin, you've been violent!

Now, you've killed Wu Jin and Wu Xing because you attack without authority!

You are too deeply rooted in the principle. I can't just stand by and watch them die.

Had we not made it on time, you would have all died there.

I do not fear death. At least I've murdered a good amount of Japanese pirates!

What about Wu Jin and Wu Xing?

We set off with 18 of us! How many are left now?

Stop fighting!

Hurry up! Boil more water!

Hurry!

I will talk to them about it.

My wife!

- Move it a little. - It's okay.

That must be the village at the back of the fortress.

Since the Japanese pirates came, the refugees from Eastern Zhejiang who lost their homes fled to that place.

Xiao Manchu and Wu Yuan should be setting off soon.

Knowing you don't stand a chance, you still throw yourselves into the battle.

You are a bunch of stubborn bones!

General, you should leave as well.

Since you're determined to die for this,

could you leave your name here?

I am just an ordinary warrior monk, nothing to be remembered.

General,

should you visit Shaolin one day, bid my master farewell for me.

A samurai doesn't fear death. Please kill me!

I want you to make amends.

I want all the monks beheaded,

and their heads hang on our flag pole.

I hope they can ascend to heaven with no more pain.

When they just came to Shaolin Temple, they were always running around with us.

When we were the ones who did something wrong, they got punished instead.

I did them wrong.

Wu Zheng, is it really so hard to resolve hatred?

When I was a boy, I had a 5-year-old sister. And my mother was pregnant.

The Japanese pirates broke into my home, killed my father,

and abducted my mother and sister.

I went out after them and was beaten down.

When I wake up...

I went to Shaolin Temple and have been working hard for revenge today.

Our master rescued you, yet you never let it go.

Love and hate are both emotional obstacles to our sadhana.

For all the blood on my hand, I am ready to confess all of my sins for the rest of my life before the Buddha,

to clear my karmic debts.

I am far behind you in my study of Buddhism.

Stop praising me.

I know that I have been rather old-fashioned, but it sunk in lately that killing is to protect,

and karma rather than the human being is to be wiped out.

Whether or not to cut off the karma depends on if you have a strong will.

We are setting off!

Let's pack up and go.

Okay.

- Help me lift this. - Okay. Be careful.

Let me take this.

Mother, watch your steps.

Come on.

Xiao Douzi, when you get back home, what would be the first thing you do?

When I get back... Brother, I am going to go on a drinking spree.

Drinking is all you care about? Come Here!

Tell you what, the first thing you should do is marry a woman and give birth to a fat baby.

Why do I need that for?

Brother, I am just fine following you!

Xiao Douzi, extend your hand.

Here.

- Go! - Brother!

Live on.

You're basically committing suicide by staying here with the monks!

Brother!

Every one of you is a master of martial art, one on one won't be a problem.

But it's a battlefield... not a martial art duel.

The founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama carved out his own flesh to feed an eagle.

We ought to follow in his footsteps.

But they are not eagles.

They are a pack of starving wolves.

Killing you is going to feed their ambitions.

Knowing that you'd only die if you stayed behind, why do you return, General?

I've been falling back this entire journey.

I'm getting further away from home.

I will stop retreating!

Senior! At the gate...

Senior!

Senior! Senior...

As I said, they aren't human beings.

They are a bunch of demons.

Why did they do this to a corpse?

This is their way of declaring war.

The evils owed too many karmic debts.

Acts of kindness will never work on demons.

Then let's us... redeem and discharge their souls.

Even if It's a deadly battle, we still need some strategies.

Let's check out if there are any resources that can be used.

This must be fixed on well.

What do we do here?

Erect a ladder over there.

[Commander Cao Xiaotian]

They are here.

- How many of them are there? - Around 130 of them.

Hold your horses!

Probe!

The monks had already fled. It's empty.

Probe again.

It's a trap!

Run!

Die!

Fowling piece.

Fowling piece.

Retreat!

Retreat!

Run!

All-out attack.

Attack!

Let's go.

Wu Hai!

Hang in there!

Captain Cao!

Kill all of them.

For all the blood on my hand,

I am ready to confess all of my sins for the rest of my life before the Buddha,

Let's make a bet!

If you lose, you ought to buy me a roasted chicken.

Go!

Charge!

Charge!

Master! Master!

I am sorry, Master!

Seniors, they...

I'm sorry!

Master!

Master!

I'm sorry!

[The 18 arhats of Shaolin Temple laid down their lives to defend the fortress and successfully stopped over 200 Japanese invaders from entering.]

[This victory prevented catastrophe from befalling the civilians living beyond the fortress. Many monks in the country were shaken by this feat, and they left their meditations for the battlefield.]

[During the 33rd to 36th year of Jiajing, monks battled against Japanese invaders time and again, striking fear in the hearts of the Japanese.]

I, Wu Jue, am willing to go.

Listen up, everyone, just drive them back

Since you're determined to die for this,

could you leave your name here?

I am just an ordinary warrior monk, nothing to be remembered.

Acts of kindness will never work on demons.

[Commander Cao Xiaotian]

I've been gathering all the badges of fallen generals and putting their names into the journal.

So maybe one day, if I can get back alive,

I could let their families know.

Let's make a bet!

If you lose, you ought to buy me a roasted chicken.

Look at your belly!

Polluted senses.

Go fetch water!

Love and hate are both emotional obstacles to our sadhana, spiritual training.

For all the blood on my hand,

I am ready to confess all of my sins for the rest of my life before the Buddha,

[Eighteen Arhats of Shaolin Temple]

♫ Some are willing to risk their lives for a sliver of happiness ♫

♫ Some can bury the scars left by struggles and remove misery from one's fate ♫

♫ Perhaps the sea will reach beyond the mountain for those who are anxiously awaiting it ♫

♫ I'll become a hero someday in honor of the one I love most ♫

♫ Some can take their worries and shed tears of sorrow ♫

♫ Some can go on living with unhappiness and let others worry ♫

♫ There's no Heaven on Earth, only yearning is thriving here ♫

♫ When I become a hero, I won't talk about my desires ♫

♫ If you can't live for 500 years ♫

♫ If we never cross paths again ♫

♫ Will you wait for me on the other side of Forgetting River? ♫

♫ If I can't live for 500 years ♫

♫ Please don't wait for my soul to arrive ♫

♫ That's the debt I will pay with my life ♫