Original subtitles

Set Design by CHIEN HSIN / Wardrobe by CHU SHEN-HSI / Make-up by HSIEH TSE-MING

Props by WONG SHUN CHEUNG, SING WON ON / Lighting by CHUNG HUI JAN

- See you later. - Welcome.

Eggs.

Eggs.

Tang Lung?

- Miss Chen Ching Hua? - Yes.

You should be waiting by the gate instead of wandering off.

The plane arrived early.

I was starving, so I went to grab a bite.

How is my uncle doing?

He's been unwell lately, so I came in his stead.

He didn't say much in the letter, only that someone would come to help.

How can you help me?

You're one of our own, so don't worry.

I will help you with my fists.

With your fists?

- Do you know what my trouble is? - You'll have to tell me all about it.

But first, can you tell me where the restroom is?

Precious horse?

Wild horse?

Flying horse?

After my father passed away last month,

I become the owner of the restaurant.

With the help of Mr. Wang and the others,

business was fine at the beginning.

But a corporation in the area has their eyes on our land,

and they want me to sell the restaurant.

All deals require mutual consent.

If you refuse to sell it, there's nothing they can do.

Theoretically, what you said is right,

but those people are barbarians!

They'll do anything to take this piece of land from me.

They've sent thugs fo spy on us day and night.

Whenever someone wants to come in,

they stir up trouble and drive them out.

What can I do?

- Why don't you call the police? - The police?

The police would deter them for a while,

but they can't give us round-the-clock protection.

Business has been going down.

We need to support ourselves and pay our staff.

With all these expenses, how can we go on?

They've been getting aggressive lately, threatening me for an answer every day.

That's why I wrote to my uncle. I thought he'd send me an attorney.

- But... - Hey, I told you not to worry.

He sent me to help you. Miss Chen, don't worry about it.

It's no big deal. I'll take care of them.

Look. That's the corporation's headquarters up there.

Make yourself at home.

I rent this place.

There are only men at the restaurant, so I can't live there.

I have an empty room, and the staff rest there when they get ill.

All the beds in the restaurant are taken, so you can stay here for now.

You are my uncle's friend, so please feel at home.

Let me know if you need anything.

- Can I use the bathroom? - That way.

It's New Year's in a few days. It'll be all festive and lively in Hong Kong.

Do they celebrate it in Rome?

I haven't returned to Hong Kong for years.

It must've changed a lot. I'm sure I wouldn't get used to it.

By the way, how's the catering business there?

[ live in the New Territories, away from the city.

I practice martial arts every day.

Cross, back-fist, high kick, side kick. Take that!

The restaurant... is just the same.

Take a seat.

Here's the key.

Our addresses and telephone numbers are on this card.

The restaurant is nearby. If you get lost, just show this card to a taxi driver.

- He'll get you back here. - Ataxi?

It's too expensive here.

- Are there public buses? - Do you need money?

No. I have money.

You should put it in the bank. Go and open an account.

It's safer there.

Better to keep the money on myself than trust someone else with it.

Suit yourself. How much money do you have?

Not much.

Really, not much.

It doesn't matter, it's safer in the bank.

Come with me.

Take out the money you have.

How much money do you want to exchange?

Twenty will be enough.

Foreign currencies have been devaluing.

That guy was a manager, not a robber.

What you did was embarrassing.

There are bad guys in this world, but not everyone's a robber.

Besides, I know that manager.

The people here are passionate and polite.

When someone smiles at you, you smile back.

It's simple manners.

People will put an arm on your shoulder to show their goodwill.

You should act even friendlier to them. That's what you should do.

Remember what I said. Or else you won't fit in.

Lung?

You must be Lung. Welcome to Rome.

My name is Kun. I work at Miss Chen's restaurant.

Ah, Kun.

Miss Chen has returned to the restaurant as she got impatient.

She told me to take you there.

Where have you been just now?

Let's go.

Come on.

SHANGHAI RESTAURANT

- Thank you. - Sure.

This way.

Mr. Wang, Lung is here.

- Lung, this is Mr. Wang. - Mr. Wang.

Don't stand on ceremony, you're one of our own.

Have a seat.

- Kun, go and make some tea. - Okay.

You must be tired after the long flight.

After all the years of living in Hong Kong,

how do you like it here?

Since I got off the plane, I've been feeling rather uneasy.

You'll get used to it in time.

It's been so long... since I visited home.

How are things in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong? I rarely go into town.

I'm in the New Territories.

Have some tea.

- Enjoy. - Thank you.

Thank you.

Why are there no customers here?

- Lung. -Yes?

With the thugs around, no one dares to come in.

Lung, some of the workers are practising boxing in the alley.

- Let's go and meet them. - Sure.

Bye.

Business is bleak, so they practise here when they have time.

Together, everyone.

Before Mr. Chen passed away,

they practised karate to deal with those Westerners.

Why don't you join them?

I'm not interested in foreign martial arts.

Styles don't matter as long as you can unleash your body's potential,

even on very vigorous techniques

to effortlessly and faithfully express yourself.

I would choose Chinese boxing over any other.

- Do you know Chinese boxing? - I do.

Really?

Okay, take a break.

Come over here.

This is Tang Lung. Introduce yourselves.

I am Tony.

Jimmy.

- Thomas. - Robert.

I don't have an English name. Call me Chuan.

Chuan.

Come on.

He looks like a coach. Have you learned boxing before?

Lung came all the way from Hong Kong to help us.

He's a Chinese martial artist.

- I have much to learn. - Oh? Chinese boxing?

I heard Chinese boxing is fancy but of little use. Is that true?

Every boxing style will be useless if we don't practise well.

How can we make it useful, then?

You must start with your waist, then put your footwork into it.

Can you show us how we should "put our footwork into it"?

- I may hurt you. - What did you say?

Oh, don't worry. They'll wear protective padding.

They won't get hurt, so go ahead.

Come on.

Go on.

We have customers. Go get changed and get to work.

Hurry up!

Let's go get to work.

Get changed. Time to work.

Kun, where's the bathroom?

Bathroom? Over there. Look for the sign in English.

Thanks.

- What's your decision? - Mr. Wang!

Guys, come here now! Those thugs are here. Hurry.

Don't fight! Don't fight!

Listen up.

If you don't give me an answer by tonight, our boss will spare you no mercy.

Mr. Ho, please help us out and convince your boss

to give us a few more days to think about it.

Think about it?

You'll think about it?

Stop stalling.

Are you selling this restaurant or not?

Why did you slap him?

What are you doing?

Don't get physical, you may break the furniture!

Remember, you must answer me tonight.

Sorry.

Be careful next time.

I really don't get it. You don't even speak English.

Why did my uncle send you?

Lung, they're too young to understand.

Please don't blame them. They just need some time.

Luckily, those thugs didn't bring guns today.

They wouldn't dare use guns in broad daylight.

If Mr. Wang hadn't stopped me,

I would've let those thugs have a taste of karate.

You're all talk. Your karate is useless!

At least it's better than the Chinese boxer.

He didn't say a word to the guy who pushed him.

He even apologised to him!

SHANGHAI RESTAURANT

We have guests.

Kun, tell Mr. Wang to come here!

- You two, come and help. - Okay.

Calm down. You'll break our stuff.

It won't do!

Let's go!

- Lung, you... - Let's go!

Goddamn it!

These thugs thought that was Chinese boxing.

If I knew Chinese boxing, I would've kicked their arses!

My turn...

Tell him, this is real Chinese boxing.

Chinese boxer!

Dragon Fist combination, fourth move, "Dragon Seeks The Way".

The Dragon's Tail.

- Lung is amazing. - Incredible.

Great!

Well done.

- Lung, you're great. - Wonderful.

- Well done. - Magnificent.

You're amazing.

Don't celebrate just yet.

After this fight, we'll be in even more trouble.

What's there to worry about?

With Lung's boxing skills, those thugs won't dare bother us.

You're still young, you don't understand.

As the old saying goes,

"A tiger cannot crush a snake in its old haunt."

Right now, this place is on their turf.

We're under their control, so we must be careful.

We must stand down and keep the peace at all costs.

Don't be afraid. Lung is a mighty dragon.

If you don't listen to me now, you will suffer later on.

- What do you mean? - Calm down. We'll discuss it later.

Lung, it's getting late. Let's go home.

Do you want any late-night snacks?

No, I need to train early in the morning. I'm going to rest.

- I heard it's easy to buy guns here. - Any citizen can get a licence here.

- What are you doing? - I'm making darts.

Darts?

- Come on. - It smells good.

What are you doing?

What's the matter with you? You want some?

Get as talented as Lung, and I'll let you have some.

You should go and practise your karate.

What? This is all for Lung?

You should've told us.

Lung?

Lung...

- Lung is here. - Lung!

- Good morning. - Morning, Lung.

Hey, Lung.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Lung, I prepared this breakfast just for you.

Please have some.

Lung, your kung fu is excellent.

Lung, who did you learn it from?

Look.

Dragon Seeks The Way.

The Dragon's Tail.

You beat those thugs to a pulp!

Didn't you say that Chinese boxing was useless?

I was only joking.

Lung, you were too fast last night. We could barely see your moves.

- Can you show us some tricks? - Yes, right. Come on.

- Show us. - I don't believe it.

If you don't mind, I really want to see it.

All right.

Lung, show them a thing or two.

- Good. - Let's go. Come on.

- Hold this. - Okay.

Lung, are you ready?

- Move aside. - Okay.

Ready. Lung, go ahead.

Everyone says you're great at kung fu, that you're agile and powerful.

I didn't see it last night.

You said last time that we need to put our footwork into it.

Demonstrate it for us.

Cut the crap, okay? We want to be amazed.

- Cut the crap. - Right, shut up.

- Are you okay? - Are you hurt?

I'm fine.

How are you?

- You're great. - You're great. Wonderful.

Lung, please teach me kung fu. I'll be your disciple.

Didn't you say you hate training?

How come you're asking to be a disciple now?

I said I didn't like karate. This is Chinese boxing, dummy.

- Crazy dude. - That's right, we don't like karate.

Yes, let's ask Lung to be our teacher.

- Yes, good. - Sure.

Come on.

- We have guests, get to work now! - Okay, coming.

Wait. Please.

- You first. - You first.

Hey, move aside.

- Go and get changed. - Okay.

Lung. Master.

I'll get to work now. Let's talk about it later.

Hello! Miss Chen, is there anything I can help you with?

Just help us keep the thugs at bay.

- What did he say? - He's telling us to see his boss.

See you tomorrow.

- Morning. - Morning.

Have a seat.

Let's eat.

These dishes are a rarity in Rome. Do you like them?

The food in Hong Kong tastes better.

I made them.

It's okay, enjoy them.

- What about you? - Do you want some more?

By the way, let's go sightseeing around Rome after breakfast.

Move!

You guys...

Where's that boy, Tang, from Hong Kong?

Tell him to come here!

Where is he hiding? Tell me.

I don't know.

Tell me now.

Don't hit him. I'll tell you. He'll be back soon.

So, where is he now?

That's the most famous historic site in Rome.

And that one's...

What's wrong?

I can find run-down houses in Kowloon Tong.

After you.

A Roman emperor built this garden for his wife.

It took them years and a lot of money.

They must've really been in love.

Are you married?

Do you like the palace?

It's a waste of a huge piece of land.

In Hong Kong, I could build skyscrapers on it and rent them out.

We should head back.

What our boss means is, from one martial artist to another,

he greatly admires your talent.

He thinks you're a real man.

So muscular...

We don't want to hurt you.

This is your plane ticket, so you can spend New Year's back in Hong Kong.

Stop sticking your finger into our pie.

Miss Chen, we're running out of patience.

You should take up our offer. We only mean well.

We'll make sure this deal is fair.

What do you think?

Tell him.

If he comes looking for trouble again... I won't go easy on him.

Say it!

Take them away.

- Get lost! - Hurry up, get out!

Get out of here!

Lung, calm down. Those are diners.

Please come in.

Tidy up now and greet our guests.

I told you.

I told you to stand down, but you refused to listen.

Things have come to this because of you guys.

- What do we do now? - So what? We can fight them.

Don't listen to them. This is serious.

I know, but...

I understand how you feel,

but we have to take care of Lung at this point.

Those thugs can do what they like.

- Do you mean...? - Tell Lung to lay low.

Tomorrow is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

If someone was to die during New Year's...

- I'm not sure if he will lay low. - I know, he's stubborn.

But you must convince him, no matter what.

If Lung leaves, won't we have to sell the restaurant?

That's not what I mean.

We have to do it one step at a time.

If things get worse, we'll have to work with them.

Even if it means taking losses, we mustn't sell the restaurant.

- Please decide for me. - I will.

It's 11:00pm, go home and talk to Lung.

Is your restaurant open on the first day of New Year?

Good.

I'll take the boys to train outside the city tomorrow morning.

Remind me to tell Kun to bring the protective padding.

Firecrackers?

They're prohibited in Hong Kong.

You must have Chinese neighbours.

Don't ask me why. You must leave Rome for a while.

Leave Rome?

Don't get the wrong idea. We don't want you to go.

Myself in particular. But you must go. Do you understand?

I don't.

Lung, why do you...?

- You're scared of firecrackers? - You have to leave.

- I'll drive you to the airport. - Why?

Those thugs want you to...

It's my duty to help you.

I know, but you must leave.

- They'll assassinate you! - Where's the assassin?

It's time, we have to go!

It's too loud, I'll close the windows.

Stay here.

Miss Chen?

Miss Chen!

Three.

Five.

Miss Chen, let's not waste time.

This is the sales contract for your restaurant.

- Come on, just sign it. - No.

Don't be so stubborn.

It's nice of our boss to treat you this way.

If I were to cut your pretty little face...

...your face would be ruined.

I'd advise you to hurry up. Don't make our boss mad.

I will never sign it.

We respect you, that's why we're asking you to sign it.

You'll reap the benefits.

It doesn't matter if you sign it or not, because the restaurant's already ours.

Don't get so cocky. Tang Lung will be here any time soon.

Tang Lung? You really think he'll come?

Let me tell you something, he's with God now.

Watch out!

Their boss is hiding there.

- I told you... - Hey, Lung.

He doesn't understand Chinese.

- Happy New Year. - Happy New Year.

- Let me. - Happy New Year.

- Happy New Year. - Mr. Wang.

- Happy New Year, everyone. - Happy New Year.

Hello, guys.

- For you. - Thank you.

- For you. - Thank you.

- For you. - Thank you, Mr. Wang.

- Here you go. - Thank you, Mr. Wang.

- Thank you. - Welcome.

I didn't think I'd get a red envelope overseas.

Mr. Wang gives us a red envelope every year.

This is the best New Year's day.

First, we protected the restaurant.

Second, we have Lung with us to teach us all kung fu.

Salute!

And third, we defeated the thugs and blew off our steam!

That's right.

Today is a festive day. Stop saying such inauspicious words.

Ching Hua has arrived.

- Ching Hua. - Ching Hua, Happy New Year.

Happy New Year.

- Happy New Year. - Come here.

- This is for you. - Thank you, Mr. Wang.

Lung, I got a telegram for you.

It's from my uncle.

He's telling you to go elsewhere and help someone.

Why the long faces?

I'l come back if I have the chance.

Miss Chen, I won't leave until this matter with the restaurant is settled.

Happy New Year.

You've decorated this place so nicely.

What a lively place!

What do you want?

I'm here to bring you good news on this festive day.

It was all our fault. Accept my apologies.

From now on, let's be friends.

Our boss wants to meet with Mr. Tang to talk in person.

Mr. Tang, may we have the pleasure of your company?

Wonderful. An auspicious sign on New Year's Day.

I bet our business will thrive this year.

Please tell your boss that we will come for sure.

That's splendid.

Tomorrow morning at the Empress Restaurant.

- Fine. - Bye-bye.

Teacher.

Welcome. Come in, please sit.

Sorry, my boss couldn't make it.

Why's he not here?

He has something important to attend to. I'm sorry.

I have my car parked outside. I can take you straight to him.

- What? We have to go to meet him? - Whatever, let's go.

Hey, take us to him.

How straightforward, just like my boss.

Let's go, then.

Where is he?

He's run off.

Don't mind him. He won't get away.

This is a trap. Be careful.

Master, please stand back. The three of us can handle them.

I'll go first!

Are you Tang Lung?

Are you Tang Lung?

That hurt...

Stop it, he has yielded!

Lung, we got lucky this time that we didn't fall for their trap.

Tang Lung!

I dare you to come this way.

Lung, go on, don't let that traitor get away.

Tony and Jimmy can handle the Japanese guy. Go.

Very well.

- Tony, how do you feel? - Exhausted.

- I'm exhausted. - My whole body's aching.

Mr. Wang, why did you...?

Don't blame me for this. Blame Lung.

Yes, yes. Lung dragged you all into this.

He ruined my scheme.

What...?

What do you mean?

What do I mean?

You must understand that I have to be successful.

I have suffered throughout my life, and I'm still broke today!

My wife and children are waiting for me in Hong Kong.

If we work with the corporation, I'll get a huge bonus.

By then, I'll return to Hong Kong and enjoy the rest of my life.

Understand that I have my reasons.

My reasons!

Tang Lung, you really are something!

Tang Lung, the man you just saw is your nemesis!

Tang Lung, this will be the end of you!

Tang Lung, your death is approaching!

Ho!

- Are we leaving? - Wang, we've failed!

Stop there!

We've been tricked. Tony and Jimmy, they...

Look at them.

Wait a moment.

Just calm down.

Mr. Tang, listen to me.

Your problem has been dealt with.

I have to go.

I'll accompany you.

No need.

Chuan is waiting for me in the car.

Take care.

In this world of knives and guns,

no matter where Tang Lung ventures,

he will need plenty of luck.