Original subtitles

Sir, it is time to go.

The sedan is ready.

Send for Madam.

Master Tan has always disliked you. You have to be careful.

Don't worry. He only wants to show off.

Anyway, let's go.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen,

tonight, I have two announcements to make.

First,

the lantern in front of you

is made by a famous craftsman in town.

It took him six months to finish it.

Though the Lantern Festival is still several months away,

I would like everyone to see it in advance.

So you all know about it.

Ladies and gentlemen!

I really wonder why Master Tan's taste is so poor.

Making such a big deal out of such a cheap lantern!

Master Tan, don't be so proud yet.

I will be the lantern champion again this year.

You'll see!

We will see about that!

Master Lung, you will be beaten by me!

Masters Lung and Tan are funny. They never stop quarrelling.

Brother!

We want to hear the other announcement. Tell us now!

Fine, sister. Ask the housekeeper to light the lantern.

Yes!

Everyone! The second announcement is...

I'd like to introduce someone to you.

Everybody is here. Who else?

Master Lung, pay attention. See if you recognise her.

Madam Lung, do you know who she is?

She is a whore!

She's having an affair with Master Lung.

Never mind!

Master Tan, how can I get to you?

I will pick you up!

Master Tan.

Ms Yen-chu,

it is my honour to welcome you here.

I have a bad habit.

I always get what I want!

Those who dislike me I will conquer!

Master Lung!

We are respectable people! Show some manners.

I understand now.

Your plan tonight is to make me look bad!

Do you mean to say I have made myself look good?

I should thank you for that!

You...!

Master!

Master, you're arguing with him in public...

Don't make a scene here. Will it do any good?

Let's go home.

Madam Lung.

Master Tan.

The argument we just had is really of no importance.

Please do not mind us.

Please allow me to apologise to Master Lung.

Let me pour.

Cheers.

Master Lung, your turn.

Madam, this exquisite wine

is polluted by your filthy hands.

- You... - What do you mean?

You two are really one of a kind!

Only you should drink this wine.

Only you can appreciate its stink!

Send them off!

Here! Let's toast!

Master! Please wait!

Master, listen to me!

I have to meet Old Tsui in Lantern Street.

Housekeeper, escort Madam home!

- Yes! - Master!

Master!

Master Lung!

Sergeant Poon. Good to see you.

Isn't Master Tan having a banquet? What are you doing on Lantern Street?

I've been there. I have something to discuss with Old Tsui.

Go ahead, then.

Grandpa, don't drink! Master Lung is here.

Master Lung!

Master Lung...

Old Tsui, listen.

I will pay whatever price you ask for,

as long as I can win at the Lantern Festival this year.

Master Lung, the Lantern Festival is still months away.

We can have a talk about it later.

Master Lung, to be honest,

I can't make good lanterns myself.

Then who makes them for you?

I can't...

I can't tell. I can't...

Are you giving me a hard time?

This is not appropriate...

All right,

but don't tell anyone I told you this.

Fine.

Come with me.

In the backyard.

It's you!

I didn't know it was you

who had made my lanterns the past two years.

Chun Fang, you've made me a champion.

Master Lung, we fought for Chin seven years ago.

You forced me to fight and wounded me.

That wound took away my spirit.

You are my worst enemy.

I will take everything from you one day!

You must have paid Old Tsui.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have told you about me.

I will give you a chance.

Your craftsmanship will be world famous.

I also want you to move out of this terrible place,

and lead a luxurious life!

Chun Fang, listen to me!

I need you to make a fabulous lantern for me.

I really must beat Master Tan this year!

I live here because I want to forget the past.

I make lanterns as a living.

- Chun Fang... - Wealth can't change my mind,

nor be used as a weapon.

Chun Fang, you know me.

I know Master Tan even better.

You are not his match.

You're kidding! With my wealth and your skill,

we can't beat him?

Chun Fang, forget the past.

Start a new life.

Once you've finished the lantern,

we will both become rich and famous.

What do you think?

All right. I promise to try. But under one condition.

You can't come back before I finish this lantern.

- I will inform you when it's finished. - Fine. No problem. I give you my word.

Chun Fang, let's celebrate our reunion.

Let's go to a brothel!

I don't want to go.

You must come along! Let's go!

Master Lung, welcome! Meiyuk, Chunhong...

Ladies, this is my good friend.

Treat him nicely, and you will be rewarded.

Go inside.

Chun Fang, come on!

Master Lung is waiting for you.

Master Lung.

You must have had fun. Returning this late.

Yen-chu!

Yen-chu, listen, don't be like this!

Yen-chu!

Yen-chu!

You should realise.

My reputation is very important to me.

You caused me to lose face in front of everyone!

- It was nothing to do with you! - Are you serious?

Of course, it was!

I have spent a lot of money on you!

My friends who come here know that you belong to me!

Belong to you? Very well.

Are you willing to have me as your concubine?

Well...

So, what do you say?

If you won't, then please don't interfere in my affairs!

Yen-chu!

Master Tan is different from you.

He is willing to take me as his concubine.

Never! This cannot be!

I warn you! You can be with anyone, but not Master Tan!

You will pay dearly if you do this!

Miss Tan?

Are you hunting alone? The water is clean and cool.

Let's bathe together. Come on, don't be shy!

Miss Tan!

Master...

I really don't understand men.

Always jealous and fighting for women.

Jealous? Jealous of whom?

You're not? Is it because of love?

Love?

There is no love in casual affairs.

No matter what, I always have to win.

How can I be beaten by Master Tan?

Because of Yen-chu,

who is only a prostitute,

you two fought in front of everyone.

Chin...

I couldn't let Master Tan take the upper hand.

Otherwise, how can I stay ahead of the others?

You let your pride have the better of you.

Isn't it silly?

Not at all. It's a matter of right and wrong.

But...

it's meaningless.

It is not!

All right, but if you are right,

and you two go on like this,

this hatred between you, when will it end?

It will end

when he publicly admits that I'm better than him.

What if you were the one who lost?

It's very simple. If that happens, I will kill myself.

I beg you! Please don't kill me!

I will do whatever you want.

Where am I?

Why did you kidnap me?

I know.

You want to get close to me, don't you?

Come on, let me go.

How can we do anything like this? Come on!

Come on, hurry up!

Untie me.

I must have whatever Master Lung has.

And destroy everything he owns!

It was here!

Master Lung was very angry. He even said...

If Yen-chu had done anything against him,

he would kill her one day!

Why does he have to kill her? What is the reason?

It is because of Master Tan.

Go!

I shouldn't have said that!

You all stay here.

Master, Sergeant Poon is here.

- Let him in. - Yes.

Sergeant Poon, come in.

Master Tan.

Please.

Yen-chu's disappeared... My housekeeper has informed me.

- Master Tan... - Please sit down.

I know why you are here.

It's to do with her disappearance.

Right. I heard a rumour that you argued with Master Lung.

It is not a rumour, but a fact!

All because of Yen-chu.

Master Tan!

Be careful when you arrest him. He is a kung fu master.

Master Tan, it's too early to say this.

We won't arrest him now. Besides...

We have no proof against Master Lung.

- Then you have to watch him! - Of course!

This is really strange. And it's ridiculous!

I used to receive three to four invitations every day.

And now nothing. I haven't received one in days!

Well...

Since they don't send me invitations,

I will invite them!

Master!

I don't think they will come.

Why? Are they all dead?

Don't be mad. They don't want to bother you.

Why?

Chin, don't hide anything from me.

Say it!

What have you heard?

Master...

Everybody is saying

that you have something to do with the disappearance of Yen-chu.

The housekeeper saw Sergeant Poon and his people outside,

watching your every move.

Think about it - who would send you invitations?

This cannot be! I have to put them right!

Master!

Please don't go.

I'm afraid it will only make things worse.

I know what I'm doing.

Master Lung.

Sergeant Poon.

There is a connection between me and Yen-chu's disappearance.

- I did it. - Master Lung, are you serious?

Sergeant Poon, tell me, if it wasn't me,

why do you have so many people watching me?

Someone said to me that...

They were right. I did it.

But I must tell you something else -

I am not the mastermind.

Then who is it?

Listen carefully.

- It's Master Tan. - Really?

Ask him if you don't believe me.

If he confesses, then you come to arrest me.

I will be waiting for you at home.

Let's go inside!

Who is it?

Are you human or are you a ghost?

Chun Fang!

Chun Fang!

Chun Fang!

- Go ahead and shout! - Help!

You are a slut.

You're stronger than your brother.

- Why did you kidnap me? - Because you are Tan's family.

Tan's?

You are the sister of Master Tan.

How can I let you go?

Help!

Don't be too stubborn.

Maybe you will die quickly without pain.

I will pour this poison on you if you struggle.

Then your beautiful face

and your nice figure

will be destroyed little by little.

Think about it. How painful it is...

Why don't you treat me nicely?

You have such beautiful and soft skin.

Just listen to me and let me have some fun.

Maybe I will let you go home.

Come on, time is precious.

I am not so bad, am I?

Attention! Search everywhere!

Chao and Young! Follow me!

Tsuiyee, Laupui! You two search the south hill!

Then come back here. Search carefully!

Yes, sir!

Master Tan!

Did you find her?

No. We have searched everywhere.

Follow me.

Master Tan, you're here.

- Is Sergeant Poon here? - He's upstairs.

Master Tan, are you looking for me?

My sister hasn't come home.

She is missing.

Damn! Another kidnapping!

Sergeant Poon, let me tell you.

Someone set me up this time.

- If you can't find the truth, I will! - Master Tan, we certainly will.

Master Lung!

- You...! - Well...

This isn't very high.

Not much of a feat!

Master Lung, have you ever heard

that everyone has worries?

You're a reputable person.

Yet, you are not satisfied,

you cause trouble everywhere!

That's because you're the one who set things up.

The fact is that Yen-chu has disappeared.

My sister also disappeared today.

- Isn't that a coincidence? - It is. And...?

I think someone is trying to set me up.

Don't point at me. I have nothing to do with it.

Let go of me!

Now listen...

If you don't stop this right now, I will arrest you both!

Sergeant Poon,

practising martial arts is not illegal.

But this is a restaurant. It's not appropriate here.

Don't worry, I will pay all the bills.

Everyone, all your meals are on me tonight!

I will pay for any damage we cause.

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

You are reputable people. It's shameful to fight in public.

All right, Sergeant Poon. I agree with you.

- Send the bill to my house! - Yes!

My sister has disappeared. I won't let you get out of it!

I'll offer a high reward!

I must find the killer. I'll never give up!

Wait!

Wait here, and let me report first.

Go away!

Master!

Chun Fang!

Let her go, or you will pay for it!

What will you do?

- Give me one more scar? - I will if necessary.

Chao Chun Fang...

You came here without invitation. Why?

You did the same thing - I hadn't invited you when you came.

Really?

Is that why you've come here?

Actually, I'm the one who's paying for you to make the lantern.

I have the right to see the progress.

No! I said I'd let you know when it's finished.

All right.

It's my fault. I won't go there again.

Now you can release her.

Hey!

Fine!

Master, I thought you said he was dead.

Why is he here?

He looks horrible.

You can leave now.

It's him! It's him.

Stop!

If you have no reason for entering Lung's property,

I'll arrest you!

Don't worry. You can arrest me if you like.

Just stay out of this business between me and Master Lung.

- Arrest him! - Yes!

Wait!

Sergeant Poon.

Let him go. For my sake.

But...

All right.

- Release him. - Yes!

- Master Lung, are you all right? - I'm fine.

Fine? Then why did Chun Fang come here to argue with you?

Craftsmen always have a strange temper.

He was upset because I went to his place uninvited.

Is that all?

Whether you believe me or not.

Just as I'm not connected to the disappearance

of Yen-chu and Miss Tan.

Sergeant Poon,

when will you stop watching me?

It is my duty. Please forgive me.

I should warn you now that my patience has limits.

Please come in!

Sir, please sit here.

Wait a minute.

Chun Fang!

You are hiding here.

I'm not surprised now

that I haven't seen you in years.

How can you live in this awful place?

- You've changed! - What are you doing here?

What can I do other than killing?

But this time, it's big business.

If you knew who hired me, you'd be surprised.

Come! Let's have a drink and talk!

What's on your mind?

I'm worried.

My friend,

you are a kung fu master.

Quick movement,

but not precise.

Tell me,

are you my enemy?

I won't kill you. I had a bet with someone.

I need to leave a scar on your handsome face.

The scar will be on yours!

What's your name? Who are you working for?

See if you can make me tell!

Chin!

Chin!

Sergeant Poon!

Master Lung, you...

All of your people...

are useless! They are worthless!

You're wasting the government's money!

Master Lung,

you came to tell me this in the middle of night?

You are a wealthy man, but you must respect officers!

I'm very kind to you.

You're out here every day. And what's the use?

An assassin entered my garden, and you didn't notice!

An assassin?

Not just one, in fact.

While one of them was fighting with me,

the other kidnapped my wife!

Madam Lung! What did the man look like?

Let me tell you.

I left a scar on his forehead.

It is easy to recognise, Sergeant Poon.

You have to find my wife as soon as possible!

An assassin? Who could it be?

Don't be scared. This mask is fake.

Chin, sorry to scare you.

It's you.

Yes, I've been waiting for seven years.

Why did you bring me here?

Because you're Madam Lung.

Whatever you want, Master Lung will give it to you!

He will promise anything.

I beg you, let me go! Let me go.

I beg you, let me go!

Please let me go! I bet you!

- I need to see Master Tan. - He won't see you.

I'm impressed. You really are the best.

My people, of course, can't beat you.

Master Tan, I'm here to report to you.

Why are you doing this to me?

Let me ask you. What have you promised me?

That I would kill Master Lung.

But you have failed.

And caused huge trouble.

You have to understand that I hired you as an assassin.

I can't let anybody know this secret.

Especially Master Lung!

So you want to kill me as well?

With all these people here, you still can't tell?

It's very obvious, you cannot beat me.

I will kill you in the third round!

Probably not!

I must praise you before you die.

You kidnapped Lung's wife instead of killing him. Well done!

Where did you hide Madam Lung?

You used me to distract Master Lung,

kidnapped his wife, and claimed it was me.

How devious!

Round two!

And this is round three!

Bury him in a remote place.

Come on, hurry up!

What's the noise?

Run!

Morning.

Good morning, boss.

Heads! Heads!

There are lots of heads up there!

Human heads!

Move!

Stay back!

Master Lung.

How can such horrible murders be happening in this quiet city?

Sergeant Poon, you will soon be fired.

Master Tan, you cannot speak like this!

We cannot find any evidence anywhere.

These are all unsolved murders!

Don't cause any trouble!

I recognise him.

He was the assassin.

It was his partner who kidnapped my wife.

But the mastermind is someone else.

The assassin was killed after he completed his job.

- You're right! - I agree.

Sergeant Poon, please find out the truth.

I shouldn't have killed him.

Since he wasn't killed by Master Lung, the killer is someone else.

But this benefits me.

Perhaps I have helped the killer before?

He is giving me a hand secretly.

Look, there are many heads.

Who did this?

So many heads.

- Chun Fang! - Don't come near!

- I said, don't come near! - Chun Fang.

I've told you that when the lantern is finished,

I would send it to you.

I'm not asking for the lantern.

You have seen what happened on the street.

The killer is a cold-blooded person.

I have promised myself that, all of my life,

I would only mind my own business.

You're acting strangely.

Tell me what you know!

We are friends. You must tell me.

All right. His name is Kwai Sze Yin.

He isn't a very skilful assassin.

I met him a few days ago on Lantern Street.

We even had a long talk at the restaurant.

He said the person who hired him is a very famous person in town.

He was asked to kill a man named Lung.

He paid him a lot of money.

Believe me or not, that's what he said.

Master Tan hired someone to kill me!

Master Chao!

Master Chao!

Where are you?

Master Chao!

A basement?!

I was looking for you everywhere.

What do you want from me?

I couldn't sleep. Let's have a drink. What are you doing down there?

- I'm making lanterns. - Making lanterns?

A very beautiful lantern. Want to take a look?

Sure.

This really is a pretty lantern.

Why is there all this blood?

Master Chao, what kind of material is this?

Look carefully. Does it look like human skin?

Old Tsui.

You told me the legend of human lanterns.

I don't follow the legend, I don't use human skin.

You think I'm crazy?

Master Chao, it was only a silly story.

How can you take it seriously?

Of course I don't.

Human skin is too fragile.

It can't be used for making lanterns.

Then why is there blood over there?

Wouldn't you like to know?

Yet, if I tell you, you won't like what you hear.

Master Chao, forgive me!

Everyone has secrets.

You know too many of mine.

I won't tell!

You won't?

You've already said too much!

I didn't invite you here.

How dare you come here and attack my people!

This is becoming a very serious matter.

One of us...

will have to die!

Master Tan! You are a cruel man!

You killed the assassin

after he had done the job!

But you forgot one thing.

The truth will be disclosed eventually!

Are you going to release my wife?

Only if you release Yen-chu and my sister first!

I already told you I had nothing to do with this!

Since we are not prepared to give in, then we must fight!

Let's put an end to this quarrel!

Master Lung, remember,

I will be the last to call you Master Lung.

I will help you find Madam Lung.

So she can arrange your funeral!

Now it's all very clear to me.

We've both been fooled!

No!

Madam Lung.

I don't want any money from Master Lung.

I think I should tell you

what I'm really after.

Master Lung took you away from me.

He forced me to fight and wounded me.

I didn't think you would change your mind so quickly

and marry him for money!

For years,

I have endured all this pain

and I've been hiding here.

All because I wanted my revenge.

Do you think I will let you go?

Shut up!

Revenge?

So, that's why you acted strangely in our house.

You couldn't forget your hatred.

You are right!

He made me suffer.

I lost my place in society.

I want him...

You want him to lose everything?

That's right!

He will lose everything!

Master Lung!

Master Lung...

What should I do?

I'm so worried.

Sergeant Poon...

Don't cry. What happened?

- My grandfather has disappeared. - Your grandfather?

Sergeant Poon, Old Tsui is a drunkard.

He often sleeps in the forest. So his disappearance is no surprise!

Uncle Chin, that was before, but not now.

He is getting old.

Now I go to cut bamboo by myself,

and he only drinks with Uncle Chun Fang.

- Chao Chun Fang? - That's right.

Who would like your grandpa's old skin?

Hold it! What did you mean?

This is a joke from Lantern Street.

Since there are several women missing,

they say someone is making human lanterns.

Human lanterns?

Master Lung.

Can you make lanterns with human skin?

This is a legend.

About using skin to make lanterns.

I heard it, too!

My grandfather told Uncle Chao about it. I heard him!

Is it true?

Master Lung.

What a beautiful mole!

Master Lung, in all honesty, you are making trouble for yourself.

What do you mean?

Don't you think Chun Fang is very suspicious?

Think it over carefully.

Now I must go and see Master Tan.

Let's go!

Chao Chun Fang? Could it be him?

Chin...

Uncle Tsui...

Chun Fang?

All right. I'll go and find him!

Chao Chun Fang!

Chao Chun Fang!

How marvellous!

Remarkable...

Chao Chun Fang!

Chin.

Chao Chun Fang!

Chao Chun Fang! Don't pretend anymore!

I know it's you!

That mask can't hide your evil!

You killed Lady Chin.

I have to kill you today!

I have been dead for seven years.

The person standing in front of you is only a body without a soul!

There is no love, only hatred!

I have no feelings, nor happiness!

Unlike you, whose happiness...

is built on the misfortunes of others.

People praise you.

But you ignored me!

The pain that I've been suffering has made me even stronger!

I must kill you today!

I want to tell you - you will never get what you want or love!

Now I understand.

You stopped practising the sword.

And secretly...

you learned this wicked skill.

Using it for revenge.

Well, you have failed.

Sergeant, this is Chao Chun Fang!

He killed Old Tsui!

I killed him, and I also killed Yen-chu and Ms Tan.

Chun Fang, you're a murderer!

- Arrest him! - Yes!

Wait.

I didn't...

bear you any grudge.

Why did you do this to me?

Why did you do this?

Because you're his rival! I wanted to ruin your lives.

I was trying to make you so-called heroes

kill each other!

Why would you want to do this?

For many reasons. They would be just like me, then!

No more heroes...

No women, no wealth.

Everything gone!

Master Tan!

Tan Fu!

Arrest him!

Arrest him!

Run!

Master Lung!

Master Lung!

Master Lung, I've been busy.

I had a great time with Chin before she died.

Keep digging! Hurry up! Master Lung!

Master Lung!

All the debts are here.

Good.

Burn them.

They are of no use anymore.

Sergeant Poon.

Master Lung. How are you?

I'm fine. Thank you.

Master Lung. It's over now. Don't think about it anymore.

All my wealth is gone.

Everything.

If I hadn't flaunted my wealth as I did,

Chin wouldn't have died like this.

Tomorrow,

I have to leave.

I will travel to calm my soul.

As for all these things I own...

please distribute them for me.

Give them to the poor.

But...

My money...

will benefit others.

Sergeant, please do this for me.

But...

Very well.

Thank you.

Farewell, Sergeant Poon.