Original subtitles

Four hundred years ago, in the Jiangxi

area of China, the custom of

corpse escorting developed. For the

average Chinese person, it was

important to be buried in one's hometown.

And so, when a traveler died somewhere

far from his home, his corpse had to

go home, where he would be buried by

his family or to his own last

instructions, or else his soul would

know no peace. This was the theory.

At the time, in the area of Jiangxi,

roads were bad and transport was hard to

get. Therefore, the corpse

escorts flourished. The main

practitioners were usually Taoist

priests, and they used magic spells on

the corpses. Under these

spells, the corpses could move under

their own power. Rather,

like the zombies of the West Indies.

And this story concerns three people

of the Ming Dynasty who used this

practice to escape from the chains.

They were all loyal patriots trying to

protect their country.

Well, all right. We'll see who wins.

Well, rather, let's see who dies.

Thank you,

Mistress.

Mistress. Your brother's back.

AhBrother! How me?Brother, come.

Brother, we were all worried about you.

I can look after myself. Kolon Ta has

often sent his men to get you. Be

careful. Kolon Ta has decided

to move. Last week, they called Mr. Han

here, tried to kill him. But still, he

escaped. Now Kavang Ta was so

furious, he killed ten of his own men. Hmm

I think he'll soon come for me. But why?

You're Lin Yongchang, is that right?Who

are you?I'm here under my general's

instructions. to invite you to visit

his place, sir. It's Kolong Ta?He's the

general of the great Qings. You tell him,

I won't visit him. Well now, sir, the two

of you studied Kung Fu together. And

now the Qing Empire needs your skill,

sir. And that's why the general

invites you to see him.

Well, I've no intention of seeing him.

And if you've no other business, you may

leave.

Well, Mr. Lynn, the general said to bring

you with us. You have no choice. Go to

hell. And you tell him, I don't

want an official post. I'll

sing. Show him out.

I'll go and see him. Brother,

you mustn't. Times have changed, so has

he. He's no fellow student now.

He's a cruel and vicious general of the

Chin. Brother,

signing's right. You shouldn't go there.

He can make me see him. I may as well go.

I'll go too. No need. Listen, if

something happens, what'll we do?All

alone?Look, I'll

be back. If anything happens,

I promise, I'll find Kolunta.

Take revenge.

My friend, as you know, it's clear

what must happen. The main role is

finished. Well, that remains to be seen.

Kalimtar, you're wasting your time. Now

look, we were fellow students. Father,

I just can't forget that. And if you

agree, I'll see the king.

You get a job for high-ranking folks, and

well-paid too. Everyone

goes different ways. You go your way, and

I'll go mine, and time will tell who was

right. Goodbye.

Wait! Mother, have

a drink before you go. We've nothing to

drink to. I'll get back.

Wait! Better

stay. I'm sorry. Well then, you leave me

no choice. Hmm

Get him!

It's been 10 years. You think I'm a

soft fool?We were students. I have

no grudge. You are a fool, then.

Hmm

So rope. So rope.

You stole it from the master. Yes,

I did.

The master was right. You're no good.

You're vicious. Well,

you're finished now. My needles have got

you. Even the Master.

Couldn't save you!

Brother, I'll go home.

My mother's all alone there. Somebody's

got to look after her. Now, look. Get

this. You're a bandit. Remember.

And so you've got no home. Your mother

would just throw you out. HuhI'll kill

you. Well, try it.

You'll fight when I tell you to. Now,

come with me. We gotta get to Ting Yun.

Hey! Brother! Hey! Hey Brother! Brother!

Hey! Brother! Wait!

Dad?It's that way to Ting Yun.

We'll detour. Over the hills. Ah

When one can see roads end, then the

journey's nearly done.

Please.

Please,

oh. Very pleased to see you. It is an

honor, Mr. Ting. Mr. Wang will arrive

in three days now. Oh. Oh,

thanks to you, General. They tell me,

Hang Chun Yan escape. Forgive us,

sir. Forgive us, sir. Where did

he escape?My

Lord General, we followed him to Woolley

Bridge. We almost got him there. But

then... But then... But then he

escaped you, huhWe deserve to die, sir.

Yes, you do. You men! Sir!

These two men here, let me down.

So take them out and kill them, just by

their heads. Sir!

Sir! Sir! The Spirit! The Ming General,

Hong Chun Yin, must be caught. Do you

know him?I met him. Then you're lucky.

I shall give you just three days to find

him. Block the town entrances

and search every house, every single

one. Any troublemaker should be killed.

What do you want?

Get up!

Get up!Where

are you going, you fools?Uh, sir, we're

going to search the city, all the streets

there, sir. I was doing the same. On the

west side. Stupid fools. Yes,

sir, we are, sir. Quick march!

Listen! Kill who you like! But

find hands! Sir!

Captain Coe. Sir. Search each street,

each house, each room. Search every

corner in the frame. Sir.

Goodbye, sir.

Goodbye. Thanks a lot,

Mr. Ting. Not at all. Please sit down.

Please.

Kolongtao's army has marched south, and

the Qings occupy Pai Ting City. So

then, it won't be so easy for

you to get to Ping Chao.

I'll wait for Mr. Wang, then I'll leave.

Right.

I think there's someone who may

give you some help if you need it. Oh,

who's that?The Taoist priest knew. Oh?

All right, where are you from?

HuhYou're a hunter?

Hunting what?A hunter. Huh

Hunt ghost. On your way.

The sun does shine. The river

flows.

Now then, remember, you must meet Ping

Chao by mid-August. That's 10 days.

I think we can make that. Here's the

passwords for identification.

The password's different every day,

so don't make any mistakes.

Ah

The Ming's whole future

will depend on you.

Well, don't you worry. I shall see this

mission through no matter what.

Now, these are the military plans. You be

very careful. You can't afford to make

any mistakes. Sir! The matter is

very urgent. You will have to arrive in

Ping Chao by the 15th of August. 15th?

In nine days?Go over Wuchi

Mountains, detour Qinlong

Hills, and then you turn to the south,

in all about 500 miles. A

rough road, and it's dangerous.

Nevertheless, you have to make it within

nine days. No matter how dangerous.

I swear, I shall make it. Even if it

should cost my life.

Buddha bless you.

You'd better start now. Yes. I'll do

my best. Buddha's blessing.

Come in. Sir. You'd better act as we

planned. Sir.

All right. Thanks.

Here we go. Thank you.

Right.

Hold it.

Way up. The man ping-job. What

for?My aunt lives there.

She's 80 years old. I support her.

Umm I'm taking some food. To show my

filial piety. Good.

Go on. Thank you. Hold

it! Come here!

Take that hat off, will you?

Good day. Not since I met you.

You lousy traitor. Hang Chun-yen, the

general. Dressed up like a common

peasant. Better than being dressed like a

traitor. Get him!

Hmm

Go! Hurry!

Ah Jump!

So Hang is dead. Yes, my lord. I killed

that ming rebel personally. Where's his

corpse?Well, my lord, his corpse fell off

a precipice. Thanks to Nyin, it's

real tricky and smart as well. From

what you tell me, he could still be

alive. If he is dead,

then you bring his head here, or else

I'm going to take your head in thisplace.

Tong Cha Chen, 51, a male, a

businessman. He fell off a cliff

yesterday and was killed. And here is the

death certificate.

Ah Tong Cha Chen, yes, male, native of

Shiho. Fell off a cliff,

broke his neck. It's signed officially

here, yes, by the coroner.

HmmI have a rule. I never start

until I have at least six corpses. I

now have four. I need two more.

Oh, you need two more. Well, how long

will we have to wait then?You needn't

wait. Just leave him here. I

mean, that's up to you.

Oh, well now.

So if we could get you two more corpses,

then, you could start on the road right

away. As soon as this six, I'll

start right off. Right. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Who are you?Your killer.

Hot!

Hot!

Hot! Hot!

Hot! Hot!

Hot!

My needle's got you. You have no chance.

Master! Master!

Master. There's some business coming.

Shut your mouth!I've told you so many

times now. You're not to call them

business. You call them Marie family.

Why don't you remember?

Why, please.

Why, you sit inside. Right,

rightIs that all right,

then?

Where is she to go?To the

frontier. How did

she die, then?Her

husband left her. What's more,

he married another woman, too. She

couldn't stand it. Jumped into the river.

Ah Please. Here.

Please. Taoist,

how much do I have to pay you for this?60

tails, sir. You

just leave the documents with me, and

I'll be starting off within just two or

three days. I need six corpses,

and I'll only have five. Well, please

look after the body well, sir, and I

shall write ahead and tell her family to

pay a bonus. But the charges for my

work are fixed, sir. A bonus

isn't necessary. Then

I'll go. Goodbye, sir.

Master, that girl is really very

pretty. It's a pity she's dead. Shut

up! You'll be quiet! Oh,

not again.

oh

Listen. Those needles are

too poisonous. I can

help, but only temporarily.

I mean that I cannot save your life.

How How long have I got?

At most nine days.

Konogtar the thief. He took my

robe and the soul needles, too.

I'm sure that many innocent people are

going to die by his hand.

Here, hereCome on. This way.

Buddy, over here,

huhTowest. That one is a sea hoe, too.

Father and son. Tragic, tragic.

Well, when will you be started off?I've

six corpses, so then we'll start tonight.

Ah, please take care of them.

I shall be starting the ritual right now,

so please withdraw, sir. Oh, goodbye.

Please.

Now hear you six good souls.

Your earthly life has ended. The

road to Hades is wide, which you go

to the great paradise, never

to return here. You soon start your

last journey.

Master, everything is ready.

Yes.

Well, now I suggest that you rest. We

start at midnight. Pass to Lan Chao.

What are you doing?

OhhPlease start.

Remember. Be

careful of doors and stairs.

Oh,

masterYou've arrived. Uh, yes.

Had a tough journey, huhWell, we've

come a long way. We're all needing a

rest. It's nearly daybreak, so

I'd better settle the corpses down. Then

I'll sleep, until tonight. Six

corpses?That's my rule, hallway six.

It's your rules, my good business.

You and Chao Nin in two rooms. And please

don't disturb the other guests, and keep

the corpses out in the back. Hey,

Sal. Sir. The two best rooms for Tawas

Loo. Right. Along. Show these men

to the storeroom. HuhRight, yes. This

way, please. All right, let's go.

To the door.

Up the steps.

You'll soon have a rest.

Up the steps.

May the Lords of heaven bless you in

your next rich life

through the door.

soon be in the paradise never to return.

Please rest now. And

soon you'll be in your hometown.

Now please rest here. We start again

tonight. I'll see you then.

All right, get some rest. All right.

Now then. You're in the two front rooms.

Ah

Please.

Yes.

Please. This is yours,

right?

And this is yours.

Right, sir. Here's your tea. Hello.

I'll pay for this, all right?Thank you.

Cheers. Cheers. Cheers.

That big house, will Mr. Fong buy it?So I

hear. Hey, eat up, ehHuh

Hey, what's the price?300 tails.

Oh, 300 taos.

That's a lot. No, no, it's not.

It's a very nice house, that. I mean,

best quality timber, what's more. The

location is very nice. It's a good

buy. Hey, here, eat up.

Hey, waiter! Two more steamed dumplings!

Well, it may be cheap, but still. They

say that the house is haunted.

Maybe a lady ghost.

Right. Here you are. Here you dumpling.

Well, it's real interesting. If there is

a lady ghost there, I reckon it might be

fun to meet her.

Listen, why don't we go round there

later, huhOkay. Eat up.

Where's the other?Uh, they're strange.

Strange?He brought two.

Oh,

Dorothy.

Oh, get in town. Help. Help

Taoist. Taoist. Trouble.

Trouble. Trouble. What's wrong?

Zombie. HuhMy corpse?Yes.

It's walking. Please stop it. Nice. I'll

get it. What's

wrong?

Where

is

he?Where

are you?Wh- Where are you?Listen,

Hesford, this is how he's breathed. He

can't do his job. Can't control his

corpses. My God, my business! All my

guests! They'll leave! Oh, listen! I'm

real scared. Well, I'm scared too!

Come here! Come here! Come back here!

Ohh

did you catch him, huhUh, he escaped,

huhHusband, I just put a bracelet. It's

pretty. I'll show it to you. Right.

What's the matter?

Huh

No, it's awful. The course is

walking in my room. Quick!

Quick! Come

on! Mistress?Mistress?

Where's the cops gone?

Wait, wait, wait, wait,

wait.. What are we

doing?

Taoist... Taoist... What now?

Listen, you must find that corpse.

Yeah, you must. Right?Let's

go see if it's one of mine.

One... two...

three... four...

five... six.

I came with six and there's six here.

Well, now, it wasn't my cocks

Please go check them. You'll find them

all here. All six of them.

None missing.

One, two,

three, four,

five,Six.

All six are in there.

Hey, Hey what's more?

One of them's a pretty young girl too.

I've had 30 years experience and I don't

make any mistakes. Now landlord,

don't you worry. HuhWorry?

Worry?Uh,

Taoist, but I do worry.

Usually, priests, take one, corpse. Uh,

but you, though, you you take six! Uh,

I'm sorry, this is a small place, and we

handle such big business, so please, you

watch them. Uh, uh.. Nearly

dark. Uh, movies, real soon, huh

When it's dark, we'll start again.

Uh, ha ha...

All right, cross the bridge.

Hold it!

What's this?Corpse. That's corpse.

Passing through. Ohh

Going where?Changchi.

Changchi?Yeah.

Papers. Please examine

them.

Six?Most towers take one

corpse, but you take six.

Why?HuhIt's just my

will. I never take less than six bodies.

Well, I guard this place. Don't care for

your rules. Let's look at them. Please

go ahead, sir.

HmmCheck 'em, sir!

HuhThe clock moved.

HuhDon't just stand there. Check

again. Sure. HuhHuh

It did move. HuhLet me.

HuhNothing escapes my eyesight.

Well, come on.

Come on.

Search, right.

Come on! A snake! A

snake!

Can it help me! Can it help me for God's

sake! Move your leg!

You fool! Let's go now!

Hurry,

there they are.

Come on.

Come on

You fool! Take that damn shroud off!

Someone's there!

Hurry!

Uncle, which way now?

We'll head South. Go over the mountains,

right?

Quick there. You're here.

Let's keep coming.

Let me out! Yeah, come

on! Let me out! Get out of

here! Come on!

Master,

just why do you want to chase them?

You fool! We just tried to escape!

Oh, those men are crooks, you understand?

Come on! The man, the

soldiers are here!

Listen, come on! Come on, come

on

Here, stand with the corpse escorts.

Let's go. Hey, listen, there's a cave

just ahead. Let's take a rest there. All

right.

Get him. Come on.

All right.

Come on.

A soldier's coming. Ohh Come on, let's

go.

Uncle, come on in.

Yingji.

Sorry.

I think that I can make it to

the south. The south?Huh If

it hadn't been for all you goddamn

people, we'd already be there now.

For two days. I could hardly even

breathe. I dare nearly died.

We were going to escape. We nearly did.

And then you let us in for all this luck.

my God. Well, we may be rebels,

but we're good men, and we don't care

about death. Well, that's up to you if

you don't care. But we care, though.

Listen, let's get away. Hurry.

Well, come on in. We're surrounded here.

How can you leave?You can't escape?I

must try. No choice. If I stay, I'll

be killed. At least this way I have a

chance. All I want now is to get

home. Nothing else matters. Tilo,

you going to go?I'd rather die out there

than in here.

You coming?I'm home. Hey,

wait! Wait

Wait for me! Tilo!

Coming. Let's make a fire here.

HuhMiss, why are you here?

I...

We're rebels. You shouldn't get involved.

Listen, I'm going straight to Ping Chong.

Maybe Ku Lung Ta will be at Hu Ming Lo.

What?You'll really well go. Yes,

I have to. Whatever happens, I must kill

Kolong Tar. Well,

you take this. You meet Kolong Tar,

it may be useful.

Hey, Miss, where will you go?

To Panchku. Panchku?

But what for?

Find someone. Oh, I

know that place. Who do you want?

Someone who's hard to find.

We're in great danger here. Listen,

I think that you ought to leave now.

Leave here?Well, I'm sorry.

That isn't possible.

Come on! Get out!

Get out!

This is a bad truth. Many,

many. There's nothing on top of that.

It looks like we'll all die here.

Let's keep going. They'll be here. Hurry

up. There isn't much time.

Uncle, for our country's sake,

you ought to leave here. Ying Ji,

I don't want you to fall into their

hands. Listen, I'll

stay with him. You go with Ying Ming.

Come on, let's get going. We'll come

back here when the mission's finished.

I promise you. Angle,

you must harried. Nami,

you come too.

Yah! Yah!

Listen, you're following my dad. What's

the reason?Well, I want to. That enough

reason?My dad is a rebel,

and that's a major crime. They'll

kill you too. Does that not

scare you?Well, I don't care.

I have something to do. And

that's that. I don't get it. Hmm

Your father, he's going to Hu Minglou,

right?How do you know?Well, I

heard it at the Qing headquarters here.

HuhGolung Tan knows it?

Mm-hmmEverything. Golung Tan knows all

your plans.

We're out there.

Brother.

Brother. Let's

go that way.

Hey, hey, look over there.

Get

him. Well, we've got you this time. All

right,

Trainer. Today you die

here. Get him.

This is the end now.

General! Dad!

Let's get going. Right, come.

Who's that?

ah

I have one leaf in and I

have to see General Good.

General Kun, this is him.

General Kun?I am General Kun Chiming.

I am Wang Li Fei, sent by Teacher Wang

to bring you these military plans to

defeat the Qings

Please take them, sir.

You've traveled a long way. You're a

brave man. These plans are most

valuable, and I can use them. They're

worth more than a whole regiment of men.

It's no credit to me. It's Teacher Wong.

He thought this out. He plans

to trick the Chings by diverting Ko

Lung Ta's army.

General Hang has laid a false trail.

Right now, I don't even know where he is.

Maybe. And I hope

not. Koh Lung Tas caught

him.

Dad, you ever been here before?I have.

Seventeen years ago. Oh,

it's that long. Uncle!

Uncle! Ying Chi, one here.

Uncle, something must be wrong. There's

no one around. Hmm, that's very

strange. We'd better be careful.

In the winter skies, wild geese swing

their way. The moon casts shadows

on the cold hills.

In the winter skies.

While geese wing their way.

Moon casts shadows over the cold

hills. Ah, you must be

General Hang. That's right. That's who I

am. Good to see you. Please come in

now. Hmm

Come in,

General Hang, please sit down. All of

you. Elder Lou has waited long for

you. Oh. That's all right.

Now please, sit down.

General, I guess you've had a hard time.

Elder Lou, that's all right. It was

melting, but I was worried I'd be late.

Oh no, no need. Your

journey here was dangerous.

You're a great Ming royalist. Oh,

do you have the Qing army plans with you?

Oh, I have

them here, sir. Hmm,

that's good. Hmm,

General Kun has been waiting for these

plans.

Help Luke! These are mine!

You fool! Why not accept your fate?

You lousy traitor! Ohh

You're the assassin! I suppose. I

thought I was dead. My kneels have

never failed. Maybe your eyesight saved

you. You pretended to be hit. Yes, that's

what I did. Fujun. Fujunquai,

you worthless, treacherous betrayer. You.

You may as well save your breath now.

Miss, Yingir, do something. Get

those plans back. Right!

You must all die!

Well, today I shall

kill all you goddamn rebels. Well, we'll

see.

Now I'll finish all of you off. Let's go.

Right.

General! General!

General Hank, where is he?

leave me. Go on.

General!

General! Who are you?Didn't expect me?

You're still alive?No, not really.

It's my last day. Nice day. Yes.

So the old thief saved you, huhHuh

Still, I'll finish you now. That's what

you think. Well, you're wrong.

What do you mean?Nothing can beat the

golden rope. Hot!

Hot!

You damn you.

yeah

I

didn't believe you could live.

Now you're going to hell, I promise.

Go

and... My second chain has got you...

Linga, that was the

only way to die together

with Kulongta. God

bless your soul.