Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 7]

I've thought about it.

If I had a son in the future,

I'd teach him kung fu when he's five years old.

But would his mother agree?

Madam is a person of reason.

Yes.

But when she refused to return to Tianjin last year,

I realised her true intention.

I don't blame her.

There's nobody else to blame but me.

I learned kung fu and all I did was create such a mess.

Right then.

I'm handing the manuals to the three of you.

You are now the official successors of Huo Fist.

Zhen Sheng practised martial arts with me since young.

He knows the Arcane Huo Fist like the back of his hand.

He doesn't need the manual.

Xiao Wu will continue with me.

I will teach him slowly.

He doesn't need it either.

The three of you each has one.

Do you know what my intention is?

I hope that no matter where you three end up,

you'd be together.

Help one another improve, be one another's support.

Master.

Are you... trying to chase us away?

Not chase, but request.

We are out of food.

The jade I decided to pawn will only get us so much.

You three are in your prime years.

You don't have to suffer in the valley like this.

Away from here,

it would be easy to earn a decent living.

Once you have enough savings,

you could go to Nanyang with Fa.

Fa is from a well-off family.

They need good men to help run their many businesses.

Fa, take the two of them to Nanyang with you.

I'm sure your father would be glad.

No, Master, I'm not leaving!

I haven't graduated. I still have a lot to learn!

Don't cry.

If not for the flood this year, I wouldn't have resorted to doing this.

Da You, you are honest and frank.

The world is a harsh place.

Go to your two seniors when you need help.

Master, are you really chasing the three of us away?

I'm asking.

Please stop toiling away in the valley with me.

I understand.

We're more mouths to feed.

The widow has been making things hard for master.

We will do as master said.

We'll leave.

-Brother Gao Qi. -Quit dawdling!

Master wouldn't ask us to leave if he had a choice.

But...

No buts.

Listen to me.

We will kowtow to our respected master.

This is more like it.

Less mouths to feed.

More wild vegetable porridge for us.

Here, my son.

Cry if you like, Xiao Wu.

You're brothers, after all.

But Xiao Lian, why are you crying?

I'm not crying.

I see.

You've taken a liking to those rascals, haven't you?

The porridge is too thin.

Too thin to stuff you up.

You're the lady of the house.

Why are you picking on the powerless maid?

I've had nothing but porridge for a month.

I was just finding some cheap thrill.

Yuan Jia, what are you doing?

Let's cook rice tomorrow.

Steamed rice.

No more porridge for Mother and the kids.

Okay.

Mother, we're having steamed rice tomorrow.

Porridge is fine.

Better conserve our food.

Mother, it's high time we change.

This morning, I've sent Zhen Sheng to the district.

He'll be back by noon tomorrow.

We'll not only have grains but meat too.

Dong Fang, would you like some meat?

Yes!

Dig in. Let's wait no more.

Your second uncle was just teasing you.

He's the Hero of Jinmen.

He'd never lie.

Hero of Tianjin, my foot.

All he knows is to throw a few punches.

His wife's the same.

What's their problem with living under a white government?

Of all the people in Tianjin,

none of them has trouble making a living.

Let's just eat.

At least it's steamed rice.

This meal should keep us alive for three more days.

Wait.

Better late than never.

Look what I've got.

Chicken!

Sister, tell the kids to hold on.

I'll prepare the chicken.

Second daughter-in-law, why did you kill it?

Mother, it's only a chicken.

It's high time you have chicken soup.

The chicken is all we have.

It could lay eggs for us.

You're expecting soon.

I was going to save some eggs for your confinement.

I've had my fill of eggs.

Better eat something light during confinement.

Yuan Jia, come home for dinner.

Zhen Sheng isn't back yet.

I promised Dong Fang there'll be meat.

Put off dinner if you must.

Don't disappoint the boy.

There is meat.

Can't you smell it?

Come home.

Otherwise, Mother won't start dinner.

Be patient.

Here, have a bowl.

I'm fasting.

Enough already. What's this nonsense about fasting?

if you won't have chicken soup,

neither will I.

It's delicious.

Mother.

Mother, there's still some chicken soup left.

How about some noodles tonight?

Noodles?

Where would you get the flour?

I know you're keeping some in the cabinet.

From new year.

Don't even think about it.

You're all skinny.

I was worried your baby might not have milk to drink.

So I saved some flour.

Mother, come now.

We're not that desperate.

Just give me the flour.

Today is sister's birthday.

What's there to celebrate in times like this?

All the more reason to be cheerful.

Besides, it's been tough on sister.

Real tough.

That woman is such a windbag.

I wish she were gone.

Don't be like that.

Yuan Jia and I did her wrong.

She's not mean at heart.

Please don't blame her.

If you have no milk when the baby comes,

what shall we do?

What's cooking?

It smells delicious.

First Madam, this is for your birthday.

Birthday?

Whose birthday?

Yours.

Second daughter-in-law said...

today's your birthday.

Could she be wrong?

I almost forgot.

Silly me.

If my father knew...

I get to celebrate my birthday even in such tough times,

he'd cry tears of joy.

Sister, don't cry on your big day.

Here.

Try my longevity noodles.

For me?

Yes.

Did you have to?

What a waste of food.

Come now, Sis.

It's not everyday you get to celebrate.

Although we can't throw banquets like we did before,

you should still eat a bowl of noodles.

Eat it while it's warm.

Mother, you have it.

Sister, there's still plenty.

Mother specifically said...

the first bowl shall be yours.

Old Madam, your noodles.

See? There's plenty for everyone.

Dong Fang, Dong Yuan, you'll have yours, too.

Don't be shy.

These past few years have been tough on you.

May this bowl of noodles...

satisfy your homesickness.

Mother... Thank you.

Don't thank me.

Thank your sister-in-law.

Sister.

Big sister.

Thank you.

I've complained and criticised you guys...

but you still did this for me.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[Endure]

Mas...

Master...

Gao Qi?

Xiao Wu!

Gao Qi, here.

Xiao Wu!

Brother Gao Qi.

There.

Thanks, Master.

Brother Gao Qi, have some water.

Master, I'm fine.

I'm just tired after a night's travel.

Gao Qi, how did you get injured?

Where are the rest?

The other day, I, Fa and Da You...

We...

[Come on, you're a grown man!]

[Suck it up!]

[I won't forsake Master.]

[Who says we're going to?]

[You did!]

[If we don't leave him,]

[we'll die in the valley.]

[Then so be it!]

[You idiot, we're young, strong...]

[and skilled.]

[Why should we starve?]

[Master can't leave the valley...]

[for fear of being discovered by Ying Si.]

[If we just sit and watch...]

[Master and his family waste away in the valley,]

[then shame on us.]

[What do you mean?]

[Can't you see we could make a living in the town?]

[We must roll up our sleeves...]

[and make some money for Master.]

[Don't let that wretched woman chide us...]

[for being loafers.]

As luck would have it,

the largest security agency happened to be hiring escorts.

The owner was desperate for new recruits.

The three former escorts...

wouldn't do their job properly.

How did he select the escorts?

A showdown,

with the three former escorts.

[Zhen Yuan Security Agency]

[Get him!]

[Nice!]

[Nice!]

-[Such skill.] -[Yeah.]

-[Nice!] -[Well done.]

[Very impressive.]

[Is there no one stronger?]

[Whoever defeats me...]

[gets to be an escort at Zhen Yuan.]

[Anyone?]

[I'll do it!]

[Way to go!]

[Way to go!]

[Way to go!]

[Nice!]

-[Get him!] -[Nice moves!]

-Go get him!

[Nice!]

[Well played!]

-[Nice!] -[Great!]

-[Well played.] -[Well played.]

[Recruitment through contest, friendship through sports]

Using such an underhanded trick.

That escort is such a crook!

Yeah! And the weapon hidden in his hand was poisonous.

By the time Ah Fa got down,

his arm was swollen big.

What happened next?

I knew we're up against a tough opponent.

So I decided to fight him myself.

But you know Da You,

he went off the rails.

-[Nice move!] -[Way to go!]

[Brother Wen Fa, are you alright?]

-[Nice!] -Nice!]

[What do you want?]

[Wait.]

[I'll handle this.]

[Da You, let me help you!]

[Don't!]

[Warrior.]

[Choose your weapon.]

[Take this.]

Da You's Huo Spear Method was really something else!

But two-on-one isn't acceptable on the ring.

Was the owner not aware of that?

It's no use.

The three escorts were scumbags.

The owner was afraid of them.

What happened to Xu Da You, then? Was he hurt?

No.

[Nice!]

[Now that's spear fighting!]

[Incredible.]

[Well done!]

[You have shown great talent, warrior.]

[You're too kind.]

[Since a victor has emerged,]

[will the escorts...]

[step down from their positions.]

[You may leave.]

[Citizens of Dong'guang,]

[Zhen Yuan's recruitment contest is over.]

When the owner saw...

how skilled the three of us were,

he was eager to hire us as escorts.

And you accepted it?

No.

We simply wanted to make some money, not leave you forever.

We'd never work for him.

But that old man was persistent.

[Warrior,]

[we've set up this competition...]

[to seek out new escorts.]

[Since you've stepped up...]

[and defeated your predecessors,]

[you're now Zhen Yuan's new escort.]

[Righteousness]

[Sir,]

[we don't wish to become escorts.]

[I started the fight.]

[Please accept my apology.]

[You were badly defeated.]

[You have no say in this.]

[Zhen Yuan Security Agency is a mainstay of Dong'guang.]

[You're so young.]

[If you become an escort now, the sky's the limit.]

[An escort?]

[My brother is certainly up to the task.]

[But this place is too small.]

[The sky's the limit?]

[Who do you take us for?]

[If that's the case,]

[why did you enter the contest?]

[Sure, those three guys...]

[were dubious characters.]

[But at least they got the job done.]

[Now that I've fired them,]

[you won't work for me...]

[and I have an urgent delivery to make,]

[what shall I do?]

[Owner,]

[we can undoubtedly make the delivery.]

[The question is, how much are you paying?]

The owner went all out...

and offered 200 taels of silver...

for a delivery to Yang Quan.

I figured...

it'd take half a month...

to make 200 taels of silver.

That's enough to feed all of us for three years.

So, I took up the job.

And then what?

Then...

[Zhen Yuan Security Agency]

[Bandits!]

What about Ah Fa and Da You?

We lost the goods.

They returned to Zhen Yuan...

and apologized to the owner.

Apologized?

Yes.

At first, the owner offered 100 taels.

I bargained,

demanding 200 taels instead.

So, he made us sign a death contract.

Death contract?

If the delivery were made, we'd receive 200 taels.

If the delivery fails,

we'd pay with our heads.

What?

What does that mean?

Master,

I wanted to go with them.

Then I thought,

I should let you know.

Master, I'm back.

Sorry to make you wait.

Zhen Sheng, let's go to the town. Da You and the others are in trouble.

You know about it?

You know about it, too?

Master!

Brother Zhen Sheng.

Gao Qi? Why are you here?

Where's Ah Fa and Da You?

After I bought the food, I heard...

someone had entered Zhen Yuan's contest.

From the rumours, I knew it was you guys.

But when I got there,

you three had embarked on the delivery.

I pondered if I should come back...

or find you first.

In the end, apprehension won, so I ran after you.

But you...

That's enough. Gao Qi told me everything.

Put away the foodstuff.

You two come with me.

Master,

take me with you.

You're little.

We don't need you there.

Look after the family.

Master, I...

While we're away,

someone has to hold the fort at night.

Xiao Wu,

you're now responsible for lives of our family.

Don't worry, Master.

Zhen Sheng must have had bought some meat.

Help yourself to it.

Master, let's go.

Come.

Thank goodness for Liu Zhen Sheng...

for buying all that food.

Hamhocks, roast chicken... The children will be thrilled.

Yuan Jia, I'm sorry for...

Sister,

where did Yuan Jia and the men go?

[Zhen Yuan Security Agency]

I lost the goods.

I signed the contract.

I take full responsibility for this.

That's easy for you to say.

You asked for 200 taels of silver.

Two hundred taels.

You guys have gotten in way over your heads!

Besides,

all three of you have signed this contract.

If you think you could pay with one life instead of three,

[Death Contract]

think again!

Owner,

my brothers,

they have signed the contract heedlessly.

Please forgive them.

We're no enemies.

And I suppose you don't really want us to die.

So I've lost my goods for nothing?

No!

I'll pay for the goods.

Just name the price.

Don't get ahead of yourself.

If I give you the figure,

can you pay it?

I know there's no telegraph office in Dong'guang.

What about Hejian?

If not,

I'll go to Tianjin or Baoding.

Just one telegram...

Hold on.

You want to send telegram?

To where?

Japan, the West,

or Nanyang?

You think you can fool me?

Don't think cutting your braid...

will make you look more worldly.

I'm wise to you cheaters.

Why would a rich man's son...

know how to wield a spear?

Who'd be willing to work as an escort?

If you doubt me, you may send a man to follow me.

I don't have time for that.

According to rules,

you must pay back two fold for the consignment.

At this rate, my agency's coffers...

would be depleted.

My life's work...

Above all,

if Zhen Yuan Security Agency's name were tarnished,

it could never be redeemed again.

What do you propose?

It's there in black and white.

You've set the terms.

[Righteousness]

You pay the price.

Da You!

Stop!

Master!

I'm incompetent.

I've brought shame to you!

How could I face you?

So you've returned.

Now all three of you are present.

You're their master?

Please take a look.

They wrote it themselves.

I didn't force them to wager their lives.

Owner,

my disciples are green and thoughtless.

They didn't realize you're testing their skills...

and caused a big misunderstanding.

Please forgive them.

Misunderstanding?

There's no misunderstanding here.

I wasn't testing their skills, either.

Really?

The contest was held by Zhen Yuan.

Those three escorts were your staff.

My disciples have defeated them...

and took up a job.

But on their way, the three escorts robbed them of the goods.

You're telling me you're not behind it?

Nonsense.

I've been a righteous man my whole life.

I'd never stoop so low.

Owner,

I'm the eldest pupil.

After they'd won the contest and took up the job, I was worried.

So I followed them.

Incidentally,

I caught up with the robbers after the incident, drinking.

And I eavesdropped on them.

-[Here, Brother.] -[Let's drink.]

[Cheers.]

[Zhen Yuan thinks it can do business without us?]

[Like hell it will!]

[That stupid owner. What a sucker.]

[All these years,]

[there's neither an accident nor a robbery.]

[It's all because...]

[three of the Five Tigers of Cang Mountain were his escorts.]

[Otherwise, he'd never have made even one delivery.]

[Yeah!]

[If you ask me,]

[the three meddling rascals have got to go.]

[Once they're gone,]

[the old geezer will come crawling back to us.]

-[With a higher wage, even.] -[That's right!]

[Our boss.]

Let's drink to that.

[Why so sneaky, you little rat?]

[Do you want to die?]

[Sirs...]

[I wasn't sneaking.]

[I noticed that...]

[you guys have it made.]

[Can I join?]

[Join us?]

[Can you fight?]

[No.]

-[Have you killed a man?] -[No.]

[What good are you, then?]

-[Scram!] -[Take a hike!]

[Scram!]

That's a nice story.

But where's the proof?

Even if it were the Five Tigers of Cang Mountain,

you're still at fault.

If you could beat them on the ring,

why did you lose to them during the job?

Owner, I'm very sorry.

We acknowledge this contract.

But please give us more time.

If I fail to recover the consignment,

as their master, I'll give my life instead of theirs.

Master, no.

We can't risk your life.

Quiet.

The owner and I are talking.

Don't interrupt.

They call you master,

yet you don't look much older than them.

Why should I trust you?

May I?

-Excellent! -Way to go!

Excellent.

Nice!

Great hero.

I couldn't recognise true skill.

My apologies for belittling you.

May I ask for your esteemed name?

I'm just a farmer in the valley.

My name is not of importance.

You have great skills.

I'm sure you are a true master.

I'd like to invite you to be Zhen Yuan's head escort.

My pupils lost the goods.

It is my duty as their master to recover it.

I will not consider other matters.

With you on the job, I'm sure it can be recovered.

I'll be frank.

I've long been suspicious of them being the Fiver Tigers of Cang Mountain.

To call them traitors is an understatement.

In truth, they've been marring my good name.

They even scammed me.

If you could bring those crooks to justice,

you'd be removing the thorn from my side.

You'd be doing this town a great favour.

Tell me how many men you need.

I don't need men.

But I need to borrow your banner.

[Zhen Yuan Security Agency]

Master.

[The poison is almost cleared.]

[But it'd be a few more days before you can use the arm properly.]

[You should stay at the owner's to recuperate.]

[No way, I have to be with you.]

[You're of no help now.]

[What's the use of coming?]

[I want to learn from master,]

[how to beat thieves on horses from below them.]

[All right then. You can come.]

Master, they're here.

Stay calm.

Take your own weapons.

[Gao Qi, you're smart.]

[You have a strong base in kung fu.]

[Logically speaking, you shouldn't be beaten in just one round.]

[It was most likely your choice of weapon.]

[The spear you picked is used on horseback.]

[It's too heavy...]

[and hard to wield.]

[You should've picked this one.]

[It's a long-bladed spear,]

[also known as horse slashers.]

[When you're fighting from below the horse,]

[you shouldn't think about how to hit the person directly.]

[Focus on slashing the horse's leg.]

[When the enemy falls off the horse,]

[that's your opportunity to attack.

[When I hear the story of the Water Margin,]

[my favourite part...]

[is where they used the hook spears against horse riders.]

[Despite never having seen a hook spear,]

[but I can imagine it.]

[Zhen Sheng.]

[Go and buy back three scythes.]

[As we know,]

[the Five Tigers of Cang Mountain have wreaked havoc...]

[on this road for many years.]

[They usually put on theatre masks during their raids.]

[That's not all.]

[They also kidnap for ransom and kill the victims.]

[They oppress women.]

[They're unscrupulous crooks!]

Spread out.

Stop!

No killing!

[Zhen Yuan Security Agency]

How gracious of you not to pursue the matter.

I'm truly grateful.

Not at all, great hero.

You don't have to thank me.

Please sit. Serve our guests!

It's okay, owner.

I have family matters to take care of.

I must hurry home. So long.

You can't go.

You should at least have some tea.

I have something important to discuss with you.

You can be straight with me.

I've run this security agency for 40 years.

There have been many ups and downs,

but at least the earning is good.

I'm lucky to have met you today.

It must be the heaven's blessing.

So...

allow me to be frank.

I'm willing to pay 20 percent dividend...

to hire you as the head escort.

Thanks for the offer.

But I'm just a farmer in the mountain.

I've no intention to join the workforce. So long.

Thirty then.

What about 30 percent dividend?

What do you take my master for?

How dare you bargain with him?

He said he's not interested.

Not even if you pay him 50 percent.

-Gao Qi! -Sorry, Master.

Fifty then.

I'll pay you 50 percent!

From today onwards,

half of Zhen Yuan's earnings will go to you.

Once again, thank you for your trust in me.

But I must decline.

I'm intent on farming, nothing else.

My apologies. I have to go.

The magistrate is here!

-The magistrate? -The magistrate is here.

Greetings, my lord.

What brings the magistrate here?

Zhen Yuan Security Agency is honoured to welcome you.

Not at all.

The Five Tigers of Cang Mountain had been a big problem.

The government has tried many times to catch them but to no avail.

But today, Zhen Yuan Security Agency managed to catch them.

You've done a great deed.

I dare not take credit for it.

The ones who caught the crooks...

is this hero and his pupils.

My lord.

What is your name, hero?

Let me answer, my lord.

My master's name is Liu Zhen Sheng.

He is not a martial arts practitioner so his name is not known.

You've probably never heard of him.

So it's Hero Liu.

I thank you on behalf of Dong'guang's citizens.