Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Episode 43]

Huo Yuan Jia’s statement was published in full.

He Ma Li even wrote a special report.

Anyone with common sense could tell that it was directed at you.

I was the one who recommended this woman to you.

How silly of me!

I was too blind to see that.

I will throw her into the river!

That's enough.

Others will see it as a joke if it gets out.

She's Liu Zhen Sheng's woman now.

As the old saying goes, a woman follows her husband no matter his fortune.

Of course, she should stick up for Elite Martial Arts.

Both of you are dismissed.

-Yes! -Yes!

The article was well written.

The sales of Haishang Newspaper has hit a new high.

Untie her.

Let her do whatever she wants.

Come with me to Elite Martial Arts.

It was Huo Yuan Jia who challenged me.

Don't make things difficult for her.

Stop!

Mr. Rong.

"Show your strength?"

[Show your strength]

Sure.

This is my first time here.

Tell Huo Yuan Jia...

that I'm here. Tell him to prepare tea.

[Wushu]

[Wushu]

Mr. Rong, how can I help you?

Huo Yuan Jia.

Is this how you treat your guest?

Not even a cup of tea?

My disciple has informed me earlier.

It doesn't seem like you're here as a guest.

You're right.

Well, Zuo...

got too excited...

and brought a few of our men along.

But you can't blame him for that.

We had laid our cards on the table...

back at my place last night.

[Huo Yuan Jia.]

[If you agree to a competition,]

[I'll release both your disciples.]

[Do your best to defeat the Japanese martial arts club.]

[I will give out 500 taels of silver as a reward.]

[Or as Bertrand would call it,]

[a participation allowance.]

The statement you made...

was a real slap in the face.

I won't be paying you the 500 taels of silver, then.

A gentleman makes money through honourable means.

I may be poor,

I'll never step into a ring against my principles...

just for 500 taels of silver.

Even so, you didn't have to ask He Ma Li...

to write an article to attack me.

You have your fight.

I set up my bets.

Everybody wins.

Instead, you opened a can of worms on the newspaper.

What's the matter?

Afraid I'll ruin your reputation?

Indeed.

Reputation is very important to me.

But not fake reputation...

or one that's gained through improper means.

What matters to me is the reputation...

of Elite Martial Arts and the Chinese.

Martial arts is a precious treasure left behind by our ancestors.

It should never be used for gambling.

Don't romanticize it.

If it weren't for fame,

would you set up a martial arts school in Shanghai?

You wanted to become a great master yourself...

and dominate the world of martial arts through Elite Martial Arts.

You recruited a large number of disciples...

and have them take in their own disciples.

That way, you'll be able to make even more money.

Ever since I started Elite Martial Arts,

I have heard a lot of criticisms like this.

Due to the lack of prudence,

the naming of the school...

caused many misunderstandings.

But I solemnly declare...

that Elite Martial Arts is definitely not a school.

I'm considering a new name...

to put an end to the disputes...

and abandon the bad practices of the old martial arts.

Besides, we were short of funds when we first started.

While it's true we accepted money from some of the disciples,

we don't take money from the poor or those going through tough times.

Once we make enough money from other businesses...

to support Elite Martial Arts,

we'll give our disciples back their money.

Well said.

Well said.

Even if you don't care about fame or profit,

don't you care about your disciples' lives?

Fine!

I'll grant you your wish.

Let the government office have your disciples executed!

You wouldn't dare.

What did you say?

I said, you wouldn't dare.

The news by Haishang Newspaper...

has spread like wild fire in Shanghai.

If the government kills my disciples...

to appease those in power,

the people might not take kindly to it.

Huo Yuan Jia.

You have seen the world.

Even now,

you're still counting on the people?

The ones who can save our country...

are the people.

The disciples of Elite Martial Arts are common people.

Here, I hope...

they can strengthen themselves through martial arts...

and broaden their horizons through learning...

and eventually become patriotic, self-cultivated...

righteous, and helpful people.

I believe...

thousands of small streams eventually become the sea.

As long as we persevere,

our people will have a good life ahead.

Zuo.

We backed the wrong horse back then.

Huo Yuan Jia doesn't share the same sentiments as us.

Let's go.

[Pawnshop]

Sha Yan.

Zhen Sheng.

Were you beaten?

No.

I was treated well.

They didn't even interrogate us.

All right.

What matters is that you're back.

Chen Zhen.

Don't try to be a hero!

If you ever do something like this again,

take me along with you.

Sister.

Sha Yan.

Sorry for what happened.

You weren't beaten after all.

What a surprise. You're so lucky this time.

[Wushu]

Master.

I've caused you trouble again.

Me too.

Stand up.

I said, stand up.

We have taken up the gauntlet...

thrown down by Abe Dojo.

Mr. Nong will begin negotiations with the opponent...

on the rules of the contest.

A date will be set soon.

There's no time to lose.

As of now, Chen Zhen and Sha Yan are vital...

to Elite Martial Arts.

Master.

We have made a mistake.

Just be direct and tell us our punishments.

I'm afraid I don't follow you.

Even if you're to be punished,

it'll have to wait until after the competition.

Both of you have fought against the Japanese samurais.

You should be familiar with their fighting style, swordsmanship,

and weapon skills, right?

Yes.

It’s really different from our martial arts.

When I was sitting idle in the jail,

I tried to figure it out.

All right.

Tell everyone what you have learned.

The Art of War says,

know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

[Abe Dojo]

[Batiste International Hotel]

[Elite Martial Arts]

[Wushu]

The rules of the match against Abe Dojo are set.

Five people from each side.

I'm willing to take the lead!

No.

The opponents are all men.

When Chen Zhen and I were at the dojo,

-we saw female fighters. -That's right.

The Japanese called them Onna-bugeisha.

But the Onna-bugeishas have low status at the Japanese martial arts club.

They can't step into the ring.

I'll fight against the men, then!

Forget it!

You got yourself into jail last time.

Because of you, I couldn't sleep for days.

Master.

It looks like the Japanese's patriarchal culture...

is just as bad as ours.

This gives me the idea of recruiting female disciples.

If we could set this precedent,

you'll be the first female coach at Elite Martial Arts.

But...

Master.

Since it's been decided.

Let's play by the book.

Your willingness to serve Elite Martial Arts...

is commendable, nonetheless.

Five contestants.

The last one to compete...

will be Yuan Jia.

As for the opponent, it'll be Kumazo Abe.

But whether or not there'll be a fifth match...

depends on the first four matches.

If we win the first three matches,

there'll be no need to fight.

Yuan Jia, please appoint the four contestants...

that you'll be sending.

Zhen Sheng is the first disciple of Elite Martial Arts.

He's the best candidate for the first match.

Thank you for your trust in me.

I'll surely win the match.

Victory is not important.

As long as you show them the spirit of Elite Martial Arts.

Yes, Master.

As for the second match...

Xu Da You.

Thank you, Master!

Da You is strong and brave.

But even the smallest mistake in the ring...

can turn into a big disaster.

You must be careful.

Master.

I'll keep that in mind.

Master Jin has a deep foundation in martial arts.

You're a notch above me...

in terms of weapons...

and hand-to-hand combat.

As for the third match,

we'll be counting on you.

You've got to be kidding me.

I'm no match for you in either area.

I'm honoured...

that you think so highly of me.

Chen Zhen.

I'll have you fight the fourth match.

-Chen Zhen will be fighting? -That's right.

Chen Zhen!

You made a mistake, but master still let you fight!

You lucky man.

That's right.

Master, are you serious?

Did I hear it right?

Remember,

regardless of the results of the first three matches,

you must do your best.

Don't get distracted.

Master, I'll keep that in mind.

But it's a shame. We'll win the first three matches.

You might not get a chance to fight.

If that really happens, great.

Next, I will talk about the rules of the competition.

Keep that in mind.

Too many fouls will result in a loss.

The first four matches are hand-to-hand combat.

The rule is that the contestants can only use their fists and palms.

Do not use claws, fingers or other methods to attack.

The attacks cannot land on the opponent's head or neck.

What about legs?

It’s okay to hit...

the opponent’s head and neck with knees and legs.

Got it.

During the competition,

don’t hold the opponent’s head, waist or legs.

No tearing the opponent's clothes.

No groin attacks.

If the opponent falls to the ground,

you have to cease all attacks.

Continue after the opponent gets up.

Initially, the Japanese proposed many other rules.

But considering the differences between Chinese and Japanese martial arts,

both sides have made compromises and concessions.

These are the things that have been confirmed.

Yuan Jia, you asked for light contact,

but they did not agree to it.

The match will end...

once a party is knocked out of the ring...

or can't stand up after being knocked down.

Otherwise,

it'll go on for five minutes,

and the winner will be decided by the referee...

based on the number of contacts and knockouts.

If the first four matches are tied,

in the fifth match,

Yuan Jia and Abe will have to compete for three rounds...

in hand-to-hand, swords, and weapons.

The rules for hand-to-hand still apply.

The second round is swords.

Isn't sword a weapon?

I had the same question.

But they said...

Kendo embodies the essence of Japanese martial arts.

To distinguish it from other long weapons,

they've set up a separate round for it.

Before the negotiations,

Yuan Jia had proposed a friendly match.

Only then did they agree to use wooden swords in the match.

If neither one wins both the first two rounds,

the final round will determine the winner.

It'll be a contest of long melee weapons.

There's no time limit.

Before the battle...

you have to sign a death contract.

This is against our principles.

But we must face the challenge.

I have no choice but to sign it.

The competition is set on the 18th of the month.

It's on Sunday...

which is three days from now.

Everyone.

A sure victory for Elite Martial Arts!

A sure victory for Elite Martial Arts!

[Newspaper]

A showdown between Chinese and Japanese in three days!

The rules have been finalised! Tickets are scarce!

A showdown between Chinese and Japanese in three days!

The rules have been finalised! Tickets are scarce!

[Elite Martial Arts]

[Referee]

[Abe Dojo vs Elite Martial Arts]

[Abe Dojo]

Next, let's welcome the contestants into the arena!

The first to make an appearance...

is Kumazo Abe of Abe Dojo of Hongkou,

and the four Japanese contestants!

Next, it's Huo Yuan Jia of Tianjin...

and the representatives of Zhabei from Elite Martial Arts!

-Nice! -Nice!

[Elite Martial Arts]

-Nice! -Nice!

Next, we'll announce the rules of the competition.

There are five contestants altogether.

Isn't the competition today?

Why won't you let me go?

I told you.

I must be there to watch the competition...

and cheer for my son as he defeats the Japanese.

Mother, didn't you hear the news?

It's extremely hard to buy a ticket.

My son is competing.

I'm his mother.

I need a ticket to enter?

Yes.

The match is held in the concession.

The police are guarding the entrance.

We can't enter without a ticket.

Well.

Mother.

Don't worry.

Yuan Jia has told me.

It's just a friendly match.

Only light contact is allowed.

He'll be fine.

I know you're fooling me.

You just don't want to let me go.

I...

I'm blind now.

How bad can it get?

Mother.

Don't say that.

Yuan Jia still doesn't know about your eyes.

Before he left, he told me...

[This competition is like a battlefield.]

[Should anything happen to me,]

[tell mother...]

[that I'll still be her son in my next life.]

Yuan Jia said he has been competing with others since he was little.

For him, going into the ring is all in a day's work.

Nothing will happen to him.

Mother.

How about you go and sit on the bed?

I'll massage your shoulders and legs.

Forget it.

You're going to give birth in less than a month.

How can I trouble you?

Grandma.

I'll do it, then.

I'm getting better now...

after learning it from Mrs. Huo.

All right, then.

Mother, what are you looking for?

Nothing.

Dong Jue.

Didn't I ask two guys to play with you?

Why are you back?

I don't want to play with them.

I want to watch Father competing with the Japanese.

No one can enter without a ticket.

Go out and play.

I have a ticket.

[Entrance ticket]

Dong Jue.

Where did you get this?

When He Ma Li gave you the ticket yesterday,

I have overheard your conversation.

Mother, bring me along.

No way.

Your father might be in danger.

You're a kid. You can't go.

If anything happens to my father,

I won't get to see him anymore.

Mother.

Please bring me along.

All right.

Next, let's have the contestants enter the ring!

Zhen Sheng!

-Let's win this! -Let's win this!

-Great! -Great!

-Great! -Great!

-Great! -Great!

Nice!

-Great! -Great!

Go now.

[Elite Martial Arts]

The first round...

goes to Elite Martial Arts!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

Elite Martial Arts shall prevail!

-Zhen Sheng! -Good job, Zhen Sheng!

Elite Martial Arts shall prevail!

Awesome!

[Elite Martial Arts: 1 vs Abe Dojo: 0]

We got this!

If Master Lei were here,

he'll surely come to watch the competition.

Master Lei went back to his hometown after his birthday party.

There's no more Master Lei in Shanghai.

Even Liu Zhen Sheng is called a master in the newspaper.

This is nothing.

The opponent is too weak.

If it were me, I would have knocked him out of the ring.

Abe Dojo?

I've never heard of it.

Could they be hired by Elite Martial Arts?

Now, now.

We should support our fellow countrymen.

That's no way to talk.

-Nice! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

Da You is too anxious to win.

The opponent is a master of Jujutsu.

That might put Da You at a disadvantage.

[Abe Dojo]

The winner of the second round is Abe Dojo!

Awesome!

[Elite Martial Arts: 1 vs Abe Dojo: 1]

Master.

Da You, you have tried your best.

Get some rest.

[Greetings, Uncles.]

[What brings you here...]

[to Elite Martial Arts?]

[Ying Jiu has been hanging out in the concession area.]

[The Warrior Against Opium]

[Also...]

[he's working hand in glove with the Japanese who's about...]

[to compete against Yuan Jia.]

[Two of my disciples...]

[had run into him in the concession area.]

[But Ying Jiu was too cunning.]

[He managed to get away.]

[We came to Shanghai at once...]

[as soon as we heard the news.]

[First, we would like to find out if it was Ying Jiu who instigated...]

[the conflict between you and the Japanese.]

[Second,]

[it's time to get rid of that scumbag from Eagle Claw Sect.]

[We spent a great amount of money...]

[to buy three tickets from the black market.]

[Master Huo, just focus...]

[on defeating the Japanese tomorrow.]

[We will be in charge of capturing the scumbag of Eagle Claw Sect.]

Nice!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

Nice!

-Foul! -Foul!

Referee, it's a foul!

Yellow card.

First warning.

Why is that?

-Nice! -Nice!

-Great! -Great!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

[Elite Martial Arts]

The winner of the third round is Elite Martial Arts!

[Elite Martial Arts: 2 vs Abe Dojo: 1]

Awesome!

This is awesome!

That's great.

-Awesome! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

-Awesome! -Awesome!

The fourth round!

Chen Zhen of Elite Martial Arts...

[Elite Martial Arts]

will be up against Jiro Fujiwara of Abe Dojo.

[Abe Dojo]

We're counting on you.

Save your master the fight.

Don't worry.

Take a seat.

-Chen Zhen! -We got this!

-Chen Zhen! -Go for it!

-Chen Zhen! -Go for it!

-Chen Zhen! -Go for it!

Yuan Jia.

What do you think about this match?

We'll know when it's over.

Master Jin.

What say you?

In terms of martial arts experience,

the older one has the upper hand.

But in the ring, the younger one is physically stronger.

Chen Zhen has a good chance of winning.

I see.

If Chen Zhen can end this battle,

it'll be a huge victory for us.

I'll foot the bill...

and buy everyone at Elite Martial Arts drinks.

Nice!

I feel like drinking right this moment.

Chen Zhen doesn't seem to have the upper hand.

It's not looking good.

When we challenged them,

this guy was observing us.

He's familiar with Chen Zhen's fighting style.

-Nice! -Nice!

Good lad!

That's more like it.

Chen Zhen has mastered the techniques passed down by Mr. Sun.

The ability to play it by ear is his greatest strength.

Nice!

Nice!

What's Chen Zhen doing?

What's the matter with him?

What is he looking at?

[Abe Dojo]

The winner of the fourth round is Abe Dojo!

They lost again!

How did they lose again?

It's all right.

[Elite Martial Arts: 2 vs Abe Dojo: 2]

Chen Zhen.

What happened to you?

I saw it...

What did you see?

I'm going to tell Master!

Don't go.

Don't tell master anything.

There's a battle ahead.

Our master is going up against Kumazo Abe.

Don't let him get distracted.

Chen Zhen, it's all right.

Brace yourself. Let's cheer for Master.

The fifth round.

Let's welcome the founder of Abe Dojo...

Mr. Kumazo Abe!

Let's welcome Master Huo Yuan Jia of Zhabei, from Elite Martial Arts!

Nice!

-Nice! -Nice!

-A sure victory for Master! -Master!

-Nice! -Nice!

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Could you move aside?

We can't see.

Mother, I can't see.

I'll carry you. Come on.