Master Li is here!
Shu Lien!
Li Mu Bai is here!
- How's everything? - Fine. Please come in.
Mu Bai... It's been too long.
It has.
- How's business? - Good.
- And how are you? - Fine.
Monk Zheng said you were at Wudan Mountain.
He said you were practicing deep meditation.
The mountain must be so peaceful...
I envy you.
My work keeps me so busy, I hardly get any rest.
I left the training early.
Why? You're a Wudan Fighter. Training is everything.
During my meditation training...
I came to a place of deep silence...
I was surrounded by light...
Time and space disappeared.
I had come to a place my master had never told me about.
You were enlightened?
No.
I didn't feel the bliss of enlightement.
Instead... I was surrounded by an endless sorrow.
I couldn't bear it.
I broke off my meditation.
I couldn't go on.
There was something... pulling me back.
What was it?
Something I can't let go of.
You're leaving soon?
We're preparing a convoy for a delivery...
to Peking.
Perhaps I could ask you...
to deliver something to Sir Te for me.
The Green Destiny sword? You're giving it to Sir Te?
I am. He has always been our greatest protector.
I don't understand. How can you part with it?
It has always been with you.
Too many men have died at its edge.
It only looks pure because blood washes so easily from its blade.
You use it justly, you're worthy of it.
It's time for me to leave it behind.
So what will you do now?
Come with me to Peking.
You can give the sword to Sir Te yourself.
It'll be just like old times.
First I must visit my master's grave.
It's been many years since...
Jade Fox murdered him. I have yet to avenge his death.
And yet I'm thinking of quitting.
I must pray for his forgiveness.
Join me once you have finished.
I can wait for you in Peking.
Perhaps.
Okay. Pass.
Thanks.
Let's go into the city.
Everything got here safely. I'm much obliged.
Just doing my job.
Sun Security has been the best since your father started it.
You're a credit to his memory.
Thank you.
I mean it.
This is Li Mu Bai's personal sword,
a great hero's weapon.
He is the only one in the world worthy of carrying it.
It's too Fine a gift. I cannot accept it.
Sir Te...
it has brought him as much trouble as glory.
Help him to leave these troubles behind.
Otherwise, he'll never be able to start anew.
All right.
I'll act as the sword's custodian.
Governor Yu has arrived.
I must change.
You've always been so good to Li Mu Bai and me.
Please accept our thanks.
Please do not be such a stranger. You'll stay the night as my guest.
Now, Shu Lien...
tell me something.
And forgive me for prying.
Your father was a great friend to me,
and I think of you as my own daughter.
Please, Sir Te, what is it?
Li Mu Bai giving up his sword...
and his warrior days...
Maybe he's trying to tell you something?
I don't know...
Don't be coy. I've always known about your feelings for each other.
All these years, it's a shame...
neither of you is brave enough to admit the truth to the other.
You're both wasting precious time.
I beg your pardon. Li Mu Bai and I aren't cowards.
When it comes to emotions,
even great heroes can be idiots.
Tell me if Li Mu Bai is not more open the next time you see him.
I'll give him an earful!
Sir Te said to leave the sword in here.
Who are you?
I'm your guest today.
I am Governor Yu's daughter.
This is Sir Te's study. You are here to...?
I was just looking for a quiet corner.
I am Sir Te's head servant.
And this is another of our guests.
It's heavy for such a thin piece of metal!
The handle is heavy. And the blade is no ordinary metal.
Still, the sword is the lightest of weapons.
You're just not used to handling it.
But, I have had much practice.
As a child in the West, a platoon lived with us.
They'd let me play with their weapons.
The scabbard is so beautiful.
Beautiful but dangerous.
Once you see it tainted with blood, its beauty is hard to admire.
It's 400 years old.
Exquisite!
You said it belongs to...
My friend Li Mu Bai. He's given it to Sir Te as a gift.
Li Mu Bai!
The famous warrior?
Why would he give his sword to Sir Te?
You're too young to understand.
You're a sword Fighter too?
Yes, I am.
But I prefer the machete.
Certain moves, however, call for a sword.
Really?
It must be exciting to be a Fighter, to be totally free!
Fighters have rules too: Friendship, trust...
integrity. Without rules...
we wouldn't survive for long.
I've read all about people like you.
Roaming wild, beating up anyone who gets in your way!
Writers wouldn't sell many books if they told how it really is.
But you're just like the characters in the stories.
Sure. No place to bathe for days, sleeping in flea-infested beds...
They tell you all about that in those books?
You know what I mean.
I'm getting married soon, but I haven't lived the life I want.
So I heard. Congratulations.
It's the most important step in a woman's life, isn't it?
You're not married, are you?
What do you think?
No! You couldn't roam around freely if you were.
You're probably right.
TE'S
Go ahead, Governor Yu.
2 feet 9 inches long.
1 inch wide.
The handle is 1 inch deep, 2.6 inches wide.
7 tenths of an inch thick.
With seven rubies missing from the hilt.
You can tell the design
dates back to before the Chin era.
Engraved with a technique lost by the time of the Han Dynasty.
Your knowledge is remarkable, Sir Te.
A sword by itself rules nothing.
It comes alive only through skillful manipulation.
I see your point. Please continue.
The Imperial Court isn't the problem.
With royalty and officials everywhere...
the Royal Guard keeps security tight.
But Peking is not like the West.
Here, you'll find all sorts of characters.
Proceed with caution in your quest for law and order.
Don't depend only on the court.
Contacts in the Giang Hu underworld...
can ensure your position.
Be strong yet supple.
This is the way to rule.
Governess...
Let me do it.
Please sit.
I've made you silk pajamas. Do you want to change into them?
Put them down.
I heard you met Shu Lien today.
Do you know her?
She's one of those.
Your mother would not want you consorting with her kind.
I'll socialize with whomever I please.
Don't invite danger into your father's house.
I'm tired now!
Go to bed then.
Miss has grown up, and is getting married soon.
God knows what the future will bring.
It'll be just the same.
Enough! I'm tired.
Autumn is coming.
I'll shut the windows for you.
- Chilly, eh? - Yes, Master Bo.
Someone help!
Stop him!
He's on the roof!
The sword's been stolen!
Stop thief!
Stop him!
It's Jade Fox!
We must avenge Mother!
Do something! He's getting away!
Return the sword and I'll let you go.
You've been trained at Wudan?
You're mistaken.
We're just street performers. We were rehearsing.
Father!
You were rehearsing?
Who are you trying to fool?
Where did that thief go?
Governor Yu's house!
Get down here!
Give back the sword!
Sir Te awaits you.
I'm sure the thief is in the Yu household.
How dare you imply?
Enough!
Has Governor Yu ever seen the sword?
Yes, though I doubt he's involved in this.
But the sword could be in his compound.
Then someone's trying to set him up.
We should inform Li Mu Bai.
What is it?
Madam Yu, someone's put up posters.
Let me see.
Someone is after a Jade Fox.
Preposterous, looking for her here!
- Where are they? - I don't know.
I haven't seen them in two days.
There's a Miss Shu Lien here to see you.
Miss is busy right now.
I'll tell her.
Show her in.
This spells trouble.
I have a guest.
This way please.
I've missed you.
How so?
I'm bored...
You're doing calligraphy?
I'll write your name.
Just for fun.
I never realized my name looks like "sword."
You write gracefully. Calligraphy is so similar to fencing.
Maybe it is. I wouldn't know.
Please.
Thank you for seeing me. I hear your wedding day is near.
You must be overwhelmed by the preparations.
I'm hardly doing a thing. The less I think of it the better.
My parents are arranging everything.
The Gous are a very powerful family.
My marrying one will be good for my father's career.
You are fortunate to marry into such a noble family.
Am I?
I wish I were like the heroes in the books I read.
Like you and Li Mu Bai.
I guess I'm happy to be marrying.
But to be free to live my own life...
to choose whom I love...
That is true happiness.
Do you think so? Let me tell you a story...
About you and Li Mu Bai?
Yes.
Did you know I was once engaged to be married?
No, really?
His name was Meng Si Zhao.
He was a brother to Li Mu Bai by oath.
One day, while in battle...
he was killed by the sword of Li Mu Bai's enemy.
After, Li Mu Bai and I went through a lot together.
Our feelings for each other grew stronger.
But how could we dishonor...
Meng's memory?
So the freedom you talk about, I too desire it.
But I have never tasted it.
Too bad for Meng, but it's not your fault, or Li Mu Bai's.
I am not an aristocrat, as you are...
but I must still respect a woman's duties.
Don't distance us.
From now on, let's be like sisters.
Then as a sister, let me wish you happiness in your marriage.
What a godforsaken place!
Can't your father be appointed closer to civilization?
Jen...
are you listening to me?
Let's go.
Who are you?
Wait! I'm a friend!
I don't care about your sword.
Why were you spying on the Yus?
I'm looking for someone. Jade Fox.
I'm a police inspector from Shaan Xi, Gen Su district.
Jade Fox is a master criminal. I hear she infiltrated the Yus.
She must have come with them when they transferred here.
But with Yu's reputation, I can't just go in and accuse her.
- This Jade Fox is a woman? - Yes.
Then leave her to me.
Pardon me, but I doubt you can handle her.
My wife was quite a martial arts expert.
Jade Fox killed her.
So you see...
this is personal. Leave her to me.
It's ready.
I'm ready for anything!
Father gets First dip.
They're gone!
What does it say?
"We'll settle this at midnight on Yellow Hill."
Good! The fox is out of her hole!
Shu Lien, look who's here.
Sir Te believes it's a ploy to cast suspicion on Governor Yu.
But something is going on at the Yu household.
What have you discovered?
Jade Fox?
Impossible!
You'd always suspected she'd fled to the West.
I didn't think she'd dare come back to Peking!
Is there any place safer than under the nose of Governor Yu?
So I shall avenge my master's death after all.
Be careful.
Sir Te requires discretion.
Official business is difficult enough.
Don't let personal feelings make it worse.
And I don't know... even this poster...
could be some sort of trap.
Did you see who posted it?
No.
It says Fox is hiding at Yu's.
On the night of the theft there was a brawl near Yu's.
Were you involved?
It was Bo, Sir Te's man.
I hear he followed the thief to the Yu's.
Have you questioned him yet?
No, not yet...
But your men are watching over Yu's compound?
No, I'd already sent them home.
You can blame me for losing the sword...
but please trust that I'll get it back soon...
using my own methods.
That's not what I meant.
I don't care about the sword.
What do you mean? Didn't you come back here for it?
I didn't know it was stolen until I got here.
Then, why did you come?
Well, we had talked...
Pardon my intrusion. Master Li...
your room is ready.
Thank you.
Please, lead the way.
The Fox doesn't care much for punctuality.
Still no sign of her.
Enough! Show yourself!
Tsai...
You dog!
You will pay for your stubbornness!
That's what you think, old witch!
If you surrender now, you'll suffer less.
But if you resist, I won't stop until you're dead.
Father!
Let me avenge my mother's death!
You'll soon end up like her, you little whore!
You'll pay for that!
She's going to paralyze you!
May!
Tsai, you Filthy mongrel!
An ambush!
Father, are you all right?
Wudan should have gotten rid of you long ago.
It's been a long time, Jade Fox!
You don't remember me...
But you should remember my master.
You infiltrated Wudan while I was away.
You stole our secret manual...
and poisoned our master!
Now it's time for you to pay!
Your master underestimated us women.
Sure, he'd sleep with me, but he would never teach me.
He deserved to die by a woman's hand!
You stole the secrets of Wudan's highest martial arts.
But after ten years of training your moves are still undisciplined.
And today...
under a Wudan sword...
you will die!
Disciple, we'll kill them all!
Let's go!
Another one!
I must get rid of Tsai!
Who are you?
Why is the Green Destiny in your possession?
What's it to you?
My name is Li Mu Bai.
The Green Destiny is mine.
Jade Fox can't be your master.
Where did you learn that "Xuan Piu" move?
I'm just playing around.
Tell me, who is your master?
- Let's go! - We must kill them!
Father!
This is Tsai?
My father.
Police inspector from Shaan.
This should be reported to Governor Yu.
The victim is an officer.
You believe the killer is hiding out in his compound?
I'd bet my life on it!
Come with me.
This needs to be resolved, and quickly.
I'll get into the Yu household and get her.
I'll ferret out Fox and her gang.
We must be careful.
Yu is a court official, and in charge of security.
Any disturbance will cast suspicion on him.
It might get Sir Te in trouble.
This is a delicate matter.
Sir Te, can you find some excuse...
to invite Madam Yu and her daughter?
What do you have in mind?
The best way to trap a fox is through her cubs.
Madam Te is certainly spoiling us with these wedding gifts.
She's being so considerate.
I'm sorry she's not feeling well enough to receive you today.
I heard Sir Te lost something.
And now Madam Te's not feeling well...
We know who stole the missing item.
If the thief returns it, I'm sure Sir Te will pursue...
the matter no further.
That's good.
Sometimes the help can't keep their hands to themselves.
It's very embarrassing.
Sir Te knows that even well-meaning people can make mistakes...
that can bring ruin to themselves and their families.
But don't be too lenient.
No mercy will be shown toward the murderer...
who turned up in Peking.
A murderer?
Yes...
the very killer of Li Mu Bai's own master.
Last night...
she killed a policeman who had tracked her down.
A female criminal! Now that's news!
You say she killed a policeman?
Yes, from the West.
He went undercover, and followed her here.
Maybe the murderer...
and the thief are the same.
I doubt that.
This thief...
is very unusual.
And most likely smarter than a mere killer.
Greetings, Sir Te.
Hello, Madam Yu.
This is Li Mu Bai...
the renowned swordsman.
Delighted to meet you.
Miss Yu is soon to be married.
Congratulations.
Why don't you come in?
I'm standing guard.
Come in. It's cold.
Come in.
We don't have to fear Jade Fox if we're together.
Isn't it a bit late to be out?
You've brought me the sword?
I do as I please.
Where is your master?
What's it to you?
Had enough flying?
You've got potential.
You've studied the Wudan manual but you don't understand it.
You need a real master.
Do you think you are a real master?
Like most things, I am nothing.
It's the same for this sword.
All of it is simply a state of mind.
Stop talking like a monk!
Just Fight!
Then tell me where Jade Fox is.
On guard!
Real sharpness comes without effort.
No growth.
Without assistance.
No action.
Without reaction.
No desire without restraint.
Now give yourself up and Find yourself again.
There is a lesson for you.
Go ahead.
Why should I?
You need practice. I can teach you to Fight with the Green Destiny,
but first you must learn to hold it in stillness.
Why do you want to teach me?
I've always wanted a disciple...
worthy of Wudan's secrets.
And if I use them to kill you?
That's a risk I'm willing to take.
Deep down, you're good. Even Jade Fox couldn't corrupt you.
Wudan is a whorehouse!
Keep your lessons!
You're home late...
or should I say early?
Why are you still here? You killed a policeman.
You should leave!
You'll bring ruin on my whole family.
They wouldn't have found me if you hadn't stolen the sword.
Like a little girl, you thought stealing would be fun?
You, too, are responsible for that death. Come with me.
You don't want to waste your life as the wife of some bureaucrat.
Denied your talent...
As master and disciple we will rule.
I'll never live as a thief!
You're already a thief.
That was just for fun.
How can I leave? Where would I go?
Wherever we want.
We'll get rid of anyone in our way.
Even your father.
Shut up!
It's the Giang Hu Fighter lifestyle... kill or be killed.
Exciting, isn't it?
I owe you nothing.
Yes, you do!
You are still my disciple.
You think you've been teaching me all these years from the manual?
You couldn't even decipher the symbols!
I studied the diagrams.
But you hid the details!
You wouldn't have understood, even if I had tried to explain.
You know...
you've gone as far as you can go.
I hid my skills so as not to hurt you.
If I hadn't seen you Fight with Li Mu Bai...
I'd still be ignorant of all you've hidden from me.
Master...
I started learning from you in secret when I was 10.
You enchanted me with the world of Giang Hu.
But once I realized I could surpass you...
I became so frightened!
Everything fell apart.
I had no one to guide me...
no one to learn from.
Believe me...
I've a lesson or two left to teach you!
The sword is back...
Are you happy?
I admit...
getting it back makes me realize how much I'd missed it.
But it's not your sword anymore.
You gave it to Sir Te.
True.
But I must borrow it for one last mission.
Jade Fox must die at its edge.
Did you know what you were hiding when you covered for that girl?
My job was to get the sword back, without embarrassing anyone.
I wasn't about to ruin...
her life, or her father's.
You did your job well.
But, this girl...
I saw her last night.
I knew she would intrigue you.
She needs direction...
and training.
She's an aristocrat's daughter. She's not one of us.
In any case, it will all be over soon.
You'll kill Fox, and she'll marry.
That's not for her.
She should come to Wudan and become a disciple.
But Wudan does not accept women.
For her, they might make an exception.
If not, I'm afraid she'll become a poisoned dragon.
It's not our affair.
Even if Wudan accepts her, her husband might object.
I thought by giving away the sword,
I could escape the Giang Hu world.
But the cycle of bloodshed continues.
I wish there were something more...
I could do to help you.
Just be patient with me, Shu Lien.
Lo?
Jen!
You shouldn't have come.
With all the traffic on your rooftop these days...
it took me a while to get in here.
I can't wait any longer.
I was wrong to let you go.
Come back with me.
You'll be happy in the desert.
You'll be free there.
You've been looking for me all this time?
Jen...
Stop playing with it.
I won't break it.
It's Dark Cloud!
Dark Cloud is coming!
Lower the shade, don't let them see you!
Don't touch the women!
Let's go!
Come get your comb.
Hurry back to your mother.
She's mine!
Leave her to me!
Come and get it!
Give me back my comb!
Let's stop a moment.
Give it back!
You're tired. You need rest.
Your horse needs water. There's a creek up here.
Well, there used to be!
What's your name?
I'm Lo.
The Hans call me Dark Cloud.
I'm not that tall or big...
but I'm quick as lightning.
My comb!
If you like that arrow, I can make you a bow.
Great for hunting wild chicken.
They're delicious.
You need to eat. Understand?
Then you'll have the strength to Fight.
Understand?
You're eating too fast.
Slowly.