Sir Lai Xi was my father's friend.
He was an imperial agent on a secret mission.
Whilst studying at court, you've won our favor.
We entrust to you...
...the mission of eliminating...
...fugitives in the western regions.
This will also be a final test of your skill.
Fulfill this mission and we may allow you to return home.
The emperor bestowed on him the imperial sword...
...and with it the power over life and death.
Sir Lai Xi has arrived!
He wasn't a man of the Tang. He'd come here from Japan.
Whenever he appeared at Frontier Pass...
...it was only to rush off somewhere else.
Father said Sir Lai Xi wished to go home.
But the emperor never granted him permission.
Instead, he sent him here...
...to bring fugitives to justice.
He's been on this mission here in the wilderness for 10 years now.
Dear Mother: Today I reached Frontier Pass.
It's my new base for carrying out my mission.
General Wen, who's in charge here...
...says the emperor will send me home soon.
I've been in this country for 25 years...
...but my heart is in my homeland.
And my return is finally within reach.
Wen Zhu, the fighting here is growing more intense.
I've asked Sir Lai Xi to escort you to the capital.
You're finally going home.
Yes, at last.
The messenger is here!
Sir Lai Xi! Receive new orders!
When I was younger, I had seen this fugitive.
They called him "The Butcher" Li.
He was a distinguished officer in my father's service.
But he refused to kill some Turkish captives and a mutiny resulted.
Lieutenant Li says to let them go.
But that's against orders!
The general wants them all dead! What are you waiting for?
They're women and children!
We're soldiers. We don't kill unarmed civilians.
- Free them! - You're disobeying orders.
- Kill him! - Spare the captives!
Let's go!
When the emperor found out, he was furious.
He's been trying to apprehend Li ever since.
At first Li and the other mutineers made a living guarding camel trains.
But they haven't been seen for years.
I'll leave you here.
Don't follow me. Go to Western Lake.
Marry and live in peace.
The minister of justice...
...informed me of this most wanted fugitive's reappearance.
I can't abandon my mission now.
I owe the emperor too much.
And so, as yet, I am unable to return.
Please, dear Mother, forgive me.
When I've left...
...please give this to my replacement.
Lieutenant Li's reappearance changed Sir Lai Xi's plans...
...and I'd be along for the chase on the way to the capital.
Vengeance Kui!
Well done!
The Iron-Gate Pass Army delivers this caravan to the troops of Frontier Pass.
We've lost five camels and one horse, but all the other cargo is intact.
The Frontier Pass troops accept the mission.
Prepare to leave for 18-Mile Fortress!
The handover is complete! Go!
Raise the camels!
The storm's coming!
Is anyone there?
Is anyone else alive?
Yes...
He's still alive!
Here we go.
Baldy, it's me.
Get lost!
Stinking beggar, go the hell back to Western Lake.
Get lost!
- Where did you come from? - Over the ridge.
Do you know who's boss here?
Master An.
Say it for me.
- Master An is boss here. - Get lost!
18-Mile Fortress is east of here.
So why are we heading north?
The road east is full of Turks and bandits. There's no way through.
Yeah.
And all we've got is this little monk who just prays all day long.
Pray for some better luck for me, will you?
We'll go north first...
...where there's water and pasture. We can rest there.
- And hire some swordsmen. - Hire? But...
...how much will that cost?
How much is your life worth?
You want the one they call Butcher Li.
One of his old deputies, One-Eye Cao, lives at Western Lake.
He came to town last year to sell an ox.
I have to go.
I leave Wen Zhu in your charge.
There are too many bandits around.
I'll look after her.
Don't go outside. It's not safe.
They'll bring in your meals.
I'll only be away a few days.
Wait here for me.
Will you be able to find him?
The court wants him dealt with.
I must do my duty by the people and the emperor.
Hunting down and killing fugitives, is there much money in that?
I get by.
You're an imperial agent.
Why do you say that?
He's a force to be reckoned with.
- This one! - That one!
The white one!
Why aren't you roping in the horses? I told you to keep an eye on them!
What are you doing?
- Is that a caravan? - Yes.
How many people?
- Three. - What sort of people?
A Turk, a monk...
...and a soldier.
I'll get the others.
Take a good look at the Turk.
- Yeah, so, he's a Turk. - Take another look.
- He's still a Turk. - Look again.
You can't even see with two good eyes!
Sir!
Still the same old One-Eye Eagle.
Something to eat?
Thank you.
Bless you.
Sister...
...how much do your menfolk make guarding caravans?
They haven't done that for years.
Sir, how is it you've got a soldier with you?
What are you carrying?
I don't know. And it's not for me to ask.
Exactly.
He saved me. I have to help him.
Sir, we're blood brothers.
If there's anything we can do, just say.
There's nothing. I just dropped in to say hello. I can't stay.
I'll be off at sunrise. I'll hire more guards at the outpost.
- It's in ruins and nearly deserted. - It's true.
It's in shambles.
If I'd known, I'd have ditched him back there.
- Getting soft. - Yeah.
You could still do it.
Sir, why don't...
Soldier!
Carrying anything of value?
No, just a heap of Buddhist texts.
Why not trade them in for a wife? Move in here with us.
- You sure know how to pick a place. - Good, isn't it?
- I should settle down here too. - Great!
Not so fast. Let me see him off safely first.
Take me with you, sir.
Wake up.
Need some work?
- Yes. - It's dangerous work.
What else is there?
I've got by this far.
I know the rules of the road.
- Name? - They call me Old Diehard.
- Saddle up your horse. Let's go. - What horse?
- No horse and you expect to work? - I sold it because I had no work.
They call me Salamander. My real name is Di Hu.
All my life, I've known danger.
I know the rules of the road.
- And your folks? - Don't have any.
And my teacher's dead. My friends are all soldiers.
Go find a place to learn a trade.
Try me out first, uncle.
- Don't follow us. - Uncle, please, try me out.
- Butcher Li. - And you must be the imperial agent.
Do you plead guilty to disobeying orders?
- A soldier doesn't kill without reason. - Do you plead guilty to mutiny?
A soldier doesn't sacrifice himself senselessly.
All right.
Zimo, stay out of this.
Sir.
I'm also a soldier. Sir.
We're transporting precious goods for the court.
I've asked him to help guard the caravan.
Brother, you can't abandon us now!
Brother.
You hear that?
The court's orders must be carried out and he has to do his job.
I'll give you three chances. If you kill me...
...you'll take the caravan to the capital.
If you can't beat me...
...I'll take the caravan to the capital and we'll do battle there.
Agreed. Draw your sword!
You've gone over three attacks.
It's a draw! I'll see you in the capital.
Don't sneak around behind my back.
Sir, I'd like to see...
...how you deal with the imperial agent.
You little bastard.
You just want to see how he deals with me.
Someone needs to collect the body.
- Don't annoy me. - Relax, you won't even know I'm here.
This is where we say goodbye. Go home.
- You're treating us like strangers. - It's not like in the old days, is it?
Sir, you're giving old One-Eye the cold shoulder?
I said, this is where we part.
Go home!
We're not giving up that easily.
Take your usual positions. Front and rear!
I'm sorry, brother. I don't want to turn your wives into widows.
Build me a house. I'll be back.
Mark my words.
Raise the camels!
Halt!
I took the money you gave me and bought this donkey.
Didn't have enough for a horse.
I gave you enough for five donkeys. Dumb kid, you've been had.
- Go to the rear. - You'll take me?
Do it!
Ma Gun!
- What's up? - Come here.
- He's kicking again. - I'm sure it's a boy.
Once I give Ma Gun a little boy, let him just try and boss me around!
- Who asked you for a drink? - Get out of here.
If I don't return...
...look after my wife...
...and daughters.
Listen to you. We're blood brothers, right? It's one for all and all for one.
Don't leave me out of this.
- Your wife is about to have a baby. - What business is that of yours?
Master An.
You're a lion amongst men. You rule the desert.
What exactly does Lord Khan want from me?
Talk straight.
There's a caravan from India out there.
Our wise leader Lord Khan wishes you to-
Aren't you at war with the Tang?
The whole of the West will soon belong to you.
What's the fuss about one little caravan?
It's carrying something Lord Khan wants.
If that's the case, why not capture it yourself?
Our revered Lord Khan has promised that if you will do this one favor...
...you can name your reward.
I want his daughter for my wife.
Go tell that to your mighty leader.
Now bring out the real swords!
If you want to work for me...
...you'd better shape up.
Master An, you're every bit as amazing as they say.
No wonder you're the boss around here!
I'm a businessman.
There's no need for flattery.
Of course.
When the deed's done, Lord Khan will arrange the marriage you requested.
A daughter is a small price to pay for control of the western regions.
- Don't you think? - True.
Do you mind? Thank you.
Don't be afraid.
The story's only just begun.
Go prepare the dowry.
Old Diehard, on your horse!
Let's visit Big Steed Outpost, see if we can recruit a few helpers.
Good idea. Looking after the camels is exhausting.
Sir, I'll go with you.
Stay here. If anything goes wrong, take the caravan to Red Rock Gorge.
Don't worry. You can count on me.
Something doesn't feel right.
How long since you've killed anyone?
Several years.
Looks like that drought's about to break.
That's a worry. My blade's not sharpened.
- What's eating them? - Scared?
Bad luck. You poor old man, getting this as your first job.
He's already under my employment.
Looking for bodyguards?
I've got about 10 swordsmen.
You could hire them.
It's chaos out there. Not much work going.
We can talk prices.
- I only want some camel drivers. - Camel drivers?
You don't need camel drivers.
You can't fool me.
- Meaning? - Nothing.
I'm just trying to help my men find work.
If you want to make it sweet for me, you'll hire my men.
Otherwise...
...name a price. I'll take the caravan off your hands.
I won't leave you out of pocket.
Two options. You choose.
I already said it...
...I need camel drivers. I'm not negotiating.
Follow me!
Go!
Quick, over the wall!
- Move! Unless you want to fight! - No way!
Give me your hand.
- Come on! - Come on!
Come with me.
Thank you, miss.
I won't make it. Go on without me.
- Need some help, lieutenant? - Looks like you're in the wrong place.
You should be waiting for me in the capital.
I didn't want the bandits to kill you.
It'd save you the trouble.
- Wu reporting! - Baldy reporting!
- Ma Gun reporting! - Cao reporting!
Hurry, sir!
Hurry!
I need some guards. Coming?
The sooner we get to the capital, the better.
Get on your horses!
This is none of your business.
I've been tracking him.
He's mine to kill, not yours.
I could care less if he lives or dies.
Sir, you really ought to be on your way.
Let's not become enemies over such a small matter.
This land is still under Tang jurisdiction.
Where there are no other officials, I'm in charge.
If you want to pass...
...you must first pass my sword.
One-Eye! Ma Gun!
- Lead the way. - Yes, sir!
- Zimo! - Yes, sir!
- Coordinate all movements! - Yes, sir!
- Wu! - Yes, sir!
- Baldy! - Yes, sir!
- Guard the rear! - Yes, sir!
- What about me? - You?
Stick with me.
From now on, the mighty Lord Khan's troops run this town.
Until further instructions, no person may leave town without permission.
Those who disobey will be killed.
Sir.
We spotted them heading towards Red Rock Gorge.
They've got half a dozen guards.
Red Rock Gorge?
Let's go.
Sir Lai Xi returned with news.
We were going to leave Big Steed Outpost...
...and race eastwards to catch up with Li.
Sir Lai Xi didn't want bandits to get the caravan.
And he wanted to keep an eye on Butcher Li.
- We fought three battles here. - Two.
- No, three. - Two.
See, there's Big Wu's grave. I dug it myself.
We'll pay our respects on the way back.
Ma Gun. Tell the men to be careful.
Right.
Can the camels keep up with the horses?
- Just about. - Go as fast as you can.
- Got it? - Yes. Let's go!
Bandits to the left! Go right!
Faster with the camels!
Di Hu, hurry!
- Get the caravan to catch up! - Hurry!
Old Diehard!
Hurry!
Wait for me.
- Don't let the bandits get away! - Don't worry, sir!
Wu! Baldy! Catch the rope.
Raise the rope!
Go!
Catch up with the caravan!
- Where should we go? - I don't know.
Bandits!
Old Diehard, protect the caravan!
Go, Ma Gun, go!
- One-Eye! - Sir!
We'll charge them first. Lead the caravan into that gully.
As good as done, sir.
Go!