Some say solitude is a disease.
I say it is a cure.
Here I've got a peaceful feeling.
Because I am free from the world outside.
Help me
The journey to find your true self is tough.
That day was my first step.
WIND CHIME CROSSING
Someone help me, please!
Get out of the way!
Stop!
What happened to him?
Him? I'm about to collapse.
Come on, get on the rickshaw.
Be careful.
You can pick it up at the teahouse.
But Madame Tang, I have business to do
Don't fret, alright.
Out of the way! Out of the way!
Turn left.
Liu Yan's Teahouse
What happened?
The Japs shot down his plane, I think.
The enemy is closing in everyday.
This town won't stay safe for long.
Thank you for saving my life.
You don't need to thank us. Just rest.
The police will send someone to take you home.
I should be heading home too.
Where do you live?
In a village up the mountain.
Are you a hunter?
You got it.
It's pouring. You'd better put up here.
I'm going to close the shop for the day.
For your chapped lips.
Sis Liu, she wants to leave and insists on paying.
Just wait until you get better.
Erwa will take care of you.
Thank you.
That's a Colt-45.
Sorry, you can have it back.
You like guns?
Do you know much about guns?
Not this one. Can you tell me more?
1911 model. Made in U.S.A.
Semi-automatic with a 10 round clip.
Firing range?
50 meters.
Thank you for carrying me down the mountain.
No problem.
See how it feels.
But I'll need it back.
Sorry!
Nothing serious! Go back to sleep.
I also need a gun to protect my mom from the Japs.
Fifty
Fifty-five
One minute.
Not bad.
Your hands are like two dancing partners.
The guy leads, the lady follows.
Do you dance?
Mr. John...
You should rest for a few more days.
I must return home. I miss my family.
So long.
Mr. John.
Let me serve you tea as a student.
Thank you.
You saved my life.
Not at all.
Good-bye, Teacher.
How's the war been these six months?
What do you think?
Damn it! You trying to scald me?
So sorry. I'll brew you another pot.
To hell with another pot. Where's your boss?
Sis Liu.
My apologies.
So you're the owner?
Your over-priced tea tastes like cat's piss.
Think twice before you decide to make trouble here.
Isn't it a whorehouse?
Watch your tongue.
This teahouse belongs
to General Tang.
Sir, three months ago...
General Tang was blown up by the Jap's mine.
We also risk our lives on the frontline.
If you treat us right
we might come again.
I only serve people who appreciate the art of tea.
Please leave now.
Change your attitude and I might let you come again.
You want attitude?
You call yourselves soldiers?
Get lost, you motherfucker.
Come again?
Motherfuc...
You can fuck with me, but not my mom.
It's just a scratch, soldier.
Say hello to my little friend.
Red Hot Chili Pepper.
What's going on?
Sir!
He stabbed the sergeant with a concealed weapon.
It's my hunting knife.
Take him.
Good day, Madame Tang.
Your men need to learn some manners.
They don't know who they are messing with.
My apologies, Ma'am.
This is my matter. Please stay out of it.
It's your men who started the fight,
not him.
Nice gun.
Jap Snipers!
Get down.
Take it for me.
Watch your feet.
They're more than five hundred meters away.
Our guns are no match.
Fang!
Are you alright?
Damn it.
Hai, get me Fang's sniper rifle.
Throw over the sniper rifle now.
You motherfucker!
Draw their fire.
Why?
So I can see the muzzle flash.
You take the front. You take the back.
Go.
Move!
Put the gun down!
I said put it down.
What's your name, son?
Mu Liangfeng.
On your feet!
I was told you're a fine shooter.
Who taught you?
I'm a hunter.
Want to be a soldier?
No.
Why?
Your men are disgrace to the army.
You're being rude to the commander. I can shoot you right now.
He's your commander, not mine.
Go ahead.
Right here.
You have two choices
be shot
or be a soldier.
These are Springfield M1903, made in U.S.A.
Firing range is 550 meters.
That's 50 meters more than the Chinese Mauser.
What do you do?
Estimate wind velocity.
We know.
Did I ask you?
Besides wind speed?
Estimate the trajectory.
Shoot!
Mengzi:
Mengzi, this young hunter's got talent. Teach him well.
The target 500 meters away becomes point blank.
You can decide if he lives another second.
Shoot!
You should have seen him shoot those Japs.
He's an angel of death with the gun.
If you're not sure,
then abort mission. Don't reveal your ass.
Shoot!
Did you shoot the Japs with this Springfield?
But I used Fang's.
Is there a difference?
Hard to say
It's a feeling.
A sniper is a waiter.
You wait for the target.
You wait for sunset.
You wait for sunrise.
You wait for the rain to stop.
You wait for the wind to blow.
Sometimes you wait for hours
then everything is over in seconds.
Most of the time it's a fruitless wait.
The gun is a lifeless tool.
But a good sniper
can put a pulse into it.
Bring him on.
Don't you want to see if he can shoot?
In these dark days, anyone with a dick can shoot.
This kid has fast hands for reload.
How do you know?
It's a feeling.
If I stay,
will you give me Fang's gun?
Shoot!
The Japs have occupied Jingzhou.
They will keep pushing Southwest.
Your mission is to create a diversion.
Cross enemy lines to kill four Jap generals.
And their Chinese interpreter.
Your contact is from Intel-Unit.
He's the night watchman in the west district.
Mengzi, Xiaowu, Mu will take the targets.
Gui, Xun and Bin...
you cover the retreat.
You have ten seconds to finish the mission.
All decisions are made by Mengzi.
Sixty bucks for every target killed.
Ten bucks for any othe Japs.
We are not here to destroy your homeland.
We are here to utilize our country's...
progressive civilization and strength...
to establish an ideal...
East Asian republic.
Fire!
This is the weather report for the Kanto region.
Tokyo has sunny skies with a chance of evening rain.
Chiba and Saitama Prefectures will also be sunny.
Clouds over Kanagawa Prefecture will soon clear.
That concludes our weather report for today.
I miss the Sakura blossom back home.
Masaya!
Aren't you supposed to be on mission in Jingshan?
Happy Birthday.
It's my favorite!
Thank you.
It's homemade.
Have a taste.
I was told you shot more innocent civilians.
Does killing give you sadistic pleasure?
I am not one of your patients.
You didn't answer my question.
When I enlisted,
I swore my life to my country.
If you fought a thousand on the battlefield,
I will be proud of you.
I want to marry a Samurai, not a murderer.
Are you seeing someone else?
All quiet on the west front.
Sir.
I joined to kill Japs, not our people.
This bastard is not our people.
He is a traitor, a swine.
Even swine have kids and family.
What if this traitor leads the Japs to raid on your home.
Could you say to him,
"Excuse me Mr. Traitor."
"We're both Chinese."
"Please tell the Japs..."
"Be a little gentle raping my wife."
Bullets know no mercy.
You should go back to hunting pheasants.
Listen up. The targets will arrive separately.
We must wait until all of them show up.
No one makes a move until I fire.
When our ten seconds are up, we must retreat.
We'll rendezvous at the bamboo grove.
Protect yourself first, then your comrades.
Easy.
What are you here for?
To see how you're doing.
Thank you.
Does Mengzi know you're here?
Listening to his pep talk is like breathing CO2.
Let me tell you...
If he let you join the party,
that proves you have the chops.
Have you seen the hash marks on his rifle butt?
35 hashes.
That makes about 175 Jap souls.
He really fried me when I joined the platoon.
Those days were tougher than my college years.
You went to college?
Check this out. Fudan University.
M.A. in Foreign languages.
Can't you smell that diploma?
Watch me.
"Mr. Invader,
I would love to kiss your ass."
I can be a perfect traitor.
Then why'd you enlist?
It's that old saying:
When a nation falls, heroes will rise.
I always ask myself, what is missing in my life?
Let me tell you, it's money.
Ten more missions...
and I'll go home to open a school.
Xiaowu...
I enlisted to fight Japanese soldiers,
not Chinese.
He's a traitor, just shoot him like a jack rabbit.
My first mission was to shoot a woman.
I blew her brains out like fondue.
All over her silk dress.
Too many killings make your heart go cold as steel.
Let me tell you...
The heart of a sniper is a lonely hunter.
It's like a shooting star stood still.
It's cool and breezy tonight.
The mission in Xuzhou was hell, no breeze.
Mengzi led me, Bin and a few rookies.
We were grilled for five days on a sand dune.
When the targets appeared, our balls were well done.
Everyone was toast when we got back to the camp.
One of the rookies' kidneys got screwed up.
He couldn't get his pecker up no more.
Bye-bye, birdie.
Let me tell you.
That rookie is me.
You have to let go of the past,
or you'll go cuckoo.
Long live the Emperor!
Enemy!
Over there.
Damn it.
Let's go!
Sir! Sir!
Shun!
Don't take the main street!
Get down!
Freeze! I said freeze!
This is for groping our women.
Let's go!
Come with us if you want to live.
Make up your mind yet?
Move!
Springfield M1903.
Sir, we should head back to Jingshan.
Call over my sniper team from Jingshan.
Yes, Sir!
Sir!
"Masaya..."
"It's my job to save people."
"It's your job to kill people."
"How can we be husband and wife?"
"There are many soldiers on the frontline who need my care."
"I am leaving because I can't stand to see you fall."
"Take care of yourself."
Sir, shouldn't we wait for Mu?
Fifteen minutes.
Then we leave with or without him.
Who are you people?
We are the Communist guerillas.
I'm Captain Ma.
Where are your men?
In the bamboo grove. I'm lost.
Follow me.
What's up?
I got to take a leak.
Check your ammo.
Sir!
Get down!
Stop! Stop!
Over there!
Don't shoot! We're friends.
Identify yourselves.
We are the Communist guerillas.
It's not my style to shoot people at the back.
This was an exception.
And you are?
We're the 204th sniper unit of the Nationalist Army.
We brought your man.
Sir.
Thank you.
We are brothers in arms.
Well, until next time.
Where are you going?
We go where the Japs are.
Try to walk on rocks, it is safer.
Black is mud, white is rock, shining is water.
And a click is a mine.
So you made the first shot?
Yes, Sir.
Alright now.
The punch means we are brothers now.
Sorry, there were too many Japs at that moment.
If I didn't run, I would have been history.
I got a wife and grandma back home.
Now we are brothers.
Mengzi, step forward!
Xiaowu.
Gui!
Bin!
Mu!
You got mail.
In times of war, a letter from home is like gold.
What does it say, college boy?
After the war, come study at my school.
Special deal: no entrance exam required.
"Liangfeng, soldiers are saying..."
"a sharpshooter has joined the 204th Unit."
"His name is Mu Liangfeng."
"We had no idea that it was you."
"How's the soldier's life? I hope you are safe and sound."
"Autumn is here, it's getting dry and windy."
"Drink lots of tea, it will keep you in shape. Your Sis Liu"
"Sis Liu?" So she is older than you?
Not by much.
Older women give you that feeling of security.
Liu... What's her full name?
Liu Yan.
She runs a teahouse with the same name.
So did she give you a written exam?
Any oral exam?
Liu Yan, it's a beautiful name. She pretty too?
No, she's a plain Jane.
Let me tell you...
For finding a wife, the plainer the better.
Otherwise when you are away at war,
She'll be having a battle too, with someone...
with heavier firepower.
Wash out your dirty mouth.
You go, boy.
Mu Liangfeng!
Liangfeng is back!
Grandpa, Liangfeng is back.
Grandpa.
Your grandson has risked his life for the country.
He's an honor to the village.
Give us a smile.
This is my reward money for killing the Japs.
You left home to kill for money?
Grandpa!
I didn't know about the reward in the beginning.
When a nation falls, heroes will rise.
I always ask myself,
what is missing in my life?
You told me a real man has to fight for his country.
I said that to your father.
He and your mom joined the Communist guerillas.
They never came back.
One day they will.
I don't want you to follow in their footsteps.
It's more rewarding than hunting pheasants.
This is not the time to be a hero.
When is the time then?
This town is about to be ocuppied.
Go!
See if the war can be won by one more patriot.
There are many more patriots in this country.
I have to report to the team.
Liangfeng!
Someone from the teahouse sent this to you.
Remember,
the gun does not master a shooter.
It's the shooter who masters the gun.
Bullets are like savings, spend wisely.
Take my advice.
Fame is just a fleeting cloud.
Take a seat, soldier.
Hi, I'm here to see Madame Tang.
It's you, Mu.
You're the talk of the town.
A hero has risen from this town.
Dust yourself off. I'll get Sis Liu.
So you finally made it home.
Yes.
Did they draft you?
No.
I volunteered.
When a nation falls, heroes will rise.
I always ask myself, what is missing in my life?
You shine like a nickle in this uniform.
Take a seat. Have some tea.
Thank you, Ma'am.
Call me Sis Liu.
Thank you, Sis Liu.
Your lips aren't so chapped now.
Look how you gulp it down.
You have to savor it.
Marvellous tea.
Did you get the present from Mr. John?
Yes.
I sent you a letter as well.
I did receive it. Marvellous letter.
I should get going.
It's getting late, why don't you stay for the night?
No, I can't.
It's absolutely fine. Come on.
I can sleep in that room room like last time.
It's packed with refugees.
I'll sleep here.
You'll freeze to the bones.
You don't mind sleeping on the floor?
You sleep well?
My grandma gave me that pillow.
It has given me many good dreams.
Time to get up.
Mu, your horse.
Thank you, Erwa.
You're welcome.
Sis Liu, I'd better be going.
You are always on my mind.
Always.
Wait a second.
Don't forget this.
And some tea for you on the road.
It's still hot.
Remember...
Don't gulp it down.
I won't forget.
Sis Liu.
You can keep this for me.
If those jerks make trouble here again...
Shoot them.
Yes, Sir!
Mu Liangfeng.
Whose wedding is that?
These wedding cookies are for Sun's daughter.
Find yourself a fine man and I'll make you some too.
Fill it up, please. Ma'am.
You scared me to death yesterday.
You look so much like my husband in this uniform.
Is that right?
That's why it is called a uniform.
Since my husband died...
I haven't had one good night's sleep.
That is until last night.
I had nightmares too.
Since I enlisted...
all I can hear in my dreams are gunshots.
It's a long and rocky road ahead of me.
Chin up.
I got your back.
Thank you.
You're luckier than me.
My husband and I had only just begun.
His death hurts more than anything.
You have to let go of the past,
or you'll go cuckoo.
Here.
For me?
Where have you been, Mu? We are taking off.
Sir.
Sorry I'm late.
Had a good time back home?
Listen up.
Family, girlfriends, letters all weaken your resolve.
Before the next battle...
Trash all your emotions.
You are nothing but a blank piece of paper.
Yes Sir.
Yes what?
Yes I am a blank piece of paper.
SIR!
"More refugees are flooding into town."
"I didn't sleep a wink the past few nights."
"Loneliness is like a bath gone cold.
"I hope you are safe. Come back soon."
"And I will brew you some fine tea. Yours, Liu."
You'd better talk.
Did you find them?
Not yet.
Keep searching.
Yes, Sir.
We've lost the City of Chang De.
The enemy is pushing south.
Your mission is
to destroy the telegraph station in Chang De.
The last mission was a diversion, what about this one?
This one is a full contact.
You are now all promoted to be special force agents.
A contact from the intel unit will meet you.
The location is General Tang's teahouse in Wind Chime Cross.
Mu, you've been there before.
This unit is ordered to retreat.
We will meet in Hengyang City when mission accomplished.
This place is safe no more.
Love is like a chewing gum. You chew, you spew.
Remember what Mengzi says.
Bullets know no mercy.
Little guns of steel, little guns of clay.
What's the matter, Erwa?
Sis Liu, do we have to flee?
It's all for the children.
Mu Liangfeng!
Liangfeng!
Madame Tang, I'm on an important mission.
Your contact is here.
I am your contact. My name is Tian.
I'm the sergeant here.
By the way...
Who is Mu Liangfeng?
I am.
I heard you are the hero of this town.
Fame is just a fleeting cloud.
Guess we are flying the same friendly sky.
Come, I'll brew some tea.
This way.
So that's Liu Yan?
She is knock-out. Out of your league.
Your honor, we've found them.
Here's the security officers' station.
It's also the Achille's heel of the P.O.W. camp.
How do we get in?
We'll get the security officer to lead us in.
We found this south of here in Wind Chime Crossing.
Wind Chime Crossing.
They are talking about a shooter named Mu Liangfeng.
They have twenty men split in two shifts.
And Miss Ryoko is in Chang De.
One shift guards the city. The other guards the P.O.W. camp.
When do they change shift?
At midnight.
All of you are going in with me.
Except Bin, you take cover on the hill across.
Got it.
Dinner is served.
What a feast, you have to roll us out of here.
It's nothing fancy, just a home-cooked meal.
Delicious.
Be nice to Sis Liu.
Don't think that sharpshooting makes you a tough guy.
This may be our last supper. Eat up.
You don't want to die with a starving soul.
Bullshit is like an asshole, everybody has one.
Liu, we're out of wine.
Help yourself, please. Soldier.
Why don't you join us?
You have your fun.
Have a taste.
How is it?
Well... not bad.
Which means it's no good.
Why do you throw it away?
It's just a side dish.
If it's no good, let it go.
Don't beat around the bush.
Sorry, Liu.
I'm a pig.
Pigs don't how to treat a lady.
But I want you to know...
You are not a side dish.
Brother, It's too quiet here.
If you have anything to say, say it with bullets.
Check your ammo.
Just one left.
What did Mom teach us?
Brotherhood is sharing.
Need a light.
Sir.
What's on your mind?
Tomorrow.
It's already tomorrow.
It's been two years since this teahouse opened.
This is the first time I've taken a good look at it.
It doesn't look like a teahouse at all.
You don't look like a teahouse boss either.
What should a teahouse boss look like?
Mean and...
miserly.
But you...
You have a big heart, you give a lot.
When I was little, I always cried and asked my Mom...
Why do I only have one pair of shoes?
Until one day I saw a man with no feet,
then I realized how fortunate I was.
The enemy will take this town soon.
Come with me.
Let's fly away, like two sparrows.
I have an important mission.
What is more important than your own life?
Family.
The families of all Chinese people.
You know what?
I love you for who you are.
Like tea, slowly tasting.
What's going on now?
Wait for me.
Then we'll leave.
Be careful.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Too much tea?
So long, Mu Liangfeng!
See you, Erwa!
I hope I can wake up every morning to see you...
Sleeping by my side.
Mourning your death.
Listen up...
Take off your uniforms.
Or keep them on with bullet holes.
Say it with bullets.
Long live the Emperor!
We are not here to destroy your homeland.
We are here to utilize our country's...
progressive civilization and strength...
to establish an ideal East Asian republic.
What you lack, we can provide.
Good evening.
Thank you for your hard work
The coast is clear.
Don't do anything stupid.
Good evening.
To the intelligence office.
You must tell Colonel Masaya to pull out!
What did he say about Wind Chime Crossing.
Xiaowu.
What did you just say?
Talk!
I will.
The Air Force will bomb southeast
before dawn.
Wind Chime Crossing is in the hot zone.
The Japs will bomb southeast before dawn.
Wind Chime Crossing is in the hot zone.
I must tell them.
Are you mental?
Can't you get that widow off of your head?
Come again?
There are widows everywhere these days.
She's not a widow anymore.
Put the gun down!
Put it down. That's an order!
I am the sergeant!
Then I'm not a soldier anymore.
I'm just a hunter.
You're a deserter.
I should execute you right now.
Haven't you ever been in love?
If you shoot, aim for the head.
Don't smash my heart.
Go!
Enemy!
Take a look!
I'm out!
Sir!
Xiaowu!
Hold your fire. There's Miss Ryoko.
Don't you move! She's someone important!
Get out of the way.
Everyone fall back!
Three minutes ten seconds and counting.
Coming out
Hold your fire! There's Miss Ryoko!
They won't do anything stupid.
Gui, get the car.
Fifty seconds and counting.
If anything happens to Miss Ryoko...
Colonel Masaya wants your families dead.
What did he say, Xiaowu?
He said they will kill your family, your dog, your...
Get in.
Sir! Watch out. Second floor!
Eleven o'clock!
Get out of the way!
Xiaowu, hop in!
Get out of the way!
It's coming!
Tian!
Get out of here.
Move it!
Tian!
Don't shoot!
Sir, where are we going?
To Wind Chime Crossing, of course.
Why ask?
Haven't you ever been in love?
Help him!
If you beg to the Japs again, I'll kill you.
It's just a scratch.
I may be short on brains, but I got lots of guts.
No problem.
Why are you smiling?
Your heart is breaking.
Hang in there, Wind Chime Crossing is two blocks away.
I killed a few extra Japs. Do I get a bonus?
It is two bucks for each pop.
How many did you take?
Three...
or four.
Think again, how many?
Five.
Then I'll report ten.
Sir!
Help him, quick!
Go get Colonel Masaya out of Wind Chime Crossing.
The Japanese will attack before dawn.
Everyone must evacuate, now!
This town is going down.
You'll find help from my aunt in Hengyang.
Thank you.
So we are leaving.
What about you?
I am waiting for Liangfeng.
Hold on, I'll get you some money.
Are you done yet?
Don't rush me!
I'm the driver. I'm the mechanic.
Hell, I'm all purpose.
Who are you?
Where is Liangfeng?
What do you want?
So it's you?
New uniform. You defect to the Japs?
Where are you going?
We go where the Japs are.
The Japs will bomb Wind Chime Crossing.
I must tell them.
Alright. Everyone waits for us by the bridge.
Sure.
Fate just keeps bringing us together.
HOP on!
My grandfather lives up the mountain.
Tell him and the villagers to evacuate.
Will do.
Where is Mu?
Liu!
Liu?
Something is wrong.
Sir, I'll go find them.
Be quick!
What happened to your hand?
Where's Liu?
Stay away from the windows.
Who is he?
Mu.
Sir, the bombing will start soon.
Let's get out of here.
Xiaowu.
Mu.
Mama!
Erwa!
Mu Liangfeng!
Erwa!
Liangfeng!
Let her go!
Mu Liangfeng!
We finally meet.
I was told you're the local hero.
I want to see your Springfield in action...
not this puny Colt 45.
What's the matter?
Fine. What's your game?
Masaya.
He's the one who kidnapped Miss Ryoko.
What?
He's the one who kidnapped Miss Ryoko.
Where is Ryoko?
Touch her again, I'll kill you.
Erwa!
Masaya...
Stop killing, I beg of you!
Lock him on, and watch your lady.
Let go of her!
You let go, I let go.
Fine!
I'll distract him.
Thank you, Miss Ryoko.
Ryoko!
Mu!
Xiaowu!
Good day, Mr. Wu.
Good day, everyone.
Sun.
Moon.
Mountain.
Water.
Field.
Bird.
Mr. Wu has a tiny bird.
Mr. Wu has a tweeny tiny little bird.
Ryoko!
Liangfeng!
Liu.
Liangfeng, I'm here.
Are you OK?
I'm fine.
What's wrong with your eyes?
I can't see.
But I'm fine.
Can you walk?
I can't get up.
Here.
I'll carry you.
Ryoko!
Masaya.
If not for this war...
we would already have a family of our own.
Maybe a couple of kids.
And a Sakura tree in the backyard.
We will...
We will!
I swear we will!
Watch your step.
Is there a place to hide up ahead?
Turn right up ahead.
Right here.
Watch the steps.
I can't shoot.
You got to learn if you want to marry a sniper.
Bullets are like savings, spend wisely.
It's going to be loud. Open your mouth wide.
Your hands are like two dancing partners.
The guy leads, the lady follows.
How was it?
Not bad.
Liangfeng!
You must really love him.
No one can hurt Ryoko. She has returned home victorious.
Liangfeng.
Have you seen my home?
It's going be Ryoko's home too.
It's in the countryside of Tokyo.
The house is a bit old.
But it's cozy.
Don't hurt her.
There is a Sakura tree in the backyard.
It is watered with the blood of you Chinese.
The Sakura blooms in Springtime.
Everything is red. Blood red.
Two butterflies always come to frolic among the Sakuras.
But one day...
they were torn apart by war.
You talk too much.
Liangfeng!
Mu!
College boy...
You'll always be a part of our family.
And Bin, Gui and Tian.
Salute!
It could be John.
Who is John?
A friend.
Also a great mentor.
Well, it's time to say goodbye again.
Thanks again, brother.
You're welcome.
We are comrades-in-arms.
You lucked out, kid.
You got yourself a sharpshooter as a parent.
Learn well from him so you can fight for your country.
Alright, goodbye.
Take care!
Join us on the frontline.
Kiddo.
How many rounds left?
What?
How many rounds left in my gun?
It's empty.
You like guns?
Yes.
Do you know much about guns?
A gun is like a lady.
The less you know about her, the more you fall for her.
Not precisely.
A gun is like a man.
The more you know him, the better he can protect you.
I tell you kid...
A sniper's heart is a lonely hunter.