Set during the Sung Dynasty, patriotic monks of the Shaolin Temple fight against foreign invasion.

Trying to escape a criminal past, one man attempts to join the ranks of the Shaolin Warriors, but is denied. Having impressed the King with his dedication, he is hired as a temple groundskeeper. Working on the temple grounds during the day and mastering Kung Fu at night, he prepares for a second chance at becoming a warrior. His test comes sooner than expected, when his King’s enemy declares war, leaving him alone to defend the temple.

For as far back as he can recall, nationalist martial-arts expert Hung Hei-Kwun (Yen) has idolized mysterious Sun Moon Sect leader “Red Dragon” — whose hatred for the Ching Dynasty is well known throughout the land. When Hei-Kwun learns that “Red Dragon” is actually his father, Hung Ting-Nam, he quickly resolves to meet his father and idol face to face. Though Hei-Kwun’s plans are thwarted when Ting-Nam’s plan fails and the powerful leader is killed, Hei-Kwun vows to travel to the Shaolin Temple and regroup the now disbanded Sun Moon Sect so that he may avenge his father’s untimely death.

Falsely accused for cheating in a martial arts competition, two boyhood friends are banished from their Shaolin Temple and go their separate ways. As adults, they join opposing sides in a civil war. When one betrays the other, they settle their differences mano-a-mano.