In volatile 1920s Tianjin, a covert martial arts circle arose to deter crime and maintain peace between rival fighting arts schools. When a renowned master dies and names his apprentice—rather than his son—as his successor, a fierce power struggle will bring the entire city to the brink of chaos.

With lush production design and elegant camerawork, this epic melodrama pits old traditions against modern times, celebrating the craft of kung fu in style. Seemingly arbitrary rules of combat and stubborn macho posturing lend a wry, comic undertone to a dazzling display of lightning-fast fighting.