Jet Li stars in this tale of two best friends, Junbao (Li) and Tienbao (Chin Siu-Ho), who grow up together in a Shaolin monastery. During a competition the hot-headed Tienbao comes into conflict with one of the masters, and the two are expelled from the school. Out in the world for the first time, the two stumble upon a group of revolutionaries led by Michelle Yeoh who oppose cruel ruler eunuch Jin. The two quickly head down different paths and become estranged. When they are reunited, they are both in for a shock, and will have to somehow try to reconcile their vast differences...possibly to the death.