In the mid-Ming Dynasty, the Wokou (Japanese pirates) continuously harassed the southeastern coast, while the Liusheng clan of Japan assisted Tokugawa Ieyasu in his efforts to sweep through the martial arts world of the Central Plains. Thus, the 'Eastern Yagyu Blade' Liusheng (played by Nick Cheung) stormed into the martial arts realm, undefeated, and aimed to challenge the top martial artist in the Central Plains, 'Sky Sword' Dugu Wuji (played by Lau Ching-Wan). Dugu Wuji was about to marry his new bride, Meng Qingsi (played by Michelle Yeoh), but had to delay the wedding for this matter. He sought help from the 'Ghost Doctor' (played by Ng Man-tat) and employed a deadly poison to greatly enhance his skills. On the day of the duel, Dugu Wuji fought fiercely against Liusheng, driving him away, but he was then poisoned which caused chaos in his nervous system, leading him to inadvertently kill countless friends in the mountain manor and drive Qingsi away in anger. From that point on, Qingsi disguised herself as a man, took the name Dugu Zhen, and set out to eliminate all heartless men. Meanwhile, ghost doctor’s disciple Wu Tong (played by Stephen Chan), in order to escape from his much older fiancée Niu Wa (played by Cheng Yu-Ling), ran away on their wedding day and happened to encounter the undercover princess Tianxiang (played by Maggie Cheung) and her close guard (played by Sandra Ng). As the three got into a dispute, Dugu Zhen appeared to mediate. Meanwhile, rumors spread in town that Meng Qingsi was setting up a seductive arrangement in a brothel to call forth talented fighters, and a surprised Dugu Zhen decided to investigate with Wu Tong...
