Soul of the Sword (1978) - full transcript

Famed actor Ti Lung plays a lone swordsman trying to defeat the "Number One Swordsman" as part of his vengeance package in life in Soul Of The Sword. He quickly learns however, that sometimes wanting is better than having.

Lu Tien Kang

You are awaited outside

Will you go?

I will

You've come for a duel

Why bring along a woman?

I want her to witness...

as to how I'll defeat you

And be crowned 'King of Swords'

It's not too late to pullout

You are doomed to lose



That's up to your sword - not your words

Young man, you don't understand

The sword knows no emotions

You should be free of emotions
and hindrances

And only focus on your enemy

But as she is in your heart...

You're most likely to lose

You can still retreat now

Silence! Draw your sword

The duel begins

Can't you get rid of your hat?

Over my dead body

The outcome is determined, go

Chief Instructor Lu is indeed
'King of Swords'



Bury the young man with due respects

Award Lu 500 taels of gold

And 200 rolls of silk

With a celebration feast tomorrow

Old sir, what are you doing?

You see...

the young man who just died?

I am engraving his name

He's already dead

Why bother?

He was a good swordsman

But would be soon forgotten

Indeed very soon

I want him remembered

Is there no one who can defeat Lu?

Not up to now

Maybe in future

I don't know if I'll live to see that day

I'm sure you will

I will defeat him

You?

You'll have to train for 10 years

Maybe even before you see his face...

You'll die

I'll be here

And engrave a name

Which will be yours

I'll go today and see

What exactly he looks like

Step down

Can't you see he's just a kid?

What do you want?

Your hat always covers your face

You must be hiding something

I want to see what you look like

Remember this

My hat won't be removed by mere hands

But by a sword

Maybe when you can face me with a sword

You will already be dead under my sword

Stone Bridge Village

In this Pai Kwa Hall...

Many swordsmen have died

White-faced Chiu, Siu Lu the Magnificent

The Dynamic Duo, the Green Swordsman

They have all died here

You're but a nobody

Look at your shoes

You have little experience

And wouldn't know who these swordsmen are

Our doors are always open

You have entered here today

It's not too late to go back now

If I wanted to re-trace my steps

I wouldn't have come in the first place

There are 8 of us

Who do you want to have a duel with?

You have no name or credentials

What makes you
worthy to fight with my master?

My worth is my sword

Monk Loong

Had you drawn your sword sooner...

They would not have died for nothing!

Declare your name

So you'll be remembered after your death

A corpse contaminates the ground

I will live and glorify my name

Lu Tien Kang

He is closing in on you

No, Sire,

He still has many hurdles to cross

He has neither name nor credentials

And looks an uncommon swordsman

No

He also needs to be cold and unhindered

...to have a chance to succeed

But this is difficult for young people

He stormed the Hall

Killed Monk Loong

You should be more cautious

I never pay attention to a nobody

But if Sire is concerned

I will deal with him seriously

If I were you I would sit still

I have awaited you for a long time

I never expected you would attack me

All is fair in love and war

All is fair in swordplay

This is a bathing pool for men

You dare to enter

What guts!

There are 3 kinds of people

Men, women and dead people

You don't look like a man to me

But rather a dead person

You want me to fight you barehanded?

First class swordsmanship

By the slightest movement

Can be lethal

You boast you can defeat me

Don't you possess such skills?

It has been rumored

The Sword Lady from Lo Yeung
is highly skilled

To die by your sword

I accept totally

Tell me your history, and I will

Give you the chance to draw your sword

You're merely one of many swordsmen
from Lo Yeung

You are not worthy to know this

You son of a...!

Looking at you now

Neither do you look like a woman

But rather a dead person

Who's there?

You can evade 3 of my advances

But I will not let you off

And who might you be?

I am a tenant here...

who happened to come and bathe

Little expecting you two would fight!

They tried to ambush me

Excellent swordsmanship

I crossed you just now

I hope you'll forgive me

Think nothing of it!

To venture forth in the world

One has to be careful

You are too kind, old sir

Here's to you!

May I know your name please?

Chiu I at your service

'Chiu' as in popular surnames

'I' as in number one

My name has been selected

To mean there is nothing I can't cure

So, you're a doctor?

At your service

Within the Sire's residence

Merely holding a humble position

Well, you praised my swordsmanship

Meaning that apart from medical knowledge

You are an expert in swordplay too

You flatter me

I know nothing about swordplay

It's just that
during my practice of medicine...

I have encountered many
a famous swordsmen

And can talk my way through
like an expert

Unfortunately
I haven't even touched a sword

This means you know of Lu Tien Kang?

Of course I do

All who reside in Sire's residence

I have treated at one time or other

You mean, even Lu?

Yes

What's his ailment?

He always covers his face

And never allows anyone see him

That's a kind of sickness

That's mental sickness

which cannot be completely cured

Young man

You seem to be very interested in Lu

Would you be the Nobody

Without credentials
or affinity to any style

Who stormed the Pai Kwa Hall

And slaughtered Monk Loong's swordsmen?

You have missed the Lo Yeung Sword Lady

Oh, I should have known it was you

In your awkward situation
she had ambushed you

That conduct is so unbecoming!

All is fair in swordplay

Lu Tien Kang said
something like that once

What did he say?

I remember distinctly. He remarked...

Cold steel knows no mercy

That's what he said?

Correct

A swordsman must be amoral and merciless

Unhindered

Or he'll fail

It has been rumored

You wish to challenge Lu

And be crowned 'King of Swords'

Such a title to a swordsman...

Is an honourable life-long pursuit

But of course

Young people ought to have
such an aspiration

For swordsmen like you

Similar to people like us

Are after many things

The reality is...

There is a price for everything

You don't mind me saying this, do you?

It's quite late

Old sir, you should rest

I have some matters to attend to.
After you

Goodbye

You give me great face

Allow me to finish with
my drink and guest

Before you confront me

You nameless upstart, causing a stir

Want to become King of swords

Is there no due respect
for the eight of us?

You're wrong.
There are only seven of you left

As he is dead!

And I don't want to wipe out you lot

I'll leave you two

To cheer things up a bit

Be gone!

Boss, boss...

Don't touch him

He is not dead yet

Here, let me help him

He is wounded

Treat him with the 13-mix herbal medicine

Adding rare herbal medicine

Boiling all ingredients together

Then take 2 more doses of Zi Jian Dan

If there are problems let me know

An insignificant effort
unworthy of mentioning

If I could save a dying man with a needle

I would be happy

I'd like to know

When you kill a living person
with a sword

Does that make you equally happy?

It's only when I get the title-
'King of Swords'

Then will I be truly happy

Sire

Someone at the door...

is demanding a duel with Lu

What's his name?

Nameless, sort of

There has never been a swordsman...

who could enter with such ease

Dare him

To storm the gates with his prowess

Is that so?

Prostrate yourselves

Those hiding behind the door

Come out!

A long-enough sword

But flaccid

Do you think you could win by this?

That's enough

Stop!

Come here, young man

Yes

The Nameless with no credentials
or affinity

Pays respects to Sire

How can I get your name and history?

When I have defeated 'King of Swords' Lu

You remain nameless even in my presence?

I beg Sire's forgiveness

A man of principles! Rise

Unfortunately Lu is out visiting friends

And is not here

I can wait for his return

All right! On his return

You two can arrange a duel

And see who emerges the 'King of Swords'

My great appreciation, Sire

Announce to the household

To entertain the Nameless Swordsman

You have been following me

Was it you just now?

Were you behind all that?

What are you doing?

The Sire has ordered

That you be properly entertained

First thing tomorrow morning

Chiu I will accompany you

What has happened here?

Nothing really

Really?

Yes, nothing

When can we visit your place?

I'll bet you have many children
and grand-children

I am quite embarrassed actually

At my age

Apart from a pack of needles

I have no possessions

Not to mention a home

And I definitely have no family

Oh really?

I should have a family like everyone else

But then I don't

I'll tell you all a funny story today

About a monkey climbing a pole

And changing of guards

There was this old businessman

Very rich

He took a bride

Beautiful and young

But as he was a business man

He had to travel a few times a year

On this particular day
he was traveling again

But he was worried about his young wife

Being alone at home

So he thought of an idea

He painted a guard on her private region

His wife was worried about him too

And so

She drew a monkey on his private organ

And the old merchant went off on his trip

But with time

The sexual urge increases

Such that a man needs a woman

And carried away during sex

All is forgotten

After sex, lo and behold!

What did happen?

Only the monkey's bottom remained

The old man then thought of an idea

And drew a monkey on himself

This way he could answer to his wife

On the other hand

That young wife of his

Was tormented by sexual desire

After flirting around

She hit on her cousin

And after sexual intercourse

Oh no, what happened?

The guard was gone!

Now what?!

She also had an idea

Which was to re-draw the guard herself

Soon after, the old man returned home

And the two so missed each other...

That they hopped into bed

But the wife screamed

Oh no, something is wrong

The monkey should be on the underside

How come it has climbed to the topside?

The old man said...

The monkey knows how to climb a pole

And after climbing

He has gone to the topside

Having said that he too screamed

Something's wrong

The guard should be on the left

Why is it now on the right?

The young wife said

Are you dumb?

This is the guard post

Naturally he patrols back and forth

As such

He has changed sides

He is blind

And cannot see

Yet he is fast

If it were you

Wouldn't you have done the same?

I am truly happy

Haven't I told you before?

People like you and I

Rarely leave our worries

And enjoy ourselves

I'll bring you to a place

Which will make you forget everything

Really?

This is Mei Yuan's Four Sisters

They seldom entertain clients

Don't you like any one of them?

Frolicking with prostitutes
requires the right mood

But I have something else on my mind

Additionally, for swordsmen like us

To be promiscuous as you

Would hurt our health

That's unfounded theory

We doctors rely on balancing
Ying and Yang

Nonsense!

You are in danger of over-doing it

Mr Chiu

I haven't had the pleasure
of knowing his name

Him? He is called Nameless

So he was born from a rock

Come on friend, leave aside your sword

Listen to music, drink and be merry

It is a joy

Is it?

Truly

Siu Chui, Siu Fan

Come and entertain our guest

Coming

Entertain him well

Come...

Chiu I admires your swordsmanship

As regards women

Even at my age

I have to see how I measure up

Here, let me toast to you

- No...
- Drink up

I can't drink, no, that's enough...

Old sir, come quickly

Old sir

What is it?

Come, come, move it

What's the matter?

Follow me

Where are my pants?

They're here

You want to steal

You little bastards

I'll show you I mean business

Little brother, please wait

From this alley to the East Gate

It is mostly populated by prostitutes

The world has degenerated

Stealing at such a young age

I'll tear you to pieces

Where do you want to go?

The 'Hau Yuan' Shop

That's a lady's shop

You are a swordsman

What would you want at such a place?

I don't know either

Come. Let's take a look

Little buster, you still fight and argue

Despite my age, my eyes are keen

Granny, why are you scolding people again

Who has got to you this time?

Ouch!

Thank you

Thank you

What sort of a world is this!

Holding a lady's hand in broad day-light

I'll not be a woman in my next life

And be touched by you men

You bunch of bastards

Stealing from me again, huh?

She is notorious

Apart from having meals

She scolds people in her sleep

Don't bother with her

Only a beggar and a prostitute
would come here

Mr Yien

Why haven't you gone to
Miss Ho's to buy a belt?

You little punk

How many belts do you wish to buy?

You can't use them as toilet paper

Why buy so many?

Mr Yien, what would you like to buy?

Miss Ho, I've come to see you

Well, I'm just ordinary

What's there to look at?

Her name is Ho Lien

The little beauty of our town

He accosts her

He can't even hold her hand

Old sir,

I wanted to ask you

Can someone rise from the dead?

Dead is dead

There is no reason for resurrection

The way you asked

Does it mean you have seen
the dead resurrected?

I'd sure like to see that

I'm afraid there is no such thing

Excuse me...

Sorry, sorry

Dear all, my apologies

Dear customers our apologies

The Eight Swordsmen are meeting
in our tavern

They have booked the whole place

Please help yourselves

And forgive us

Old sir

You mean that...

To fully enjoy drinking

One must disregard everything else

Come, let's drink...

Thank

Please... come inside and sit...

Have a seat

Haven't the two hunchbacks returned?

Here we are with your wine

This is good wine, don't waste it

Come...

Here comes the food

Dear sirs, I am Nameless

We don't mind your party

I am Chiu I

If anyone has any ailments

I can cure them

What a good doctor

Let's see how you can cure us

Your disease lies in
your muscles and bones

And can't be cured instantly

If the nerve is damaged

It could mean being crippled

You...

You dare to be insolent

Bullying an old man

You are hunchbacks

I'll cure you in the wink of an eye

You can try if you don't believe

See how you 'cure' us

Attack!

What's going on?

Have you finished?

You have opened my eyes again

You flatter me; just minor techniques

What were you doing at the shop today?

I do not have to disclose that to you

You should know Ho Lien is mine

Yours?

You should tell her that

Or put up notices around town
to that extent

She is yours

Are you interested in her?

A gentleman doesn't take from others

You were gone the whole of last night

Was it because of her?

Could it be you really like her?

She wouldn't like you

She wouldn't fall for someone
with a sword

You measly bastard

Robbing in broad day-light

What's the world coming to!

You little bastard!

If you dare to be more furious,
I'll gobble you up

Little rascal...

Mr Yien

Miss Ho

What, you've returned to buy a belt?

You have bought all our belts

Why are you suddenly so aloof?

You pay me money, I give you the goods

When had I promised more?

What's with this fellow

He's queer

Since last night

He hasn't had anything to eat or drink

Or gone to the toilet

Excellent skill!

You may pass for an expert
with a theatre troupe

Still want to cross swords?

Don't push me too far!

Rarely does one admit being beaten

This way one can learn wisely

Can seize new opportunities

If you still do not submit...

I can give you another chance

Had enough?

I'll tell you, Ho Lien is not yours

I have followed her
one full day and night

So I am taking her with me

This should wake you up

Mr Yien, Mr Yien

I have only talked once with you

And you want to take me away?

Yes, I'll take you away right now

When I first saw you

I already gave my whole heart to you

Why do you force yourself on me?

Perhaps I'm used to it!

Used to violence?

No, used to depending on my sword

You've got what you wanted

You are not serious, are you?

Why don't you draw your sword?

A gentlemen will died for a bosom friend

I am not sure if Miss Ho...

knows how you feel right now

Get lost!

I don't want to see you again

She must be very beautiful

Otherwise you wouldn't be this serious

Thank you, Sire

I have been standing outside

Waiting for Yien to draw his sword

When the time comes

I'll help him

In fact it matters little
whether you can win

Your courage is commendable

Unfortunately Yien lacks such prowess

Announce this

Henceforth no such swordsmen
shall reside here

Yes!

Come with me

I have something to talk to you

I have seen many swordsmen

You are number one for being daring

Sire is too kind

Actually daring may not always be good

The fact that I can talk to Sire here

Is attributed to my swordsmanship

Makes sense

With your swordsmanship

I can make you Assistant Chief Instructor

Are you interested?

The annual pay is 1, 000 loads of rice

But it is 2, 000 for a Chief Instructor

By what you say

You must fight with Lu?

That's what I have waited for all my life

Well said, well said

I like you, so I should advise you

It may be coincidental

Still I must tell you

Your predecessor who lived here

Was a young swordsman like you

Also nameless?

That's not the key point

The point is
he also sought a duel with Lu

And Lu was not here again?

He was, and the two fought by night

That Swordsman

Eventually died by Lu's sword

I don't understand Sire's intention

When that swordsman came

He was accompanied by a woman

No one knew...

if she was the swordsman's wife

When the swordsman fell to Lu's feet

She committed suicide

I don't mind you bringing a woman in here

However...

Your situation is too similar to
that young guy

Regardless of whether
I am like that swordsman

I will have Ho Lien stay at the residence

In that same room

Though I will similarly challenge Lu

I will not be killed by him

But this is not determined by your words

But by your sword

Ho Lien is not coming back

She will

She was born here

So was her father

So was her father's father

This is her home

Why wouldn't she return?

She is really not coming back

Go back to the village

I have brought her up

And she is gone just like that

We've met only twice

You are poor, yet she likes you

Even over the mountain

I can smell your poverty

You should treat her well

She is a good girl

You want to obstruct my way?

And take your life too

You know who I am?

I am Nameless

Neither do I want to know who you are

Why don't you draw your sword

Sharp sword, indeed

Pity, it's somewhat flaccid

Leaves when dead will fall

You should understand this

You have two choices

One is to lie down

Like a corpse

The other one;
well, you know better than I do

Can you let it leave you for a moment?

Since I was ambushed by the Sword Lady

Every time I take a bath...

I must hold on to my sword

I really don't understand

How many men can live like you

I live by my sword

Then is your sword
more important than me?

You are closest to me

Yet I don't even know your name

Someday I will let the world know

At that time

I should be the first to know

I'll tell you one thing now

One thing which I haven't told anyone

Really?

That woman who looked like me

Really killed herself?

Yes, for that young swordsman

She committed suicide

Is it true only the cold and merciless

Are fit to be the best swordsman?

Maybe so

I understand

The girl who killed herself

always appears before your eyes

That's because you've always feared

Someone might enter your heart

You fear the predicament

Faced by that young swordsman

No I wouldn't

Definitely not

I only need to have a sword in hand

What I want

I'll surely get

Nobody can stop me

Just as now someone wants to ambush me

To take you away from me

Come out, all of you!

I've let you go twice

This time I'll surely kill you

You are not worthy to fight with me

Please wait

For my sake

Spare him again

Beat it!

A cat has nine lives

Are you a cat or a dog?

What would a swordsman...

in your spot think?

Who are you?

'Lady of 3 Moves'

As long as one lives

One can seize opportunity sooner or later

Do you want revenge?

If only I could kill him

I'll do anything

Good

Follow me

Chief Instructor

Would you for the sake of a girl...

set free your enemy?

The Chief Instructor of the palace

The 'King of Swords'

I, Lu Tien Kang, will certainly not

I've seen him kill my men...

as if he were chopping down trees

Can you defeat him?

He is doomed to lose

Sire

I heard in Sire's residence

All swordsmen have been killed by you?

No, two are left

Yien stopped being a swordsman long ago

I believe Lu still counts?

Has he returned?

He just arrived

Why don't you stop him?

Because I desire to see...

who ultimately is the 'King of Swords'

Old sir,

You are so hasty

You might be accidentally killed

This is the moment I've been waiting for

Why be in my way?

Young fellow

I have some heart-felt words

Which I had not the chance to say

And I almost lost the opportunity

A slight discrepancy
makes a great difference

What one pursues is not
the present moment

Why?

Your skills and Lu's are at the pinnacle

I can't say which is better

However Lu has only one opponent

And has a little
more obstruction than you

What is that?

Ho Lien

When expert swordsmen fight

The deciding factor hangs by a hair

A slight movement or sound

And by some distracting thoughts

Or some hindrances

Unless you get rid of these obstacles...

You're beaten before you start

Ho Lien is your hindrance

You need to think seriously about that

I am really worried about you both

Ho Lien, Ho Lien

Ho Lien

Why have you returned alone?

You went to meet Lu

I feared you might not return at all

I've been thinking about the girl
who killed herself

I didn't want to stay here alone

If I had to die it should be at home

Haven't I returned?

You've killed Lu?

No, I haven't seen him

Don't challenge him to a duel anymore

Stay here

Treat this as your home

I will do anything for you

All you need to do
is watch the shop for me

You don't have to do anything

You don't even have to tell me your name

Then I can use this sword
to chop firewood

I know

It's a palace you aspire for, not a home

You want the 'King of Swords' title,
not me

Go, I don't want to see you anymore

I am aware your sword is not for firewood

Yes, I can't use it for that purpose

Neither can I pretend this is my home

I cannot forget that young swordsman

You want to kill me?

You have taken me away for no reason

I willingly followed...
for no apparent reason

It's like a dream

All seems so unreal

Look

Only you and me in such a big house

Would you rather kill that bastard

And do anything to succeed?

If only I could kill him

I'll do anything

I'll do anything for you

Really?

Then, have a drink for my sake

I've seen that bastard in the bath

Your flesh is whiter than his

You haven't seen my bedroom

Come!

I am a man

You are too much

Damn, men

A big man

Didn't you say

You'll do anything for me?

What? Do you regret it?

I tell you

No opponent has escaped my fourth move

Only I can kill that bastard

If you want him dead

You have to obey me

Follow me

Ho Lien is your hindrance

What? You have to go? Really have to go?

I understand you will leave me
sooner or later

But will you leave just like this?

I forgot to tell you one thing

It's my name

Of all people

I want you to be the first to know

Really? Tell me quickly

So that's what you are called

According to my nurse

This is a favourite name among villagers

If only I were 'King of Swords'

A more common name would be uncommon

You want a duel with Lu

I wouldn't deter you from that

I want to tell you

I really like that name

I'll wait for your return

And I indeed believe you will

You remember that night

You stood in the rain

The rain pouring from your boots

I was peeping at you from here

My heart beats faster when I think of that

You can focus on
getting the swordsman title

Can you still remember me?

Who is it?

Me

You are you?

Nameless

You've come at last

Ho Lien must have died

I want to ask you

If you were crowned 'King of Swords'

Would you be really happy?

Would you regret one day

What you lose is more valuable than
what is gained?

Like me

Always prepared to kill

And prepared to be killed

No friends or family

I just want to tell you

I have come

Without your hat...

you might not have been struck

Without discarding the hat

Have I not pierced you?

Chiu I?

No, I am Lu Tien Kang

'King of Swords'

Chief Instructor

You dare not disclose your real self

It's a pity you have ruined it

Maybe one day in future...

you will find it useful

The outcome is decided

You must now be very happy

With sword in hand

And still standing in front of me!

How can the duel be ended?

I've long realized

The 'King of Swords'
must relinquish his sword

And what price he has to pay

The reason I am defeated by you...

is because I really like you somewhat

Young man

You are the 'King of Swords'
from this day

The Palace's Chief Instructor

With an annual wage of
2, 000 loads of rice

No need

You said once

When you are crowned the 'King of Swords'

You will tell me your name

Now you can

Nameless

You don't want to be 'King of Swords'

Nor the Chief Instructor!

What do you want?

This world is in a mess

I really don't understand

What do you people want?

Ho Lien, I am back

I have returned to you

No one has ever escaped my fourth move

You are no exception

Could someone as low down as you...

Be the first among swordsmen?

Let me tell you

Ho Lien should be mine when alive

I won't let her be with you even in death

Ho Lien

I have learnt my lesson

I can never leave... leave you...