Hong Kong superstar Jimmy "One Arm Boxer" Wang Yu stars as the Bamboo blade, China's top swordsman. His services are rendered by the Imperial treasury who want him to infiltrate a powerful gang of Highwaymen and get back the stolen silver bullion. After numerous deadly encounters the gang are beaten by the bamboo sword and only the gang leader remains, however he is a lot tougher than was originally bargained for.

Shang Li is suspected of murder. He runs away, and while the hunters search for him, they have plenty of time to think again. Maybe Shang Li is innocent? Isn't there someone else around with a much better reason to commit that murder? Which takes us into the second half of the movie where much more kung fu fighting takes place than in the first.

Jimmy Wang Yu leads revolutionaries against the Manchus featuring his trademark huge fights.