Lin Chung (Leung) is a man of high integrity, honour and nobleness. He is an expert of martial arts, and is the coach of the Imperial Army. However, his stubborness and rightneousness puts him at odds with the corruptive government. He befriends a monk, Ru Chi Shan (Tsui), who is a good wandering bandit. They become immediate friends and soon makes a pact to become brothers.

The lecherous son of the Grand General Kao becomes infatuated with Lin's wife (Joey Wong), and tries on many occasions to rape her but without any success. Lin is outraged but cannot do anything because the Grand General is a high ranking official. Ru is infuriated with this situation, but in his haste to do good, he becomes a wanted man himself. Urged by Lin, Ru flees the capital. Meanwhile, Lin makes two more friends: one is Lu Chien, a highly skilled martial artist who works for the General; second is Tso Wu (Lau Ching Wan), a young warrior wanting to learn from Lin.

However, because Lu is from a poor background, he cannot rise to the top, so he sets a trap for Lin. Lin is framed for carrying a weapon into the General's quarters, and is given the death sentence, but the Prime Minister (Ng Ma) arrives in time to save him. Lin is still punished for the crime and is banished to the border to serve for an indefinite period.

While Lin is gone, his wife and the Prime Minister is murdered by Lu, and he is sent to finish Lin off. Ru goes to Lin's rescue, but Lin doesn't want to be saved, saying that he will go to the border and serve his sentence. Ru accompanies Lin to the border, but watches helplessly as Lin is mistreated by the soldiers on orders by the General. When Tso Wu bears a message to Lin telling him his wife has died, he then awakens from his stubborness, and faces Lu Chien to a fight to the death.

Those of you who have either read or seen the Water Margin will probably be familiar with the two leads, Lin and Ru, who feature prominently in the Water Margin. Here, we see the fate of Lin, who goes from a respected coach of the Imperial Army to a disgraced criminal. It is neither Lin's fault that he becomes what he is, but in every respect, he nevertheless causes his own downfall by his very own nature.

Tony Leung provides a good portrayal of the hero, and it isn't that often that we see Leung in a period actioner. It is also nice to see Tsui play a good guy for once, and in the monk Ru he gives him a solid presence: one of power and also one of passion. Ru isn't afraid to speak his mind, and act on it, thus getting himself into trouble most of the time. His friendship with Lin is what this film is about: loyalty, brotherhood, and deep amity. The action is superb, directed with skill and panache, and doesn't seem dated at all.

Overall, the action is a bit farfetched and fantastical in nature, but this is a martial arts film, what did you expect anyway? It isn't as accomplished as some other martial arts films, especially Dragon Gate Inn, which also featured Leung, but it passes the time.