|
Screenplay
by Wang Hui Ling, James Schamus, Tsai Kuo Jung
based on the novel by Wang Du Lu
Directed
by Ang Lee
EXT. YUAN
COMPOUND - DAY
(Security men and porters are loading wagons for a convoy. As they work, we
see across the lake a lone horseman entering the village. One of the men
recognizes him.)
WORKER
Master Li is here!
ANGLE ON:
(Li Mu Bai, thirties, powerful and handsome. In the background, old Aunt
Wu, at the sight of Li Mu Bai, drops her parcels and runs excitedly into
the building.)
INT. YUAN
HALLWAY - DAY
(Aunt Wu runs hurriedly through the halls.)
AUNT WU
Shu Lien!
INT. YU'S
ROOM - DAY
(Yu, a beautiful woman in her early 30s, is finishing packing for the
convoy, wrapping a few small items in a linen wrapper, as Aunt Wu bursts
in.)
AUNT WU
Li Mu Bai is here!
INT. YUAN
PRACTICE HALL - DAY
LI
How's everything?
AUNT WU
Fine. Please come in.
(Yu sits, composed, as Aunt Wu ushers Li in. Li carries a large object,
wrapped in silk.
Yu smiles.)
YU
Mu Bai ... It's been too long.
LI
It has.
(he glances around the room)
How's business?
YU
Good. And how are you?
LI
Fine.
(An awkward pause.)
YU
Monk Zheng said you were at Wudan Mountain. He said you were practicing
deep meditation.
LI
Yes.
YU
The mountain must be so peaceful ... I envy you. My work keeps me so busy,
I hardly get any rest.
LI
I left the training early.
YU
Why? You're a Wudan fighter. Training is everything.
LI
During my meditation training ... I came to a place of deep silence ... I
was surrounded by light ... Time and space disappeared. I had come to a
place my master had never told me about.
YU
You were enlightened?
LI
No. I didn't feel the bliss of enlightenment. Instead ... I was surrounded
by an endless sorrow. I couldn't bear it. I broke off my meditation. I
couldn't go on. There was something ... pulling me back.
YU
What was it?
LI
Something I can't let go of. You are leaving soon?
YU
We're preparing a convoy for a delivery to Peking.
LI
Perhaps I could ask you to deliver something to Sir Te for me.
(Li unwraps the object. It is an ancient, astonishingly beautiful sword.)
YU
The Green Destiny Sword? You're giving it to Sir Te?
LI
I am. He has always been our greatest protector.
YU
I don't understand. How can you part with it? It has always been with you.
LI
Too many men have died at its edge. It only looks pure because blood
washes so easily from its blade.
YU
You use it justly, you're worthy of it.
LI
It's time for me to leave it behind.
YU
So what will you do now?
(Li doesn't reply.)
YU
Come with me to Peking. You can give the sword to Sir Te yourself. It'll
be just like old times.
LI
First I must visit my master's grave. It's been many years since Jade Fox
murdered him. I have yet to avenge his death. And yet I'm thinking of
quitting. I must pray for his forgiveness.
YU
Join me once you have finished. I can wait for you in Peking.
LI
Perhaps.
EXT. THE
GATE TO PEKING. DAY
(Customs officials have just finished checking the contents in a row of
carriages bearing the Sun Security insignia. The caravan slowly passes
through the checkpoint into the boundaries of Peking. Yu, riding a
handsome horse and clearly the leader, watches as her crew clears
inspection.)
GUARDS
Ok. Pass.
YU
Thanks. Let's go into the city.
EXT. OUTSIDE
A DEPOT. DAY
(Workers are busy unloading the contents from the carriages. Boss Giao is
checking off the merchandise -- a cargo of medicinal herbs.)
GIAO
Everything got here safely. I'm much obliged.
YU
Just doing my job.
GIAO
Sun Security has been the best since your father started it. You're a
credit to his memory.
YU
Thank you.
GIAO
I mean it.
EXT. DAY.
PEKING
(From a gray tiled roof, we can see Peking's magnificent grid of houses
extending miles and miles out, freshly painted by the morning sun.)
EXT. PEKING
STREET. DAY
(Dusty and congested as always, people, horses, and carriages are fighting
to get through the boulevards.
A group of jugglers perform at a corner.
Yu surveys the busy street from on top of her horse.)
INT. TE'S
GREAT HALL - DAY
(Yu presents the sword to Sir Te.)
SIR TE
This is Li's personal sword, a great hero's weapon! He is the only one in
the world worthy of carrying it. It's too fine a gift. I cannot accept it.
YU
Sir Te! It has brought him as much trouble as glory. Help him to leave
these troubles behind. Otherwise, he'll never be able to start anew.
SIR TE
All right. I'll act as the sword's custodian.
(De Lu, the head servant, enters.)
DE LU
Governor Yu has arrived.
SIR TE
I must change.
YU
(getting up)
You've always been so good to Li Mu Bai and me. Please accept our thanks.
SIR TE
Please do not be such a stranger. You'll stay the night as my guest. Now,
Shu Lien ... tell me something. And forgive me for prying. Your father was
a great friend to me, and I think of you as my own daughter.
YU
Please, Sir Te, what is it?
SIR TE
Li Mu Bai giving up his sword and his warrior days ... maybe he's trying to
tell you something?
YU
I don't know ...
SIR TE
Don't be coy. I've always known about your feelings for each other. All
these years, it's a shame ... neither of you is brave enough to admit the
truth to the other. You're both wasting precious time.
YU
I beg your pardon. Li Mu Bai and I aren't cowards.
SIR TE
When it comes to emotions, even great heroes can be idiots. Tell me if Li
Mu Bai is not more open the next time you see him. I'll give him an
earful!
INT. TE'S
STUDY - DAY
(Yu and De Lu approach the study.)
DE LU
Sir Te said to leave the sword in here.
(De Lu opens the door and is startled to find a young woman inside. The
woman is studying the sheets of calligraphy hanging on the walls.)
DE LU
Who are you?
JEN
I'm your guest today. I am Governor Yu's daughter.
DE LU
This is Sir Te's study. You are here to ...
JEN
I was looking for a quiet corner.
DE LU
I am Sir Te's head servant. And this is another of our guests.
INT. TE'S
STUDY - DAY
(Yu gently lays the sword, still in its sheath, in Jen's hands.)
JEN
It's heavy for such a thin piece of metal!
YU
The handle is heavy. And the blade is no ordinary metal. Still, the sword
is the lightest of weapons. You're just not used to handling it.
JEN
But I have had much practice. As a child in the West, a platoon lived with
us. They'd let me play with their weapons. The scabbard is so beautiful.
YU
Beautiful but dangerous. Once you see it tainted with blood, its beauty is
hard to admire. It's 400 years old.
JEN
Exquisite! You said it belongs to ...
YU
My friend Li Mu Bai. He's given it to Sir Te as a gift.
JEN
Li Mu Bai! The famous warrior? Why would he give his sword to Sir Te?
YU
You're too young to understand.
JEN
You're a sword fighter too?
(Yu yanks the sword out of the sheath. An eerie sound resonates within the
study. Jen is even more impressed.)
YU
Yes, I am. But I prefer the machete. Certain moves, however, call for a
sword.
JEN
Really?
(Yu puts the sword back in the case.)
JEN
(longingly)
It must be exciting to be a fighter, to be totally free!
YU
Fighters have rules too: friendship, trust, integrity ... Without rules,
we wouldn't survive for long.
JEN
I've read all about people like you. Roaming wild, beating up anyone who
gets in your way!
YU
Writers wouldn't sell many books if they told how it really is.
JEN
But you're just like the characters in the stories.
YU
Sure. No place to bathe for days, sleeping in flea-infested beds ... They
tell you all about that in those books?
JEN
You know what I mean. I'm getting married soon, but I haven't lived the
life I want.
YU
So I heard. Congratulations. It's the most important step in a woman's
life, isn't it?
JEN
You're not married, are you?
YU
What do you think?
JEN
No! You couldn't roam around freely if you were.
YU
You're probably right.
(Yu studies Jen. The room falls silent for a moment.)
EXT. SIDE
COURT YARD - DAY
(It's dusk and the sky is beautiful orange and purple. Jen is leaving the
study escorted by her maid. She turns to Yu for a final good-bye. Yu seems
intrigued by the encounter.)
EXT. SIR
TE'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
(Two lighted lanterns are raised up.)
INT. TE'S
STUDY - NIGHT
(Sir Te hands the sword to Governor Yu.)
SIR TE
Go ahead, Governor Yu.
(Governor Yu is impressed by the opulence and elegance of the sword. He
closes his eyes to guess the weight of the sword. Te snubs out the flame
from a candle, then slides the sword out from its sheath. The sword gives
off a luminous blue glow in the dark.)
SIR TE
Two feet 9 inches long. 1 inch wide. The handle is 1 inch deep, 2.6 inches
wide. Seven-tenths of an inch thick. With seven rubies missing from the
hilt. You can tell the design dates back to before the Chin era. Engraved
with a technique lost by the time of the Han Dynasty.
GOVERNOR YU
Your knowledge is remarkable, Sir Te.
SIR TE
A sword by itself rules nothing. It comes alive only through skillful
manipulation.
GOVERNOR YU
I see your point. Please continue.
SIR TE
The Imperial Court isn't the problem. With royalty and officials
everywhere, the Royal Guard keeps security tight. But Peking is not like
the West. Here, you'll find all sorts of characters. Proceed with caution
in your quest for law and order. Don't depend only on the court. Contacts
in the Giang Hu underworld can ensure your position. Be strong, yet
supple. This is the way to rule.
INT. JEN'S
ROOM - NIGHT
(A maid warms her hands in a basin of hot water for Jen, then walks over to
Jen and helps remove her earrings. Someone knocks and the maid goes to
answer the door.)
MAID
Governess ...
GOVERNESS
Let me do it.
(The maid leaves as the governess enters the room.)
JEN
Please sit.
GOVERNESS
I've made you silk pajamas. Do you want to change into them?
JEN
Put them down.
GOVERNESS
I heard you met Shu Lien today.
JEN
Do you know her?
GOVERNESS
She's one of those. Your mother would not want you consorting with her
kind.
(Jen shoots her an angry look.)
JEN
I'll socialize with whomever I please.
GOVERNESS
Don't invite danger into your father's house.
(She's about to say something, then thinks better of it.)
JEN
I'm tired now.
GOVERNESS
Go to bed then. Miss has grown up, and is getting married soon. God knows
what the future will bring.
JEN
It will be just the same. Enough! I'm tired.
GOVERNESS
Autumn is coming. I'll shut the windows for you.
(The governess leaves. Jen sits on the side of her bed, thinking.)
EXT. TE'S
COMPOUND - NIGHT
(A wide shot of the compound. A patrol man greets Master Bo, Sir Te's head
of security. The place is serene.)
MASTER BO
Chilly, eh?
NIGHTMAN
Yes, Master Bo.
(As Bo walks on, shadows rustle in a treetop in the background.)
EXT./INT.
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TE'S STUDY - NIGHT
(A masked figure silently opens the window and enters the room. It moves
swiftly to the sword case, opens it, and wraps the sword.
Bo enters, sees the thief, who leaps up to the ceiling. The thief steps
over Bo and out into the courtyard. Bo tries to stop the thief, who easily
outwits him, jumping onto the roof as Bo yells out.)
BO
Someone help! Stop him! He's on the roof! The sword's been stolen! Stop
thief! Stop him!
(The thief skips a few times and jumps off to a side street.
Bo grabs a pole and runs, as gongs begin to sound, alerting people to the
theft. People rush outside, Yu Shu Lien among them.)
EXT. PEKING
STREET - NIGHT
(Bo runs through the streets. The thief is nowhere in sight. Suddenly,
there are sounds of weapons clashing. Bo hurries towards the source.)
EXT. AN
ALLEY OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
(Bo is surprised to see the hooded figure battling with two other fighters
-- Tsai (male, 40s) and May, his daughter.)
TSAI
It's Jade Fox!
MAY
We must avenge mother!
(The hooded figure does a gravity defying flip and soars over a wall, just
as Bo arrives.)
BO
Do something! He's getting away!
EXT. PEKING
ROOFTOP - NIGHT
(The thief runs atop a roof -- right into Yu. Yu and the hooded figure face
off.)
YU
Return the sword, and I'll let you go.
(The figure just regards her, slightly shifting weight.
Yu attacks, but the figure repels her.)
YU
You've been trained at Wudan?
(The figure answers by leaping to another rooftop. Yu catches up, and
resumes her attack with a relentless series of lightning-quick blows.)
EXT. ALLEY
OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
(Bo follows Tsai and May, who are quickly walking away.)
TSAI
You're mistaken. We're just street performers. We were rehearsing.
MAY
Father!
BO
You were rehearsing? Who are you trying to fool?
(May wants to respond but is again cut off by Tsai. They run off.)
BO
Where did that thief go?
(Bo looks around and discovers he had chased the thief into Governor Yu's
compound.)
BO
Governor Yu's house!
EXT. ROOF
TOP
(Yu and the Black Figure continue to fight.)
YU
Get down here! Give back the sword!
EXT.
GOVERNOR YU'S - NIGHT
(Yu slowly gets the upper hand in her fight with the thief. A small arrow
cuts across the night and flies toward Yu. She catches it, but the masked
figure takes the opportunity to get away.
Yu pauses to feel the arrow in her hand, standing in the empty courtyard.)
EXT. TE'S
SIDE ENTRANCE - DAY
(De Lu escorts Yu into Te's.)
DE LU
Sir Te awaits you.
INT. TE'S
GREAT HALL - DAY
(Men are standing at attention. Bo is giving his account of what happened,
as Yu enters.)
BO
I'm sure the thief is in the Yu household.
SIR TE
How dare you imply?
BO
But I say --
SIR TE
-- Enough.
(The men hustle out. Bo can barely contain his frustration.)
YU
Has Governor Yu ever seen the sword?
SIR TE
Yes, though I doubt he's involved in this.
YU
But the sword could be in his compound.
SIR TE
Then someone's trying to set him up. We should inform Li Mu Bai.
EXT. OUTSIDE
GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
(Madam Yu is returning from temple. The governess is helping her out of the
carriage. Servants are peeling bills off a wall across the street.)
MADAM YU
What is it?
MAID
Madam Yu, someone's put up posters.
(A partially torn flyer with the words "Jade Fox will not escape justice!"
is seen on the ground.)
MADAM YU
Let me see.
GOVERNESS
Someone is after Jade Fox. Preposterous, looking for her here!
(Madam Yu nods and walks inside, as the Governess tosses the flyer away and
follows her.
A hand scoops up the flyer -- it is Yu. She studies it, then puts it in
her pocket, and moves on.)
EXT. BRIDGE
- DAY
(Bo is searching for the Tsais. The bridge is full of jugglers. But the two
are nowhere to be found.)
EXT. PEKING
STREET - DAY
(Bo quizzes a homeless man.)
BO
Where are they?
HOMELESS MAN
I don't know. I haven't seen them in two days.
(Bo is about to give up when he looks up and sees May walking quickly into
an alley. Bo follows her.)
EXT. IN
FRONT OF TSAI'S HOUSE
(May walks into a dilapidated house surrounded by a broken-down bamboo
fence. Bo inches closer and sees May and Tsai oiling their weapons.)
INT. BO'S
ROOM - DAY
(Jen practices calligraphy. The governess is by her side embroidering and
throwing occasional glances at Jen. The maid enters.)
MAID
There is a Miss Shu Lien here to see you.
(Jen stops and looks up at them.)
GOVERNESS
Miss is busy right now.
MAID
I'll tell her.
JEN
Show her in.
(The governess shoots her a look.)
GOVERNESS
This spells trouble.
JEN
I have a guest.
(The governess gets up to leave just as the maid shows Yu in.)
MAID
This way please.
(The governess and Yu exchange quick glances. The governess bows slightly
and departs.)
JEN
I've missed you.
YU
How so?
JEN
I'm bored.
(Yu sees the calligraphy.)
YU
You're doing calligraphy?
JEN
I'll write your name. Just for fun.
(Jen writes Yu's name with great confidence and swiftness.)
YU
I never realized my name looks like "sword."
(Jen freezes slightly.)
YU
You write gracefully. Calligraphy is so similar to fencing.
JEN
Maybe it is. I wouldn't know.
(The maid enters with tea.)
JEN
Please.
YU
Thank you for seeing me. I hear your wedding day is near. You must be
overwhelmed by the preparations.
JEN
I'm hardly doing a thing. The less I think of it the better. My parents
are arranging everything. The Gous are a very powerful family. My marrying
one will be good for my father's career.
YU
You are fortunate to marry into such a noble family.
JEN
Am I? I wish I were like the heroes in the books I read. Like you and Li
Mu Bai. I guess I'm happy to be marrying. But to be free to live my own
life, to choose whom I love ... That is true happiness.
YU
Do you think so? Let me tell you a story.
JEN
About you and Li Mu Bai?
YU
Yes. Did you know I was once engaged to be married?
JEN
No, really?
YU
His name was Meng Si Zhao. He was a brother to Li Mu Bai by oath. One day,
while in battle, he was killed by the sword of Li Mu Bai's enemy. After,
Li Mu Bai and I went through a lot together. Our feelings for each other
grew stronger. But how could we dishonor Meng's memory? So the freedom you
talk about, I too desire it. But I have never tasted it.
JEN
Too bad for Meng, but it's not your fault, or Li Mu Bai's.
YU
I am not an aristocrat, as you are ... but I must still respect a woman's
duties.
JEN
Don't distance us. From now on, let's be like sisters.
YU
Then as a sister, let me wish you happiness in your marriage.
EXT. YU'S
GARDEN - DAY
(The maid escorts Yu out. Yu pauses, looks around, and sees the profile of
the Governess peering at her from around a corner.)
INT. JEN'S
ROOM - NIGHT
(Moonlight spills into the room, as Jen rises sleeplessly from bed and
looks out the window. A light breeze stirs her hair. The sound of the wind
rises, and slowly her face dissolves, into ...)
INT./EXT.
CARRIAGE/MONGOLIAN DESERT - DAY
(... the face of a younger, less sophisticated Jen, as she lets the dry
desert air flow through her hair. She sits in a carriage, part of a
caravan, with guards on horseback, that is traveling through the
spectacular desert. Across from her sits her mother, of whom she is barely
cognizant.)
MADAM YU
What a godforsaken place! Can't your father be appointed closer to
civilization? Jen ... are you listening to me?
(Jen is still looking out the side of the carriage, at a beautiful
mountainside.)
INT. JEN'S
ROOM - NIGHT
(Jen sighs, and turns back toward her bed.)
EXT. STREET
OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT
(Tsai and May have been sitting, hidden in the branches of a tree, watching
Jen.)
TSAI
Let's go!
(They drop down silently and walk away. From another rooftop, Lo looks
silently on.)
EXT. TSAI'S
HOUSE - NIGHT
(Tsai and May enter the house.)
INT. TSAI'S
HOUSE - NIGHT
(Inside the tiny house, they discover a hooded figure going through their
belongings.
Immediately Tsai throws a knife, which rips off the figure's mask --
revealing Bo. Tsai has another long knife at his throat.)
TSAI
Who are you?
BO
Wait! I'm a friend!
(Tsai pauses.)
INT. TSAI'S
HOUSE - NIGHT (LATER)
(May fans a small coal-fired grill that is boiling a sizzling pot of
vegetable and meatball soup. Her father and Bo are now friendly dinner
companions, much to May's delight.)
TSAI
I don't care about your sword.
BO
Why were you spying on the Yus?
TSAI
I'm looking for someone. Jade Fox. I'm a police inspector from Shaan Xi,
Gen Su district. Jade Fox is a master criminal. I hear she infiltrated the
Yus. She must have come with them when they transferred here. But with
Yu's reputation, I can't just go in and accuse her.
BO
This Jade Fox is a woman?
TSAI
Yes.
BO
Then leave her to me.
TSAI
Pardon me, but I doubt you can handle her. My wife was quite a martial
arts expert. Jade Fox killed her. So you see, this is personal. Leave her
to me.
MAY
It's ready!
(re: the soup)
BO
I'm ready for anything!
(Bo fishes into the pot with his chopsticks. May intercepts him with her
own chopsticks.)
MAY
Father gets first dip.
(Tsai stiffens and snaps his chopsticks, not to pick up a meatball but to
catch an incoming dart. A dart wrapped with a note. Bo jumps up.)
TSAI
They're gone.
MAY
What does it say?
TSAI
"We'll settle this at midnight on Yellow Hill." Good, the fox is out of
her hole.
INT. TE'S
STUDY - NIGHT
(Yu is ushered into the room, to discover Sir Te talking to another man,
whose back is to her.)
SIR TE
Shu Lien, look who's here.
(The man turns around -- it's Li Mu Bai.)
EXT. TE'S
HALL - NIGHT
(Yu and Li Mu Bai sit together.)
LI
Sir Te believes it's a ploy to cast suspicion on Governor Yu.
YU
But something is going on at the Yu household.
LI
What have you discovered?
(From her sleeve, Yu removes the flyer. Li takes it, his face darkening.)
LI
Jade Fox? Impossible.
YU
You always suspected she'd fled to the West.
LI
I didn't think she'd dare come back to Peking!
YU
Is there any place safer than under the nose of Governor Yu?
LI
So I shall avenge my master's death after all.
YU
Be careful. Sir Te requires discretion. Official business is difficult
enough. Don't let personal feelings make it worse. And I don't know ...
even this poster ... could be some sort of trap.
LI
Did you see who posted it?
(Yu pauses.)
YU
No.
LI
It says Jade Fox is hiding at Yu's. On the night of the theft there was a
brawl near Yu's. Were you involved?
YU
It was Bo, Sir Te's man. I hear he followed the thief to the Yus'.
LI
Have you questioned him yet?
YU
No, not yet ...
LI
But your men are watching over Yu's compound?
YU
No, I'd already sent them home. You can blame me for losing the sword, but
please trust that I'll get it back soon using my own methods.
LI
That's not what I meant. I don't care about the sword.
YU
What do you mean? Didn't you come back here for it?
LI
I didn't know it was stolen until I got here.
YU
Then, why did you come?
LI
Well, we had talked ...
(De Lu enters.)
DE LU
Pardon my intrusion. Master Li, your room is ready.
LI
Thank you. Please lead the way.
EXT. YELLOW
HILL - NIGHT
(Tsai, Bo, and May wait under an ancient tree. Bo stifles a yawn.)
BO
The fox doesn't care much for punctuality. Still no sign of her.
(An old lady struggles up the hill, wearing a floppy hat over her face,
holding a cane. The three exchange glances.)
TSAI
Enough! Show yourself.
(The old woman shrinks in fear, but then throws off her disguise and
unveils herself -- the Governess.)
FOX
Tsai ... you dog! You will pay for your stubbornness.
BO
That's what you think, old witch!
TSAI
If you surrender now, you'll suffer less. But if you resist, I won't stop
until you're dead.
MAY
Father! Let me avenge my mother's death.
FOX
You'll soon end up like her, you little whore!
BO
You'll pay for that!
(A fierce battle begins, the main fighting between Tsai and Fox, with May
and Bo getting a stab in occasionally, when the opportunity presents
itself.)
TSAI
(to Bo)
She's going to paralyze you!
(Using acupressure, Fox disables Bo. May shoots an arrow at her, but she
catches it and flings it back, hitting May.)
TSAI
May!
(Fox then disables Tsai, but just as she goes for the kill, Li Mu Bai flies
down from the treetops and steps between them.)
FOX
Tsai, you filthy mongrel! An ambush!
MAY
Father, are you all right?
(Li addresses Fox.)
LI
Wudan should have gotten rid of you long ago. It's been a long time, Jade
Fox! You don't remember me ... But you should remember my master. You
infiltrated Wudan while I was away. You stole our master! Now it's time
for you to pay!
FOX
Your master underestimated us women. Sure, he'd sleep with me, but he
would never teach me. He deserved to die by a woman's hand!
LI
You stole the secrets of Wudan's highest martial arts. But after ten years
of training, your moves are still undisciplined. And today, under a Wudan
sword ... you will die!
(Li easily brings Fox to the ground.
Li raises his sword to the prostrate Fox. A figure masked in black appears
next to Fox, sword extended, saving her.)
FOX
Disciple, we'll kill them all!
FIGURE IN
BLACK
Let's go!
BO
Another one!
FOX
I must get rid of Tsai!
(Fox fights Tsai, Bo, and May, as Li addresses the masked figure.)
LI
Who are you? Why is the Green Destiny in your possession?
FIGURE IN
BLACK
What's it to you?
LI
My name is Li Mu Bai. The Green Destiny is mine. Jade Fox can't be your
master. Where did you learn that "Xuan Piu" move?
FIGURE IN
BLACK
I'm just playing around.
LI
Tell me, who is your master?
FIGURE IN
BLACK
Let's go!
FOX
We must kill them!
(Tsai throws his blade at Fox, who catches it and throws it back, hitting
him in the head. Fox and the masked figure leap away.
May drops to the ground, cradling her dead father's head. Bo kneels beside
her.)
MAY
Father!
EXT. TE'S -
DAY
(Te and a group of his men look down as a cloth is removed from over the
body of Tsai. Bo and May stand before them.)
TE
This is Tsai?
MAY
My father. Police Inspector from Shaan.
TE
This should be reported to Governor Yu. The victim is an officer. You
believe the killer is hiding out in his compound.
YU
I'd bet my life on it!
TE
(to Li and Yu)
Come with me.
(He exits the room.)
INT. TE'S
STUDY - DAY
(Te, Li, and Yu are seated.)
SIR TE
This needs to be resolved, and quickly.
LI
I'll get into the Yu household and get her. I'll ferret out Fox and her
gang.
YU
We must be careful. Governor Yu is a court official, and in charge of
security. Any disturbance will cast suspicion on him. It might get Sir Te
in trouble.
SIR TE
This is a delicate matter.
YU
Sir Te, can you find some excuse to invite Madam Yu and her daughter?
SIR TE
What do you have in mind?
YU
The best way to trap a fox is through her cubs.
(Sir Te and Li look puzzled.)
EXT. SIR
TE'S GARDEN - DAY
(Yu sits with Madam Yu and Jen. They busy themselves with various items for
her trousseau.)
MADAM YU
Madam Te is certainly spoiling us with these wedding gifts. She's being so
considerate.
YU
I'm sorry she's not feeling well enough to receive you today.
MADAM YU
I heard Sir Te lost something. And now Madame Te's not feeling well ...
(Jen sits silently reading.)
YU
We know who stole the missing item. If the thief returns it, I'm sure Sir
Te will pursue the matter no further.
MADAM YU
That's good. Sometimes the help can't keep their hands to themselves. It's
very embarrassing.
YU
Sir Te knows that even well-meaning people can make mistakes ... that can
bring ruin to themselves and their families.
MADAM YU
But don't be too lenient.
YU
No mercy will be shown toward the murderer who turned up in Peking.
MADAM YU
A murderer?
YU
Yes. The very killer of Li Mu Bai's own master. Last night, she killed a
policeman who had tracked her down.
MADAM YU
A female criminal! Now that's news!
(Jen becomes visibly upset.)
JEN
You say she killed a policeman?
YU
Yes, from the West. He went undercover and and followed her here.
MADAM YU
Maybe the murderer and the thief are one and the same.
YU
I doubt it. This thief ... is very unusual ...
(As Yu speaks, she lifts the tea pot to pour Jen some tea. As she finishes
speaking, she looks into Jen's face and the pot slips from her hand.
Without even looking down, Jen instinctively catches the pot with a
lightning-fast move.)
YU
... And most likely smarter than a mere killer.
(Sir Te and Li Mu Bai walk by.)
JEN
(formal)
Greetings, Sir Te.
SIR TE
Hello, Madam Yu. This is Li Mu Bai, the renowned swordsman.
LI
Delighted to meet you.
(Li sizes Jen up.)
TE
Miss Yu is soon to be married.
LI
Congratulations.
EXT. TSAI'S
HOUSE - NIGHT
(May opens her door, only to find Bo standing guard.)
MAY
Why don't you come in?
BO
I'm standing guard.
MAY
Come in. It's cold.
(She turns back inside, hesitates, then turns back to him.)
MAY
Come in. We don't have to fear Jade Fox if we're together.
EXT. TE
COMPOUND - NIGHT
(A still, dark night.)
EXT. TE'S
STUDY - NIGHT
(Something moves in the moonlight. A hooded figure jumps down.
Li Mu Bai, who had been hiding in the shadows, comes forward.)
LI
Isn't it a bit too late to be out? You've brought me the sword?
FIGURE
I do as I please.
(The masked figure lunges away, but Li Mu Bai leaps with incredible speed
and grabs the sword from her.)
LI
Where's your master?
FIGURE
What's it to you?
(The figure floats away. Li chases after her.)
EXT. PEKING
STREET - NIGHT
(The two fly over houses and bounce off of rooftops, displaying amazing
floating skills.)
Go to Next Page
|