A Man Called Hero

Hero Hua passes a difficult test and is accepted by Pride as his second apprentice. This marks the beginning of his rigorous training in swordplay and inner energy. The moment takes place in Republican China, at Pride's dojo.

After opposing the opium trade, Hero's parents are murdered by foreigners. In revenge, Hero breaks up the intruders' party and kills them. He then spends the night with his lover Jade before fleeing the country the next morning.

Facing arrest, Hero leaves China and sails to America. He abandons his old life, carrying the weight of his actions. The voyage marks a dramatic turning point in his fate.

Sixteen years later, Sheng and Hero's son Sword Hua arrive in New York City on the first day of the Chinese New Year. They seek their past and the legend of Hero. The city thrums with memories and new dangers in Chinatown.

Sheng and Sword Hua visit China House, the largest inn in Chinatown, and witness a lion dance led by the Boss. Thugs arrive and demand the monk Luohan, forcing the Boss to intervene. The Boss brings Sword and Sheng to Luohan, who begins to recount his memories of Hero.

Luohan tells of meeting Hero on the ship bound for America and their battles as laborers in Steel Bull Canyon. They confront the Five Elements Ninjas, and Hero injures the female ninja Wood but spares her life. The jealous Gold Ninja watches from the shadows, complicating loyalties.

Jade gives birth to twins in China House as a fire erupts, set by the Gold Ninja. In the chaos, Bigot abducts Sword's twin sister. Jade dies in Hero's arms from blood loss, sealing a tragic chapter in their lives.

Shadow narrates that a fortune teller prophesies Hero is born under the Star of Death and doomed to loneliness. Hero entrusts his baby sword to Sheng before leaving with Shadow to meet Pride. They travel toward Pride's domain in Japan, seeking guidance and power.

In Japan, Pride defeats his rival Invincible in a duel but sustains internal injuries, dying soon after. Before his death, Pride passes Hero the China Secret manual and transfers inner energy to him. The mantle of Pride's legacy thus falls to Hero.

Back in present-day New York, the Boss, Sword, Sheng and Luohan devise a plan to liberate the workers trapped in Steel Bull Canyon. They infiltrate the canyon disguised as a Chinese opera troupe and catch the supervisors off guard. Luohan sacrifices himself to stop the explosives and ensure the escape.

Sword confronts Bigot, who shoots him, but Hero arrives to finish Bigot. Hero uses inner energy to trigger an explosion that halts a pursuing group of horses. Wood warns that Invincible has arrived in New York to challenge Hero.

Invincible challenges Hero atop the Statue of Liberty and the two duel. At the same time, Black Dragon Commander's forces attack China House but are repelled by the police. In the end, Hero defeats Invincible and Sword and Sheng prepare to leave America, while Hero watches them from afar and walks away in the opposite direction.