Legend of the Fox

Legend of the Fox

Year: 1980

Runtime: 129 mins

Language: Chinese

Director: Chang Cheh

ActionDrama

Chin Siu Ho plays a youth who thinks he is an orphan when a storm forces him, a servant and three strangers to share a shelter. The servant reveals his father, swordsman Lu Feng, tried to clear his name and return a stolen sword. Rival masters Kuo Choi and Chiang Sheng clash, ending in the father's death; the son seeks Kuo Choi's help to avenge him.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Legend of the Fox (1980)

Trace every key event in Legend of the Fox (1980) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Rain shelter in a private residence

Hu Fei and his sick, adopted uncle take shelter from a heavy rain inside a large private residence. Soon Yan Chi and his gang also duck in, turning the place into a tense crossroads. The uncle recognizes Yan Chi as a man connected to the death of Hu Yidao and the theft of pages from Hu Fei’s kung fu manual.

Present day Large private residence
2

Hu Fei spies a training and learns the names

Hu Fei slips away from the adults to watch a young man being trained by an old woman who recites a list of names, including Miao Renfeng and Hu Yidao. The moment hints at ancient master lineages behind Hu Fei’s own training. The uncle's coughing interrupts the moment and the watchers retreat.

Present day Large private residence
3

Guards vs. bigger threat

When the intruders are discovered by guards, the guards dismiss the two groups as beggars and focus on Yan Chi’s group as the bigger threat. The tension remains hidden as the rain pours outside. The encounter foreshadows the tangled feud to come.

Present day Large private residence
4

Tian Guinong and Nan Lan arrive

A man and his wife enter as Yan Chi is about to leave. The uncle identifies the man as Tian Guinong—the scarred enemy from years ago—and Nan Lan, his wife. Tian and Yan Chi recognize each other from 18 years past, raising the stakes of the present confrontation.

Present day Large private residence
5

Miao Renfeng’s dramatic entrance

Miao Renfeng arrives with his young child, prompting the frightened crowd to take note. The uncle whispers something to Yan Chi and hands over several pages of a kung fu manual, triggering a silent power shift in the room. Nan Lan's presence adds to the mounting tension.

Present day Large private residence
6

The inn and the 18-year feud

Flashback to 18 years ago: Hu Yidao pays off debts at an inn and hosts a banquet for the birth of Hu Fei. Miao Renfeng and Tian Guinong arrive, intent on challenging Hu Yidao, and a bitter feud begins. Hu Yidao writes a letter of apology and asks Yan Chi to deliver it to Miao Renfeng, while Tian Guinong intercepts the letter and plots to kill Hu Yidao’s family.

18 years ago Inn
7

The sparring friendship

Miao Renfeng and Hu Yidao begin a series of sparring matches that feel more like mutual learning than toxic duels. They recognize each other’s honor and hold back, turning a potential battle into a shared exchange of sword skills. The unlikely bond forms as Tian Guinong watches and schemes to push them apart.

18 years ago Inn
8

Poison, death, and a hidden child

Tian Guinong’s plan deteriorates as he bribes Yan Chi to poison Miao Renfeng’s sword. Hu Yidao is nicked on the arm and dies; Nan Lan kills herself after the loss. Tian Guinong orders Yan Chi to kill the child and steal Hu Yidao’s kung fu manual, but the infant Hu Fei is hidden by the uncle.

18 years ago Inn
9

Uncle raises Hu Fei

With the chaos, the uncle escapes with the baby Hu Fei and raises him in secrecy. The infant grows up unaware of his true parentage as the old man braces for the consequences of the feud. The past remains a shadow over the present.

18 years ago Near inn
10

Present day revelation and confrontation

Back in the present, the uncle hands Hu Fei the kung fu pages, which Hu Fei studies to complete the missing training. Hu Fei later reveals that he is Hu Yidao’s son, catching Yan Chi off guard. He then confronts Yan Chi and kills him and his men, stepping onto the path of vengeance for his parents.

Present day City
11

Temple shelter and pursuit

Hu Fei and a dying uncle take shelter in an old temple after a confrontation, but the uncle dies there. Hu Fei defeats two pursuers who seek the fighters, then tracks their trail back to Miao Renfeng’s home. There he connects with Miao to continue his quest for truth.

Present day Old temple to Miao Renfeng’s home
12

Village of Medicine and the real King of Poison

Miao Renfeng’s vision is blinded by poison from a letter plot. Hu Fei travels to the Village of Medicine and meets Cheng Lingsu, who is revealed as the real King of Poison. She agrees to help cure Miao while guiding Hu Fei toward the truth about the poisoners.

Present day Village of Medicine
13

Rising conflict with Shi Wancheng

Cheng Lingsu identifies the imposter King of Poison, Shi Wancheng, and joins Hu Fei against Tian Guinong’s forces. The clash reaches Miao Renfeng’s home, where Cheng sacrifices herself to save Hu Fei by absorbing poison and triggering a deadly trap that defeats Shi Wancheng’s followers.

Present day Miao Renfeng’s home
14

Graves, sword, and vow of revenge

Hu Fei visits his parents’ graves with Nan Lan; Tian Guinong arrives and Hu Fei declares he is Hu Yidao’s son. Nan Lan helps him recover a sword hidden behind his father’s headstone. With Miao Renfeng’s blessing, Hu Fei prepares to confront Tian Guinong and Shi Wancheng to avenge his parents.

Present day Hu Yidao’s grave

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:52

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Legend of the Fox Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Legend of the Fox, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Legend of the Fox Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Legend of the Fox

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