Martial Arts of Shaolin

Lin Zhi-Ming grows up as a monk at the Northern Shaolin temple, absorbing the discipline of Shaolin life. A silver ankle bracelet from his past life remains his secret reminder, hidden from the elders. His devotion to Shaolin life sits uneasily beside his tendency to bend the rules.

During the capital's birthday celebrations for magistrate He Suo, two local youths are chosen to perform the Lion dance. Zhi-Ming covertly positions himself to take the lead, using the performance as cover to target He Suo. His motive remains vengeance, masked by his Shaolin persona.

In Southern Shaolin, Si-ma Yan, Fa Ren's niece, resolves to avenge her family by assassinating He Suo. Fa Ren enlists his disciple Chao Wei to help her during the mission. Their plans intersect with Zhi-Ming's festival scheme, setting up a collision course.

At the festival, Zhi-Ming attempts to perform the Lion dance but is interrupted when Si-ma Yan's team launches hidden arrows at He Suo. He Suo dodges the attack as chaos erupts, and a tense fight breaks out between competing factions. Chao Wei and a wounded Si-ma Yan join Zhi-Ming to escape the pursuing henchmen.

Chao Wei and the injured Si-ma Yan reluctantly join Zhi-Ming to break free from He Suo's guards. They push through the crowd seeking escape toward the South. The alliance is pragmatic, forged under pressure rather than friendship.

He Suo seals the routes to the South, forcing the trio to dodge checkpoints while pressing on. After a tense night of travel, Si-ma Yan reveals to Zhi-Ming the silver ankle band and explains its strange significance. Zhi-Ming withholds his own band, keeping his past hidden.

Zhi-Ming's master, Shi Ren, catches up with the fugitives, exposing his desertion. The Northern Shaolin abbot sentences him to three years in solitary confinement (with another monk facing nine). Facing his fate, Zhi-Ming reveals to the monk that Si-ma Yan matters to him, and the abbot hints that he might leave the temple to live a secular life.

Although the idea of leaving the temple permanently unsettles him, a monk helps Zhi-Ming escape temporarily to speak with Si-ma Yan. He must return to face the rest of his punishment, but this brief freedom allows him to pursue the other mission.

Zhi-Ming reaches Southern Shaolin and confirms to Chao Wei that he shares the same ankle band as Si-ma Yan. Meanwhile, Si-ma Yan has already departed with Fa Ren to avoid endangering the Southern school as He Suo intensifies his pursuit.

On the road, Fa Ren is mortally wounded and reveals that Si-ma Yan has been captured by He Suo and taken by boat. Zhi-Ming and Chao Wei race toward the river to intercept, as He Suo lures them into a final trap.

They locate He Suo's boat, block the river, and engage his henchmen in a fierce fight. Northern and Southern Shaolin forces converge to assist in the rescue of Si-ma Yan.

In the climactic confrontation, He Suo is overpowered by Zhi-Ming and his allies and is ultimately killed by Si-ma Yan. With the threat ended, the two Shaolin factions unite to complete their mission.

Having seen the bond between Zhi-Ming and his new allies, Zhi-Ming offers the ankle band to Chao Wei. Chao Wei initially resists but finally declares that the band belongs to him in front of Si-ma Yan.

With their mission accomplished, Zhi-Ming and the monks return to Northern Shaolin. He bids farewell to Chao Wei and Si-ma Yan, wishing them well for the future.