The Rebel Intruders

Waves of refugees flood the city as Chen Chu-kwong tightens control over the streets. He assigns three skilled fighters to patrol the districts — Pan Peng in the North, Chang Hsiao-hu in the East, and Tang Yu-tung in the West — while he watches the Southern border. The stage is set for both order and exploitation as tensions rise.

Chang Hsiao-hu tries to maintain some social order and fair treatment for newcomers. Pan Peng and Tang Yu-tung, by contrast, exploit the vulnerable with beatings, robbery, and even murder. The city's fragile balance begins to tilt toward violence under Chen's silent gaze.

Wang Hsu is cornered by Chen's enforcers after a petty theft and forced to flee. He hides in a brothel, where a courtesan offers shelter and guards him as a bodyguard in exchange for protection. The shelter marks the first thread of unlikely loyalty in the tale.

Chi Chun-peng, a Northern Mantis fighter, is recruited by Chang to train his men. Yu Wen-san is caught stealing food at Tang Yu-tung's restaurant but is taken in to work at the gambling den. Their fates begin to join the others inside the city’s peril.

Wang, Chi, and Yu converge at Yu's gambling den after a tense confrontation, where Yu's swindle triggers a scuffle. They learn each other's backgrounds and choose to stand together rather than kill one another. The moment marks the birth of a blood brother pact.

Pan Peng intercepts a letter meant for Chen that reveals plans to hand the city to an enemy commander. He ultimately chooses to remain loyal to Chen's schemes, keeping the information to himself. This decision quietly seeds the coming conflict.

Chen has his brother Yao Zong murder Colonel Tseng and plant blame on a refugee to trigger chaos. The plot is not immediately exposed as Yao Zong tries to stage the killing. The trio eventually spots the ruse when they discover the body and the staged setup.

Wang, Chi, and Yu uncover Yao Zong's murder and the framed refugee. They confront Yao Zong as his attempt to sow fear collapses, and a violent fight ensues. With Yao Zong killed, the city erupts into a manhunt for the three refugees.

Yu leads Wang and Chi to Tang Yu-tung's side, hoping for shelter and exoneration. En route, Chang confronts Pan and the group and learns of Chen's betrayal. The truth about the city's treachery galvanizes them to confront Tang.

The trio arrives to see Tang, who reveals his loyalty to Chen and kills Chang. Tang's men move in, and the conflict escalates as they try to capture the three. This betrayal sets the final edge of the power struggle in the city.

Wang, Chi, and Yu fight Tang's forces and manage to kill Tang in the ensuing combat. The three vow to take down Chen and Pan and arrange a meeting point at the docks should they be separated. Their alliance becomes a practical plan rather than a bond of blood alone.

Pan kidnaps the courtesan who sheltered Wang and uses her to lure the three enemy leaders into an open ambush. Chi is captured and sentenced to hang, while bystanders who try to intervene are killed by Chen's henchmen. Chi manages to free himself and heads for the docks to rejoin his brothers.

Chi arrives at the docks to confront Chen, who is waiting for him with his men. A brutal clash follows, and it becomes clear that Chi will not walk away alive. Chen's forces press the advantage, closing in on the others.

Wang and Yu arrive at the docks only to find Chi's bloodied body. Chen's men seal the perimeter as the two survivors brace for a final confrontation. The revelation steels them for a last, desperate stand.

Yu intercepts a fatal blow to Wang and dies, urging him to flee south to the Revolutionary Army. Wang overpowers Chen in a brutal struggle and chokes him to death. He escapes by boat as the city erupts in flames behind him.