The movie takes place during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the early Three Kingdoms period in China, depicting the legendary tales of Zhao Zilong, a brave and skillful warrior from Changshan. The story begins with Zhao Zilong enlisting as a foot soldier in the army commanded by the warlord Liu Bei, where he quickly proves his valor and heroism by scoring his first victory in a daring night raid on an enemy camp. From the very start, his courage and fighting abilities earn him recognition, setting the stage for a series of epic battles and heroic deeds.
As the conflict intensifies, Liu Bei and his forces find themselves retreating to Phoenix Heights after being overwhelmed by the formidable armies of Cao Cao, Liu Bei’s main rival. During a chaotic mission to escort Liu Bei’s family to safety, Zhao Zilong’s loyalty is tested. Luo Ping'an, Vanness Wu, a fellow soldier from Changshan, fails in his duty to protect Liu Bei’s son, Liu Shan. This failure nearly costs the young boy his life, but Zhao Zilong intervenes just in time. He engages in a fierce spear duel with Liu Bei’s sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, impressing everyone with his prowess and resilience. Ultimately, Zhang Fei attempts to execute Luo Ping'an for his failure, but Zhao Zilong steps in, bravely defending his comrade.
Liu Bei, visibly impressed by Zhao Zilong’s bravery, rewards him with armor and assigns him the crucial task of rescuing Liu Bei’s family. With the help of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Zhao Zilong searches through the chaos, eventually discovering Liu Bei’s young son, Liu Shan. Demonstrating immense courage and dedication, Zhao Zilong straps the child to his body and fights his way through enemy lines, charging straight toward Cao Cao. Cao Cao, played by Damian Lau, observes the tense battle from a cliffside. In a daring move, Zhao Zilong seizes Cao Cao’s sword and leaps across the battlefield to safety on the opposite cliff, a moment that cements his reputation as the “Invincible General.”
After the chaos subsides, Zhao Zilong returns home as a celebrated hero. His gallantry and martial skill make him a legend, and he soon falls in love with a woman who enchants him with a shadow puppet show dedicated to his deeds. His fame grows, and he remains undefeated in battle, earning his place among Liu Bei’s Five Tiger Generals, a group comprising the most elite warriors, alongside [Guan Yu], [Zhang Fei], [Ma Chao], and [Huang Zhong].
The story continues with Liu Bei’s ascension to emperor of Shu, and Zhao Zilong’s loyalty and valor are further tested during the subsequent wars against Wei, Liu Bei's rival state. As an aged warrior, Zhao Zilong insists on returning to the battlefield despite his age. He brings along Guan Xing (Andy Lau), Zhang Bao, Luo Ping'an, and Deng Zhi. Before the campaign begins, Zhuge Liang entrusts Zhao Zilong with two secret envelopes, instructing him to follow the strategic plans within. When they reach a critical fork in the road, Zhao Zilong boldly opens the first envelope and makes the decision to split his forces, directing Guan Xing and Zhang Bao to lead one part while he leads the other with Luo Ping'an and Deng Zhi.
Zhao Zilong’s military skills are on full display as he fights fiercely against the Wei forces, successfully slaying four of their generals’ sons, including the formidable Han De, played by Jiang Hongbo. However, the victory takes a dangerous turn when Zhao Zilong realizes he has fallen into a trap orchestrated by Cao Cao’s granddaughter, Cao Ying, played by Bai Jing, who now leads the Wei army. Retreating to Phoenix Heights, Zhao Zilong’s forces are besieged, and heavy casualties are inflicted. In this harrowing situation, he opens the second envelope and learns that Zhuge Liang’s plan is to distract the Wei army, while Guan Xing and Zhang Bao are tasked with capturing enemy territory.
In a dramatic confrontation, Zhao Zilong faces Cao Ying in a fierce duel, defeating her but choosing to let her go, showing his sense of honor and mercy. Despite being injured, Zhao Zilong conceals his wounds to maintain morale among his troops. The魏 army pushes toward Phoenix Heights, and Zhao Zilong orders his soldiers into battle, leading to a fierce fight. The battle is devastating, with the Shu army suffering massive losses, including generals Han De and Deng Zhi, played by [Wang Hongtao] and others. In the aftermath, Zhao Zilong, alongside Luo Ping'an and remaining soldiers, watches the chaos and destruction unfold from the fortress walls.
A poignant revelation occurs when Luo Ping'an confesses that he betrayed Zhao Zilong by revealing the army’s location out of jealousy, feeling overshadowed by Zhao Zilong’s rising fame. With mutual understanding and forgiveness, the two men reconcile, and Luo Ping'an helps Zhao Zilong remove his armor. As the lamenting war drum beats, Zhao Zilong prepares for his final charge, embodying the spirit of a true hero and loyal general. The film ends on a note of tragic heroism and enduring loyalty, illustrating the timeless tales of bravery, sacrifice, and honor that define the legendary figure of Zhao Zilong during this tumultuous period in Chinese history.
