King Hu writes and directs this martial arts feature. During the Ming dynasty, the emperor's first eunuch Tsao (Pai Ying) has killed General Yu and exiled his surviving children. But while they make their way out of China, Tsao orders the offspring to be killed by his secret Black Arrow Troop at the border's Dragon Gate Inn. But unbeknownst to Tsao, martials arts expert Xiao (Shih Jun) has been summoned by the innkeeper (Cho Kin), who was one of the general's lieutenants, to protect Yu's children, forcing him to take down Tsao and his forces.