"CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON"

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日期：2006-8-5 15:12:56

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"CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON"

Wang Hui Ling and James Schamus and Tsai Kuo Jung

Based on the novel

Wang Du Lu

FADE IN:

EXT. YUAN COMPOUND - DAY

Security men and porters are loading wagons for a convoy. As they work, we see across the lake a lone horseman entering the village. One of the men recognizes him.

WORKER

Master Li is here!

ANGLE ON LI MU BAI, thirties, powerful and handsome.

In the background, old AUNT WU, at the sight of Li Mu Bai, drops her parcels and runs excitedly into the building.

INT. YUAN HALLWAY - DAY

Aunt Wu runs hurriedly through the halls.

AUNT WU

Shu Lien!

INT. YU'S ROOM - DAY

YU, a beautiful woman in her early 30s, is finishing packing for the convoy, wrapping a few small items in a linen wrapper as Aunt Wu bursts in.

AUNT WU

Li Mu Bai is here!

INT. YUAN PRACTICE HALL - DAY

How's everything?

AUNT WU

Fine. Please come in.

Yu sits, composed, as Aunt Wu ushers Li in. Li carries a large object, wrapped in silk.

Yu smiles.

Mu Bai... It's been too long.

It has.

(he glances around the room)

How's business?

Good. And how are you?

Fine.

An awkward pause.

Monk Zheng said you were at Wudan

Mountain. He said you were practicing

deep meditation.

Yes.

The mountain must be so peaceful... I

envy you. My work keeps me so busy, I

hardly get any rest.

I left the training early.

Why? You're a Wudan fighter. Training

is everything.

During my meditation training... I came

to a place of deep silence... I was

surrounded by light... Time and space

disappeared. I had come to a place my

master had never told me about.

You were enlightened?

No. I didn't feel the bliss of

enlightenment. Instead... I was

surrounded by an endless sorrow. I

couldn't bear it. I broke off my

meditation. I couldn't go on. There

was something... pulling me back.

What was it?

Something I can't let go of. You are

leaving soon?

We're preparing a convoy for a delivery

to Peking.

Perhaps I could ask you to deliver

something to Sir Te for me.

Li unwraps the object. It is an ancient, astonishingly beautiful sword.

The Green Destiny Sword? You're giving

it to Sir Te?

I am. He has always been our greatest

protector.

I don't understand. How can you part with

it? It has always been with you.

Too many men have died at its edge. It only

looks pure because blood washes so easily

from its blade.

You use it justly. You're worthy of it.

It's time for me to leave it behind.

So what will you do now?

Li doesn't reply.

Come with me to Peking. You can give the

sword to Sir Te yourself. It'll be just

like old times.

First I must visit my master's grave. It's

been many years since Jade Fox murdered him.

I have yet to avenge his death. And yet I'm

thinking of quitting. I must pray for his

forgiveness.

Join me once you have finished. I can wait

for you in Peking.

Perhaps.

EXT. THE GATE TO PEKING - DAY

Customs officials have just finished checking the contents in a row of carriages bearing the Sun Security insignia. The caravan slowly passes through the checkpoint into the boundaries of Peking. Yu, riding a handsome horse and clearly the leader, watches as her crew clears inspection.

GUARDS

Ok. Pass.

Thanks. Let's go into the city.

EXT. OUTSIDE A DEPOT - DAY

Workers are busy unloading the contents from the carriage. BOSS GIAO is checking off the merchandise - a cargo of medicinal herbs.

GIAO

Everything got here safely. I'm

much obliged.

Just doing my job.

GIAO

Sun Security has been the best since

your father started it. You're a credit

to his memory.

Thank you.

GIAO

I mean it.

EXT. PEKING - DAY

From a gray tiled roof, we can see Peking's magnificent grid of houses extending miles and miles out, freshly painted by the morning sun.

EXT. PEKING STREET - DAY

Dusty and congested as always, people, horses, and carriages are fighting to get through the boulevards.

A group of jugglers perform at a corner.

Yu surveys the busy street from on top of her horse.

INT. TE'S GREAT HALL - DAY

Yu presents the sword to SIR TE.

SIR TE

This is Li's personal sword, a great

hero's weapon! He is the only one in

the world worthy of carrying it. It's

too fine a gift. I cannot accept it.

Sir Te! It has brought him as much

trouble as glory. Help him to leave

these troubles behind. Otherwise,

he'll never be able to start anew.

SIR TE

All right. I'll act as the sword's

custodian.

DE LU, the head servant, enters.

DE LU

Governor Yu has arrived.

SIR TE

I must change.

(getting up)

You've always been so good to Li Mu Bai

and me. Please accept our thanks.

SIR TE

Please do not be such a stranger. You'll

stay the night as my guest. Now, Shu Lien...

tell me something. Your father was a great

friend to me, and I think of you as my own

daughter.

Please, Sir Te, what is it?

SIR TE

Li Mu Bai giving up his sword and his

warrior days... maybe he's trying to tell

you something?

I don't know...

SIR TE

Don't be coy. I've always known about your

feelings for each other. All these years,

it's a shame... neither of you is brave

enough to admit the truth to the other.

You're both wasting precious time.

I beg your pardon. Li Mu Bai and I aren't

cowards.

SIR TE

When it comes to emotions, even great

heroes can be idiots. Tell me if Li Mu Bai

is not more open the next time you see him.

I'll give him an earful!

INT. TE'S STUDY - DAY

Yu and De Lu approach the study.

DE LU

Sir Te said to leave the sword in here.

De Lu opens the door and is startled to find a young woman inside. The woman is studying the sheets of calligraphy hanging on the walls.

DE LU

Who are you?

JEN

I'm your guest today. I am Governor

Yu's daughter.

DE LU

This is Sir Te's study. You are here

to...

JEN

I was looking for a quiet corner.

DE LU

I am Sir Te's head servant. And this is

another of our guests.

INT. TE'S STUDY - DAY

Yu gently lays the sword, still in its sheath, in Jen's hands.

JEN

It's heavy for such a thin piece of

metal!

The handle is heavy. And the blade is no

ordinary metal. Still, the sword is the

lightest of weapons. You're just not used

to handling it.

JEN

But I have had much practice. As a child

in the West, a platoon lived with us.

They'd let me play with their weapons. The

scabbard is so beautiful.

Beautiful but dangerous. Once you see it

tainted with blood, its beauty is hard to

admire. It's 400 years old.

JEN

Exquisite! You said it belongs to...

My friend Li Mu Bai. He's given it to Sir

Te as a gift.

JEN

Li Mu Bai! The famous warrior? Why would

he give his sword to Sir Te?

You're too young to understand.

JEN

You're a sword fighter too?

Yu yanks the sword out of the sheath. An eerie sound resonates within the study. Jen is even more impressed.

Yes, I am. But I prefer the machete.

Certain moves, however, call for a sword.

JEN

Really?

Yu puts the sword back in the case.

JEN

(longingly)

It must be exciting to be a fighter, to

be totally free!

Fighters have rules too: friendship,

trust, integrity... Without rules, we

wouldn't survive for long.

JEN

I've read all about people like you.

Roaming wild, beating up anyone who gets

in your way!

Writers wouldn't sell many books if they

told how it really is.

JEN

But you're just like the characters in

the stories.

Sure. No place to bathe for days, sleeping

in flea-infested beds... They tell you all

about that in those books?

JEN

You know what I mean. I'm getting married

soon, but I haven't lived the life I want.

So I heard. Congratulations. It's the most

important step in a woman's life, isn't it?

JEN

You're not married, are you?

What do you think?

JEN

No! You couldn't roam around freely if

you were.

You're probably right.

Yu studies Jen. The room falls silent for a moment.

EXT. SIDE COURT YARD - DAY

It's dusk and the sky is a beautiful orange and purple. Jen is leaving the study escorted by her maid. She turns to Yu for a final good-bye. Yu seems intrigued by the encounter.

EXT. SIR TE'S COMPOUND - NIGHT

Two lighted lanterns are raised up.

INT. TE'S STUDY - NIGHT

Sir Te hands the sword to Governor Yu.

SIR TE

Go ahead, Governor Yu.

Governor Yu is impressed by the opulance and elegance of the sword. He closes his eyes to guess the weight of the sword. Te snubs out the flame from a candle, then slides the sword out from its sheath. The sword gives off a luminous blue glow in the dark.

SIR TE

Two feet 9 inches long. 1 inch wide. The

handle is 1 inch deep, 2.6 inches wide.

Seven-tenths of an inch thick. With seven

rubies missing from the hilt. You can tell

the design dates back to before the Chin

era. Engraved with a technique lost by the

time of the Han Dynasty.

GOVERNOR YU

Your knowledge is remarkable, Sir Te.

SIR TE

A sword by itself rules nothing. It comes

alive only through skillful manipulation.

GOVERNOR YU

I see your point. Please continue.

SIR TE

The Imperial Court isn't the problem. With

royalty and officials everywhere, the Royal

Guard keeps security tight. But Peking is

not like the West. Here, you'll find all

sorts of characters. Proceed with caution in

your quest for law and order. Don't depend

only on the court. Contacts in the Giang Hu

underworld can ensure your position. Be

strong, yet supple. This is the way to rule.

INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

A maid warms her hands in a basin of hot water for Jen, then walks over to Jen and helps remove her earrings. Someone knocks and the maid goes to answer the door.

MAID

Governess...

GOVERNESS

Let me do it.

The maid leaves as the governess enters the room.

JEN

Please sit.

GOVERNESS

I've made you silk pajamas. Do you want

to change into them?

JEN

Put them down.

GOVERNESS

I heard you met Shu Lien today.

JEN

Do you know her?

GOVERNESS

She's one of those. Your mother would not

want you consorting with her kind.

Jen shoots her an angry look.

JEN

I'll socialize with whomever I please.

GOVERNESS

Don't invite danger into your father's

house.

She's about to say something, then thinks better of it.

JEN

I'm tired now.

GOVERNESS

Go to bed then. Miss has grown up, and is

getting married soon. God knows what the

future will bring.

JEN

It will be just the same. Enough! I'm

tired.

GOVERNESS

Autumn is coming. I'll shut the windows

for you.

The governess leaves. Jen sits on the side of her bed, thinking.

EXT. TE'S COMPOUND - NIGHT

A wide shot of the compound. A patrol man greets MASTER BO, Sir Te's head of security. The place is serene.

MASTER BO

Chilly, eh?

NIGHTMAN

Yes, Master Bo.

As Bo walks on, shadows rustle in a treetop in the background.

EXT./INT. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TE'S STUDY - NIGHT

A masked FIGURE silently opens the window and enters the room. It moves swiftly to the sword case, opens it, and wraps the sword.

Bo enters, sees the thief, who leaps up to the ceiling. The thief steps over Bo and out into the courtyard. Bo tries to stop the thief, who easily outwits him, jumping onto the roof as Bo yells out:

Someone help! Stop him! He's on the roof!

The sword's been stolen! Stop thief! Stop

him!

The thief skips a few times and jumps off to a side street.

Bo grabs a pole and runs as GONGS begin to SOUND, alerting people to the theft. People rush outside, Yu Shu Lien among them.

EXT. PEKING STREET - NIGHT

Bo runs through the streets. The thief is nowhere in sight. Suddenly, there are SOUNDS of WEAPONS CLASHING. Bo hurries towards the source.

EXT. AN ALLEY OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT

Bo is surprised to see the hooded Figure battling with two other fighters - TSAI (male, 40s) and MAY, his daughter.

TSAI

It's Jade Fox!

MAY

We must avenge mother!

The hooded Figure does a gravity-defying flip and soars over a wall just as Bo arrives.

Do something! He's getting away!

EXT. PEKING ROOFTOP - NIGHT

The thief runs atop a roof - right into Yu. Yu and the hooded Figure face off.

Return the sword and I'll let you go.

The Figure just regards her, slightly shifting weight.

Yu attacks, but the Figure repels her.

You've been trained at Wudan?

The Figure answers by leaping to another rooftop. Yu catches up and resumes her attack with a relentless series of lightning-quick blows.

EXT. ALLEY OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT

Bo follows Tsai and May, who are quickly walking away.

TSAI

You're mistaken. We're just street

performers. We were rehearsing.

MAY

Father!

You were rehearsing? Who are you

trying to fool?

May wants to respond but is again cut off by Tsai. They run off.

Where did that thief go?

Bo looks around and discovers that he has chased the thief into Governor Yu's compound.

Governor Yu's house?

EXT. ROOFTOP

Yu and the Black Figure continue to fight.

Get down here! Give back the sword!

EXT. GOVERNOR YU'S - NIGHT

Yu slowly gets the upper hand in her fight with the thief. A small arrow cuts across the night and flies toward Yu. She catches it, but the masked Figure takes the opportunity to get away.

Yu pauses to feel the arrow in her hand, standing in the empty courtyard.

EXT. TE'S SIDE ENTRANCE - DAY

De Lu escorts Yu into Te's.

DE LU

Sir Te awaits you.

INT. TE'S GREAT HALL - DAY

Men are standing at attention. Bo is giving his account of what happened as Yu enters.

I'm sure the thief is in the Yu

household.

SIR TE

How dare you imply?

But I saw-

SIR TE

-Enough.

The men hustle out. Bo can barely contain his frustration.

Has Governor Yu ever seen the sword?

SIR TE

Yes, though I doubt he's involved

in this.

But the sword could be in his

compound.

SIR TE

Then someone's trying to set him up.

We should inform Li Mu Bai.

EXT. OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT

Madam Yu is returning from temple. The Governess is helping her out of the carriage. Servants are peeling bills off a wall across the street.

MADAM YU

What is it?

MAID

Madam Yu, someone's put up posters.

A partially torn flier with the words "Jade Fox will not escape justice!" is seen on the ground.

MADAM YU

Let me see.

GOVERNESS

Someone is after Jade Fox.

Preposterous, looking for her here!

Madam Yu nods and walks inside, as the Governess tosses the flier away and follows her. A hand scoops up the filer - it is Yu. She studies it, then puts it in her pocket, and moves on.

EXT. BRIDGE - DAY

Bo is searching for the Tsais. The bridge is full of jugglers. But the two are nowhere to be found.

EXT. PEKING STREET - DAY

Bo quizzes a HOMELESS MAN.

Where are they?

HOMELESS MAN

I don't know. I haven't seen them in

two days.

Bo is about to give up when he looks up and sees May walking quickly into an alley. Bo follows her.

EXT. IN FRONT OF TSAI'S HOUSE

May walks into a dilapidated house surrounded by a broken-down bamboo fence. Bo inches closer and sees May and Tsai oiling their weapons.

INT. BO'S ROOM - DAY

Jen practices calligraphy. The Governess is by her side embroidering and throwing occasional glances at Jen. The Maid enters.

MAID

There is a Miss Shu Lien here to

see you.

Jen stops and looks up at them.

GOVERNESS

Miss is busy right now.

MAID

I'll tell her.

JEN

Show her in.

The Governess shoots her a look.

GOVERNESS

This spells trouble.

JEN

I have a guest.

The Governess gets up to leave just as the Maid shows Yu in.

MAID

This way please.

The Governess and Yu exchange quick glances. The Governess bows slightly and departs.

JEN

I've missed you.

How so?

JEN

I'm bored.

Yu sees the calligraphy.

You're doing calligraphy?

JEN

I'll write your name. Just for fun.

Jen writes Yu's name with great confidence and swiftness.

I never realized my name looks

like "sword."

Jen freezes slightly.

You write gracefully. Calligraphy is

so similar to fencing.

JEN

Maybe it is. I wouldn't know.

The Maid enters with tea.

JEN

Please.

Thank you for seeing me. I hear your

wedding day is near. You must be

overwhelmed by the preparations.

JEN

I'm hardly doing a thing. The less I

think of it the better. My parents

are arranging everything. The Gous

are a very powerful family. My

marrying one will be good for my

father's career.

You are fortunate to marry into such

a noble family.

JEN

Am I? I wish I were like the heroes

in the books I read. Like you and

Li Mu Bai. I guess I'm happy to be

marrying. But to be free to live my

own life, to choose whom I love...

That is true happiness.

Do you think so? Let me tell you a

story.

JEN

About you and Li Mu Bai?

Yes. Did you know I was once

engaged to be married?

JEN

No, really?

His name was Meng Si Zhao. He was

a brother to Li Mu Bai by oath. One

day, while in battle, he was killed

by the sword of Li Mu Bai's enemy.

After, Li Mu Bai and I went through

a lot together. Our feelings for

each other grew stronger. But how

could we dishonor Meng's memory? So

the freedom you talk about, I too

desire it. But I have never tasted it.

JEN

Too bad for Meng, but it's not your

fault, or Li Mu Bai's.

I am not an aristocrat, as you are...

but I must still respect a woman's

duties.

JEN

Don't distance us. From now on, let's

be like sisters.

Then as a sister, let me wish you

happiness in your marriage.

EXT. YU'S GARDEN - DAY

The Maid escorts Yu out. Yu pauses, looks around, and sees the profile of the Governess peering at her from around a corner.

INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

Moonlight spills into the room as Jen rises sleeplessly from bed and looks out the window. A light breeze stirs her hair. The sound of the wind rises, and slowly her face DISSOLVES INTO...

INT./EXT. CARRIAGE/MONGOLIAN DESERT - DAY

...the face of a younger, less sophisticated Jen, as she lets the dry desert air flow through her hair. She sits in a carriage, part of a caravan, with guards on horseback, that is traveling through the spectacular desert. Across from her sits her mother, of whom she is barely cognizant.

MADAM YU

What a godforsaken place! Can't your

father be appointed closer to

civilization? Jen... are you listening

to me?

Jen is still looking out the side of the carriage, at a beautiful mountainside.

INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

Jen sighs and turns back toward her bed.

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE GOVERNOR YU'S COMPOUND - NIGHT

Tsai and May have been sitting, hidden in the branches of a tree, watching Jen.

TSAI

Let's go!

They drop down silently and walk away. From another rooftop, LO looks silently on.

EXT. TSAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Tsai and May enter the house.

INT. TSAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Inside the tiny house, they discover a hooded Figure going through their belongings.

Immediately, Tsai throws a knife, which rips off the Figure's mask- revealing Bo. Tsai has another long knife at his throat.

TSAI

Who are you?

Wait! I'm a friend!

Tsai pauses.

INT. TSAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT (LATER)

May fans a small coal-fired grill that is boiling a sizzling pot of vegetable and meatball soup. Her father and Bo are now friendly dinner companions, much to May's delight.

TSAI

I don't care about your sword.

Why were you spying on the Yus?

TSAI

I'm looking for someone. Jade Fox.

I'm a police inspector from Shaan Xi,

Gen Su district. Jade Fox is a master

criminal. I hear she infiltrated the

Yus. She must have come with them when

they transferred here. But with Yu's

reputation, I can't just go in and

accuse her.

This Jade Fox is a woman?

TSAI

Yes.

Then leave her to me.

TSAI

Pardon me, but I doubt you can handle

her. My wife was quite a martial arts

expert. Jade Fox killed her. So you

see, this is personal. Leave her to me.

MAY

It's ready! (re: the soup)

I'm ready for anything!

Bo fishes into the pot with his chopsticks. May intercepts him with her own chopsticks.

MAY

Father gets first dip.

Tsai stiffens and snaps his chopsticks, not to pick up a meatball but to catch an incoming dart. A dart wrapped with a note. Bo jumps up.

TSAI

They're gone.

MAY

What does it say?

TSAI

"We'll settle this at midnight on

Yellow Hill." Good, the fox is out of

her hole.

INT. TE'S STUDY - NIGHT

Yu is ushered into the room, to discover Sir Te talking to another man, whose back is to her.

SIR TE

Shu Lien, look who's here.

The man turns around- it's Li Mu Bai.

EXT. TE'S HALL - NIGHT

Yu and Li Mu Bai sit together.

Sir Te believes it's a ploy to

cast suspicion on Governor Yu.

But something is going on at the

Yu household.

What have you discovered?

From her sleeve, Yu removes the flier. Li takes it, his face darkening.

Jade Fox? Impossible.

You always suspected she's fled to

the West.

I didn't think she'd dare come back

to Peking!

Is there any place safer than under

the nose of Governor Yu?

So I shall avenge my master's death

after all.

Be careful. Sir Te requires discretion.

Official business is difficult enough.

Don't let personal feelings make it

worse. And I don't know... even this

poster... could be some sort of trap.

Did you see who posted it?

Yu pauses.

No.

It says Jade Fox is hiding at Yu's.

On the night of the theft there was a

brawl near Yu's. Were you involved?

It was Bo, Sir Te's man. I hear he

followed the thief to the Yus'.

Have you questioned him yet?

No, not yet...

But your men are watching over Yu's

compound?

No, I'd already sent them home. You

can blame me for losing the sword, but

please trust that I'll get it back soon

using my own methods.

That's not what I meant. I don't care

about the sword.

What do you mean? Didn't you come back

here for it?

I didn't know it was stolen until I

got here.

Then why did you come?

Well, we had talked...

De Lu enters.

DE LU

Pardon my intrusion, Master Li, your

room is ready.

Thank you. Please lead the way.

EXT. YELLOW HILL - NIGHT

Tsai, Bo, and May wait under an ancient tree. Bo stifles a yawn.

The fox doesn't care much for

punctuality. Still no sign of her.

An old lady struggles up the hill, wearing a floppy hat over her face, holding a cane. The three exchange glances.

TSAI

Enough! Show yourself!

The old woman shrinks in fear, but then throws off her disguise and unveils herself- the Governess.

FOX

Tsai... you dog! You will pay for

your stubbornness.

That's what you think, old witch!

TSAI

If you surrender now, you'll suffer

less. But if you resist, I won't stop

until you're dead.

MAY

Father! Let me avenge my mother's death!

FOX

You'll soon end up like her, you little

whore!

You'll pay for that!

A fierce battle begins, the main fighting between Tsai and Fox, with May and Bo getting a stab in occasionally, when the opportunity presents itself.

TSAI (to Bo)

She's going to paralyze you!

Using accupressure, Fox disables Bo. May shoots an arrow at her, but she catches it and flings it back, hitting May.

TSAI

May!

Fox then disables Tsai, but just as she goes for the kill, Li Mu Bai flies down from the treetops and steps between them.

FOX

Tsai, you filthy mongrel! An ambush!

MAY

Father, are you all right?

Li addresses Fox.

Wudan should have gotten rid of you

long ago. It's been a long time, Jade

Fox! You don't remember me... But you

should remember my master. You

infiltrated Wudan while I was away.

You stole our secret manual and

poisoned our master! Now it's time for

you to pay!

FOX

Your master underestimated us women.

Sure, he'd sleep with me, but he

would never teach me. He deserved to

die by a woman's hand!

You stole the secrets of Wudan's highest

martial arts. But after ten years of

training, your moves are still

undisciplined. And today, under a Wudan

sword... you will die!

Li easily brings Fox to the ground.

Li raises his sword to the prostrate Fox. A Figure masked in black appears next to Fox, sword extended, saving her.

FOX

Disciple, we'll kill them all!

FIGURE IN BLACK

Let's go!

Another one!

FOX

I must get rid of Tsai!

Fox fights Tsai, Bo, and May, as Li addresses the masked Figure.

Who are you? Why is the Green Destiny

in your possession?

FIGURE IN BLACK

What's it to you?

My name is Li Mu Bai. The Green Destiny

is mine. Jade Fox can't be your master.

Where did you learn that "Xuan Piu" move?

FIGURE IN BLACK

I'm just playing around.

Tell me, who is your master?

FIGURE IN BLACK

Let's go!

FOX

We must kill them!

Tsai throws his blade at Fox, who catches it and throws it back, hitting him in the head. Fox and the masked Figure leap away.

May drops to the ground, cradling her dead father's head. Bo kneels beside her.

MAY

Father!

EXT. TE'S - DAY

Te and a group of his men look down as a cloth is removed from the body of Tsai. Bo and May stand before them.

This is Tsai?

MAY

My father. Police Inspector from Shaan.

This should be reported to Governor Yu.

The victim is an officer. You believe

the killer is hiding out in his

compound?

I'd bet my life on it!

TE (to Li and Yu)

Come with me.

He exits the room.

INT. TE'S STUDY - DAY

Te, Li, and Yu are seated.

SIR TE

This needs to be resolved, and

quickly.

I'll get into the Yu household and

get her. I'll ferret out Fox and her

gang.

We must be careful. Governor Yu is a

court official, and in charge of

security. Any disturbance will cast

suspicion on him. It might get Sir Te

in trouble.

SIR TE

This is a delicate matter.

Sir Te, can you find some excuse to

invite Madam Yu and her daughter?

SIR TE

What do you have in mind?

The best way to trap a fox is through

her cubs.

Sir Te and Li look puzzled.

EXT. SIR TE'S GARDEN - DAY

Yu sits with Madam Yu and Jen. They busy themselves with various items for her trousseau.

MADAM YU

Madam Te is certainly spoling us with

these wedding gifts. She's being so

considerate.

I'm sorry she's not feeling well enough

to receive you today.

MADAM YU

I heard Sir Te lost something. And now

Madam Te's not feeling well...

Jen sits silently reading.

We know who stole the missing item. If

the thief returns it, I'm sure Sir Te

will pursue the matter no further.

MADAM YU

That's good. Sometimes the help can't

keep their hands to themselves. It's

very embarrassing.

Sir Te knows that even well-meaning

people can make mistakes... that can

bring ruin to themselves and their

families.

MADAM YU

But don't be too lenient.

No mercy will be shown toward the

murderer who turned up in Peking.

MADAM YU

A murderer?

Yes. The very killer of Li Mu Bai's

own master. Last night, she killed a

policeman who had tracked her down.

MADAM YU

A female criminal? Now that's news!

Jen becomes visibly upset.

JEN

You say she killed a policeman?

Yes, from the West. He went

undercover and followed her here.

MADAM YU

Maybe the murderer and the thief are

one and the same.

I doubt it. This thief... is very

unusual...

As Yu speaks, she lifts the teapot to pour Jen some tea. As she finishes speaking, she looks into Jen's face and the pot slips from her hand. Without even looking down, Jen instinctively catches the pot with a lightning-fast move.

...And most likely smarter than a

mere killer.

Sir Te and Li Mu Bai walk by.

JEN

(formal)

Greetings, Sir Te.

SIR TE

Hello, Madam Yu. This is Li Mu Bai,

the renowned swordsman.

Delighted to meet you.

Li sizes Jen up.

Miss Yu is soon to be married.

Congratulations.

EXT. TSAI'S HOUSE - NIGHT

May opens her door, only to find Bo standing guard.

MAY

Why don't you come in?

I'm standing guard.

MAY

Come in. It's cold.

She turns back inside, hesitates, then turns back to him.

MAY

Come in. We don't have to fear Jade

Fox if we're together.

EXT. TE COMPOUND - NIGHT

A still, dark night.

EXT. TE'S STUDY - NIGHT

Something moves in the moonlight. A hooded Figure jumps down.

Li Mu Bai, who had been hiding in the shadows, comes forward.

Isn't a bit too late to be out?

You've brought me the sword?

FIGURE

I do as I please.

The masked Figure lunges away, but Li Mu Bai leaps with incredible speed and grabs the sword from her.

Where's your master?

FIGURE

What's it to you?

The Figure floats away. Li chases after her.

EXT. PEKING STREET - NIGHT

The two fly over houses and bounce off of rooftops, displaying amazing floating skills.

INT. ABANDONED MONASTERY - NIGHT

The Figure bounces into an old monastery. Li is already there.

Had enough flying? You've got

potential. You've studied the Wudan

Manual but you don't understand it.

You need a real master.

The Figure doesn't respond, but we sense the pride in her eyes.

FIGURE

Do you think you are a real master?

Like most things, I am nothing. It's

the same for this sword. All of it is

simply a state of mind.

FIGURE

Stop talking like a monk! Just fight!

Then tell me where Jade Fox is.

FIGURE

On guard!

Real sharpness comes without effort.

EXT. MONASTERY - NIGHT

The Figure leaps into the garden, but again, Li is ahead of her.

The Figure attacks Li, who uses his agility to evade her. Frustrated, the Figure intensifies her attack.

The Figure, losing composure, attacks wildly. Li gets even more elusive, using a branch to repel her.

No growth without assistance. No

action without reaction. No desire

without restraint. Now give yourself

up and find yourself again. There is

a lesson for you.

Li now holds the stick to her mask, gently raising it slightly.

FIGURE

Go ahead.

Why should I? You need practice. I

can teach you to fight with the Green

Destiny, but first you must learn to

hold it in stillness.

FIGURE

Why do you want to teach me?

I've always wanted a disciple worthy

of Wudan's secrets.

FIGURE

And if I use them to kill you?

That's a risk I'm willing to take.

Deep down, you're good. Even Jade Fox

couldn't corrupt you.

The Figure's eyes cloud with tears.

FIGURE

Wudan is a whorehouse! Keep your lessons!

The Figure swirls and takes off, leaving a rueful Li standing alone in the monastery.

INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

Jen slips in through the window. She pulls off her mask as she spots the Governess/Fox sitting and sewing.

FOX

You're home late... or should I say

early?

JEN

Why are you still here? You killed a

policeman. You should leave! You'll

bring ruin on my whole family.

FOX

They wouldn't have found me if you

hadn't stolen the sword. Like a little

girl, you thought stealing would be

fun? You, too, are responsible for that

death. Come with me. You don't want to

waste your life as the wife of some

bureaucrat. Denied your talent... As a

master and disciple we will rule.

JEN

I'll never live as a thief!

FOX

You're already a thief.

JEN

That was just for fun. How can I leave?

Where would I go?

FOX

Wherever we want. We'll get rid of

anyone in our way. Even your father.

JEN

Shut up!

FOX

It's the Giang Hu fighter lifestyle...

kill or be killed. Exciting, isn't it?

JEN

I owe you nothing.

FOX

Yes, you do! You are still my disciple!

Jen lunges at the Governess, and the two exchange a few blows. Jen presses her finger against one of the Governess' pressure points, disabling her. Jen pushes her across the room.

JEN

You think you've been teaching me all

these years from the manual? You

couldn't even decipher the symbols!

FOX

I studied the diagrams. But you hid

the details!

JEN

You wouldn't have understood, even if

I had tried to explain. You know...

you've gone as far as you can go. I hid

my skills so as not to hurt you.

FOX

If I hadn't seen you fight with Li Mu

Bai, I'd still be ignorant of all

you've hidden from me.

JEN

Master... I started learning from you

in secret when I was 10. You enchanted

me with the world of Giang Hu. But once

I realized I could surpass you, I

became so frightened! Everything fell

apart. I had no one to guide me, no one

to learn from.

FOX

Believe me, I've a lesson or two left

to teach you!

Fox exits.

EXT. GOVERNOR YU'S GATE - DAY

The Governess leaves, a small sack over her back.

EXT. TE'S COURTYARD - DAY

Li practices fluently with Green Destiny in hand, beautifully at ease with the weapon. He spins around to find Yu standing in the doorway.

The sword is back... are you happy?

Li smiles.

I admit, getting it back makes me

realize how much I'd missed it.

But it's not your sword anymore. You

gave it to Sir Te.

True. But I must borrow it for one last

mission. Jade Fox must die at its edge.

Did you know what you were hiding when

you covered for that girl?

My job was to get the sword back without

embarrassing anyone. I wasn't about to

ruin her life, or her father's.

You did your job well. But, this girl...

I saw her last night.

I knew she would intrigue you.

She needs direction... and training.

She's an aristocrat's daughter. She's

not one of us. In any case, it will all

be over soon. You'll kill Fox, and

she'll marry.

That's not for her. She could come to

Wudan and become a disciple.

But Wudan does not accept women.

For her, they might make an exception.

If not, I'm afraid she'll become a

poisoned dragon.

It's not our affair. Even if Wudan

accepts her, her husband might object.

I thought by giving away the sword, I

could escape the Giang Hu world. But

the cycle of bloodshed continues.

I wish there were something more I

could do to help you.

Just be patient with me, Shu Lien.

INT. JEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

Jen is asleep. A noise awakens her.

Lo opens the window and sneaks in- right into the point of Jen's waiting sword.

Jen's sword drops to the ground.

JEN

Lo?

Jen!

Lo grabs her by the waist.

JEN

You shouldn't have come.

With all the traffic on your rooftop

these days... it took me a while to

get in here. I can't wait any longer.

I was wrong to let you go. Come back

with me. You'll be happy in the desert.

You'll be free there.

Jen turns back to him and rests herself briefly in his arms again.

JEN

You've been looking for me all this

time?

FLASHBACK: FOUR YEARS EARLIER

INT./EXT. CARRIAGE/MONGOLIAN DESERT - DAY

Jen holds up a comb, with daylight shining through it. Jen admires the piece, her most prized possession.

Madam Yu sits opposite her.

MADAM YU

Jen... stop playing with it.

Jen looks out over the desert, as the wind picks up and the sky darkens.

JEN

I won't break it.

EXT. CARRIAGE/MONGOLIAN DESERT - DAY

Lo and a group of armed bandits descend on the caravan.

GUARD A

It's Dark Cloud! Dark Cloud is coming!

His warning is useless. From Jen's POV, we see the guards slaughtered in a hail of arrows and swords.

MADAM YU

Lower the shade, don't let them see

you!

DARK CLOUD (LO)

Don't touch the women!

Though unharmed, Madam Yu immediately faints. Lo approaches the carriage and grabs the comb from Jen's hand.

She bolts from the carriage, and, once outside, bends down and grabs a lance from the body of a dead guard, whose horse flails beside him.

She looks up to see the gang of bandits already making their escape on horseback.

Let's go!

EXT. DESERT - DAY

Jen and Lo ride across the desert floor at breakneck speed.

Come get your comb.

She tries to jab him with the lance, but he grabs it and flings her off her horse.

Hurry back to your mother.

Lo rides on as she charges after her horse.

EXT. DESERT BLUFF - DAY

A group of bandits is dividing up the loot as Jen rides up, keeping a respectable distance. They notice her and rise as she dismounts.

One of them saunters over to her and stands, grinning, a few feet away.

In a second, she's slammed his balls into his stomach and his nose into his face. He crumples to the sand.

The other bandits stop laughing, quickly exchange glances, and charge her at once.

In a matter of seconds, they're either on the ground or dragging their fallen comrades back.

Lo calls out and stops the fight.

She's mine.

EXT. DESERT - DAY

Lo and Jen ride, if not side-by-side, then parallel, about 20 feet apart. Their pace has slowed considerably. In fact, they're dead tired.

Let's stop a moment.

JEN

Give it back!

(shouting a bit)

You're tired. You need rest. Your

horse needs water. There's a creek up

here.

He dismounts, looks down at the dry creek bed.

Well, there used to be! What's your

name? I'm Lo. The Hans call me Dark

Cloud. I'm not that tall or big, but

I'm quick as lightning.

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