Hero (英雄)

Two thousand years ago.. during the Warring States period, China was divided into seven Kingdoms.

For years they battled for supremacy while the people suffered.

The King of Qin was the most ruthless in his efforts to conquer the land and unify all under heaven. He was regarded as a common threat by the other six Kingdoms.

The annals of Chinese history are abound with tales of the assassins sent to kill the great King.

This is one of those legends...

I was orphaned at an early age

I had no name, so people called me Nameless

Being a nobody, I studied swordsmanship

After 10 years of practice

I acquired a unique skill.

The King of Qin has summoned me.

My deeds have astonished the Kingdom.

By order of his Majesty

we have brought the mighty warrior.

Sky, Flying Snow and Broken Sword,

the three assassins from Zhao

have sought his Majesty's life. For 10 years

his Majesty has known no peace.

To the astonishment of all

a mighty warrior of Qin has smashed them.

His Majesty can finally sleep at night!

We rejoice for our King!

This warrior sent from heaven

has exterminated the assassins.

Summon the warrior!

Remain 100 paces from his Majesty.

Or you will be executed. Never forget that.

No one is allowed within 100 paces of me.

Do you know why?

To guard against assassins.

Yes. That's why I am confined in this armor.

You have removed a great peril for me.

How should I reward you?

My service was for Qin, not for a reward.

Achievements must be rewarded.

Sky's silver spear...

wounded many of my brave warriors.

Announce my edict!

By order of his Majesty,

he who kills Sky will receive gold and land

and be allowed to drink

within 20 paces of his Majesty.

I am informed you're a citizen of Qin.

I am a Prefect from Leng Meng County.

A County Prefect over 10 square miles!

Surely the lowest-ranking official in Qin

how did you defeat such opponents?

I took them on one by one.

Tell me the details.

Does Your Majesty know

Flying Snow and Broken Sword were lovers?

Yes, I do.

And that they hadn't spoken for three years?

For three years? Why?

Flying Snow had an affair with Sky.

Broken Sword never forgave her.

Why haven't I heard this before?

I went to great lengths to uncover it.

To divide Flying Snow and Broken Sword

I first needed to eliminate Sky.

I have an idea of what you planned.

Your Majesty is wise.

What did you use to defeat Sky?

The sword.

I must arrest criminals in my county.

On the fifth day of the sixth month.

Sky attended a chess house.

I had learnt he enjoyed playing chess

and listening to music there.

So, the seven masters of Qin Palace.

We are here to arrest you!

Identify yourself by showing your spear.

Halt!

What can a minor official do?

This is my territory.

So?

You are on the King's most wanted list.

I am placing you under arrest.

Old man, please play one more tune.

Martial arts and music are different

but they share the same principle.

Both stress attaining a supreme state

Sky and I faced each other for a long time.

Neither of us moved.

We fought the battle in our minds.

How swift thy sword!

I thought I knew everything about my Kingdom.

I didn't know that Leng Meng County

held a talent like yours.

Broken Sword

Flying Snow

By order of his Majesty!

Flying Snow and Broken Sword

have teamed up for assassination

he who kills either of them

will receive gold and land

and be allowed to drink

within 10 paces of his Majesty.

Three years ago, Flying Snow

stormed the palace with Broken Sword.

3000 elite troops couldn't stop them.

I've since emptied the palace

so assassins cannot hide.

Was your sword swifter than theirs combined?

No.

How did you do it, then?

Disguised as a citizen of Zhao.

I sought them in the Kingdom of Zhao.

I learned they were hiding.

In a calligraphy school

Under the names Highcliff and Springbrook.

Rumor had it

the Qin army would attack that day.

Most of the townspeople had fled

Only the school's students remained

Why have you come at such a time?

Who are you?

I'm from Yi County in the Kingdom of Zhao

My father's dying wish

was for one of your scrolls

I fear this may be our school's last day

Which calligrapher do you seek?

I respectfully request Master highcliff

highcliff was Broken Sword

Legend said his skill as a swordsman

was rooted in his calligraphy

So I had my concerns

I needed to find out if it was true

What do you want written?

"Sword. "

You are fond of the sword?

It was my father's dying wish

What size scroll?

Eight feet

For that size I will need red ink

My master has asked me

to borrow some red ink

My master wants to borrow some red ink

Did you hear me, Master Springbrook?

Master highcliff wants to borrow red ink

Tell him to come himself

Could I have some red ink?

The character "sword" was still being written

when Your Majesty's troops

arrived at the city gates

Draw!

Your Majesty's army is invincible

not only because it is brave

but also because of its archery

with a greater range than any other army

The Qin archers are like artillery

intimidating the enemy

Hail! hail! hail!

Please remember

their arrows might destroy our town

and topple our Kingdom

but they can never obliterate our culture

Today

you will learn the essence of our culture

Hail! hail! hail!

Those Zhao people didn't flee?

They drew strength from their calligraphy

What was so difficult about "sword"?

There are 19 different ways to write it

I asked Broken Sword

for a 20th way

Both calligraphy and swordplay

rely on one's strength and spirit

The 20th style would reveal

the essence of his swordsmanship

How odd to write it in 19 ways

It makes the written language

impossible to comprehend

Once I've conquered the six Kingdoms

and all the northern tribes

I will eradicate this problem

by mandating one style of writing

Wouldn't that be ideal?

Your Majesty won't stop at the six Kingdoms?

The six Kingdoms are nothing!

I will lead my army to conquer vast lands

and establish a great empire

Hail! hail! hail!

Master Springbrook

Why are you going outside?

To fend off the arrows

You aren't needed. Stay inside

The Qin archers are powerful

You alone may not stop them

Hail! hail! hail!

You are good

You are even better

You didn't come here for calligraphy

Who are you?

I've travelled here to deliver an item

Please meet me in the library at midnight

Great calligraphy

Great swordplay

You didn't even see my swordplay

I couldn't have written without it