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"Demi Monde"
I didn't know what it meant
I just knew that papa moved us around a lot
Across rivers and lakes
But he never told me why
I remember hearing many dialects
I soon got used to hearing them
But I don't remember where they came from
Papa used to tell me stories
Mostly about supply and demand
He would say...
Everything has its price
If we want to survive...
Buy more time...
...a price must be paid
Life or death? Both have a cost
Everyone pays
I don't know the true meaning of "cost" or "price"
Or if it's fair
It is what it is
Papa used to say...
"Justice" is a point of view
Right or wrong is hard to define
You may witness something unjust...
...and try to right it
But later find you were in the wrong
Regret is pointless
No one will pity you
His reasons were none of my business
I didn't know what papa did for a living
Then one day...
A beautiful light shone through my window
Brightly blinking. Yet darkly tinkling
It was like magic to me
As if a Muse would soon appear
But then I learnt where that light came from
And my magical world vanished
I began to see...
...in the "demi monde"...
...there is always a price to pay
We can make a curved sabre
Two feet long
Made from three steel blades pressed together
"Ah, it's light and unbreakable!"
Ha, ha - he's reeling in another customer
I have my own "underworld"
It involves two workers
Ti Dao has worked with us for four years
Every time he looks at me, I remember our first exchange
Then there was Ding On
An orphan papa found
The scar on his face was my fault
He was seven and I was five
He never made a sound
I will owe him forever
My debt is on his face
Kitty!
Kitty?
A TSUI HARK FILM
BLADE
I often have wicked thoughts
Imagining my two men fighting
And I was the prize
The winner would belong to me
I decided on a plan and put it to work
The battle was about to begin
I've made some soup for you in the kitchen
I thought it would work
How can you expect two strong men to share one bowl of soup?
What I didn't know...
...was the fight was not between the two of them
But between me and them
I told you they'd never share one bowl between them...
...and now it's cold
Drink it yourself before it spoils
Where are they?
Where are you?
The soup stunt was our first unfinished business
I didn't expect the price of my death to be so high
This copper pot is magnificent
It's a great deal
Don't waste your time...
This one is also nice
Very beautiful
One of a kind
I'll do a special price just for you
Is this a sword?
It's a western amulet
In western religions, they all wear one
The necklace has a dead man on it...
The Christians believe this man is their saviour
He forgives their sins
If you buy this, you'll have peace forever
You'll be 'saved' as well
Who did it save?
It's just a necklace
How much?
Are you sure?
We've no money left
I've saved a bit
Kill the pig!
What's he doing?
He'll scare any girls away
We'll pay later
Find some whores
Hurry up. Let's go
Please, someone help me
Sir, please help me...
You idiot. You're useless. Get lost!
That's way too expensive
Add it up again and get it right this time
It is right
4 x 3 is 12. Plus the large jug of wine comes to 16
I'm not paying that much for this swill
Always cheating...
Is there a problem here?
Here are the blades you ordered to skin the ox
Hold on, hold on...
Damn you, monk!
Never start what you can't finish
Can you fix a wheel?
My cart's broken and I need to get it fixed
Money's on the table
Oh, great, thanks
Count it carefully
Come on, hurry, hurry...
Why? What's wrong?
The monk's being beaten up
- Who'd do that? // - There's a whole bunch of them
They're gonna kill him for sure
Wait, what's that?
Teacher? Teacher!
Run!
Ti Dao!
Where are they? Tell me!
Ti Dao!
No, stop it. Stop!
He's one of them!
Tell me where they are?!
If you kill him, you're as bad as them
So what?
Are you crazy?
We must avenge him!
Revenge?
We have work to do
Ti Dao
Where'd those bastards go?
Tell me where they are!
We won't forget this
My brothers will get revenge!
You know we make blades
You can't get away with murder!
We'll come for you tonight
They'll pay for their crimes
Meet me at the cliff tonight...
Or you're all cowards!
By the cliff tonight!
Calm down!
Be there!
We make the sabres
We're not responsible for how they're used
Our business must remain neutral in such quarrels
Ti Dao and Ding On have changed
They don't talk to me anymore
Ti Dao just stares at that wine ball
While Ding On stares at the window
They weren't like this before
I began to think there would be a battle after all
But would it be over me?
Who cares
As long as the winner is mine...
...I'll be happy
I hate those damn hunters
Ti Dao, today they die!
You're right. If we do nothing...
...they won't stop
What's this?
There's work to do
Why are you dressed for battle?
There's hunters in town
They're making trouble. We must stop them
How?
You plan to kill them all?
Scare them off
Scare them off?
Did you come here to learn a craft or to fight?
Well?
Why are you looking at him?
Louder!
Thank you!
Louder!
Thank you!
I have to... I have to do it
You won't act
How heroic!
Master, he just wants to help
Get back!
Insolent! Kneel down. Kneel down!
He was a Buddhist!
Don't you even care?
The man was a monk
Did Buddha tell you to kill?
I have a reputation. My name has value
I won't let you ruin that
If you do, our business is finished
Say it!
Master, if only you'd seen what they did to that monk...
Shut up!
You wanna be punished too?
Say it!
Just say it!
Two days later, the factory had its ceremonial day
A day that would bring many changes
From that day on...
I began to understand the codes of their "demi monde"
And it's a bloody world
Listen, if you behave today...
I'll get you some flowers
And put them in a lovely vase
I won't do what you say
I'm not a child
I decided then
If I could, I would kill them both
Of course I couldn't
Today is our Annual Celebration of the Sword
This broken blade has brought us 20 years of peace
Because its traumatic history...
...encourages us all...
...to be moral
Now I'm old. But making sabres is young man's work
For my successor, I've chosen one of you
Ding On
He has been with me from the beginning
And now I leave the factory in his charge
Master!
Master, I'm not ready. I wouldn't know what to do
You understand enough. More than the others
That's why I've chosen you
My decision is final
From now on, his voice will speak for me
And I expect you to obey him
No discussion
Ready your armour for the battle with the hunters
We're on our own
There's no future for cowards
Go cry on Ding On's shoulder
He's the boss now?
So what? I won't take his orders
Let them fire me
If he becomes boss, we should all quit
Yeah, let's see how he runs the factory then
He can't even make a good blade
What about Ling? Who's gonna get her?
The new 'master'? He's not man enough
We'd show her a better time!
Hey, save your strength. You'll need it
Come on, get ready
You afraid?
What? I'm afraid the master will disown us
Just put your armour on
Do it or I'll break your teeth
I feel sorry for the new master, his succession was poorly handled
They will hate him
Your father didn't think it through
He should never have done it like this
Ding's father died so brutally
Even if your father feels indebted, this is not right
Indebted?
I've heard stories about his death
What happened?
He was hung and skinned alive
It was a gruesome death
Horrible
I promised not to tell. I shouldn't have said anything
Please don't cry
I knew... I knew...
Then came a black shadow
I knew it was Ding On
And I saw the pain on his face
In that darkness...
The nightmare the elders had tried to bury...
...was brought back to earth
Alive
I tried to run
But his eyes wouldn't let me go
I'd never seen him like that
I don't know anything. I swear I don't
What was his name?
I don't know
Tell me
I overheard something a long time ago
But I can't remember it
I swear
I want my name
My father's name? Tell me!
I... I think it's "Lai"
But they call called him "Fast Sword"
Yet...
...his blade weighed 100lbs
And how did he die?
Papa thinks you'll want revenge, so he kept it secret
How did he die?!
He was killed by a demon
A savage phantom
He could fly
His body covered in terrifying tattoos
But... it was long ago
When they lived far from here
Some bandits pillaged their town
Your family was slaughtered
So your father went to find the murderers...
...with you on his back
The broken blade...
...was your father's
Master - my father's killer is here
Falcon?
You're too slow! Come on - faster! Faster! Faster!
Falcon!
So that's his name
He flies
Tattooed
They call him Falcon
Now I know
Tell me
What do you want?
Master...
...is it Lai?
Is that my family name?
Who told you that?
I need to know. I have to
I can't tell you
I made a promise to your father
I swore I would never reveal his killer's identity
Fine
I respect your promise
But please, I must know. Who was my father?
Did he deserve to die?
Save my son!
Did he deserve to die?
No
Was he a good man?
Yes
Master
You raised me
I thank you
I want you to have this amulet
It will bring you peace
For you
Hurry! Hurry!
Come on!
Ding On!
Where are you?
A bird flew in our cage. Here she is...
Siu Ling!
Hey - here's a pig!
Give me back the girl
Siu Ling!
Siu Ling?
Siu Ling...
It's alright
We're going home
Ding On, they're coming, let's run!
We have to go!
Siu Ling!
You're dead now!
Any money in it?
Leave my father's sword!
Over here
Give it back
Give it back to me
Give it back!
Over there
Ding On fell down there?
Go down and look
It's too deep
TI Dao! Ti Dao!
I'm over here!
Ding On is hurt
You must find him
Quickly!
Forget about me. You have to save him
Leave me here
Are you listening?
Ding On will die out there
Hurry!
The terrain there was heavily wooded
They couldn't start a search until daybreak
But after two days, they still hadn't found his body
Some said he was eaten by wolves
Others felt sure he was still alive
They found his arm and bought it back
They put it with his father's shrine
Ding On is that you?
Ding On?
I pictured him coming through the door
They said it was his spirit
Sifted through my mind
We have to pray
Come on
Let's pray together
"Ding On"
...the name means serenity and quiet
But my father and the factory...
...were not at peace
My arm!
Where's my arm?!
Where's my arm?
Father...
Now I've lost my arm...
I can't avenge you
I'm no good to you now...
I'll build a new life here
Sorry
Your blade...
...take it back
One-arm, wake up
They're calling you
You need to work harder
Hurry up, faster...
Falcon!
Is that the man they say can fly?
Cripple!
Don't touch me!
Get lost!
He was a thick-headed pig
He trampled on all the poles
So we cut his head off...
And stuck it on a pole
But it bent the wood!
Fuck him
He's dead now
You're not entitled to a living
You've got to take risks
But at least you don't slave all day
For low pay? Is that what life's worth?
You gotta take opportunities where you find them
Only the fast survive, right?
You snooze, you lose
Where's the value in struggle?
Right?
Hey lazy one-arm!
What're you doing here?
The boss is calling you
Go on!
Put it down
Pigs' heads come off easily!
Ling, get up!
Shut up!
On your feet!
Locked away
What would Ding On think?
You look like a ghost
Go outside
You think he's still alive?
Do something
I'll help you look
The state of you
Get dressed. Let's go!
Wake up
Melon
Hey, I nearly caught a rabbit
With that old thing?
I use it every day. You never noticed before
I could've used your sword...
...but you went and buried it
So what else is there?
Your stupid questions
Did you get paid?
These precision blades are from the sword-makers
Ling Fung factory?
They're the best there is
Do they really come from Ling Fung?
See this?
The stamp proves it's authentic
Which Ling Fung?
There's only one. The famous one
You kidding me?
That'll do, you got a good bargain...
Even if you don't know it
Lots of things have changed since childhood
The marketplace
The people
The demi-monde...
This is where I heard those stories
In that moment, I understood
My desired fight between Ding On and Ti Dao...
...would not be about me
I was afraid of her
She didn't know me
But her eyes seemed to see into me
I don't understand these people...
They act happy
But they should be miserable
They were living a wretched life
Are they really happy?
Maybe so
What do they know I don't?
Why are you staring at me?
Just get out
Get out!
Take this knife
You might need it
Get some sleep
I'll go
Don't worry
I'll keep watch outside
You'll be safe
I'll leave it here
We'll eat later
Everyone gets a blade
It was my turn
Suddenly I hated everyone
I hated Ti Dao
I hated Ding On
Most of all, I hated myself...
...for being nothing
I felt so alone
I couldn't go downstairs to be with them
It felt like they were playing a game
An animalistic game
That I could play no part in
I've been looking for you
Drink
Shut up!
Throwing wine at me?
Don't ever do that again!
Lick it off!
Every drop
I don't recognise you
You new here?
That's right
Master's found a new ho. Watch...
You want a drink?
No, I'm not stopping
Turning me down...
...I lose face
I don't appreciate that
Learn to drink alone
Get ready
My turn
Go!
What did you do?
Go!
Why are they chasing us?
What did you do?
Stay here. I'll make sure we're safe...
Keep quiet or I'm walking
You said he was your best bounty hunter
Look at him now
This man...
...wanted to stop us...
...from getting rich
Give us everything you have
Otherwise...
Now you're sewing!
See if there's any food left
Where's the left-over rice?
Ding On! Ding On!
I found a book in the ashes
Read it to me
Maybe it says something about my parents
Or where I came from
You can read. Read it to me
Are these pictures of my parents?
It's a martial arts manual
Half burnt
It must say something about me!
It's not about you
Just kung fu
It can't be
It was in my house
It must mention me somewhere
It's all I've got left of my parents
Please read it to me
Let go!
Give it back to me then
I'll read it myself
It's alright for you...
You know who your parents were and that they named you Ding On
That's not true...
I'm just like you, I don't know my past
Give it back
I have to know what it says in there
Even my stupid pigs have given names
But I'm a nobody
Why can't I have a name? I can't stand it
The book may be useful
I'll look after it
I just want to know who I am...
How much is this one?
Very expensive
These swords are very popular
So, prices go up
200 taels
Can you afford it?
I don't have it, but can I trade with medicinal herbs?
Stop wasting my time
Damn cripple
Don't make trouble - just go
Go on
You only have one arm
You can't use a sword
Go on, get moving
Don't come back
This broken blade has brought us 20 years of peace
Because its traumatic history…
…encourages us all…
…to be virtuous
Where's the other half?
How can I learn?
What do you want?
Why are you doing this?
What good is a sword to you?
We can't defend ourselves
We just have to hide
Otherwise it will never end
If a cat catches a mouse, do you think it's unfair?
If a man steps on an ant, should you punish him?
You can't change the order of things
You can't win against them
They will kill you. You're no match for them
I don't want you to die
You'll never beat them
Ti Dao...
What have you done?
She doesn't understand
I saved her
She's frightened
You "saved" her? Why tie her up?
Let her go!
Not yet
Untie her!
I can't
She'll run
She's "wanted"
It's safe here
Don't worry
She'll calm down
It's okay...
Better clean her
She's bloody
My knife
Where is it?
Is this what you "saved" her for?
Never mind
Don't you get it?
All men are the same
He'll treat you this way too
I won't
I'm not like that
Then why'd you do it to her?
I love her
You love her?
Love her?
All men say that
Let's run away
I can't. I'm searching for someone
Who are you looking for?
Why bother?
Even if you find him, he'll treat you the same way
No
No!
Ding On isn't like that
He'll never treat me like that. I must find him
I have to go!
Leave me alone
Get off me!
I don't need your help
Let me go!
Go away! Go away!
I'm going
Calm down
I'll find him
The most important thing in life...
...is to know who you love
And not to let others...
...make that choice for you
Blackie...
Hide quickly
Leave him to me!
Damn cripple
Time to die
Master, I'll do it...
Not afraid?
Come back - I'll kill you
Where is he - Don't go
He's possessed!
Kill the both of them!
Burn the house!
Burn it!
Burn the evil!
Not my house!
Not my food! Not my things!
I'll kill you first - you filthy scumbag!
Falcon
Is it true?
Can you fly like they say?
Which pigs do you want me to kill?
How many? Out with it
A blade factory to the west of town
The boss used to be a good fighter once
He has some men too
Go there
Kill them all
The boss...
...a fighter?
You can't do it on your own
Well, then...
There's a price to pay
I've always been unfair
And my brothers like to earn money
What's in those two boxes....
...won't be enough
So...?
Wanna see who's fastest?
What about the one-armed swordsman?
A one-armed pig too?
That's something else
I can't afford to hire you
Listen!
I don't like playing games!
If you don't have the cash, fuck off!
Stop staring
Falcon...
I'll work with you
But when I can...
I'll kill you
There's our hero
Blade on show
Wherever he goes
Blood will flow
With only one hand
His skill is great
He sends his foes
To meet their final fate
Get back!
Master!
That's my ancestral home
What kind of hotel is this?
I can't see a thing
I admit it's not a high-class hotel
But at least it was free
At least the darkness means...
I don't have to stare at pigs
Hey Mr Pig
You're so fat, count each day as a blessing
Your time will come
Light! Light!
I stole a candle
Look, light
What are you doing?
Thinking
Have you been in love?
Good or bad...
They're all the same
You always miss them when they're gone
Something will remind you of him
Good men can act bad
Bad men good
So really...
It's all the same
I don't think like that
The one you seek...
Is it love?
I used to love him
But now... I can't tell the difference...
...between love and hate
I put it here... where is it?
Is this it?
Oh, I can't have lost it
No, I'm sure I put it in here
I stole that so we could see in here
I can't see in the dark
Get another
You can't trust men
How did you do that?
Don't trust women either
Wait here...
What's all that noise?
Go to hell!
Come on...
Quick, hurry up
Stay back
A sword...
Give me...
A woman
Who is she?
She's no bandit
Why did you want to kill us?
It's you
I remember you
You're no villain
What are you doing here?
There's a girl upstairs
Rescue her
I'll go look...
Stop!
Get back inside, quickly
Are you the one-armed killer?
Is that you, Ding On?
Silence! Shut up!
Ding On!
Are you Ding On?
I know you're Ding On
Take your mask off
Take it off!
Who is she anyway?
Who is she?
Why knock her out?
Siu Ling!
Hold her
Blackie, let's go
Take this
You saved them, why run away?
I've been looking everywhere for you two
Master!
Ding On!
He's here?
He's alive
I saw him
They're calling you
Why are you avoiding them?
When evil is done
The fates will punish
Theirs is the only true power
When a blade is held
It is always used
In peacetime, everything is fine
But now bandits are in town
Our men will end up tempting fate
Boss!
Open the gate!
Boss
Please open up
Who's there?
It's Uncle Wah
It's Uncle Wah!
The town is full of bandits
We have nowhere else to go
Please open the gate
Seems fine
Hey!
Master?
Check them for weapons
Open the door
What's going on?
Why is he so pale?
He was wounded by bandits
True, he might die
Don't move!
I don't know these men
No weapons. Open the gate
Open up
Don't open yet, it could be a trick
Master, there are no weapons, he checked
Let's help them out
We outnumber them anyway
It'll be okay...
Open up!
Open it
Ti Dao
Watch them, I'll go down
Yes, Master
Come on, come on, hurry
Hey, Uncle Wah
Where are you going?
Bandits!
Close it!
Bandits!
Hurry - close the gate
Get Siu Ling out of here
We have to leave
Right now!
Let's go Auntie Ma, let's go
It's dangerous here
Watch the gate
Ti Dao, watch the gate. Hurry. Go
Falcon
I've killed a lot of pigs
I'm surprised any pig that survived would live here
I get why the long hair was so afraid
But don't worry
I've defeated this loser before
Slaughtering pigs... it's easy
Do you want to stay and watch?
Or go lick your wounds?
Stop talking. Just kill them
I kill swine for money
And today you are pigs
Wait
Hey, Ti Dao!
Don't be a hero. He's too strong
We'll die anyway
I'd rather fight
It's not your fight. Stay back
Let them go. This is between us
You and me
Sure
I'll let them go
If you cut off your arm
Then we'll talk
Just an arm? After all I paid you
I want them all dead
Come on
Why wait?
Go on
Scared?
Master!
Don't!
Ti Dao!
Faster! Faster! You're too slow!
Use your sword. Faster! Faster!
Finish him
Master - a blade...
Get back
Siu Ling
Papa?
Dad!
Are you alright?
Why did you come back here?
Auntie Ma is in a safe place
Why didn't you stay with her?
What are you pointing at?
Ding On
Come on. Let's go
Are you the one they call Falcon?
My father...
...was killed by you!
Ding On, let go of the past
Just walk away!
I can't
I came here to stop wandering like a ghost
By avenging my father
Who was he?
Answer me
If you mean "Fast Sword in the River at Noon"
Then you're a "Lai"
So the man I skinned like a dog years ago...
...was your father?
Doesn't he know his ancestry?
Oh, then allow me...
His name was Lai Bat-fui
Bat-fui?
Good
Now I can take revenge
Don't do it, hold back
Then suddenly...
...it was clear to me
In the demi-monde, there is a code
If you break it, you will pay
If not to this generation, then the next
If I'm the only one who escapes today...
...then I too will have a debt to collect
You're a cripple
You can't always be lucky
And today...
I'm taking your luck away
You're just too slow
Some swords are faster
I'll take you all, you dirty pigs
Papa
Siu Ling
Ding On and Ti Dao had come back to me at last
Now I knew why papa had hidden the truth
And why we always had to move from place to place
A game of trades...
...had begun long ago
From one generation to the next
For as long as time
Never ending
Ding On left
Ti Dao too
Why did they come? Why did they leave?
Why are we here at all?
Why?
I never looked for them
Every so often...
...they'd come to see me
Ding On!
I knew you'd come
Each year, the same ritual
It feels like nothing has changed
They are still beautiful
They never stay long
But it doesn't matter
I'm always waiting
Maybe next time...
...they'll stay longer
What is the demi-monde?
I'm still not sure
But I don't care
I'm just waiting for the one I love most
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