Linghu Chong, Yue Lingshan and members of the Mount Hua Sect are planning to retire from the "jianghu" (martial artists' community). They learn that Dongfang Bubai has seized control of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and is secretly plotting with some Japanese "rōnin" to rebel against the Ming Empire and dominate China. Dongfang Bubai had castrated himself in order to master the skills in the "Sunflower Manual", and his appearance has become more feminine, even though he is now a formidable martial artist.