The film is set in 1627, towards the end of the Ming dynasty, when a young emperor decides to end the influence of all-powerful eunuch Wei (Chin Shih-chieh) and purge his supporters. Caught in the midst of the intrigue are three lowly cash-strapped warriors from the Imperial Assassins, the Jinyiwei, who are given orders to find and kill Wei.<ref name="Hawker"></ref>