Zhang Yimou (Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern) is the executive producer of this film directed by his past associate/co-director Yang Fengliang (Ju Dou). This period revenge drama, set during the early days of Republican China, begins when the wedding of Lanjuan (Taiwanese actress Wu Chienlien) is interrupted by gunfire that wipes out her family. Almost a decade later, obsessed with revenge, she engages the services of hitman Li Qingyang (You Yong) to kill the assassins, headed by Dragon Town warlord Xiong Jinbao (Huang Zhongqiu). Assuming the identity of a merchant and his wife, Li and Lanjuan begin living in the town during the New Year Festival. Unknown to Lanjuan, Xiong's rival Hu Danlong (Lam Wai) has also contracted Li to kill Xiong. In an interesting story twist, Xiong deduces the couple's identity, and becomes friendly with them, with more unique plot threads unraveling as the tale develops. The original title translates literally as "New Year in Dragon Town."