Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

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EXT. YUAN COMPOUND - DAY

Security men and porters are loading wagons for a convoy.

As they work, we see across the lake a lone horseman entering

the village. One of the men recognizes him.

WORKER:

Master Li is here!

ANGLE ON:
Li Mu Bai, thirties, powerful and handsome.

In the background, old Aunt Wu, at the sight of Li Mu Bai,

drops her parcels and runs excitedly into the building.

INT. YUAN HALLWAY - DAY

Aunt Wu runs hurriedly through the halls.

AUNT WU:

Shu Lien!

INT. YU'S ROOM - DAY

Yu, a beautiful woman in her early 30s, is finishing packing

for the convoy, wrapping a few small items in a linen

wrapper, as Aunt Wu bursts in.

AUNT WU:

Li Mu Bai is here!

INT. YUAN PRACTICE HALL - DAY

LI:

How's everything?

AUNT WU:

Fine. Please come in.

Yu sits, composed, as Aunt Wu ushers Li in. Li carries a

large object, wrapped in silk.

Yu smiles.

YU:

Mu Bai...It's been too long.

LI:

It has.

(he glances around

the room)

How's business?

YU:

Good. And how are you?

LI:

Fine.

An awkward pause.

YU:

Monk Zheng said you were at Wudan

Mountain. He said you were

practicing deep meditation.

LI:

Yes.

YU:

The mountain must be so peaceful...

I envy you. My work keeps me so

busy, I hardly get any rest.

LI:

I left the training early.

YU:

Why? You're a Wudan fighter.

Training is everything.

LI:

During my meditation training... I

came to a place of deep silence...

I was surrounded by light... Time

and space disappeared. I had come

to a place my master had never told

me about.

YU:

You were enlightened?

LI:

No. I didn't feel the bliss of

enlightenment. Instead... I was

surrounded by an endless sorrow. I

couldn't bear it. I broke off my

meditation. I couldn't go on.

There was something... pulling me

back.

YU:

What was it?

LI:

Something I can't let go of. You

are leaving soon?

YU:

We're preparing a convoy for a

delivery to Peking.

LI:

Perhaps I could ask you to deliver

something to Sir Te for me.

Li unwraps the object. It is an ancient, astonishingly

beautiful sword.

YU:

The Green Destiny Sword? You're

giving it to Sir Te?

LI:

I am. He has always been our

greatest protector.

YU:

I don't understand. How can you

part with it? It has always been

with you.

LI:

Too many men have died at its edge.

It only looks pure because blood

washes so easily from its blade.

YU:

You use it justly, you're worthy of

it.

LI:

It's time for me to leave it behind.

YU:

So what will you do now?

Li doesn't reply.

YU:

Come with me to Peking. You can

give the sword to Sir Te yourself.

It'll be just like old times.

LI:

First I must visit my master's

grave. It's been many years since

Jade Fox murdered him. I have yet

to avenge his death. And yet I'm

thinking of quitting. I must pray

for his forgiveness.

YU:

Join me once you have finished. I

can wait for you in Peking.

LI:

Perhaps.

EXT. THE GATE TO PEKING. DAY

Customs officials have just finished checking the contents

in a row of carriages bearing the Sun Security insignia.

The caravan slowly passes through the checkpoint into the

boundaries of Peking. Yu, riding a handsome horse and

clearly the leader, watches as her crew clears inspection.

GUARDS:

Ok. Pass.

YU:

Thanks. Let's go into the city.

EXT. OUTSIDE A DEPOT. DAY

Workers are busy unloading the contents from the carriages.

Boss Giao is checking off the merchandise -- a cargo of

medicinal herbs.

GIAO:

Everything got here safely. I'm

much obliged.

YU:

Just doing my job.

GIAO:

Sun Security has been the best

since your father started it.

You're a credit to his memory.

YU:

Thank you.

GIAO:

I mean it.

EXT. DAY. PEKING

From a gray tiled roof, we can see Peking's magnificent grid

of houses extending miles and miles out, freshly painted by

the morning sun.

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