During a period of upheaval, an itinerant performer has a troupe of four children, one of whom is his daughter Mu Lin. Jump ahead 15 years, he's ready to retire and has arranged Mu Lin's marriage. Someone he recognizes enters his house and murders him. Mu Lin is brought to a fancy bordello where the most beautiful prostitute, Yeh Hong, takes a special interest in her. One of Yeh Hong's lovers, Kim, who is an assassin, also develops a relationship with Mu Lin. He and Yeh Hong may be working with the emperor's eunuch; all are power hungry.