In the year 198 BC, Cao Cao (CHOW YUN FAT), the Prime Minister of Han Dynasty, ventured to the east and defeated China’s greatest warrior Lv Bu, terrifying every ambitious warlord across the country. Several years later, after taking the Han Emperor under his wing Cao crowned himself King of Wei. He built a magnificent Bronze Sparrow Island to symbolize his power and rumors spread that he would replace the Emperor. Meanwhile, young lovers Mu Shun (TAMAKI HIROSHI) and Ling Jv (CRYSTAL LIU YI FEI) were taken from a prison camp to a hidden tomb where they spent five cruel years together being trained as assassins for a secret mission. In the year 220 BC astronomical signs predict dramatic change. As a result, Cao’s son Cao Pi (QIU XIN ZHI) and Cao’s followers urge Cao to become the new Emperor. However opposing forces plot against him.