China, 1860s. After his army is slaughtered in the civil war, the wounded General Pang Qingyun is rescued by a young woman and two men. Drawn into an alliance with two bandit leaders, he joins them in raids against rebel forces, and the three men seal their bond with a blood oath. Together they form a Qing loyal army, setting their sights on rebel-held Suzhou and Nanjing.