Jade Mountain

This story begins in Hunan Province, China. In the year of "The Goat" in the early 1900's, following a martial arts display by three Shaolin monks, Li Xiao puts on a fireworks display in Hunan, China, which is witnessed by all, including Xiao's competition, 'Cannonball Fist' Chan, a man who has killed with his bare hands. Mr. Chan compliments the display and contemplates buy Xiao's operation. Xiao's wife, Lady Xiao plots against her husband in exchange for more riches, even resorting to sleeping with Mr. Chan. Li's daughter Chen goes to the Dragon House for a mix of her father's powder when she is attacked by Chan's thugs and raped. Chen is left to get home on her own and is found by her brother, Biyu. Xiao's son Biyu is also attacked by bandits, but is saved by Shi Yan and Shi Guo, the Shaolin monks from the display. Two passersby see the monks fight and win, but accuse them of murder, which causes them to have to leave Shaolin. The monks decide to leave with Xiao. Shi Guo faces a profound sadness when he learns that they can never return to China, or face imprisonment for murder. Chen finds that her mother is dishonest and has dishonored the family by both sleeping with Chan, and also her plotting to destroy the Xiao business to be acquired by Mr. Chan. Chen's mother explains that there is only the need for the riches; everyone else is secondary, including her relationship with her father. Chen finds and kills her mother, accusing Chan's men of doing it. Xiao in his rage, goes to Chan's home and after killing two of his men, kills Chan in a burning house. Xiao, his family and the monks decide to leave Hunan for America. On the way to America, their ship transport is besieged by Okinawans aboard the Pirate ship Tengu. The pirates are beaten back by Xiao, the monks, his son, and the crew who were brave enough to fight but some of the money the Xiao family had was lost when the chest went over the side of the boat during the melee. Xiao takes on the Boatman as a disciple and they group swears loyalty to Xiao. The group stops off along their route and sell their remaining wares before heading off to see to later land in California. While there, Xiao sees the devastation of the Chinese who have become addicted to opium. Xiao makes a deal with the Boatman to bring the opium to him alone and the Boatman agrees, swearing loyalty to Master Xiao. The group travels from California in a coach wagon until they arrive in Tucson, in the Arizona Territories.