The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

Liu Yude, a young student, becomes involved in a rebellion against the oppressive Manchu government, led by the ruthless General Tien Ta. After a brutal crackdown on the uprising, Liu's friends and family are killed, and he barely escapes. Determined to seek vengeance and free his people, Liu heads to the Shaolin temple. Initially rejected by the monks, he is eventually allowed to stay and begins his rigorous martial arts training. Over the years, Liu, now known as San Te, excels in various kung fu disciplines, mastering the skills needed to confront his enemies and support the resistance.

The workers of a dye factory have their pay cut by 20% when the factory owner brings in some Manchu thugs to try and increase production. Desperate to reclaim their full wages, the workers hire an actor to impersonate a priest and kung-fu expert from the temple of Shaolin. The factory owner proves the actor a fraud, and punishes all those involved. The young actor feels he has let the workers down, and promises to atone. He sets out for Shaolin, determined to be accepted as a kung-fu pupil at the elite temple.

Fong Sai Yuk's uninhibited arrogance toward a Manchu lord forces him to seek refuge in a Shaolin temple. Although abundantly trained in the martial arts, he is no match for Master San Te, the creator of the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, who constantly overpowers his younger, more agile disciples in matters of both body and mind. Exhausted by his frequent defeats, Fong seeks to escape his prison and crosses paths with a governor, who rewards him with a yellow robe granting immunity from any Manchu. But what are the governor's true intentions? Will Fong feed his foolish ego and betray the Shaolin Temple?