청 황제는 충신들이 황제의 통치 방법에 이의를 제기하자 이들을 처단하려고 혈적자를 개발한다. 12명의 특수부대를 만들어 충신들과 맞서게 되고, 그중 특수부대를 탈출한 마등을 잡고자 청 황제는 혈안이 된다.

The Emperor's armies have developed a new weapon: a thrown blade that can remove someone's head from long distance. As the paranoid Emperor begins decapitating anyone he fears might be a threat, his guard Mau Tang becomes disillusioned with the excesses of his master. He leaves his post and takes up the quiet life of farming and raising a family. Eventually, though, his past catches up with him, and he must find a way to fight the flying guillotine if he is to save his head.