Nam starts his rise through the ranks of the Hung Hing gang in Hong Kong by opening a pub in Wanchai. His best friend, Chicken, needs to keep a low profile, so Lui, the leader of the San Luen gang, sends him to Taiwan to work for him. While there, he develops feelings for Ting Yiu, an older woman who is Lui's lover. When Chicken gets back to Hong Kong, he discovers that Nam is engaged in a fight with their long-time adversary Fai Fat. After that, Lui makes an appearance and demands that Hung Hing sell him a half interest in their brand new casino in Macau. When Chiang, the head of Hung Hing, expresses an interest in the matter, Lui threatens war, Chicken is forced to choose a side, and Ting Yui organizes a meeting. The feelings of Chicken, the competition between Fai and Nam, the avarice of Lui, and the goals of Ting are all headed in the same direction.