The One-Armed Sword

The emperor is gravely ill and needs the gallbladder of a thousand-year-old snake demon to make his medicine. Somehow, however, word gets out. Yin Kong serves in the Bloodcloaked Guard and is ordered to search the northern lands for the snake demon. Along the way, he gets caught up in one incident after another, but in the end, he finds the thousand-year-old snake demon.

Several princes spread the news of the snake demon's gallbladder far and wide, claiming it is a priceless treasure that can greatly improve one's martial arts. This draws in a huge number of martial artists, all of whom are slaughtered. Many martial arts sects are then wiped out as well.

Back in the imperial capital, another prince plots to seize the throne. He kills his father, usurps power, and takes the throne with a forged decree. Before long, the princes declare themselves rulers, and the realm falls into chaos.

As a member of the Bloodcloaked Guard, Yin Kong turns the tide, assassinating the princes one by one.

Just as he is about to reach the pinnacle of power, and even proclaim himself emperor, he leaves the throne to the youngest princess, the thirteenth princess, and vanishes into the martial world...