In turn-of-the-century China, a turbulent time between the collapse of the Manchu dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China, young Wong Fei-hong is trained in the obscure "drunken boxing" martial art. When he drinks alcohol, he untaps amazing strength and agility that allows him to fight dozens of men simultaneously. While en route to Canton with his father, the legendary martial artist finds himself embroiled in a plot by British imperialists and insidious locals to rob the country of its valuable cultural artifacts, including an imperial jade seal.