In the movie, Jackie Chan plays a young martial arts student called Dragon. Orphaned from an early age, Master Tien raised Dragon and his big brother. Although audiences never learn the name of Dragon's brother (at least in the subtitled version of the movie), it is for him that Dragon fights.
After Dragon's "Big Brother" supposedly hurts his leg too severely to compete in the Lion Dance competition celebrating the prosperity of the city, Dragon (Jackie Chan) has to take his place. During the competition, Dragon discovers that his brother has secretly allied with the rival school and is facing off directly against him. Big Brother wins the competition underhandedly. The Lion Dance competition is a good reminder of why seeing Hong Kong movies can be so much fun. One simply never sees anything quite like it in the United States.
When Master Tien learns of Big Brother's deception and traitorous actions, he sends him away from the school. The school is disgraced by the loss in the competition, and the students begin to blame the orphans (Dragon and Big Brother) for their situation. Dragon tells Master Tien that he is grateful for all that he has done for him and his brother, but he must depart. Master Tien tells him that if he leaves, he must come back with his brother.
After a brief visit to the rival school, Dragon learns that his brother is not there anymore. Shortly after leaving the school, Big Brother assists several fighters in ambushing an armed group of marshals transporting Master Kim to court. A short but spectacular battle takes place between the unarmed bandits and the sword-wielding marshals. Although outnumbered, Big Brother and his comrades make quick work of their opposition and free Master Kim. A reward is then set for the capture of Big Brother, and Dragon must come to his brother's aid.
When Dragon continues his search, marshals mistake him for Big Brother. In another fantastic fight, Dragon holds off five marshals all armed with swords before the lead marshal flees to the constable's house. The constable is at the station, but his son (played by Biao Yuen) sets out to help the cross-eyed marshal find Big Brother, although they really end up finding Dragon.
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