In 1905, Sun Wen intends to make a secret trip to British-ruled Hong Kong to discuss plans with fellow revolutionaries to overthrow the corrupt Qing Empire and establish a republic in China. When the Qing government learns of his trip, they send a group of assassins to infiltrate Hong Kong and assassinate him when he shows up. Ahead of Sun's arrival, newspaper editor Chen Shaobai meets businessman Li Yutang, who has been secretly financing the revolutionaries, to inform him about the upcoming meeting. Trouble also begins brewing in Hong Kong when Chen's acquaintances are murdered by the assassins, who also kidnap Chen during their raid. Li officially declares his support for the revolutionaries after the newspaper agency is closed by the British authorities, who do not interfere in the Chinese political situation. He also gathers a motley crew of people from all walks of life, including rickshaw pullers, hawkers and a beggar, to protect Sun and ensure that the meeting goes uninterrupted. Li's son, Chongguang, is selected to serve as Sun's decoy to distract the assassins while Sun attends the meeting and leaves Hong Kong safely.
Cast
Donnie Yen as Shen Chongyang, a policeman addicted to gambling and eager to do anything for money. He helps the bodyguards after Yueru persuades him to do so for their daughter's sake.
Tony Leung Ka-fai as Chen Shaobai, the chief editor of China Daily in Hong Kong. He is kidnapped by the assassins during a raid but manages to escape and rejoin his comrades.
Wang Xueqi as Li Yutang, a businessman and friend of Chen Shaobai. He initially provides only financial support to the revolutionaries, but openly declares his support for them later and gathers the bodyguards to protect Sun Wen.
Fan Bingbing as Yueru, Li Yutang's fourth wife and Shen Chongyang's ex-wife. She and Shen have a daughter, who is raised as Li's child.
Wang Po-chieh as Li Chongguang, Li Yutang's 17-year-old only son who is passionate about the revolutionaries' cause. He serves as Sun Wen's decoy to distract the assassins.
Leon Lai as Liu Yubai, a beggar who used to be from a rich family. He fights with an iron fan and holds off the assassins alone at the residence of Sun Wen's mother.
Nicholas Tse as "Si" (Deng Sidi), a rickshaw puller who serves the Li family faithfully and gathers his fellow rickshaw pullers to join the cause.
Li Yuchun as Fang Hong, Fang Tian's daughter who joins the bodyguards after the assassins killed her father.
Eric Tsang as Smith, the police chief who is initially reluctant to help the bodyguards due to orders from his British superiors. Later, he leads the police to protect the bodyguards' convoy from assassin marksmen.
Hu Jun as Yan Xiaoguo, the assassin leader who is fiercely loyal to the Qing Empire.
Zhang Hanyu as Sun Wen, the revolutionary leader who comes to Hong Kong for a secret meeting with fellow revolutionaries.
Simon Yam as Fang Tian, a former general living in disguise with his men as an opera troupe in Hong Kong.
Jacky Cheung as Yang Quyun, a pro-democracy English teacher and president of the Furen Literary Society. His death in the prologue marks the first political assassination in Hong Kong.
