A court scholar investigates a conspiracy against Emperor Xi Zong of the Ming dynasty.
The lonely, divorced and disillusioned lawyer Lex Larsen comforts himself by drinking "Brun Bitter" helps out a small boy finding his lost bike, and finds himself hunting a serial killer in a undercurrent of sex and violence.
An international film crew is at work on location at a tomb when ancient golden statues are replaced by fakes. A crew member investigates.