An exiled detective is recruited to solve a series of mysterious deaths that threaten to delay the inauguration of Empress Wu.
In 689 A.D., the Empress Wu Zetian is building a 66 m high statue of Buddha for her inauguration as the first empress of China under the objections and conspiracy of the other clans. When the engineer responsible for the construction mysteriously dies by spontaneous combustion, the superstitious workers are afraid since the man removed the good luck charms from the main pillar. There is an investigation of Pei Donglai and another investigator that also dies after withdrawing the amulets. Empress Wu assigns her loyal assistant Shangguan Jing'er to release the exiled Detective Dee from his imprisonment to investigate with Donglai and Jing'er the mystery of the deaths. They ride in a mystic and epic adventure to unravel the mystery.—Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A bizarre murder mystery brings together the most powerful woman in China, the soon-to-be-Empress Wu Zetian (Carina Lau, Curiosity Kills the Cat), and a formerly exiled detective, Dee Renjie (Andy Lau, Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon), at the infamous Imperial Palace. Hoping that he will solve the crime before her coronation, Wu appoints Dee Chief Judge of the Empire and implores him to combine his indisputable wisdom with his unparalleled martial arts skills to save the future of her dynasty. Director Hark Tsui (Seven Swords) teams with stunt director Sammo Huang in this heart-pounding, epic thriller inspired by the incredible true story of one of the Tang Dynastys most celebrated officials.
