In the underground world of motorbike racing, Wong (Wang) and Fung (Chan) are the two top drivers. Wong is number one and Fung is eaten up with jealousy. Fung, furious at always being second-best challenges him to a last race - and against his better judgement Wong goes for it! Disaster ensues - a terrible accident leaving him crippled, coupled with the death of his girlfriend. Three years later, he is a single father, raising his son in the obscurity of a seaside resort. This tranquil existence is intruded upon by Fung besotted with proving himself to be the best and a mystery girl, Suki (Mok), who seems to be in love with Wong. Fung blackmails Wong into another race. Wong now must face his past, his loss of nerve and his future.
The story takes place in the 1930s-40s era of Shanghai, the main focus is on Dave Wong's character “Hero/?” & Lawrence Ng’s character “Doctor/?”. Ada Choi plays a dance hall songstress. Dave Wong's 'Hero' was originally a rickshaw driver, who later became one of Shanghai's triad boss. William So plays a playboy character who has multiple romantic relationships with different women; starting off first as a thief, So eventually became a doctor after being 'healed' by Ng. Jackie Lui plays the role of a 1930s police officer.
Chicken Feet assists in running an honorable gambling den owned by the crippled Uncle Fan and his son Kit. Having previously tried to shut down the gambling den and take over by paralyzing Fan and framing Kit for another man's murder, ruthless local Triad boss, James goes a step further by murdering Fan. Driven only by money and the pursuit of two valuable 'Jade stones', James kidnaps Kit's daughter so he will surrender gambling in order for James to win the upcoming Championship. Despite Kit's wish to live a life of peace, Chicken Feet finds the Jade Stones and along with his partner, Lin plots his own revenge against James.