Deadful Melody 1994

Massacre and escape with the lyre

Xuemei's peaceful upbringing is shattered when six master martial artists attack her family. Her father grabs the magical lyre and orders a flee, sacrificing safety to save the heirloom. Xuemei escapes through chaos, surviving the massacre by a waterfall while clutching the lyre.

Lun Lin tasked with delivering the lyre

In the present, Lun Lin is being groomed to lead the Tianhu Escort Agency and accepts a risky mission to deliver the magical lyre to Hou Xeng. His master arrives late and warns that the lyre carries a trail of deaths for those who pursue it. He steels himself to face the danger on the road.

Secretive talks among the masters

Ghost and the Hard-Hearted Witch hold a private discussion about the lyre, but Tong Fong Pak remains uninterested and uncommitted. The plan to retrieve the lyre remains unformed as the underworld players stay cautious and divided. The lyre's danger is acknowledged but not acted upon.

Ambush at the rest stop; Xuemei's disguise

Lun Lin and Teng Lin are ambushed by Hou Xeng's son at a rest stop. Xuemei, disguised as a man, kills Hou Xeng's son to keep the lyre’s route open and maintain her cover. The deadly pursuit tightens around them as they press onward.

Hard-Hearted Witch ambush thwarted

The Hard-Hearted Witch ambushes Lun Lin and Teng Lin again, seeking the lyre's power. Xuemei intervenes, turning the encounter aside and preventing the Witch from claiming the lyre. The pursuit continues with increased tension.

Inn confrontation; Yuehua's disguise

At a rest inn, Yuehua, dressed as a male innkeeper, tries to steal the lyre behind Lun Lin's back. She ends up saving Lun Lin from a robbers’ assault, and Lun Lin catches her theft. Xuemei helps them escape from the surrounding danger to keep the group moving.

Yuehua yields; Lun Lin continues

Grateful for Lun Lin's rescue, Yuehua decides not to take the lyre and lets Lun Lin deliver it to Hou Xeng. She steps aside, and the mission continues with Lun Lin carrying the fragile prize.

Delivery yields only a corpse

When the lyre is delivered to Hou Xeng, the container holds only the corpse of Hou Xeng's son. The absence of the instrument’s prize heightens the danger and suggests hidden costs to the lyre’s power. The orbit of those chasing the lyre tightens further.

Lun Lin captured; Mo Yee Mountain path

Fire and Yuehua press toward Mo Yee Mountain to join the other masters, but Lun Lin confronts them and accuses Yuehua of theft. In retaliation, Fire binds Lun Lin to a tree, stalling his pursuit and shifting the balance of power.

Masters meet; Teng Lin dies

The masters convene and Teng Lin is blamed for the deaths surrounding the lyre. Xuemei reveals her identity, and Teng Lin recognizes her; Lun Lin's arrival comes too late as Teng Lin dies, leaving Xuemei's motives murky and the conflict unresolved.

Lun Lin learns his true lineage

Lun Lin's master arrives and hints that Lun Lin may be the sole survivor of his family. Lun Lin buries his father and sinks into despair, then Xuemei visits and shares fragments of their shared past, stirring thoughts of vengeance.

Lun Lin and Xuemei confront Ghost

Ghost, Fire, and the Witch regroup and seek to confront Xuemei, while Lun Lin and Xuemei pursue Ghost. Lun Lin urges Xuemei to abandon vengeance, but she remains resolved to pursue her path regardless of his pleas.

Duel and Tong Fong Pak's death

Lun Lin and Xuemei join the onslaught against Tong Fong Pak; Xuemei decapitates Tong Fong Pak and delivers the head to Fire, the Witch, and Ghost. She then claims the lyre for herself as their enemies fall back.

Final clash and fallout

A fierce battle unfolds as Xuemei faces Ghost and Fire's forces; the Witch launches a desperate counterattack with a drum, injuring Xuemei with the lyre. Lun Lin is hurt by improper lyre use, while the Witch detonates in a bitter finale and Yuehua pleads to spare Fire.