Hapless wannabe gangster Sing (Stephen Chow) is dragged into a battle in 1940s China between the vicious Axe Gang and the residents of Pig Sty Alley, of whom five - the landlady (Yuen Qiu), the landlord (Yuen Wah) , Coolie (Xing Yu), Donut (Dong Zhi Hua), and Tailor (Chiu Chi Ling) - are secretly martial arts masters. Though Sing fawns over the Axe Gang and is cruel to Fong (Hueng Sheng Yi), the mute girl he once saved from bullies, we eventually learn that he has hidden gifts. He has amazing regenerative ability and may even be a kung fu genius. Before his power is fully realized, Sing must decide whose side he's really on.