Some 40 years ago when warlords rode rough-shod over the Chinese people, circus acrobat Pao Te-cheng took to the hills and began robbing the rich to help the poor. His daring feats earned him the nickname of “The Masked Robber”. Trying to intercept a large sum of money to be turned over to public security chief Cheng Kuan-hsi, he is nearly caught. Partner Hsiao Chung is jubilant over his safe return. But in the government office, chief detective Ma Pu-yun frantically plots his arrest.
Ma Chien-li, son of the chief detective, devises a clever trap set for Ma Pu-yun’s birthday party. Among the guests is Huang Tan-ping who is engaged to Doctor David Lee. Ma Chien-li proposes to her without knowing this.
Pao Te-cheng sees through the plot and walks off with precious jewels. Chen Shih-te, Ma Pu-yun’s deputy, captures Pao Te-cheng. Seeing Pao Te-cheng wounded and pretending ignorance of his identity, Chen Shih-te takes him to Dr. Lee for treatment. Chen Shih-te reports this to Ma Pu-yun in return for a handsome reward. Pao Te-cheng, after revealing to Dr. Lee and Huang Tan-ping his true name, escapes before Ma-yun arrives. Knowing Ma Chien-li has long desired Tan-ping, Chen Shih-te makes up a tale to frame Dr. Lee who is arrested and tortured to break Tan-ping’s resistance. Tan-ping stands firm but Dr. Lee’s mother commits suicide. Meanwhile, Pao Te-cheng is captured while trying to rescue David Lee from prison. Hsiao Chung impersonates an official and frees both his partner and David. Pao Te-cheng now informs Tan-ping of David’s safety, but has her fool around with Ma Chien-li for the time being.
Afterwards, Pao Te-cheng impersonates a distant uncle of Kung Chueh, the concubine of Cheng Kuan-hsi, and breaks into the home of the security chief. In one swift stroke, Pao Te Ching eliminates the people’s scourge and his cohorts.
(Celestial Pictures)
