Sid, the rebellious son of Kwan, a savage Hong Kong triad boss, escapes to Taiwan upon enraging his father's adversary, a powerful underground business leader. Hiding out in the mountains, Sid encounters a group of Zen drummers. Their mesmerizing art, rigorous training, and austere way of life pique the hostile urban young man's interest and he asks to join the group. Although Sid despises his father, he is turning out to be a younger version of him:...

Takada is an aging Japanese fisherman who has been estranged from his son, who is now gravely ill, for many years. Troubled by the relationship, Takada decides to go to China and complete his son's work in part to develop an understanding of his son, and in part to do something for him.