At the time of the Ming Dynasty in China, the old abbot of a remote Buddhist monastery is aware of his approaching death and must decide which of his monks would be best suited to succeed him. To help him decide, the abbot has invited three guests to the monastery: the wealthy merchant Wen, the powerful general Wang and the wise scholar Wu Wai. The former, however, have more in mind, for both are after a priceless scroll of wisdom hidden in the monastery's library. Wen is aided by two master thieves, the female White Fox and the silent Gold Lock, while Wang has local police chief Cheng Chang as his henchman. The monks of the monastery also have their own ideas about the abbot's decision-making and intrigue and conflict ensue as everyone pursues only their own goals.