The SwordsmanorSwordsmanis a 1990 Hong Kongwuxiafilm. King Hu was credited as the director but he allegedly left the project midway, and the film was completed by a team led by producer Tsui Hark . The film is adapted from Louis Cha 's novelThe Smiling, Proud Wanderer. The theme song of the film,Chong Hoi Yat Sing Siu(滄海一聲笑), was written by Wong Jim and performed by lead actor Sam Hui .

During the Ming Dynasty , the Sunflower Manual (葵花寶典) was stolen from the palace and a Jinyi Wei team is sent to retrieve it. The Jinyi Wei attack Lin Zhennan and his son Lin Pingzhi, and the Lins separate to avoid their pursuers. Lin Zhennan meets Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan from the Mount Hua Sect , requesting them to inform his son about the manual's location. Just then, Zuo Lengchan appears and a fight ensues, but Linghu Chong and Yue Lingshan manage to escape.

They travel to meet Yue Buqun at a retirement ceremony and encounter Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang along the way. Linghu Chong strikes up a friendship with them and they perform their musical pieceXiaoao Jianghu(笑傲江湖). On the day of the ceremony, Zuo Lengchan shows up and attempts to force Liu Zhengfeng to hand over Linghu Chong, accusing Liu of conspiring with the Demonic Cult. Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang manage to fight their way out despite being surrounded by several enemies. At the same time, Linghu Chong is wounded by Zuo Lengchan and he escapes and hides near the river. He hears Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang playing their musical piece and finds them. Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang present Linghu Chong with their instruments and the music score.