The film begins with a scene in which Cao Cao attends Guan Yu's funeral - Guan's severed head is buried with a wooden statue in place of his body. Review of the scene 20 years ago: After Guan Yu was separated from his sworn brother Liu Bei, he temporarily served Cao Cao while waiting for news of Liu's whereabouts. At the Battle of Baima between Cao Cao and his rival Yuan Shao, Guan Yu killed Yuan Yan Liang's general and revoked the siege of Baima. As a reward, Cao Cao suggested that Emperor Xian award Guan Yu a margrave title and promote him to a higher rank. Liu Bei's family, including his concubine Qilan, lived together with Guan Yu in Cao Cao's base. Cao Cao showered Guan Yu with valuable gifts in the hope that the General would be touched and decided to stay by his side, but Guan refused to give up his loyalty to Liu Bei. When Guan Yu received word that Liu Bei had resorted to Yuan Shao, he negotiated with Cao Cao for the release of Liu's family. Cao Cao agreed, but Qilan stayed behind with Guan Yu. When Cao knew that Guan Yu was secretly in love with Qilan, he led Guan to consume spiked food with aphrodisiac, hoping Guan would express his feelings about Qilan and rape her when she was immobilized. Guan Yu, however, managed to maintain his composure and not to dishonor his sworn brother's concubine. He and Qilan made preparations to leave Cao Cao after learning of Liu Bei's whereabouts from a messenger sent by Liu himself. Cao Cao's supporters strongly opposed their Lord's decision to allow Guan Yu to leave, believing that Guan could become a threat to her Lord's future. Nevertheless, Cao Cao gave the strict order that no one should stop Guan Yu. On the way Guan Yu encountered resistance and had to fight his way through the passes. Guan Yu killed Kong Xiu, Han Fu, Bian Xi, Wang Zhi, Meng Tan, and Qin Qi in turn after trying to stop him. It was finally revealed that it was Emperor Xian, not Cao Cao, who gave the order to kill Guan Yu. Prior to reuniting with Liu Bei, Guan Yu agreed to kill Yuan Shao, but he had a dilemma about whether to stay in favor of his relationship with Qilan or leave. However, before Qilan left, she pretended to love Guan Yu and said that she would ask Liu Bei's consent for her marriage. Her real purpose, however, was to prevent Guan Yu from helping Cao Cao. Guan Yu refused and was stabbed by Qilan before Emperor Xian sent murderers to kill him. After a final grim exchange, Guan Yu Cao turned his back on Cao and the Emperor. He set out to reunite with Liu Bei and fought his rival's rival for the next two decades until his death. The scene then returns to Guan Yu's funeral. Cao Cao is sad and sheds tears for the loss of his friend. Before the film ends, Cao Cao makes some concluding remarks about how not he, but others like Sun Quan, Liu Bei, and Zhuge Liang are responsible for the death of Guan Yu. In a post-credits scene, Guan Yu swings his Green Dragon Crescent Blade upright and strokes his long beard.