In the late 90’s, wet-behind-the-ears Lu Youhong takes a job teaching Chinese at a remote martial arts academy. His many students could care less for academics except for Zhang Cuishan, who excels at schoolwork but hates martial arts and is bullied for it.

A group of people that disappear after a mysterious light falls upon the city, leaving the survivors to try and unravel the mystery.

The film is set against the backdrop of the Great Victory of Pingxingguan, and tells the story of Zheng Zhong, a cryptographer who was surrounded and hunted down by the Japanese for his crucial role in turning the tide of war.