[The Butcher, the Chef and the Swordsman] follows the journey of a mystical blade as it passes through the hands of three ambitious men. As the interwoven story unfolds, they find that the blade possesses the power to dramatically change the fate of each of its owners. The Butcher is a simple man in love with a beautiful courtesan. When he fails to woo her, he meets a stranger who gives him a cleaver that can change his luck. The Chef is a handsome loner obsessed with seeking vengeance for the slaughter of his family. Knowing the murderer to be a connoisseur of the culinary arts, he seizes the opportunity to take his revenge when he obtains both an impressive kitchen knife and an audience with his enemy. The Swordsman, the son of a legendary warrior, is driven by the need to eclipse his father in power and fame. He forces a blacksmith to forge a sword out of magical iron so that he will be able to slay anyone that stands in his way. The story comes full circle as each man takes possession of the mystical blade and discovers its double edge- the great power it bestows is matched by even greater danger.