Each of the master's previous pupils (the titular "Five Deadly Venoms") practices a unique animal-themed style, with the animals being based on the Five Poisonous Creatures of Chinese folklore.

[1][2] For their roles, Shieng, along with Lu Feng, Sun Chien, Philip Kwok, Wai Pak, and Lo Mang (who portrayed the five fighters), would become collectively dubbed by international audiences as the Venom Mob.

Worried the skills he taught are being used for evil, he orders Yang to locate an old compatriot, Yun, and warn him that the fortune he amassed from the clan's activities is under threat from five of his former pupils, each an expert in his own lethal combat style.

They bribe the judge Justice Wang into sending the Lizard away on government business while the Snake pays off another constable to make the witness commit perjury.

The Centipede and the Snake kill all those they bribed in order to tie up any loose ends but are both seen by two constables, who find the Lizard and relay the events that have happened, much to his horror.

Yang, having followed the men, continues to spectate and sees the Lizard's superior, Chief Constable Ma, urging him to forget the issue.

Though hesitant at first, the Lizard eventually agrees and the pair begin training to defeat the other students by devising ways to exploit their weaknesses.

Yang and the Lizard retrieve the map from the Scorpion's corpse, vowing to use the fortune for good and restore the reputation of the Poison Clan.

[6] In 2016, the film was made available on streaming platforms iTunes, Hulu, Google Play, Microsoft Movies, Amazon, YouTube, and Netflix by Celestial Pictures.

Dialogue from the film is sampled in the songs "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" from Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993) and "Intro (Shaolin Finger Jab)" from The W (2000).

[14] Andy Lau was reported to be financing and starring in the remake, but in 2007 withdrew due to other film commitments and it was announced his role would be replaced by Jay Chou.