Following the 1911 Xinhai Revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty, China entered a period of turmoil, with drastic political changes and the start of the Warlord Era. Chen Zhen has been hiding in Foshan until he receives a message and decides to return to Shanghai. Upon his return, Chen sees that a brothel now stands on the old location of Jingwu School. Apart from having to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of rebuilding Jingwu and raising Huo Yuan Jia's orphaned son, Huo Dong Jue, Chen runs into trouble with the gangs and has to hide from the police.
In Paris, a daring criminal defies the police. Belphegor, behind his golden mask and black cape, conjures up a thousand tricks and schemes. Three people decide to fight him: Jacques Bellegarde, a radio journalist; Sarah Kozminsky, an investigative journalist; and Commissioner Ménardier.
Christopher, a middle-aged man who is obsessed with repairing old radios, marries the Russian bride Natasha. She comes to live with him and his mother Dora in his London house. Dora instigated the marriage in order to have someone look after her son when she dies. Natasha is bored as Christopher takes no sexual interest in her, and she is treated as a servant. Eddie, an out-of-work actor, stirs up the household when he befriends Christopher and Dora, in order to seduce Natasha.