Set in the Song Dynasty, the film follows the ambitious and wealthy Ximen Qing, a man notorious for his hedonistic lifestyle and pursuit of carnal desires. Ximen uses his power and wealth to manipulate those around him, indulging in a series of illicit affairs and deceptions. His life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes infatuated with Pan Jinlian, a mesmerizing and beautiful woman trapped in an unhappy marriage to the much older Wu Da. Pan, yearning for affection and material comforts beyond her dull existence, is drawn to Ximen and his promises of luxury and passion. Their forbidden relationship quickly spirals into a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and manipulation as they both seek to fulfill their own selfish desires.

Meanwhile, other characters become embroiled in the chaos unleashed by Ximen's reckless behavior. Wu Song, Wu Da's righteous brother and a skilled martial artist, becomes suspicious of the swirling rumors surrounding Pan and Ximen. He starts probing into their illicit affair, setting off a chain of events fueled by vengeance and justice. The intricate societal dynamics and moral corruption are laid bare as various individuals are pulled into the turbulent wake of Ximen's unchecked lust and ambition. Hidden secrets, personal vendettas, and shifting alliances all come to a head, setting the stage for the ultimate reckoning and exposing the fragile threads holding their lives together.