A wounded Chinese messenger staggers into Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle's (Renee O'Connor) campsite one night and collapses. He tells Xena that he's been sent by the `Weak One,' which provokes a strong reaction in her. Suddenly, six Chinese warriors come charging out of the trees and try to kill the messenger. When Xena leaps to his defense, her combat skills are pushed to the limit by the warriors' amazing Hong Kong-style fighting moves. When she is finally able to defeat them all, she turns to the dying messenger in time to hear him whisper what he has come to tell her. After hearing his words, Xena tells Gabrielle that she must go to the Kingdom of Chin to kill the `Green Dragon' and urges her friend to stay behind. Gabrielle refuses and as the two women begin their long journey, Gabrielle prods Xena into explaining who the Green Dragon is and why she feels compelled to kill him. Xena launches into the story...
Somewhere on the plains in the days of Xena's dark past, a band of warriors pursues a group of Asian soldiers. Borias (Marton Csokas), the head warrior, launches a furious attack on the soldiers and quickly defeats them in battle. As the last couple of Asian soldiers surrender, a mysterious bloodthirsty warrior, who turns out to be Xena, gallops into the fray. She kills one of the soldiers by impaling him on her sword, but is stopped by Borias before murdering the other. A short while later, Borias and Xena are visited by the enormously wealthy and powerful Ming Tzu (Grant McFarland) and his 12-year-old son, Ming T'ien (Daniel Lim). The shrewd Borias makes a show of respect to the mighty leader, but Xena refuses to be impressed. The boy, Ming T'ien, is transfixed by her as the two men discuss a deal. Borias is to raid the Lao province while Ming Tzu remains neutral. In return, Ming Tzu will get half of everything Borias, Xena and their men are able to steal. Xena loudly rejects this proposed arrangement and infuriates both Borias and Ming Tzu.
Xena continues her story...Outside of Borias' yurt, a canopied litter approaches carrying the breathtakingly beautiful Lao Ma (Jacqueline Kim). Both Borias and Xena are surprised by her arrival and as she greets them, she explains that she is the wife of the great Lao and has come in his place because he has fallen ill. That evening, as they sit around eating and drinking, Xena becomes increasingly jealous over Lao Ma's flirtations with Borias. Later that night, Xena tries to kill Lao Ma, but much to her amazement, the Asian beauty proves to be a formidable adversary. With amazing martial arts skill, Lao Ma easily deflects Xena's attack and overpowers her. When Borias shows up, Lao Ma tells him that the deal they discussed earlier is off. Borias is incensed and threatens to kill Xena if she refuses to leave by morning. iXena then devises a plan to accomplish what Borias has only dreamed of -- to get rich with the help of one of the great houses of Chin. Xena steals into Ming's Palace and kidnaps Ming T'ien. When Borias shows up at her hiding place, Xena tells him exactly how the plan will work -- she will return the child in exchange for horses and gold from Ming Tzu, and as compensation for his help, Borias will receive five percent. As the plan unfolds, it turns out that Borias has double-crossed Xena and in fact, has given her over to Ming Tzu to be killed. As the story continues, Gabrielle struggles with the knowledge of how ruthless Xena once was and decides she can't go with Xena to kill the Green Dragon after all. As Xena proceeds on her mission alone, the story flashes back to her being taken into Lao Ma's territory by Ming and his soldiers, locked in a cage. Ming Tzu explains to Lao Ma that he is about to set Xena free to be hunted down by his dogs for sport. Lao Ma wishes them well and gives Ming T'ien a gift -- a cloth with a sad-looking green dragon on it. Soon, the hunt begins. Xena is let loose through a thicket with a pack of hounds at her heels. During the ensuing chase, she is suddenly intercepted by Lao Ma, who urges Xena to come with her if she wants her freedom. Lao Ma explains that she has the ability to see into the souls of others and she knows that Xena is a remarkable woman, capable of greatness. Lao Ma takes Xena to her palace and hides her there.
Back in the present day, Xena has arrived at Ming's Palace and finds a way in. She enters the room of the Green Dragon. As she lifts her knife to plunge it into the chest of the figure beneath the sheets, she soon discovers that it is Gabrielle lying there. Xena stares at Gabrielle in shock as Gabrielle explains that she cannot let Xena commit murder -- that she's intervened for Xena's own good. Suddenly, Ming T'ien (Daniel Sing) enters the room -- now a haughty 21-year old with a ferocious green dragon on his tunic.
Guest Starring: Jacqueline Kim (Lao Ma), Marton Csokas (Borais), Grant McFarland (Ming Tzu), Daniel Sing (Ming T'ien), Daniel Lim (Ming T'ien at 12 years), Tai Hadfield (Chuang), Blair Fraser (Messenger), Peter Mason (Shopkeeper), William Kwan (Soldier)
Starring: Lucy Lawless as Xena, Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Teleplay by R.J. Stewart
Story by Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart
Directed by Oley Sassone