Ting Wa Chung plays Xiao Hai, a naive young boy in the employ of a powerful crime boss, Master Lu (Lung Fei), working as a house servant. Not aware of his boss's dealings Xiao Hai accepts an invitation to learn chicken style kung fu and, after displaying a natural talent, is given more important assignments. Despite the new authority he carries Xiao Hai is never comfortable with the harrassment of the locals and the collection of protection money. Xiao Hai eventually learns the true nature of his boss when he meets a street trader, who's wife was murdered by Master Lu, and his daughter, Ho Hwa. Both are experts of mantis fist kung fu. Xiao falls in love with Ho Hwa and after seeing his master's evil deeds first hand agrees to learn mantis fist and help the pair get their revenge.

While never straying far from the tried and tested revenge story, 'Death Duel' carries enough interest in its plot to remain engaging. There are some rather clumsy attempts at humour in the first half, especially the 'comedic' street brawl scene, but these are replaced by the more solid revenge elements later on. Lung Fei makes for a good villain and Ting Wa Chung displays natural acrobatic skill and grace. The fight scenes are all handled competently, despite the often comical looking 'chicken' style, and contain some intricate choreography. Ting Wa Chung obviously had the ability to be a bigger kung fu star but looking at his profile at HKMD his career didn't seem to get that far.