When the future empress Wu Zetian's two courtiers die in a mysterious fire, she gets Di Renjie, a former detective and rebel, released from prison to solve the mystery of the fire.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Andy LauDetective Dee | Detective Dee |
 Li BingbingShangguan Jing'er | Shangguan Jing'er |
 Deng ChaoPei Donglai | Pei Donglai |
 Tony Leung Ka-faiShatuo Zhong | Shatuo Zhong |
 Carina LauWu Zetian | Wu Zetian |
 Richard Ng Yiu-HonWang Lu (before face-lift) | Wang Lu (before face-lift) |
 Teddy RobinWang Lu (after face-lift) | Wang Lu (after face-lift) |
 Liu JinshanXue Yong | Xue Yong |
 Yao LuLi Xiao | Li Xiao |
 Wang DeshunXiazi Ling | Xiazi Ling |
 He ShengmingPrison Officer | Prison Officer |
 Huang YonggangZhang Xun | Zhang Xun |
 Chen XiaoLu Li | Lu Li |
| JJean-Michel CasanovaUmayyad Ambassador | Umayyad Ambassador |
| SSos HaroyanAsst to Umayyad Ambassador | Asst to Umayyad Ambassador |
 Zhang ShuoNot listed | Not listed |