The Wanted Detective Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Wanted Detective Synopsis
On the day of his wedding, Xiao Beiming, the top detective of the Great Qi, is framed as the demon Yesha and accused of murdering his master and betraying the nation. He escapes by jumping into Fengbo Lake.
Three years later, Xiao Beiming returns to the capital and gains the trust of his junior sister, Zhong Xueman. In the darkness, he teams up with a group of intelligent and courageous companions, using their lives as bait and facing death head-on. Together, they solve several bizarre cases, uncover the true identity of Yesha, stabilize the turbulent state of Great Qi, and protect the people of the realm.
The Wanted Detective Recap
Episode 1 Recap
The Emperor of Qi, wishing to honor forty-eight loyal ministers who had served the court for many years, commissioned the construction of the Lang Hua Pavilion. Within this grand structure, ministers were to be ranked by their contributions, with Lu Wenzhong, Qin Ye, Fan Jingzhi, and Shen Bi, four senior aides, holding the highest honors.
However, on the very day of the Lang Hua Pavilion's opening, a chilling phenomenon occurred: tears of blood flowed from the eyes of the four distinguished ministers' statues. The Emperor immediately ordered all knowledge of this ominous event to be sealed, yet in the days that followed, all four ministers met with bizarre and tragic ends.
Lu Wenzhong, traveling day and night to deliver disaster relief, was found decapitated in a forest, with the name "Yesha" carved into a nearby tree. Soon after, Qin Ye was mysteriously engulfed in flames while writing in his study, leaving only ashes and the name "Yesha" scattered on the floor. Fan Jingzhi was later found drowned in a washbasin, with "Yesha" scrawled on his mirror.
The mysterious deaths of these three senior aides plunged the Qi court into a state of panic, and strange phenomena began appearing among the populace, including blood-stained lakes and bleeding fish, accompanied by chilling notes proclaiming "Yesha's descent, the Qi Kingdom will be doomed." The Elite Constabulary Unit's Constable Xiao Beiming arrived to investigate the death of Lin Shu, found dead in his room. By simulating the crime scene, he deduced the true nature of the murder.
He found husk residue near a cushion and observed a small bird outside the window, leading him to conclude that Lin Shu had been murdered by his cousin, Lin Kang. Years prior, Lin Shu had become paralyzed, and Lin Kang had moved into his mansion, claiming to care for him. However, Lin Kang had dismissed Lin Shu's servants and subjected his cousin to continuous torment.
When Lin Shu's will to live proved surprisingly strong, Lin Kang, driven by greed for the family property, decided to kill him. Despite Lin Kang’s initial denial, the evidence—including the meticulously precise stab wounds, his choice of a stormy night to mask the murder, the poor quality of food Lin Shu received, his numerous bedsores, and the hurried changing of the property deed after Lin Shu’s death—left him no choice but to confess.
Later, while eating at a noodle stall, Xiao Beiming, through astute observation of the owner's bloodshot eyes, herbal residue on his clothes, and his mother's unusual absence, correctly deduced that the owner’s mother was gravely ill. He generously paid extra, urging the grateful owner to use the money for medicine without delay. Just as Xiao Beiming was preparing to investigate another case, an imperial envoy arrived to summon him and his master to the palace.
As Xiao Beiming changed his blood-stained clothes, Zhuge Kongyun from the Secret Investigation Unit appeared, mockingly commenting on his appearance and suggesting the Elite Constabulary Unit's constant work left them little leisure. In the imperial court, a heated dispute erupted between Zhong Yunchi, the Chief of the Elite Constabulary Unit, and Zhuge Tong, the Chief of the Secret Investigation Unit, both vying for the authority to investigate the Yesha case.
Zhuge Tong initially requested a month, then shortened it to ten days. Unexpectedly, Xiao Beiming boldly declared he could solve the case in just three days, citing his upcoming wedding as the reason for needing a swift resolution. Impressed by Xiao Beiming's recent track record of solving difficult cases, the Emperor entrusted the Yesha investigation to him, warning of severe consequences if no progress was made within the promised timeframe.
After the court session, Zhong Yunchi was deeply troubled, sensing that the Yesha case was far more complex than it appeared and secretly suspecting a connection to a mysterious past event at a place called Sea Cliff. The Emperor, upon hearing Zhong Yunchi's subtle reference, reacted with sudden fury, sternly warning him never to speak of it again. He then discreetly handed Zhong Yunchi a jade tablet, instructing him to secretly seek out a specific person.
Meanwhile, back at the Elite Constabulary Unit’s headquarters, Xiao Beiming faced a stern lecture from his master for his impulsive promise to the Emperor, unaware of the meticulous plan Xiao Beiming had already formed. That night, Xiao Beiming stealthily returned to the Lang Hua Pavilion. As he expected, a masked figure appeared, and they immediately engaged in combat. After a few exchanges, Xiao Beiming recognized his junior sister, Zhong Xueman.
He intentionally feigned defeat to end the fight, not wanting her involved in the dangerous case. He urged her to return home, but Zhong Xueman remained resolute, insisting on assisting with the investigation, explaining that her motivation was to expedite their marriage. Despite the culprit having wiped away the blood tears from the statues to destroy evidence, Xiao Beiming's keen mind quickly uncovered another crucial clue.
The following day, he visited the forest where Lu Wenzhong was murdered and, after a thorough examination, discovered suspicious markings left on a tree. Meanwhile, Shen Bi, restless at home, was determined to leave for his new assignment despite his guards' objections regarding his safety. Xiao Beiming, with a flash of insight, assured Shen Bi that he could depart safely, promising to guarantee his well-being.
Subsequently, Xiao Beiming arrived at a gambling den, where he found his junior, Fang Yin, in a predicament, having lost a large sum to Zhuge Kongyun, who was now threatening to sever his fingers. Xiao Beiming calmly called Zhuge Kongyun's bluff by sarcastically suggesting the fingers were a fair price. Realizing the stalemate, Zhuge Kongyun dropped the pretense, admitting his actions were a ploy to get information about the Yesha case from Xiao Beiming.
They agreed to a wager over a game of dice: if Xiao Beiming lost, he would hand over all his clues; if Zhuge Kongyun lost, he would lead the bridal horse for Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman’s wedding procession. During the game, Zhuge Kongyun appeared to be winning consistently, oblivious that Xiao Beiming had shattered one of the dice, creating a winning roll.
Despite winning, Xiao Beiming "generously" provided Zhuge Kongyun with a crucial piece of information: Shen Bi was leaving the capital the next day. Upon learning of their gambling escapade, Zhong Xueman sternly reprimanded both Xiao Beiming and Zhuge Kongyun. The following day, four identical carriages departed from Shen Bi's residence, dispersing into different streets filled with suspicious individuals.
Zhuge Kongyun, deducing that Shen Bi was most likely in Zhong Xueman's carriage, decided to assist Xiao Beiming's "golden cicada shedding its shell" strategy, hoping to use it to his own advantage. However, just outside the city gates, Zhuge Kongyun reached Zhong Xueman’s carriage and was horrified to find Shen Bi already dead, having been silently pierced by a steel needle to a vital point in his head. Even Xiao Beiming, who was guarding the carriage, remained oblivious to the fatal attack, indicating a much larger and more insidious conspiracy was unfolding.
Episode 2 Recap
In the Emperor's court, a furious Emperor berated Zhong Yunchi for failing to solve the case within three days and for the assassination of Grand Secretary Shen Bi on the street. At that moment, Xiao Beiming of the Elite Constabulary Unit sought an audience and, to the Emperor's astonishment, presented Shen Bi alive and well. Xiao Beiming explained that he had faked Shen Bi's demise by having a death row prisoner, disguised with a lifelike mask, die in the carriage.
The plan was a ruse to lure out the true culprit, Yesha, though it had not yet succeeded. Despite this, the Emperor remained stern, demanding a full explanation and reminding Xiao Beiming that his three-day deadline had arrived. Xiao Beiming began his report, revealing the truth behind the mysterious deaths. He explained that the "blood tears" on the statue were not a divine omen but a special substance called Mara Candle, or Phoenix Wax.
This rare wax is colorless at room temperature but melts into a blood-red liquid when heated, creating the illusion of a divine curse. The perpetrator had bribed the eunuch guarding the Lang Hua Pavilion to apply the wax, and the eunuch was later found dead, either from suicide or silenced by Yesha.
Next, he detailed that Lu Wenzhong was killed by a Melted-in-Blood Thread, a near-invisible but incredibly tough line tied between trees, which was crafted to dissolve upon contact with blood. Qin Ye’s death by fire was caused by a special fuel containing nitre applied to his clothes; being nearsighted, he leaned close to a candle, and the fuel caused him to be instantly incinerated.
Lastly, Mr. Fan, who suffered from facial ulcers and used a daily medicinal wash, was paralyzed by an overdose of wolfsbane in his medicine and drowned in his basin. The name "Yesha" on his mirror was pre-written with acid, appearing only when exposed to steam. Xiao Beiming confidently concluded that although Yesha had seen through his trap, this was a calculated part of his plan, and he was now close to identifying the killer.
Despite Xiao Beiming's progress, his master, Zhong Yunchi, was furious. He chastised Xiao Beiming for audaciously using a death row prisoner as bait without permission, calling it an arrogant and dangerous act. Xiao Beiming defended his methods, arguing that the prisoner’s heinous crimes made his death a worthy sacrifice to save Shen Bi, and that extraordinary times required extraordinary measures. His master, though still angry, agreed to table the argument until the case was closed.
Xiao Beiming then shared his theory: Yesha was a high-ranking court official. He had narrowed the suspects to three men who had been privy to the fake route information for Shen Bi: Yin Er of the Army's Assassination Unit, known for his martial arts and underworld connections; Mei Baiyu, an Assistant Director from the Court of Judicial Review with legendary hidden weapon skills; and Miao Jie, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, a former ranger with access to all court dossiers.
Lacking direct evidence, Xiao Beiming proposed a bold plan: to use his own wedding to Zhong Xueman as a pretext to gather the three suspects and expose the true Yesha. His master was deeply worried, but Xiao Beiming remained resolute, believing the risk was necessary. That night, Xiao Beiming played chess with his master, whose unease was palpable. The master noted his apprentice's unusually risky strategy and warned him against overconfidence.
He explained that Yesha was a master manipulator of human emotion, far more cunning than any opponent Xiao Beiming had ever faced. He cautioned that Xiao Beiming's pride was his greatest weakness and that Yesha might be deliberately letting him win small victories to set up a devastating final move. Despite the grave warning, Xiao Beiming won the game, seemingly unshaken.
On the wedding day, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman made a spectacle, riding together on a single horse led by Zhuge Kongyun. The banquet was held at Dingfeng Pavilion, where Yin Er, Mei Baiyu, and Miao Jie arrived to congratulate Zhong Yunchi. Their conversation was a web of polite congratulations and subtle, probing remarks.
Zhong Yunchi skillfully parried their questions about the lavish security, explaining that his adopted son's wedding required a scenic venue and that he had enlisted Yulin Commander Huo Zongyao for safety. During the ceremony, Zhong Xueman stood by Xiao Beiming, her expression a mix of love and tension. A constable herself, she had fully committed to his plan, viewing the capture of Yesha as the greatest possible wedding gift.
After the ceremony, Xiao Beiming stood alone, troubled by his master's solemn words from the night before, which had sounded like a final farewell. He feared for his master's safety. Zhong Xueman felt a similar sense of foreboding, recalling how her father had given her a family ring as a dowry, an act that felt more like a final entrustment than a gift. Soon after, Miao Jie suggested a boat trip on the scenic Fengbo Lake.
Zhong Yunchi attempted to delay, but the suspects were insistent. Xiao Beiming, after sealing Zhong Xueman's acupoint to keep her safe in their room, offered to join the men. Zhong Yunchi refused, but the three suspects pressed the issue, claiming they wished to celebrate with the groom and implying that Zhong Yunchi had something to hide. Relenting, Zhong Yunchi allowed Xiao Beiming to board the boat with them.
Once on the lake, Xiao Beiming presented the three officials with dossiers, openly accusing them of being Yesha. Outraged, they denied the charge and threatened to report him to the Emperor, only for Xiao Beiming to calmly reveal the entire operation was sanctioned by the Emperor himself. Stunned, the officials began accusing one another. The confrontation escalated when Miao Jie shockingly declared that Zhong Yunchi was the real Yesha.
He claimed the wedding was a trap to kill them all and that Xiao Beiming was an unplanned complication, which was why Zhong Yunchi tried to keep him off the boat. As Miao Jie prepared to reveal a damning story from Zhong Yunchi's past, Zhong Yunchi drew a dagger and lunged at him, plunging the boat into chaos. At that moment, Zhong Xueman, having forcefully broken her acupoint seal, leaped onto the boat.
She was met with a horrific sight: Miao Jie, Mei Baiyu, Yin Er, and her father, Zhong Yunchi, all lay dead. Xiao Beiming stood amidst the carnage, holding a bloody weapon, his eyes vacant as if he couldn't recall what had just happened. Before a devastated Zhong Xueman could even process the scene, arrows rained down from the shore. Xiao Beiming was struck and fell into the lake. Overwhelmed by the twin horrors of her father's death and her lover's apparent guilt, Zhong Xueman collapsed into unconsciousness as the water turned red.
Episode 3 Recap
Three years after the Fengbo Lake tragedy, a new bride meets a horrifying end in a secluded hut during a stormy night, impaled by a silver needle in a manner eerily similar to Zhong Yunchi and others. Zhong Xueman, haunted by nightmares of her father, Zhong Yunchi, wakes up drenched in sweat. She visits his memorial tablet, vowing to find Xiao Beiming and make him pay for his crimes.
Soon after, she witnesses another bride brutally sewn to death in a forest, the horrifying method chillingly consistent with previous cases. The clues she finds all seem to point toward Xiao Beiming. Incensed, Zhong Xueman arrives at the Elite Constabulary Unit, demanding access to the burnt corpse case dossiers. She finds the Case File Room in disarray, with Fang Yin, Xiao Beiming’s junior apprentice and newly appointed by his uncle, casually stepping on documents while playing with crickets.
Zhong Xueman furiously criticizes the negligence and demands he restore the room to its previous order, emphasizing the importance of preserving every clue. The new chief, Fang Tianzheng, soon appears with General Huo Zongyao, the Commander of Yulin Officers. Fang Tianzheng underlines the case's gravity, instructing officers Zhu Yitie and Tong Shuang to keep all clues strictly confidential, even from within the unit, subtly referring to Zhong Xueman's presence.
He entrusts the case to the meticulous Zhu Yitie and advises the new recruit, Tong Shuang, to learn from him. Demonstrating her improved combat skills, Zhong Xueman swiftly overpowers Fang Yin and seizes a dossier. Meanwhile, Zhuge Kongyun, head of the Secret Investigation Unit, receives a report about Zhong Xueman’s interest in the burnt corpse cases, deducing it is a veiled attempt to track Xiao Beiming.
Later, Zhong Xueman visits a tea house where a storyteller captivates the audience with a dramatic tale of Yesha’s escape and the murder of Zhong Yunchi. Zhuge Kongyun approaches her, proposing a collaboration to find Xiao Beiming. He points out that the Elite Constabulary Unit has fallen out of favor with the Emperor since the Fengbo Lake incident, with major cases now handled by his Secret Investigation Unit. He notes Zhong Xueman’s fruitless three-year pursuit of copycat murderers.
He then challenges her, suggesting she harbors doubts about Xiao Beiming's guilt despite the ironclad evidence: the tightly surrounded Fengbo Lake, the victims being poisoned, and Xiao Beiming's unexplained escape and three-year disappearance. Zhong Xueman asserts her belief in evidence alone, stating her resolve to find Xiao Beiming and uncover the truth, vowing to kill him herself if he is truly guilty. In a forest, Zhong Xueman follows a clue, and Xiao Beiming suddenly appears.
He immediately denies killing her father, revealing he was the one who provided her with the clue to lead her to him. He claims he has spent the last three years relentlessly tracking the real Yesha to prove his innocence. Xiao Beiming attempts to show her evidence, pointing out that the needle marks on three recent bride victims are identical to those from the Fengbo Lake case, signifying the killer's reappearance.
Zhong Xueman retorts that his presence at the scene only implicates him further. Overcome with fury, she stabs him in the shoulder. She then drags him to a secluded tunnel, demanding the truth of what transpired on the boat. Xiao Beiming, injured, explains that he had passed out shortly after boarding and awoke to the horrifying scene, professing no knowledge of the intervening events and adamantly denying he is Yesha.
Zhong Xueman cuts him off, forbidding him from uttering that name. Zhong Xueman then seeks out Feng Qingzhuo, a renowned coroner, requesting a substance that would incapacitate someone by sealing their internal energy. Feng Qingzhuo, indebted to Zhong Xueman for saving his life, provides what he believes is a "Paralysis Pill." However, he later discovers he accidentally gave her the extremely potent and rare poison, "Blood-freezing Frost."
Unaware of the mix-up, Xiao Beiming willingly consumes the pill to prove his innocence. He challenges her, stating that if she truly believed him to be her father's murderer, her blade would have pierced his heart, not his shoulder. He pleads with her to maintain a shred of doubt and let him stay by her side to uncover the truth. Just then, a distraught Feng Qingzhuo rushes in, revealing the mix-up.
He administers acupuncture, but the frost toxin has already infiltrated Xiao Beiming's body. It is a slow-acting poison for which Feng Qingzhuo has no antidote, leaving Xiao Beiming's remaining time uncertain, though it has completely nullified his martial arts and internal energy. Upon realizing the poisoned man is the wanted Yesha, Feng Qingzhuo expresses relief that he is now harmless. As he recovers, Xiao Beiming elaborates on his theory.
He insists that upon regaining consciousness on the boat, he found his master and the others already dead, and that he himself was poisoned and shot before falling into the lake. When Zhong Xueman questions how someone could commit the murders while drugged, Xiao presents a bold theory: the existence of a "sixth person" on the boat, someone who may have been on board all along.
He admits his past arrogance in believing Yesha was a single person and now theorizes that "Yesha" is a large, malevolent organization, based on the varied death methods of past victims. He dubs the sewing murderer the "Tailor" and explains that the recent sewing murders in the capital are the Tailor's work. Capturing this person, he argues, will prove his own innocence.
He also reveals that the burning of the recent victims' bodies was a cover-up by the Elite Constabulary, led by Fang Tianzheng, to avoid further disgrace. Despite the revelations, Zhong Xueman still demands concrete evidence. Xiao Beiming then uses a map to show that the locations of the murdered brides form a pattern. Zhong Xueman recognizes it as a "Four Devils Formation," a legendary array from the kingdom's founding believed to trap souls.
With three corners of the formation marked by murders, they realize a fourth is imminent. Noting the three-day interval between cases, they deduce the final murder is set to occur in the western suburbs tonight. Zhong Xueman rushes to the location, but tragically, arrives too late, finding another new bride has been brutally murdered.
Episode 4 Recap
Zhong Xueman discovered the bride hanging dead in her room. She immediately pursued a mysterious figure into the forest, engaging in a brief struggle before the individual, a member of the Elite Constabulary Unit, escaped. The following day, Zhong Xueman concealed herself near the crime scene. As anticipated, members of the Elite Constabulary Unit arrived, acting suspiciously as they prepared to burn the body.
Zhong Xueman stepped forward, sternly confronting Fang Zheng and demanding to know why he was concealing the case and destroying evidence. She pointed out this was the fourth "corpse-sewing" murder and threatened to report the matter directly to the Ministry of Justice and the Emperor, warning that the Secret Investigation Unit might take over. Fang Zheng grimly explained that he was destroying the evidence solely to protect her.
He revealed that Xiao Beiming, her former husband and alleged killer of her father, had reappeared, but all previous sightings had been fakes. Aware of her reckless nature, he feared for her safety if she were to confront the real Xiao Beiming, stating he owed her father a debt and must protect her. Zhong Xueman, however, asserted her duty as a constable, declaring she would uphold her father's name even if it meant death.
Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming learned he had been poisoned with "Blood-freezing Frost," a potent toxin that would corrode his organs, nullify his internal energy, and eventually kill him. He deduced that Feng Qingzhuo, who had treated him, was the "Little White Dragon" of the infamous Poison Valley. He recognized Feng Qingzhuo's unique "Beacon Fire Golden Needles" as a technique belonging to the Valley Master, the Unstoppable Old Man, who was Feng's master.
Xiao Beiming realized Feng Qingzhuo had hidden his identity within the Elite Constabulary Unit to escape a relentless manhunt. He proposed a deal: he would protect Feng's secret if Feng would help him investigate and keep his own presence near Zhong Xueman confidential.
Feng Qingzhuo, who explained he follows his master's teaching that poison can be used to either harm or save, insisted he is a healer who has never hurt anyone, blaming his dark reputation on rumors spread by "Old Bug," his master's rival. While Feng Qingzhuo accepted the deal, he clarified that he would have helped regardless because Zhong Xueman had once saved his life.
He asked them to consider "Little White Dragon" dead and to know him only as Feng Qingzhuo, the coroner. In her investigation, Zhong Xueman discovered that all four deceased women were courtesans, identified by tattoos on their backs as mandated by law. Jiang Yi, a fellow constable, confirmed the three previously burned bodies also bore these tattoos. All four had been redeemed and were wearing bridal gowns when they died.
Believing the killer's motive was key, Zhong Xueman knelt and pleaded with Fang Zheng to let her investigate, vowing to bring justice for her father and the victims. Fang Zheng reluctantly agreed. Jiang Yi offered his team's assistance, including Mo Chong and Liu Feng, to investigate the brothels. Zhong Xueman informed Xiao Beiming that one victim, Ruolan, was sold to a brothel by Hu Shisan, a notorious human trafficker, who then strangely bought her back for a higher price.
They went to Hu Shisan's residence but found he had been missing for over ten days. His subordinates confirmed they delivered women for him by carriage but knew nothing of their origins. They did, however, recall hearing Hu Shisan crying intensely the night before he disappeared. Later, Zhuge Kongyun, son of the Secret Investigation Unit's chief, secretly entered Zhong Xueman's mansion. He explored the backyard, pausing at an intriguing rockery, just as Xiao Beiming, who was inside, hid.
Zhong Xueman returned, interrupting Zhuge and sternly questioning his presence. He feigned an interest in the case but admitted his true interest was in her, alluding to a past offer of cooperation. After Zhong Xueman firmly rejected him, he left, instructing his subordinate to keep a close watch on her. The team decided to examine the victims' bodies at the Baishui River Morgue, with Zhong Xueman disguising Xiao Beiming as Feng Qingzhuo's helper.
At the morgue, Mo Chong directed them to Room Jin. Feng Qingzhuo began the autopsy and discovered fine gold threads beneath the skin of the victim's face, a feature consistent across all four bodies, even the three that were charred. Suddenly, the morgue door was locked from the outside and the building was set on fire. The fire intensified quickly, but Xiao Beiming managed to carry Zhong Xueman to safety.
Upon escaping, they encountered Fang Zheng and other constables, including Zhu Yitie, who had seen the fire. When questioned about the veiled Xiao Beiming, and as Zhu Yitie reached for the veil, Tong Shuang, another constable, loudly intervened. He chastised Xiao Beiming in a made-up dialect and falsely claimed he was a newly arrived friend from his hometown whom he had asked to assist.
Later, Tong Shuang secretly met with the group, revealing he was Xiao Beiming's long-standing informant inside the Elite Constabulary Unit. Zhong Xueman, though angered by the secrecy, now understood someone was actively trying to destroy evidence. Xiao Beiming theorized the fire was set by the killer, the "Tailor," to stop them. Feng Qingzhuo noted the gold threads were remarkably pure.
Xiao Beiming recalled the "Strange Stories of the Nine States" mentioning a secret Nanyue technique called "Gold Thread Rejuvenation," which used such threads to preserve youth. Realizing the victims were connected to the fallen Nanyue kingdom, they decided Nanren Lane was their next destination. The next day, the trio—with Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman disguised as a married couple and Feng Qingzhuo as their servant—visited a gold shop in Nanren Lane.
Zhong Xueman found the specific gold threads and questioned the owner about the rejuvenation technique. The owner became evasive, but under the threat of the Elite Constabulary Unit's "pig-skinning" torture method, he confessed. He sold the gold threads to "Blossom Skies," a Nanyue religious organization led by Sada, a supposed messenger from "Blue Heaven." He had implanted the threads into five selected "Saintesses" two months prior, including the woman in a portrait Zhong Xueman showed him.
He believed these women had ascended to Blue Heaven in a holy light. The team connected the dots: four of these five Saintesses were the "Tailor's" recent victims. The owner also revealed that Blossom Skies selected new Saintesses during a fireworks ritual on the 15th of every even-numbered lunar month. Realizing it was the 15th of the sixth month, they planned to investigate the ritual that night, unaware that Zhuge Kongyun's men were still tailing them.
Episode 5 Recap
Two months ago, a group of women were forcibly taken from a carriage to the Hu Mansion in the capital. Amidst the chaos, one woman, Hibiscus, managed to escape, briefly finding refuge in a guesthouse before being recaptured, bound, and held in a woodshed where she was ultimately killed. On the same night, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman, disguised as villagers, calmly made their way towards Huaman Mountain with a group of abductors.
Xiao Beiming noticed they were being followed by Zhuge Kongyun's team. Realizing Zhuge Kongyun was uncertain of his presence and feared alerting them, Xiao Beiming had already discarded his bamboo hat to blend in. Due to Huaman Mountain's complex terrain, Zhuge Kongyun eventually lost their trail. The grand sacrificial ceremony at Huaman Mountain commenced. Marquis Jingshan, a respected figure, also arrived.
Years prior, he had protected the Emperor's family during an attack, suffering a leg injury that left him permanently disabled. For this, he received immense favor from the Emperor. Soon, the Saintesses were brought onto the stage, surrounded by devout villagers. As fireworks burst, illuminating the sky, the Saintesses seemingly vanished into thin air. The stunned villagers quickly knelt, believing it to be a divine manifestation.
Zhong Xueman and Xiao Beiming observed, deciding to wait for an opportune moment to uncover clues related to the corpse-sewing case. Afterward, Zhong Xueman exposed the deception. She deduced that Sada, the ceremony's leader, had used the dazzling fireworks to distract the crowd while scattering luminous stone powder into a fire basin. The powder produced an intensely bright light, causing people to shut their eyes.
Sada then activated a hidden trapdoor beneath the altar, causing the Saintesses to fall through and creating the illusion of their disappearance. Zhong Xueman opened the hidden compartment, discovering the abducted women. With his trick revealed, Sada confessed that a man named Hu Shisan was involved in selling the women after each sacrifice. At that moment, a group of mysterious black-clad figures appeared and rescued Sada.
Xiao Beiming restrained a pursuing Zhong Xueman, urging her to prioritize the rescue of the captive women. Witnessing Xiao Beiming's actions, Feng Qingzhuo began to see him in a new light, questioning if he had truly been framed. He also observed that Zhong Xueman's behavior towards Xiao Beiming went beyond merely preventing his escape; she desperately pursued other leads as if they were her only hope, which she wouldn't do if she truly believed him to be her father's killer.
Later, Zhuge Kongyun infiltrated Zhong Xueman's residence to ambush and capture Xiao Beiming. When he confronted a cloaked figure and removed the hat, he found it was Tong Shuang. Realizing he had been tricked, Zhuge pointed to bloodstains on the ground. Feng Qingzhuo claimed it was animal blood for a new medicine, but Zhuge insisted it was human blood. Zhong Xueman then covertly applied a substance to Zhuge Kongyun, causing him to cough up blood.
She wittily explained it was Tong Shuang's "waste blood" expelled after taking the medicine, forcing a humiliated Zhuge to leave. Xiao Beiming sought refuge at Dingfeng Pavilion, a place holding cherished memories with Zhong Xueman. Meanwhile, Zhong Xueman discovered that a woman named Hibiscus was missing from the list of rescued women. A trafficker recalled that Hibiscus had escaped two months prior but was recaptured after the other four Saintesses revealed her location.
The next day, Zhong Xueman's group found Hibiscus's body in an abandoned courtyard, buried in a makeshift grave marked with hibiscus flowers. Hu Shisan was also found dead nearby, his corpse sewn. The investigation revealed Hibiscus was pregnant and had died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely killed in a rage by Hu Shisan after her escape attempt.
They also recalled that one of the black-clad men who rescued Sada had been wounded in the shoulder, leading them to suspect Marquis Jingshan's two highly-skilled bodyguards, who were also from Nanyue and followers of the Blossom Skies cult. Zhong Xueman went to Marquis Jingshan's mansion to investigate but was met with strong resistance from the guards. Chief Fang soon arrived with the Elite Constabulary Unit.
Zhong Xueman declared that the two guards before them had rescued Sada the previous night and challenged them to prove their innocence by showing their shoulders. Marquis Jingshan intervened and ordered his guards to disrobe. However, they were covered in numerous minor cuts, a clear attempt to conceal the specific wound. Undeterred, Zhong Xueman pressed to search the mansion, warning the Marquis of the severe consequences of obstructing an investigation potentially linked to the "Yesha case" from three years ago.
At that critical moment, a servant reported that the Marquis's son, Ajia, had gone missing, with blood found in the backyard. Seizing the opportunity, the Elite Constabulary Unit began a full search of the mansion. Several courtesans were found drugged and unconscious. Examining the scene, Feng Qingzhuo found a piece of coarse cloth on a thorny bush and detected the distinct scent of iron and salt.
He deduced that the culprit frequented a place where large quantities of salt and iron were stored. In the capital, the only such place was the state-controlled Western Salt and Iron Works. The Elite Constabulary Unit immediately assembled and set off.
Episode 6 Recap
Tong Shuang urgently pleaded with Feng Qingzhuo to save Xiao Beiming, who was suffering from a frost toxin flare-up. Tong Shuang initially suspected Feng Qingzhuo had poisoned him, but Xiao Beiming confessed he had poisoned himself, insisting it had nothing to do with Feng Qingzhuo. Despite his deteriorating condition, Xiao Beiming prioritized the investigation. He instructed Zhong Xueman and Tong Shuang to proceed to the salt and iron factory while Feng Qingzhuo carried him to the scene where Ajia disappeared.
At a pavilion, Feng Qingzhuo observed striking bloodstains and a torn piece of cloth that Constable Zhu Yitie had discovered on thorns. The cloth had a distinct smell of salt and iron, leading them to suspect a connection to the salt and iron factory. Xiao Beiming had Feng Qingzhuo carry him to the wall where Ajia was taken, and just before collapsing, he murmured, "I understand now."
Meanwhile, Zhong Xueman and Tong Shuang searched the salt and iron factory, navigating through its labyrinthine warehouses. In a dimly lit dungeon, they discovered Young Master Ajia, barely clinging to life. His body was gruesomely pierced by thick threads and steel needles. They rushed him to Marquis Jingshan's Mansion, where a physician regretfully informed the Marquis that Ajia's injuries were too complex; removing the threads would cause excessive blood loss, and he could only temporarily stem the bleeding.
The Marquis was furious at the physician's inability to save his son. Back at the Elite Constabulary Unit, Zhuge Tong of the Secret Investigation Unit confronted Chief Fang, accusing him of concealing information about Yesha and the recent corpse-sewing cases, which were under his unit's jurisdiction. He warned Chief Fang against obstructing the investigation, threatening to take the matter directly to the Emperor. Chief Fang created a distraction by feigning anger and ordering Zhong Xueman away.
He then tried to explain to Zhuge Tong that he hadn't linked the recent cases to the Fengbo Lake case, but Zhuge Tong asserted that Chief Fang simply didn't understand Xiao Beiming and that their priority should be to capture him swiftly. Zhong Xueman returned to the still unconscious Xiao Beiming. Feng Qingzhuo explained that while Xiao Beiming's pulse had stabilized after acupuncture, the frost toxin would progress through stages, eventually leading to his death.
Zhong Xueman vowed to find an antidote before the toxin reached its final, fatal stage. Back at Zhong Xueman's residence, Xiao Beiming regained consciousness. Zhong Xueman recounted his last words before fainting. Xiao Beiming then revealed that the "Ajia" they found was an imposter, "Tailor," whose ultimate target was Marquis Jingshan himself. Xiao Beiming explained that Tailor used the real Ajia as bait because the Marquis was aware of Ajia's misdeeds but had chosen to ignore them.
Unable to directly assault the well-guarded Marquis, Tailor had orchestrated events, including leaving the salt and iron factory clue, to ensure the imposter Ajia would be brought back to the mansion. Zhong Xueman wanted to accompany Xiao Beiming, but he told her to wait, citing his own frailty from the poison. Despite this, he insisted it was his best and final opportunity and that he had to go.
Zhong Xueman rushed to the Marquis's Mansion, only to find the Marquis brutally murdered. Zhong Xueman pursued Tailor, disguised as Ajia, to a cliff's edge. As she confronted him, Zhuge Tong arrived with his forces. Tailor, without hesitation, leaped off the cliff. Zhong Xueman confirmed to Zhuge Tong that the man, disguised as Ajia, had indeed jumped. Zhuge Tong, expressing doubt that Xiao Beiming would commit suicide, dispatched a search party to the base of the cliff.
Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming, who was hiding on the cliff face, struggled to hold on as the poison weakened him. Tong Shuang attempted to reach him with a melon mace, but Xiao Beiming's grip failed, and he fell into the abyss as Zhong Xueman watched in horror. Following this, Chief Fang attempted to persuade Zhuge Tong to close the case.
However, Zhuge Tong firmly refused, stating that without a body, closing the case would be irresponsible and could lead to severe repercussions from the Emperor if Xiao Beiming were still alive. He then pointed out that Xiao Beiming had fallen under the Elite Constabulary Unit's watch, implying their responsibility. Chief Fang retorted that Zhuge Tong and his unit were also witnesses to the event. Later, Zhong Xueman and Feng Qingzhuo were among those searching for Xiao Beiming and Tailor.
Feng Qingzhuo was consumed by guilt, lamenting that if he hadn't mistakenly given Xiao Beiming the "Blood-freezing Frost," Xiao Beiming wouldn't have lost his martial arts skills and would have been able to save himself. Separately, Zhuge Tong visited a mysterious black market, inquiring about someone who had commissioned a "skin-like mask," but the shop owner remained uncooperative. Still convinced that Xiao Beiming was alive, Zhuge Tong jumped off the cliff himself.
He discovered a hidden cave midway down and, inside, found a corpse killed by Yesha's signature method, confirming his belief that Xiao Beiming was not dead. To Zhong Xueman's immense relief, Xiao Beiming reappeared at her residence. He explained that he had fallen into the secret cave, which was an ancient tunnel. Inside, he discovered the real Ajia's body and the very "skin-like mask" Zhuge Tong had sought.
He had then exited the tunnel from the other side of the mountain. He deduced that Tailor had long known about this hidden passage and that his "jump" was merely a calculated part of his escape plan. Xiao Beiming also revealed he now knew Tailor's true identity and his connection to Hibiscus.
He surmised that the grave found for Hibiscus was not created by Hu Shisan but by Tailor, who had also killed Hu Shisan and placed his body there as atonement. Xiao Beiming concluded that Tailor's series of murders were acts of vengeance for Hibiscus, a theory Zhong Xueman agreed with, noting that Hibiscus's deep trust in Tailor suggested an unusual bond. Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman arrived at Hibiscus's secluded, abandoned home, where they found Zhu Yitie already present.
Zhong Xueman questioned Zhu Yitie's unexpected presence at the remote house. Xiao Beiming directly confronted Zhu Yitie, revealing his true identity as "Tailor." Xiao Beiming systematically unraveled Tailor's elaborate scheme, starting with the morgue fire, which he said was deliberately set to obstruct the investigation. He explained that such a complex plot could only have been executed by an insider within the Elite Constabulary Unit.
He recounted Zhu Yitie's suspicious disappearance from the salt and iron factory and his subsequent sudden reappearance at the cliff. Xiao Beiming highlighted the deliberately placed cloth clue, which was meant to guide the Elite Constabulary Unit and ensure the plan's progression. Zhu Yitie tried to deflect, but Xiao Beiming countered that Tailor had never anticipated his return or his discovery of the secret cave containing Ajia's body and the mask.
Finally, Xiao Beiming declared that the irrefutable evidence was on Tailor's own body, challenging him to reveal the wounds from using steel needles to stitch through his own body to achieve the impersonation. Zhu Yitie, acknowledging he was severely injured from killing the Marquis and unable to fight, conceded defeat. He agreed to return to the Elite Constabulary Unit but requested a moment to bid farewell to the house.
Episode 7 Recap
Two years ago, while working on a case in Nanren Lane, Zhu Yitie encountered Hibiscus, a young woman from Nanyue. He was immediately smitten and, to help her out, bought all her tea leaves. Their connection deepened, and they soon married in secret within a cliffside cave, as relations between their respective countries were strained.
Those were the happiest days of Zhu Yitie's life; he yearned to abandon his past as a killer and live simply as Hibiscus’s husband and a father to their unborn child. However, this peace was shattered two months ago when Zhu Yitie returned from a case to find Hibiscus and their unborn child brutally murdered by Ajia, Hu Shisan, Marquis Jingshan, and four other individuals.
Overwhelmed by grief and a thirst for revenge, Zhu Yitie reverted to his old ways, meticulously using "sewing murder"—the most agonizing method—to ensure his victims suffered, framing these deaths to appear as Yesha’s work. Zhu Yitie admitted to his role in the deaths of Zhong Yunchi and the others from the Fengbo Lake case three years prior. He recounted how he had hidden beneath the ship's deck, emerging only after the five victims had been drugged into complete incapacitation.
He then effortlessly carried out the assassinations, leaving Xiao Beiming alive as per Yesha's specific instructions. He claimed never to have seen Yesha, only vaguely hearing a middle-aged man's voice on the ship. He described Yesha as an "extraordinary genius" who had meticulously designed the previous "Case of the Blood-Weeping Statues" as well. Zhu Yitie hypothesized that if Yesha was indeed on the ship, he might have inadvertently killed him during the massacre.
Following the initial killings, Yesha had given him a second order: to infiltrate the Elite Constabulary Unit and track down Shen Bi, ensuring he was eliminated. Zhu Yitie had managed to join the Elite Constabulary Unit, but Shen Bi had retired and vanished, presumably under the protection of the Secret Investigation Unit, preventing Zhu Yitie from fulfilling that second command. Before his own death, Zhu Yitie revealed the true meaning of the name "Yesha": "Haiya."
He explained that Haiya was a small, peaceful border city, home to fewer than ten thousand people. However, in the 36th year of Ningtai, it was tragically beset by a strange phenomenon where its inhabitants turned on each other and were brutally massacred overnight by monstrous individuals, or more accurately, by humans whose evil surpassed that of ghosts. These perpetrators then deliberately framed the slaughter as the work of a vengeful spirit, calling it "Yesha."
Zhu Yitie, a survivor and orphan of Haiya, then declared that every survivor of the Haiya massacre is "Yesha," and as long as one remains, "Yesha" will endlessly reappear, including Xiao Beiming. To ensure Xiao Beiming remained burdened with the "Yesha" identity and walked the "dark path" of vengeance, Zhu Yitie committed suicide in front of him, forcing Xiao Beiming to continue the quest for truth about Haiya.
Afterward, Zhong Xueman was devastated to learn of her father, Zhong Yunchi's, murder at Zhu Yitie's hands. Entering her father's room, she recalled him giving her a thumb ring as her dowry the day before his death, realizing it felt more like a final entrustment. Her suspicions were further fueled by his desperate attempts to prevent Xiao Beiming from boarding the ship that fateful day.
Xiao Beiming admitted that he, too, had suspected his master of being Yesha after witnessing Zhong Yunchi’s "angry, frenzied, out-of-control" expression just before Xiao Beiming himself blacked out on the ship. Xiao Beiming recounted his three-year search for Haiya, a place mentioned by Miao Jie on the ship, but to no avail. An old man confirmed that Haiya was indeed a legend, a border town wiped out by "demons."
Xiao Beiming deduced that Yesha's actions were driven by a desire to avenge Haiya. Zhong Xueman, remorseful, tearfully apologized for ever doubting and even poisoning Xiao Beiming. He comforted her, stating he never blamed her, and in fact, her actions had ultimately led him to find Zhu Yitie and uncover crucial truths. He assured her that having her and others by his side was his greatest comfort.
The next day, as the Elite Constabulary Unit tirelessly searched for the vanished Zhu Yitie, Xiao Beiming decided to "be Yesha again." He confided in his companion that he intended to lure out Shen Bi, believing that as a survivor of the Fengbo Lake incident, Shen Bi held vital information about Haiya. Despite warnings about the dangers and his dwindling time due to the frost toxin, Xiao Beiming was resolute.
Meanwhile, the master orchestrating Yesha's actions, a masked man in a cave, expressed no concern over Zhu Yitie's death or potential revelations. Instead, he welcomed Xiao Beiming's pursuit of the truth, intending to lead him and the entire Qi Kingdom to a grand, unsettling revelation.
News of "Yesha's" reappearance, marked by blood characters on a pillar, quickly reached Zhuge Kongyun, head of the Secret Investigation Unit, who immediately dispatched Li Long and his men to Chunyu Town to escort Shen Bi to a heavily guarded safe house. Despite the precautions, Shen Bi was found dead. The Emperor, furious at the loss of another official, demanded answers. Zhuge Kongyun reported that Shen Bi had been poisoned by "Heart-Severing Red" found in his pastries.
Xiao Beiming, realizing he had been manipulated and that his plan to draw out Shen Bi had led to the former official's death, deduced the cunning method of the poisoning. He recalled Shen Bi's habit of wetting his finger with saliva to turn book pages. The poison, he concluded, was not directly in the pastry, but on the books Shen Bi brought with him, transferred to his fingers, and then to the pastry as he ate.
Zhuge Kongyun, independently investigating Shen Bi's study, came to the same conclusion about the tampered books. Facing the Emperor's wrath, Zhuge Kongyun and his father were given a strict deadline: one month to apprehend Yesha, or face severe punishment. Accepting the immense pressure, Zhuge Kongyun pledged that the Secret Investigation Unit would bring Yesha to justice within the month.
Believing Yesha had a compelling motive beyond mere chaos, Zhuge Kongyun decided to investigate the resume documents of the four officials from the "Blood-Weeping Statues Case" to uncover any hidden connections among the victims and reveal the true reasons behind Yesha's relentless vendetta. He obtained a token to access the Imperial Secretariat for his investigation.
Episode 8 Recap
Years ago, a harrowing scene unfolds as a master is attacked by individuals seeking revenge. His distraught disciple cries out as the master defiantly challenges his assailants before succumbing. Years later, Xiao Beiming is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of Haiya, where its soldiers inexplicably turned into murderers overnight. He searches the Imperial Secretariat's archives for information on four specific officials.
His subordinate finds nothing unusual in their records, but Xiao Beiming notes a suspicious omission related to "The Council Chamber." He explains that in the 36th year of Ningtai, the year the late emperor passed away and His Majesty ascended the throne, several officials were temporarily assigned to handle state affairs in a side hall known as the Council Chamber.
While this is the only documented connection between the four officials, Xiao Beiming suspects it’s not merely a coincidence but a cover-up, suggesting they were involved in something together that led to severe consequences. Meanwhile, Zhong Xueman of the Elite Constabulary Unit seeks out Zhuge Kongyun of the Secret Investigation Unit, proposing a collaboration. She reveals that her father was among seven high-ranking officials killed by Yesha three years prior.
More recently, seven lives were lost in the corpse-sewing case, and now Mr. Shen has also fallen victim, bringing Yesha's total to fifteen. For Zhong Xueman, catching Yesha outweighs any rivalry between their units. Zhuge Kongyun agrees to cooperate, but with the condition that if Xiao Beiming, believed to be Yesha, is captured, he must be handed over to the Secret Investigation Unit for disposition.
Zhong Xueman provides a vital clue: her father once mentioned serving as a soldier in the 36th year of Ningtai, suggesting they investigate military records from that period. Xiao Beiming, discussing the case with his mentor, learns that Mr. Shen’s tragic death spurred him to send Zhong Xueman to Zhuge Kongyun—a risky yet crucial move. His mentor warns that Zhuge Kongyun will not be a mere pawn in their plans.
Xiao Beiming also recalls a heated argument he had with King Zhong of Constables before the Fengbo Lake case, during which the 36th year of Ningtai was mentioned, reinforcing its significance. Zhong Xueman and Zhuge Kongyun proceed to the Imperial Secretariat. They discover that the records for King Zhong of Constables from the 36th year of Ningtai and earlier have been torn out.
An official explains that documents of such high-ranking officials are annually reviewed and sealed by the Emperor and Cabinet, implying the records were likely torn before they were even filed. Suspecting higher-level involvement, they decide to investigate military records for any generals who served alongside King Zhong of Constables during that pivotal year.
Zhuge Kongyun continues his investigation, discovering that the records of Miao Jie and Huo Zongyao from the 36th year of Ningtai are also missing, strengthening the belief that someone is deliberately concealing events from that year. Recognizing a pattern of concealment, Zhuge Kongyun and Zhong Xueman head to Huo Zongyao's mansion, where they learn that General Huo suddenly died the previous night from an old illness.
They note that Miao Jie was killed three years ago at Fengbo Lake, alongside Zhong Xueman's father, leaving General Huo Zongyao as the only remaining individual connected to those events. Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming, who had previously sent Zhong Xueman to collaborate with Zhuge Kongyun following Mr. Shen's death, also learns of General Huo's suspicious demise. He determines that immediate action is necessary to uncover the truth.
That night, Xiao Beiming, Tong Shuang, and their team infiltrate the Huo Mansion by posing as night watchmen, wearing special robes adorned with bats and moons, symbols of fortune and prosperity for the deceased. Inside the mourning hall, General Huo's two disciples, Xue Qianshan and Li Xiao, are openly at odds.
Xiao Beiming instructs his team to split up and search for clues: he and Tong Shuang go to General Huo's quarters, while Zhong Xueman and Feng Qingzhuo go to the backyard, planning to reconvene in half an hour. In the courtyard, Zhong Xueman discovers fresh bloodstains. She is then confronted by Huo Dairong, General Huo's daughter, who, rather than mourning in the main hall, is found armed at the training ground.
Huo Dairong, an astute observer with an interest in criminal investigation, quickly deduces Zhong Xueman's identity from her official boots and the distinctive Bi'an Sword. Huo Dairong reveals her suspicion about her father's sudden death and, recognizing a shared goal, proposes they work together, stating she trusts Zhong Xueman more than anyone else in her own household. She suggests starting their search in her father's bedroom, where secrets would likely be kept.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Kongyun’s father, Zhuge Tong, cautions his son against making rash judgments, advising him not to become overly fixated on Xiao Beiming every time a murder occurs, as it could lead him astray. The discovery that General Huo is to be buried the very next day, much sooner than the traditional seven days, deepens Xiao Beiming's suspicions, confirming that something is amiss. As Zhong Xueman heads to the bedroom, a scream from the mourning hall draws everyone's attention.
Huo Zongyao's wife claims a black-clad intruder attempted to assault her while she was sorting her husband's belongings. Zhong Xueman, witnessing the wife's disheveled state, coolly questions her, causing the woman to defensively exclaim that Zhong Xueman herself is a woman. Zhong Xueman then identifies herself as a constable from the Elite Constabulary Unit.
When asked for proof, she realizes she does not have her official badge, prompting the Huo family to brand her an impostor and attempt to seize her. At this critical moment, Huo Dairong steps forward, confirming Zhong Xueman's true identity as the daughter of King Zhong of Constables, thus allowing her safe passage. Capitalizing on the chaos, Xiao Beiming and his team successfully steal General Huo's body. Xue Qianshan and Li Xiao immediately pursue them.
As they flee, Tong Shuang deploys a smoke device, momentarily creating a diversion and allowing them to escape. After a swift journey, Xiao Beiming transports General Huo's body to the morgue at White River. The Huo family, having realized the theft, quickly catches up. At the morgue, Xiao Beiming activates another smoke device, but Xue Qianshan and Li Xiao threaten to set the morgue on fire, regardless of the body inside, to force them out.
Just as the situation escalates, Chief Fang arrives, preventing the arson and inadvertently buying Tong Shuang crucial time to conduct an autopsy. Tong Shuang's findings are perplexing: General Huo exhibits signs of strangulation—a swollen, purple-black tongue and bleeding eyes—yet there are no ligature marks, no external injuries, and no broken neck bones, making the death inexplicable by conventional means.
Zhong Xueman explains her actions to Chief Fang, admitting to stealing the body because she suspects General Huo's death is connected to the Yesha case and seeks to uncover the truth. Li Xiao challenges her, stating that all major cases in the capital now fall under the Secret Investigation Unit's jurisdiction, not the Elite Constabulary Unit's.
At this point, Zhuge Kongyun arrives, confirming that he was the one who initially discovered the suspicious nature of General Huo's death and had delegated Zhong Xueman to investigate. He apologizes for the commotion but asserts that both the Secret Investigation and Elite Constabulary Units, as part of the Ministry of Justice, are working together in unity.
Zhuge Kongyun then asks Zhong Xueman to open the morgue door, hinting at the need for her cooperation to de-escalate the tension, which she cautiously does, mindful of Xiao Beiming's hidden presence.
Episode 9 Recap
At the Huo Mansion, Zhuge Kongyun announced that he and Zhong Xueman were jointly investigating General Huo's death. The coroner, Feng Qingzhuo, then presented his findings, reporting that the General did not die of illness and that the circumstances were suspicious. In response, Huo Dairong, the General's daughter, requested that both the Elite Constabulary Unit and the Secret Investigation Unit thoroughly investigate her father's potential murder.
Feng Qingzhuo revealed that the General's neck bore hidden strangulation marks, which had been concealed with a specific cosmetic powder. The physical evidence, including a swollen tongue and eye hemorrhaging, confirmed death by asphyxiation—he had been strangled. While the Huo family was distraught, a disciple challenged the investigators, demanding that Zhong Xueman's crime of stealing the body not be overlooked.
Zhuge Kongyun intervened, promising that he and Zhong Xueman would solve the case by the General's seventh-day memorial or they would accept punishment. After the confrontation, Mo Chong met with Zhong Xueman, expressing frustration that trouble always seemed to find her. He acknowledged that her cooperation with Zhuge Kongyun was a personal decision, driven by her desire to apprehend Yesha quickly. Elsewhere in the mansion, Huo Dairong gently informed Feng, the General's concubine, that he had been murdered.
Feng was distraught, but Huo Dairong consoled her, noting that with his death, her mother would no longer have to endure his abuse or make tea for him. Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming recounted his narrow escape from the mansion through a back window, worrying that Zhuge Kongyun remained suspicious. Zhong Xueman agreed that the case was strange, as the entire Huo family seemed to be hiding something.
She recalled suspicious details from her investigation: the disciple's quarters were run with brutal military strictness, evidenced by a training ground with old bloodstains and torture devices, suggesting a motive for revenge. Mrs. Huo’s back was covered in scars from abuse, yet her vibrant attire and calm demeanor during the mourning period suggested she was celebrating his death. Furthermore, the disciple Xue Qianshan had suggested burning down the mortuary, a clear attempt to destroy evidence.
Even Huo Dairong was an enigma, having instantly seen through Zhong Xueman's disguise and later attempting to curry favor, revealing a shrewdness that contradicted her gentle appearance. Reminded of their master's teachings on humility and public duty, Xiao Beiming affirmed that, regardless of its connection to Yesha, they had a responsibility to solve the murder. The next day, believing he had missed a key detail, Xiao Beiming roused Feng Qingzhuo and rushed to the morgue to re-examine the General's body.
Concurrently, Zhong Xueman and Zhuge Kongyun questioned the disciple Li Xiao at the Huo Mansion. Zhong Xueman deduced that the powder covering the strangulation marks must have been applied by the family, as it would have worn off otherwise. Cornered, Li Xiao confessed that he, Xue Qianshan, Mrs. Huo, Huo Dairong, and two maids had all been present when the General died.
He claimed the General suffered a violent delusion, believing he was fighting off avengers, and ended up strangling himself. Back at the morgue, Feng Qingzhuo examined the General’s calloused hands and the marks on his neck, theorizing that he did indeed strangle himself while under the influence of a hallucinogenic drug like the banned Five-Mineral Powder. Just as they reached this conclusion, Zhuge Kongyun arrived.
To avoid him, Xiao Beiming had Zhong Xueman feign an aversion to autopsies as an excuse to leave. Zhuge instructed Feng to proceed with the autopsy, offering him a "Taste-Blocking Pill" to help with the smell. Outside, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman finalized their new plan: he would aid her investigation by posing as another constable, Tong Shuang.
Returning to the Huo Mansion, Zhong Xueman, accompanied by Xiao Beiming disguised as Constable Tong Shuang, found that Xue Qianshan was away and Mrs. Huo was too unwell to see them. They questioned Li Xiao in his quarters, where Zhong Xueman noted his nervousness, especially regarding a sharp dagger by his bed that he claimed was a family keepsake.
At the same time, Feng Qingzhuo's autopsy confirmed that the General's brain showed damage consistent with long-term consumption of hallucinogenic drugs over several months. Just then, Li Xiao reported that Zhuge Kongyun had arrived to inspect the General's pharmacy. To avoid being discovered, Zhong Xueman and the disguised Xiao Beiming proceeded to the East Courtyard to question Huo Dairong. Upon meeting them, Huo Dairong stared intently at Xiao Beiming, remarking that he strongly resembled a dear old friend.
She readily admitted to being present at her father's death and helping to cover the marks but confessed that she also had doubts. Stating that "seeing is not always believing," she questioned why her father, a man with no apparent worries, would kill himself, implying that the truth was more complex. She claimed her previous deception was for self-preservation, as she held little power in the household, and thanked them for pursuing the real story behind her father’s death.
Episode 10 Recap
Yesha's subordinate reported that everything was proceeding according to their master's plan. Yesha commented that Xiao Beiming, like a fish that has bitten the bait, would not easily let go, and by the time he realized it, the hook would be firmly in place. Yesha then ordered the subordinate to continue as planned, finding the entire "game of chess" with Xiao Beiming increasingly interesting.
Meanwhile, at the Huo Mansion, Xiao Beiming, disguised as Tong Shuang, and Zhong Xueman were questioning Huo Dairong. Xiao Beiming expressed confusion over Huo Dairong's mention of "self-protection," questioning who in the Huo household could harm the only daughter. Huo Dairong pointed out the dilapidated state of the East Courtyard compared to the other parts of the mansion, revealing that while she was indeed the family's only daughter, she was one no one cared about.
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Madam Feng, the general's concubine, coughing. They requested to see her, but Huo Dairong hesitated, citing Madam Feng's frail health and overwhelming grief, eventually permitting them to wait. Concurrently, Feng Qingzhuo was examining tonics at the mansion when he was joined by Zhuge Kongyun. Upon learning that Constable Zhong and Tong Shuang were in the East Courtyard, Zhuge prepared to go there.
Fearing Zhuge would discover Xiao Beiming's disguise, Feng Qingzhuo resorted to various delaying tactics he had prepared. He suggested taking additional medicine bottles for testing, feigned forgetting his token, and pretended to be clumsy. Finally, his efforts paid off when a special medicine he had previously administered took effect, causing Zhuge to suffer severe stomach cramps and urgently need a toilet, effectively delaying him.
Zhong Xueman quickly advised Xiao Beiming to escape through the back door while she stalled Zhuge Kongyun, arranging to meet at Sanli Teahouse later. As Xiao Beiming reached the back door, he encountered Huo Dairong. She immediately revealed she had seen through his disguise and recognized him as Xiao Beiming, someone she had secretly admired for a long time, having even visited the Elite Constabulary Unit's gate multiple times to observe him.
She declared her belief that he was not Yesha, reasoning that Zhong Xueman, who had every reason to hate him, remained steadfastly by his side, proving he had earned her trust. Huo Dairong then questioned why a convicted man like him was so deeply invested in her father's case, suspecting a connection to Fengbo Lake. Xiao Beiming confirmed that General Huo was indeed linked to their leads and his mysterious death upon their arrival was too coincidental to ignore.
When someone was heard approaching, Huo Dairong quickly informed Xiao Beiming of the guards at the front and Zhuge Kongyun at the back, assuring him she had a plan and leading him away. Huo Dairong ingeniously disguised Xiao Beiming as an old swill collector, allowing him to leave the Huo Mansion unnoticed. Upon seeing his new appearance, Zhong Xueman displayed a hint of jealousy, questioning why a stranger would help him.
Xiao Beiming explained that Huo Dairong had sought his help in uncovering the truth behind her father's death. He shared Huo Dairong's suspicion regarding Mrs. Huo, the general's second wife. Huo Dairong recounted how her father's temperament had drastically changed six months earlier, becoming violently abusive, especially towards her mother, the concubine. She believed he had been poisoned, and since Mrs. Huo managed all his daily affairs and medicine, she was the prime suspect.
Xiao Beiming added that Mrs. Huo's family operated a weapons workshop that became a designated military supplier after her marriage. Zhong Xueman, however, cautioned against fully trusting Huo Dairong, describing her as extremely clever and difficult to read. They decided to find a way to meet Mrs. Huo themselves.
In a separate development, Zhuge Kongyun reported to his father that General Huo's death was caused by the long-term use of hallucinogenic drugs, confirming the killer was likely within the Huo Mansion. However, he admitted he couldn't establish a link to Yesha or Xiao Beiming, despite his intuition that Xiao Beiming was close by.
His father urged him not to waste time clinging to the Yesha connection without concrete evidence, reminding him that failing to apprehend Xiao Beiming would negate any other solved cases. Later, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman observed Xue Qianshan acting furtively, entering a concealed, high-walled compound that Xiao Beiming identified as an illegal gambling den. They witnessed Li Xiao at the den's back door, demanding another 500 taels from Xue Qianshan for an item.
Zhong Xueman then began to follow Xue Qianshan but was unexpectedly joined by Zhuge Kongyun. After some verbal sparring, they followed Xue Qianshan together into a rouge shop. There, Xue Qianshan purchased an expensive perfume powder called "Beauty Snow." Both Zhong Xueman and Zhuge Kongyun recognized its unique scent from someone at the Huo Mansion. Suspecting a connection, they rushed to confront Huo Dairong.
She admitted receiving the gift but vehemently denied any romantic involvement, stating Xue Qianshan had been persistently pursuing her. She then agreed to assist their investigation. Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming, reflecting on how his actions had inadvertently caused suffering to his colleagues, was inspired by Tong Shuang's earnest commitment to making amends for any wrongdoing, even for strangers. He thanked Tong Shuang, having found a new resolve.
Concurrently, Huo Dairong visited Xue Qianshan, feigning grief over her father's death and expressing vulnerability. With calculated words, she coaxed Xue Qianshan into revealing the source of his newfound wealth: a "treasure" that generated substantial income. Eager to impress her, Xue Qianshan went to retrieve it. After a long wait, a terrified scream echoed.
People rushed to the scene to find Xue Qianshan dead, with Feng Qingzhuo standing over the body, knife in hand, utterly disoriented and denying any knowledge of what had happened. Enraged, Mrs. Huo and others from the mansion demanded Feng Qingzhuo's immediate arrest. Zhong Xueman stepped forward to defend him, asserting his innocence and gentle nature.
Zhuge Kongyun concurred, pointing out that the highly skilled Xue Qianshan could not have been killed by a defenseless Feng Qingzhuo with a single stab to the chest without any signs of a struggle. He reasoned that the killer must either be a martial arts master or someone Xue Qianshan knew well enough to catch him off guard. Mrs. Huo accused them of favoritism, but Zhong Xueman firmly stated they would ensure justice without prejudgment.
She insisted on taking the now-fainted Feng Qingzhuo back to the Elite Constabulary Unit for official questioning. Mrs. Huo reluctantly agreed. Zhuge Kongyun then dismissed the case's complexity, claiming exhaustion, and departed, promising to return the next morning, all the while concealing a crucial lead he had discovered on Xue Qianshan.
Episode 11 Recap
Feng Qingzhuo, startled and disoriented, awoke remembering only that he had lost his medicine bottle on the road back to Dingfeng Pavilion and returned to the Huo Mansion to find it. There, he spotted Mrs. Huo rushing towards the backyard, an area reserved for Huo family disciples. Finding her demeanor suspicious, he followed her but was suddenly rendered unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, he discovered Xue Qianshan's lifeless body beside him, making him the prime suspect.
He frantically insisted on his innocence. Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman began to piece together the events. Zhong Xueman recalled that Mrs. Huo, who lived in the South Courtyard, arrived at the scene of Xue Qianshan's death with surprising speed, even before servants could have reported it. Xiao Beiming deduced that Mrs. Huo must have been in the backyard from dusk until late at night for a secret rendezvous.
They concluded she was having an affair with a disciple, Li Xiao. This suspicion was supported by Huo Dairong, who had told Zhong Xueman that Mrs. Huo's spirits lifted only after Li Xiao joined the household three years prior. Furthermore, during their secret investigation of the mansion, Huo Dairong had intentionally led Zhong Xueman to a bedroom, likely hoping she would discover Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao together, but Li Xiao had already left.
Adding to the evidence, Xiao Beiming had noticed a knife by Li Xiao's bedside bearing the unique emblem of the Kunwu Knife Factory. Knowing Mrs. Huo’s father owned a weapon workshop, Xiao Beiming surmised the knife was a gift from her, confirming their romantic involvement.
The connection to Xue Qianshan's death became clearer when Xiao Beiming recalled a conversation where Xue accused Li Xiao and Mrs. Huo of controlling the Huo family’s wealth and engaging in "despicable things," implying they might have killed the General. This suggested Xue Qianshan possessed incriminating evidence of their affair, which Huo Dairong had alluded to when she mentioned Xue had a "treasure" that could generate continuous income.
They deduced that after Xue Qianshan discovered the affair and blackmailed them, Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao murdered him and framed Feng Qingzhuo. Anticipating the couple would try to retrieve the evidence, Xiao Beiming dispatched Tong Shuang to monitor the Huo Mansion, while Zhuge Kongyun appeared to have reached a similar conclusion on his own. Later, as Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman were discussing the case, Feng Qingzhuo arrived, interrupting them.
After a brief, lighthearted exchange, Xiao Beiming advised Zhong Xueman on handling Zhuge Kongyun's growing suspicions, suggesting she act like her "old self"—confidently uncooperative and even physically confrontational if necessary. The next morning, Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao attempted to flee under the pretense of a day trip to Biyun Temple for prayers. However, Xiao Beiming noticed the deep carriage wheel tracks, correctly deducing they were carrying heavy luggage and escaping.
He sent his men in pursuit and personally intercepted the couple. Li Xiao initially considered resisting, but Mrs. Huo pleaded with him not to fight, leading him to surrender. They were then taken to the Secret Investigation Unit for interrogation. Shortly after, Zhuge Kongyun confronted Zhong Xueman, questioning how she captured the culprits so swiftly and implying she had external help.
Following Xiao Beiming's advice, Zhong Xueman erupted in a fiery outburst, accusing Zhuge of treating her like a criminal and reminding him that she had tracked and captured the fugitives herself. She threatened him with physical harm if he provoked her again, causing him to back down and apologize. During the interrogation, Li Xiao tried to take the blame for Xue Qianshan's murder to protect Mrs. Huo.
However, Zhuge Kongyun countered with forensic evidence: the fatal wound on Xue Qianshan's body was inflicted from a low angle, indicating the killer was significantly shorter, a height that precisely matched Mrs. Huo. Faced with this, Mrs. Huo confessed. She admitted to killing Xue Qianshan to protect her affair with Li Xiao and secure the Huo family inheritance, and to framing Feng Qingzhuo. When questioned about General Huo’s death, both vehemently denied any involvement.
Feng Qingzhuo had discovered that the General's tonic was laced with "red crystal," a rare hallucinogen with a distinct fishy odor. Li Xiao revealed his crippled hands, explaining that General Huo had discovered their affair six months prior and had beaten Mrs. Huo severely. To appease the General, Li Xiao deliberately plunged his own hands into boiling oil. Afterward, the General retreated to his study, ignoring them. Soon after, Mrs. Huo discovered she was pregnant.
The General, who was infertile from an old war injury, knew the child wasn't his. To their shock, he gave them a divorce agreement, allowing them to leave for the sake of the unborn child. They claimed to be grateful and had no reason to harm him. They explained that the General’s sudden death the next day gave them a new, greedy idea.
Since no one knew of the divorce agreement, Mrs. Huo could remain his widow and inherit the fortune. Their plan was jeopardized when Xue Qianshan stole the agreement and blackmailed them. When he threatened to show the document to Huo Dairong, Mrs. Huo panicked, realizing that if Huo Dairong, as the rightful heir, saw it, they would lose everything. In desperation, she killed Xue Qianshan and framed the unconscious Feng Qingzhuo.
Expressing remorse, Mrs. Huo pleaded to be allowed to give birth before her execution, a request Zhuge Kongyun granted in accordance with the law. Despite the confession, Xiao Beiming remained suspicious about General Huo's death. He questioned why the General, a seasoned warrior, would not have noticed the foul smell of the red crystal-laced tonic he had been consuming for months. He concluded the poison was too obvious and must have been planted as a misdirection by the real killer.
His investigation revealed that Huo Dairong had consistently steered him towards suspecting Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao. Without the discovery of the divorce agreement, the affair and the poison would have been enough to convict them, leaving Huo Dairong and her mother to inherit the entire fortune. A new clue emerged when Xiao Beiming found a burnt fragment in the General’s study that read, "It's too late to regret the chaos at Haiya."
Connecting this to the General’s infertility, he hypothesized that Huo Dairong was not his biological daughter but an orphan from Haiya, a place linked to the mysterious "Yesha" organization. This would provide her with a powerful motive for revenge. To investigate further, the team returned to the Huo Mansion under the pretext of Feng Qingzhuo providing medical treatment for Madam Feng.
After diagnosing her with a condition that could lead to paralysis, alarming Huo Dairong, Feng Qingzhuo was led away to prepare medicine. Seizing the opportunity, Zhong Xueman directly asked Madam Feng if Huo Dairong was her and the General's biological daughter.
Episode 12 Recap
Following the arrest of Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao, and the ongoing investigation into General Huo's death, Feng Qingzhuo finished preparing a prescription for Madam Feng. Huo Dairong expressed her deep gratitude, and Feng Qingzhuo remarked that the bond between her and Madam Feng was truly touching. Shortly after, Xiao Beiming arrived.
Huo Dairong immediately inquired if Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao had confessed everything, stating that Mrs. Huo and Li Xiao had an affair, and if her father had discovered it, Mrs. Huo would have faced death. Given that Mrs. Huo managed the pharmacy, Huo Dairong believed she had the best opportunity to commit the crime.
However, Xiao Beiming revealed that General Huo had actually known about their relationship and had even signed a divorce agreement, but he passed away before they could leave. He further explained that Mrs. Huo had confessed that General Huo was infertile, though Huo Dairong insisted she was the General's biological daughter, born before his supposed hidden illness. Xiao Beiming then pointed out that managing the pharmacy wasn't conclusive evidence and that there were many ways to poison someone.
He then specifically asked Huo Dairong if any of the wellness tea, which Madam Feng had acquired from a renowned physician for the General, was still available. Huo Dairong, sensing suspicion, agreed to retrieve it, but Xiao Beiming followed her closely. Meanwhile, Zhong Xueman spoke with Madam Feng, pressing her to reveal the truth about an incident that occurred 23 years ago, observing Madam Feng's unusually tense reaction.
Xiao Beiming, upon examining General Huo's study earlier, had noticed that all the tea utensils had been replaced. However, he also observed that one particular flowerpot was positioned differently from others and was still blooming beautifully despite the season. He suspected that General Huo might have had a habit of pouring the last bit of his tea into the flowerpot, and the accumulated tea dregs mixed with fallen leaves in the soil were hard to notice.
He had asked Tong Shuang to retrieve this flowerpot. His presence and Feng Qingzhuo's medical consultation were merely a ploy to distract Huo Dairong and allow Tong Shuang time to collect the evidence. When Huo Dairong returned to her father's study, she discovered the missing flowerpot. Unbeknownst to her, Feng Qingzhuo had already found traces of the same hallucinogenic poison that was found in General Huo's body in the flowerpot's soil.
Upon confirming these findings, Xiao Beiming confronted Huo Dairong with the flowerpot at the Huo Mansion. Faced with irrefutable evidence, Huo Dairong confessed. She admitted to hating her father, claiming he had always treated her like an annoying object and allowed Mrs. Huo to bully her and her mother.
She poisoned him through the wellness tea, using a hallucinogen, intending for him to slowly sicken and die, so she could become the sole mistress of the Huo Mansion and secure a better life for her mother. She claimed he had accidentally strangled himself while hallucinating, viewing it as karma. However, Xiao Beiming did not believe her fabricated story.
Just then, Madam Feng arrived, scolding Huo Dairong for her childish and unconvincing account, and then confessed that she was the true killer of General Huo. She explained that six months prior, the General was troubled, and she sought a solution. By chance, she met a limping physician who gave her pills to add to the General's tea, promising it would alleviate his worries and make him more affectionate.
Initially, the General did become more energetic and loving, demanding the tea daily. But soon, he grew increasingly aggressive and dependent, like a wild beast, even physically harming her when she tried to withhold the tea. One night, while hallucinating from the tea, he saw Huo Dairong and screamed about a "Haiya ghost," attempting to kill her. To protect her daughter, Madam Feng made the desperate decision to increase the dosage of the poison.
She watched him descend into madness and ultimately strangle himself to death. Huo Dairong, desperate to save her mother, offered to conceal Xiao Beiming's true identity as a wanted criminal if he would spare Madam Feng's life. However, Xiao Beiming firmly refused to be blackmailed, stating that his principles were more important than his own life and that he would not yield to coercion.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Kongyun, having also gathered evidence against the mother and daughter, was rushing to the Huo Mansion. Madam Feng, however, began to cough uncontrollably, revealing that she had taken poison earlier, intending to atone for her crime with her own life. Before her death, she divulged a shocking secret: Huo Dairong was not her biological daughter.
Twenty-three years ago, General Huo had brought an infant girl back from the border, whom Madam Feng raised as her own, keeping her true origins a secret even from Dairong. She suggested that General Huo's lifelong coldness toward Dairong might have been due to her unknown origins. Madam Feng urged Huo Dairong to forget past resentments and live a normal life, asking her not to follow down a dark path. With her final words spoken, Madam Feng passed away.
Zhuge Kongyun arrived moments too late, witnessing Madam Feng's body being carried out. That night, Xiao Beiming reflected on the case. He felt that while Madam Feng's confession seemed to protect Huo Dairong, there was a greater, unseen force at play. He suspected her suicide was meant to cover something larger. The next day, Zhong Xueman visited Madam Feng's resting place. Huo Dairong, looking weary, reiterated her promise not to expose Xiao Beiming.
Feng Qingzhuo was about to share information about the limping physician Madam Feng had mentioned, but Xiao Beiming suddenly succumbed to his blood-freezing frost toxin, collapsing. Zhuge Kongyun, still convinced that Xiao Beiming was lurking nearby, wanted to delve deeper into the matter. However, his father, Li Long, urged him to drop the pursuit of Xiao Beiming for the moment and prioritize finding the limping physician, as their own positions were at risk.
Li Long took over the investigation of the limping physician. Feng Qingzhuo tirelessly searched through all his medical texts but found no cure for Xiao Beiming's poison. He eventually considered a perilous "fight poison with poison" method, using an extremely rare and potent herb called the "Fire Cicada" as a primer. This plant, which resembled a cicada, was said to grow only in volcanic craters and was believed to counteract the blood-freezing frost toxin.
Although he had never studied it and couldn't guarantee its effectiveness, he felt it was their only chance. Without hesitation, Zhong Xueman and Feng Qingzhuo set off for the capital's infamous Ghost Market, the only place where the Fire Cicada was rumored to be found. They navigated the eerie market, where goods were acquired through questionable means. They eventually located an old man selling the Fire Cicada. The old man refused money, instead demanding a "trade for one item."
Zhong Xueman offered her father's most valuable heirloom, a bank token, but the old man rejected it, stating he desired one of her eyes. As Zhong Xueman, desperate to save Xiao Beiming, began to raise a dagger to her own eye, Feng Qingzhuo recognized the old man and intervened just in time. The old man then threw ash powder into Zhong Xueman's eyes, temporarily blinding her.
Suddenly, a mysterious figure in the crowd rang a bell, guiding Zhong Xueman toward the old man's location. Despite her blindness, she managed to strike him down. As Xiao Beiming and Tong Shuang arrived on the scene, the old man seized the opportunity and fled.
