The Wanted Detective Episode 1 Recap
> The Wanted Detective 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.
