The Wanted Detective Episode 18 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
Zhuge Kongyun, immersed in memories of recent cases, sensed that Zhong Xueman was deliberately concealing something. Recalling their recent interactions, a sudden insight struck him. He frantically searched his files, confirming that Xiao Beiming was indeed alive, and immediately dispatched his men to find Zhong Xueman, determined to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming's poison worsened considerably, leaving him colder as his one-month deadline neared.
He insisted Feng Qingzhuo keep his deteriorating condition a secret, stating that their mission was far more important than his own life. He then gathered the team to plan their next steps: locating the site of Yellow Heaven's inhumane "Heaven's Roar" ritual, which required live human blood, and identifying high-level followers to eventually find the Holy Master.
Beiming assigned Zhong Xueman and Huo Dairong to investigate strange occurrences in Weizhou for clues, while Feng Qingzhuo was tasked with looking into medicinal techniques related to blood harvesting. When Tong Shuang asked for a role, Beiming ordered him to remain at the Pingyuan Escort Agency to guard their two captives.
Tong Shuang protested, arguing his familiarity with Weizhou made him ideal for scouting, but Beiming firmly explained that Tong Shuang's public recognition as the "Third Young Master of the Tong family" would alert their targets. Beiming then sternly reprimanded him for his recent reckless actions, citing his impulsiveness during the haunted escort wagon incident, the exchange where Feng Qingzhuo was nearly killed, and the interrogation where he nearly beat two men to death.
Remorseful, Tong Shuang apologized and agreed to stand guard. Zhong Xueman later discussed Tong Shuang's volatile emotional state with Xiao Beiming, acknowledging that the trauma of the Pingyuan Escort Agency massacre, where dozens died overnight, made his outbursts understandable. She urged Beiming to check on Tong Shuang, suggesting he needed his brother's support.
At the same time, villagers, having learned the truth about the grave robbers from the authorities, arrived at the agency with gifts of millet to apologize to Tong Shuang. They humbly recalled how the Tong family had saved their own families from starvation in the past. Though Tong Shuang initially tried to send them away, he was moved by their sincerity and accepted their apologies.
Consoling Tong Shuang later, Xiao Beiming offered him some dried food, which triggered a flood of memories for Tong Shuang. A flashback revealed how, years ago, after his family was massacred and the agency burned, a young, starving Tong Shuang was found by Beiming, who gave him his own food. Filled with a desire to repay this kindness, Tong Shuang insisted on following him, even after Beiming revealed his identity as the notorious assassin Yesha.
Unfazed, Tong Shuang declared his life, saved by Beiming, now belonged to him. Seeing his determination, Beiming allowed him to stay. Back in the present, Tong Shuang expressed his sorrow over his inability to avenge his family. Beiming consoled him, explaining that the agency's legacy lived on not in its building but in its people. He emphasized that Tong Shuang now represented the Pingyuan Escort Agency and must carry the weight of its name in his pursuit of justice.
Elsewhere, Huo Dairong and Feng Qingzhuo discovered that all blood-nourishing herbs in Weizhou had been bought out. The last shop owner they visited refused to say more until Feng Qingzhuo feigned a collapse from a severe bleeding injury. Fearing Feng would die in his shop, the panicked owner revealed where the mysterious buyer, a wealthy merchant, could be found.
The next day, Zhuge Kongyun arrived in Weizhou and questioned Constable Wang, confirming Zhong Xueman had arrived with a group of five. He instructed Wang to cooperate with her unit as usual and keep his own visit a secret. Later, Zhuge's subordinate reported they couldn't find Xueman, but had learned that a man resembling Feng Qingzhuo and an unidentified woman had inquired about sick horses at the stables.
Deducing their hideout was the old Pingyuan Escort Agency, Zhuge told his man he knew where to find them and ordered him to simply maintain surveillance. Soon after, Xiao Beiming collapsed, the poison in his system finally overwhelming him. Feng Qingzhuo confirmed the poison had entered his meridians, revealing the antidote had never truly worked. Beiming stated he was prepared to die on the path of justice and had hidden his condition to keep the team focused on the mission.
A heartbroken Tong Shuang tried to rush off to find Old Bug for a cure, but Feng stopped him, explaining there was nothing Old Bug could do. Zhong Xueman, filled with regret, knelt by Beiming's side, reassuring him that Old Bug had likely exaggerated the danger to secure his own escape. She tearfully apologized for not believing him sooner, and he, in turn, thanked her for having given him the benefit of the doubt.
That evening, the team reported their findings. Huo Dairong confirmed a mysterious merchant had bought all the blood-nourishing tonics. Xueman shared a strange local phenomenon: a group of childless, wealthy merchants were recruiting strong, parentless young men as "adopted sons," promising them their inheritance. Both leads pointed to the Salt Business Guild, where the recruitment was taking place.
Beiming deduced this was Yellow Heaven's plot to gather subjects, condition their blood with the tonics, and then harvest it for their rituals, knowing the parentless beggars and ruffians they targeted would not be missed. To investigate, Feng Qingzhuo volunteered to go undercover as an adopted son, arguing his meticulous nature and knowledge of poisons would allow him to gather information and escape safely.
Beiming approved the plan, assigning Huo Dairong to help disguise Feng's injuries and Tong Shuang to scout the perimeter for ambush and rescue points. He assured them their success would be the best medicine for him and that he would await their return.
