The Wanted Detective Episode 23 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
Xiao Beiming, under interrogation by Chief Zhuge Tong, firmly declared there was no third person present at the scene of Old Bug's death. He asserted that the true killer was not human, but rather the heavens themselves, specifically a lightning strike during the fierce thunderstorm that night. To prove this, Xiao Beiming demanded an autopsy, confident that the body would reveal the truth. Zhuge Kongyun intervened, urging his father to allow Xiao Beiming to make his case.
Xiao Beiming then explained that while no third person was seen entering or leaving the Yaksha Temple, the evidence of a lightning strike was undeniable. He noted the heavy rain, thunder, and lightning around the time of the incident. Though he was not an expert, Xiao Beiming requested that Coroner Feng Qingzhuo of the Elite Constabulary Unit perform the examination for impartiality. Feng Qingzhuo meticulously examined the corpse, which emitted a foul odor.
He explained that a crack ran from the top of the skull to the back of the skull, charred brain fluid could be extracted from the nasal cavity, and the iron object on the deceased was magnetized – all clear signs of a lightning strike. He further clarified that Old Bug's body was severely charred because he was a drunkard and alcohol acted as a flammable agent, making the usual signs of electrocution less obvious.
Feng Qingzhuo also pointed out the largest leak in the Yaksha Temple roof was directly above the body, with burnt weeds around it, conclusively proving that Old Bug was killed by lightning. Satisfied with the evidence, Chief Zhuge Tong reluctantly released Zhong Xueman, clearing her of the murder charge. However, he still ordered Xiao Beiming's detention, stating that as the long-sought Yesha, his case required further investigation.
When Zhong Xueman tried to object, Zhuge Tong warned her not to obstruct the Secret Investigation Unit's work, threatening to include her in the trial if she interfered. Shortly after, an imperial decree summoned Chief Zhuge Tong, Zhuge Kongyun, and Fang Tianzheng of the Elite Constabulary Unit to the palace. The Emperor, concerned by Yesha, Xiao Beiming's sudden public appearance after three years, demanded an explanation.
Chief Zhuge Tong suggested Xiao Beiming had appeared out of "unresolved feelings" for Zhong Xueman. When asked who should interrogate Xiao Beiming, Zhuge Kongyun surprisingly suggested Zhong Xueman herself. He reasoned that due to Xiao Beiming's past as a skilled constable, ordinary interrogation methods would be useless, and only Zhong Xueman, who knew him best, could uncover his schemes and eliminate his accomplices to stabilize the Qi Kingdom.
The Emperor agreed, assigning the interrogation of Xiao Beiming to the Elite Constabulary Unit, under Zhong Xueman's charge. Zhuge Kongyun then confessed his responsibility for the escape of Huang Wuchang and Constable Zhong Xueman's near-wrongful execution, requesting punishment. The Emperor sentenced Zhuge Kongyun to 30 strokes of the rod and confinement for reflection in the Secret Investigation Unit, forbidding him from any cases or contact.
Enraged by his son's actions, Chief Zhuge Tong immediately ordered Xiao Beiming to be transferred to the Elite Constabulary Unit and had Zhuge Kongyun publicly subjected to 30 strokes of the rod before being taken to prison. Xiao Beiming was escorted to the Elite Constabulary Unit, where his former colleagues greeted him respectfully, though some were confused about his identity as Yesha. Feeling a deep sense of guilt, Xiao Beiming walked into the prison cell himself.
Zhong Xueman, visibly distraught, rushed to embrace him, but he remained still, unable to reciprocate. Fang Tianzheng, the chief of the Elite Constabulary Unit, dismissed everyone to speak with Xiao Beiming privately. Fang Tianzheng, who had watched Xiao Beiming grow up and become the youngest elite constable, admitted he had believed Xiao Beiming was Yesha until he risked his life to save Zhong Xueman at the execution ground.
He questioned how a seemingly ruthless killer could act out of mere "romantic feelings," suggesting a deeper mystery. Xiao Beiming promised to tell him everything he knew from the past three years in his search for the truth, allowing Fang Tianzheng to judge for himself. He spoke of a place called Haiya and an army called Canfeng Army, where his master Zhong Yunchi and General Huo Zongyao had served.
He revealed that he learned about Haiya from Yesha's subordinates, and that Yesha was likely a Haiya orphan seeking revenge for the events three years ago and the Fengbo Lake case, a revenge that was still ongoing. He also disclosed that before Old Bug died, he had admitted Yesha forced him to create a powerful pill that, if completed, could bring down the Qi Kingdom.
Fang Tianzheng proposed an investigation, but Xiao Beiming warned that this was a dangerous "taboo" for the Qi Kingdom, advising Fang Tianzheng not to pursue it himself. Xiao Beiming concluded that the immediate priority was to capture Huang Wuchang, who had met Yesha.
Xiao Beiming then presented Fang Tianzheng with three choices: declare him Yesha and execute him, risking future attacks by the true Yesha; keep him imprisoned while the Elite Constabulary Unit searches for Huang Wuchang, a risky race against time; or trust him and let him lead the capture of Huang Wuchang. Meanwhile, Zhuge Kongyun, bloodied from the caning, lay weak in his prison cell.
Chief Zhuge Tong visited him, expressing heartache but also confusion over his son's recent actions, feeling as though he no longer knew him. Zhuge Kongyun explained that handing Xiao Beiming over to the Elite Constabulary Unit was a calculated gamble, a way to protect their own unit by passing a "hot potato" and ensuring the Yesha case wouldn't end too quickly, giving them another opportunity later.
Back in the main hall of the Elite Constabulary Unit, Tong Shuang and other colleagues pleaded for Xiao Beiming. Fang Tianzheng, now convinced of Xiao Beiming's innocence, publicly commended Zhong Xueman. He created a fictitious report for his aide, Fang Yin, stating that Zhong Xueman had indeed reported Xiao Beiming's whereabouts, and he had then strategically assigned her to approach Xiao Beiming to gain intelligence due to the case's significance.
He announced the completion of this mission and promised commendations to the Ministry of Justice. Finally, he confirmed that by imperial decree, Zhong Xueman was now in charge of interrogating Yesha, Xiao Beiming, granting her unrestricted access to him in the Elite Constabulary Unit prison. After dismissing everyone, Fang Tianzheng was left alone, muttering to himself that after decades in office, he was now betting his life on a suspect.
Later, Tong Shuang, Zhong Xueman, and others gathered with Xiao Beiming in his cell, celebrating his survival. Xiao Beiming expressed his gratitude to Zhuge Kongyun, explaining that Zhuge Kongyun had sensed his presence in Weizhou, or perhaps even earlier, but chose not to act to prevent conflict between the Secret Investigation Unit and the Elite Constabulary Unit. He also suspected Zhuge Kongyun wondered why Zhong Xueman and the others were with him.
Xiao Beiming clarified that Zhuge Kongyun, despite his seemingly cruel act of trying to execute Zhong Xueman, was never truly malicious. His desperate measure was simply to force Xiao Beiming's appearance, as Chief Zhuge Tong and he were under a strict three-day deadline from the Emperor to show progress on the Yesha case. Xiao Beiming hinted that Zhuge Kongyun also believed in his innocence and his actions were ultimately for "the truth."
The immediate priority, they agreed, was to locate Huang Wuchang. Zhong Xueman pointed out that Fang Tianzheng had only allowed them to visit Xiao Beiming, not for him to leave and investigate. Xiao Beiming assured them that with their help, they could still proceed. They theorized that Huang Wuchang's kidnapping, despite the top-secret transport route, implied an internal mole, a suspicion Zhuge Kongyun also held.
They realized Chief Zhuge Tong had changed the route at the last minute to prevent leaks, meaning only he and Zhuge Kongyun knew it. The most likely point of compromise was during the transmission of this updated information. They resolved to investigate the Secret Investigation Unit's communication methods and devise a plan to speak with Zhuge Kongyun in prison.
