The Wanted Detective Episode 25 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
A stormy night found an old man secretly entering a forest to meet a black-clad figure, who purchased an item from him at a high price. Elsewhere, Fang Yin informed Xiao Beiming that Jiang Yi, who had previously copied a codebook from a storyteller, had suddenly disappeared that day, inadvertently exposing him as a mole embedded by the Ministry of Justice.
Xiao Beiming immediately dispatched Fang Yin to check within the unit for anyone who last saw him, Tong Shuang and other brothers to inquire at city gates, and Zhong Xueman to check Jiang Yi's residence. Despite widespread inquiries, Jiang Yi's whereabouts remained unknown. Zhong Xueman found his home desolate, the stove cold, as if unoccupied for days. She also discovered a copy of "Chronicle of Pacifying Pirates in the Eastern Sea" under his desk.
Recalling Jiang Yi's reputation as a filial son who had diligently cared for his gravely ill mother for years, Zhong Xueman suspected a tragedy had befallen his family, as he would never abandon his frail mother. Later, the Elite Constabulary Unit located Jiang Yi in the back mountains, mourning at his mother's grave. He confessed to leaking Huang Wuchang's whereabouts to Zhuge Tong, who was allied with Yesha.
He explained his betrayal was born of desperation to save his mother, who was suffering from a severe illness and bleeding, requiring fifty taels for treatment. Having previously worked in the dovecote and skilled in decoding, he started transcribing messages for income, always ensuring they did not involve loss of life to ease his conscience. However, when his mother's condition worsened, Huang Wuchang's accomplice approached him.
Jiang Yi seized the opportunity, pretending to defect to Zhuge Tong in the Secret Investigation Unit to extract information. He successfully deduced that "Chronicle of Pacifying Pirates in the Eastern Sea" was the codebook, then used bait to lure a carrier pigeon, stole its letter, and sold Huang Wuchang's escort route. Despite securing the fifty taels, his mother ultimately succumbed to her illness, leaving him with deep regret.
Jiang Yi then described the accomplice who contacted him: the man wore a face cloth, had a deep scar on his forehead, and a distinct shell-shaped pendant around his neck, which was a rare sight in the capital.
Feeling immense guilt for his actions, Jiang Yi expressed admiration for his comrades' recent efforts, including rescuing Zhong Xueman at the execution ground and their relentless investigation, stating that while they all seemed to have returned to their former selves, he, Jiang Yi, could not. He expressed remorse to Chief Fang and his brothers and offered to face punishment, only asking for one last chance to kowtow to his mother.
As he did so, he was struck by lightning and died. Xiao Beiming discovered a crystal stone embedded in Jiang Yi's ear. That night, the constables were puzzled by Jiang Yi's death, especially considering a similar crystal stone had been found on Old Bug. They questioned why Old Bug, whom Yesha needed for alchemy, would also be silenced in such a manner.
Feng Qingzhuo suggested consulting a bronze beast craftsman, explaining that these artisans, who cast the lightning-diverting bronze beasts on temple and palace eaves, would be most knowledgeable about lightning. Meanwhile, the scar-faced assassin reported to his superior, requesting release after completing the task of killing Jiang Yi.
The superior refused, citing ongoing investigations by the Elite Constabulary Unit and Secret Investigation Unit, emphasizing that only death guarantees silence and that the Master's elixir was almost complete, allowing no room for failure. Tong Shuang, Xiao Beiming, and Feng Qingzhuo visited Mr. Jiao, a renowned bronze beast craftsman whose structures were never struck by lightning. Mr. Jiao recognized the crystal stone by its sweet, sticky scent.
He agreed to reveal its nature if they helped him with a personal matter: a month prior, he had fallen from a roof, and an iron needle had pierced his skull. Although it missed his brain, it caused excruciating headaches. Despite doctors' warnings that removal would be fatal, Mr. Jiao, weary of the torment, pleaded for Feng Qingzhuo's help, offering to write a will to absolve them of responsibility.
Feng Qingzhuo, driven by a doctor's compassion rather than the promise of information, agreed to attempt the dangerous procedure despite the less than 50% success rate, preparing the team for immediate action once the needle was removed. Simultaneously, Zhong Xueman visited a jewelry shop searching for the unique shell ornament. The shop owner confirmed his establishment was unique in the capital for carrying such items, which were customs of the East Sea region and crafted only by artisans from Penglai.
He summoned his Penglai craftsman. Meanwhile, Feng Qingzhuo successfully removed the iron needle from Mr. Jiao's head. True to his word, Mr. Jiao revealed the crystal was a legendary substance called "thunder gold," originating from Mount Lightning, a mountain east of the capital known for frequent lightning strikes during cloudy weather. He explained that thunder gold, though metallic, resembles mercury and, once inside a human or animal, attracts lightning during inclement weather, manifesting as a colorful, sweet-smelling crystal.
Mr. Jiao then revealed that a month ago, he encountered a hunter from a mountain produce shop using thunder gold for hunting. Out of curiosity, he questioned the hunter, and the very next day, he fell from the roof. Tong Shuang suspected Mr. Jiao's fall was not accidental but an attempt on his life to silence him.
Mr. Jiao warned them that if thunder gold enters the body, one must remain in a sealed room for twelve hours during rainy weather until it dissipates. At the jewelry shop, the craftsman informed Zhong Xueman that the shell ornament she described was specially ordered by a hunter's wife, whose accent indicated they were from his hometown. Zhong Xueman realized this hunter was connected to the scar-faced man's accomplice.
Realizing both investigations pointed to the same hunter, Xiao Beiming, Zhong Xueman, and Feng Qingzhuo located him. Xiao Beiming prepared to confront him, instructing his team to stay behind him due to the hunter's thunder gold weapon. As they observed, Tong Shuang instructed Huo Dairong to gather backup from the Elite Constabulary Unit. However, the hunter quickly noticed their presence and fled into the deep mountains.
Feng Qingzhuo, despite the danger, pursued the hunter alone, instructing Zhong Xueman to call for Elite Constabulary Unit reinforcements. Meanwhile, Zhuge Kongyun learned from Huo Dairong that Huang Wuchang might be hiding on Mount Lightning and that the Elite Constabulary Unit was gathering forces to surround it. Though initially suspicious of the information, he realized its importance and urgently demanded to be released from his confinement to report to his chief.
On Mount Lightning, a dense fog descended, disorienting the search parties. Fang Yin suggested waiting for city guard reinforcements, but Xiao Beiming, concerned for Tong Shuang's safety, insisted on immediate action, leading his unit into the treacherous fog. They soon realized they were caught in a formation that used the mountain's fog and terrain to deceive. Huo Dairong, recognizing the nature of the formation, successfully guided them out. They then discovered the hunter's lifeless body.
Deeper in the mountains, Huang Liang had captured Tong Shuang and was attempting to force her to ingest the crystal. Xiao Beiming and his team arrived just in time, engaging Huang Liang's forces in a fierce battle. The tide turned with the timely arrival of Zhuge Kongyun and the Secret Investigation Unit, providing crucial backup. Huang Liang was apprehended.
Xiao Beiming, recognizing that Huang Liang was not the true Yesha, offered to spare his life if he revealed Yesha's identity and location. Huang Liang disclosed that "Master" was at Haiya. Then, looking towards the stormy sky, Huang Liang committed suicide, claiming it was to repay his Master's kindness. Xiao Beiming instantly perceived a trick, urgently yelling for everyone to run as an explosion immediately erupted where Huang Liang had been.
