The Wanted Detective Episode 27 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
Zhong Xueman discovered a registry of Haiya orphans, which listed Huo Dairong, Miao Yun, and surprisingly, Xiao Beiming himself. Xiao Beiming revealed he had already suspected his background after learning his master was part of the Canfeng Army, and while the confirmation brought closure, it would not deter him from his goals.
Tong Shuang was shocked to find his second brother, Tong Peng, also on the list, leading him to question how his father, Old Master Tong, could have been in the Canfeng Army if his brother was a Haiya orphan. Xiao Beiming speculated that if Old Master Tong was indeed in the Canfeng Army, then the massacre at Pingyuan Escort Agency might have been Yesha's revenge.
Tong Shuang explained his second brother had died accidentally before the massacre and he had no idea of his connection to Haiya. He vowed to personally apprehend Yesha and intended to investigate everyone on the list, with Zhong Xueman offering to accompany him, but Huo Dairong suggested Xiao Beiming remain behind to await news. Investigating further, they discovered that those who adopted Haiya orphans were high-ranking military officials, not ordinary soldiers.
Zhong Xueman reported that all the former Canfeng Army members who stayed in the capital were found dead, and the same applied to those who had moved elsewhere, all dying under various suspicious circumstances like illness or disappearance over the past decade. She noted that these deaths would never have been connected if they hadn't investigated the Huo family case.
Moreover, the adopted Haiya orphans, like Tong Shuang's brother, had also died, with only Xiao Beiming and Huo Dairong confirmed to be alive, while others were missing and presumed taken by Yesha to be trained as his agents. Xiao Beiming determined that Yesha's revenge began 13 years ago in the ninth year of Xingwen. He then discovered a hidden seal on the registry, revealing the name "Prince of Pingnan, Wu Lie."
Xiao Beiming hypothesized that Wu Lie, being the Late Emperor's sixth younger brother and the current Emperor's sixth uncle, was likely the true leader of the Canfeng Army, as only someone of his rank could have made the decision to take the Haiya orphans. Zhuge Kongyun informed them that Wu Lie had officially died of illness in the early years of Xingwen, but his death was suspiciously quiet.
There were no records of a grand funeral or medical treatment from the Imperial Infirmary, despite his royal status. Zhuge Kongyun speculated that the official records might be false, or that Wu Lie, due to the heinous crime of slaughtering an entire city, might have been secretly executed by the Emperor.
However, he pointed out that Wu Lie's subordinates, including Xiao Beiming's master Zhong Yunchi, General Huo Zongyao, and Old Master Tong, all continued to hold prominent positions or live peaceful lives after the Haiya case, suggesting Wu Lie's death was not a straightforward punishment for his crimes. Convinced Wu Lie was still alive but in hiding, Xiao Beiming sought out Wu Zhui.
Upon arriving at Wu Zhui's residence, he was informed that Wu Zhui had already left but had anticipated his visit and left a cryptic message: "Born the most exalted in the Qi Kingdom, stuck in its darkest place, facing its hardest tribulation." Xiao Beiming deciphered this to mean Prince Wu Lie, the most exalted royal, was in the "darkest place" of the Qi Kingdom, facing its "hardest tribulation."
Both Xiao Beiming and Zhuge Kongyun realized this referred to the same mysterious, dangerous location. Xiao Beiming then went to the Elite Constabulary Unit to inform Chief Fang Zheng of his impending journey. Fang Zheng, concerned, warned him that no one enters or leaves that place alive, but Xiao Beiming was determined.
Understanding his resolve, Fang Zheng offered a contingency plan: if Xiao Beiming did not return, he would fabricate a story of a prison fire where a criminal, Xiao Beiming, died, burned beyond recognition, erasing him from existence. Xiao Beiming accepted, asking Fang Zheng to implement the plan if he didn't return within a day. He then decided to leave immediately, without informing Zhong Xueman, deeming the mission too dangerous to involve her.
Zhong Xueman was enraged to learn Xiao Beiming intended to go to the Infernal Dungeon of the Heavenly Prison, a formidable eighteen-level facility for the Qi Kingdom's most dangerous criminals, where the lowest levels held those guilty of the gravest offenses and faced the harshest punishments. Xiao Beiming clarified that the Infernal Dungeon was the eighteenth level, reserved for royals and princes accused of treason, which perfectly matched Wu Zhui's description of "the darkest place."
Despite Xiao Beiming's initial attempt to go alone and his explanation that he didn't want to endanger her, Zhong Xueman's past traumatic experience on Fengbo Lake, when she felt abandoned, fueled her resolve to accompany him. Utilizing an imperial token, they presented themselves as imperial envoys and gained entry to the Heavenly Prison. They descended through its levels, observing the increasingly severe punishments inflicted on prisoners.
The prison guard escorted them only to the entrance of the eighteenth level, explaining he would face execution if he went any further. After he departed, Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman pushed open a massive stone door and entered the Infernal Dungeon. Inside, they found Prince Wu Lie, incredibly, carving a stone stele with his bare hands, a testament to his immense internal energy.
Xiao Beiming noted that the heavy chains on Wu Lie's body indicated he was enduring the "hardest tribulation" and indeed matched the description of the person they sought. Zhong Xueman presented their imperial token and declared their purpose to interrogate him about an urgent matter. However, Wu Lie immediately dismissed them, recognizing the token as genuine but stating that the Emperor would never send anyone to him. He asserted he was in seclusion and desired no part in their affairs.
When they insisted on answers, Wu Lie released a surge of internal energy, momentarily destabilizing them. Xiao Beiming then mentioned Wu Zhui, which caused Wu Lie to halt, inquire about Wu Zhui, and specifically how they obtained the Haiya orphan registry. Xiao Beiming explained the ongoing crisis with Yesha, emphasizing that Wu Lie held the key to the truth.
Wu Lie, however, reiterated his stance that he was repenting for his past actions and that revealing the truth would only invite further calamity. Growing frustrated, Xiao Beiming lashed out, ridiculing Wu Lie's current state, calling his atonement absurd, and questioning his understanding of cause and effect.
He passionately recounted the tragic deaths of Wu Lie's former vice commanders—his own master Zhong Yunchi, General Huo Zongyao, and Old Master Tong Xin, detailing how they had dedicated their lives to the Qi Kingdom only to meet horrific ends. He also highlighted the suffering of the Haiya orphans, who were either orphaned, lost their adoptive parents, or were manipulated by Yesha into becoming his loyal agents.
Xiao Beiming accused Wu Lie of hiding his hypocrisy and cowardice behind chants and chains, declaring that he would personally atone for the sins Wu Lie could not. Deeply moved and recognizing Xiao Beiming's conviction and resemblance to his trusted master, Wu Lie relented. He handed Xiao Beiming a map of Haiya, promising to reveal everything if Xiao Beiming could find the location and bring it back.
The following day, Xiao Beiming, Zhong Xueman, Feng Qingzhuo, Tong Shuang, and Huo Dairong embarked on their journey to Haiya. The map, drawn over two decades ago, proved challenging to follow as the old path was now overgrown. They encountered a hesitant woodcutter who initially denied knowledge of Haiya but became terrified upon seeing their Elite Constabulary Unit token.
He warned them that while people wouldn't harm him for speaking of Haiya, "things" within it might, and urged them not to go. Despite his fear and his insistence that strange creatures resided there, the woodcutter, after being offered money and assurances of safety, reluctantly provided directions, describing a path that would lead them to Haiya within three miles after a turn. After traveling for some hours, the group decided to rest.
Tong Shuang and Feng Qingzhuo volunteered to scout ahead and hunt for game. Feng Qingzhuo expressed a fear of "monsters," but Tong Shuang dismissed it as a fabricated tale to conceal the Canfeng Army's secrets. As they ventured deeper, they suddenly came face-to-face with a massive, terrifying creature.
