The Wanted Detective Episode 32 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
In the third year of Xingwen, long before the Secret Investigation Unit was established, Zhuge Tong, filled with a passion for justice, served as a constable in the Elite Constabulary Unit. A serial murder case plagued the capital. The victims were three beautiful women whose faces had been skinned.
Despite having never seen the perpetrator, Zhuge Tong, with his extraordinary skill, could deduce the killer's appearance through "bone-drawing" based on the subtle wounds on the victims' bodies and Deputy Chief Zhong Yunchi's insights. He theorized the killer was a short individual, driven by immense resentment due to their own unsightly appearance, leading them to destroy the beauty they envied.
His colleagues were initially skeptical, doubting how such a detailed portrait could be drawn from mere "assumption," but desperate to solve the case, they used his drawing. Miraculously, the portrait led to the capture of the vicious murderer, earning Zhuge Tong widespread fame.
This breakthrough also forged a deep bond and friendship between Zhuge Tong and Zhong Yunchi, making them an unparalleled duo in cracking countless cases and capturing numerous criminals, which in turn brought great renown to the Elite Constabulary Unit. However, their partnership took a tragic turn. While pursuing a group of felons, Zhuge Tong was captured and gravely injured while trying to save Zhong Yunchi. To exact revenge, the felons cut off his right hand and blinded his left eye.
From that day forward, everything changed. While Zhuge Tong spent two years bedridden, consumed by despair and unable to wield a brush, Zhong Yunchi's career soared. He solved several major cases, was granted the title of "King of Constables" by the Emperor, and became the Chief of the Elite Constabulary Unit.
Zhuge Tong felt abandoned and viewed his transfer to a mere clerk position as an insult, believing Zhong Yunchi had seized all the glory and respect that rightfully belonged to him. He vowed to sever ties with Zhong Yunchi and the Elite Constabulary Unit, especially after he himself was unexpectedly promoted by the Emperor to Chief of the newly formed Secret Investigation Unit.
He swore to reclaim everything he had lost from them, holding a deep prejudice even against Zhong Yunchi's disciple, Xiao Beiming. Under the cloak of night, Xiao Beiming urgently entered the city and sought Zhuge Kongyun. He presented Zhuge Kongyun with a portrait of Miao Yun, hoping his father, Zhuge Tong, known for his ability to deduce a person's appearance at any age, would use his "bone-drawing" skill to render the current likeness of the Yesha killer.
Zhuge Kongyun explained the difficulties and risks of involving his father directly, given his father's deep-seated resentment towards Zhong Yunchi. However, Xiao Beiming revealed that he never intended for Zhuge Kongyun to directly ask his father. Instead, he had acquired crucial records from the Imperial Secretariat, documenting discussions between the Emperor and Zhong Yunchi before the Secret Investigation Unit's formation. Zhuge Kongyun presented these records to Zhuge Tong, urging him to reconsider his animosity towards Zhong Yunchi.
The documents revealed that Zhong Yunchi had passionately advocated for Zhuge Tong to be appointed Chief of the Secret Investigation Unit, vouching for his unparalleled talent despite his injuries. Zhong Yunchi had explained that he transferred Zhuge Tong to protect his dear friend from the dangers he faced as the new Chief of the Elite Constabulary Unit, regretting that Zhuge Tong’s emotional state at the time prevented a proper explanation, leading to the misunderstanding.
Confronted with this truth, Zhuge Tong was deeply moved, realizing the years of misunderstanding and feeling a profound sense of guilt. Xiao Beiming further conveyed Zhong Yunchi's remorse, speaking of his master's regret for the strained friendship and his wish to apologize properly. Moved by these revelations and Xiao Beiming's earnest appeal, Zhuge Tong found the courage to pick up his brush once more. Focusing intently on the victims' death methods, he meticulously began drawing the portrait of Yesha.
The next morning, portraits of Miao Yun were plastered throughout the capital. Zhong Xueman was surprised by the Secret Investigation Unit's unexpected assistance and found the face in the portrait strangely familiar. Meanwhile, Zhuge Tong visited Fang Zheng in prison, bringing food and wine. They drank together, and Fang Zheng expressed his joy that the old Zhuge Tong, the brilliant and righteous detective, had finally returned.
Later, Zhong Xueman suddenly recalled seeing a beggar resembling Miao Yun three years ago outside a restaurant/inn. Following this clue, she and her team went to the beggar's gathering place near the abandoned City God Temple. They found a beggar, referred to as "Dummy" by the locals, who matched the portrait and had the described scars and a lame right foot. His apparent mental disability, however, raised suspicions that he might be feigning his condition.
To test him, they gave him a bowl of rice heavily seasoned with salt, which he ate without complaint, further strengthening their suspicions that he was pretending. That night, Feng Qingzhuo administered a tranquilizer to the beggar. In a semi-conscious state, the beggar revealed that the real Miao Yun was already dead.
He then led Xiao Beiming and the others to a grim secret chamber filled with various torture instruments, which he explained were evidence of Miao Jie forcing him to kill. He confessed that he was the "second Yesha," having been compelled to kill since childhood, which left him covered in scars and with a leg injury. He explained that he never wished for revenge or to die.
During a high fever, he feigned mental illness and was sent to the Cixin Orphanage. He later escaped, believing the most dangerous place was the safest, and disguised himself as a beggar, remaining in the capital. He only felt relieved three years ago when he heard Miao Jie had died at Fengbo Lake.
He also mentioned that he feared Xiao Beiming might be Yesha and that the constables were after him, which made him hide in the capital, believing it was still the safest place. He offered to testify that Miao Jie was Yesha and insisted he was not the person they were truly seeking.
Despite the beggar's confession and the evidence from the secret chamber, Xiao Beiming felt a crucial piece of information was still missing, like scattered stars he couldn't quite grasp. He requested a cell and all case files related to the Yesha case from Zhuge Tong, intending to meticulously review them and figure out what he had overlooked. He then asked Zhuge Kongyun to take him somewhere, suggesting he had found another vital lead.
