The Wanted Detective Episode 8 Recap
> The Wanted Detective Recap
Years ago, a harrowing scene unfolds as a master is attacked by individuals seeking revenge. His distraught disciple cries out as the master defiantly challenges his assailants before succumbing. Years later, Xiao Beiming is determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of Haiya, where its soldiers inexplicably turned into murderers overnight. He searches the Imperial Secretariat's archives for information on four specific officials.
His subordinate finds nothing unusual in their records, but Xiao Beiming notes a suspicious omission related to "The Council Chamber." He explains that in the 36th year of Ningtai, the year the late emperor passed away and His Majesty ascended the throne, several officials were temporarily assigned to handle state affairs in a side hall known as the Council Chamber.
While this is the only documented connection between the four officials, Xiao Beiming suspects it’s not merely a coincidence but a cover-up, suggesting they were involved in something together that led to severe consequences. Meanwhile, Zhong Xueman of the Elite Constabulary Unit seeks out Zhuge Kongyun of the Secret Investigation Unit, proposing a collaboration. She reveals that her father was among seven high-ranking officials killed by Yesha three years prior.
More recently, seven lives were lost in the corpse-sewing case, and now Mr. Shen has also fallen victim, bringing Yesha's total to fifteen. For Zhong Xueman, catching Yesha outweighs any rivalry between their units. Zhuge Kongyun agrees to cooperate, but with the condition that if Xiao Beiming, believed to be Yesha, is captured, he must be handed over to the Secret Investigation Unit for disposition.
Zhong Xueman provides a vital clue: her father once mentioned serving as a soldier in the 36th year of Ningtai, suggesting they investigate military records from that period. Xiao Beiming, discussing the case with his mentor, learns that Mr. Shen’s tragic death spurred him to send Zhong Xueman to Zhuge Kongyun—a risky yet crucial move. His mentor warns that Zhuge Kongyun will not be a mere pawn in their plans.
Xiao Beiming also recalls a heated argument he had with King Zhong of Constables before the Fengbo Lake case, during which the 36th year of Ningtai was mentioned, reinforcing its significance. Zhong Xueman and Zhuge Kongyun proceed to the Imperial Secretariat. They discover that the records for King Zhong of Constables from the 36th year of Ningtai and earlier have been torn out.
An official explains that documents of such high-ranking officials are annually reviewed and sealed by the Emperor and Cabinet, implying the records were likely torn before they were even filed. Suspecting higher-level involvement, they decide to investigate military records for any generals who served alongside King Zhong of Constables during that pivotal year.
Zhuge Kongyun continues his investigation, discovering that the records of Miao Jie and Huo Zongyao from the 36th year of Ningtai are also missing, strengthening the belief that someone is deliberately concealing events from that year. Recognizing a pattern of concealment, Zhuge Kongyun and Zhong Xueman head to Huo Zongyao's mansion, where they learn that General Huo suddenly died the previous night from an old illness.
They note that Miao Jie was killed three years ago at Fengbo Lake, alongside Zhong Xueman's father, leaving General Huo Zongyao as the only remaining individual connected to those events. Meanwhile, Xiao Beiming, who had previously sent Zhong Xueman to collaborate with Zhuge Kongyun following Mr. Shen's death, also learns of General Huo's suspicious demise. He determines that immediate action is necessary to uncover the truth.
That night, Xiao Beiming, Tong Shuang, and their team infiltrate the Huo Mansion by posing as night watchmen, wearing special robes adorned with bats and moons, symbols of fortune and prosperity for the deceased. Inside the mourning hall, General Huo's two disciples, Xue Qianshan and Li Xiao, are openly at odds.
Xiao Beiming instructs his team to split up and search for clues: he and Tong Shuang go to General Huo's quarters, while Zhong Xueman and Feng Qingzhuo go to the backyard, planning to reconvene in half an hour. In the courtyard, Zhong Xueman discovers fresh bloodstains. She is then confronted by Huo Dairong, General Huo's daughter, who, rather than mourning in the main hall, is found armed at the training ground.
Huo Dairong, an astute observer with an interest in criminal investigation, quickly deduces Zhong Xueman's identity from her official boots and the distinctive Bi'an Sword. Huo Dairong reveals her suspicion about her father's sudden death and, recognizing a shared goal, proposes they work together, stating she trusts Zhong Xueman more than anyone else in her own household. She suggests starting their search in her father's bedroom, where secrets would likely be kept.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Kongyun’s father, Zhuge Tong, cautions his son against making rash judgments, advising him not to become overly fixated on Xiao Beiming every time a murder occurs, as it could lead him astray. The discovery that General Huo is to be buried the very next day, much sooner than the traditional seven days, deepens Xiao Beiming's suspicions, confirming that something is amiss. As Zhong Xueman heads to the bedroom, a scream from the mourning hall draws everyone's attention.
Huo Zongyao's wife claims a black-clad intruder attempted to assault her while she was sorting her husband's belongings. Zhong Xueman, witnessing the wife's disheveled state, coolly questions her, causing the woman to defensively exclaim that Zhong Xueman herself is a woman. Zhong Xueman then identifies herself as a constable from the Elite Constabulary Unit.
When asked for proof, she realizes she does not have her official badge, prompting the Huo family to brand her an impostor and attempt to seize her. At this critical moment, Huo Dairong steps forward, confirming Zhong Xueman's true identity as the daughter of King Zhong of Constables, thus allowing her safe passage. Capitalizing on the chaos, Xiao Beiming and his team successfully steal General Huo's body. Xue Qianshan and Li Xiao immediately pursue them.
As they flee, Tong Shuang deploys a smoke device, momentarily creating a diversion and allowing them to escape. After a swift journey, Xiao Beiming transports General Huo's body to the morgue at White River. The Huo family, having realized the theft, quickly catches up. At the morgue, Xiao Beiming activates another smoke device, but Xue Qianshan and Li Xiao threaten to set the morgue on fire, regardless of the body inside, to force them out.
Just as the situation escalates, Chief Fang arrives, preventing the arson and inadvertently buying Tong Shuang crucial time to conduct an autopsy. Tong Shuang's findings are perplexing: General Huo exhibits signs of strangulation—a swollen, purple-black tongue and bleeding eyes—yet there are no ligature marks, no external injuries, and no broken neck bones, making the death inexplicable by conventional means.
Zhong Xueman explains her actions to Chief Fang, admitting to stealing the body because she suspects General Huo's death is connected to the Yesha case and seeks to uncover the truth. Li Xiao challenges her, stating that all major cases in the capital now fall under the Secret Investigation Unit's jurisdiction, not the Elite Constabulary Unit's.
At this point, Zhuge Kongyun arrives, confirming that he was the one who initially discovered the suspicious nature of General Huo's death and had delegated Zhong Xueman to investigate. He apologizes for the commotion but asserts that both the Secret Investigation and Elite Constabulary Units, as part of the Ministry of Justice, are working together in unity.
Zhuge Kongyun then asks Zhong Xueman to open the morgue door, hinting at the need for her cooperation to de-escalate the tension, which she cautiously does, mindful of Xiao Beiming's hidden presence.
