Psych-Hunter Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Psych-Hunter Synopsis
Housing agent Jiang Shuo is the only survivor of the case of seven people who disappeared in Changshanzhou a year ago.
The only clue about the case is hidden in Jiang Shu's lost memories.
In order to find the truth about the case, Jiang Shuo, psychiatrist Qin Yiheng, and "weird cop" Yuan Muqing are drawn into a nightmare game to find the murderer "Six Fingers", in which Jiang Shuo's life is at stake.
The three of them use their mind-reading skills to infiltrate the suspect's ”mind house” to find the prey of the truth, helping Jiang Shuo to find his memory step by step and confronting the mysterious "Six Fingers" who is behind everything.
Psych-Hunter Recap
Episode 1 Recap
"If one is not guilty, how could a ghost haunt him? What troubles the spirit is born from the heart. To diagnose from the mind and treat at the soul. To delve into a patient's subconscious and root out the evil within. Those skilled in this aspect are known as Psych-Hunters." One day, an old man discovered an unconscious youth in a graveyard.
The old man, who later mentioned how scary it was to find him there, took the youth home. When the youth awoke, the old man, noting the young man’s amnesia, handed him a red cloth bag found nearby, asking if "Jiang Shuo" written on it was his name. The youth repeated "Jiang Shuo" as flashes of unusual scenes, including headlines about "Changshan's tycoon Qin Yi mysteriously disappears overnight" and the date "October 14," filled his mind.
Later, Liu Xin was tormented by a nightmare. A very disheveled man, calling for "Liu Xin," burst into his house for help, claiming "the one who killed Zhang Meng is here." Panicked, Liu Xin shut the door, only to turn and see a blood-soaked Xiang, with a dagger, floating behind him. Liu Xin desperately pleaded, "Xiang, please let me go!" to which Xiang replied, "My good friend, pay for your sins!"
Suddenly, Jiang Shuo, the "Master," appeared and attempted to restrain Xiang. Xiang quickly broke free, but Jiang Shuo intervened, telling Xiang that the real killer was not Liu Xin, but the person who had been chasing him. He proposed that Liu Xin should find Xiang’s murderer for revenge, promising Xiang, "If he fails to do so, I'll personally bring him to you." Xiang agreed to the deal, but warned Liu Xin to "Remember what you have done."
Liu Xin awoke from the nightmare to find Jiang Shuo. Jiang Shuo remarked on his mind-reading skills and how they "can solve problems and avert disasters," though he found Liu Xin's dream "a little weird," asking what he meant by "karma." Liu Xin angrily retorted, "Don't stick your nose in this," demanding Jiang Shuo only cure his nightmares. Jiang Shuo suggested that good fengshui was essential for a peaceful sleep, attributing Liu Xin's nightmares to his original home's bad fengshui.
He then pitched a house he was selling, highlighting its "good fengshui," "good location with great vibes," and "definitely fair" and "cheap" price. Liu Xin, convinced, purchased the property, with Jiang Shuo assuring him, "This residence will definitely help you get a good night's sleep." Meanwhile, at a casino, Qin Yiheng, a psychologist, was engaged in a high-stakes game with Mr Ji, whose wife had enlisted Qin Yiheng's help to cure his gambling addiction.
Mr Ji proposed a bet for Qin Yiheng's family fortune. Qin Yiheng confidently declared, "I can give you anything you want because I, Qin Yi Heng, have never lost." He explained his strategy, stating he intentionally let Mr Ji "win the first round." He then detailed how a seasoned gambler's habits—their reactions and the duration of their gaze on the dice—betrayed whether the numbers were consistent or not.
Qin Yiheng, who holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Cambridge, affirmed his expertise as a psychologist. Out on the street, Jiang Shuo discovered a wanted poster featuring his own face, identifying him as a serial killer responsible for three murders that month. People recognized him, commenting on the resemblance, though Jiang Shuo protested, "How are we alike? He's so ugly, I'm so handsome!" A crowd quickly formed and began chasing him, shouting his name.
Qin Yiheng, from a casino balcony, watched the chase unfold. Elsewhere, Yuan Muqing was shopping, receiving compliments from store clerks on her "boldness" and "natural beauty." Sergeant Yang was also present. When she heard the commotion and learned a "serial murderer" had been sighted, she swiftly took her car and sped off in pursuit. Jiang Shuo, desperate, drove into army barracks, where Yuan Muqing apprehended him. " Take him away!" she commanded.
Jiang Shuo, upon arrest, called her a "lunatic" and questioned if she was "mad." At Renci Hospital, Qin Yiheng found a death certificate for "Jiang Shuo," dated "October 15," among his patient appointments. Troubled by this, he asked a nurse to search for Jiang Shuo's patient records. He located a file containing a finger wearing an archer's ring and a letter.
He recalled his father once telling him that the ring signified "the successor of the Qin family," and that his father had urged him to wear it, despite it being "too big." The letter, signed "Liu Zhi," revealed that Qin Yiheng's father was being held captive and that Qin Yiheng must find Liu Zhi before Jiang Shuo's impending death on "October 15" to secure his father's return. The letter stressed, "Jiang Shuo is your only clue."
At Changshan Police Station, Jiang Shuo was interrogated by Sergeant Bai Kai and Yuan Muqing. Yuan Muqing introduced Sergeant Bai and demanded Jiang Shuo confess to his "murderous acts." Jiang Shuo expressed shock, learning from the officers that three people had been murdered recently, with Liu Xin being the latest victim. The officers also revealed that all the victims had bought houses from Jiang Shuo and knew each other.
Yuan Muqing confronted Jiang Shuo in his cell, accusing him of having a "sly look" and not being "a good person," while Jiang Shuo called her a "mad woman," maintained his innocence, and offered to find the real murderer if released. After Yuan Muqing left, a prisoner being escorted away from an adjacent cell discreetly slipped Jiang Shuo a note that read: "Jiang Shuo, you're next after Liu Xin."
Jiang Shuo immediately pointed out the man as the killer, but the police dismissed him, thinking he was "playing tricks" on them. Shortly after, Qin Yiheng arrived at the police station, having been personally invited by Sergeant Bai Kai, who introduced him as a "psychologist" and "my friend." Yuan Muqing also arrived, expressing her concern about Jiang Shuo's dangerous nature as a serial killer.
Meanwhile, in his cell, Jiang Shuo used a string of copper coins to mesmerize the jailer by presenting them as "something good." While the jailer was entranced, Jiang Shuo made his escape. Qin Yiheng and Yuan Muqing discovered the unconscious jailer, Xiao Wu, and Jiang Shuo's absence, prompting Yuan Muqing to order a city-wide search. Jiang Shuo returned to his old home in the courtyard, where he found Sergeant Bai interrogating Master Bu Yan about his whereabouts.
Master Bu Yan claimed they had celebrated Jiang Shuo's "birthday" the previous night, explaining that it was his one-year anniversary of arriving at the courtyard, as he had no memory of his past. Jiang Shuo's friend, Quan'er, recognized a "golden-spotted tiger beetle" Jiang Shuo carried. Quan'er explained that a "wiseman" had taught him that these beetles came in pairs, with the female releasing an odor that the male would track, thus it "can show the way."
Jiang Shuo realized Liu Zhi was manipulating him. To protect his friends from further danger, Jiang Shuo decided to follow the beetle, reasoning, "I'll see where Liu Zhi is leading me to." As they discussed this, police officers, alerted by their voices, approached. Jiang Shuo and Quan'er quickly hid. Another friend, Tie Zhu, who had remained behind, was questioned by police officers, and later encountered Qin Yiheng and Yuan Muqing.
Qin Yiheng immediately sensed Tie Zhu was lying about Jiang Shuo not being there. Deducing Jiang Shuo's recent presence from Tie Zhu's subtle movements, Qin Yiheng quickly gave chase. Jiang Shuo and Quan'er followed the golden-spotted tiger beetle, which was clearly "leading the way," to a notorious "haunted place in Changshan," a "Ghost Tower" known for a past fire that "claimed many lives."
Quan'er, frightened, mentioned rumors of crying sounds and the building's inauspicious fengshui due to a "sharp corner" of a building opposite. Jiang Shuo clarified that fengshui was "merely a way of life" passed down from "the older generations" but acknowledged that feeling uneasy due to bad surroundings could lead to "something. . . bound to happen." Quan'er's reluctance to enter prompted Jiang Shuo to tell him to wait outside while he ventured into the dark, dilapidated building alone.
On the second floor, guided by the male beetle, Jiang Shuo found a female beetle alongside several memorial tablets. To his shock, the topmost tablet bore his own name: "Jiang Shuo."
Episode 2 Recap
Jiang Shuo reading a letter addressed to him. The sender, known as Six-Finger (Liu Zhi), instructs Jiang Shuo to sell three specific properties to three designated individuals, promising that the profits would then be his. As Jiang Shuo’s gaze fell upon memorial tablets, pausing on one with his own name inscribed, the calm was shattered by the sound of an axe. A man in black burst in, wielding the weapon.
Thinking quickly, Jiang Shuo threw ash to obscure the attacker’s vision, buying himself precious seconds to flee. He raced to the rooftop, where, to his surprise, Qin Yiheng was waiting. Although unfamiliar with his rescuer, Jiang Shuo, in a moment of life and death, chose to trust Qin Yiheng and leaped with him off the building. Without time for pleasantries, Jiang Shuo quickly made his escape from the perilous location.
Later, Chief Bai was in a furious state at the police station over Jiang Shuo’s successful escape. Yuan Muqing, daughter of a highly respected family, entered with Qin Yiheng. Seeing them, Chief Bai instantly reined in his temper. Qin Yiheng cut straight to the chase, presenting his analysis of the case. He posited that Jiang Shuo was likely not the murderer.
He explained that the first victim, Zhang Meng, had bought a house from Jiang Shuo at a low price before his death, which was initially disguised as suicide but was actually strangulation. Similarly, the second victim, Ah Xiang, and his friend Liu Xin, who witnessed Ah Xiang's attack, also bought houses from Jiang Shuo at low prices before they too were murdered.
Qin Yiheng highlighted that the three victims, Zhang Meng, Ah Xiang, and Liu Xin, were all acquainted and unemployed. Their deaths aligned with dates on memorial tablets the murderer had made, including one for Jiang Shuo himself, dated October 15. The true culprit, he suggested, was probably Mr. Six-Finger (Liu Zhi), the original owner of the "Houses of murder," who was also suspected of kidnapping Qin Yiheng's father.
While other officers had found no new leads, Jiang Shuo, who was still in hiding, covertly passed a crucial piece of information to Yuan Muqing: a note identifying the Wang family in Chengxi as the houses' original owners. That evening, Chief Bai and Yuan Muqing headed to the Wang family residence in Chengxi to investigate. Jiang Shuo trailed discreetly behind them and slipped inside.
Mr. Wang, who was in the midst of Chinese alchemy, was interrupted by a servant announcing the police's arrival. The butler informed the officers that Mr. Wang was unwell and unable to see guests, offering to relay their questions instead. While the butler then led them further inside, a distraught carpenter named Old Zhang walked past them. The butler offered a brief explanation for Old Zhang's state, mentioning his intelligent daughter's recent tragic death.
As the butler offered to retrieve property records, Jiang Shuo, who had been eavesdropping from outside, seized the opportunity to leave and headed to investigate one of the "Houses of murder" himself. At one of the crime scenes, Jiang Shuo encountered Qin Yiheng, who was also investigating.
Observing the house, Jiang Shuo concluded that the feng shui had been deliberately manipulated to bring bad luck, specifically noting the blue carpet resembling a lake, a goldfish tank, and white curtains on the ceiling, all combined with the "scissors road" outside. Qin Yiheng agreed, asserting that the murderer must be someone knowledgeable in feng shui.
He pointed out similar ominous arrangements in the houses of other victims: a tree like a needle piercing Liu Xin's heart, and Ah Xiang's house having a "scissors door." Convinced, Qin Yiheng then led Jiang Shuo to the first victim, Zhang Meng's, house. There, they discovered a hidden cellar or ice room beneath the property, confirming the unnaturally cold temperature Jiang Shuo had sensed. As they explored the ice room, Qin Yiheng abruptly shut the door, trapping them inside.
He confessed that this entire "setup" was his doing. He explained that he had previously discovered this ice room and was aware of Western methods to treat amnesia through extreme environments. His goal was to unlock Jiang Shuo's memories, particularly regarding Six-Finger (Liu Zhi), asserting that they would both freeze to death if he didn't get the answers he sought within half an hour.
Undeterred by Qin Yiheng’s ultimatum, Jiang Shuo declared his fearlessness of threats and, using his brass coins, hypnotized Qin Yiheng. During the hypnosis, Qin Yiheng relived a moment of regret, feeling that his father's disappearance might have been prevented had he not left. Images of Jiang Shuo, Six-Finger (Liu Zhi), and the date October 15 also flashed in his mind.
When Jiang Shuo regained consciousness, he found himself lying in a bed, his hypnosis tools on the nightstand beside him, and Qin Yiheng seated nearby. Lady Shi San informed them that she had found them both unconscious and opened the door. Qin Yiheng, now awake, dismissed the hypnosis as a shared hallucination caused by the extreme cold.
He reiterated that he had set the trap to access Jiang Shuo's memories about Six-Finger (Liu Zhi), but now, from Jiang Shuo's perspective, it was clear he was not Six-Finger and had no connection to him, and that his amnesia didn’t require Qin Yiheng’s cure. As Jiang Shuo prepared to leave, Lady Shi San let out a scream. Another dead body had appeared in the house, hanging from a chandelier. It was Mr. Wang, who had disappeared the previous night.
Chief Bai and Yuan Muqing arrived at the crime scene. The butler of the Wang family also rushed in, displaying exaggerated grief, which Qin Yiheng subtly noted. While everyone's attention was on the deceased Mr. Wang, Jiang Shuo quietly slipped away. He returned to the Wang family's mansion, where servants were fleeing in terror, convinced that a curse was upon the family.
Amidst the chaos, Jiang Shuo briefly saw the strange carpenter Old Zhang and then noticed the butler behaving suspiciously. Following the butler into a secret room, Jiang Shuo used his mind-reading ability. He discovered the butler’s guilt and learned that the three previous victims were former estate guards of the Wang family who had been driven away.
The butler confessed that he only knew the buyer of the properties as "Mr. Six-Finger (Liu Zhi)" who always wore a mask, but distinctly remembered that he had six fingers. Afterward, Jiang Shuo confronted the butler, asking if he and Mr. Wang knew that the feng shui of the three residences and the Wang family courtyard had been tampered with.
Jiang Shuo explained that the seemingly auspicious arrangements in the Wang family courtyard, such as cranes and turtles, were actually twisted into symbols of early death and misfortune by subtle changes like adding koi (cranes eat fish) and orienting the turtle westward. The butler, alarmed by the revelation of manipulated feng shui, pondered who could have done this. He then recalled that the carpenter, Old Zhang, had recently had access to all three of the ill-fated properties.
Episode 3 Recap
Jiang Shuo, having obtained clues about three mansions from the butler, encountered Qin Yiheng immediately after stepping out. Without resistance, Jiang Shuo handed over the evidence, noting that he had already figured out the murderer's identity. He firmly told Qin Yiheng that they should go their separate ways and never see each other again. Back at the police station, Qin Yiheng presented the new evidence and the butler's statement.
They deduced that the Wang family's butler, Chang Shou, had sold three mansions on Wang Qian's orders, all purchased by a man named Mr. Six Fingers. Mr. Six Fingers then hired Jiang Shuo, a property agent, to sell these properties to Zhang Meng, Liu Xin, and Xiang. These three, who had previously served as bodyguards at the Wang mansion, along with Wang Qian, later died in the mansions they had just acquired.
The primary suspects were now Mr. Six Fingers and Zhang De Li, the Wang family's carpenter. Zhang De Li's daughter, Zhang Lan, had drowned in the Wang family's lake after being raped by Zhang Meng, Liu Xin, and Xiang. Zhang De Li had repeatedly reported these crimes, but the lack of evidence prevented any arrests. Since Zhang De Li had renovated these three mansions, he possessed intimate knowledge of the crime scenes and had a strong motive for revenge.
The police decided to apprehend Zhang De Li. When the police arrived at Zhang De Li's house, he fled. Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing gave chase and brought him back. Jiang Shuo noticed a mirror by Zhang De Li's door, realizing that its reflection could disorient a person's mind under certain conditions. Qin Yiheng, examining a fengshui paper and Zhang De Li's medicine, concluded that Zhang De Li's confused state was not due to fengshui but deliberately induced by someone.
A physician confirmed hallucinogens in Zhang De Li's medication, indicating the murderer had incapacitated him to prevent him from speaking and to shift suspicion onto him. Later, Yuan Muqing visited Jiang Shuo at his courtyard, bringing profiteroles to thank him for saving her the previous day. As they discussed the case, Jiang Shuo realized the murders were spatially organized, forming a pattern.
He identified the locations of Liu Xin's, Xiang's, Zhang Meng's, Wang Qian's, and Zhang De Li's houses, along with the place where his own memorial tablet had been located. He deduced that the killer was setting up a "pentagram formation" and was using Zhang De Li's actions as a disguise for a larger scheme. With four people already dead in the formation, Jiang Shuo quickly realized that Zhang De Li was the next target.
They rushed to the hospital just in time to see a black-clad figure attempting to kill Zhang De Li. The figure fled, but Jiang Shuo advised Yuan Muqing not to pursue, predicting the murderer would return for Zhang De Li. To obtain information from Zhang De Li, Jiang Shuo proposed using his mind-reading ability, asking Qin Yiheng to join him in Zhang De Li's "Psych" while Yuan Muqing stood guard.
He instructed Yuan Muqing to wake them by striking copper coins before the dragon incense burned out. Using the dragon incense and a red string, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng entered Zhang De Li's mind. They found themselves in a maze-like version of the Wang Mansion, which Qin Yiheng explained was Zhang De Li's "Psych," a projection of his inner world and his psychological defense mechanism.
They heard a voice calling for help and recognized it as Zhang Lan, Zhang De Li's daughter. After an unsuccessful chase, they realized Zhang De Li was wary of them. Jiang Shuo suggested finding the lake where Zhang Lan died, a significant emotional knot for Zhang De Li. Using a special fengshui compass, they located the "water exit" and arrived at the lake, where Zhang De Li's defenses weakened. There, they witnessed Zhang Lan's tragic death.
Zhang De Li, unable to save her, was approached by a mysterious black-clad figure who offered him a drink to "forget all pain," unknowingly feeding him hallucinogens. This incident revealed how Zhang De Li became the killer's unwitting accomplice and why he was unconscious. Jiang Shuo realized the figure was the mastermind. As they proceeded through Zhang De Li's mind, they saw representations of the victims' houses, including Liu Xin's mansion and scenes related to Madam Wang's curse.
They encountered a burning room that Jiang Shuo recognized from a previous incident involving himself, indicating Zhang De Li had also been there. They then saw memorial tablets for Zhang Meng, Xiang, Liu Xin, Wang Qian, and Zhang De Li. Jiang Shuo realized the murderer was using these five to create a formation, initially thinking one was missing, then remembering his own tablet and realizing he was the sixth intended victim.
As they approached the final door, Zhang De Li, manipulated by the black-clad figure, attacked them with an axe. Qin Yiheng, understanding Zhang De Li was being controlled, used Zhang Lan's magazine article "My Father's Love" to appeal to Zhang De Li's paternal love and awaken his true consciousness. Reading excerpts about Zhang Lan's appreciation for her father's hard work and love, Zhang De Li dropped the axe, breaking free from the black-clad figure's control.
He declared that his vengeance was complete and he wished to join his daughter forever, accepting his own death within his "Psych." His consciousness began to collapse. Outside Zhang De Li's mind, the black-clad figure, realizing control over Zhang De Li was lost, turned towards Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng's sleeping bodies. Yuan Muqing, though affected by a "bewitching" spell, mustered her remaining strength.
As the figure approached, she lunged, tackling him and managing to transmit a crucial message to Jiang Shuo. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng instantly woke up. During the struggle that followed, the culprit's face was revealed. The perpetrator jumped out the window, escaping. Jiang Shuo immediately pursued. Police officers rushed into the room to find Yuan Muqing unconscious.
Qin Yiheng, grabbing a gun from an officer named Xiao Hei and instructing him to care for Yuan Muqing, joined Jiang Shuo in the chase, shouting "Wang Qian, come out!" as he pursued the culprit.
Episode 4 Recap
Qin Yiheng pondered the method Jiang Shuo used for his powerful mind-reading, understanding it wasn't just coin-swinging but a psychological suggestion amplified by Dragon Incense acting as sedatives, allowing for a clear connection between two people's dreams with a time limit. His elder brother interrupted his thoughts, bursting into his room without knocking, reminding him, "I'm your older brother." Qin Yiheng retorted, "I, Qin Yiheng, owe you nothing! So, keep that Western culture of yours to yourself!"
citing Confucius on manners and instructing his brother to close the door on his way out. His brother pleaded with him to return to the family company, calling it their father's life's work and lamenting that if Qin Yiheng hadn't left to study Western medicine in England, their father might not have gone missing.
Qin Yiheng, though feeling a pang of guilt, remained firm in his decision, recalling a past argument with his father who had vehemently opposed his choice, saying, "I want to save lives" rather than just making money. Qin Yiheng, despite his internal conflict, knew he had to focus on finding Liu Zhi, the mastermind behind everything. The true culprit, Wang Qian, who had escaped from the hospital, finally confronted Jiang Shuo.
Wang Qian admitted to luring Jiang Shuo out of prison, killing the three hoodlums, and guiding Old Zhang in setting up the feng shui layout. He declared Jiang Shuo the final piece of his plan, whose death would complete his grand formation. Jiang Shuo questioned his motive for such an elaborate setup. Wang Qian revealed his family was under a "vicious curse" where no one lived past forty.
He had tried everything—burning poppy fields (his forefathers' opium business), performing countless charities, Chinese alchemy, and feng shui—but his wife still died. He then recounted meeting a masked "expert" on a mountain who told him only six feng shui formations could break the curse and gave him an elixir to fake his death, guiding him to set up the entire scheme. Jiang Shuo immediately realized this "expert" was Liu Zhi.
Wang Qian confirmed it, stating Liu Zhi’s guidance was his only chance to live, and that today was the last day of his thirty-ninth year. Jiang Shuo understood that he, Old Zhang, and all the victims were merely sacrifices for Wang Qian's survival. As Wang Qian prepared for the final ritual, Qin Yiheng arrived and shot him in the leg, saving Jiang Shuo once more.
Qin Yiheng then demanded to know Liu Zhi's whereabouts from Wang Qian, who, in a delusional state, declared he was not dead. Suddenly, Liu Zhi's voice echoed from within the cave, stating Wang Qian did not know his location. Liu Zhi congratulated Jiang Shuo for passing the "first test," confirming he was the one "plotting against" them.
He announced that he knew Jiang Shuo wanted to uncover his past and Qin Yiheng sought the whereabouts of a certain person, offering them answers if they continued his game, with Jiang Shuo's life and the lives of others as the "bet." Soon after, the police arrived and arrested Wang Qian. At the Changshanzhou Police Station, Officer Bai Kai presented irrefutable evidence.
He then informed Wang Qian that the family's "curse" was not supernatural but caused by the Shou Shan stone they had worshipped for generations, which emitted a poisonous fog, citing a previous case in a village where people died after carving similar stones. Wang Qian, however, remained in denial, fiercely insisting it was a curse, not the stone. Later, outside the police station, Qin Yiheng advised Jiang Shuo to stop his house trading business to avoid Liu Zhi's manipulations.
Jiang Shuo, acknowledging Qin Yiheng had saved his life twice, offered to prioritize him for future good property deals, but declared he could handle Liu Zhi and would "catch him and make him compensate me." He then playfully suggested calling Qin Yiheng "Qin Er," and asked why he wore glasses if he wasn't nearsighted, to which Qin Yiheng curtly replied it was "none of your business."
That evening, Yuan Muqing, thinking Qin Yiheng had saved her at the hospital, came to Jiang Shuo's courtyard to deliver a pocket watch as a thank-you gift for her savior. Jiang Shuo, misinterpreting her intentions, gleefully accepted the gift, thinking it was for him. Inside the watch, he found a note inviting her "savior" to meet at the amusement park fountain at 3 PM the next day.
Excited, Jiang Shuo spent the next morning getting dressed up for the supposed date. Meanwhile, Qin Yiheng returned to the hospital and received a mysterious letter, addressed to "Mr Qin Yi Heng" but with no sender explicitly stated. Inside was a photograph of several individuals, including Jiang Shuo, Wang Qian, and Old Zhang, all of whom Qin Yiheng recognized. Disturbed, Qin Yiheng sought out Master Bu Yan, discussing his suspicions.
He pointed out the odd timing of Jiang Shuo's appearance in Changshanzhou a year ago, shortly after his own father and Master Bu Yan's daughter went missing. He suspected Jiang Shuo was connected to the disappearances, noting that all missing persons had received invitations bearing a distinctive six-finger mark—Liu Zhi's signature.
While Jiang Shuo's amnesia seemed genuine, Qin Yiheng believed his extraordinarily powerful mind-reading ability was the real reason Liu Zhi was interested in him, making Jiang Shuo their only lead. They resolved to watch over Jiang Shuo to ensure his safety and await Liu Zhi's next move. Later, Yuan Muqing, after rushing home from work (ignoring her police chief's complaints), bought new red shoes for Xiao Yu, her butler's daughter, before heading to her date.
Xiao Yu, who was jokingly teased by Yuan Muqing (about Yuan Muqing having a date with "Dr Qin" and having strawberry-colored cheeks), secretly followed her. At the amusement park, Jiang Shuo, awaiting his date, was approached by a clown who handed him a flower with a note: "New business on the way. The game between us shall continue." Recognizing Liu Zhi's message, Jiang Shuo tried to pursue the clown, who merely stated a masked man paid him.
Moments later, a woman named Xin'er approached Jiang Shuo, saying she was introduced by someone to sell her house. Jiang Shuo immediately connected her to Liu Zhi, asking if the introducer was masked. Yuan Muqing, having waited alone for a long time, discovered Xiao Yu following her. She bought Xiao Yu a lollipop and instructed her to wait on a bench. However, when Yuan Muqing turned back, Xiao Yu was gone.
Distraught, Yuan Muqing reported to the police, then rushed to her father, Yuan Zhen, a general, who was in the midst of ordering the execution of a corrupt officer. Although initially hesitant to use his military for personal matters, Yuan Zhen, upon learning of his butler's daughter's kidnapping (via a phone call), covertly contacted an old associate for help. Simultaneously, Officer Bai Kai received a ransom call regarding Xiao Yu. Police and Yuan Zhen's men converged on the kidnappers.
In the ensuing chaos, the male kidnapper, Bin, was shot and leaped into a river, escaping. The female kidnapper also jumped but was captured and taken to Changshanzhou Hospital. The doctor explained she suffered a brain injury from the water pressure, resulting in temporary amnesia. At the same time, Jiang Shuo, still at the amusement park waiting for his date, expressed frustration about "troublesome women." Qin Yiheng, watching from afar, offered a faint smile.
Called to the hospital by Yuan Muqing, Qin Yiheng suggested to Officer Bai Kai and Yuan Muqing that Jiang Shuo use his mind-reading to stimulate the female kidnapper's memory, as Xiao Yu's life was at stake. Jiang Shuo initially tried to negotiate payment, but upon seeing Yuan Muqing, immediately changed his tune and agreed to help. In the hospital room, Jiang Shuo recognized the female kidnapper as Xin'er, the woman from the amusement park who wanted to sell her house.
Qin Yiheng, observing Jiang Shuo's reaction, realized this incident was another move by Liu Zhi. Qin Yiheng provided Jiang Shuo with photos of the crime scene, proposing they enter Xin'er's "Psych" together to find clues, a strategy Jiang Shuo dismissed as unnecessary, though he reassured Yuan Muqing he would handle it.
Episode 5 Recap
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng prepared to enter Xin'er's Psych. Qin Yiheng provided Jiang Shuo with photos of the incident, believing they would help find clues. Jiang Shuo, despite Qin Yiheng's initial dismissal of his analytical skills, confidently assured Yuan Muqing that he could handle it. Inside Xin'er's Psych, they found themselves on a boat in a murky river.
Qin Yiheng initially recalled an iron bridge at the site where Xin'er and Bin had fallen into the water, but here, the surroundings were unclear. Jiang Shuo used a quick deduction, linking "iron" to "metal," and located a relevant spot. As they tried to move the boat forward, Qin Yiheng found it wouldn't budge. Jiang Shuo speculated that Xin'er did not want them to leave this spot and instead wished them to witness something specific.
Soon, a memory unfolded before them: a younger Xin'er being comforted by Bin, who offered her delicious roasted chicken and tenderly reassured her when she was scared. Jiang Shuo observed that Xin'er must deeply miss Bin, noting their tragic connection. Suddenly, the boat began to move, signaling that Xin'er was guiding them to another location within her Psych. The boat docked at a massive, eerie church.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng ventured inside, believing it held the clues Xin'er wished them to discover. Inside, they found a mirror, and Jiang Shuo, pointing to a reflection, wondered if it was Xiao Yu, though Qin Yiheng couldn't be certain. Jiang Shuo reminded Qin Yiheng to stay close, emphasizing that every object in a Psych held significance. Qin Yiheng expressed his confusion as to why a kidnapper's subconscious would manifest such a realistic church, hinting at a deeper meaning.
Jiang Shuo explained that every detail in a Psych, much like a dream, stems from a real-life origin or emotional trauma, not mere imagination. Qin Yiheng, drawing on his psychology background, affirmed this, linking nightmares to the dreamer's deepest fears and helplessness. He gave examples of dreams reflecting insecurities, such as dreaming of being naked or being chased. Jiang Shuo reiterated their purpose was to find Xiao Yu.
They discovered a photo of children in matching outfits, leading Qin Yiheng to deduce it was an orphanage, likely the one in Changshan built from a converted church, where Xin'er possibly grew up. A doll on the floor then began to sing a melancholic lullaby about seven rag dolls. Soon, ten children materialized, asking them to play hide-and-seek. They promised to reveal Xiao Yu's whereabouts only if he found all of them.
Qin Yiheng suggested they agree, and Jiang Shuo accepted the game. As the children hid, a menacing nun appeared. Jiang Shuo noticed the child's doll she carried, and, understanding the danger, urged Qin Yiheng to flee, explaining that death in the Psych would prevent them from waking in reality. He promised to handle the nun himself. The lullaby changed to mention six rag dolls. After a brief confrontation, Jiang Shuo also retreated, vowing to deal with the nun later.
He then asked Qin Yiheng if he had found Xiao Yu. Another memory surfaced: a young Xin'er, frightened by a story of biting zombies, was comforted by Bin, who made a pinky promise to take her on a world tour by ship, just like in a book. Jiang Shuo wondered if this was their childhood. A little girl appeared, warning Jiang Shuo about the nun and imploring him to help them.
Jiang Shuo was startled to see himself and Qin Yiheng depicted in a drawing showing Qin Yiheng's impending doom, as the doll song now referred to five rag dolls. Rushing to Qin Yiheng's aid, Jiang Shuo found him under attack by the nun and intervened. After ensuring Qin Yiheng was safe, Qin Yiheng instructed Jiang Shuo to use a fairy tale book, explaining that each book in the Psych was an independent space capable of trapping the nun.
Jiang Shuo questioned the unsettling nature of Xin'er's Psych, and Qin Yiheng suggested that the orphanage director likely held crucial information, proposing they head to the director's office. Meanwhile, in the real world, the police continued their search for Bin. After an overnight search of the river yielded nothing but debris, the sergeant wondered if Bin, despite being shot in deep water, might still be alive.
They then proceeded to the kidnapper's house, where they discovered a large-headed doll, matching a description given by Captain Yang, and a photograph of a church. Investigating further, the police located the church, which turned out to be a foundling hospital. However, a foreign staff member blocked their entry, asserting that it was foreign territory and the police had no jurisdiction. With no means to proceed, the sergeant ordered a retreat, hoping Qin Yiheng was having better luck.
Guided by a little girl, they followed her towards what they believed was the director's office. Along the way, Jiang Shuo noted the continued disappearance of children, wondering who else was catching them since the nun was trapped. Upon reaching the office, they identified the girl as Xin'er. Jiang Shuo pressed her for Xiao Yu's location, to which Xin'er replied that they must find "everyone" to receive the answer.
After Xin'er was snatched away, another child led them to a dungeon where Bin and Xin'er were preparing to escape. Xin'er warned them that the director was about to arrive, urging them to quickly untie the other children. They struggled to barricade a door against the director's overwhelming strength. Suddenly, they found themselves on a cruise ship.
Qin Yiheng pondered why the children had helped them escape but not joined them, concluding that the children wished them to discover something on the ship. Jiang Shuo reminded him of their dwindling time. Qin Yiheng observed that the Psych transforming from an orphanage to a cruise ship must symbolize escape, freedom, or an unfulfilled dream for Bin and Xin'er.
Recalling Bin's childhood promise to Xin'er to sail around the world on a big ship, Qin Yiheng surmised they would likely find Bin and Xin'er in the control room. In the control room, they found Bin and Xin'er, who spoke of future destinations like "Dream Valley" and "Death Island," with Xin'er expressing her happiness with Bin.
Jiang Shuo questioned them about the orphanage's past, assuring them he and Qin Yiheng held no animosity as Bin and Xin'er were fellow orphans, only seeking Xiao Yu's whereabouts, whom he insisted was innocent. Bin retorted that he and Xin'er were also innocent, questioning General Yuan's inaction regarding the foundling hospital. He exposed the foundling hospital as a facade for heinous child trafficking, lamenting the unknown fates of his siblings and calling the staff "devils."
He recounted how only he and Xin'er escaped from the seven children taken there, remembering their promise to live for their lost siblings and see the world. Jiang Shuo reiterated his sympathy but urged them not to harm Xiao Yu. Bin, however, demanded the ransom, refusing to reveal Xiao Yu's location otherwise. As the lullaby mentioned "two rag dolls," a chilling voice, presumably the director, declared that Bin and Xin'er could not escape his grasp.
Xin'er became overwhelmed with terror, feeling trapped. Jiang Shuo noticed her fear was intensifying the Psych's defense mechanisms and warned Qin Yiheng to prepare. As danger approached, they fled. Qin Yiheng tried to soothe Xin'er, reminding her that these were merely subconscious projections, not real. Jiang Shuo urgently pressed Xin'er for Xiao Yu's location, but Bin, protective, pushed him away. As Bin and Xin'er continued to run, Jiang Shuo suggested they leave the Psych due to Xin'er's changing defense mechanisms.
Qin Yiheng, however, noticed a picture book showing children being sold and requested more time, convinced Xin'er's subconscious held the definitive clue. He asked Jiang Shuo to hold off their pursuers. Qin Yiheng then synthesized the information: the foundling hospital was involved in child trafficking, which was the truth Xin'er desperately wanted them to know.
He concluded that Xiao Yu's disappearance was linked to the foundling hospital, and Bin and Xin'er, being victims themselves, had merely posed as kidnappers to expose the facility and secure the ransom needed for Xin'er's dream of world travel. Realizing their misjudgment, as Yuan Muqing would have also been kidnapped if Bin and Xin'er were genuine criminals, they quickly exited Xin'er's Psych.
Upon waking, Qin Yiheng informed Yuan Muqing and the others that Xiao Yu was being held at the foundling hospital, which, despite its foreign affiliation, functioned as an orphanage. He clarified that Bin and Xin'er were not the actual kidnappers, but rather witnesses. Qin Yiheng explained that Xiao Yu was abducted from the playground, where Xin'er had also been present, and a distinctive large-headed doll found at Bin’s residence matched the one seen at the kidnapping scene.
This suggested that Bin and Xin'er had witnessed Xiao Yu's abduction by individuals from the foundling hospital. Yuan Muqing, suspicious, pressed Xin'er to abandon her feigned amnesia. Xin'er then confessed, clarifying they were not accomplices. She revealed that Bin had personally seen foundling hospital staff kidnap Xiao Yu, and had heard the girl identify herself. In response, Bin, disguised as a kidnapper, had called Yuan Mansion, seeking a ransom.
Jiang Shuo deduced that Bin intended to "kill two birds with one stone": retrieve the ransom and exact revenge on the foundling hospital. Xin'er corroborated this, admitting that she and Bin had spent years trying to expose the foundling hospital's child trafficking, but their efforts, including police reports, had been fruitless. She vehemently declared the foundling hospital staff were not benevolent caretakers but "evil people who bought the orphanage," confirming their involvement in all previous child disappearances.
Xiao Yu's distraught father pleaded with Sergeant Bai for help. However, Sergeant Bai was hesitant, citing the foundling hospital's status as foreign territory, which limited their jurisdiction and required evidence, even for General Yuan. Jiang Shuo, frustrated by the police's inaction, declared he would go to the foundling hospital himself, with Qin Yiheng insisting on joining him. Yuan Muqing also offered to go, but Qin Yiheng persuaded her to stay and look after Xin'er, promising to rescue Xiao Yu.
Xiao Hei was dispatched to accompany Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng arrived at the foundling hospital. Jiang Shuo, using a secret code taught by Xiao Hei, managed to gain entry by claiming they were there to "look at the stuff." When asked for a referrer, Jiang Shuo, on the spot, named "Howard," a common name, which the guard didn't recognize. Despite the initial hesitation, they were allowed in after a search.
Inside, Jiang Shuo confirmed with Qin Yiheng that "Howard" was a spontaneous invention. They were then led to the dining hall by Madam Rong, who introduced herself. She explained that this was not a conventional welfare center, as the director had purchased the old church to establish it, allowing the children more freedom. Qin Yiheng, feigning interest, inquired about active and mischievous girls aged seven or eight. Madam Rong stated that the children were all present.
However, Jiang Shuo, noticing the wary male assistant, realized they couldn't search effectively together. He whispered to Qin Yiheng that they needed to split up. Faking a sudden, severe stomachache, Jiang Shuo asked for the restroom. The male assistant led him away. While in the restroom, Jiang Shuo realized he had forgotten his copper coins, his hypnosis tool, which were still with Yuan Muqing, forcing him to seek an alternative plan. Meanwhile, Qin Yiheng remained in the dining hall, observing the children under the watchful eye of Madam Rong, who, though alert, did not seem to suspect them yet.
Episode 6 Recap
Through a small window, Jiang Shuo entered the Director's office and found documents related to child trafficking, which he had previously seen in Xin'er's mind palace. Before he could think much, the Director entered, talking on the phone about acquiring another girl, mentioning her good quality and inviting the caller to take a look. Shortly after, a little girl came in, pleading with the Director to see her elder brother.
The Director, without distinguishing right from wrong, threatened to lock her up. Jiang Shuo intervened, knocking out the Director, and offered to help the little girl find her brother. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Butler Wang was growing impatient to save Xiao Yu. As he tried to rush out to save his daughter, Bin pointed a gun at his head, forcing him back.
To ensure Butler Wang's safety, Yuan Muqing offered herself as a hostage to Bin, promising to resolve his problems and provide money if he came with her to the foundling hospital. Xin'er, who was with Bin, assured him that Yuan Muqing and her group were good people. Before leaving, Yuan Muqing instructed an officer to inform her father, General Yuan, of her whereabouts. She then left with Bin and Xin'er for the foundling hospital.
Inside, Jiang Shuo's disappearance had attracted the nun's attention. The nun followed Qin Yiheng upstairs, but before she could make a move, Jiang Shuo swiftly appeared from behind her and ambushed the nun, nearly causing Qin Yiheng injury. They then took the nun hostage and, along with the little girl, entered a study. Noticing the nun's nervous glances, Qin Yiheng suggested Jiang Shuo search the books for clues.
Jiang Shuo found a hidden mechanism, which revealed a secret room where many missing children, including Xiao Yu, were confined. As Jiang Shuo lifted a feverish Xiao Yu, preparing to leave with the children, the Director, having recovered from being knocked out, suddenly appeared at the secret room's entrance with a gun. The nun seized the opportunity to escape, locking Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng in the secret room with the children. Outside, General Yuan's troops had arrived.
Bin tried to use Yuan Muqing as a hostage to deter the soldiers, but General Yuan offered the ransom money. Xin'er, having seen the money exchanged, refused to leave, as many children remained trapped inside and without their guidance, the police might not find the secret room. She rushed into the foundling hospital alone, where she encountered the Director and his two accomplices attempting to flee. Shots were fired, and Xin'er was fatally wounded.
General Yuan's soldiers quickly ascended to the upper floor, apprehending the perpetrators and opening the secret room to rescue Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and the children. Overwhelmed with grief, Bin retaliated by killing the Director but was himself shot in the process. Later, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng visited Xiao Yu, who was recovering in the hospital.
Qin Yiheng informed Yuan Muqing that newspapers had reported on the foundling hospital, revealing that the church land was privately leased, and foreigners were abducting and selling missing children. Jiang Shuo inquired about the person who reported the crime, learning it was Liu Zhi. He realized that Liu Zhi had also orchestrated Xin'er's approach at the fair, concluding that Liu Zhi had won this round, leaving Bin and Xin'er dead despite their efforts.
Soon after, Jiang Shuo received a letter from Liu Zhi, stating, "Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, it's still me. The game continues. Find me." Upon returning to his courtyard, Jiang Shuo discovered that his entire family had been poisoned and were unconscious. Qin Yiheng quickly provided medical assistance.
Master Bu Yan, one of Jiang Shuo's family members, recounted how someone, claiming to be Liu Zhi, had delivered poisoned pastries, warning Jiang Shuo to play his part in the game or risk his loved ones' lives. Liu Zhi's next clue, "a story of two generations," was found on the back of a pastry wrapper, featuring a clock. Meanwhile, General Yuan hosted the International Horology Competition, with Wan Jin Rong as the organizer.
As the city celebrated, Jiang Shuo, having been driven out of the house-selling business by Liu Zhi's machinations, was now selling burial plots. Business was booming until customers stormed in, reporting that all the graves in his cemetery had been dug up. Jiang Shuo, connecting this to Liu Zhi's "two generations" hint, dismissed the other distraught families. He examined the only seemingly undisturbed grave, which had "Jing Xuan" inscribed on its tombstone.
Upon closer inspection, he realized it too had been dug up and reburied, with fresh soil. On the ground near this grave, he found a fountain pen. At the same time, the horology competition faced a crisis when Mr Jack, a British watchmaker and a favorite to win, was found dead in his hotel room. The British Ambassador demanded that the true culprit be found before the competition's opening, threatening that the British and other delegations would withdraw if not.
Sergeant Bai, overwhelmed by the pressure, was assigned the task by General Yuan to investigate the murder. With the murder case taking precedence, Sergeant Bai handed the cemetery desecration case to Yuan Muqing. At the police registry, they couldn't find anyone named "Jing Xuan." The Chief of the County Archive then provided an additional record, where they discovered "Qiu Jing Xuan," identified as the greatest watchmaker of the previous dynasty.
The record also stated that the champion of an earlier competition was Mr Jack from England. Connecting the names, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing rushed to the morgue. At the morgue, Jiang Shuo found a Chinese plantain leaf in Jack's shoe, a plant he had only ever seen in his cemetery. He then took the fountain pen he found at Qiu Jing Xuan's grave to Qin Yiheng.
Qin Yiheng, after examining the pen, found the word "Jack" engraved on it, suggesting Jack had visited the cemetery. Inside the pen, Qin Yiheng discovered a photographic film, which appeared to be a group photograph, leaving them to wonder about the identities of the people in the picture and their connection to the unfolding mystery.
Episode 7 Recap
Police Chief Bai Kai sought Qin Yiheng's assistance with the unsolved murder of Mr Jack, which had yielded no clues from the initial autopsy. Qin Yiheng, with Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing, shared their findings. He noted that Jiang Shuo's graveyard had been disturbed, and Jack had visited it. County records, researched by Yuan Muqing and Jiang Shuo, indicated that Qiu Jing Xuan and Jack had once participated in the same competition.
Qiu Jing Xuan's failure to win had brought shame upon the imperial court, leading to the massacre of his entire family. Qin Yiheng concluded that all these events revolved around clocks, and he suspected that Liu Zhi was orchestrating another one of his "games," as the blueprints from Liu Zhi were still in Jiang Shuo's possession. Qin Yiheng decided to accompany Bai Kai to examine the body, while Yuan Muqing and Jiang Shuo were tasked with investigating the film.
Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing took the film to a photo shop. The owner recognized the photograph, explaining it was taken twenty years ago when former dynasty officials visited Qiu Mansion with foreign guests. He identified the central figure as Qiu Jing Xuan, the royal watchmaker appointed by the court to represent the Qing dynasty in the International Horology Competition. Qiu Jing Xuan's family was tragically executed after he failed to win.
The owner also pointed out Qiu Jing Xuan's closed-door disciple, "Xiao Wu Zi," who vanished after the Qiu family's downfall. Yuan Muqing recalled knowing a watchmaker named Mr Wu with the same surname and suggested they visit his shop. Upon arriving at Wu's Shop, they found a "shop for sale" sign and Mr Wu absent. Only his son, Wu Liang, was there.
Wu Liang informed them that his father had left a few days prior to handle some private matters and had not yet returned. Jiang Shuo showed Wu Liang the photograph, asking if he recognized anyone. Wu Liang only identified his father and claimed not to know anyone else in the picture. Disappointed, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing had their watch repaired and left, asking Wu Liang to have his father contact them when he returned.
Back at the morgue, Qin Yiheng confirmed Jack's actual cause of death: his throat had been crushed, causing suffocation. He noted that such an injury would require immense force but leave no visible external marks. Jiang Shuo immediately connected this to Wu Liang's powerful grip, which he had observed during their previous visit to the shop. Convinced Wu Liang was involved, the group returned to Wu's Shop. Wu Liang, seated calmly, revealed a large, intricate clock when asked about Jack.
Observing Wu Liang's strange demeanor, Qin Yiheng suggested he was problematic. Jiang Shuo promptly hypnotized Wu Liang. Within Wu Liang's Psych, they saw visions of Jack harassing Mr Wu, leading to Jack's death, and a plan involving Mr Wu and his son. They also discovered Mr Wu's hiding place in a secluded cave. They rushed to the cave, where they found Mr Wu.
He confessed to killing Jack, explaining that Jack was responsible for his master's (Qiu Jing Xuan's) death and the eradication of his entire family. Bai Kai inspected Mr Wu's arm and confirmed the presence of scratches, which matched his earlier observations. Mr Wu was then taken into custody. At the police station, Jiang Shuo questioned Mr Wu about what Jack had been seeking.
Mr Wu revealed that his master, Qiu Jing Xuan, had met an erudite man named Liu Zhi, who helped him create the "Clock of Eternity"—Qiu Jing Xuan's priceless legacy, which Jack desperately wanted. Mr Wu further disclosed that Liu Zhi was characterized by having six fingers. Later, at the county archives, Jiang Shuo pondered Liu Zhi's motives, especially why he would help Qiu Jing Xuan, the most skilled watchmaker of his time, create an extraordinary clock that Jack coveted.
Yuan Muqing joined him, expressing her strong belief that Mr Wu, despite his confession, was not a bad person and that there was more to the story. She highlighted that Jack was a Westerner, which complicated matters, and speculated that perhaps Liu Zhi intended for them to find the Clock of Eternity. They decided to attend the International Horology Competition. At the competition, Wu Liang presented his "Clock of Eternity."
The moment he opened it, everyone present fell into a trance; even Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, initially resistant, were eventually caught in its hypnotic spell. Jiang Shuo found himself in a graveyard, where he saw Liu Zhi. Realizing he was under hypnosis, he used his knowledge to break free by pressing specific acupuncture points. Qin Yiheng, however, was also hypnotized and saw his father, who told him he had thought things through and urged him to pursue his ideals.
As his father walked away, Qin Yiheng, desperate not to lose him, chased after the apparition, inadvertently choking Yuan Muqing next to him. Yuan Muqing woke up from the hypnosis due to the strangulation, and Jiang Shuo, now fully conscious, intervened to stop Qin Yiheng. As Wu Liang closed the Clock of Eternity, the rest of the spectators gradually regained consciousness. Wu Liang was declared the winner, impressing everyone.
However, the unusual power of the clock sparked suspicion in Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing. Qin Yiheng theorized that if the clock could so quickly hypnotize everyone, the Psych they had seen in Wu Liang's mind earlier might have been fabricated. Jiang Shuo admitted he must have been a step behind, leading them to see a false narrative.
Yuan Muqing, still doubting Mr Wu's guilt given his age and her inability to crush a throat with similar force to Qin Yiheng's in her hypnotic state, volunteered to keep an eye on Wu Liang. Jiang Shuo was hesitant but could not stop her. Yuan Muqing subsequently tracked Wu Liang to the British Consulate but was unable to enter, so she waited outside.
While Yuan Muqing followed Wu Liang, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng went to the police station to confront Mr Wu. Taking him by surprise, Jiang Shuo hypnotized him. Inside Mr Wu's Psych, they noticed that the clock was stationary, indicating Mr Wu's resistance to their intrusion. To access his memories, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng adjusted the clock to the three significant time points they had observed in Wu Liang's Psych.
They then uncovered the true events: Wu Liang had overheard Jack threatening Mr Wu, specifically about the Clock of Eternity. Wu Liang then confronted Jack, who revealed that Mr Wu had taken money to tamper with the Clock of Eternity, causing Qiu Jing Xuan to lose the competition and his entire family to be massacred. It was then revealed that Wu Liang was actually Qiu Jing Xuan's son, not Mr Wu's. Filled with rage, Wu Liang killed Jack.
Overcome with guilt for his past actions and to protect Wu Liang, Mr Wu decided to confess to Jack's murder, taking the blame for his "son." After exiting Mr Wu's Psych, Mr Wu confirmed their discoveries. He explained that his betrayal of Qiu Jing Xuan was fueled by resentment that his master hadn't taught him the secrets of the Clock of Eternity, combined with a bribe from Jack, who promised to procure Western medicine for Mr Wu's gravely ill son.
His tampering made the clock irreparable. However, shortly before the International Horology Competition, the Clock of Eternity mysteriously restored itself, bearing a six-fingered mark. It was then that he received the notice for the competition. At that moment, Xiao Quan arrived, relaying Yuan Muqing's message: Wu Liang had gone to the British Consulate.
Recalling Wu Liang's vow to avenge those who harmed his family, Jiang Shuo quickly realized that Wu Liang was heading there to kill Ambassador Robin, Jack's nephew, who was also involved in the conspiracy against Qiu Jing Xuan. They immediately rushed to stop him.
Episode 8 Recap
At the British High Commission, Jack's nephew immediately ordered for the Clock of Eternity to be confiscated, declaring that China did not deserve such outstanding horology techniques. Without hesitation, Wu Liang activated the clock, hypnotizing everyone present and killing Ambassador Robin. Chief Bai and his officers rushed to the scene but found Ambassador Robin already dead and Wu Liang gone. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing, who had been secretly trailing Wu Liang, followed him to his clock shop.
She was discovered by Wu Liang, knocked unconscious, and confined within the shop. After Jiang Shuo spotted Wu Liang at Changshanzhou Station, Wu Liang promptly activated the Clock of Eternity. Everyone at the station fell under its hypnotic spell, including Wu Liang himself.
In his dream, Wu Liang relived painful memories: he saw how Master Wu had sacrificed his own son to save him, a descendant of the Qiu family, whose family had been tragically killed due to Master Wu's earlier actions. Wu Liang witnessed Master Wu's subsequent suffering, begging and enduring humiliation just to raise him. Realizing the immense sacrifice his master had made, Wu Liang found himself unable to blame him.
In reality, Master Wu arrived at the station and woke Wu Liang from his trance. They quickly boarded a train, but just as they were escaping, Master Wu was shot and killed. Wu Liang held his master, crying uncontrollably. Suddenly, a voice echoed, telling him it wasn't too late to regret. Wu Liang then woke up again, realizing he had been hypnotized by Jiang Shuo.
Jiang Shuo and his companions informed Wu Liang that Master Wu was, in fact, still alive. Overwhelmed with relief, Wu Liang pleaded to see his master, and Chief Bai agreed. Before leaving, a conscience-stricken Wu Liang confessed to Jiang Shuo that Yuan Muqing was trapped in the clock shop. Jiang Shuo immediately raced to the shop, where he found Yuan Muqing encased in a glass tank that was rapidly filling with water from the heavy rain.
He plunged into the tank to save her, and Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing nearly died. Luckily, Chief Bai and Qin Yiheng arrived just in time, shooting the glass tank to shatter it and rescue them both. After the ordeal, Jiang Shuo woke up eight days later. Qin Yiheng informed him that Wu Liang had been executed and Master Wu, unable to bear the loss, had gone insane.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng revisited the clock shop, where they discovered a clue left by Liu Zhi: a hidden painting under a table. Analyzing the symbols, Jiang Shuo deduced that Liu Zhi intended for them to follow a set of seven "game rules" to find him. The house represented Wang Qian's case, the two children symbolized Bin and Xin'er's case, and the clock signified the Clock of Eternity. They suspected the next case would be related to a cat.
Feeling indebted to Jiang Shuo for saving her life, Yuan Muqing paid him a visit, bringing gifts for the compound. She presented Jiang Shuo with a precious pocket watch, a unique gift from her brother that was very special to her. Jiang Shuo, already smitten with Yuan Muqing, was overjoyed. Meanwhile, the Qin family was facing significant challenges. Since the disappearance of the Qin patriarch, various factions vied for control of their extensive port businesses.
The Liu family had seized half of the Qin family's ports. Qin Yiheng's elder brother, Qin Da Shao, furious at the loss, sought Qin Yiheng's help, urging him to return and manage the family enterprises. Qin Da Shao emphasized that their father's hard-earned legacy could not be destroyed, especially with everyone in Changshanzhou watching their family. However, Qin Yiheng insisted he needed more time to find his father and had no mind to do anything else.
Infuriated, Qin Da Shao dismissed Qin Yiheng from his doctor's position at the family-affiliated hospital and confiscated all his residences within the Qin estate, an ultimatum that would only be lifted if he agreed to co-manage the family businesses. Left with no other option, Qin Yiheng made his way to Jiang Shuo's courtyard. Concurrently, Yuan Muqing returned to De Yang Girls' School for her upcoming exams.
Her classmates quickly updated her on strange occurrences: Li Jing had gone missing, and Zhao Meng had become erratic, insisting that Liu Fang Hui was the murderer. As Yuan Muqing approached Zhao Meng, she was intercepted by Liu Fang Hui, who chatted with her, inadvertently distracting Yuan Muqing. Moments later, Zhao Meng charged at Liu Fang Hui, accusing her of being a murderer. An angry Liu Fang Hui stormed off.
Yuan Muqing gently embraced Zhao Meng, calming her down, and decided to take her to Qin Yiheng for medical help. At the same time, Jiang Shuo and the residents of the courtyard were contemplating ways to boost their income. Just then, Qin Yiheng arrived, driving up and inquiring about renting a room to establish a clinic, aiming to provide medical care to the people. Jiang Shuo, seeing an opportunity, tried to charge him a hefty rent.
However, Master Bu Yan intervened, stating that Qin Yiheng was a friend and should not be charged. Qin Yiheng assured them he would pay the deposit directly to Master Bu Yan, skillfully sidestepping Jiang Shuo's attempt to profit. Everyone enthusiastically helped Qin Yiheng move his belongings into the courtyard.
Episode 9 Recap
Jiang Shuo, seizing a commercial opportunity, set up a registration table outside Qin Yiheng's door. He offered various appointment options: five copper coins for a regular slot, ten for jumping the queue, one silver dollar for unlimited appointments over three days, and two silver dollars for a week. Additionally, anyone registering for three weeks or more would receive a free portrait of Dr. Qin. Women, desperate to see Qin Yiheng, rushed to sign up.
When Yuan Muqing arrived with Zhao Meng, she demanded to see Qin Yiheng directly, but Jiang Shuo insisted she register. Seeing through his scheme, Yuan Muqing threatened to expose his "little trick" if he didn't allow her in. Jiang Shuo attempted to pacify the other ladies, claiming Qin Yiheng's time was fully booked by "this young lady" and offering them free portraits.
Their protests continued until Yuan Muqing announced her name, and the crowd recognized her as the general's daughter, silencing their complaints. Jiang Shuo then apologized to the women, promising to convey their requests. Qin Yiheng examined Zhao Meng, confirming her mental distress was genuine. He asked Yuan Muqing to explain the dynamic between Zhao Meng, Li Jing, and Liu Fang Hui to better understand the case.
Yuan Muqing explained that Li Jing was the most talented painter in their class but came from a poor family. Liu Fang Hui, envious of Li Jing and leveraging her family's power, frequently bullied her. Zhao Meng, feeling compassion for Li Jing, became her friend and protector, even funding a luxurious dorm room for them to share. As a token of her gratitude, Li Jing gifted Zhao Meng a black cat.
However, after Li Jing's disappearance, this cat began appearing nightly, speaking in human language and demanding revenge for Li Jing, further exacerbating Zhao Meng's mental state. Qin Yiheng noted that a black cat symbol appeared on Liu Zhi's map, leading him to suspect this talking cat was part of Liu Zhi's latest scheme.
Jiang Shuo decided to enter Zhao Meng's psych-realm, and despite Jiang Shuo's concerns, Qin Yiheng approved Yuan Muqing's participation, acknowledging her familiarity with the school would be an asset. Before they entered, Jiang Shuo cautioned Yuan Muqing about the dangers of the psych-realm, noting he had adjusted the dragon incense's dosage due to Zhao Meng's emotional instability. He instructed her to stay close and assured her they would awaken once the designated time elapsed.
Inside, they found themselves perceiving the world through the black cat's eyes. Yuan Muqing identified their location as Zhao Meng and Li Jing's dorm room. They witnessed Zhao Meng's memory of Li Jing falling down the stairs, followed by Liu Fang Hui dragging her away, with a terrified and disoriented Zhao Meng unable to intervene. Yuan Muqing realized the accuracy of Zhao Meng's earlier accounts.
She then questioned Jiang Shuo on how to exit, and he explained that only Zhao Meng could release them, urging Yuan Muqing to appeal to her. However, Zhao Meng remained unresponsive. Trapped within the psych-realm, they found themselves back in the dorm, where the black cat continued to torment Zhao Meng, pushing her to the brink.
It was only when Qin Yiheng, from outside, called out Zhao Meng's name that they were jolted awake, escaping the psych-realm as Zhao Meng recounted another unsettling dream of the black cat. Zhao Meng, though still fragile, insisted on returning to the school to confront Liu Fang Hui and investigate the black cat.
Despite Qin Yiheng's lingering doubts about the absolute reality of what they witnessed, he and Jiang Shuo agreed to accompany her, also keen to explore the black cat's potential link to Liu Zhi. At the school gate, a stern gatekeeper informed them that men were prohibited from entering. Yuan Muqing suggested that she and Zhao Meng go ahead while the two men found another way.
Qin Yiheng, leveraging his handsome appearance and claiming to be searching for his sister, successfully gained entry. Jiang Shuo attempted the same strategy, but his lie about Yuan Muqing being his sister was quickly exposed by the gatekeeper, who, recognizing Yuan Muqing's prominent family status, denounced him as a "pervert" and had him expelled. Undeterred, Jiang Shuo later snuck into the school disguised in women's clothing.
Meanwhile, Qin Yiheng went directly to the art room to question Liu Fang Hui about Li Jing. Liu Fang Hui denied any significant interaction with Li Jing, claiming she was at a birthday celebration the night Li Jing disappeared. However, Qin Yiheng, observing her evasive gaze, nervous swallowing, pursed lips, and restless feet, discerned she was lying. He pressed her, asserting his family would find Li Jing, dead or alive.
Liu Fang Hui, recognizing Qin Yiheng not as Li Jing's brother but as a scion of the Qin family, her family's primary business rival, accused him of seeking revenge for her family's takeover of the Qin family's dock business, and stormed off. Jiang Shuo, now in his disguise, made his way to Li Jing and Zhao Meng's dorm. Yuan Muqing and Qin Yiheng soon joined him, teasing him about his feminine attire.
Jiang Shuo brushed off their comments, asking about their findings. Yuan Muqing reported that their search around the stairs and school buildings yielded no physical evidence of Li Jing's body. Jiang Shuo, in turn, revealed he found black cat hair in the dorm, suggesting the cat was still hiding nearby. Qin Yiheng recounted his fruitless encounter with Liu Fang Hui, who steadfastly denied everything. Jiang Shuo, convinced he needed to handle her, then approached Liu Fang Hui.
When Liu Fang Hui spotted Yuan Muqing with Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, she accused Yuan Muqing of also doubting her and vehemently reiterated her innocence. Yuan Muqing tried to reassure her, stating they only wanted the truth and would help prove her innocence if she was blameless. However, Liu Fang Hui, in a desperate attempt to escape, screamed "gangster" and pointed at Jiang Shuo, causing a commotion. Yuan Muqing intervened to defend Jiang Shuo.
Realizing that the chaotic, crowded environment made using mind-reading impossible, Jiang Shuo decided not to pursue Liu Fang Hui. Qin Yiheng, however, quickly devised a plan. An accomplice, acting on Qin Yiheng's instructions, approached Liu Fang Hui and urgently informed her that her brother was in trouble, urging her to return home. Startled, Liu Fang Hui immediately hailed a rickshaw to the Liu Mansion.
As she attempted to leave, Jiang Shuo intercepted her, identified himself as a police officer, and requested her cooperation. Yuan Muqing confirmed that the phone call was a ruse to get Liu Fang Hui out of the school. With Liu Fang Hui subdued, Jiang Shuo hypnotized her.
He and Yuan Muqing then entered Liu Fang Hui's psych-realm, finding themselves immersed in a vibrant landscape of flowers—a setting Yuan Muqing recognized as Zhao Meng's award-winning oil painting, the very artwork that secured Zhao Meng the sole international study opportunity. Within Liu Fang Hui's psych-realm, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing observed a past event unfold. Liu Fang Hui confronted Li Jing, accusing her of having painted Zhao Meng's artwork, which had won Zhao Meng the coveted study abroad spot.
Liu Fang Hui threatened to report Li Jing to the inspector, but Li Jing desperately pleaded with her, explaining that Zhao Meng provided her with living expenses and accommodation, a lifeline her impoverished family couldn't offer. She feared immediate expulsion if the truth was revealed. However, Liu Fang Hui, facing immense pressure from her own family for failing to secure the scholarship, was unyielding and forcefully dragged Li Jing. During the struggle, Li Jing tumbled down a flight of stairs.
Liu Fang Hui, calling Li Jing's name, rushed off to fetch medical supplies, but upon her return, Li Jing had vanished. In a panic, Liu Fang Hui destroyed the painting and fled the scene. Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing, having witnessed that Liu Fang Hui was genuinely unaware of Li Jing's whereabouts, then exited her psych-realm. Waking up, Liu Fang Hui angrily demanded to know what they had done to her.
She vehemently denied killing Li Jing, admitted to her past jealousy and bullying, but insisted she knew nothing of Li Jing's current location, expressing her daily torment over the incident. Qin Yiheng concluded that if both Zhao Meng and Liu Fang Hui were telling the truth, then finding Li Jing was the only way to uncover the complete truth.
Meanwhile, at a school award ceremony, Liu Fang Hui was officially announced as the school's sole public-funded international student, receiving congratulations from her peers. However, a mentally unstable Zhao Meng was still plagued by the black cat, pleading with it to spare her, believing that Liu Fang Hui's success was its doing. Later, while accepting congratulations from classmates, Liu Fang Hui appeared troubled.
She then spotted Li Jing's figure on the road and pursued her, only to be ambushed by Zhao Meng. Appearing possessed, Zhao Meng trapped Liu Fang Hui and repeatedly accused her of murder, claiming she had to kill Liu Fang Hui for Li Jing to be at peace. As Liu Fang Hui desperately denied the accusations, Li Jing suddenly appeared, picking up a knife from the ground and asserting that Liu Fang Hui was indeed the cause of her suffering.
Liu Fang Hui, seemingly distraught, cried out that she had finally "caught" Li Jing. Just as Li Jing prepared to strike, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng intervened, preventing Li Jing from attacking Liu Fang Hui. Jiang Shuo then revealed the true events to Li Jing: Liu Fang Hui had not intended to kill her that day, but rather took her to the supply room to help her.
He further exposed that Liu Fang Hui had been searching for Li Jing after her disappearance and had even left a substantial sum of money with Li Jing's grandmother, which the old woman had never spent. Jiang Shuo admitted that they had spread the rumor of Liu Fang Hui going abroad specifically to lure Li Jing out, as they knew she was still alive.
A remorseful Liu Fang Hui then tearfully apologized to Li Jing, expressing her envy but denying any murderous intent. She explained her personal struggles as the only daughter in a family that favored her brother, describing the immense pressure she faced to gain their approval, which was why losing the study abroad opportunity had been so devastating. She offered to take full responsibility for what had happened, even suggesting that Li Jing could stab her to settle their score.
Li Jing, instead of stabbing her, slapped Liu Fang Hui, declaring them "even now," finally releasing her deep-seated resentment. Zhao Meng then confronted Li Jing, questioning why she had been used despite her kindness. Li Jing countered, accusing Zhao Meng of manipulating her with money and pity to paint the award-winning artwork, not out of genuine friendship, but purely to secure the international study opportunity for herself by surpassing Liu Fang Hui.
She asserted that her artistic skill was a result of hard work, a path that would never lead her to study abroad without such coercion. Jiang Shuo then intervened, urging everyone to put their past grudges aside. Afterward, Jiang Shuo questioned Li Jing about how she controlled the black cat and the fake blood on Zhao Meng's face.
Li Jing confessed that the "blood" was a concoction of potion and paint, which she used to frame Zhao Meng as a scapegoat in her initial plan for revenge against Liu Fang Hui, before she had learned the full truth. Regarding the black cat, Li Jing recounted how she had fled the school after believing Liu Fang Hui intended to kill her. On her escape, she encountered a mysterious man with six fingers by the river.
This man offered to help her achieve revenge, and the black cat, which he somehow already possessed, became her instrument. Li Jing could only recall his six fingers and a silhouette, despite later attempts to find him. Qin Yiheng, observing the cat's unusually linear pupils, theorized it was under mind control.
Both he and Jiang Shuo suspected that Liu Zhi, the six-fingered man, possessed mind-reading abilities and had directly influenced Zhao Meng to hear the cat speak—a talent Jiang Shuo had previously believed only he possessed. Later that night, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing were strolling through the city when they came across a lively sacrificial event. Yuan Muqing, captivated by the festivities, eagerly rushed into the joyous crowd.
As they enjoyed the atmosphere, Yuan Muqing suddenly seemed to enter a trance, pushing people aside. Jiang Shuo, noticing her altered state, called out to her, but it was too late. Yuan Muqing, acting unlike herself, violently kicked him into the nearby water.
Episode 10 Recap
Jiang Shuo quickly climbed ashore and pursued Yuan Muqing, who was walking ahead in a daze. She seemed to see her brother, Yuan Yi, standing under the lights, calling her name, but he vanished in an instant. From then on, she kept murmuring “Three quarter past noon.” Jiang Shuo eventually caught up to her and carried her to a quiet place.
Seeing her distressed and unresponsive, still repeating “Three quarter past noon,” Jiang Shuo decided to hypnotize her, promising to keep her company in her world. Inside Yuan Muqing’s mind palace, Jiang Shuo found only a tilting boulder in a dark, enclosed space with no visible doors. He realized her psychological defense mechanisms were too strong for him to penetrate alone and had to withdraw. He then brought Yuan Muqing to Qin Yiheng’s clinic, asking his friend to examine her.
Jiang Shuo explained that Yuan Muqing had kicked him into the water after they passed a ritual site and had been incessantly muttering “Three quarter past noon” ever since. Qin Yiheng noted her irregular pulse. Yuan Muqing briefly awoke, disoriented and agitated, warning them not to touch her. Recognizing the severity of her condition, Qin Yiheng agreed to join Jiang Shuo in re-entering her mind palace.
Once inside, Jiang Shuo told Qin Yiheng he had exhausted all methods to find an entrance. Qin Yiheng, observing the faint light, used Jiang Shuo’s mirror to refract it, revealing a hopscotch pattern on the ground. Jiang Shuo stepped on the number "10" and Qin Yiheng on "1," causing a door to open. They realized the numbers corresponded to “October 1st,” which was today’s date. They entered the newly opened door. They found themselves in a photo studio.
Jiang Shuo playfully remarked on Yuan Muqing's unusual preference for dressing up, given her typical police uniform, and pondered why her mind palace manifested as a photo studio. He took a photo of Qin Yiheng, but surprisingly, the developed picture showed Jiang Shuo himself. Moving to another room, they discovered numerous photographs of Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing, including one depicting Jiang Shuo rescuing her from a water tank during an emergency.
Qin Yiheng commented that Jiang Shuo appeared to be very important to Yuan Muqing in her mind. They also noticed one particular photo that portrayed an event that had not yet occurred in reality, which Jiang Shuo dismissed as her illusions. As they ventured deeper, the rooms, all adorned with photos of them, formed a maze, and the light grew dimmer, suggesting they were approaching the darkest and deepest parts of Yuan Muqing's subconscious.
Qin Yiheng suggested they search the photos for clues. Jiang Shuo found several pictures of a young Yuan Muqing with a boy, who Qin Yiheng identified as Yuan Yi, Yuan Muqing’s brother, a person neither of them had ever met in reality. When Jiang Shuo attempted to remove a photo frame, it triggered Yuan Muqing’s psychological defense mechanism, locking all the doors. Realizing that conventional methods wouldn't work, they searched for another exit.
They discovered a door with a sundial lock. Qin Yiheng explained that sundials were ancient time-measuring devices, indicating the lock was time-sensitive. Jiang Shuo recalled Yuan Muqing’s repeated utterance of “Three quarter past noon” and tried that specific time, which successfully opened the door. From the room beyond, they heard Yuan Muqing’s voice. As they prepared to investigate, Yuan Muqing and Yuan Yi suddenly appeared before them.
Yuan Yi urgently requested Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng to take Yuan Muqing to safety, while he remained to fend off Master Hong’s approaching men. He promised to meet them at Meng Xiong Bridge at “Three quarter past noon.” Yuan Muqing resisted, wanting to stay with her brother, but Jiang Shuo convinced her that her safety was paramount and that he would return to check on Yuan Yi after taking her to safety.
As Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng escorted Yuan Muqing, they encountered Chief Gao, a subordinate of Yuan Muqing's father, who offered a safe passage. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng decided to follow Yuan Muqing, hoping to uncover the root cause of her disorder. Chief Gao vanished along the way. They arrived at Meng Xiong Bridge at the appointed time, but Yuan Yi did not appear.
A gunshot echoed, prompting Jiang Shuo to return to the studio where he found Yuan Yi dead. However, when he returned to Yuan Muqing, she still believed her brother was alive. They realized that Yuan Muqing had never accepted Yuan Yi’s death, clinging to the delusion that he was still alive. Qin Yiheng diagnosed it as a delusional disorder, potentially triggered by external stimuli and characterized by violent tendencies.
To find a cure, he resolved to visit the Yuan Mansion the next morning to gather information about the abduction. He also provided some calming medication to Lady Shi San, in case Yuan Muqing’s condition worsened. The following morning, Qin Yiheng went to the Yuan Mansion to inquire about Yuan Yi, but the butler claimed Yuan Yi was absent. Fortunately, Madam Wan, Yuan Muqing’s aunt, recognized Qin Yiheng and invited him in.
Qin Yiheng directly asked if Yuan Yi had died in the abduction five years prior. Madam Wan confirmed, tearfully explaining that Yuan Yi had been shot in an alley. She revealed that the entire Yuan household was aware of his death but had kept it a secret from Yuan Muqing, who blamed herself and fantasized about his continued existence.
Qin Yiheng, while learning the truth, fabricated a story to reassure Madam Wan, telling her that Yuan Muqing was fine and would return home in two days after a brief trip, adding that Yuan Muqing missed her dearly. Upon returning to Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng discussed how, though Yuan Yi’s death was unchangeable, they could help Yuan Muqing accept this reality. They decided to re-enter her mind palace.
In this second attempt within her psych, Jiang Shuo bravely volunteered to delay Master Hong, while Qin Yiheng went to seek help from Yuan Muqing’s father, Yuan Zhen, hoping to trigger Yuan Muqing’s memory of the actual events. Despite their efforts, Yuan Yi tragically died in this simulated scenario once more. They realized their attempt to alter her delusion had failed. After this experience in her mind palace, Yuan Muqing woke up, her demeanor distinctly altered.
She immediately attacked Jiang Shuo, shouting, "Master Hong, I'm going to kill you!" Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng managed to calm her down, assuring her they were there to help, whether with physical or mental discomfort. Yuan Muqing claimed to be fine, but confided that she had a secret to share with only one person, choosing Jiang Shuo. Qin Yiheng respectfully excused himself. Believing Yuan Muqing was about to confess her feelings, Jiang Shuo turned to fetch her some water.
In that moment, Yuan Muqing struck him, knocking him unconscious. Shortly after, Qin Yiheng returned to find Jiang Shuo collapsed on the floor and Yuan Muqing gone. Meanwhile, on the road, Yuan Muqing encountered Qin Yiheng’s secretary, Lady Shi San, who inquired about her well-being. Yuan Muqing, appearing composed, asserted she was fine and surprisingly offered to lead Lady Shi San to Master Hong, claiming she knew his whereabouts.
Master Hong, upon seeing Yuan Muqing, greeted her with a chilling welcome. He handed her a letter, telling her that reading it would reveal "what a blood feud is and how it feels like to have a foe for a father." Back at the clinic, Qin Yiheng and a now conscious Jiang Shuo discussed Yuan Muqing’s alarming state, noting her worsening anxiety, irritability, and violent tendencies. Recognizing the urgency, they decided to split up and search for her immediately, fearing that any delay could lead to her harming herself or others.
Episode 11 Recap
After failing to locate Yuan Muqing following their expedition into her mind palace, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng sought answers at the police station. Captain Bai, the only one in the bureau privy to such sensitive information, revealed details of a highly confidential kidnapping case connected to Yuan Muqing. He informed them that Chief Gao, previously thought to be a hero by some, was actually secretly executed for leaking classified information, though the specifics of what he disclosed remained unknown.
Captain Bai openly expressed his distrust of Chief Gao, believing only a "silly girl like Mu Qing" would consider him a good person. When asked about their sudden interest in the old case, Jiang Shuo confirmed he had recently seen Chief Gao. Qin Yiheng clarified his intent, explaining he was conducting research on the mental states of trauma survivors, but Chief Gao's execution meant his research could not proceed.
Captain Bai then suggested they interview Chief Gao's brother, whose address was listed in the case files. As dawn broke, Qin Yiheng, still anxious about Muqing, proposed they head to Chief Gao’s residence. Just as they were leaving, a person from the courtyard rushed over with news: Ms. Yuan had been found and brought back safely by Lady Shi San.
Jiang Shuo was eager to return immediately, but Qin Yiheng suggested he go back to assess Muqing’s condition, believing this information would be crucial for her treatment, while he continued to investigate Chief Gao's case. They then parted ways. Upon arriving at Chief Gao’s home, Qin Yiheng was met with suspicion by Chief Gao’s brother, who immediately assumed he was from the Yuan family, accusing them of being responsible for his brother's death and delighting in their current plight.
Qin Yiheng quickly clarified his identity as an old friend of Chief Gao, stating he had come to pay his respects after hearing of his passing. The brother then spoke of his brother’s "wrongful death," explaining that General Yuan had once saved Chief Gao's life on the battlefield, forging an unshakeable loyalty. He adamantly denied his brother would ever betray the Yuan family or abduct their children, reminiscing about Chief Gao's kindness towards the Yuan children.
When Qin Yiheng inquired about Master Hong, the brother insisted his brother was a virtuous man and had no dealings with any thugs. He lamented their inability to seek justice as commoners, despite his belief that General Yuan likely knew of his brother's innocence. Qin Yiheng offered some money, but the brother declined. Unbeknownst to them, General Yuan had just received an alarming letter from his daughter, Qing'er, pleading for his help.
She stated she was Master Hong’s hostage and warned him to come alone, as bringing troops would endanger her life. Enraged by Master Hong's audacity, whom he had previously spared, General Yuan initially ordered his Captain Yang to assemble soldiers. However, his brother intervened, reminding him of Qing'er's explicit warning. General Yuan then declared he would face Master Hong alone, assuring his brother he would bring Qing'er back safely.
Yet, he secretly instructed Captain Yang to gather troops and set up an ambush near the courtyard, awaiting his command. Back at the courtyard, Qin Yiheng returned to discover Jiang Shuo had impulsively entered Ms. Yuan’s mind palace to treat her. He was also informed that Lady Shi San had gone to prepare medicine for Ms. Yuan, and Qin Yiheng asked for her to be brought back, as he had questions.
Unbeknownst to Qin Yiheng, Lady Shi San had already joined forces with Master Hong. She confirmed that Jiang Shuo was inside treating Muqing, and the rest of the residents were unconscious due to her sedatives. She urged Master Hong’s men to act swiftly, ordering them to tie up the other people in the courtyard. When the person Qin Yiheng sent to fetch her arrived, Lady Shi San cleverly pretended to be leaving through the back.
Shortly after, Master Hong’s men ambushed Qin Yiheng. Despite his valiant efforts to fight them off, Lady Shi San appeared, casually remarking that it was "just a tranquilizer," and ordered her men to tie him up, cautioning them to maintain silence to avoid attracting the police. Inside Yuan Muqing's mind palace, the environment had shifted dramatically, with family photos replacing the previous ones, creating a fabricated memory.
Jiang Shuo found himself "rescuing" Muqing, an illusion that culminated in her professing her love for him and proposing marriage. Despite his reservations about their vastly different backgrounds, Jiang Shuo was momentarily swept away by the dream-like scenario. The illusion shattered when he noticed the absence of the iron chains on "Muqing’s" ankles. He confronted her, realizing, "You're not Yuan Mu Qing. Who are you?"
The figure, revealed to be Yuan Yi, mockingly asked if Jiang Shuo truly believed he would allow his "sister" to marry a "coward" like him, admitting he was merely acting out a charade after Jiang Shuo had previously interfered with his plans. Yuan Yi asserted his dominance, declaring himself the master of this mind palace. Jiang Shuo, furious, accused Yuan Yi of being a lunatic, defending Muqing's genuine guilt and admiration for him, and demanded he return the real Muqing.
Yuan Yi chillingly responded that Muqing had lived long enough and it was his turn. He then unveiled his true motive: Yuan Zhen, Muqing's father, had brutally murdered his parents right before his eyes after his father refused to join the war and attempted to elope with his mother. Yuan Yi, still haunted by the trauma, declared his intent to assist Master Hong in destroying Yuan Zhen, asserting that Muqing's only "mistake" was being Yuan Zhen's cherished daughter.
Jiang Shuo desperately pressed him to reveal Muqing's whereabouts. Jiang Shuo relentlessly searched the mind palace until he finally found the real Yuan Muqing, who remained deeply lost in her grief and delusions. He vowed to rescue her, telling her this was his third time coming for her. He urged her to be strong, explaining that Yuan Yi was manipulating her and was not the brother she believed him to be.
Muqing, however, was consumed by a traumatic memory of Yuan Yi asking her to meet him at Meng Xiong Bridge at "a quarter to one," only for him to never appear, followed by a gunshot. She was convinced he was still with her, blaming her. Jiang Shuo tried to reason, saying it was her own self-blaming illusions, and her loving brother would not want to see her in such a state.
He promised that if she truly refused to leave, he would stay with her forever, telling her to trust him and reminding her it was almost "a quarter to one." Suddenly, Yuan Yi appeared and, in a horrifying act, forced a gun into Muqing's hand, attempting to make her shoot herself. Muqing cried out in terror, begging him to stop. Muqing collapsed in anguish, repeatedly calling for her brother.
Jiang Shuo desperately tried to convince her that this was an illusion and not the real Yuan Yi. Witnessing Muqing’s complete breakdown and seeing no other immediate solution, Jiang Shuo reluctantly exited the mind palace, vowing to find another way. Meanwhile, at the courtyard, General Yuan Zhen stood defiantly before Master Hong, who threatened to kill Ms. Yuan if he was provoked.
Master Hong, confident in his position, promised to release Ms. Yuan only if Yuan Zhen surrendered his own life. Yuan Zhen, unfazed, mocked Master Hong's perceived lack of intelligence, asserting that "your brain is more important than bullets" and "favors are more useful than violence." Master Hong scoffed, daring him to shoot. In a calculated move, Yuan Zhen then addressed Master Hong's subordinates, meticulously listing their home addresses and descriptions of their vulnerable family members.
He threatened that if they did not release his daughter, his "100-thousand strong army" would hunt them down to the "ends of the earth" for the rest of their lives. He offered to spare Master Hong's life if his daughter was released, declaring his word as absolute.
Master Hong accused Yuan Zhen of playing dirty, but his men, terrified by Yuan Zhen's precise and chilling threats, immediately turned on Lady Shi San and executed her, reporting her death to Yuan Zhen. Yuan Zhen then taunted Master Hong, asking if he now understood the meaning of "using your brain." As Yuan Zhen prepared to deliver a fatal shot to Master Hong, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng burst onto the scene, stopping him.
Jiang Shuo quickly explained to General Yuan that Master Hong was still necessary for Muqing’s treatment, urging him to trust his judgment, despite the lack of time for a full explanation. Before Master Hong could react, Jiang Shuo used copper coins to hypnotize him, and together with Qin Yiheng, entered Master Hong's mind palace. Inside Master Hong's mind palace, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng uncovered the full extent of the conspiracy.
Yuan Yi admitted to a critical error in their intelligence: the hostages taken at the photo studio were Yuan Zhen's son and daughter, not Yuan Zhen himself. Master Hong, however, saw this as an advantage, believing the children would serve as valuable leverage to trap Yuan Zhen. Soon after, his men reported that Muqing had been recaptured after an escape attempt, and crucially, that Yuan Zhen's forces had surrounded them.
Yuan Yi, acknowledging his intelligence flaw, revealed his original intent to have Muqing lure Yuan Zhen to the photo studio, but an army emergency had resulted in Chief Gao sending the children instead. Master Hong, confident with his hostages, believed Yuan Zhen would not act rashly. Yuan Yi disagreed, warning that Master Hong underestimated Yuan Zhen's ruthlessness and his determination to annihilate them, regardless of his children's safety.
Master Hong then outlined his brutal plan: lure Yuan Zhen using his daughter, then kill both father and daughter, after which Yuan Yi would announce Yuan Zhen's death to seize his army and territory. However, Yuan Yi, experiencing a change of heart, abruptly declared the plan canceled. He ordered Master Hong to retreat with his men, explaining that despite his desire for revenge, he considered Qing'er his innocent sister and did not wish for her to suffer.
Master Hong was enraged, accusing Yuan Yi of being "crazy" for abandoning years of planning for "just a girl." Despite Yuan Yi's pleas, Master Hong refused to back down. With Muqing secured, Master Hong used both her and Yuan Yi as human shields, threatening Yuan Zhen that he would execute his son and daughter if his troops did not retreat. He began a chilling countdown, punctuated by gunshots.
Amidst the escalating tension, General Yuan received a report that Chief Gao had identified a sniping position. General Yuan calmly ordered Chief Gao to fire first if an opportunity arose. As Master Hong continued his deadly countdown, Yuan Yi desperately tried to reassure Muqing.
Episode 12 Recap
General Yuan's Chief Gao secured a sniper point, ready to fire. Yuan Yi instructed Yuan Muqing to run forward without looking back and to meet him at Meng Xiong Bridge at ""Wu Shi San Ke"", assuring her he would be fine. Yuan Yi then confronted Master Hong, pleading with him to spare the innocent Yuan Muqing.
Master Hong, however, was distraught, lamenting Yuan Yi's betrayal and the loss of his thirty comrades, accusing him of abandoning them by letting Yuan Muqing escape. Overwhelmed by guilt for disappointing his friends and family, Yuan Yi chose to take his own life as his only form of respite. Knowing this truth, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng returned to Yuan Muqing's mind palace to reveal the reality of her brother's death and help her confront it.
After Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng left, Master Hong attempted to ambush General Yuan, but was quickly subdued by alert soldiers, and General Yuan killed Master Hong without hesitation. Later, in Yuan Muqing's mind palace, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng guided a grieving Yuan Muqing to understand the true reasons behind her brother's death.
A vision of Yuan Yi appeared, reiterating his deep regret for having lied to her and betrayed Master Hong, which led to the tragic loss of so many lives. He apologized for not meeting her at Meng Xiong Bridge at Wu Shi San Ke and explained that his death was a deliberate choice, a release from a life burdened by regret. He urged her to take care of herself.
Although Yuan Muqing was deeply saddened, she finally understood and tearfully expressed her forgiveness, choosing to find peace and no longer suppressing her grief. After waking, a still somber Yuan Muqing requested to visit Yuan Yi's grave with General Yuan. At the graveside, she reiterated her forgiveness and understanding of his decisions, reaffirming her everlasting love for her brother.
General Yuan also spoke to Yuan Yi's grave, confessing that Yuan Yi's biological father, Lin Guang, a loyal comrade, had broken military rules before a major battle, leaving General Yuan no choice but to execute him. He admitted this had been a deep-seated pain for years and, despite Yuan Yi's resentment, he would always consider Yuan Yi his own son. Later, while walking, Jiang Shuo thanked Qin Yiheng for helping to save Yuan Muqing.
Jiang Shuo then asked if Qin Yiheng trusted him. When Qin Yiheng affirmed his trust, Jiang Shuo cryptically stated, "Because I am Liu Zhi." Qin Yiheng observed that Liu Zhi had begun targeting those around them and reiterated his trust in Jiang Shuo, but pointed out Jiang Shuo's secret habit: a subtle "celebration ritual" after successfully lying or executing a trick.
Qin Yiheng then asked Jiang Shuo if he had felt anything when he kissed Yuan Muqing (a reference to an earlier incident where Jiang Shuo used a kiss to break her from a trance). Jiang Shuo quickly dismissed it as merely an act to save her, but Qin Yiheng highlighted that this denial was precisely his "celebration ritual," leaving Jiang Shuo speechless.
Qin Yiheng, later seen studying a book titled "Ten Techniques of Hypnosis," reflected on their ongoing predicament, realizing that what he thought was an offensive strategy was just another one of Liu Zhi's traps. Frustrated with constantly being the "prey," he resolved to become the "hunter." Qin Yiheng, while reading in a bookshop, noticed he was being followed.
He confronted the man, who admitted he was from a news agency and was instructed by his director to monitor Qin Yiheng's movements. Qin Yiheng then sought out the news agency director. The director, while denying any personal connection to Liu Zhi, confessed to tracking Qin Yiheng to gather intelligence and exclusive stories.
He showed Qin Yiheng newspaper clippings detailing Liu Zhi's activities and the nature of his hypnosis, including headlines like "Liu Zhi, unable to tell evil from good," "Hypnosis, punishing evil or doing evil?" , and mentions of "The lone successor seeking descendants." He also handed Qin Yiheng a mysterious invitation to a banquet on October 14th, addressed to Qin Yiheng, and warned him to be careful.
Qin Yiheng took the invitation, remarking that if he couldn't understand banquets, his partner certainly would. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing expressed her strong dislike for an upcoming charity banquet to her maid, Xiao Yu. She viewed the wealthy attendees as hypocrites who exploited farmers then staged superficial acts of charity. She was particularly annoyed that General Yuan was trying to introduce her to eligible young men.
She later confided in Xiao Yu, asking how to convey her romantic feelings to someone who didn't understand, to which Xiao Yu advised persistent confession. At the banquet, General Yuan introduced Yuan Muqing to Mr. Feng, praising him as a benevolent and successful businessman. During a performance by Miss Yan Hong, she openly approached Mr. Feng, their evident closeness causing an awkward stir.
Seizing the opportunity, Yuan Muqing excused herself, claiming an urgent movie appointment with a friend, and quickly left the banquet. She arrived at the Shan Zhou Movie Theatre, fuming that Jiang Shuo was late for their 2:50 PM "Heart of a Beauty" movie. After waiting fruitlessly, an enraged Yuan Muqing tore up the tickets, vowing to confront Jiang Shuo at the courtyard.
Upon arriving at the courtyard, Yuan Muqing found its residents joyfully playing with various props she had gifted them, expressing their gratitude as they discussed forming a performing troupe. They talked about popular plays, including one initially referred to as "Stove Man," then corrected to "Reed Man," describing the story of Wu Zi Xu's journey and how his distrust led him to kill a kind fisherman. However, none of them knew Jiang Shuo's whereabouts, nor did Qin Yiheng.
Yuan Muqing, frustrated and concerned that Jiang Shuo had stood her up, spoke to Qin Yiheng. Qin Yiheng, looking worried, reminded her that "the day after tomorrow is October 15th," referring to it as "Jiang Shuo's death day," implying a significant and imminent danger for Jiang Shuo. Panicked, Yuan Muqing rushed to the police station to report Jiang Shuo missing. Sergeant Bai, however, was dismissive, finding it hard to believe a grown man like Jiang Shuo could be truly lost.
He was preoccupied with tracking the escaped criminal Ren Qiang, the disappearance of Mr. Zhu, and more importantly, the high-profile case of Mr. Feng Mou Xuan, a prominent businessman whose family had just reported him missing. Unable to persuade the police to act, a determined Yuan Muqing stomped her foot and decided to search for Jiang Shuo herself. After an extensive but unsuccessful search, Yuan Muqing returned to the courtyard as evening fell, where Qin Yiheng was waiting.
Sensing he knew something, Qin Yiheng led her directly to the news agency. Inside, they discovered a gruesome scene: the news agency director's body was hanging, with a note on his head reading, "Punishment is given to those who disobey the rules." Jiang Shuo was also present, disoriented, explaining that he had fainted and woke up there. Qin Yiheng immediately suspected this was another elaborate trap set by Liu Zhi.
Following a strange formation on the floor, Jiang Shuo located and retrieved an envelope, which also bore the same ominous message. Upon opening it, a burst of smoke enveloped them, rendering all three unconscious. They awoke to find themselves on a small boat, adrift on a vast, empty lake shrouded in thick fog. Yuan Muqing was unnerved by a strange object beneath the water. Jiang Shuo discovered his essential tools—copper coins and incense—were missing, realizing their captors "came prepared."
Qin Yiheng, acknowledging Liu Zhi's meticulous planning, deduced that this was merely the beginning of another scheme and urged them to find a way to shore. However, the boat lacked oars or a rudder, and the dense fog obscured all directions. Jiang Shuo then noticed the boat was moving steadily in a predetermined direction, concluding that Liu Zhi was guiding them to a specific destination. An island, resembling a skull, emerged from the mist in the distance. At the sight of it, Jiang Shuo seemed momentarily disoriented, as if recalling a large steamboat with Liu Zhi standing at its bow.
Episode 13 Recap
Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing found themselves on an isolated island. As they walked, Jiang Shuo pointed out a fish skeleton, surmising that the large, dangerous shadows they had seen in the water the previous night were likely creatures similar to it. Qin Yiheng assured Jiang Shuo that Liu Zhi was targeting all of them, not just Jiang Shuo, and while they might be prey, they also had the potential to be hunters.
Yuan Muqing added that no matter what dangers lay ahead, they would face them together. Soon, they spotted a mysterious building on the island. Inside, they found a long table, which Jiang Shuo felt a unsettling familiarity with, as if it had appeared in his dreams. Signs of previous occupancy, like expired chocolate, suggested someone had lived there. Qin Yiheng discovered large bloodstains on the floor, indicating a past homicide, but questioned the lack of any police investigation.
A wave of unsettling familiarity washed over Jiang Shuo, who then rushed to the second floor. He entered a room with his name displayed outside and, following what seemed like a memory, found an invitation and a bloody dagger in a drawer. Qin Yiheng, observing this, grew agitated.
He revealed that his own father had received an identical invitation and, seeing the bloodied dagger, questioned Jiang Shuo’s identity, even hinting that Jiang Shuo might have been involved in his father's death. Jiang Shuo, however, claimed to recall only vague impressions, like a dream. Yuan Muqing intervened, urging them not to quarrel, reminding them that they were caught in Liu Zhi’s trap and needed to search for clues together.
Qin Yiheng, leaving Jiang Shuo’s room, found another room with his name on the door. Below his name, his father Qin Yi’s name was inscribed. Inside, the room showed signs of a past fire, and he discovered his father's notebook. Jiang Shuo confided in Yuan Muqing, expressing a foreboding feeling about the dagger and fearing that everything was somehow connected to him.
They decided to head back to the boat at the dock, only to find it gone, presumably taken by Liu Zhi, who intended to trap them on the island. A gunshot then echoed through the air, prompting them to investigate, with Qin Yiheng also rushing to the scene. They found Ren Qiang pursuing Takeuchi, who was Feng Miao Xuan’s translator. Soon after, Feng Miao Xuan and a dancing girl named Yan Hong appeared.
It became clear that all of them had received invitations from Liu Zhi and had been brought to the island. With no way to leave, they agreed to return to the villa for safety. Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing suspected this was another trap set by Liu Zhi, whom they had been investigating. Once gathered in the villa, a disembodied voice belonging to Liu Zhi addressed them, welcoming them to his "evil entrapment" and labeling them as "sinners."
He declared that they were all sinners, but if any brave person could resolve the present sins, they would earn the sole chance to survive and leave the island safely. Their survival depended on their own fate. A red cloth then dramatically dropped from the ceiling, revealing a painting titled "Seven Circles of Hell." Jiang Shuo noticed a strange mask, but Qin Yiheng quickly snatched it.
Qin Yiheng, knowing Jiang Shuo possessed mind-reading abilities, voiced his suspicion that Jiang Shuo might be connected to Liu Zhi, making it impossible to uncover the true mastermind if Jiang Shuo was involved. Jiang Shuo, upset by the distrust, retreated to his room. Yuan Muqing followed to console him, her cheerful demeanor helping to lift his spirits. She suggested drastic measures like building a raft and burning the villa to create a signal for rescue.
She also speculated that Qin Yiheng’s recent behavior stemmed from his concern for his father. Jiang Shuo, however, still felt Qin Yiheng was acting strangely. Later, Jiang Shuo, still holding the invitation, heard a noise outside his door. Arming himself with the dagger, he opened the door to find Ren Qiang, who, fearing Jiang Shuo was trying to harm him, immediately attacked. Yuan Muqing appeared just in time to stop the altercation.
Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing noted that despite the loud commotion, no one else came out of their rooms, which they found suspicious. As Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing continued searching the villa, they heard a noise in the kitchen. They saw a shadowy figure wearing a mask escaping through a window. Jiang Shuo pursued the figure, instructing Yuan Muqing to alert the others. However, upon his return, Jiang Shuo discovered Yuan Muqing lying unconscious in Ren Qiang’s room.
Hidden within Ren Qiang’s room, Jiang Shuo found Ren Qiang’s lifeless body. Jiang Shuo initially didn't want the others to discover the body, but Qin Yiheng quickly discovered the corpse. Qin Yiheng then openly accused Jiang Shuo of being the murderer, suggesting his amnesia was a pretense and that his attempt to hide the body was proof of his guilt.
To defend himself, Jiang Shuo led everyone to the living room and explained the "Seven Circles of Hell" painting, detailing the seven sins: deception/lies, theft, greed, lust, familial sin, wrongful death, and murder. Each sin corresponded to a specific hell: Mountain of Knives, Rockfall, Poisonous Snakes, Scissors, Blood Pool, Oil Pot, and Avīci Hell. Jiang Shuo posited three theories.
First, he claimed the killer was the villa’s owner, who intended for them to die one by one according to the sins. He initially linked Ren Qiang’s death in cement (associated with earth) to the Hell of Rockfall. While the police had sought Ren Qiang for theft, Qin Yiheng interjected, explaining that Ren Qiang had falsely confessed, making his true sin "deception/lies," which aligned with the Mountain of Knives Hell.
Jiang Shuo concluded that the villa owner (potentially Liu Zhi) had murdered Ren Qiang and framed him to incite infighting among them. Second, Jiang Shuo turned his accusation to Takeuchi, suggesting Takeuchi killed Ren Qiang, hid the body in Jiang Shuo’s room, and then knocked out Yuan Muqing when she stumbled upon him. Takeuchi vehemently denied this. Jiang Shuo’s third theory was that anyone present could be the murderer, meaning no one was safe.
Qin Yiheng dismissed Jiang Shuo’s theories, revealing his own evidence. He presented an old photograph of people who had visited the island before, including his father. He disclosed that Jiang Shuo had also been on the island a year prior, disappearing afterward before resurfacing in Changshan. Qin Yiheng then connected this to Liu Zhi, a renowned mind-reading master, and his apprentice, who possessed the same unique skill.
He pointed out that Jiang Shuo, despite his amnesia, still remembered his mind-reading abilities, strongly implying a connection to Liu Zhi and motive for murder. Others in the group sided with Qin Yiheng, arguing that Jiang Shuo was a dangerous presence. Yuan Muqing tried to defend Jiang Shuo, but he told her not to interfere, understanding that no explanation would sway them.
Qin Yiheng proposed isolating Jiang Shuo for the safety of everyone on the island, promising to hand him over to the police once they escaped. He further argued that if more incidents occurred while Jiang Shuo was confined, it would serve as proof of his innocence. With little choice, Jiang Shuo agreed to be confined, preventing Yuan Muqing from further protest.
Episode 14 Recap
Jiang Shuo remained bound in a room, struggling against his restraints. He protested vehemently to Qin Yiheng, declaring his innocence in Ren Qiang's murder and calling Qin Yiheng a "quack." He argued that tying him up was playing right into the culprit's hands. Takeuchi instructed Qin Yiheng not to listen to Jiang Shuo, while Qin Yiheng reiterated that he only trusted evidence. Takeuchi then forcefully told Jiang Shuo to shut up.
Before Qin Yiheng left the room, Takeuchi stopped him, subtly hinting at a questionable relationship between Mr Feng and Yan Hong. Takeuchi claimed he had seen Mr Feng secretly making gestures to Yan Hong. Qin Yiheng acknowledged the warning before joining the others in the living room. Gathered together, Qin Yiheng announced that the "game has already started" and the "Gates of Hell are now opened."
He suggested that, in light of the Seven Circles of Hell motif, everyone should confess their sins. Takeuchi confessed first, admitting to small lies in his business dealings, questioning if such minor deceit warranted going to hell. Mr Feng followed, also admitting to "deception" in the competitive business world, though he claimed he never swindled the poor.
Yan Hong then sarcastically criticized Mr Feng's "light" confession before confessing her own "lechery," acknowledging her past as a streetwalker, a married woman, and an escort, and her secret affairs with Mr Feng, which even led to a beating from his "fierce wife." She then accused Mr Feng of being greedy and lustful. When asked, Qin Yiheng confessed to "the sin of dishonouring his father."
He revealed that a year prior, he had refused his father's invitation to a business gathering on the island, prioritizing his medical studies. Subsequently, his father, Qin Yi, went missing on the island and had not been heard from since. He believed he deserved to go to the Pool of Blood for this sin. Yuan Muqing's sin was identified as "died in vain" due to her past suicide attempt following her brother Yuan Yi's troubles.
Finally, the sin of "murder" was attributed to Jiang Shuo, with some suggesting he should be immediately dealt with. Yuan Muqing fiercely defended Jiang Shuo, insisting he was not the murderer, having risked his life to save hers. She vowed to find evidence of his innocence and, as the Young Lady of the Yuan Family, warned anyone who dared to harm him. Determined to clear Jiang Shuo's name, Yuan Muqing began her own investigation.
She examined Ren Qiang's body, noting the wound, and then discovered a boning knife missing from the kitchen, suspecting it to be the murder weapon. She reasoned that if Jiang Shuo were the killer, he wouldn't have hidden the body in his own room, which also contained no weapon. Meanwhile, someone untied Jiang Shuo, who immediately gave chase into the woods. As he pursued, he experienced fragmented memories, envisioning Qin Yiheng's father and a woman escaping along a familiar path.
Jiang Shuo followed this path, convinced it held significance. Concurrently, a separate conversation unfolded between Takeuchi and Mr Feng. Mr Feng exposed Takeuchi's past as an interpreter who had stolen valuable treasures from the Japanese military and replaced them with fakes. He further revealed that Takeuchi had enlisted Ren Qiang to take the fall for the theft, thus making Ren Qiang's sin "deception" rather than "theft." Takeuchi confirmed that Mr Feng had helped him fence the stolen goods.
Mr Feng, in turn, berated Takeuchi as a "bloodsucker" and a "traitor." Despite their animosity and mutual blackmail, they agreed to cooperate to survive the dangers of the island, particularly wary of Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng. Elsewhere, Yan Hong attempted to seduce Qin Yiheng in his room, feigning fear and seeking his protection. Unswayed, Qin Yiheng gave her a strong sedative, warning her against consuming it with tea, as it could prevent her from waking up.
He voiced his suspicion that she might be Liu Zhi. Yuan Muqing then gathered everyone to present her evidence, concluding that Jiang Shuo was not the killer. Takeuchi, however, insisted the murder weapon must be on Jiang Shuo's person, prompting everyone to rush to Jiang Shuo’s room, only to find him missing. Qin Yiheng was also nowhere to be found.
Mr Feng, Takeuchi, and the others decided to search for them outside, but Mr Feng strongly urged Yuan Muqing and Yan Hong to remain in the villa due to the dangers. Despite her desire to join the search, Yuan Muqing was persuaded by a frightened Yan Hong to stay behind in the house. In the woods, Jiang Shuo located Liu Zhi, and a struggle ensued.
During their confrontation, Jiang Shuo experienced vivid flashbacks, recalling working for Liu Zhi but secretly planning to help Qin Yiheng's father, Qin Yi, and a woman escape. Liu Zhi’s voice brought Jiang Shuo back to the present. As Jiang Shuo investigated something under a tree root, he was suddenly attacked from behind. It was Takeuchi, who confessed to killing Ren Qiang.
Takeuchi revealed he had been eavesdropping on Jiang Shuo, discovered he was a survivor, and had originally intended to search Jiang Shuo's room for clues to expose him. However, Ren Qiang's unexpected arrival forced Takeuchi to kill him. Now, to ensure his own survival, Takeuchi intended to kill Jiang Shuo and frame him as the murderer. Just as Takeuchi was about to strike, Mr Feng arrived and saved Jiang Shuo by killing Takeuchi with a stone.
Mr Feng was visibly shaken, lamenting that he had finally gotten blood on his hands. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing and Yan Hong continued their search in the villa. Yan Hong, upon seeing a picture depicting the "Hell of Scissors," frantically began to hide all the scissors in the room. In her haste, she knocked over a vase in Takeuchi's room, revealing the missing boning knife—the true murder weapon. This discovery confirmed that Takeuchi was the one who had murdered Ren Qiang.
Back at the main building, Jiang Shuo returned, much to Yuan Muqing's relief. He informed everyone of Takeuchi's death, explaining that Mr Feng had killed him in self-defense. The group confirmed that Takeuchi was indeed Ren Qiang's murderer, as evidenced by the knife found in his room and the cement stains on his pants. However, they realized Qin Yiheng was still missing, raising new concerns.
Yan Hong, still shaken, accused Jiang Shuo of being a "jinx," noting that he was always present whenever someone died. She further claimed that the sin of "murder" in the Seven Circles of Hell painting surely lay with one of the three remaining men: Jiang Shuo, Mr Feng, or Yuan Muqing. She pointed out that Takeuchi's "theft" and Ren Qiang's "deception" perfectly aligned with the painting's themes. Suddenly, the clock chimed again.
Terrified, Yan Hong exclaimed that another death was imminent. Overcome with fear, she locked herself in the bathroom, meticulously hiding all the scissors she could find. Concerned for Qin Yiheng, Jiang Shuo decided to search for him, with Yuan Muqing insisting on joining him. As they walked through the dark woods, Jiang Shuo confessed his growing unease. He felt that this case was far more sinister than any they had encountered, especially after his copper coins had been stolen.
He revealed that today, October 15th, was the date Liu Zhi had foretold as his "death day." Plagued by disturbing memories and Qin Yiheng's past suspicions, Jiang Shuo worried that he might be the true culprit. He asked Yuan Muqing to kill him if he ever lost control and became a danger to her, emphasizing that her life was paramount.
Before he could finish, Yuan Muqing silenced him with a kiss, declaring her unwavering trust and love for him, promising they would survive this together. Jiang Shuo also advised Yuan Muqing to be wary of Mr Feng, whom he considered cunning and inscrutable, and Yan Hong, whose true intentions remained ambiguous, as they were the only other people left on the island, and potentially involved if Liu Zhi was not the sole orchestrator.
Episode 15 Recap
Yan Hong emerged from a room. Boss Feng suddenly appeared, dismissing everyone else to be alone with her. Yan Hong poured him a glass of water, feigning a conspiratorial alliance. However, Boss Feng showed no mercy, revealing that Six-Fingers believed a woman like her belonged in the Hell of Scissors. He then fatally stabbed Yan Hong with the very scissors she had hidden away. Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing were searching for Qin Yiheng.
They found his shoes and clothes under a tree. Yuan Muqing pointed out footprints on the ground that did not match Qin Yiheng’s shoes, and Jiang Shuo suggested he had been abducted by the masked man. As the bell tolled, signaling another death, they rushed back to their lodging. They found Yan Hong dead. Yuan Muqing then confronted Boss Feng, accusing him of killing Takeuchi and Yan Hong.
Boss Feng then used trickery, stringing Jiang Shuo up and threatening his life to force Yuan Muqing to handcuff herself to the bed. Yuan Muqing complied. Suddenly, Boss Feng began to cough up blood, realizing the poison Yan Hong had put in his tea—a potent sedative not to be mixed with tea, which she had told him about—was taking effect. Before succumbing, Boss Feng pulled out a lighter, intending to take Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing with him.
Jiang Shuo exchanged a glance with Yuan Muqing, then managed to grab a knife from Boss Feng and cut himself down. However, the lighter still ignited the room. Jiang Shuo frantically tried to free Yuan Muqing from the handcuffs but a falling beam crushed him. As flames engulfed them, Yuan Muqing tearfully confessed her love for Jiang Shuo, who, with his last ounce of strength, reciprocated before losing consciousness. The two awoke to find themselves in a secret room.
Mirrors on the walls displayed images foreshadowing the deaths of previous victims. Jiang Shuo also saw an image of himself from a year prior, revealing that he was indeed Six-Fingers' disciple and the masked man from that time. Just then, a masked figure appeared behind them. The figure removed his mask, revealing the missing Qin Yiheng. Qin Yiheng, now the masked man of the present, asked Jiang Shuo if he remembered their past connection.
He then declared that only one of the three of them would survive that day before knocking both Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing unconscious again. Jiang Shuo next awoke in a prison cell, bound by an iron chain. A voice from an adjacent cell told him that this was the "18th level of hell," a place for murderous lunatics.
As he struggled to recall events before losing consciousness, a terrifying memory flashed through his mind: he had killed both Qin Yiheng and Yuan Muqing, and he was the sole survivor. Before he could process this, the cell door opened, and a doctor, accompanied by two prison guards, entered. The guards led Jiang Shuo to another cell, where inmates immediately recognized him, shouting "Mad Jiang Shuo, the murderer!"
Overwhelmed, Jiang Shuo turned to see Qin Yiheng, seemingly alive, but the doctor dismissed it as a worsening hallucination. In the infirmary, Jiang Shuo vehemently denied killing Qin Yiheng, questioning if the doctor was an associate of Six-Fingers. The doctor explained that Jiang Shuo was there due to his severe mental illness, which had caused his brain to create a defense mechanism, making him forget traumatic events like murder.
Despite Jiang Shuo's protests, he was restrained and injected with a drug. The doctor then led Jiang Shuo through a simulated memory, forcing him to witness himself "killing" Qin Yiheng. Jiang Shuo staunchly refused to believe it, asserting that he would never harm Qin Yiheng, especially since he had just seen him. The doctor then presented a confession statement for the murder of Qin Yiheng, urging him to sign it for treatment.
Jiang Shuo scornfully refused, demanding concrete evidence and demanding to confront Six-Fingers directly. Back in his cell, the voice from the adjacent cell advised Jiang Shuo not to antagonize the other prisoners or confess, warning that there would be no turning back if he did. The voice explained that if he didn't confess to a crime he didn't commit, they would be forced to continue his "treatment." Jiang Shuo proclaimed his intent to escape, and the voice offered help.
Using a diversion by screaming about a murder, the voice attracted the guards, allowing Jiang Shuo to slip out of his cell. The area outside his cell was eerily empty. He entered a laundry room, where he heard Qin Yiheng's voice echoing in his mind, but couldn't locate him. Just then, the doctor and guards arrived, apprehending Jiang Shuo, who again saw Qin Yiheng.
The doctor once more tried to coerce Jiang Shuo into confessing, but Jiang Shuo demanded proof of his guilt. In response, the doctor took Jiang Shuo to meet Master Qin, Qin Yiheng's brother. Master Qin angrily accused Jiang Shuo of his brother's murder. Jiang Shuo tried to explain himself, but soon realized Master Qin could not hear him.
Bewildered and unable to recall what truly transpired after Qin Yiheng's grim declaration of "only one of us can live," Jiang Shuo was lost. The voice from the cell then offered a crucial hint: if he wanted to find the person he was looking for and unravel the truth, he needed to find a way into the archive room. Moments later, Jiang Shuo called out to the guards, declaring, "I want to confess!"
Episode 16 Recap
Jiang Shuo, still trapped in what he believed to be a prison, suddenly shouted that he was guilty. Dr Sun immediately had him escorted out of his cell. Jiang Shuo then claimed that he felt agitated and couldn't quite remember the details of his supposed crime. After some consideration, Dr Sun assigned him to manual labor, specifically washing clothes. While there, someone secretly slipped Jiang Shuo a note with the single word "Run" written in red.
Jiang Shuo's thoughts immediately turned to Qin Yiheng, but realizing there were too many people around, he feigned a sudden collapse. He woke up in the sickroom and overheard Dr Sun and the Warden discussing his condition, believing he suffered from food poisoning and exhaustion. Once they left, Jiang Shuo slipped away to the archive room. Inside, he found a map of the Yin River but no record of Qin Yiheng.
However, he did find an empty file for Liu Zhi, labeled "Room B." Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the facility, forcing Jiang Shuo to flee, only to find himself locked back in his cell. The person in the cell opposite, whom Jiang Shuo suspected to be Liu Zhi, once again spoke to him, offering a key and challenging him to open the door to uncover the truth.
Jiang Shuo took the key and opened his cell, then the opposite cell, "Room B," where he was stunned to find Qin Yiheng. Jiang Shuo questioned Qin Yiheng's presence and the absence of his name in the archives, and noted that Room B was Liu Zhi's ward. Qin Yiheng remained silent but urged Jiang Shuo to escape with him. As they neared the exit, Qin Yiheng unexpectedly turned and stabbed Jiang Shuo.
Jiang Shuo awoke, finding himself not dead, but back in the same room with Dr Sun and a masked man. The time had not changed. He finally understood everything: the prison, Dr Sun, and the Warden were all illusions. This entire construct was his own Psych, and the masked man before him was the real Liu Zhi.
Jiang Shuo realized that if he were to confess to a crime he didn't commit, he would be forever trapped in this mental prison, unable to awaken in reality. Liu Zhi confirmed Jiang Shuo's deduction, admitting his identity. He explained that in dreams, critical thinking diminishes, making people overlook inconsistencies unless a strong psychological anchor, like Jiang Shuo's lost coins, is present. Liu Zhi asserted that Jiang Shuo knew his purpose, and that they were "the same kind of person."
Jiang Shuo vehemently denied this, stating he would never harm innocent people. Liu Zhi countered, claiming that those on the island were all sinners, rich and powerful but not innocent, and that he merely provided them with choices, doing nothing himself. Jiang Shuo, calling Liu Zhi a madman, argued that everyone's fate should be their own.
Liu Zhi dismissed Jiang Shuo as a "hypocrite," insisting that his existence would only cause more suffering and that he belonged confined in his Psych forever, never to wake up. Refusing to be fooled or controlled, Jiang Shuo declared that this was his Psych, where Liu Zhi could not do as he pleased.
Liu Zhi retorted that Jiang Shuo was no match for him and, despite Jiang Shuo's defiant vow to capture him, accepted the challenge, stating he wanted Jiang Shuo to "lose everything" this time. Liu Zhi then trapped Jiang Shuo in a "Rubik's Cube Space," instructing him to solve all the riddles within to find him, and hinting that clues for each game would be found there, including "Yin River."
Jiang Shuo then truly awoke, finding himself in bed with Qin Yiheng and Master Bu Yan watching over him. Master Bu Yan informed him he had been unconscious for three days and three nights. Jiang Shuo, wanting to speak with Qin Yiheng privately, asked Master Bu Yan to get him some food. He then told Qin Yiheng that he had remembered seeing Qin Yiheng's father and Master Bu Yan's daughter, Zhao Ling, on the island a year ago.
Qin Yiheng confirmed that his plan to trigger Jiang Shuo's memories had worked. He revealed that he had found his father's diary, which detailed how Liu Zhi had forced people to kill each other on the island. Qin Yiheng's father, Qin Yi, and Zhao Ling had hidden and eventually encountered a masked man who identified himself as Jiang Shuo, but refused to obey Liu Zhi and instead helped them escape. Qin Yiheng assured Jiang Shuo that Yuan Muqing was safe.
He further explained that, inspired by the diary, he had found a mask and pretended to betray Jiang Shuo by wearing it to stimulate Jiang Shuo's memories of Liu Zhi. He had also faked his own disappearance to secretly protect Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing, anticipating an attack from Feng Miao Xuan and Takeuchi.
Qin Yiheng recounted saving Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing from the fire, having discovered a secret passage by noticing burn marks similar to those described in his father's diary from a year prior. While exploring the passage, he found traces of other survivors, including three handprints: one belonging to his father, Qin Yi, one to Zhao Ling, and one, he had discovered by comparing, to Jiang Shuo himself.
Jiang Shuo recalled waking up in a mirror-filled room and seeing Qin Yiheng there. At that moment, a voice, which belonged to the News Agency President, confirmed that Jiang Shuo was indeed the masked man from a year ago, accusing him of harming everyone, including Qin Yiheng's father. The President tried to instigate Qin Yiheng to kill Jiang Shuo for revenge and escape the island. Yuan Muqing, however, warned them not to fall into the President's trap.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng then feigned a fight, pretending to fall for the President's manipulation. The President, appearing surprised by their supposed trickery, praised Jiang Shuo as "Liu Zhi's chosen one" and offered his help, reminding them that only one person could survive the game. Qin Yiheng accused the President of orchestrating the entire scheme for Jiang Shuo to kill them all.
The President, dismissive, called it "fate" and declared his intention for Qin Yiheng to die that day to "fulfill" Jiang Shuo's destiny. Qin Yiheng confessed that his elaborate plan had failed to capture Liu Zhi, and he, Yuan Muqing, and Jiang Shuo offered to spare the President if he revealed Liu Zhi's identity. Realizing he had been tricked by their performance, the President decided to fight them.
During the ensuing struggle, Sergeant Bai appeared and shot the President, but Jiang Shuo was afflicted by the President's mind-reading ability, trapping him in his Psych for three days. Qin Yiheng then returned Jiang Shuo's lost coins, explaining that the deceased President had stolen them after Jiang Shuo fainted.
Jiang Shuo recounted his three days in the Psych, describing his "dream" as his mind's inner space, where Liu Zhi, his master, had used mind-reading to convey a message: "A new game has started; find Yin River, find Liu Zhi." Just then, Sergeant Bai arrived at the courtyard with his men. He announced that General Yuan had ordered Jiang Shuo's arrest for interrogation, as Yuan Muqing had been injured by Liu Zhi, and Jiang Shuo was considered a related party.
Master Bu Yan quickly ushered Jiang Shuo into hiding, then, with Qin Yiheng's help, tried to stall Sergeant Bai, claiming Jiang Shuo was not present and offering to take him to the General when he returned. Qin Yiheng further supported the ruse, stating his clinic was in the courtyard and he was simply having tea with Master Bu Yan. Sergeant Bai, growing impatient, warned that if they continued to obstruct him, he would resort to military action.
Episode 17 Recap
When Sergeant Bai and his men arrived at the courtyard, they did not find Jiang Shuo, who was cleverly hidden in the secret compartment of a magic trick cabinet. Sergeant Yang, a subordinate of General Yuan, intended to take everyone from the courtyard, but Sergeant Bai intervened, suggesting they be left as bait to lure Jiang Shuo out.
Sergeant Yang, though suspicious of Sergeant Bai's motives, agreed to withdraw his men after Sergeant Bai pointed out the political risks of a public arrest without immediate success and also mentioned the ongoing investigation of an unidentified corpse by Sergeant Li. Sergeant Yang then ordered Jiang Shuo's wanted posters to be plastered city-wide. After General Yuan's men left, Jiang Shuo, still in hiding, expressed deep concern for Yuan Muqing, who had been injured.
He was determined to go to Yuan Mansion to check on her, but Qin Yiheng restrained him. Qin Yiheng warned Jiang Shuo that it would be suicidal to expose himself to General Yuan's wrath, especially after everyone had worked so hard to keep him safe. Instead, Qin Yiheng offered to visit Yuan Mansion on Jiang Shuo's behalf to check on Yuan Muqing's condition and report back.
Meanwhile, at Yuan Mansion, Yuan Muqing was worried about Jiang Shuo and somewhat upset that he hadn't visited. Her aunt gently reminded her of her recent injury and the ongoing danger from Liu Zhi, also questioning why Jiang Shuo hadn't visited and teasing her about her feelings for him. Yuan Muqing, however, insisted Jiang Shuo was not Liu Zhi, reminding her aunt that he had saved her life.
Her mood brightened considerably upon learning that Qin Yiheng had come as Jiang Shuo's messenger. She relayed a message back for Jiang Shuo, jokingly calling a candy terrible, but also earnestly telling him to be careful and avoid being discovered by her father. As Qin Yiheng was leaving Yuan Mansion, a junior police officer informed him that his brother had claimed an unidentified body from the east of the city. The deceased was a middle-aged man missing a thumb.
Disturbed, Qin Yiheng rushed home, refusing to believe his father was dead. His brother, however, insisted, explaining that the body was found wearing their father's clothes and bore a distinctive scar on the leg, a scar their father sustained years ago while saving Qin Yiheng when he was a child. Despite these details, Qin Yiheng remained unconvinced that it was truly his father.
Concurrently, General Yuan was in a meeting at Yuan Mansion where his brother-in-law, Jin Rong, attempted to persuade him to collaborate with a Japanese individual, Mr. Yamada, who sought control of the dock. Jin Rong presented this as a "mutual benefit" opportunity, even referencing the Japanese tea ceremony. General Yuan, a military man, dismissed such "floweriness" and expressed his deep distrust of the Japanese, branding them as sly opportunists who appropriated Chinese culture.
He vehemently refused to cooperate with them, seeing it as "inviting a wolf into the house," and declared he wanted no further dealings with them. He emphasized that the strength of the Yuan family's army was the only true defense against foreign ambitions, even if it meant imposing more levies on the populace.
Jin Rong then suggested a strategic alliance with General Zhang, a former comrade of General Yuan, proposing a marriage between Yuan Muqing and General Zhang's son, Young Master Zhang Zong Bao, to solidify their position. General Yuan agreed, stating he would make the decision. During the ensuing chaos of another police raid on the courtyard (orchestrated by Sergeant Li's men who were trying to outdo Sergeant Yang's previous investigation), Jiang Shuo managed to escape the courtyard.
The residents then staged a successful public acrobatic performance, bringing in significant earnings. Jiang Shuo, utilizing Master Bu Yan's disguising technique and wearing a mask, seamlessly rejoined the performing troupe and returned to the courtyard. After the show, the group realized Xiao Quan was missing. As they went out to search, Xiao Quan appeared, seemingly under external control. Liu Zhi, speaking through Xiao Quan, delivered an ominous message to Jiang Shuo, declaring that "the game, once started, cannot be stopped.
The Yin River has opened, and a new hell has begun. Unless you stop me, everything will be delivered to eternal damnation." He warned Jiang Shuo that all future games must be played, or those close to him would suffer. Qin Yiheng pressed Liu Zhi about his father's fate, but Liu Zhi offered no reply, only intensifying Qin Yiheng's lingering doubt about his father's death. Both Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng realized they needed to uncover Liu Zhi's next move.
Master Bu Yan investigated the lead at the Changshanzhou Grand Hotel, discovering it had been reserved by General Yuan to host important guests. Jiang Shuo immediately suspected that Liu Zhi's next target was Yuan Mansion and became worried for Yuan Muqing. Master Bu Yan cautioned him against reckless action, reminding him that staying alive was crucial for continuing the fight against Liu Zhi.
This sparked an idea in Jiang Shuo: if he couldn't act as himself, he could act as someone else. Meanwhile, General Yuan confronted Sergeant Bai, questioning his competence and loyalty for failing to apprehend Jiang Shuo after so many days. Sergeant Bai defended Jiang Shuo, suggesting he might not be Liu Zhi, but General Yuan dismissed his concerns, giving him two days to catch Jiang Shuo or face dismissal.
At that moment, Qin Yiheng entered, requesting authority to form a special task force dedicated to capturing Liu Zhi. He vouched for his unique understanding of Liu Zhi, whose actions had caused his own father's alleged death, and pledged the Qin family's reputation to guarantee Liu Zhi's capture and clear Jiang Shuo's name. General Yuan, impressed by Qin Yiheng's resolve, granted his request.
Soon after, Qin Yiheng led a group of police officers to the courtyard, ostensibly to arrest Jiang Shuo. The courtyard residents were baffled by Qin Yiheng's actions. He directed his men to search only the trick cabinet where Jiang Shuo typically hid, then, finding nothing, he quickly departed. Once the police were gone, Jiang Shuo, who had been hiding in plain sight disguised as a police officer, revealed himself.
He understood Qin Yiheng's actions were deliberate but was frustrated by the lack of clear communication. His confusion was compounded by the distressing news, overheard from the courtyard residents, that Yuan Muqing was soon to marry Young Master Zhang Zong Bao. Jiang Shuo learned that Zhang Zong Bao's father, General Zhang, was a powerful warlord and former comrade of General Yuan.
Although Zhang Zong Bao was a successful businessman controlling significant trade routes, Jiang Shuo dismissed him as a spoiled and ruthless playboy, questioning General Yuan's decision to marry his daughter to such a man. Later, Jiang Shuo discovered a wedding invitation for Yuan Mansion on Qin Yiheng's desk. This gave him an idea. Knowing that Yuan Mansion was sending a driver to pick up Young Master Zhang Zong Bao, Jiang Shuo intercepted and tied up the designated Yuan Mansion driver.
Using his disguise technique, Jiang Shuo then impersonated the driver and drove off with Zhang Zong Bao. While en route, Jiang Shuo, still in character as the driver, was forced to witness Zhang Zong Bao's cruel and entitled behavior as he harassed a woman he had picked up, confirming Jiang Shuo's initial negative impression of the young master.
Episode 18 Recap
Jiang Shuo, disguised as the Yuan Mansion's driver, drove Young Master Zhang through the city. His reckless driving and an almost-noticed detail about his nose nearly gave him away. Young Master Zhang, agitated, claimed to see a ghost on the road and demanded the car stop, but Jiang Shuo could only find a piece of white cloth. Meanwhile, Police Chief Bai Kai was investigating the disappearance of a dancer.
He expressed his confusion to Qin Yiheng about Jiang Shuo's sudden arrest. Qin Yiheng, maintaining his secrecy, informed Bai Kai that Liu Zhi's next target would be at the hotel, suggesting it was an opportunity for Bai Kai's reinstatement if he cooperated. Upon arriving at Yuan Mansion, Jiang Shuo, still in disguise, was not recognized by Yuan Muqing.
He attempted to go upstairs but was stopped by the butler, who addressed him as "Xiao Zheng" (the original driver) and reminded him to wash General Yuan's car. Moments later, Jiang Shuo encountered Qin Yiheng, who immediately saw through his disguise, commenting that the mask was useless and cautioning Jiang Shuo to be careful as there were many eyes.
In the grand hall, General Yuan hosted guests, including the uninvited Japanese businessman Yamada, who despite presenting a gift, was met with General Yuan's irritation for his unannounced presence. During the gathering, Ms Xu, a writer, presented the first draft of General Yuan's autobiography, which Young Master Zhang enthusiastically praised, much to the General's delight. Yuan Muqing, disgusted by Young Master Zhang's sycophancy, deliberately tried to spill water on him but was instead flirtatiously teased.
Others present, including Mr Jiang, voiced their disdain for Young Master Zhang's character, praising Yuan Muqing for her spirit, though General Yuan himself remained conciliatory towards Young Master Zhang. Later, as Young Master Zhang was escorting the wheelchair-bound Ms Xu to her room, Jiang Shuo attempted to deliver luggage to Zhang Zong Bao’s room but found no one there. Captain Li, passing by, warned Jiang Shuo not to loiter around the guests' rooms, prompting Jiang Shuo to leave.
As he walked away, he overheard Yuan Muqing angrily denouncing Zhang Zong Bao as a lecher, while her aunt tried to console her, urging her to accept the arranged marriage as General Yuan faced difficult political circumstances. Infuriated by this news, Jiang Shuo almost rushed to Yuan Muqing's aid but was stopped by Qin Yiheng, who reminded him that their priority was the hotel's safety and finding Liu Zhi.
General Yuan was indeed under pressure, having just fiercely rejected Yamada's tempting offer to lease the Liu family dock, recognizing the Japanese's true ambitions beyond mere commerce. He explained to his brother-in-law, Jin Rong, that agreeing would lead to greater exploitation, confirming his principled stance despite Jin Rong's concerns about the General's current predicament. Wandering the mansion, Jiang Shuo noticed Ms Xu acting suspiciously near a door but before he could investigate, a car horn from downstairs demanded his attention.
Butler Wang, agitated, ordered him to move the car, which Jiang Shuo, as the impersonated driver, complied with. Later that evening, the banquet began in the elaborately decorated garden. Yuan Muqing sat in somber reflection, while General Yuan, noticing her mood, expressed his concern. Young Master Zhang had still not appeared, causing a delay.
Bored, Yuan Muqing discovered a note under her plate, seemingly from Jiang Shuo, instructing her to meet him in Zhang Zong Bao's room as something was wrong. Without hesitation, she left the table. Jiang Shuo, observing from a distance with Qin Yiheng, noticed Yuan Muqing’s departure. As he prepared to follow her upstairs, a loud thud echoed through the mansion. Zhang Zong Bao had fallen from the window, right where Yuan Muqing had just been standing.
Jiang Shuo rushed to Yuan Muqing's side, but General Yuan, believing Jiang Shuo to be the culprit, confronted him with a gun. Yuan Muqing bravely shielded Jiang Shuo, taking a bullet that grazed her arm. As everyone gathered, Qin Yiheng intervened, vouching for Jiang Shuo and requesting an opportunity to investigate, citing prior intelligence about Liu Zhi's plans. General Yuan, swayed by his daughter's injury and Qin Yiheng's sworn guarantee, granted him one chance.
Qin Yiheng then declared that no one was to leave, making everyone present a suspect. His examination of Zhang Zong Bao’s body revealed that the Young Master had died at least an hour before the fall, confirming the crime scene was not the primary one. Mr Jiang chimed in, highlighting Zhang Zong Bao’s many atrocities against innocent women and suggesting a vengeful spirit, a theory Qin Yiheng quickly dismissed as an illusion created by a white cloth.
He reaffirmed that only humans can kill, and since Zhang Zong Bao was already dead before the fall, everyone at the banquet, whose alibis were now invalid for the actual time of death, was under suspicion. Qin Yiheng then requested Jiang Shuo's assistance in the investigation, arguing that Jiang Shuo was crucial to finding Liu Zhi, whether as a potential accomplice or a means to track the true killer. General Yuan reluctantly agreed for his daughter's sake.
While Yuan Muqing tried to tear up the note to protect Jiang Shuo, vowing to confess as his accomplice if General Yuan tried to frame him, Jiang Shuo urged her to escape. He explained that his dangerous connection to Liu Zhi meant he couldn't allow her to live in fear and that they needed to catch Liu Zhi for their long-term safety.
Their emotional conversation was interrupted by Qin Yiheng, who appeared, indicating he had been observing and stating that Muqing's injury was minor. He reiterated to Jiang Shuo the paramount importance of finding Liu Zhi. Jiang Shuo, understanding Qin Yiheng's sacrifices and his own desire to find his father, agreed. Soon after, while in hiding, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing discovered a strange iron nail in the room they were sheltering in.
Qin Yiheng then commenced questioning all attendees, including Ms Xu, Yamada, and Mr Jiang, about their activities during the estimated time of Zhang Zong Bao’s death. Ms Xu provided an alibi, confirmed by an officer, stating she was discussing her autobiography draft with General Yuan. Yamada claimed he was under constant surveillance by General Yuan’s men, which an officer corroborated.
Mr Jiang admitted to a grudge with Zhang Zong Bao, who had disrupted his gang's shipping business, and confirmed he went to Zhang Zong Bao's room but was turned away by an attendant before seeing him. He reiterated his belief that Zhang Zong Bao's death was karmic retribution for his many victims. Qin Yiheng, however, asserted that there was no such thing as ghosts, only human killers, and promised to uncover the truth.
Later, in Zhang Zong Bao's room, Qin Yiheng and Jiang Shuo deduced that the body had been hidden and that a contraption was used, which caused Zhang Zong Bao's body to fall from the balcony precisely when Yuan Muqing opened the door. Examining the mechanism, they found a blade and inferred that a nail (like the one Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing had previously discovered) was part of the mechanism. The exact material cut by the blade, however, remained a mystery.
Episode 19 Recap
Qin Yiheng and Jiang Shuo meticulously examined Zhang Zong Bao's room, uncovering clues suggesting the room’s setup was used to stage his fall from the balcony after his death. Qin Yiheng deduced that a nail held something in place, and a blade severed it, though the precise object remained a mystery. Their investigation was interrupted by shouts from downstairs. An attendant from Zhang Mansion had arrived, searching for his young master and butler.
He recognized the car parked outside as Young Master Zhang’s recently acquired vehicle and expressed confusion, as the driver, Mr Wu, had reportedly lost his sanity and the car keys on the night of its purchase. Jiang Shuo immediately suspected Mr Wu’s sudden mental decline was linked to Zhang Zong Bao’s demise. They confronted Butler Zhang, who initially denied any knowledge of Mr Wu.
Under Qin Yiheng’s stern questioning, emphasizing Mr Wu’s vulnerability as a potential next victim, Butler Zhang reluctantly revealed that Mr Wu was confined in an abandoned courtyard near the Young Master’s house. Upon arriving at the abandoned courtyard, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng found Mr Wu in a disoriented state, on the verge of taking his own life. They managed to intervene and rescue him.
Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Shuo entered Mr Wu’s Psych, observing its strange, animated house moving towards a location significant to Mr Wu. Inside, Mr Wu was distraught, repeatedly apologizing to an unseen presence and muttering about a female ghost. This ghost soon manifested and attacked them. Qin Yiheng recognized her as Mo Li, a missing dancer whose file he had previously seen in Captain Bai’s office.
Leaving the Psych, they found themselves in a desolate area, which Qin Yiheng identified as a place he had passed while undercover. Jiang Shuo noticed a gathering of stray dogs and disturbed soil, concluding the ground had been tampered with. They contacted Captain Bai, who quickly joined them. Together, they excavated the site and uncovered two buried bodies.
Back at the police station, Captain Bai confirmed that one of the retrieved bodies, dressed in a white cheongsam, was indeed Mo Li. The identity of the second victim, however, remained unknown, despite a restored portrait. Qin Yiheng then took Jiang Shuo to the dance hall. A dancer there mentioned Mo Li had been "hired" by Young Master Zhang, which Qin Yiheng clarified was a euphemism for being a "sugar baby."
The dance hall supervisor further explained that Mo Li, a star dancer, was forced into her profession by circumstances. She initially resisted Young Master Zhang’s advances but reluctantly accompanied his driver to avoid causing trouble for the supervisor. Mo Li never returned to work, and the driver later claimed she had taken money and gone back to her village. The supervisor suspected Young Master Zhang’s involvement in Mo Li’s disappearance and death but did not recognize the second victim.
Returning to Yuan Mansion, they found the guests growing impatient, eager to depart citing various commitments. However, General Yuan’s orders, relayed by Yuan Muqing, prohibited anyone from leaving until the murderer was found. Qin Yiheng then dramatically declared that the culprit was among them, causing a nervous silence and compelling everyone to remain seated.
Further inquiries among the hotel staff revealed details about a former magician named Shi Shi, renowned for her "White Ribbon Magic Dance" which utilized a specially made elastic white ribbon. She, too, had a tragic encounter with a wealthy man—implied to be Young Master Zhang—which led to her losing her sanity and subsequently disappearing. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng then investigated the hotel’s flower wall, suspecting it might have been used to conceal a body.
The staff confirmed the wall was a theatrical prop, installed at Yamada’s suggestion, as he was familiar with their setup. Searching Yamada’s room, Qin Yiheng discovered a vial containing potassium cyanide in his overcoat. This potent poison matched the substance found on Zhang Zong Bao’s personal utensils. Qin Yiheng confronted Yamada, accusing him of poisoning Zhang Zong Bao. Yamada vehemently denied the murder, asserting he was only present to thwart the alliance between the Yuan and Zhang families.
However, he suddenly collapsed, having poisoned himself, and died still protesting his innocence. General Yuan, despite Yamada's denial and suspicious death, publicly declared Yamada the murderer. He accused Yamada of killing Zhang Zong Bao to sow discord between the two families and then committing suicide to conceal the Japanese military’s involvement.
Privately, General Yuan confided to his subordinate that his actual motive was to sever ties with the Japanese, using Yamada as a convenient scapegoat to quickly close the case and provide an explanation to General Zhang. Later, Qin Yiheng acknowledged to Jiang Shuo that Yamada was not the real murderer, noting Zhang Zong Bao had not even been present at the banquet, let alone consumed any poisoned food.
He recognized General Yuan’s maneuver as a politically astute move, but realized the true killer remained at large, a fact that did not align with Liu Zhi’s typical methods. As the guests prepared to depart, Captain Bai arrived with the updated forensic report. He confirmed the identity of the two victims: Mo Li and Xu Ya Shi, the magician known as Shi Shi.
The report detailed that Mo Li was buried alive, while Xu Ya Shi was run over by a car before being buried alive—events that explained Mr Wu’s mental breakdown. Adding another critical piece of evidence, Yuan Muqing presented a white ribbon that her men had retrieved from the hotel’s trash bin. With this, Qin Yiheng confidently declared he knew the murderer’s identity. To expose the truth, Qin Yiheng and Jiang Shuo staged a dramatic recreation.
As the guests were exiting, Jiang Shuo drove a car to the spot beneath Zhang Zong Bao’s balcony, while Qin Yiheng tossed a puppet, dressed in his coat, from the balcony. The shock of the falling figure halted everyone. Qin Yiheng then revealed that Zhang Zong Bao was not poisoned, but strangled with the wide white ribbon.
He explained how this type of ribbon could cause suffocation without leaving discernible marks, and reiterated that Zhang Zong Bao’s lack of head or neck injuries proved he did not die from the fall. Qin Yiheng elaborated on the intricate setup: the ribbon was fastened to a nail, connected to a loosened flower platform on the balcony, with a blade positioned behind the door.
When Yuan Muqing opened the door as planned, the blade severed the ribbon, causing the platform to give way and Zhang Zong Bao’s body to fall. He pointed out that the ribbon later disappeared, indicating the killer had removed the evidence. Qin Yiheng then directly accused Xu Ya'an, highlighting her motive: her sister, Xu Ya Shi, was one of Zhang Zong Bao's victims.
He dismissed a guest’s doubt about how a "handicapped" person could execute such a complex murder, revealing that Xu Ya'an’s wheelchair was merely a prop, and she was not truly disabled. Jiang Shuo confirmed this by pulling out another, uncut length of the elastic white ribbon from her wheelchair.
Qin Yiheng further solidified the case by pointing out that the mud on Xu Ya'an’s shoes matched the soil from her sister's burial site, proving Xu Ya'an had visited the burial site. With irrefutable evidence, Xu Ya'an abandoned her pretense, stood up, and confessed to killing Zhang Zong Bao. She expressed regret for not having acted sooner, believing her sister would still be alive if Zhang Zong Bao had died earlier.
She had meticulously planned the murder, following instructions that promised her vengeance. Jiang Shuo then clarified to Xu Ya'an that while Qin Yiheng had exposed her, he had also brought forth the sole witness to her sister’s death. Captain Bai then presented a still-frightened Mr Wu, who, under duress, confessed his role. He frantically explained that Zhang Zong Bao forced him to bury the two women.
Mr Wu recounted how Xu Ya Shi had bravely intercepted his car, attempting to save Mo Li. He accidentally struck her, killing her, and despite his desire to help, Zhang Zong Bao, fearing wider implications, ordered him to bury both Xu Ya Shi and the already deceased Mo Li. He admitted Zhang Zong Bao had offered him money to marry, sealing his complicity. Xu Ya'an denounced Mr Wu as a "despicable accomplice."
Qin Yiheng then somberly noted the tragic irony: Xu Ya Shi died attempting to save a life, while Xu Ya'an, driven by revenge, chose to take one. Despite the resolution of Zhang Zong Bao’s murder, General Yuan remained suspicious of Jiang Shuo, believing his connection to Liu Zhi was still unclear. Yuan Muqing pleaded with her father, asserting Jiang Shuo’s innocence and urging him to drop his grudge.
Qin Yiheng intervened, arguing that Jiang Shuo was crucial to their hunt for Liu Zhi, as his mind-reading ability offered the quickest path to the elusive mastermind. Yuan Muqing echoed Qin Yiheng’s sentiment, warning that eliminating Jiang Shuo would mean never finding the true Liu Zhi. General Yuan relented, but imposed a strict condition: Jiang Shuo was forbidden from approaching his daughter.
On the day of Xu Ya'an’s scheduled execution, despite newspaper headlines falsely lauding Zhang Zong Bao as a hero and labeling Xu Ya'an a mere assassin, a different kind of justice began to emerge. Qin Yiheng visited Xu Ya'an, where a group of women, all victims of Zhang Zong Bao’s heinous acts, bravely came forward. They expressed their solidarity, decrying the media’s false narrative and refusing to let the truth be buried.
Although Xu Ya'an initially felt resigned, believing no one would listen, the women shared their own stories of shame and silence. Empowered by her stand, they resolved to publicly expose Zhang Zong Bao’s atrocities in the newspapers, declaring he was no hero and Xu Ya'an no assassin. Many other women, similarly wronged, joined their cause, eager to share their experiences and reclaim their voices. Xu Ya'an, moved by their courage, expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
Episode 20 Recap
After the Zhang Zong Bao case was resolved, Qin Yiheng reminded Jiang Shuo that although Governor-General Yuan had allowed him to investigate, he was strictly forbidden from approaching Yuan Muqing. Jiang Shuo asserted he would find his own way around that restriction. Jiang Shuo then voiced his deep concern that Liu Zhi was exploiting the hatred of good people to cause more suffering, lamenting that these individuals were being harmed because of his involvement.
Qin Yiheng reassured him, stating it was not his fault, and emphasized that while human nature contains elements of evil, the choice of who one becomes, and one's destiny, rests within their own hands. Qin Yiheng then left to rest. Jiang Shuo called out to him, asking about his father, to which Qin Yiheng replied that their immediate goal was to capture Liu Zhi to prevent further tragedies.
Later, when Jiang Shuo entered Liu Zhi's puzzle cube, Liu Zhi appeared, taunting him about his belief in choice and insisting that their game was not yet over, leaving Jiang Shuo with no option but to continue playing. Liu Zhi then revealed the next clue related to the Yin River: Zhao Ling. Sergeant Bai was reinstated after his contribution to solving the Zhang Zong Bao case.
Yuan Muqing also returned to the police station, announcing her own reinstatement and her intention to join the Liu Zhi Investigation Team, much to Sergeant Bai's visible exasperation. On her way home, Yuan Muqing had a fleeting glimpse of the missing Zhao Ling but was unable to follow her. Back at the courtyard, the performers inadvertently spoke of Zhao Ling. Bu Yan Master, overcome with regret, recounted his past with his daughter.
He recalled saving money to send her to school, but she was only interested in singing. When an opportunity arose for her to make music, he forbade it and locked her up. Zhao Ling attempted to escape through a window, leading to a struggle where a kettle was knocked over, severely scalding her back. Bu Yan Master expressed his heartbreak at being an unfit father, while the others consoled him.
He also mentioned that, unlike the other children, Zhao Ling had never liked persimmons. Later, Yuan Muqing unexpectedly arrived at the courtyard, looking for Jiang Shuo. She asked him for a photograph of Zhao Ling, explaining her earlier sighting of someone resembling Zhao Ling in the concession area. Jiang Shuo, on alert due to Liu Zhi's clue, retrieved a picture.
Yuan Muqing speculated that the famous singer Shang Yu might be Zhao Ling, though she sensed subtle differences she couldn't articulate. Shortly after, Bu Yan Master returned with the other performers and a director. The director introduced himself as a reputable filmmaker and offered them roles in his new martial arts movie, promising fame and high earnings.
Jiang Shuo, noticing the film company's address was in the concession area and recalling Yuan Muqing's earlier sighting, suggested they go there to confirm if Shang Yu was Zhao Ling. However, Bu Yan Master vehemently opposed the idea, calling the concession a "complicated place" and fearing they would be cheated. He steadfastly believed that if Zhao Ling were there, she would have returned home by now.
Jiang Shuo did not want Yuan Muqing to accompany him to the concession, concerned for her safety. However, she misunderstood his intentions, believing he found her a nuisance, and angrily left, throwing back the coat he offered her. She vowed to her doll that she would go and investigate Liu Zhi regardless of his objections. The next day, Jiang Shuo, accompanied by Xiao Quan, went to the concession to meet the director.
Yuan Muqing, true to her word, secretly followed them. Jiang Shuo and Xiao Quan were led to a dressing room. There, Jiang Shuo saw a woman he believed was Zhao Ling and immediately gave chase. He inadvertently interrupted a film shoot, and his intense reaction to the actor playing "Liu Zhi" impressed the director, who hailed it as "natural acting" and promptly signed both Jiang Shuo and Xiao Quan without an audition.
Jiang Shuo questioned the director about the name "Liu Zhi," wondering about the coincidence, but the director dismissed it as a randomly chosen name for the film's villain. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing's impromptu audition was a disaster; her overly dramatic performance led to her prompt dismissal. Outside, feeling embarrassed, she saw Jiang Shuo and Xiao Quan being escorted out. To divert attention, she immediately questioned Jiang Shuo about Zhao Ling.
Jiang Shuo confirmed that he and Xiao Quan had seen the woman, but the director had called her Shang Yu. Both noted that Shang Yu had shown no recognition of them, leaving them bewildered as to whether she was pretending or genuinely suffering from amnesia.
Yuan Muqing added that Shang Yu was a mysterious figure who had suddenly gained popularity, having previously played the "Anonymous Singer" always concealed by a veil, and this film was reportedly her first public appearance without it. She mentioned that Qin Yiheng was already investigating Shang Yu's true identity, and the truth would soon come to light. Backstage, Shang Yu was meticulously removing her makeup, forbidding her assistant from touching her face.
Another actress attempted to provoke her, challenging her status as "Movie Queen." Shang Yu was visibly irritated by a bouquet of lilies from a fan, but her mood improved upon receiving a custom-made "Goddess Clock." Upon returning home, she discovered her room had been ransacked. She immediately called the police. On her bedside table, she found a letter addressed "To Zhao Ling," containing a chilling message: "Liu Zhi is back. Run for your life." Shang Yu's expression grew increasingly panicked.
As Shang Yu stepped out of her house, Jiang Shuo intercepted her, claiming a fan from his troupe wished to meet her. Shang Yu, clearly distraught, questioned if he was the one who had been following her, but Jiang Shuo denied it. He then used his psych-hunting ability to enter Shang Yu's mind palace. However, he found only a labyrinth of faceless figures, rendering him unable to confirm if she was indeed Zhao Ling.
Unable to ascertain her identity through her Psych, Jiang Shuo brought the woman back to the courtyard. Bu Yan Master was overcome with emotion, believing his beloved Ling'er had finally returned, exclaiming that he thought he would never see her again. However, Jiang Shuo cautiously explained that they couldn't be certain she was Zhao Ling as she remembered nothing, and his foray into her Psych had yielded no clear answers.
When the woman awoke, she looked around in confusion, asking who they were and where she was. Despite Bu Yan Master's heartfelt pleas, identifying himself as her father, she declared she didn't recognize him or anyone else in the courtyard, leaving him heartbroken.
Episode 21 Recap
Shang Yu, brought back to the courtyard by Jiang Shuo, woke up disoriented and did not recognize her surroundings or the people there. When Master Bu Yan tried to greet her as "Ling'er," she initially seemed to acknowledge him as "father" before denying any knowledge of him or anyone else. Distraught, Master Bu Yan insisted that she was his daughter, pointing to the lily necklace she wore, which he had personally crafted and was unique in Changshanzhou.
He was heartbroken by her amnesia, asking what had happened to her. Meanwhile, Sergeant Bai and Qin Yiheng were puzzled by newspaper reports announcing "Terror strikes Changshanzhou as murderer Liu Zhi is sighted." They questioned how this top-secret information could have been leaked, even speculating if Liu Zhi himself was responsible. As they discussed this, another headline caught their attention: "Superstar Shang Yu." Qin Yiheng wondered if the two pieces of news were connected.
At the film set, the residents of the courtyard had become extras. While some complained about their roles as "villains" and "demons," Jiang Shuo, assigned to play Liu Zhi, expressed his reluctance, wishing for a role where his face wasn't covered. Other extras sympathized, noting how hard it must be to play one's own nemesis. Master Bu Yan observed Shang Yu, who seemed dispirited, and the director reprimanded her for her poor performance, threatening overtime for the entire crew.
Shang Yu, visibly upset, went to wash her face, with Master Bu Yan offering her a towel. Later, her manager scolded her for her lack of focus, to which Shang Yu responded that she was being constantly stalked and her house had been intruded upon. The manager, apologizing, offered to hire a butler and a driver for her, an offer overheard by Master Bu Yan.
At the premiere of "The Mystery of Liu Zhi," the director introduced Qin Dan and Jin Feng as the male and female leads. The audience reacted angrily, questioning why Shang Yu's scenes were cut and why Jin Feng, not Shang Yu, was the movie queen. Jiang Shuo was among the crowd, observing Shang Yu with concern.
Two courtyard residents watching the premiere lamented their "clown" roles, while another remarked that Jiang Shuo perfectly embodied Liu Zhi, knowing the character better than anyone. The director then invited only the "supporting actors" on stage, further disappointing the courtyard residents who had hoped for more recognition. The scene quickly devolved into chaos as reporters pressed the director about the Liu Zhi rumors and Shang Yu's fans protested the change in lead actresses, accusing the production of fraud.
In the chaotic aftermath, Jin Feng confronted Shang Yu in the dressing room, accusing her of orchestrating the fan protest and hiring people to sabotage her. Shang Yu vehemently denied it, insinuating that Jin Feng acquired her lead role through "shameless" means. Others present tried to calm the situation, urging Shang Yu to apologize, but she stubbornly refused, maintaining her innocence and leaving with feigned arrogance, observed by a lurking figure.
Qin Yiheng and Yuan Muqing investigated Shang Yu, discovering that she had no records in Changshanzhou and mysteriously appeared a year ago as an amnesiac singer. Yuan Muqing strongly suspected Shang Yu was Zhao Ling, noting that Zhao Ling disappeared around the time Shang Yu emerged and Shang Yu's consistent habit of covering her face. Jiang Shuo recalled Liu Zhi's hint that Zhao Ling was linked to the underground river, and they decided to proceed with caution.
Yuan Muqing insisted on joining their investigation. Later, Shang Yu returned home to find Master Bu Yan, who had, unbeknownst to her, applied and been hired as her butler for free after overhearing her manager discuss hiring one. He greeted her warmly and offered meticulous care, bringing her a towel, preparing her favorite dishes, and even buying fruit. However, Shang Yu remained distant and irritable.
When she asked for persimmons, which Bu Yan noted Zhao Ling never liked, Shang Yu abruptly declared, "I am not Zhao Ling," before retreating to her room, leaving Master Bu Yan heartbroken. The following day, chaos erupted on the film set when Jin Feng's body was discovered. Initially, the director was looking for Jin Feng for an audition for an upcoming movie, but her assistant reported she hadn't been seen since the previous night.
A crew member then screamed that Jin Feng was dead and that Liu Zhi had killed her, pointing to a familiar six-fingered mark. Jiang Shuo immediately recognized it as the prop fingerprint used in the movie, not an actual one. Qin Yiheng, examining the body, confirmed that Jin Feng's "seven-orifice bleeding" was merely blood smeared on her face to mimic a scene; her actual cause of death was blunt force trauma.
They realized someone was meticulously recreating scenes from the film, but heavy rain the previous night had unfortunately washed away most of the clues. Sergeant Bai, Qin Yiheng, and Jiang Shuo proceeded to the dressing room where bloodstains were reported. They noted that the crime scene had been disturbed, making it difficult to ascertain if it was the primary murder site.
However, Jiang Shuo observed dried blood on a disturbed flower bouquet, leading him to conclude that the body had been dragged and that the dressing room was indeed the initial crime scene. They deduced that the killer must be intimately familiar with the movie's details. Outside, a throng of reporters besieged the studio, demanding answers from Sergeant Bai about Jin Feng's death and whether Shang Yu was the prime suspect, speculating a connection to Liu Zhi.
Sergeant Bai stated the case was confidential but under control, suspecting an internal leak. Jiang Shuo spotted Yuan Muqing struggling in the crowd. Rushing to her aid, he caught her before she fell, admonishing her for her recklessness. Yuan Muqing admitted she had sprained her ankle while trying to find him. Jiang Shuo then piggybacked her back to the dressing room, gently massaging her ankle and explaining a technique Master Bu Yan had taught him.
Yuan Muqing informed them that the news of Jin Feng's murder had spread, causing widespread panic and leading many to believe that Liu Zhi had literally emerged from the movie. Following a lead, Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing visited the newspaper office that first reported on Liu Zhi. The eager reporters there tried to barter information about Liu Zhi for details on Jin Feng's case.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, however, threatened them with charges for spreading fake news and revealing private information, claiming their informant within the film studio had already been arrested. Under pressure, the reporters confessed that the film factory manager, Henry Zhang, was their source for the Liu Zhi story. Meanwhile, Henry Zhang, on a phone call with the director, flippantly dismissed concerns about Jin Feng's death, suggesting it might even boost the film's publicity.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng confronted Henry Zhang and the director. Henry Zhang claimed he had merely intended to generate buzz for the new film and was shocked by Jin Feng's murder. The director, initially hesitant, insisted that Liu Zhi was a character he had "randomly invented" from a dream and had no knowledge of such a person existing in reality.
Under pressure and implied threats about the real Liu Zhi, the director confessed that the script for "The Mystery of Liu Zhi" was actually written by a former screenwriter, Xiao Zhi, who had suddenly quit. When Shang Yu was questioned, she affirmed her alibi, stating that Master Bu Yan could confirm she was home on the night of the murder. She also revealed she had been stalked by a hunched man wearing a hat but couldn't clearly see his face.
However, the moment Yuan Muqing mentioned Liu Zhi, Shang Yu became agitated, claiming to feel unwell, and abruptly left the room. Outside, Shang Yu's fervent fans aggressively blocked the police, accusing them of harassment and baseless accusations, pointing out the police's inability to solve the case. Meanwhile, Qin Yiheng interviewed the film factory's gatekeeper, who, despite dozing off, vaguely remembered Jin Feng entering the dressing room with a hunched man on the night of her death.
This description aligned with Shang Yu's account of her stalker. Returning to the dressing room to join Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing, a scream pierced the air. Another victim had been murdered, his throat slit. This crime also mimicked a scene from the movie, but a subtle difference—an extra vertical line on the Liu Zhi mark—suggested it was a deliberate clue left by the victim.
Before they could fully process this, an officer arrived, reporting that suspects had been apprehended, identified by the theater manager. Jiang Shuo rushed to find his courtyard residents being arrested. They frantically explained that they had received an anonymous letter which stated "Zhao Ling is the killer," and instructed them to go to a specific location, which turned out to be the scene of the second murder.
The writing on the letter had vanished shortly after opening, leaving them without proof and believing they had been framed. Jiang Shuo vehemently argued with Sergeant Bai, asserting his friends' innocence, but Sergeant Bai, citing the public outrage and the need to follow protocol, insisted on taking them to the station, promising a thorough investigation. Despite their release due to insufficient evidence, the newspapers continued to sensationalize the events, branding the courtyard residents as "monsters."
The residents were subsequently harassed and pelted by an angry mob. Mantou blamed herself for wanting to be a star, but Bai She reassured her, emphasizing their innocence and condemning the mob's unjust accusations. They reflected on the mysterious letter, realizing "Zhao Ling" referred to Shang Yu, confirming the killer knew Shang Yu's true identity.
Despite the confirmation that Shang Yu was indeed Zhao Ling, Master Bu Yan lamented that his daughter, now Shang Yu, had changed completely, alternating between strange smiles and angry outbursts, unable to recognize him. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng agreed that Yuan Muqing should stay with Shang Yu to care for her, especially since there was no immediate danger.
Qin Yiheng, reviewing the case, speculated that the mysterious letter, by intentionally using Zhao Ling's name, indicated the killer knew Shang Yu's secret. He considered the hunched man the primary suspect but felt stuck after the witness's death. At the police station, Yuan Muqing meticulously re-watched "The Mystery of Liu Zhi" for the third time.
She confirmed that since the film had only screened once at its premiere before being postponed, only the staff and audience would know its intricate plot and details. This led her to deduce that the murderer must have been among those who had seen the movie. She also questioned why Shang Yu, initially heavily promoted, had been replaced by Jin Feng as the female lead. Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng returned to the director.
Fearing for his life after their previous conversation, the director finally confessed: the script was not his, but written by Xiao Zhi, a former screenwriter who had abruptly quit. The director explained that Henry Zhang had started a relationship with Jin Feng and then forced Xiao Zhi to rewrite the script to expand Jin Feng's role. Enraged by this "sullied" work, Xiao Zhi quit without collecting his pay, wanting no further association with the film.
The director also vaguely recalled Xiao Zhi being "a little hunched," a detail that immediately caught Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng's attention. They surmised that Xiao Zhi's resentment over his creative work being disrespected could be a strong motive for Jin Feng's murder, though the reason for implicating the courtyard residents remained unclear.
Confident in the director's given address for Xiao Zhi due to his fear, they set off to confront him, intending to ask him directly about his motives and for Jiang Shuo to potentially enter his mind palace.
Episode 22 Recap
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng located Xiao Zhi's hiding place. Upon seeing them, Xiao Zhi immediately fled, but they cornered him, quickly subdued him, and entered his Psych. Inside Xiao Zhi's Psych, they found themselves in a peculiar cinema. As they delved into his film, they discovered Shang Yu was the sole protagonist, confirming Xiao Zhi's secret affection for her.
While attempting to find Shang Yu and Xiao Zhi within this mental landscape, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng unexpectedly transformed into children. They entered a room where Xiao Zhi, hidden in the shadows, observed a faceless Shang Yu. Just as Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng prepared to leave, the zombies within Xiao Zhi's Psych sprang to life. Xiao Zhi, desperate to keep Shang Yu's secret hidden, tried to kill them.
To save Qin Yiheng, Jiang Shuo manipulated time, returning them to their adult forms and bringing them to what appeared to be an underworld court. The presence of Liu Zhi's influence within Xiao Zhi's Psych raised suspicions that Shang Yu's secret might be connected to Zhao Ling's identity as Shang Yu.
In the eerie court, two identical women, Shang Yu and Zhao Ling, were presented, but the truth remained elusive, forcing Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng to temporarily exit Xiao Zhi's Psych. Once Xiao Zhi regained consciousness, he immediately confessed to killing both Jin Feng and the gatekeeper, but his inability to consistently name the murder weapons suggested he was not the actual culprit.
He first claimed he used a kitchen knife for the gatekeeper, but when questioned about the wound size, he quickly changed his answer to a fruit knife. Meanwhile, Bu Yan, Shang Yu's butler, was cleaning her home. Shang Yu entered, visibly anxious when she saw him handling a Goddess Clock.
As she prepared to leave for the Movie Queen awards ceremony, Bu Yan, while tidying, noticed the absence of his daughter Zhao Ling's distinctive burn marks on Shang Yu's back, a discovery that deeply disturbed him. Simultaneously, the film manager arrived to inquire about Xiao Zhi's alleged murder. During their conversation, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng learned about the Goddess Clock and that lilies were commonly associated with Shang Yu.
Qin Yiheng, connecting the dots, realized who the true killer was. He noted that Shang Yu never opened fan gifts, even those with lilies, except for the Goddess Clock, which was a unique gift from Xiao Zhi, disguised as a fan offering. Shang Yu followed a distraught Bu Yan into the bathroom. He confronted her, asking about Zhao Ling's whereabouts, which Shang Yu vehemently denied knowing.
As Bu Yan pressed her for answers, Shang Yu forcefully pushed him into the bathtub, drowning him. Downstairs, Yuan Muqing heard the commotion and rushed upstairs. She arrived just in time to rescue the barely conscious Bu Yan, pulling him from the water and administering emergency aid. When Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng arrived, they heard Bu Yan weakly utter that Shang Yu was not Zhao Ling.
With this crucial information, Jiang Shuo entrusted Bu Yan to Yuan Muqing's care, and he and Qin Yiheng hurried to the Movie Queen awards ceremony. At the ceremony, attendees observed a moment of silence for the deceased Jin Feng before the awards proceeded. Shang Yu, a popular nominee, was the first candidate to be presented.
However, when it was time for Miss Mei Gui's appearance, the supposedly dead Jin Feng walked onto the stage, terrifying the host and the audience, who scattered in fear. Shang Yu, though startled, remained focused on securing the Movie Queen trophy, showing no fear of Jin Feng's "ghost."
When Jin Feng was controversially announced as the Movie Queen, Shang Yu, in a fit of rage and desperation, snatched the trophy and smashed it onto Jin Feng's head, screaming that no one could take what was hers. Qin Yiheng swiftly intervened, protecting "Jin Feng" and confirming Shang Yu as the real murderer. Shang Yu, finally admitting her guilt, was taken into custody.
She confessed that on the day she killed Jin Feng, Jin Feng had seen her without makeup, revealing a disfiguring birthmark. Jin Feng mocked her appearance, threatened to expose her to Henry Zhang, and vowed to prevent her from ever becoming Movie Queen. In a moment of panic, Shang Yu bludgeoned her to death, then meticulously staged the scene to mimic a movie death.
To shift suspicion, she attempted to manipulate the gatekeeper into giving false testimony, implying Xiao Zhi's involvement. Not fully trusting the gatekeeper, she also sent anonymous letters to the residents of the apartment complex, aiming to confuse the investigation and create scapegoats. However, the gatekeeper witnessed the act and began to blackmail her. Under duress, Shang Yu killed the gatekeeper as well, mimicking another movie death, but was then unexpectedly seen by Xiao Zhi.
Because of his deep affection for Shang Yu, Xiao Zhi willingly offered to take the blame for her crimes. Shang Yu revealed that she did know Zhao Ling. Back when Shang Yu was still named Liu Li, they met during an audition when Liu Li's violin string broke, and Zhao Ling offered her own. They became close friends, like sisters, and Zhao Ling even gave Liu Li her lily necklace.
Liu Li wasn't selected for the film, but Zhao Ling was. One day, Zhao Ling received a mysterious letter, and shortly after, she was suddenly taken away, leaving her lily necklace behind. Seeing an opportunity, Liu Li took Zhao Ling's place in the film crew and changed her name to Shang Yu. In prison, Shang Yu also produced the anonymous threatening letter she had received, which read, "Liu Zhi is back. Run if you wish to live, Zhao Ling."
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng suspected that someone might have mistaken Shang Yu for Zhao Ling and sent the warning, or that Liu Zhi was deliberately creating a smokescreen. Shang Yu, now incarcerated, returned the lily necklace to Bu Yan and confided in him about a childhood secret of Zhao Ling's: she despised persimmons, a reaction stemming from a traumatic memory of her father being beaten for stealing them to satisfy her craving. Shang Yu noted that this hidden aversion was the most convincing act Zhao Ling had ever performed in her life.
Episode 23 Recap
Feeling defeated that the clues from Liu Zhi had led to a dead end with Zhao Ling’s case, and with only Jiang Shuo remaining as a survivor from that time, Qin Yiheng was comforted by Jiang Shuo, who urged him not to be one-sided and believe that Qin Yiheng’s father was still alive. Yuan Muqing also reassured him that Liu Zhi’s plot would fail since all three of them had survived, contrary to Liu Zhi's prediction.
Just then, Bai Kai arrived, delivering a new lead found at Shang Yu’s house: a map to the Yin River, confirming Liu Zhi’s ominous message that he would be waiting for Jiang Shuo there. Jiang Shuo, worried about Yuan Muqing’s safety, initially planned to go with Qin Yiheng alone. However, Yuan Muqing secretly joined them by deliberately draining their car’s fuel tank and offering a spare in exchange for being part of the investigation.
As they drove towards their destination, Yuan Muqing claimed to have seen a strange woman in white with a red string on her wrist, but Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng saw nothing when they looked. They decided to dismiss it as an illusion and continued their journey, eventually arriving at Yan Village. The village market was bustling that night. They checked into the Earthly Inn, where Madam Mei, the innkeeper, welcomed them.
Jiang Shuo playfully introduced himself as "Master Jiang," while Qin Yiheng revealed Yuan Muqing's prestigious background. They subtly inquired about local "rivers, lakes, and seas." They overheard other guests discussing the mysterious Palace of Ultimate Happiness, where people supposedly gained immense strength and wealth. They witnessed Liu Tuo, once sick and disabled, now demonstrating extraordinary strength, confirming the Palace's rumored powers.
The village chief, Yan Chen, then arrived and distributed red strings to four eager guests, instructing them to tie them on their wrists and promising someone would pick them up for the Palace by morning. He then left with Madam Mei. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng suspected a connection between the Palace of Ultimate Happiness and the Yin River and decided to stay at the inn to observe.
Yuan Muqing still felt uneasy about the red strings and the peculiar villagers. The next morning, Jiang Shuo woke from a disturbing vision of Liu Zhi giving him a red string and uttering "Help me." He interpreted this as another clue. To their surprise, the entire village, including the inn, was deserted, as if it had become a ghost town overnight. They searched for answers and entered the Yan Family Ancestral Hall.
Inside, they found a genealogy book with names of living villagers, like Yan Chen, Lu Mei, Liu Tuo, and Wang Shi Liu, listed as if they were deceased, some written in red ink. This deepened their confusion about the red strings. As they left the ancestral hall, they encountered Su Min, Qin Yiheng’s senior from his studies in England.
Qin Yiheng was shocked to see his once ambitious mentor, who aspired to be a doctor and marry his fiancée Liu Qing, now working as a farmer. Su Min, visibly changed and evasive, explained that Liu Qing had disappeared after returning home, leaving him heartbroken and aimless. He claimed he knew nothing about a "Yin River" and warned them to leave Yan Village, dismissing it as a simple recuperation spot.
Jiang Shuo found Su Min’s behavior suspicious, but Qin Yiheng attributed it to grief. They decided to split up: Qin Yiheng would go to the post office to send a telegram to Bai Kai, asking for information on the names from the genealogy book, while Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing would try to get more information from Madam Mei. Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing returned to the Earthly Inn to question Madam Mei, but she provided no useful information.
As they passed a courtyard, they discovered Wang Shi Liu’s lifeless body. With Qin Yiheng still away, they sought help from Su Min, who initially refused, reiterating his warning to stop investigating. However, after Yuan Muqing revealed her identity as a deputy sergeant from Changshanzhou, Su Min reluctantly agreed to examine the body. He determined Wang Shi Liu died from an overdose of medicine.
Su Min then revealed that Yan Village's situation was far more complex than they imagined, mentioning a mass grave behind the mountain filled with many bodies bearing similar death marks. He refused to lead them to the grave, stating he was busy. Jiang Shuo, wanting to protect Yuan Muqing, feigned a leg cramp and sent her back to retrieve his "silver needles," while secretly heading to the mass grave himself.
There, he discovered many corpses, all with marks on their wrists where red strings had once been. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing, instead of going back for the needles, returned to Wang Shi Liu’s body and saw Su Min removing the red string from his wrist. Realizing Su Min’s deception, she secretly followed him, leaving a "Help me" note for Jiang Shuo. When Qin Yiheng returned, he and Jiang Shuo found Yuan Muqing's note and immediately suspected Su Min.
Jiang Shuo recalled Su Min's earlier evasiveness and his lie about not reading medical books, coupled with his knowledge of the mass grave. They rushed to Su Min's house, only to find it empty. Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Muqing had followed Su Min into a hidden tunnel, where he ambushed and knocked her unconscious. Searching Su Min's house, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng found specialized medical books on antidotes.
More importantly, they uncovered historical documents about the "Yan clan," not "Yan Village." These documents described the Yan clan as having six fingers and possessing mind-reading abilities, seen as "sorcerers." The texts also mentioned that the Yan clan built a magnificent sanctuary by water—the Palace of Ultimate Happiness—to worship their ancestors. Jiang Shuo speculated that this "water" could be the Yin River, and Qin Yiheng pondered if Liu Zhi himself was a member of the Yan clan.
They also found a box filled with red strings. Concluding that all clues pointed to the Palace of Ultimate Happiness and needing to find Yuan Muqing, they returned to the Earthly Inn and successfully bribed Madam Mei to arrange their entry into the Palace that very night. Qin Yiheng reassured Jiang Shuo that all their efforts were for Yuan Muqing, affirming their shared purpose.
Episode 24 Recap
The next morning, those destined for the Palace of Bliss gathered at The Earthly Inn. Chief Yan hosted a grand "feast," insisting everyone partake to reflect the Palace of Bliss's principle of "all beings are equal" and their future "paradise."
When Qin Yiheng expressed his reluctance to eat a hearty breakfast, explaining he was not accustomed to such heavy food early in the morning, Jiang Shuo interjected, stating Qin Yiheng's habits as a doctor and his fastidiousness prevented him from eating. Jiang Shuo then offered to eat on his behalf. However, Chief Yan offered Qin Yiheng a lighter vegetable dish instead. Soon after, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, along with everyone else around them, felt weak and collapsed.
They woke up on Hunchback Liu's boat. Hunchback Liu, who daily ferried people to the Palace of Bliss, told them they were headed to the Palace of Bliss. He took them to a small cottage by the river, which concealed a secret passage. Hunchback Liu led them into this hidden entrance, welcoming them to the "Palace of Bliss."
Inside the secret passage, Jiang Shuo noticed drawings on the walls, depicting people with six fingers, leading him to believe this was the den of the Yan Clan. As they entered a room where people sat in a circle, Qin Yiheng immediately covered his nose and mouth with a cloth, having anticipated gas poisoning after discovering missing pages on the topic in Su Min's medical books. He also quickly intervened to prevent Jiang Shuo from being affected by the gas.
Unable to wake the unconscious individuals, who were deeply poisoned, Qin Yiheng instructed Jiang Shuo to use his psych-hunting ability to enter their inner worlds. Inside a beggar's psych, they witnessed his fantasies of indulging in food, drink, and women, and another man’s delusion of passing the imperial examination. Qin Yiheng explained that these were the beggar's projections of desires gleaned from others' conversations at the inn.
He concluded that the Palace of Bliss was a place designed to create illusions, allowing people to experience their deepest, unfulfilled wishes through fantasies, all maintained by drugs. Jiang Shuo wondered if they should awaken these people from their blissful but false realities, but Qin Yiheng asserted that it would be crueler not to, as prolonged drug use would jeopardize their health and lives. Their priority became finding the drug-emitting mechanism.
Leaving the beggar's psych, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng blew out a burning lamp, which caused the hallucinating individuals to writhe in distress, confirming the lamp was part of the drug-delivery mechanism. Following a mysterious flying bug, they navigated corridors filled with more people, many of whom Qin Yiheng recognized as influential figures from Changshanzhou who had disappeared long ago, now rendered extremely weak and wearing red strings.
Jiang Shuo speculated that the bodies found in the mass grave behind the village likely suffered the same fate. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing awoke and entered the very room Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng had just left. Seeing the incapacitated people, she quickly went to seek help. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng followed the bug to a drug-making room, where they found Qin Yiheng's senior, Liu Qing, tied up.
Liu Qing explained she was kidnapped by Madam Mei and Chief Yan after they witnessed her treating a drug addict. They forced her to make potent, addictive drugs that were then added to the lamps, turning people into addicts and earning them vast sums. Overwhelmed by guilt, Liu Qing recounted a past escape attempt during which she got lost in the hills but saw a light. Pursued by Chief Yan, she gestured for help to avoid endangering others.
This confirmed Yuan Muqing's earlier sighting of a woman in white wearing a red string. Expressing concern for Yuan Muqing, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng informed Liu Qing that Su Min had also gone missing while searching for her. Qin Yiheng, though trusting Su Min, emphasized that finding the culprits was paramount to ensure Yuan Muqing's safety and rescue everyone.
Liu Qing revealed that after her failed escape, Chief Yan had personally taken over collecting the drugs for the lamps, indicating he no longer trusted her. Qin Yiheng concluded they should ambush Chief Yan at the lamp-refilling station. Liu Qing agreed to guide them. While searching for help, Yuan Muqing encountered Chief Yan. Sensing danger, she was nonetheless captured and bound in a room where she found Su Min also restrained.
Chief Yan, gloating, revealed that the Palace of Bliss was his "goldmine," dismissing Yuan Muqing's accusations of madness. Taking advantage of the Chief's departure, Su Min explained to Yuan Muqing that he had spent years undercover as a farmer, even digging a tunnel, all to find his fiancée, Liu Qing.
He apologized for involving her, stating he kept his true purpose secret because she was a police officer, and he couldn't bear to save Liu Qing only to see her arrested for her involvement in the drug operation. Meanwhile, Madam Mei met with Chief Yan, expressing concern about the extinguished lamps and the missing Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng.
Chief Yan, confident that the two men couldn't escape the Palace of Bliss, dismissed her worries and took the drugs to refill the lamps himself, instructing Madam Mei to guard Yuan Muqing and Su Min. Madam Mei arrived at the river cottage, where she encountered Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Liu Qing, who had recently escaped from the Palace of Bliss. A confrontation ensued, during which Jiang Shuo used his psych-hunting ability to hypnotize Madam Mei.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng then tied her up in the drug-making room. Under interrogation, Madam Mei revealed that a masked man had informed her and Chief Yan about "Yan Clan treasures," which they interpreted as the Daan herb. Madam Mei then turned the tables, revealing she held Yuan Muqing and Su Min captive, mocking Su Min for his "death wish" in digging a tunnel to save Liu Qing. Liu Qing, desperate, pleaded with Madam Mei to release Su Min.
Qin Yiheng, before he and Jiang Shuo left the drug-making room, privately warned Liu Qing not to be swayed by Madam Mei's words. However, Madam Mei played on Liu Qing's fears of retribution for her role in the drug operation, suggesting that Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng would only care about Yuan Muqing's fate and abandon her and Su Min. She offered Liu Qing and Su Min freedom to "start over" if Liu Qing cooperated.
Succumbing to the manipulation and fearing for her future with Su Min, Liu Qing untied Madam Mei, then drugged Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, and left the drug-making room with Madam Mei. Meanwhile, Chief Bai's police team arrived at Yan Village, finding Qin Yiheng's car and discovering a male body dead from poisoning. More disturbingly, forty to fifty bodies, also poisoned, were found behind the hills, greatly angering Chief Bai.
Officers were dispatched to interrogate villagers and keep alert for armed, possibly hostage-taking suspects. An officer then presented a map found at the inn, leading Chief Bai to interrogate Hunchback Liu, who initially feigned ignorance but eventually admitted his boat ferried people on a hidden river, which locals called the "Yin River" and led to the "Palace of Bliss." Chief Bai ordered Hunchback Liu to guide them there.
Madam Mei brought Liu Qing to the room where Su Min and Yuan Muqing were held. Su Min, overjoyed to see Liu Qing, immediately challenged Madam Mei, demanding to know where Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng were. Madam Mei, believing Liu Qing had switched sides, gloated that the two men were captured and posed no threat. As Madam Mei moved to harm Yuan Muqing, Liu Qing quickly intervened to protect her. Su Min, enraged, then tried to intervene himself.
Liu Qing then proposed that Yuan Muqing, along with the captured Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, could be used to test her "new drugs," which she claimed would produce stronger hallucinations and greater addiction. Chief Yan and Madam Mei enthusiastically agreed, and they proceeded to the drug-making room for the demonstration. However, this entire scenario, including Liu Qing's apparent defection, was a carefully orchestrated trap by Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, never truly drugged, ambushed Chief Yan and Madam Mei in the drug-making room. A fierce battle ensued, resulting in Chief Yan's death. Su Min, sacrificing himself to protect Liu Qing, was fatally wounded.
In his dying moments, he expressed his happiness at finding Liu Qing again, reminding her of the red string he had given her—a symbol of their promise that he would always find her, no matter where she was, a poignant echo of their past. Meanwhile, outside the Palace of Bliss, Chief Bai and his team, led by Hunchback Liu, were rapidly closing in.
Episode 25 Recap
Sergeant Bai and his team successfully rescued the victims from the Palace of Ultimate Happiness. Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing observed Liu Qing's profound grief over Su Min's death, which deeply affected them both. Yuan Muqing expressed concern for Jiang Shuo's injuries. However, Jiang Shuo informed Yuan Muqing that he was formally removing her from the Liu Zhi Investigation Team.
He explained that he could not bear to have her, a young woman, constantly facing life-and-death situations with him, as danger had been a constant companion since they met. Yuan Muqing refused, declaring that after all they had been through, she realized there was no meaning in life if she could not be by the side of the man she loved. Sergeant Bai then approached, reporting that they had found nothing of significance in the Palace of Ultimate Happiness.
This prompted Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng to reconsider the clues from Shang Yu's home, questioning if the letter sent to Shang Yu was truly from Liu Zhi, given the absence of his usual distinct mark. As they conversed, Jiang Shuo spotted an old man observing them from a corner. Qin Yiheng immediately recognized him as his long-lost father, Qin Yi. Qin Yi was agitated, muttering "Be careful of Liu Zhi" as he fled.
Qin Yiheng, Jiang Shuo, and Yuan Muqing quickly gave chase, noting they were near the Jiangjun River, making them wonder if "Yin River" on the map was a misdirection or another name for this river. The trio followed Qin Yi along the Jiangjun River to the base of a mountain. Jiang Shuo astutely noticed a large rock that appeared to be intentionally placed.
He asked Yuan Muqing to stay and look after the agitated Qin Yi, while he and Qin Yiheng proceeded into a nearby cave. Inside the cave, they discovered a massive Rubik's Cube, identical to one Jiang Shuo had seen in his Mind Mansion. On the wall, the inscription "Tomb of Mr Liu Zhi" was clearly visible, causing Qin Yiheng to ponder if Liu Zhi was truly deceased.
Jiang Shuo, recalling the configuration from his Mind Mansion, manipulated the Rubik's Cube, and a hidden door swung open. Stepping into the tomb, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng found only a skeleton, which they presumed to be Liu Zhi's. At that moment, Qin Yi, accompanied by Yuan Muqing, rushed in, frenziedly pointing at the remains and muttering about Liu Zhi. Realizing Qin Yi's distressed mental state, they decided to take him to the hospital.
There, Qin Yi remained paranoid, insisting that someone was trying to kill him, even though "he's dead," and reiterating the need to find the "Yin River." To uncover the truth behind his father's trauma, Qin Yiheng asked Jiang Shuo to take him into Qin Yi's Mind Mansion. Inside, they found people eerily frozen in positions that collectively formed the Chinese character "玖" (Nine).
Qin Yiheng and Jiang Shuo discussed how Qin Yi's profound fear of Liu Zhi stemmed from an incident on the isolated island a year prior. With Zhao Ling dead and Jiang Shuo having lost his memory, Qin Yi was the only one who might know what happened. They were bewildered by Liu Zhi's inconsistent behavior—first faking his father's death, then leading them to him.
They questioned if Liu Zhi truly died a year ago, but dismissed the idea of a ghost committing the numerous heinous crimes, resolving to find the postman, their only remaining lead. Baffled by Liu Zhi's motives, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, now accompanied by Yuan Muqing, headed to the post office for clues. The Postmaster identified a man in a portrait as Zhang Heng, an old postman from the No. 9 branch, and recognized the symbol "玖" as its postmark.
He explained that the No. 9 branch was notorious for receiving "letters from the dead," leading people to call it the "Post Office of the Dead Spirit" before it was eventually closed down a year ago. The Postmaster provided Zhang Heng's home address. Qin Yiheng decided to investigate the defunct No. 9 branch himself, while Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing went to Zhang Heng's house.
At the dilapidated No. 9 branch, Qin Yiheng encountered an old woman who frequently posted letters there. She tearfully confirmed its reputation as the "Post Office of the Dead Spirit," explaining that she received letters from her husband, who died in a tavern fire four years prior. She revealed that all families who lost loved ones in that fire mysteriously began receiving letters from the deceased.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing reached Zhang Heng's house, finding it long abandoned and dusty. They discovered his old postman's uniform and, more disturbingly, a memorial tablet for Zhang Heng, confirming that the old postman himself was dead. While there, Jiang Shuo told Yuan Muqing that while he initially tried to keep her out of danger, he now realized that instead of fearing for her safety, he should proactively protect her.
The trio later reconvened at the compound, puzzled by the fact that letters from the dead were still being sent, even though both the supposed senders and the postman, Zhang Heng, were deceased. They also noted that they couldn't find the "玖" postmark stamp at Zhang Heng's house. While the three were still at the compound, a police officer urgently arrived to report a murder, suspected to be committed by a "dead spirit."
They rushed to the police station, where they learned a married couple died by drowning. The eyewitness was the victims' daughter, Lin Ying, who terrifyingly claimed to have seen Wu Meng, a man who supposedly died seven months ago, emerge from the water and kill her parents. The couple had also received a letter from Wu Meng. Lin Ying also mentioned that her father had a business relationship with Wu Meng that ended badly.
Examining the evidence, Qin Yiheng discovered an insurance policy from the British Bank, indicating that Lin Ying was the beneficiary if her parents died, and she would be able to claim the substantial payout when she turned eighteen, which was in two days.
Given the potential financial motive and the strange "dead spirit" element, they divided their efforts: Qin Yiheng and Sergeant Bai went to the British Bank to investigate the insurance policy, while Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing headed to Wu Meng's house to learn more about the economic dispute. At Wu Meng's house, his wife, Madam Wu, who was now bedridden and paralyzed, explained the bitter history between the two families.
Years ago, Lin Zhi, new to Changshan, persuaded Wu Meng to become business partners. Wu Meng mortgaged his house and borrowed a large sum from an overseas bank as capital. However, once the business grew, Lin Zhi broke his promise, never repaying the principal and ultimately seizing Wu Meng's entire business. The Wu family was ruined, losing everything, and Madam Wu's legs were crippled by aggressive creditors. Devastated, Wu Meng eventually committed suicide by jumping into the river.
Madam Wu vehemently refused to believe that her husband, a coward in life, would suddenly gain the courage to seek revenge as a dead spirit. Meanwhile, Qin Yiheng and Sergeant Bai returned from the British Bank. The bank manager confirmed that the Lin couple indeed purchased an insurance policy, with their daughter, Lin Ying, as the beneficiary. She was set to receive a substantial sum once she turned eighteen, which was coincidentally in two days.
Back at the police station, as they consolidated their findings, Lin Ying suddenly received another letter, supposedly from her deceased father. Upon comparing the handwritings on this new letter, the one from Wu Meng, and the letters received by Aunty Wang from her deceased husband, they noticed inconsistencies.
While all letters bore the distinctive "玖" (Nine) postmark, the handwriting on Wu Meng's letter was different from the others, while the letters from Lin Ying's father and Aunty Wang's husband had a similar script. This further deepened the mystery of the "Post Office of the Dead Spirit." To get to the bottom of this enigma, Yuan Muqing proposed an experiment: they would mail their own letters.
Lin Ying wrote a letter to her deceased father, and Yuan Muqing wrote one to her brother. Jiang Shuo spent the entire night secretly observing the mailbox from a building across the street, but he saw no one approach it. The next morning, when he checked the mailbox, he found that both letters had vanished.
Episode 26 Recap
The investigation into the Dead Spirit mailbox deepens. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng stake out the mailbox all night, but no one approaches it. The next morning, Jiang Shuo discovers the letters are gone. Soon after, Yuan Muqing and Lin Ying both receive replies, with Yuan Muqing's clearly not from her brother, while Lin Ying's seems accurate to her parents. Convinced a trick is at play, Qin Yiheng instructs Jiang Shuo to open the mailbox.
Jiang Shuo attempts, claiming he lacks a key, but Qin Yiheng uses Yuan Muqing's brooch to reveal a hidden compartment, which is empty. Qin Yiheng then leads them to a back alley behind the post office, where they discover suspicious marks on the wall. He deduces that the letters received by the fire victims' families and Lin Ying were convincing because the sender had sufficient information.
However, the error in Yuan Muqing's letter proved the sender was not a spirit and didn't know her intimately. Since Jiang Shuo guarded the mailbox all night without seeing anyone, but replies were still delivered, Qin Yiheng concludes there must be a mechanism behind it. They decide to "wait patiently" to catch the culprit. That night, their vigilance pays off as a young postman attempts to retrieve letters. The three of them give chase and apprehend him.
At the police station, the young postman is evasive, denying any involvement in the Lin family murders, the letters, or knowing Liu Zhi, claiming he was merely "passing by." Realizing they won't get answers easily, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng enter his mind palace. Inside, they discover numerous letters, including those addressed to "daughter Lin Ying" from "Lin Zhi" and "little sister Yuan Muqing" from "Yuan Yi." They realize he is the one impersonating the dead.
Following the trail of letters within his mind palace, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng witness emotional scenes where bereaved families receive comforting messages from their deceased loved ones, expressing gratitude. Qin Yiheng understands the young postman's benevolent intention: to provide solace and help the living feel their departed family members are still present. They also spot Su Quan, the post office chief, in the mind palace, raising Qin Yiheng's suspicion about his connection to Lin Ying.
Furthermore, they uncover old invitation letters addressed to Qin Yi, Chairman of the Qin Chamber of Commerce, and other individuals who disappeared with Qin Yiheng's father a year prior. Qin Yiheng realizes this explains the "No. 9 Post Office" stamp found in his father's mind palace. Upon waking, the young postman, seeing his secret exposed, confesses.
He recounts how four years ago, during the tavern fire, he was outside the door and witnessed people struggling and calling for help, but lacked the courage to move a beam blocking the exit. Haunted by their dying images, he was saved from suicide by the old postman, who suggested writing letters to the bereaved to help them.
A year ago, after delivering Liu Zhi's invitations, the old postman fell ill and, on his deathbed, instructed the young postman to wait for Liu Zhi's orders and keep all secrets. However, he maintains he has never received any directives from Liu Zhi and doesn't even know Liu Zhi's gender. He also claims not to know Su Quan, only having seen him with Lin Ying during letter deliveries.
Suddenly, a junior police officer remembers that Su Quan is Lin Ying's uncle and has been looking after her. Immediately, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng find Lin Ying has checked out of her residence and head to Su Quan's house, only to find it being raided by a loan shark, who reveals Su Quan has fled to avoid debts. Among Su Quan's belongings, they discover a No. 9 Post Office stamp and a wig.
Recalling Lin Ying's account of "Wu Meng" emerging from the water during her parents' murder, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng deduce that Su Quan is the true killer, motivated by the insurance money Lin Ying would inherit on her eighteenth birthday.
Anticipating Su Quan's attempt to escape and harm Lin Ying, Qin Yiheng dispatches a junior police officer, Xiao Hei, to fetch Sergeant Bai and Yuan Muqing, while he and Jiang Shuo covertly follow Su Quan and Lin Ying, leaving marks along the way. They intervene just as Su Quan prepares to attack Lin Ying in a remote area, rescuing her and apprehending Su Quan.
Back at the post office, the young postman is met with an outpouring of gratitude from the bereaved families. Having learned the full truth of the Dead Spirit mailbox from the police, they thank him for his years of comfort and urge him to forgive himself, acknowledging the fire was an accident and not his fault. Later that night, Jiang Shuo is restless.
Liu Zhi enters his mind palace again, mockingly telling him he was merely a pawn and that "more preys make this hunting game more interesting." Liu Zhi challenges him with a new test, promising clues to his whereabouts if Jiang Shuo succeeds, and reveals the next target: a woman named Qin Yan. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Qin Yi, haunted by Liu Zhi's warnings about the Yin River treasure and their contract, decides he must follow Liu Zhi's clues.
His eldest son brings him a newspaper, which Qin Yi studies intently, particularly a "Missing Person" notice for Qin Yan. Soon after, Sergeant Bai receives a report about Qin Yan's disappearance, prompting Jiang Shuo to rush out with Yuan Muqing to investigate. At the newspaper office, the editor informs them that Qin Yan, a non-local reporter who rarely contacted her family and espoused "new women" theories, was coordinating an advertisement for a cheongsam boutique.
The ad was subsequently pulled due to Qin Yan's disappearance, which cleared space for her missing person notice on page six. Yuan Muqing discovers an order from Lan Xin Cheongsam Boutique among Qin Yan's belongings, with customer names obscured by ink. The editor recalls Qin Yan had interviewed Zhou Lan, the owner of Lan Xin Cheongsam Boutique, previously. Upon returning to the police station, they learn of eight new missing persons cases, including Zhou Lan herself.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng head to Lan Xin Cheongsam Boutique, where an employee, Sun Zhi Liang, reports Zhou Lan missing, explaining she had gone home with the flu but vanished without a trace. He confirms that Qin Yan had only photographed the shop and its owner, not placed orders. Sun Zhi Liang identifies the cheongsams from a photo: Zhou Lan's personal orchid design, and three other unique creations he made for customers.
These customers are identified as Liu Yin Yin, a student from Jin Ling Female College; Chun Na, a showgirl from the Paramount; and Wang Gui Fang. These names align with some of the other missing persons. Speaking to a neighbor, they learn Zhou Lan was generally well-liked, but her beauty, diligence, and renowned craftsmanship attracted many male admirers, leading to jealousy from other women.
The neighbor also hints at an "unusual relationship" between Zhou Lan and Sun Zhi Liang, suggesting it's natural for a lonely man and woman to develop feelings when together. Despite the lack of direct leads, they decide to start the investigation with the three customers whose names (Liu Yin Yin, Chun Na, and Wang Gui Fang) were on the order found with Qin Yan and matched some of the other missing persons.
Episode 27 Recap
Police officers investigated the backgrounds of several women who had ordered cheongsams from the boutique, gathering information from their acquaintances. After reviewing the gathered clues, Jiang Shuo, Yuan Muqing, and Qin Yiheng analyzed the most likely perpetrator, focusing on Cao Yun Yi, a man with a history of violence. They hypothesized that his violent tendencies, once satisfied by harming Chun Na, would escalate and lead him to target other women. The team immediately split up.
Jiang Shuo, Yuan Muqing, and Qin Yiheng went to the department store to find Cao Yun Yi, while Chief Bai and his men searched for Pan Heng and Chen Gui. Strangely, Cao Yun Yi had not been to work for several days. Meanwhile, both Pan Heng and Chen Gui knew Zhou Lan from the Lan Xin Cheongsam Boutique.
Chen Gui's concubine, when questioned, initially suggested his wife was staying with friends, but Chen Gui himself was dismissive of his missing wife, stating that she was enjoying her freedom and he felt better without her around. Chen Gui showed no concern, playing mahjong and claiming he wouldn't shed a tear even if his wife was killed. He revealed he suffered from a terminal illness, which he used as an alibi.
Another associate of Chun Na described how Cao Yun Yi initially treated Chun Na well, even redeeming her, but later, after getting drunk, he would beat her, leaving bruises on her body. Chun Na's friend mentioned that Chun Na believed "love should last a lifetime," despite the abuse. Cao Yun Yi’s full name was identified. Chun Na had been missing for three weeks.
Liu Yin Yin's friend explained that Yin Yin became pregnant by her university boyfriend, Pan Heng, who then wanted to break up and force an abortion. Yin Yin, distraught, declared she would rather die than abort the child, and then disappeared. Pan Heng, when questioned, claimed his parents disapproved of their relationship due to differing backgrounds. He confessed that Yin Yin got upset and fought with him after he praised Zhou Lan’s beauty, leading her to visit the boutique herself.
He denied harming Yin Yin, stating he had been in Rongcheng for business when she disappeared, and only returned a few days prior. Back at the police station, Jiang Shuo deduced that the initial reports about missing clinic nurses were likely a collective protest against poor treatment rather than actual disappearances. He then focused on Liu Yin Yin, Wang Gui Fen, and Chun Na, whose cases suggested a pattern.
Jiang Shuo believed that Cao Yun Yi, with his violent tendencies, was the most suspicious, predicting that his aggression would intensify and spread to more women after Chun Na's disappearance. He organized the timeline: Chun Na first, followed by Liu Yin Yin, Wang Gui Fen, and then Zhou Lan and Qin Yan. Jiang Shuo, Yuan Muqing, and Qin Yiheng learned from the department store that Cao Yun Yi had been absent for days and obtained his home address.
At Cao Yun Yi's messy house, they found a defaced magazine cover depicting a woman and a blood-stained earring on an altar. The blood had solidified, indicating the owner's death occurred some time ago. Following a sound, they discovered Cao Yun Yi's mother tied to a bed, covered in injuries.
She tearfully pleaded with them not to arrest her son, blaming herself for his violence, revealing that his father passed away shortly after he was born, and she would frequently whip him and lock him in a dark room. She confessed her son now viewed all women as evil and that he had beaten both Chun Na and herself with a whip. Despite her son’s actions, she maintained he wouldn't commit kidnapping.
When pressed about Cao Yun Yi's whereabouts, she hesitated but eventually mentioned he had been mumbling about going to Taihua Road. They located Cao Yun Yi at Taihua Road, where he was burning offerings. He remorsefully spoke of Chun Na, admitting he had been blinded by rage, and expressing regret that their argument might have led to her death.
He admitted to finding the earring after their argument, which occurred when Chun Na threw money she earned from working at Paramount to pay off his gambling debts, then stormed off. He tried to find her the next day, assuming she was at a hotel on Taihua Road. He stated he placed the earring on the altar for atonement, as it was Chun Na's 21-day memorial.
He explained that he did not report Chun Na's death because he feared being blamed due to his known violent tendencies. When shown photos of the other missing women, he denied knowing them, except for Zhou Lan, whose beauty he admitted to coveting, and he attempted to approach her for a cheongsam for Chun Na.
He swore he was not involved in the women’s disappearances, claiming an alibi of being at a casino where he lost money and was beaten on the night Chun Na disappeared, leaving his legs injured. Back at the police station, the investigation hit a snag. Chen Gui's terminal illness, Pan Heng's alibi of being out of town, and Cao Yun Yi's alibi of being at the casino meant all primary suspects had alibis.
Furthermore, these three men did not know the other two missing women. Jiang Shuo then proposed that Qin Yan might have discovered the real killer during her interviews and deliberately left clues for them. Yuan Muqing, upon hearing "Taihua Road," recalled visiting a temple there in her childhood with her father, where a stone showed erosion from dripping water, just like in a photo Qin Yan left. The three detectives went to the temple on Taihua Road.
Inside, they found blood-stained items and several memorial tablets covered by white cloths, representing the missing women. Jiang Shuo discovered a red string, which, when pulled, revealed the women's cheongsams hanging from the rafters. Qin Yiheng noticed that the handwriting on the memorial tablets was identical to Qin Yan's, suggesting a connection between her and the missing women, or that she erected the tablets. Later, at the police station, relatives of the missing women came to collect their belongings.
Sun Zhi Liang, an employee of the Lan Xin Cheongsam Boutique, expressed his grief, remarking that Zhou Lan had spent her life caring for others but never for herself. He revealed his unspoken affection for her, describing how he would quietly support and protect her. He then asked Yuan Muqing, whose figure was similar to Zhou Lan's, to model for a cheongsam he wished to make in Zhou Lan’s honor, hoping she would return safely.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng decided to investigate the Rongke Cafe, frequently mentioned in Qin Yan's reports, located in the eastern outskirts of the city, thinking it a plausible hiding spot or escape route for the killer. As they prepared to leave, a police officer delivered the results of Yuan Muqing's requested comparison: the marks on the memorial tablets were made with a tailor's crayon.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng immediately realized the danger Yuan Muqing was in at the cheongsam shop and rushed there. At the cheongsam shop, Yuan Muqing was modeling the cheongsam for Master Sun. While he was measuring her, she noticed the red marks left by the crayon on her hand and remembered seeing similar marks on the memorial tablets. This realization sent a chill down her spine.
Master Sun, sensing her shift, tried to strangle her with the measuring tape around her neck. However, Yuan Muqing, skilled in self-defense, quickly overpowered and subdued him just as Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng burst through the door. At the police station, Sun Zhi Liang remained defiant, staring at Zhou Lan's memorial tablet. He refused to disclose the whereabouts of the missing women, declaring that he would make "those who harmed" Zhou Lan suffer a fate worse than death. Unable to get a confession, Jiang Shuo entered Sun Zhi Liang's mind palace to uncover the truth.
Episode 28 Recap
Inside Sun Zhi Liang's Psych, Jiang Shuo observed that the multitude of measuring tapes reflected Sun Zhi Liang's inner world. As they navigated the maze of roads, Qin Yiheng pointed out a familiar trash can, leading them to an alley beside the Lan Xin Cheongsam Boutique. They soon encountered a scene from Zhou Lan's past, revealing her life before becoming a boutique owner. She was once a prostitute, a past that resurfaced after she was featured in "Her Magazine."
Though Sun Zhi Liang tried to reassure her, telling her not to take the jealousy personally and to see her past as a dream, Zhou Lan expressed the difficulty women faced in business, often judged whether they succeeded or failed. Her past was indeed exposed in the magazine, leading to accusations and insults from a group of women, who called her a "whore" and a "troublemaker."
Sun Zhi Liang defended her, telling the "wicked women" to "watch their tongue," but they continued, mocking Zhou Lan's "seduction skills" and accusing her of still being a "prostitute in disguise." They then presented a "special gift": Zhou Lan's meticulously designed cheongsams.
Despite Sun Zhi Liang's pleas, the women mercilessly tore the garments, forced one of the tattered pieces onto Zhou Lan, and then cut her hair, all while insulting her and Sun Zhi Liang, calling him a "scum who sucks up to women." Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng watched the brutal scene unfold, Jiang Shuo remarking on the women's "heartless lunatics" behavior. Overwhelmed, Zhou Lan lamented how hard it was "to start a new life" and locked herself in a room.
Sun Zhi Liang desperately pleaded with her to open the door, but she refused, stating, "I want to set myself free." He broke down the door only to find her dead, having committed suicide. Sun Zhi Liang held her, distraught, as her ghostly voice seemed to blame herself for his suffering. Jiang Shuo realized Zhou Lan had taken her own life.
After Zhou Lan's death, Sun Zhi Liang sought justice from Qin Yan, who he addressed as "Miss Qin," pleading with her to expose the "vicious people" in "Her Magazine" and clear Zhou Lan's name. Qin Yan, in turn, addressed him as "Mr Sun," explaining that Wang Gui Fang's father was the head of the news agency, and "Her Magazine" had already been warned and almost suspended for past attempts to defend Zhou Lan.
She regretfully stated that she was "powerless to help." Over Zhou Lan's memorial tablet, Sun Zhi Liang vowed revenge, declaring that every hypocrite involved in Zhou Lan's death would "pay with their lives." He then confronted the women in his Psych, proclaiming they would "never escape" his territory and would "be buried with her." Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, trapped in the Psych, realized Sun Zhi Liang had become his own psychological defense mechanism.
They saw the four missing women kneeling before Zhou Lan in the Psych, each confessing their wrongdoings: jealousy, hatred, slandering, and Qin Yan admitting she was afraid of power and didn't expose Zhou Lan's wrongful treatment. Despite their apologies, Sun Zhi Liang remained unyielding. Trapped within a rapidly shrinking double casket, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng realized they couldn't escape together. Qin Yiheng, trusting Jiang Shuo to save him, sacrificed himself by letting Jiang Shuo escape the Psych.
Back in reality, Jiang Shuo was distraught, realizing Qin Yiheng was now trapped. Yuan Muqing and Bai Kai were with him. Jiang Shuo explained that Qin Yiheng was stuck in Sun Zhi Liang's strong psychological defense mechanism, and to save him, they had to "crush his determination" by finding the four missing women. Bai Kai advised Jiang Shuo to calm down and review the clues.
Jiang Shuo remembered the four women in the Psych hanging in the air, similar to the four cheongsams hanging from the beam in a photograph. He immediately led Bai Kai to the temple shown in the picture, convinced the women were hidden there. Inside the temple, they dug extensively but an officer stated they found nothing. Stepping outside, Jiang Shuo noticed a new section of wall, realizing the temple was larger than it seemed.
With a hammer, they smashed through the hidden wall, revealing a secret chamber. Inside, they found the four missing women—Qin Yan and Chun Na among them—still alive, alongside Zhou Lan's deceased body. An officer confirmed all four were alive. Jiang Shuo then instructed officer Xiao Hei to take Qin Yiheng and Sun Zhi Liang to the hospital, having devised a plan to break Sun Zhi Liang's psychological defenses.
At the hospital, Sun Zhi Liang, still fixated on his revenge, swore before Zhou Lan's memorial tablet that the "witches who hurt" her would "pay with their lives." Jiang Shuo confronted Sun Zhi Liang, revealing that the missing women were alive and under police protection, effectively thwarting his elaborate plan. Jiang Shuo further provoked Sun Zhi Liang, questioning if Zhou Lan's soul would find peace seeing his violent revenge and if this was how he truly loved her.
Enraged, Sun Zhi Liang reaffirmed his desire to kill the women, claiming "Mr Liu Zhi said, I'm just enforcing justice." As police officers restrained him, Jiang Shuo seized the opportunity to re-enter Sun Zhi Liang's Psych. Inside, Jiang Shuo found Qin Yiheng disoriented, unable to recognize him or even remember who he was. Jiang Shuo held out Qin Yiheng's ring, a familiar object from their past.
Qin Yiheng recalled being brought to a dream-like place by someone he was looking for, who told him anything could happen there and he must follow him to escape. Jiang Shuo reminded Qin Yiheng that only by staying with him could he be led out of the Psych, emphasizing that as it was "my territory," he needed to "get you a set of equipment" because of the constant danger.
Qin Yiheng, now wearing Jiang Shuo's clothes, sarcastically asked if it was Jiang Shuo's "mansion." Jiang Shuo clarified that it was the "Psych," the "place where the evil of one's heart is born." Finally, Qin Yiheng remembered Jiang Shuo and his own identity. Jiang Shuo then led him out of the Psych. Both Qin Yiheng and Sun Zhi Liang woke up in the real world. Yuan Muqing and Bai Kai were relieved, Jiang Shuo especially so.
Qin Yiheng expressed his joy at seeing them again. Sun Zhi Liang, confronted with reality, confessed his actions, stating that he "knocked them out and locked them in a closed chamber, cut their hair and buried them" to make them feel the same despair Zhou Lan had endured.
He admitted he needed a "scapegoat" for his "illusions," choosing Qin Yan because "everything happened because of her" and she had "bowed out" when faced with the power of Wang Gui Fang's father, the head of the news agency. Sun Zhi Liang confessed to setting up the temple and planting evidence in the news agency, all purely to avenge his boss.
With the missing persons case concluded, life at the courtyard slowly returned to normal for Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng. However, Jiang Shuo remained wary of Liu Zhi, prioritizing the safety of his friends over his own. He showed heightened concern for everyone in the courtyard. Qin Yiheng joined Jiang Shuo outside, and they chatted under the night sky.
Qin Yiheng mused that he had felt increasingly secure since meeting Jiang Shuo, even finding himself wearing his glasses less often, a habit he'd adopted for a sense of security since childhood. Jiang Shuo playfully asked why Qin Yiheng didn't wear his glasses all the time. After Jiang Shuo tried on Qin Yiheng's glasses, Qin Yiheng decided to gift them to him.
Their conversation shifted back to Sun Zhi Liang's confession, specifically his claim that Liu Zhi had "taught him to enforce justice." Jiang Shuo speculated that Liu Zhi might have personally taught Sun Zhi Liang his methods of operation. When Jiang Shuo suggested he'd confront Sun Zhi Liang if he didn't reveal more, Qin Yiheng cautioned him, noting their vulnerability to Liu Zhi.
He decided he and Bai Kai would handle the interrogation the next day to prevent Jiang Shuo from getting too emotional. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing visited the courtyard. Dr. Shen, who had treated Qin Yiheng, happened to pass by. Yuan Muqing, aware of Dr. Shen's affection for Qin Yiheng, invited her in, but Dr. Shen declined, claiming she didn't want to disturb him.
Yuan Muqing encouraged Dr. Shen to pursue her feelings, emphasizing that "time waits for no one" and that even small acts of support brought happiness. Their conversation was interrupted by a young attendant from the courtyard, who complained that another attendant had hidden his buns due to food scarcity. The attendant explained that because Jiang Shuo was preoccupied with pursuing Liu Zhi, the Xiao Jiang Agency's business had suffered, forcing them to rely on unstable street performances.
Yuan Muqing offered to help financially, and Dr. Shen kindly offered some pastries. The next day, Qin Yiheng and Bai Kai interrogated Sun Zhi Liang at the police station. Qin Yiheng presented a pattern, which Sun Zhi Liang immediately recognized as belonging to "Mr Liu Zhi." Sun Zhi Liang then recalled Liu Zhi questioning his resolve to avenge Zhou Lan, reassuring him that "Heaven's law and karma" would bring the women "what they deserve."
Qin Yiheng deduced that Liu Zhi had indeed taught Sun Zhi Liang his killing methods. He pressed Sun Zhi Liang for details about Liu Zhi's appearance and motives, but Sun Zhi Liang offered no further information, seemingly having never seen Liu Zhi's true face.
Episode 29 Recap
Based on Sun Zhi Liang’s testimony, Qin Yiheng deduced that Liu Zhi’s method involves first finding perpetrators, then orchestrating cases for Jiang Shuo and his team to solve, essentially treating them as his prey. Jiang Shuo elaborated that Liu Zhi intends for him to solve a Rubik’s Cube within the Psych, with each solved puzzle bringing them closer to the clues about the Yin River.
Sun Zhi Liang confirmed that while he never saw Liu Zhi’s face, his voice suggested he was a man in his 50s or 60s. With this, the team could at least confirm Liu Zhi’s general age and gender, though his ultimate motive remained a mystery. They resigned themselves to waiting for Liu Zhi to make his next move to find a weakness. The situation in Changshan was becoming increasingly dire, with war looming, prices soaring, and resources dwindling.
General Yuan, aiming to conserve military strength, decided against deploying his army to deal with bandits who had robbed a supply truck. Instead, he dispatched the Peace Preservation Corps, threatening their dismissal if they failed. The unstable climate instilled panic among the populace, who desperately sought refuge in the concession. However, they were barred from entering. Yuan Muqing, also attempting to enter, found herself trapped outside with the surging crowd.
Learning of Yuan Muqing's precarious situation, Jiang Shuo immediately rushed to the concession, fearing for her safety. Amidst the escalating unrest and pushing between the crowd and the guards, Jiang Shuo was hit and rendered unconscious by an assailant in black. Jiang Shuo regained consciousness to find himself in the Psych, face to face with Liu Zhi.
Liu Zhi declared that Jiang Shuo’s fate was intertwined with Changshan and everyone in it, and to uncover the truth, he must successfully complete Liu Zhi’s challenges. As a clue, Liu Zhi showed Jiang Shuo a house marked with "Year 1912." Upon waking and sharing this with Qin Yiheng and Yuan Muqing, Yuan Muqing suddenly remembered a newspaper she had seen earlier that day.
It advertised an auction for a "house of murder" that had been deserted for eight years, precisely aligning with Jiang Shuo’s "Year 1912" clue. Qin Yiheng commented that this move was typical of Liu Zhi’s unpredictable style and proposed sending someone to investigate the house. Qin Yiheng used his free time to visit his father, Mr Qin, in the hospital.
Mr Qin, engrossed in organizing family reports, claimed to have recovered and intended to resume his duties at the Qin family, denying that he was insane, despite what others believed. Qin Yiheng, troubled by his father’s erratic behavior, consulted Dr Shen Tian, the attending physician, about his father's recent condition. Dr Shen Tian confirmed that Mr Qin consistently received his prescribed medication, Antiafe, and showed Qin Yiheng the correct prescription.
However, Qin Yiheng found it perplexing that his father’s condition showed no improvement, especially since Antiafe is a known sedative. Dr Shen Tian also mentioned that Mr Qin rarely napped, attributing it to his seemingly energetic state. The following day, the auction for the haunted house commenced. Xiao Quan, present with Sergeant Bai and his men, relayed information obtained by Yuan Muqing: the house's original owner was Jiang Ye, a once-respected philanthropist.
Eight years prior, his entire family met a sudden, unexplained death. Subsequently, Jiang Ye was implicated in collaborating with the Japanese by selling them mineral resources, leading to the military government to confiscate his property. The house had since been plagued by rumors of haunting, preventing its auction until now. Zhen Jiang Yan, the vice president of Xintai Auctioneers and the event's head, began the bidding.
Despite the house's infamous history, many people, desperate to secure a foothold within the concession, eagerly participated. Qin Yi Chi and Yuan Muqing's steward engaged in a heated bidding war, quickly escalating the price to 5,000 flat silver. However, just as Qin Yi Chi's bid was about to be confirmed, a masked woman dramatically intervened with a bid of 10,000 flat silver.
She then loudly accused Qin Yi Chi and the auction house of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme, claiming to possess irrefutable evidence of a pre-arranged deal, and scattered photographs as proof. The masked woman's accusations plunged the auction room into chaos as the lights suddenly cut out. Zhen Jiang Yan, the auction's head, used the confusion to retreat to her office. Qin Yiheng, who had been observing from outside, saw Zhen Jiang Yan's husband, Sun Zhilong, rummaging through her ledgers.
When Zhen Jiang Yan returned, her husband, having been instructed by Qin Yi Chi, explained his actions. Zhen Jiang Yan then warned her husband to stay out of the Qin family's affairs. The auction was deemed a failure, but Qin Yi Chi was granted access to view the house at any time. Qin Yiheng, meanwhile, deduced that the masked woman's thrown cup was a signal for the blackout.
Soon after, Qin Yi Chi, accompanied by Zhen Jiang Yan and her husband, proceeded to the old Jiang family residence, followed discreetly by Sergeant Bai and his team. Inside the supposedly haunted house, Qin Yi Chi's party noticed the cold and a pervasive foul odor, rumored to be the smell of death, but Qin Yi Chi dismissed the ghost stories, ordering a thorough search of the property for any anomalies the following day.
When a mysterious sound was heard, Zhen Jiang Yan's husband, Sun Zhilong, insisted no one else could be there as he held the key. They split up to investigate. Qin Yi Chi then discovered an open door, where he was startled by a woman in black. He stumbled back, fell over a severed railing, and was nearly strangled by a rope that had been tied to an upstairs door handle.
Sergeant Bai and his men quickly intervened, rushing to send Qin Yi Chi to the hospital. At the hospital, after Qin Yi Chi's accident, Qin Yiheng found his father relieved that his brother's injuries were minor. Recalling that Qin Yi Chi had taken auction documents from his father's room during a previous visit, Qin Yiheng questioned Mr Qin about his brother's visit to the Jiang family's old house.
However, Mr Qin, citing his confused state, claimed no memory of it or the documents, dismissing it as his "nonsense." After ensuring his father was settled back in his room, Qin Yiheng later observed his father take his medication and complain about its bitter taste. This prompted Qin Yiheng to return to Dr Shen Tian, inquiring specifically about the white pill—Antiafe—that his father had been given.
Upon inspection, Qin Yiheng discovered the pill was sweet, not the tasteless Antiafe he expected. Coupled with his father’s unusual lack of drowsiness (Antiafe being a sedative), he realized his father had not been receiving the correct medication. Dr Shen Tian then disclosed that Qin Yi Chi himself had brought these "pills" from overseas. This discovery led Qin Yiheng to understand that the Qin family's affairs were far more complex than he had imagined.
He instructed Dr Shen Tian to maintain the pretense and not reveal their findings. Qin Yiheng attempted to confront his father, Mr Qin, for answers but found him missing from his room. After a frantic search by the hospital staff, Mr Qin was discovered outside, having purchased persimmons for Qin Yi Chi, whom he believed would enjoy them.
Qin Yiheng now suspected his father might not be genuinely insane, reasoning that Mr Qin's accurate complaint about the pill’s bitterness indicated awareness. To test Qin Yi Chi's involvement, Qin Yiheng gave Dr Shen Tian a new prescription for Barbital, a drug unsuitable for Mr Qin's actual condition, asking her to have Qin Yi Chi acquire it. He surmised that if his brother was complicit, he would deliberately fail to provide the correct medication.
Concurrently, late that night, Xiao Quan, Da Long, and Er Long from the courtyard secretly ventured to the old Jiang family residence to aid Jiang Shuo's investigation. Xiao Quan shared Jiang Shuo's findings: food scraps in the kitchen, a deliberately sawn-off banister, and a new rope at the scene of Qin Yi Chi's accident, all pointing to a premeditated incident. At the old house, they stumbled upon a group of individuals seeking shelter.
After scaring them off, Xiao Quan discovered a dropped pawn ticket, deeming it a valuable clue to bring back to Jiang Shuo. Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing gathered to discuss the clues. Sergeant Bai provided official details about the Jiang family: the father, Jiang Ye; mother, Kou Wen; daughters Jiang Yan and Jiang Mi; son, Jiang Shuo; and youngest daughter, Jiang Tian.
Yuan Muqing noted Jiang Ye’s background as a philanthropist and miner, but found it suspicious that the entire family died "suddenly overnight" after his treason conviction for selling minerals to the Japanese, rather than him facing a court-ordered execution. Sergeant Bai shared the common rumor that Jiang Ye had killed his family and himself to spare them future suffering, though police records officially listed their deaths as "details unknown."
The conversation then shifted to the pawn ticket, which bore the name Wan Jiang Shuo. Yuan Muqing pointed out the striking similarity between this name and Jiang Ye's son, Jiang Shuo, questioning if it was mere coincidence. Following this lead, Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing went to a pawnshop. The pawnbroker immediately recognized the jade pendant associated with the ticket, confirming it belonged to Wan Jiang Shuo, a notorious gambling addict who frequently pawned and redeemed the item.
The pawnbroker directed them to Wan Jiang Shuo's regular gambling establishment. Upon arrival, they found Wan Jiang Shuo, who had just lost all his money and was desperately trying to secure another loan, even offering his life as collateral, only to be refused. Jiang Shuo and his companions then confronted the gambler.
Episode 30 Recap
In a disturbing dream, Qin Yiheng found himself confronted by his brother, Qin Yichi, who confessed to having killed Jiang Shuo. Qin Yichi claimed his actions were for the Qin family, before Qin Yiheng woke up in Dr. Shen Tian’s office. Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing arrived at a casino where a man, Wan Jiang Shuo, had lost all his money and was about to be forcibly removed.
Qin Yiheng intervened, offering to gamble with Wan Jiang Shuo. Yuan Muqing, also present, addressed Qin Yiheng as Second Master Qin. Inside a private room, Qin Yiheng revealed his identity as a doctor and the leader of the Liu Zhi Investigation Team at Changshan Police Station. He explained that he didn't want to gamble but needed to ask Wan Jiang Shuo a question, promising to return a jade pendant Wan Jiang Shuo possessed if he answered truthfully.
Qin Yiheng asked about Wan Jiang Shuo's relationship with Jiang Ye, who had been sentenced for treason years ago. Wan Jiang Shuo denied any connection. As he tried to leave, Jiang Shuo (the protagonist) stopped him, and upon seeing Wan Jiang Shuo's hesitation at the name Jiang Ye, Jiang Shuo used his abilities to enter Wan Jiang Shuo's Psych.
Inside Wan Jiang Shuo’s mind, Jiang Shuo immediately recognized the house as the old Jiang family residence, identical to the one Liu Zhi had shown him in his own Psych. Qin Yiheng agreed, noting the darkness and lack of light. They found a photograph of Jiang Ye, confirming him as the last owner of the Jiang Family Trading company and the mansion. Following faint music, they ascended to an upstairs room where they found a music box.
They witnessed a memory of a mother leading a little girl away, urging her to find her brother. The man they presumed to be Jiang Ye was lying injured with knife wounds. The scene then shifted to another memory where the mother woke her son, telling him to leave with her and promising to return for his two sisters.
In another memory, the children played chess, with one sister, Mi Mi, complaining about always losing to the other, Yan Yan, whom their father called a genius. One sister recounted a recurring dream of a faceless man in a suit threatening to kill their father, to which the boy, later identified as Jiang Shuo, promised to protect her. He aspired to be a mathematician, while his sister, Shen Tian, wanted to be a doctor to cure their mother.
They then heard a strange snoring sound, prompting Mi Mi to tell Yan Yan to return to her room as her snoring was too loud, but Shen Tian insisted the sound came from under the bed. Suddenly, Yuan Muqing’s voice broke through, waking Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, informing them that Wan Jiang Shuo’s friends had taken him away.
Outside the Psych, Qin Yiheng dismissed the casino owner’s offer to recapture Wan Jiang Shuo, stating he had gathered the necessary clues. He explained to Yuan Muqing and Jiang Shuo that Wan Jiang Shuo was indeed Jiang Shuo, the sole male descendant of the four Jiang children, and that other siblings were alive and actively sabotaging the sale of their old mansion by staging supernatural events, even going so far as to harm Qin Yiheng’s brother.
Yuan Muqing then revealed a newspaper article about the Jiang family mansion. The article mentioned strange snoring, confirming that its true purpose was to deter potential buyers. She connected this detail to the snoring they heard in the Psych and suspected the article’s writer, Li Mi, was another Jiang sibling. Their investigation led them to the newspaper office, where the director explained that Li Mi was a freelance reporter who specialized in a column called "Haunted Mansion Notes."
They discovered her articles detailed many cases they had personally investigated, praising Qin Yiheng’s heroic efforts but notably omitting Jiang Shuo’s name, much to his chagrin. When asked for Li Mi’s address, the director provided "No. 28 Huaiyang Street"—the very address of the old Jiang family residence. This revelation puzzled them, as the house had been abandoned for years.
Qin Yiheng posited two possibilities: either Li Mi was deliberately concealing her true address, or the old residence was her childhood home. He also pondered the connection between the Jiang family and Liu Zhi. Meanwhile, Sergeant Bai and his team discovered a pile of bodies in the old Jiang family residence. The coroner concluded they had died of a plague, but there had been no recent plague outbreaks in Changshan, raising suspicions of foul play.
The next morning, Li Mi published a news report detailing the grim discovery, further deepening the mystery. Sun Zhi Long, the Qin family’s accountant and husband of Zhen Jiang Yan, confronted his wife after learning she married him for money. He accused her of secretly selling family assets for the Qin family and having a private bank account. Zhen Jiang Yan defiantly admitted she married him for financial gain.
She later informed Li Mi that an old ledger contained an unclear entry from the "Year of Ren Zi," which she believed was linked to the copper mine incident and implicated the Qin family. Li Mi wanted the ledger, but Zhen Jiang Yan refused, deeming it safer in her possession. Back in the church, Wan Jiang Shuo (now referred to as Jiang Shuo, the Jiang family member) met with his three sisters: Li Mi, Zhen Jiang Yan, and Shen Tian.
Li Mi scolded Jiang Shuo for his gambling habits, while Zhen Jiang Yan chastised Shen Tian for keeping the corpse files, warning that Qin Yiheng could use them as evidence against her. Shen Tian defended her actions, explaining that as a doctor, she needed to account for the bodies, keeping the records for their families. Zhen Jiang Yan, however, was cynical, believing vagrants had no families and Shen Tian had only jeopardized herself.
Shen Tian expressed her exhaustion from lying and her desire for the family to simply live together in peace, fulfilling their father’s wish. Li Mi, however, remained resolute in avenging their parents’ deaths. Zhen Jiang Yan advised Shen Tian to lie to the police, insisting she had burned the bodies, as some indeed were, promising that she and Li Mi would manage the rest.
Outside the church, Jiang Shuo confided in Zhang San, a man he had helped, who vowed to protect Shen Tian, his newfound "sister." Back at the hospital, Shen Tian’s colleague informed her that Mr. Qin’s medicine, provided by the Qin family, was in her cabinet. Recalling Qin Yiheng’s suspicions about his father’s medication, Shen Tian examined the "Barbital" and realized it was not the correct prescription for his condition.
She surmised that if Mr. Qin was truly complicit, he wouldn't have provided the actual medicine. Upon tasting one of the pills, she confirmed it was merely sugar. She immediately went to Pharmacist Zhang, requesting a real bottle of Barbital, fabricating a story about having spilled the previous batch. Meanwhile, Qin Yiheng spoke with his father, Mr. Qin, who was worried about several name lists from past cases they had handled and the situation with the Jiang family house.
Mr. Qin mentioned that the auction had been halted and questioned their decision to purchase the Jiang mansion, hinting at Liu Zhi’s involvement. Later, Sun Zhi Long frantically reported to Qin Yichi that an old account book was missing, prompting Qin Yichi to leave with him to address the issue. After Qin Yichi’s departure, Shen Tian entered Mr. Qin’s room, and after he had taken the actual medicine she provided, she discreetly retrieved some documents from his hand.
Episode 31 Recap
After Old Master Qin consumed the swapped medication, Shen Tian returned to her office with the documents she had retrieved from him. She realized that these were patient records from Renji Hospital, detailing individuals who had succumbed to the plague. Realizing the gravity of her discovery, she promptly called Qin Yiheng.
She informed him that she had stolen a file and mortuary records from Old Master Qin and needed to organize them, arranging to meet him the following noon at the abandoned church in the northern district. Soon after, Sergeant Bai presented Qin Yiheng with a "Cooperation Agreement." It revealed that Qin Yiheng's father, Qin Yi, had been Jiang Ye's partner in the mining business.
Sergeant Bai further explained that all six members of the Jiang family were found dead overnight, and police investigations had mysteriously stalled, leading to rumors of ghost murders. This made Qin Yiheng suspect that his brother's earlier incident at the Jiang Residence might not have been an accident but rather related to the Jiang family. Stunned by this revelation, Qin Yiheng immediately left to confront his father.
Qin Yiheng went to his father's hospital room and placed the "Cooperation Agreement" in front of him, hoping for answers. He directly asked his father, Qin Yi, what truly happened to the Jiang family. Qin Yi asserted that Jiang Ye, despite his philanthropic facade, was a traitor who sold the copper mine to the Japanese, thereby tarnishing the Chamber of Commerce's reputation. Qin Yiheng then directly questioned his father if he was the one who reported Jiang Ye.
At this, Qin Yi appeared offended, asking if that was how his son saw him. Qin Yichi, overhearing the confrontation, entered the room and admonished Qin Yiheng for his attitude towards their father. He claimed Qin Yi's actions were for the family's and Qin Yiheng's own good, demanding an apology. Unswayed, Qin Yiheng retorted that if his father truly cared for them, he should reveal the truth about the Jiang family in 1912.
He also pressed Qin Yichi about his reasons for going to the Jiang Residence, demanding to know what secrets they were hiding. With a sense of dawning realization, Qin Yiheng declared that he understood. Meanwhile, as Shen Tian returned home, she noticed someone following her. Before she could react, an assailant attacked her from behind, strangling her. Qin Yiheng and Jiang Shuo waited at the church, but Shen Tian never arrived.
Instead, they were met by her elder sister, Jiang Yan, who questioned their presence. Jiang Shuo explained Shen Tian had asked them to meet, which immediately concerned Jiang Yan, as she stated Shen Tian wouldn't have called them without involving her. Qin Yiheng asked Jiang Yan if the Qin family was involved in Jiang Ye's treason conviction. Jiang Yan, however, deflected, accusing the Qin family of becoming increasingly hypocritical.
Determined to find the truth, Qin Yiheng allowed Jiang Shuo to guide him into Jiang Yan's Psych-scape. Jiang Shuo noted that her Psych-scape differed from her brother's. Inside, they witnessed a charitable celebration hosted by Jiang Ye, who was being praised for donating to many elementary schools. A faceless man approached Jiang Ye privately, urging him to sell the copper mine to the Japanese, promising profits equivalent to twenty years of mining.
Jiang Ye vehemently refused, declaring himself a philanthropist, not a traitor, and warning that the Japanese's ambition and the copper mine would endanger Changshanzhou. He vowed that as long as he lived, the Japanese would not acquire a single piece of ore. The faceless man then summoned black-clad assassins who brutally murdered Jiang Ye and his wife, while Jiang Ye urged his children to flee. Jiang Shuo quickly pulled Qin Yiheng out of the harrowing Psych-scape.
Upon waking, Jiang Yan stated she had no evidence to prove Qin Yi was the true murderer, but was certain it was related to the Qin family, especially given Qin Yi became the sole beneficiary of the mine, and her marriage to Sun Zhilong was to investigate Qin Yi's involvement. She revealed that after Jiang Ye's treason conviction, his former beneficiaries turned against him.
After his death, their mother found four children's corpses from a mass grave and used them to fake their children's deaths, allowing them to escape. Recalling her father's good deeds ending in such betrayal, Jiang Yan swore that the Jiang family would never again show kindness to others. Soon after, Li Mi rushed in to announce that Shen Tian had been killed.
Overwhelmed with grief and rage, Jiang Yan confronted Shen Tian's body, expressing sorrow that Shen Tian had not heeded their father's last words about "kindness bringing bad endings." Li Mi, in turn, blamed Qin Yichi for Shen Tian's death, noting Shen Tian's choice to meet at the church rather than the hospital. She then rushed towards Qin Yichi, who was tending to Old Master Qin, accusing him of the murder.
Qin Yichi denied involvement, stating he was with his father all night, a claim the nurses could verify. Sergeant Bai intervened, promising a thorough investigation and warning Li Mi against causing a scene. Later, the police apprehended Zhang San's associate, who confessed that Shen Tian and Zhang San had argued over money, resulting in both their accidental deaths, allowing him to steal the money. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng found this explanation unsatisfactory.
They learned that Zhang San was stabbed with scissors and Shen Tian was strangled, with all money missing from her house. Qin Yiheng noted Zhang San's prior promise to leave after taking money, making his presence and death suspicious, which led him to theorize a third party was involved.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng then sought out Wan Jiang Shuo, who asserted Zhang San was like a brother and would never have killed Shen Tian, as he had promised to protect her. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng concluded the murders were not for money, but to conceal something deeper. Yuan Muqing then remembered Shen Tian's phone call to Qin Yiheng, offering documents. This prompted them to search Shen Tian's room, where they found the promised files.
Qin Yiheng realized these were the documents Shen Tian had stolen from his father, Qin Yi, containing mortuary reports and details of every case they had investigated. He observed that while the mortuary reports were simply ordered by case time, the other documents, also from his father, were highly suspicious. Each victim's profile detailed the purchase time of their houses and their deepest vulnerabilities, ending with the phrase "I can use this man."
Qin Yiheng deduced that each victim had been thoroughly researched, their weaknesses exploited, and problematic houses sold to them, implying all cases were orchestrated by the seller. Yuan Muqing suggested the phrase "I can use this man" might refer to Liu Zhi. This led Qin Yiheng to a painful realization: if Shen Tian stole these files from his father, what was his father's connection to Liu Zhi?
Jiang Shuo tried to calm Qin Yiheng, suggesting his father might not be Liu Zhi. He refocused their efforts on identifying the original owners of the houses. Jiang Yan confirmed that all the houses belonged to the Jiang family, confiscated after her father's downfall. She explained they had continued to follow the fate of these properties, noticing a pattern when all the solved cases occurred in them, which then inspired her serialized stories.
She also revealed a ledger she had acquired, noting that while the stolen patient records listed buyer information but no seller, and her ledger listed dates and payments but no buyer, the times and sequences perfectly matched. Qin Yiheng discovered a peculiar entry in the ledger from 1912: an income of 200,000 silver notes with no corresponding purchase record.
Jiang Yan explained this correlated with the copper mine incident when her father was framed for treason and murdered, his death disguised as suicide. Qin Yi then became the sole owner and primary beneficiary of the mine. Jiang Yan directly accused Qin Yi, Qin Yiheng's father, of orchestrating her family's downfall, a suspicion affirmed by years of investigation and her marriage to Sun Zhilong to obtain this very ledger.
Qin Yiheng connected the dots: if these houses originally belonged to the Jiang family, then his father was likely the one who sold them. He then asked Jiang Shuo, who had previous real estate dealings with Liu Zhi, about his father's possible relationship with Liu Zhi. Jiang Shuo urged them to confront Qin Yi immediately. When Qin Yiheng returned to the hospital, his father, Qin Yi, was gone. The medical staff confirmed his disappearance.
Yuan Muqing, seeing Qin Yiheng's distress, offered to ask her own father for help in finding him. Qin Yiheng found a charred note by his father's bedside. Jiang Shuo admitted he had studied it but found no clues, suggesting they needed to focus on it to find Qin Yi.
Qin Yiheng mused whether a character on the note might refer to "Earthly Branches" or "Eight Symbols," but then realized, given his father's handwriting and past remarks, it was "Yin" (阴) from "Yin River" (阴河). He recalled his father often speaking about searching for the Yin River, and the accumulating evidence linked his father and Liu Zhi to the previous cases. Qin Yiheng expressed deep sadness and confusion about his father's motives.
Jiang Shuo reassured him that if his father was indeed seeking the Yin River, their objectives aligned, and solving Liu Zhi's puzzle would lead them to Qin Yi. Meanwhile, the thief imprisoned earlier received a note reading, "Your affairs are in order. You may die in peace." Without hesitation, he violently rammed his head against the cell wall, killing himself. Later, at home, Yuan Muqing ate dinner with her family.
Her father, General Yuan, questioned her about her continued association with "that little punk Jiang Shuo," a characterization Yuan Muqing quickly refuted. She then asked her father if he knew about Qin Yi's return and recent disappearance, mentioning its connection to Liu Zhi and suggesting they help find him. General Yuan became furious, dismissing Qin Yi as merely a businessman with no family to report his disappearance to. He sternly warned Yuan Muqing not to get involved in the matter.
That night, Jiang Shuo woke up in his Psych-scape and called out for Liu Zhi, seeking answers. Liu Zhi responded, telling him not to worry, as they would meet after two more levels. He then left Jiang Shuo a new clue: a single character, "Qin" (秦). The next day, a new victim was discovered: Tang Ming, the owner of a shipping business. The new victim, Tang Ming, was found dead at Tian Sheng Port, a property managed by Qin Yichi.
As Qin Yiheng arrived to assist Sergeant Bai with the investigation, he encountered his brother. Qin Yiheng ignored Qin Yichi's presence, instead asking if their father had returned home, then quickly moved to examine the body. Qin Yichi, meanwhile, derisively questioned Sergeant Bai, implying that Qin Yiheng's involvement was due to some elevated status from doctor to medical examiner, and complained that the investigation was disrupting port business and causing financial losses.
Sergeant Bai urged him to prioritize the human life lost. Qin Yiheng's initial examination revealed that Tang Ming had not died from hanging; rather, he was strangled from behind, his neck broken, and his body bore a strange leaf tattoo. This suggested a quick and professional assassination, likely by someone he didn't even see.
Qin Yichi attempted to halt the investigation and remove it from his "territory," further insulting Sergeant Bai and Qin Yiheng by implying Qin Yiheng was not suited for the work and was sabotaging their family business. Qin Yiheng intervened, reminding them this was an investigation, not a private dispute. Sergeant Bai then requested to inspect the deceased's cargo, but Qin Yichi refused, worrying about potential losses and demanding who would pay.
Qin Yiheng stepped forward, taking responsibility for any lost cargo, and proceeded to the warehouse. Qin Yichi followed, warning him to stay out of port matters, claiming it was their father's wish. Qin Yiheng pressed him on whether he knew their father's location, but Qin Yichi denied knowing, simply reiterating that the port's affairs were too complex for Qin Yiheng to meddle in.
Episode 32 Recap
Yuan Muqing began her investigation by questioning various boat owners at the dock regarding the cargo, but they offered only vague and evasive answers. At the same time, Qin Yiheng discovered a group of children hidden amongst the goods at his family’s dock. Disregarding Qin Yichi’s attempts to stop him, Qin Yiheng immediately brought the children to the police station.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng subsequently entered the children’s heart-house, but to their surprise, they found themselves unable to make or hear any sound within. Realizing communication was impossible, they decided to exit the heart-house and allow the children time for recuperation. Qin Yiheng was intent on confronting Qin Yichi, but Jiang Shuo intervened, suggesting they first investigate Mr. Tang’s residence. Concurrently, Sergeant Bai received a phone call from General Yuan, who expressed profound concern over the human trafficking case.
General Yuan emphasized that Changshanzhou would not tolerate illicit activities driven by wealth and ordered a thorough investigation, irrespective of the ports or individuals involved. Following this directive, Sergeant Bai dispatched his officers to Tian Sheng Port. Yuan Muqing took the rescued children to her aunt’s home. Her aunt, a kind and nurturing woman, tried her best to comfort and care for the children.
However, the children remained unresponsive, silently gazing at a fixed point, a consequence of the trauma they had endured. Yuan Muqing explained that their prolonged confinement likely caused neurological damage, requiring significant time for recovery. At the dock, Qin Yichi initially obstructed the police’s access to the cargo.
However, upon the arrival of Mr. Wan, a prominent figure identified as General Yuan’s confidante and the Chairman of the Changshanzhou Commerce, Qin Yichi agreed to allow the police to inspect the goods. Mr. Wan proposed a compromise: he would seal the cargo boxes, which could then be transported for inspection, provided they were only opened in the presence of Qin Yichi's men, an arrangement Sergeant Bai accepted.
Later, as Qin Yichi and Mr. Wan moved away, ostensibly to select pearl necklaces, they met Mr. Liu Zhi. Mr. Wan reported to Mr. Liu Zhi that the cargo was secure and inquired about the next steps. Mr. Liu Zhi, who was revealed to be Mr. Qin (Qin老爷子 Qin Yi), instructed them to remain inactive until Yin River was located, assuring them the map would soon be in their hands and urging them to learn from their past mistakes.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng proceeded to Mr. Tang’s house, which they found meticulously clean, reflecting Mr. Tang’s obsessive neatness. Mr. Tang's housekeeper informed them that he had no family or close friends, but was a devoted patron of the Sakura Onsen. The housekeeper also pointed out a locker key for the Sakura Onsen, confirming Mr. Tang’s frequent visits there. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng then headed to the Sakura Onsen.
Inside, they discovered two Tian Sheng Port receipts hidden in a locker, indicating that Mr. Tang’s visits were not merely for relaxation. One receipt was dated for the previous day’s delivery, which had contained the rescued children, and the other for an upcoming delivery, suggesting another human trafficking operation was planned. They decided to stay and investigate. While soaking in the bath, they observed Miss Sakurako, the proprietress, in an intimate embrace with Gui, a known figure from the dock.
They noticed Gui bore a distinctive leaf tattoo, strikingly similar to the one found behind Mr. Tang’s ear. This observation led Qin Yiheng to recall that Mr. Tang had taken a rickshaw on the night of his death, prompting them to consider investigating the rickshaw pullers. Meanwhile, Yuan Muqing independently pursued the lead of the rickshaw pullers to ascertain who had transported Mr. Tang on the night he died.
She learned that a man named Si was Mr. Tang’s preferred driver. Yuan Muqing visited Si’s home, where she met his young daughter, Nan Nan. Si recounted that Mr. Tang, typically quite talkative, had been unusually quiet and preoccupied the previous night, not uttering a single word. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng visited a tattoo parlor to inquire about the mysterious leaf tattoo.
The tattoo artist explained that their trade had a strict, unchangeable rule, established by an elder, against tattooing leaf patterns. He directed them to a ruined temple on the city’s outskirts to consult the old master for more information. At the ruined temple, adorned with numerous talismans, they encountered a blind old man, who was indeed the grand master of tattooing.
Upon learning of Mr. Tang’s death and the presence of a leaf tattoo on his body, the old master let out a chilling laugh, proclaiming that all who bear the leaf tattoo deserved to die a terrible death. The old master then recounted a harrowing story from over a decade ago when his eyes were brutally gouged out by a group of individuals who had coerced him into tattooing leaf patterns on them.
This traumatic event led him to enforce the strict prohibition against leaf tattoos among all his apprentices. As the old master was still speaking, Mr. Zhu rushed in, relaying an urgent message from Sergeant Bai: his assistance was needed at the dock because Gui was attempting to seize Mr. Tang’s cargo. Before departing, the blind grand master extinguished the candle and, taking Jiang Shuo's hand, wrote the Chinese character "柿" (shi), meaning persimmon, on his palm.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng hurried to the dock, where Sergeant Bai had already intercepted the cargo. However, an initial inspection revealed nothing but ordinary goods. Qin Yiheng then spotted his elder brother, Qin Yichi, also involved in moving goods. After giving some instructions, Qin Yichi departed, and Qin Yiheng discreetly followed him, only to discover that his brother was engaged in smuggling firearms.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shuo, disguised as a rickshaw puller, returned to the Sakura Onsen, where he found Gui dead. Qin Yiheng arrived to examine Gui's body, confirming that his neck was broken, identical to Mr. Tang's injuries, strongly suggesting the same killer was responsible. The precise and skilled nature of the murder indicated that the perpetrator had extensive training. Miss Sakurako vehemently denied any involvement, claiming she was a frail woman incapable of such a brutal act.
Qin Yiheng's assessment of her physical build corroborated her statement, ruling her out as the murderer. Yuan Muqing searched Miss Sakurako’s room and found numerous dolls and an old photograph. A staff member informed her that the young girl in the photo was Miss Sakurako's daughter, a fact known to very few people. Yuan Muqing felt an uncanny sense of familiarity upon seeing the girl in the photograph.
Episode 33 Recap
After their investigation at the bathhouse, Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing returned to the police station to analyze the details of the murders of Mr. Tang and Gui. Patrol officers had found no suspicious individuals near the bathhouse, and Yuan Muqing herself had searched Sakurako’s room without finding any clues. Qin Yiheng deduced that Gui had gone straight to the bathhouse after leaving the port and was killed shortly after arriving.
Jiang Shuo then suspected that the murderer must have known Gui would be there and waited for him. They connected Gui’s acceptance of Mr. Tang’s suspicious cargo to the previously discovered firearms. Yuan Muqing then focused her attention on Qin Yiheng, who, feeling conflicted due to his family’s potential involvement, removed his family ring and entrusted it to Jiang Shuo, hoping it wouldn't influence his judgment while seeking the truth.
Yuan Muqing, regretting her earlier comments, left to try and elicit information from the rescued children, but they remained unresponsive. Meanwhile, her aunt, Mrs. Wan, confided in Yuan Muqing about her husband’s recent odd behavior—being distracted and frequently absent from home. Despite her concerns, Mrs. Wan asked Yuan Muqing not to confront him directly, a request Yuan Muqing reluctantly honored.
Qin Yiheng then went to question his brother, Qin Yichi, about the family’s involvement in arms smuggling and its connection to the murder case. Qin Yichi refused to cooperate, insisting it was a matter of the Qin family’s credibility and accusing his brother of underestimating him and for abandoning their family by removing his ring. Qin Yiheng argued that his brother's actions would only bring ruin upon their family, especially with the police now focusing on the smuggling.
Qin Yichi denied direct involvement in any murder. Ignoring his brother's defiance, Qin Yiheng returned to the courtyard to join Jiang Shuo. They learned that Master Bu Yan, the tattoo artist, had gone into hiding, suggesting the killer was a powerful figure. Jiang Shuo had collected various persimmons, hoping they might trigger some insight into the "persimmon" clue Master Bu Yan had left. Yuan Muqing suddenly recalled that the driver A'si’s daughter, Nan Nan, was also Sakurako's daughter.
Given that Sakurako frequented South Street, where A'si lived, Yuan Muqing decided to arrest A'si for interrogation. While on patrol, Officer Zhu deliberately separated from his partner to secretly meet with a “Group Leader.” Zhu claimed A'si had betrayed them and killed Tang Ming and Gui, vowing to kill A'si in revenge. However, the Group Leader instructed Zhu not to kill A'si yet, as A'si still possessed a vital map. He ordered Zhu to leverage A'si's family to control him.
Elsewhere, Mrs. Wan, growing increasingly suspicious of her husband's activities after noticing mud on his shoes, secretly followed him when he left home again. A'si, along with Sakurako and Nan Nan, was hiding in a residence. He knew the map was their ultimate bargaining chip and believed he had to eliminate Officer Zhu and the Group Leader, the only ones aware of his true identity.
Despite Sakurako’s desperate pleas to abandon the plan and give up the map, A'si insisted it was the only way to ensure their safety. He departed, promising they would escape once his task was complete. After A'si left, Sakurako discovered Nan Nan missing. Remembering her daughter’s cherished doll, she suspected Nan Nan had returned for it and rushed out to search, finding only one of her daughter's shoes.
Shortly after, Officer Zhu appeared, revealing he had Nan Nan and forcing Sakurako to accompany him to ensure her daughter’s safety. At A'si’s house, Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and Yuan Muqing found a persimmon leaf in the backyard, its pattern matching the mysterious tattoo. They took the leaf to Master Bu Yan, who identified it as from a Japanese Kaki tree, an expensive and difficult-to-grow species, hinting at a Japanese connection.
Yuan Muqing still believed it could be a crime of passion involving Sakurako and her suitors, but Jiang Shuo argued for a more profound secret linking the tree and the individuals. Soon after, an officer reported Master Bu Yan’s death, seemingly by the same method as Mr. Tang and Gui. At the scene, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng found a button clutched in Master Bu Yan’s hand, which matched a missing button on Officer Zhu’s uniform.
This discovery led them to discreetly follow Zhu back to A'si’s house. Hearing a struggle inside, they burst in to find Zhu fighting with A'si. A'si ultimately killed Zhu, but Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng managed to subdue A'si. A'si was brought back to the police station but refused to answer any questions. Suddenly, the devastating news of Mrs. Wan’s death arrived.
She had been found by the bathhouse hot springs, her neck broken, with a persimmon leaf and Sakurako’s hairpin found nearby. Overwhelmed with grief, Yuan Muqing confronted A'si with the hairpin. A'si confessed to killing Mrs. Wan, claiming she had stumbled upon his murders and intended to alert the authorities, denying any involvement from Sakurako. Qin Yiheng immediately pointed out that A'si could not have committed the murder, as he had been with them when Mrs. Wan was killed.
Despite this, A'si maintained his confession. With the truth still shrouded in mystery, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng entered A'si’s Psych, which appeared as an eerie, desolate forest. They hoped to find something related to the persimmon tree that would unlock the secrets of the case.
Episode 34 Recap
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, inside Si's mind palace, discovered the "Hagakure Organization." The organization's motto, "Hidden by the Leaves. To die for honour. We're invincible," resonated through the space. Jiang Shuo noted the persimmon leaves on the mouths of four individuals, confirming their identities as Hagakure members.
The chief, unseen, congratulated these members on receiving their Hagakure tattoos, reminding them they were once humble civilians taken in and educated by their "lord," who harbored "a great ambition to conquer the world." He instructed them to abandon their past, learn local customs, and blend into society, swearing loyalty until the day of glory when they would become invincible warriors.
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng understood that the Hagakure Organization was behind the mystery, and the persimmon leaf tattoos were their hidden mark. Realizing the killer of Mrs Wan (Yuan Shu Xuan) was more skilled, they suspected the chief and decided to follow the four members, including Si and Mr Tang, to uncover his identity. Inside the mind palace, Si was confronted by the chief after his daughter, Nan Nan, accidentally discovered their secrets.
The chief demanded Si kill her, citing the organization's rule that anyone who uncovers their secrets, including family, must be eliminated. Si, however, refused, declaring he was a traitor and had already shed enough innocent blood. He pleaded for his daughter's life, asking to leave the organization. The chief dismissed his pleas, questioning his attachment to life and his mission, and ordered his men to take Nan Nan, implying Si would be forced to face the chief.
Jiang Shuo noted that even Si didn't know the chief's true identity, and they decided to withdraw. Jiang Shuo then confronted Si, revealing his knowledge that Si was a Japanese Hagakure member, originally sent to China to spy. Si, however, had betrayed the organization to protect his family.
Jiang Shuo explained that the chief, who killed Mrs Wan (Yuan Shu Xuan), would also come for Si's wife and daughter, using Sakurako's hairpin, found at the murder scene, as proof that Sakurako was in the chief's custody. He appealed to Si, urging him to cooperate as it was his only chance to atone, promising to ensure his family's safety, eliminate the organization, and bring peace to the innocent. Convinced by Jiang Shuo's promise, Si confessed.
He confirmed they were all Japanese Hagakure members, led by the chief to conduct assassinations and, more recently, to map the local topography of Changshanzhou as a top-secret mission. Nan Nan, his daughter, had accidentally stumbled upon their map-drawing operation in its final stages. The organization intended to kill her, so Si, to protect her, stole the map and fled, becoming a fugitive.
Si admitted he didn't know the chief's identity or appearance, but he knew how to lure him out: the map itself was the bait. He revealed that the map was hidden inside a rattle drum and that if they rescued his family, he would disclose the numerical codes on it. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng discovered the map detailed the Yin River, which Si claimed was crucial for the "Great Japanese Empire's victory."
Following Si's instructions, they proceeded to the Onsen House. They placed the rattle drum in Si's designated locker, number 261, and placed three Hagakure persimmon leaves on the door frame to signal the chief. While Jiang Shuo, Qin Yiheng, and the police waited at the Onsen House, trouble unfolded at the police station. Xiao Hei, a good friend of Mr Zhu and the only officer left, discovered Mr Zhu was a Japanese spy.
Moments later, Mr Wan rushed in, demanding to know who killed Yuan Shu Xuan. A junior officer, unaware of Mr Wan's true intentions, informed him that all other officers were out chasing a suspect. Mr Wan then brutally killed Xiao Hei, stating Xiao Hei should feel honored to be the only one to see his true face.
Before his death, Xiao Hei, in a final act of defiance, managed to secretly leave a clue: the character "Wan" was found in his mouth, while "Rong" was left on the chair where Si had been restrained. After waiting in vain at the Onsen House for two hours, Jiang Shuo initially believed Si wouldn't betray them by endangering his family.
However, Qin Yiheng had a sudden realization: Si, being a skilled fighter and openly defying the chief while caring for his family, should have insisted on joining them. He concluded that Si's plan was merely a ploy to distract and "send them away." Rushing back to the police station, they found Xiao Hei dead, his neck broken. Jiang Shuo noted that the killing method was not Si's, indicating the chief was the perpetrator. Si was nowhere to be found.
Jiang Shuo urged them to search for any clues Xiao Hei might have left. Qin Yiheng discovered the character "Wan" tucked inside Xiao Hei's mouth. Yuan Muqing immediately recognized it as a detail from her uncle's seal. On the chair where Si had been restrained, the character "Rong" was found. All evidence now undeniably pointed to Yuan Muqing's uncle, Wan Jinrong, as the Hagakure chief.
Jiang Shuo realized his earlier oversight, confirming Wan Jinrong's identity as a Japanese spy and the real culprit behind Mrs Wan's (Yuan Shu Xuan's) murder, with connections stretching to the docks and Mr Zhu. Yuan Muqing was devastated and refused to accept that her beloved uncle could have killed her aunt, who was such a kind and gentle soul.
Jiang Shuo, while understanding her grief, urged her to remain rational as a police officer and pursue the truth, not be swayed by emotion. Despite her initial disbelief and accusations of framing, the undeniable facts forced Yuan Muqing to confront the harsh reality. Still distraught, she finally informed Jiang Shuo that Wan Jinrong owned a match factory located in a cave in Nan Mountain, a detail Jiang Shuo suspected after recalling a cave in the mind palace used for training.
Chief Bai, enraged by Xiao Hei's death, wanted to get a warrant from General Yuan to search all of Wan Jinrong's known properties. However, Jiang Shuo, knowing Wan Jinrong would be in a more clandestine location, informed them he knew where to find him. At the match factory, Wan Jinrong held Sakurako and Nan Nan hostage. Si arrived and frantically called out to his family, but Wan Jinrong mocked him, demanding the map in exchange for their lives.
Si, though offering to lead Wan Jinrong to the map, refused to hand it over without his family's release first. A Hagakure member reported that the police had surrounded the mountain, leading Wan Jinrong to believe General Yuan was involved. Declaring the "lord's mission" at stake, he ordered a retreat, sending new recruits to hold off the police while his men tied up Si's family. Yuan Muqing directly confronted Wan Jinrong, demanding to know why he killed her aunt.
Wan Jinrong callously confessed, revealing his marriage to Yuan Shu Xuan was merely a strategic move to "better fulfil the lord's task," and that under the lord's grand scheme, the Yuan family were mere "nobodies." He admitted to killing her because she discovered his secret and followed him to the Onsen House. Enraged, Yuan Muqing attempted to shoot him, but he dodged, and she was injured.
Jiang Shuo intervened, sending her away for her safety and promising to avenge her aunt, cautioning that any impulsive action could harm the hostages. Wan Jinrong then displayed Sakurako and Nan Nan as hostages. Jiang Shuo offered himself in exchange for them. When Wan Jinrong dismissed Si as useless, Jiang Shuo pulled out the Yin River map. He threatened Wan Jinrong, declaring that if he didn't release the hostages, he would never see the map.
After a tense standoff, with Jiang Shuo counting down, Wan Jinrong relented, ordering his men to put down their weapons and releasing Sakurako and Nan Nan. As Wan Jinrong's men clashed with Jiang Shuo and the police, Qin Yiheng launched a surprise attack from another direction. In the ensuing chaos, Si seized the opportunity to escape with his wife and daughter. However, they were ambushed during their escape, and Si was fatally wounded.
In his dying moments, he recited the Hagakure motto, then apologized for the innocent lives he had taken, confessing he was no hero. Sakurako and Nan Nan desperately tried to save him, but Si died, having protected his family to his last breath. Wan Jinrong, having obtained the Yin River map, declared that with it, the location of Yin River was known, and the "Emperor's army" would be unbeatable.
He then made a cryptic reference, stating that "Mr Liu Zhi" had instructed him to spare Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng. As he made his escape in a car, Qin Yiheng was shocked to see his own father, Qin Yi, behind the wheel. Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng, both stunned, gave chase. Meanwhile, at Yuan Mansion, a heartbroken Yuan Muqing mourned her aunt in the garden, recalling their precious memories and vowing vengeance against Wan Jinrong.
General Yuan, her father, furiously gathered his officers, ordering the relentless pursuit and capture of Wan Jinrong and Qin Yi, "dead or alive," promising promotions for their apprehension. He also instructed Lieutenant Yang to ensure Yuan Muqing's safety and to inform Chief Bai to arrest Jiang Shuo, regardless of any potential connection to Liu Zhi.
Later, the wanted Jiang Shuo risked capture to appear before Yuan Muqing in the garden, presenting her with a kite he had personally drawn, featuring them both. He reassured her that he had checked the area for her father's men. After some lighthearted teasing about his artistic skills, Yuan Muqing urged him to leave for his safety.
Jiang Shuo then reiterated his promise to protect her and, after he apprehended Liu Zhi, would return to fulfill his vow to marry her. This brought a smile to Yuan Muqing's face. Subsequently, Qin Yiheng was summoned to General Yuan. General Yuan, consumed by grief and anger over his sister's death, accused the Qin family of a grand conspiracy and demanded to know Qin Yi's whereabouts.
Qin Yiheng maintained his ignorance, stating he had been searching for his father since his escape from the hospital and had long been estranged from his brother, Qin Yi Chi. General Yuan dismissed his claims, declaring he would no longer be fooled, especially given that Qin Yi, according to him, was Liu Zhi and had colluded with Wan Jinrong to kill his sister. He ordered Lieutenant Yang to "mete out punishment" to Qin Yiheng.
Just as the order was to be carried out, Jiang Shuo dramatically appeared, stopping them. He declared he was the one General Yuan was looking for, asserting Qin Yiheng's innocence, and offered to surrender himself.
Episode 35 Recap
Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng were imprisoned by General Yuan. Inside the cell, Jiang Shuo remarked to Qin Yiheng that at least they were together, but Qin Yiheng lamented their failure to catch Liu Zhi and their uncertain future. Jiang Shuo then decided it was time to act, revealing he had a hidden plan and unlocking his handcuffs. Just as he did, Yuan Muqing burst into the cell.
She had been brought in by Captain Yang, who warned her to behave or risk being shot by him, even without General Yuan's order. Yuan Muqing rebuked Jiang Shuo for not escaping when she distracted the guards, explaining that with Yuan Zhen's pervasive influence over Changshanzhou, there was no permanent escape. She then revealed she had been caught precisely because she came to save them, urging them to quickly change into the guards' uniforms outside the cell.
After escaping, they returned to the courtyard, where Jiang Shuo frantically called for Master Bu Yan and the others, only to find everyone gone. Yuan Muqing worried her father might have captured them, but Jiang Shuo noted there were no signs of General Yuan's army, and their belongings were undisturbed, suggesting they weren't hiding. Jiang Shuo then suspected Liu Zhi, remembering the map, and they hurried to Qin Yiheng's study.
There, Qin Yiheng found the Yin River map he had copied from memory, relieved it was still there. Jiang Shuo asked about the numbers on it. Qin Yiheng explained his attempts to locate the Yin River by mapping the numbers to previous case locations on a Changshanzhou map, trying various graphical models, but he hadn't found a match and felt his approach might be wrong. However, Jiang Shuo found the numbers' positions eerily familiar.
As Jiang Shuo focused on the map, he entered the Rubik's Cube Space. Liu Zhi's voice congratulated him on finding the puzzle, declaring it the "last game" and giving him only one day to solve it. He warned Jiang Shuo to admit defeat if he failed. Jiang Shuo defiantly promised to find Liu Zhi for the sake of himself, Qin Yiheng, Yuan Muqing, and all others affected.
Liu Zhi then warned him against trying to save everyone, stating it would only lead to more deaths, and presented the clue "0527." Jiang Shuo awoke from the vision, telling Qin Yiheng that Liu Zhi had given them one day to solve the Rubik's Cube, find the Yin River, and find him. He also described seeing a "gigantic vortex" that appeared to be engulfing all the spaces they had previously encountered.
Qin Yiheng, connecting Jiang Shuo's "vortex" vision with the Yin River, realized it might indicate a pattern on the map. He exclaimed, "A spiral!" quickly identifying it as an Archimedean spiral. He asked Jiang Shuo and Yuan Muqing to help him arrange the clues.
After doing so, he explained that based on the chronological order of their past eleven cases and his calculations, the spiral's radii converged at a single point, which he deduced was the Yin River's location: the dock. Upon arriving at the dock, Qin Yiheng recognized his family's car, usually driven by his elder brother, and speculated he might be involved and present.
Jiang Shuo recalled Liu Zhi's "0527" clue, which Yuan Muqing quickly deciphered as a ship number, explaining that all Changshanzhou ships began with "05," followed by a two-digit serial number. They located ship number 0527 on the schedule, noting that only ten minutes remained until departure. When Jiang Shuo spotted General Yuan's army searching for them, Yuan Muqing bravely volunteered to distract them, urging Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng to board the ship quickly and reminding them to stay alive.
Captain Yang tried to convince Yuan Muqing to return, citing General Yuan's orders and his duty to ensure her safety. Yuan Muqing fiercely refused, threatening to jump into the water if restrained, warning Captain Yang that he would have trouble explaining it to her father. Captain Yang, in turn, threatened to take her back by force and accept any punishment later.
Bai then intervened, reminding Captain Yang of Yuan Muqing's stubbornness and suggesting they prioritize boarding the ship, confident her safety could be maintained with numerous guards. He also revealed intelligence that Liu Zhi, Qin Yi, and Qin Yichi were confirmed to be on board. Yuan Muqing then earnestly pleaded with Captain Yang to let her join the operation.
Reluctantly, Captain Yang agreed, but only after making her promise to obey his commands once on the ship, to which she readily assented before boarding. Although Yuan Muqing successfully boarded the ship, Captain Yang confined her to a room, reminding her of her promise to obey his orders and insisting she rest while his men pursued the culprits. Yuan Muqing protested, but Captain Yang promised to bring Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng to her once they were found.
She reluctantly agreed, but not before instructing him to ensure their safety. Captain Yang then assigned two guards to stand watch outside her door. Meanwhile, from their hiding spot in a cargo box, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng emerged to find the courtyard residents also on board. Quan'er explained that after Qin Yiheng's abduction, Master Bu Yan received a signed letter from Liu Zhi, claiming to have killed Zhao Ling, along with a ship ticket.
Despite the others' desperate attempts to convince him it was a trap and wait for Jiang Shuo, Master Bu Yan was resolute in his quest for revenge and to protect Jiang Shuo. Unwilling to let him go alone, the residents disguised themselves as laborers and stowed away in cargo boxes.
Qin Yiheng expressed a premonition that they had fallen into Liu Zhi's trap, but Jiang Shuo declared they had "always been in Liu Zhi's trap" and must now "tear it apart." He promised to find Master Bu Yan and, after an hour, instructed everyone to remain together in the cargo hold while he and Qin Yiheng would go to the deck to seek help from the military police, stressing the ship's inherent dangers.
As Qin Yiheng and Jiang Shuo made their way through the ship, Jiang Shuo picked up a dropped notebook. Liu Zhi's message appeared on it, confirming this was his "trap," warning them to be careful, and reminding Jiang Shuo that time was running out. A gunshot then echoed through the ship. Rushing to the source, Jiang Shuo found Qin Yichi lying on the ground, shot.
Qin Yiheng, seeing a bloodstain, which he briefly feared belonged to his father, urged them to follow it. On the deck, they encountered Lin Ying and another man named Jiang Shuo, who claimed they were on a free trip as "lucky draw winners," having received tickets in the mail. Jiang Shuo recognized Liu Zhi's name on their tickets, confirming his suspicions.
Liu Zhi's message reappeared in the notebook, taunting Jiang Shuo about the "new surprise" and the presence of "many people you care about" on the ship, reiterating the dire consequences if the Rubik's Cube puzzle remained unsolved. He also hinted at "more surprises in the captain's room." The man named Jiang Shuo then revealed he had seen Yuan Zhen chasing an old man resembling Qin Yiheng's father into the captain's room.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng rushed to the captain's room, cautioning Lin Ying and the other Jiang Shuo to stay put due to the ship's dangers. In the captain's room, Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng found Bai, who revealed that Liu Zhi had planted multiple bombs on the ship, not just in that room, making disarming one futile.
Suddenly, Captain Yang burst in, holding Jiang Shuo at gunpoint and furiously demanding Yuan Muqing's whereabouts, accusing them of hiding her. Jiang Shuo realized Yuan Muqing was indeed on the ship and became anxious. Qin Yiheng intervened, calming Captain Yang by explaining that Jiang Shuo was Liu Zhi's primary target, and killing him would eliminate any chance of rescuing Yuan Muqing. Just then, a subordinate reported finding more bombs in the ventilation system.
Jiang Shuo then remembered the courtyard residents in the cargo hold and feared for their safety. He, Qin Yiheng, and Bai rushed there, only to find food Mantou usually carried scattered on the floor, a clear sign to Jiang Shuo that the residents had been abducted. In the ship's warehouse, Jiang Shuo discovered a mechanism lock. Using "0527" as the password, he and Qin Yiheng entered, finding themselves back on the remote island from which they had once escaped.
Jiang Shuo recognized an old doll, and the memories of a year ago flooded back. He remembered being Liu Zhi's disciple, forcibly brought to the island and made to participate in a horrifying game where Liu Zhi used the Yin River treasure as bait, manipulating everyone into killing each other. Jiang Shuo recalled pleading with Liu Zhi to stop the bloodshed, but Liu Zhi remained unmoved, demonstrating how greed would lead them to self-destruction.
Qin Yi, gloating about his victory, had demanded the Yin River treasure from Liu Zhi, justifying his ruthless actions by claiming they were for the Qin family's rise to power. Liu Zhi, however, had withheld the final clues, instead pointing to Jiang Shuo as the last obstacle for Qin Yi to become the ultimate winner. Jiang Shuo vividly recalled being pushed into the water by Qin Yi and waking up in Changshanzhou with amnesia.
He realized Qin Yi was the sole survivor and ultimate winner of that deadly game, and Qin Yiheng deduced that Liu Zhi was still controlling his father using the elusive Yin River treasure. Qin Yiheng then led Jiang Shuo to a familiar room, resembling the hall of mirrors from the island. Inside, they found Qin Yi, injured by Yuan Zhen. Qin Yi warned them that Yuan Zhen was nearby.
Upon hearing that his eldest son, Qin Yichi, was dead, Qin Yi was overcome with grief and expressed profound regret, saying it was his fault. Qin Yiheng, knowing his father had been manipulated, urged him to confess everything. Qin Yi revealed that a year ago, Liu Zhi had used the Yin River treasure to orchestrate the "feast on a remote island," which led to the horrifying events.
After returning to Changshanzhou and finding Jiang Shuo, Liu Zhi's sole disciple, still alive, Qin Yi, unwilling to accept his fate, feigned disappearance. He had secretly observed Jiang Shuo, hoping to use him to locate Liu Zhi and the treasure, but Liu Zhi had found him first.
Qin Yi confessed that all subsequent events were "ploys that Liu Zhi coaxed [him] to set up," admitting he had no choice but to follow Liu Zhi's commands to protect the Qin family and his sons. He also revealed his clandestine efforts to calculate the Yin River map with Wan Jin Rong, and how he had used a movie star resembling Zhao Ling to lure Jiang Shuo and Qin Yiheng to Liu Zhi's hometown in search of clues.
Jiang Shuo condemned Qin Yi's greed for harming so many innocents, warning him that the entire ship could be destroyed. Unfazed, Qin Yi declared his determination to claim both the Yin River treasure and Liu Zhi's life. Just then, Yuan Zhen burst in, intent on killing Qin Yi to avenge his sister. Qin Yiheng tried to intervene, insisting that his father should face legal justice rather than private execution.
Yuan Zhen, however, vowed to kill both Qin Yi and Qin Yiheng to bury them with his sister. Qin Yi, pointing to Yuan Zhen, revealed that Yuan Zhen was the one who killed Qin Yichi. During the struggle that ensued, Qin Yi grabbed a fallen gun and shot Yuan Zhen dead. Qin Yi then aimed the gun at Jiang Shuo, declaring that if Liu Zhi wouldn't let him have the treasure, he wouldn't let Liu Zhi have Jiang Shuo either.
Qin Yiheng bravely stepped in front of Jiang Shuo, vowing Qin Yi would have to kill him first. Seizing this moment, Jiang Shuo entered Qin Yi's mind-house. There, he confronted a figure resembling Liu Zhi, asserting he was tired of being manipulated. A flashback to Liu Zhi coercing Qin Yi with threats against his family if he didn't follow the plans in the letter confirmed Qin Yi had been a puppet.
Jiang Shuo suddenly realized the shocking truth: "I know who Liu Zhi is! It's me!" Upon waking, he expressed his disbelief to Qin Yiheng, asking if he was responsible for the deaths. Then, another figure, identical to Jiang Shuo, appeared in a mirror, claiming, "I am you." Jiang Shuo vehemently denied being Liu Zhi or the other figure, demanding to know who he was. The mirror image calmly took out the Rubik's Cube, urging Jiang Shuo to "relax" and "look at this."
Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
Jiang Shuo, a real estate agent, sought Dr. Qin Yiheng's help after being plagued by nightmares and harassment from a mysterious individual named Liu Zhi. Jiang Shuo recounted how the police couldn't find Liu Zhi and advised him to visit a hospital. He showed Dr. Qin the threatening text messages Liu Zhi had sent, but to Dr. Qin, the phone screen appeared blank. Dr. Qin explained that he would use a machine to enter Jiang Shuo's subconscious mind for treatment.
Before the session, Dr. Qin took two photos which he designated as Jiang Shuo's "anchor." He warned Jiang Shuo that if the anchor were destroyed, he might not wake up in the real world, potentially falling into a vegetative state or having his body taken over by another personality.
He assured Jiang Shuo that the experiment prioritized his safety and that he himself would only fall into a deeper level of the subconscious if he "died" there, from which Jiang Shuo could theoretically wake him. Upon entering his subconscious, Jiang Shuo found himself in a vivid Republic-era world, much to Dr. Qin's surprise. Dr. Qin revealed that personalities couldn't be killed, only contained, and offered Jiang Shuo a secret code to protect his anchor from his alternate personality.
Frightened by the risks, Jiang Shuo initially wanted to quit, but Dr. Qin insisted on continuing, explaining that stopping would only worsen his condition and that his principle was "never to give up." During the treatment, Jiang Shuo's second personality, Liu Zhi, ambushed Dr. Qin, causing him to "die" within the subconscious and fall into a deeper layer. Back in the real world, Dr. Qin remained unconscious.
Feeling responsible, Jiang Shuo pleaded with Yuan Muqing to allow him to re-enter his subconscious to save Dr. Qin, despite her warnings that entering the un-researched second layer could lead to him becoming lost and forgetting himself entirely. Jiang Shuo was resolute, believing he shouldn't abandon Dr. Qin who had risked his life to save him. Once inside the second layer, Jiang Shuo found himself being cared for by Master Bu Yan.
Soon after, Dr. Qin Yiheng appeared, now having regained his memories. He helped Jiang Shuo realize that everything around them, including their friends Yuan Muqing, Master Bu Yan, and others from the courtyard, were merely projections within his subconscious. Liu Zhi appeared, attempting to manipulate Jiang Shuo by threatening the lives of these projected loved ones, urging him to destroy his anchor to save them.
Dr. Qin reminded Jiang Shuo that destroying the anchor would mean he might never wake up, and his body would be taken over by Liu Zhi. Dr. Qin and Jiang Shuo then moved to a prison within Jiang Shuo's subconscious, which Dr. Qin identified as the place where Liu Zhi had originally tried to trap Jiang Shuo by forcing a confession of guilt.
Dr. Qin explained that a confession would have led to Jiang Shuo accepting eternal imprisonment in his subconscious and never waking up. Jiang Shuo, now fully aware of Liu Zhi's intentions, resolved to trap Liu Zhi in his own self-created prison. Suddenly, Qin Yi, Dr. Qin's father (a manifestation within the subconscious), emerged, brandishing a gun. Unaware of the true nature of their reality, Qin Yi shot Liu Zhi, demanding to know the location of the Treasures of Yin River.
Dr. Qin rushed to intervene, frantically explaining to his father that Liu Zhi was Jiang Shuo's other personality, and killing him would result in Jiang Shuo's death and the collapse of their entire subconscious world, including Qin Yi himself. Just as Dr. Qin was explaining, Liu Zhi detonated a bomb, threatening to blow up the prison cells next if Jiang Shuo didn't destroy his anchor.
Jiang Shuo desperately requested the anchor from Dr. Qin, who refused, urging him to be rational and not give up on himself. Liu Zhi then aimed his gun at Dr. Qin, but Qin Yi bravely stepped in front of him, taking the shot and dying. With his last breaths, Qin Yi expressed his deep love for his sons, regretting how he had involved them and caused the death of Dr. Qin's brother (in the subconscious narrative).
He warned Dr. Qin not to trust Liu Zhi, who was a master of mind-reading. As Liu Zhi prepared to attack Dr. Qin again, Jiang Shuo grabbed a nearby dagger, threatening to end his own life if Liu Zhi didn't release Dr. Qin and the compound residents. Liu Zhi agreed, revealing that the prison cell key was in the archive room. Dr. Qin rushed off to retrieve it and rescue everyone, promising to return for Jiang Shuo.
Yuan Muqing, though rescued, ensured everyone got on the lifeboat and asked Dr. Qin to tell Jiang Shuo that he still owed her a date and to return safely. Alone with Liu Zhi, Jiang Shuo demanded to know why Liu Zhi was so determined to replace him. Liu Zhi explained that he believed human nature was inherently evil, and Jiang Shuo's compassion made him unworthy of the body.
He declared his intention to become a "scavenger," eradicating the "waste of society" and propagating his form of goodness. Realizing he couldn't change Liu Zhi's dark ambitions and prevent him from harming others in the real world, Jiang Shuo, having already destroyed his anchor, chose to stab himself with the dagger, ensuring his own demise within the subconscious to prevent Liu Zhi from taking full control. Dr. Qin returned to find Jiang Shuo dying.
With a snap of his fingers, he transported Jiang Shuo into a deeper, third layer of his subconscious and exited himself. Jiang Shuo woke up in a room, confused about his whereabouts. Master Bu Yan cheerfully informed him that he was about to marry Yuan Muqing. Jiang Shuo, seeing a wedding invitation and then discovering Dr. Qin's analytical drawings and a ring in his own room, suddenly remembered Dr. Qin Yiheng.
Meanwhile, Liu Zhi, still within Jiang Shuo's mind, vowed to keep Jiang Shuo trapped there forever. In the real world, Dr. Qin Yiheng regained consciousness. He informed Yuan Muqing that he had adjusted the machine's power, and Jiang Shuo would soon wake up. However, he admitted that there was a 50/50 chance whether Jiang Shuo's original personality or Liu Zhi would be the one to emerge. At that moment, Jiang Shuo's eyes opened.
