Psych-Hunter Episode 17 Recap
> Psych-Hunter 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.
