Psych-Hunter Episode 18 Recap
> Psych-Hunter 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.
