Resumo do episódio 1 de Heart of Loyalty
> Resumos de Heart of Loyalty
Late at night, a lone crow perched on a rooftop, its caws echoing ominously. Inside the Kaifeng Relay Station, an old officer on his rounds discovered the door to a room ajar. Upon entering, he found Bai Bao Zhen, the Master Weaver of Gusu and a third-ranking official, dead at his desk, his body covered in blood. The old officer, horrified, immediately alerted the authorities.
Imperial Cat Zhan Zhao, a royal bodyguard now serving in the Kaifeng City Office and known for his upright character and handsome appearance, was dispatched by Official Bao to investigate the murder. Official Bao had secretly brought Bai Bao Zhen to the capital to thoroughly investigate a major corruption case in Jiangnan. The initial report from Ma Han indicated that Bai Bao Zhen had died from the potent Five Poisons Powder, with blood oozing from his orifices.
Zhan Zhao, after examining the scene, noticed some blood on the desk and footprints on the window. He instructed Zhang Long to wipe away the blood, an unusual command for evidence, but the action revealed a chilling message carved into the tabletop: "A deadly physician steps into the grounds of the imperial tomb. The thief in the clouds deceives the judge of the underworld."
Zhan Zhao instantly recognized the reference to The Thieving Hand, Li Xu, the fifth of the notorious Six Evils of Shuzhong. He immediately ordered Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, and Zhao Hu to issue a city-wide warrant and seal the gates of Kaifeng to apprehend Li Xu. Meanwhile, Mo Yan, a junior martial sister to the Six Evils of Shuzhong, arrived in Kaifeng and saw Li Xu's wanted poster, noting his paltry bounty was a disgrace to their group.
She spotted Li Xu's pet crow and followed it to Jinfeng Inn. Questioning the inn's waiter, she learned that men from Sanyuan Gambling House had confronted Li Xu, and after a fight, Li Xu vanished, leaving the men unconscious. The waiter assumed Li Xu was a formidable fighter, but Mo Yan's sharp observational skills led her to a different conclusion. She noted a slash mark on the table indicating a struggle, and observed traces of chili powder.
Knowing Li Xu excelled at escape but was not a strong fighter, she deduced that he couldn't have defeated ten men easily. She questioned why there were fight marks in the main hall if Li Xu's quickest escape route was through a window or the main hall. She concluded that someone must have helped him escape or abducted him, and this person's martial arts skills were on par with her second brother's.
Finding a key dropped by Li Xu, she inquired about the most skilled martial artist at the Kaifeng City Office and was told it was Imperial Cat Zhan Zhao. Mo Yan resolved to test Zhan Zhao's legendary prowess. Back at the Kaifeng City Office, Zhan Zhao reported to Official Bao that the Ministry of Justice wanted to take over Bai Bao Zhen's murder case.
Official Bao adamantly refused, emphasizing that he had personally summoned Bai Bao Zhen to investigate the Jiangnan corruption case, and allowing the Ministry of Justice to intervene would jeopardize everything. He pressed Zhan Zhao on Li Xu's interrogation, learning that Li Xu remained silent. Zhan Zhao confirmed he had concealed his identity during Li Xu's capture. Official Bao tasked Zhan Zhao with finding a breakthrough from Li Xu and warned to be vigilant against those lurking in the shadows.
Zhan Zhao offered to search Jinfeng Inn again for missing evidence, opting out of attending Deputy Minister Liu's daughter's wedding banquet, where Official Bao would present Mr. Gongsun Ce's calligraphy as a gift. Qin Wei Wei, Ma Han’s wife, who also served as the Kaifeng City Office’s coroner and cook, playfully chided Zhan Zhao for his coldness towards Deputy Minister Liu's daughter, who had long admired him.
Zhan Zhao maintained his disinterest in romantic entanglements, stating that as the Imperial Cat, such personal matters must be set aside, a sentiment Qin Wei Wei humorously compared to her husband Ma Han before he met her. Later, Mo Yan disguised herself as a vegetable delivery person to infiltrate the Kaifeng City Office and rescue Li Xu.
Zhan Zhao, opening the door, immediately saw through her ruse, noting she was not the expected delivery person and this was not the kitchen. Mo Yan, dropping her act, acknowledged Zhan Zhao’s perceptiveness. She tried to deflect by claiming she was there to avenge Deputy Minister Liu's daughter, then attempted to escape. Her efforts were futile against Zhan Zhao's superior martial arts. He warned her that attempting to break into prison was a capital offense.
Despite her struggles and calling him a "Darn Cat," Zhan Zhao easily subdued her and bound her with cloth. She then demanded to see Official Bao, declaring she was there to seek justice for her "fifth brother," Li Xu. Mo Yan was brought before Official Bao in the main hall.
She dramatically announced herself as "The notorious Seventh Evil of Shuzhong, The Divine Dog, Mo Yan," a claim Gongsun Ce immediately scoffed at, as he had only ever heard of Six Evils, and her title sounded made up. Mo Yan, undeterred, insisted on her fame and demanded Li Xu's immediate release, asserting his innocence in Bai Bao Zhen's murder. When Li Xu was brought in, he feigned ignorance of Mo Yan.
Mo Yan, however, quickly exposed his pretense by mentioning a mole on his hand, prompting him to accidentally call her "Seven." She then argued that the carved message on the desk was a deliberate trap set by the real killer, as no true murderer would so openly implicate themselves. Zhan Zhao countered by presenting evidence of Li Xu's presence at the relay station and Bai Bao Zhen's belongings found among Li Xu's stolen goods.
Mo Yan pressed Zhan Zhao about the style of the carving, which he described as "natural, strong, and firm," indicating the carver possessed martial arts skills that Bai Bao Zhen lacked. She concluded this proved the killer had deliberately framed Li Xu. Li Xu tried to silence her, but Mo Yan stood firm. Official Bao, acknowledging the plausibility of Mo Yan's theory, reasoned that the true killer was after something Li Xu had obtained.
Mo Yan, observing her crow circling above Jinfeng Inn, deduced that Li Xu's important possession was still there. She instructed the officers to search the inn's wine cabinet, specifically for a "hundred-year-old fine wine" that would not typically be opened. There, hidden in one such wine jar, was an account book. Mo Yan presented it, expecting Li Xu's release. Official Bao, however, refused, stating the case was far from over.
He then sternly questioned Li Xu about who had ordered him to steal the account book, stressing its connection to the Jiangnan corruption case. Li Xu remained silent, much to Mo Yan's frustration, who again defended him against what she perceived as an unjust accusation. With Li Xu remanded to prison, Zhan Zhao firmly escorted Mo Yan out of the Kaifeng City Office.
She demanded to see the account book, but Zhan Zhao refused, citing it as important evidence that could only be accessed by Kaifeng City Office detectives according to the Laws of Song. Annoyed, Mo Yan impulsively declared her intention to join the Kaifeng City Office, but Zhan Zhao dismissed her, stating they did not simply accept anyone.
Inside, Gongsun Ce and Official Bao examined the account book, quickly discerning that it was a fake, clearly forged by Bai Bao Zhen to deceive them. Official Bao surmised that the person who instructed Li Xu to steal it was unaware of its true nature. To expose this mastermind, Official Bao decided to set a trap, publicly announcing that the account book was secured at the Kaifeng City Office, hoping to lure the culprit out.
That night, Mo Yan, aware of Official Bao's plan, secretly entered the Kaifeng City Office to retrieve the fake account book. She navigated through various traps, knowing that only by removing the book could the real culprit be forced to reveal themselves, as Official Bao was unwilling to risk his officers. As she secured the book, she encountered Zhan Zhao. She provocatively challenged him to catch her, then triggered more traps within the study.
When Zhan Zhao finally cornered her, she tore her own sleeve, feigning distress and accusing him of impropriety. Zhan Zhao, a man of integrity, hesitated for a moment, allowing Mo Yan to escape with the book. As she fled across the rooftops, she saw a figure in a green robe. Recognizing him as the true culprit, she confronted him, demanding to know why he framed her "fifth brother."
She engaged him in a fight, believing that capturing him would free Li Xu. However, her martial arts skills were no match for the green-robed man, who kicked her off the roof. Zhan Zhao quickly intervened, saving her. The green-robed man attempted to escape, and Zhan Zhao pursued. During the chase, Zhan Zhao was forced to dodge poisonous darts thrown by the culprit, putting him at a disadvantage.
Mo Yan, despite her injuries, valiantly rushed forward but was struck by a poisoned dart. Weakened and on the verge of falling from the roof, she was again caught by Zhan Zhao. Even in her fading consciousness, she urged him to continue the pursuit, but Zhan Zhao chose to carry the unconscious Mo Yan back to the Kaifeng City Office. Gongsun Ce swiftly treated Mo Yan, removing the Five Poisons Powder from her system.
He also discovered traces of other old poisons within her, warning that if left untreated, they could cause future health problems. Mo Yan, recovering, argued that she had helped the Kaifeng City Office draw out the true culprit and therefore deserved a favor: Li Xu's release. Official Bao refused, stating that they still needed to determine if Li Xu was an accomplice. Mo Yan, still insistent, pointed out Zhan Zhao's failure to capture the culprit.
She astutely deduced that since Bai Bao Zhen had not given the real account book to anyone, it must still be at his residence. Official Bao, impressed by her intellect, decided to agree to her request to join the Kaifeng City Office as a constable to help solve the case.
Zhan Zhao vehemently opposed it, citing her impulsive nature and emphasizing the strict discipline of public service, contrasting it with his own past as a "Southern Hero" of the martial arts world. He worried her recklessness would only bring her harm. Just then, a guard reported that Li Xu had confessed to his crimes. Mo Yan rushed to the prison to confront him.
Li Xu, distressed, urged her to leave, reminding her of their mountain's rule to "Stay away from the government." He revealed that their legendary personas as the Six Evils were merely an act, and the martial arts world was far more dangerous than she imagined. Mo Yan, however, was resolute, declaring she would join the Kaifeng City Office to find evidence and save him.
Later, Official Bao, convinced by Mo Yan's keen eye for detail, decided to utilize her talents, despite Zhan Zhao's reservations. He tasked Zhan Zhao with figuring out how to best integrate her. As Mo Yan emerged from the prison, still fuming from her conversation with Li Xu and preparing to argue with Zhan Zhao, he simply handed her a constable's badge. Zhan Zhao told her to rest and not be late the next day, setting a one-month probation period: if she performed well, she would stay; otherwise, she would be dismissed.
