Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Episode 3 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Recap
With eight brides still missing, Su Wuming offered money to the constables of Chang'an County, who were initially reluctant to dig for bodies at his specified locations. He organized a meal for them and presented co-investigation documents for Wannian County. When the constables made various excuses such as a pregnant wife, poor eyesight, and a timid nature with an elderly mother to care for, Su Wuming highlighted that the missing brides' families had offered substantial rewards.
This promise of payment successfully persuaded the constables to agree to the task. Meanwhile, Lu Lingfeng led the Imperial Guards in raiding tea shops suspected of selling Chang'an black tea, apprehending numerous vendors. Lady Shiyi, having learned of Lu Lingfeng’s movements, instructed the Immortal Venerable to eliminate him, fearing that the investigation would cut off their lucrative tea business. The Immortal Venerable, in turn, awoke two dormant warriors from stone statues, tasking them with Lu Lingfeng's assassination.
Lu Tong, the Great General of the Imperial Guards, reprimanded Lu Lingfeng for independently sealing the tea market, asserting that tea affairs were beyond the Imperial Guards' jurisdiction. While Lu Lingfeng explained that he was acting on His Highness's orders, he lacked a written instruction from His Highness, and His Highness had remained silent when questioned by His Majesty in court.
Lu Tong warned Lu Lingfeng that this investigation could jeopardize his promising career and that no one could save him if he displeased His Majesty. Ultimately, Lu Tong permitted Lu Lingfeng to continue the investigation but forbade him from deploying any more Imperial Guard personnel. The county constables successfully located the bodies of the eight missing brides, earning them respect and a renewed commitment to their duties under Su Wuming.
Magistrate Yuan then approached Su Wuming, praising his detective skills and seeking advice on the numerous tea dealers arrested by the Imperial Guards. The Imperial Prison could not hold all of them, so many were sent to Chang'an County. Su Wuming advised releasing the dealers, stating that the Imperial Guards had overstepped their authority. He further noted that Her Highness also consumed Chang'an black tea, suggesting that holding the dealers might inadvertently offend her. Magistrate Yuan understood the implication.
Upon learning that Su Wuming had found the missing brides' bodies, Lu Lingfeng visited him at the Chang'an County Sheriff's residence early the next morning. Su Wuming explained that he had gleaned clues from folk tales and bizarre compilations. Though Lu Lingfeng initially scoffed, he decided to examine the books. Su Wuming then offered Lu Lingfeng some expensive Chang'an black tea, insisting that to investigate the case, one must first understand the tea itself.
After Lu Lingfeng observed the tea but did not drink it, Su Wuming, feigning poverty, demanded payment for the tea. He used this opportunity to borrow money from Lu Lingfeng, which he then distributed among the constables, telling them it was a reward from General Lu Lingfeng for future assignments.
Later, Su Wuming, correctly surmising that Lu Lingfeng was short on men after raiding the East and West Markets, offered him 19 Chang'an County constables for the Ghost Market operation, adding that he would make the 20th if not for his scholarly nature possibly being a burden. That night, Lu Lingfeng led the newly assembled team to the Ghost Market to investigate Chang'an black tea.
During the raid, they apprehended Wen Chao, the minister of the household, who was caught buying the tea. Lu Lingfeng ordered Wen Chao's arrest, despite his pleas. Outside one of the shops, Lu Lingfeng's team was ambushed by arrows, resulting in the death of the tea vendor they were questioning. He realized the archers were skilled fighters, not common thugs.
Meanwhile, Su Wuming and his servant Su Qian were also in the Ghost Market, prioritizing the spice investigation for the missing brides. Su Wuming encountered the chicken thief again, who, smelling the Soul Returning Incense on Su Wuming, mistook him for a ghost and fled. Su Wuming pursued him, realizing the thief's reaction was to the distinct scent he carried.
Lu Lingfeng and his remaining men arrived at Lady Shiyi’s establishment, a large and extravagant venue where music and dance filled the air. Seeing this, the Chang'an constables, eager to prove themselves, volunteered to lead the charge. Lu Lingfeng agreed, using them to test the defenses. Inside, Lady Shiyi calmly entertained guests, who were experiencing illusions from her free-flowing Chang'an black tea. As the constables charged in, Lady Shiyi dismissed her official guests and unleashed two formidable warriors.
The Immortal Venerable, present at the scene, taunted Lu Lingfeng, remarking on his family background and boasting that his warriors had "indestructible bodies," assuring Lu Lingfeng he would not leave alive. Lu Lingfeng ordered the constables to retreat, recognizing the overwhelming threat, and engaged the warriors with his three Imperial Guards. After a fierce fight, Lu Lingfeng discovered the warriors' vulnerability lay in their eyes and swiftly defeated them. However, he was then trapped in an iron cage.
He instructed his remaining subordinates, including Guo Zhuang, to quickly escape and report to His Highness to gather forces and eradicate the treacherous Ghost Market, while he braced himself to withstand a barrage of arrows. As arrows rained down, Su Wuming, still chasing the chicken thief, accidentally led them through a hidden tunnel that opened directly into Lu Lingfeng’s cage. Seizing the opportunity, Su Wuming and the chicken thief helped Lu Lingfeng escape through the tunnel.
During their flight, the chicken thief continued to fear Su Wuming, believing him to be a ghost because of the Soul Returning Incense emanating from him. Su Wuming clarified that the scent came from the red cloth used to wrap the non-decaying bodies of the brides, which he was investigating. The chicken thief then introduced himself as Fed, or "Chicken Fed" due to his love for eating chicken.
Su Wuming asked him about the origin of the Soul Returning Incense, but Fed feigned forgetfulness. Fed noticed Lu Lingfeng’s arrow wound was poisoned and offered to treat it, albeit with a condition. Su Wuming initially expressed doubt in Fed's medical abilities, citing his reputation as a petty thief. However, Fed proved his knowledge by mentioning the unique flora in Kang Yuanli's backyard at the West Market office, which Lu Lingfeng confirmed.
Lu Lingfeng, dismissing Su Wuming’s attempts to provoke him, agreed to trust Fed. Recognizing the arrow's poison, Fed then brazenly blackmailed Lu Lingfeng, demanding a chicken daily, and preferably wine, in exchange for his medical aid. Su Wuming tried to intercede, but Fed, distrusting him, insisted on Lu Lingfeng’s direct promise. Lu Lingfeng, appreciating Fed's "temper," agreed. Unaware of their escape, the Immortal Venerable and Lady Shiyi believed Lu Lingfeng would succumb to the poison by dawn.
Despite the loss of their tea stock, the Immortal Venerable remained unfazed, ordering the release of a "special batch of premium tea" for gold pre-orders on the eighteenth of the month, at a significantly inflated price, hinting that these events were part of a larger plan. As dawn approached, Su Wuming woke a weakened Lu Lingfeng, urging him to leave the Ghost Market. Lu Lingfeng, despite his serious wound, had recovered overnight, a testament to Fed's unique medical skills.
He thanked Fed, calling him a "great doctor," a title Fed disliked. Shortly after their escape, Magistrate Yuan met Su Wuming, expressing feigned concern about his "night visit to the Ghost Market."
