Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Episode 7 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Recap
Lu Lingfeng, recovering from his injuries, spoke with Guo Zhuang, telling him that his impassioned words from the previous night were not to be taken seriously. He reminded Guo Zhuang that his humble origins made joining the Imperial Guards an honor for his family, and he shouldn't abandon his post. Lu Lingfeng, believing Guo Zhuang to be a loyal and brave man, foresaw him achieving great things in the future.
Now a commoner himself, Lu Lingfeng asked Guo Zhuang to treat him as a brother and thanked him for his efforts in carrying him out of the capital. When Guo Zhuang expressed concern about locating Lu Lingfeng if Great General Lu Tong had a change of heart, Lu Lingfeng clarified that it was the Crown Prince who dismissed him from office and expelled him from Chang'an, not Lu Tong.
Guo Zhuang, knowing Lu Lingfeng had no money, offered him a purse containing funds pooled by his brothers, which Lu Lingfeng reluctantly accepted after some persuasion. Meanwhile, Su Wuming and his old servant, Uncle Qian, were traveling on foot towards Nanzhou. Su Wuming admired an unusual flower along the way. Suddenly, Lady Shiyi attacked them.
Su Wuming urged Uncle Qian to flee, but the loyal servant refused, even drawing a knife to defend his master, declaring he would rather die by Su Wuming's side. Su Wuming then revealed Lady Shiyi's true identity as Yin Shilang, the notorious figure from the Ghost Market. Yin Shilang confirmed it, then brutally killed Uncle Qian, who died protecting Su Wuming.
Yin Shilang explained his past, how he learned martial arts just to survive, wandering as a "half-man half-ghost" until he met an "Immortal Venerable" who treated him with dignity and allowed him to thrive in the Ghost Market. He recounted the Immortal Venerable’s promise that if he succeeded with the Chang'an black tea, the Emperor would crown him King of the Ghost Market. Now, with everything ruined, Yin Shilang sought to avenge his benefactor by killing Su Wuming.
Just as he was about to deliver the fatal blow, Lu Lingfeng arrived, despite his own injuries. A fierce struggle ensued, and Lu Lingfeng ultimately managed to slay Yin Shilang. Fee Jishi, who had also arrived, noted the impressive nature of Yin Shilang's disguise, remarking that his real face looked a dozen years older than his own. After Lu Lingfeng helped Su Wuming bury Uncle Qian, he turned his anger towards Su Wuming, accusing him of framing him.
Lu Lingfeng pointed out the injustice: he, Lu Lingfeng, was stripped of his position and exiled, while Su Wuming was promoted from a low-ranking sheriff to the Military Commander of Nanzhou, both stemming from the same case. Fee Jishi attempted to mediate. Su Wuming acknowledged that he couldn't immediately explain the situation, but insisted that the truth would eventually be revealed.
He referenced his teacher, Detective Di, and even hinted that the Chang'an black tea case held deeper, uninvestigated truths, possibly revealed in Yin Shilang's dying words. Su Wuming challenged Lu Lingfeng, stating he could either kill him if he truly believed he was framed, or join him on his journey to Nanzhou.
He reasoned that returning home in disgrace would lead to mockery from his noble clan, while life as a wandering commoner would be difficult without funds for basic necessities like food and lodging. He also reminded Lu Lingfeng of his promise to provide Fee Jishi with a chicken daily, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's word, a sentiment Fee Jishi heartily echoed. Lu Lingfeng eventually conceded that his predicament might not be entirely Su Wuming's doing.
Su Wuming then offered Lu Lingfeng a position as his "personal staff," promising to pay him from his own salary. Lu Lingfeng accepted, and despite his injuries, insisted on carrying Su Wuming's books, declaring that he would now be known as "Staff Lu," not General Lu Lingfeng. As Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng continued their journey on foot, Fee Jishi, tired of walking and the lack of chicken, was left behind.
At an inn, the waiter informed them that Fee Jishi had purchased a fast horse and departed earlier, leaving a note. Lu Lingfeng discovered his money bag was empty, confirming Fee Jishi's theft. In his letter, Fee Jishi confessed his inability to endure the arduous journey on foot, stating he had taken some money—enough for months of chicken—and promised to return for more if he ran out and was still alive, bidding them farewell.
Meanwhile, Pei Xijun, confined to her family's estate, called for Xue Huan, a household servant she had purchased when he was nine. She flattered him by claiming her painting skills also allowed her to read faces, and she had recognized his extraordinary potential. She even suggested he might be a descendant of the legendary General Xue Rengui, inspiring in him aspirations for military glory.
She then tested his courage by proposing they escape Chang'an together, daring him to inform her father if he was too afraid. Xue Huan agreed to her daring plan. Later, caught in a heavy downpour, Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng sought shelter at Gantang Post. Su Wuming noticed the post was not on his map, but Lu Lingfeng, seeing the imminent storm, insisted they stay.
The post's corvee, Liu Shiba, emerged, claiming the post was abandoned and haunted, and urged them to go to the new station ten miles away. Lu Lingfeng, however, pointed to the "Gantang Post" plaque and Liu Shiba's uniform, asserting it was an official establishment and demanding entry for a court official. He threatened flogging if Liu Shiba continued to refuse.
Liu Shiba explained he had been a corvee there for eight years and made the abandoned post his home three years prior. Despite his warnings, Lu Lingfeng insisted on staying. Liu Shiba, sarcastic about not being able to distinguish between an official and a commoner, led them inside, noting the main hall had been locked for years. Lu Lingfeng offered money, but Liu Shiba refused, citing official regulations and fear of legal repercussions.
Su Wuming introduced himself as the Military Commander of Nanzhou and Lu Lingfeng as his personal staff. Liu Shiba openly mocked Lu Lingfeng's self-appointed title, questioning his authority. He then agreed to prepare them some food, using his stored provisions. Su Wuming observed that Liu Shiba had a missing finger, which the corvee claimed was bitten off by a wild dog, a story Su Wuming found suspicious.
At dinner, Lu Lingfeng found the vegetable balls unappetizing and complained about not being given a superior room. Liu Shiba explained that the right superior room was "haunted," and the left was reserved for officials of the fifth rank or higher, or members of the esteemed Cui, Lu, Li, or Zheng families. Lu Lingfeng proudly declared his lineage from the Lu family of Fanyang.
Liu Shiba acknowledged his noble background but stated that as Su Wuming's personal staff, not a serving official, he still wasn't eligible for a superior room. Infuriated by Liu Shiba's perceived insolence, Lu Lingfeng was calmed by Su Wuming, who agreed to stay in the wing-room. Liu Shiba then strictly warned them that only the first room of the right wing-room was safe, forbidding them from occupying any other room.
Back in their shared wing-room, Lu Lingfeng, still fuming at Liu Shiba's "snobbery," refused to eat the vegetable ball. Su Wuming offered him a spare one, reminiscing about his own humble childhood diet. He also pointed out that the main hall, despite Liu Shiba's claim of being locked for years, had a spotless table, implying either Liu Shiba cleaned it or "ghosts" did.
Su Wuming then philosophized about renowned scholars being broad-minded, prompting Lu Lingfeng to lament his fallen status as merely Su Wuming's personal staff. Lu Lingfeng also expressed his discomfort sharing a bed with another man. Later, hearing a noise outside, Lu Lingfeng confronted Liu Shiba, who claimed he was merely checking if Su Wuming desired hot water for his feet, an excuse Lu Lingfeng found transparent. Dismissing the ghost stories, Lu Lingfeng left to investigate the other rooms.
Immediately after Lu Lingfeng's departure, Su Wuming fell into a deep sleep, dreaming that Liu Shiba was bagging his head. Around the same time, Colonel Yu, a military officer, arrived at Gantang Post with his retinue, demanding lodging. To Lu Lingfeng's shock, he recognized Colonel Yu's captive as Pei Xijun. Colonel Yu, after ordering his men to find Pei Xijun a room, took her into another room, making his intentions clear.
