Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Episode 9 Recap
> Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty Recap
As Lu Lingfeng searched the inn, he was assailed by a disgusting smell. Following it, he discovered Liu Shiba boiling human heads in a room. Lu Lingfeng recognized one head as Colonel Yu's, and Liu Shiba then revealed the other was Cui Wuji of Qinghe, who had arrived later and insisted on staying at Gantang Post.
Su Wuming, recalling his disturbing dream, questioned Liu Shiba about an icehouse filled with meat and a man in a red robe, but Liu Shiba denied their existence. He suggested Su Wuming was experiencing hallucinations, a common occurrence at Gantang Post, and even recounted his own dreams of imperial examination success.
When Lu Lingfeng ordered Liu Shiba's arrest, Su Wuming intervened, asking how the murders occurred since Pei Xijun and Xue Huan, staying in the left main room, heard no commotion. Liu Shiba explained he drugged his victims with incense before beheading them, causing no sound. When pressed about the location of the bodies and the other missing people, Liu Shiba revealed his motive: they killed his Bai, the white python.
It was then that Lu Lingfeng admitted to killing the python because it had tried to harm him. Enraged, Liu Shiba cursed Lu Lingfeng, claiming he was the one who deserved to die, and then claimed his snakes had eaten the other bodies. After learning that Lu Lingfeng killed his white python, Liu Shiba, realizing he had punished the wrong people, demanded to be released. Su Wuming, seeking to uncover the fate of the remaining victims, allowed it.
With a whistle, Liu Shiba summoned numerous pythons, startling everyone. As the guards prepared to kill the snakes, Pei Xijun intervened, arguing that the pythons were spiritual and innocent. Su Wuming agreed, suggesting that Gantang Post might have originally been their territory, and advised a retreat. Lu Lingfeng, frustrated, attempted to burn the inn, but Su Wuming stopped him, emphasizing that crucial mysteries remained unsolved, and burning the place would forever hide the truth.
Sheriff Su confirmed that as an official property, burning it would be indefensible. He offered to take Liu Shiba into custody and investigate the case, promising to find the truth and punish the murderer. Su Wuming revealed that he suspected more victims, including a wandering monk, and now believed Liu Shiba to be truly evil. Trusting Sheriff Su, Su Wuming bid him farewell. As they prepared to depart, Pei Xijun insisted on accompanying them to Nanzhou.
Lu Lingfeng voiced his disapproval, but Su Wuming, asserting his authority as the commander, stated he had invited her for a trip. Su Wuming then explained that due to a princess's decree, he was forbidden from riding a horse or carriage to Nanzhou, needing to walk the journey. Quick-witted, Pei Xijun suggested that Xue Huan could ride a horse, with Su Wuming riding behind him, thus adhering to the decree. She then asked Lu Lingfeng to drive her carriage.
Despite his initial reluctance, Lu Lingfeng accepted, and the group set off. Upon arrival in Nanzhou, which Lu Lingfeng found surprisingly bustling despite its supposed remoteness, Xue Huan explained it was a prosperous hub, the "Chang'an and Luoyang of the south." They proceeded to the prefectural governor's mansion. Prefectural Governor Xiong Qiannian, after chastising his Administrator Luo for not waiting longer at the city gates, warmly welcomed Su Wuming.
Recognizing Su Wuming as Detective Di's disciple and a princess's envoy from Chang'an, Xiong Qiannian showed great respect, despite his higher rank. During the welcome, Xiong Qiannian recognized Lu Lingfeng, despite his claim of being Su Wuming's attendant, acknowledging him as Lu Lingfeng of Fan Yang, a renowned noble family. He also realized Pei Xijun was the daughter of Assistant Minister Pei Jian, which raised his concern, but she quickly assured him her visit was merely for sightseeing.
At the feast in Wangbin Restaurant, Chicken Fed, who had stolen Lu Lingfeng's travel money and arrived half a month early, made a boisterous entrance. He proudly declared that Governor Xiong had treated him well after he revealed Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng's identities. Lu Lingfeng initially chastised him for stealing, but Chicken Fed, having received money from Governor Xiong, paid him back with interest. Governor Xiong clarified that he treated all visitors from the capital well.
Su Wuming, apologizing for his subordinate's behavior, was then treated to a Nanzhou specialty, "The Young and the Old Together". Meanwhile, Pei Xijun had politely declined the feast, preferring to share their first meal in Nanzhou with Xue Huan at the Commander's Residence as a token of gratitude for his help. She presented him with a painting titled "The Young and the Old Together," depicting Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng from behind, wishing them success.
Xue Huan expressed his admiration for Su Wuming's wisdom and Lu Lingfeng's bravery, feeling his journey was worthwhile. He confessed that while he initially disliked Lu Lingfeng's arrogance, he was impressed by his martial arts prowess, especially at Gantang Post, and wished to learn from him to protect Pei Xijun. Pei Xijun, recalling Xue Huan's claim of being a descendant of Xue Rengui, encouraged him to become Lu Lingfeng's disciple and offered to prepare the traditional "master-apprenticeship gift" for him.
During a lull in the banquet, Su Wuming inquired about his old friend, the calligrapher Yan Yuanfu. Governor Xiong's expression turned somber as he revealed that Yan Yuanfu had died seven days prior and his funeral was being held that very day. The remaining three "Nanzhou Four Scholars"—tea master Zhong Boqi, guqin master Lu Gongfu, and poet Leng Ji—were mourning him. Zhong Boqi carried the coffin, Lu Gongfu played his ancient guqin, and Leng Ji scattered paper money.
As the funeral procession moved, a guqin player named Lin Bao, who had repeatedly sought to become Lu Gongfu's disciple, brazenly blocked their path to make his ninth plea. Lu Gongfu, disgusted by the timing, ordered him away. When Lin Bao accused him of refusing because he had played in brothels, Lu Gongfu publicly humiliated him, stating his refusal was due to Lin Bao's utter lack of talent, not his past.
He declared that his art would rather perish without a successor than be passed to someone so mediocre. Infuriated by the public shaming, Lin Bao vowed revenge. Su Wuming, deeply saddened by the news of his friend's passing, joined Governor Xiong and Administrator Luo to pay his respects. Governor Xiong recounted how Yan Yuanfu had proudly returned to Nanzhou from Chang'an because of the unbreakable bond among the Nanzhou Four Scholars.
He mentioned a famous painting, "The Stone Bridge," depicting the four, which was owned by Ouyang Quan, the proprietor of the Wangbin Restaurant. Ouyang Quan, who had always revered Yan Yuanfu as a kindred spirit and longed to join the scholars as a "Wine Immortal" to form the "Nanzhou Five Scholars," privately mourned at home, knowing his dream was now shattered by Yan Yuanfu's death and his status as a merchant.
Meanwhile, Lu Li, an antique dealer, repeatedly tried to purchase "The Stone Bridge" from Ouyang Quan, but was always rebuffed. Lu Li, discussing the painting with his servant, mused that Nanzhou held only "one and a half" treasures: "The Stone Bridge" as the full treasure, and Lu Gongfu's Three Kingdoms guqin as the half, because its true brilliance could only be unlocked by Lu Gongfu himself.
Chicken Fed boasted about his ability to manage affairs, suggesting he become their vanguard wherever they went. Pei Xijun presented Su Wuming with the painting of him and Lu Lingfeng, which Su Wuming praised, though Lu Lingfeng warned him against mentioning past romantic misunderstandings that the painting evoked. Su Wuming then asked Lu Lingfeng to persuade Pei Xijun to return to Chang'an, concerned about her reputation if she stayed.
Pei Xijun also gave Lu Lingfeng a ceremonial sword, a gift from her and Xue Huan, claiming it was left by a former Nanzhou Colonel. Lu Lingfeng initially refused, deeming himself unworthy, but Su Wuming and Chicken Fed teased him, reminding him of his "contributions" driving the carriage, and he reluctantly accepted. Chicken Fed then jokingly suggested Lu Lingfeng marry Pei Xijun, which angered Lu Lingfeng.
Pei Xijun interceded, promising to fulfill any past promises Lu Lingfeng had made to Chicken Fed, effectively taming the eccentric man. Later that night, as Lu Lingfeng practiced with his new sword, he discovered Xue Huan secretly watching. Xue Huan admitted he wanted to learn martial arts from him to protect Pei Xijun. Lu Lingfeng, still viewing Xue Huan as lacking grand ambition, initially refused.
However, Xue Huan challenged Lu Lingfeng's arrogance, arguing that lofty ambitions are meaningless without grounding in reality, and that someone who can adapt and excel in their current situation is truly remarkable. He pointed out Lu Lingfeng's disdain for Nanzhou, despite the local officials' respect, reminding him of his current status as Su Wuming's staff. Impressed by Xue Huan's unexpected wisdom, Lu Lingfeng agreed to take him as a disciple and teach him martial arts.
Governor Xiong Qiannian found Lu Lingfeng's presence a dilemma, unsure how to assign him duties given his noble background and current status as a personal staff. Su Wuming clarified that Lu Lingfeng was sent by the Crown Prince for training and could be assigned any task. Governor Xiong then suggested Lu Lingfeng temporarily fill the vacant position of Minister of Justice, responsible for capturing thieves, as the previous one was in mourning and a replacement would take time.
Lu Lingfeng, conscious of his "sinner" status, expressed concern that accepting the post might implicate Governor Xiong if discovered by the capital. Su Wuming, citing the backlog of old cases, insisted that the position could not remain empty and took full responsibility for the decision. Lu Lingfeng agreed to the temporary appointment but stipulated that Su Wuming must send Pei Xijun back to Chang'an to avoid gossip.
The next morning, Su Wuming began attempting to persuade Pei Xijun to return, citing Nanzhou's humid climate and Governor Xiong's offer of an escort. Pei Xijun, however, perceived his words as an attempt to drive her away.
