Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West Recap, Plot, Synopsis
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West Synopsis
In the year 712 AD, Emperor Ruizong of Tang changed the era name to Yanhe. The Tang Dynasty remained prosperous, but beneath the flourishing surface, crises loomed, and a storm was brewing. Various forces took the opportunity to stir, leading to a surge in strange cases among the populace. What mysterious and eerie puzzles will Lu Lingfeng, the Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, and Su Wuming, the Chancellor of Qianling, encounter? The westward journey is fraught with unpredictable challenges.
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West Recap
Episode 1 Recap
During the Yánhe era of the Great Tang, Qin Xiaobai, known as the greatest painter in the world, was entrusted by the Princess to reside at Chengfo Temple in Chang'an to paint the 'Demon Subduing Transformation' and pray for the Empress's blessings in the afterlife. Qin Xiaobai's painting was on the verge of 'dotting the eyes', but dotting the eyes meant the demon king would break free from the wall.
He stated that this would cause the demon king to kill people, but Xielv Lang Sun Wang believed Qin Xiaobai was talking nonsense. He looked down on Qin Xiaobai's arrogant demeanor, thinking he was just a painter of murals who thought too highly of himself. Qin Xiaobai was very angry and said, "If the demon king breaks free, he will kill me first.
" At night, Sun Wang snuck into the courtyard, wanting to see the painting first, but unexpectedly he was murdered and his liver was dug out. Lu Lingfeng rushed to the scene immediately after receiving the news the next day. Sun Wang's death was gruesome; his eyes were wide open, as if he had seen something terrifying before he died. The coroner found lip rouge on Sun Wang's body, so his body had a fragrance.
As for what kind of fragrance, the coroner did not know. With the help of Pei Xijun, Lu Lingfeng learned that it was black ointment. Lu Lingfeng's subordinate found a witness, and Lu Lingfeng asked Pei Xijun for help, hoping she could quickly draw a portrait based on the witness's description. Lu Lingfeng went to investigate Sun Wang's whereabouts before his death. Lu Lingfeng learned from the owner of Xiaoyun Building about the time Sun Wang spent there.
Sun Wang used to be a veterinarian, but his musical talent was unparalleled. It was because he was promoted by the Princess that he achieved his current status. Lu Lingfeng couldn't help but marvel that he was an extraordinary person. The place Sun Wang frequented the most was the home of Anxi army general Ma Xiong. Madam Ma was very beautiful. She was not yet aware that something had happened to Sun Wang.
Lu Lingfeng did not inform her of the details, only stating that this visit was a routine check. Ma Xiong had achieved illustrious military feats and had even presented blood-sweating horses to Emperor Zhongzong, who returned one and allowed them to keep horses at home. Therefore, Ma Xiong's home had many horses, which was why Sun Wang had visited Ma Mansion many times to treat the horses.
Lu Lingfeng wanted to ride a blood-sweating horse, but unexpectedly the horse was very wild, and he ultimately failed to tame it and fell off. Through talking with Madam Ma, he learned that Ma Xiong used Mo Blades in battle. This matched the wounds on Sun Wang's body. Lu Lingfeng revealed that Sun Wang was dead, and Madam Ma immediately fainted from shock.
Lu Lingfeng escorted her to the bedroom and took the opportunity to arrange for his subordinate to check Madam Ma's dressing table, but no black ointment was found. Pei Xijun painted based on the old man's description; the painting was very strange. She felt it strongly resembled the portraits by Qin Xiaobai, but Lu Lingfeng thought Pei Xijun was too obsessed with Qin Xiaobai's work recently, which was why she felt this way.
Moreover, he believed that the old man did not see the murder scene because he had seen the mural at Chengfo Temple and was deliberately saying that. But the old man stated that Chengfo Temple had recently added a rule that people were not allowed in if they did not pay enough incense money. Although he knew someone was painting the mural, he had never actually seen it.
Pei Xijun took Lu Lingfeng to Chengfo Temple to see Qin Xiaobai complete the dotting of the eyes. Unexpectedly, Qin Xiaobai still did not dot the eyes and flew into a rage, driving away everyone who had come to watch. Because his junior apprentice urged him, he even beat the junior apprentice once, then left in anger. Lu Lingfeng followed him the entire way and told him the news of Sun Wang's tragic death. Qin Xiaobai was also very shocked.
When he saw the portrait Lu Lingfeng took out, he was even more surprised. He greatly admired the painter and wanted to take the painter as his apprentice. Lu Lingfeng only thought he was crazy and turned to leave. During the investigation, Lu Lingfeng clashed head-on with the killer, but unexpectedly he and Guo Zhuang were no match for the opponent, and both were severely injured. Su Wuming served as the Chengcai of Ganling, living a comfortable life.
After he and Ying Tao returned from fishing, they saw Bai Sheren. Bai Sheren had come this time on the Crown Prince's order and brought an imperial decree from the Emperor, asking Su Wuming to go to the capital to investigate a case. Su Wuming originally wanted to politely decline, but upon hearing that Lu Lingfeng was missing, he became very worried.
Furthermore, he did not dare to disobey the imperial decree and could only hurry back to Chang'an with Bai Sheren. Upon returning to Chang'an, Su Wuming would once again be drawn into the struggle between the Eastern Palace and the Princess. As expected, the Crown Prince personally came to pick him up and gave him the position of Sima of Yongzhou, which was also the Emperor's intention. But the Princess also summoned Su Wuming.
She knew that Lu Lingfeng was her child and ordered Su Wuming to definitely bring her son back safe and sound, and immediately appointed him Shaoqing of Dali Temple. She knew Su Wuming's character and stated that this was not an irregular appointment; he would see the appointment order the next day, and he would get everything he deserved. Su Wuming immediately rushed to the autopsy room and examined the bodies of all the victims; their death conditions were the same.
Episode 2 Recap
Su Wuming carefully read Di Gong's old cases, deeply feeling that Lu Lingfeng had grown into an excellent detective. Suddenly felt something was off to the side, turned back to see Ying Tao standing there, her face full of curiosity and dissatisfaction. Ying Tao questioned Su Wuming, asking why he had broken his vow of reclusion and instead taken the position of Shaoqing of Dali Temple.
Su Wuming gave a wry smile, saying he couldn't help himself, and then asked Ying Tao to help him send messages to three people using jianghu methods. On the other side, Lao Jia and others wanted to capture the person impersonating Su Wuming, but were surprised to find that the person who came was Su Wuming himself, and a misunderstanding was thus resolved.
Things change rapidly in the world, Su Wuming and Ying Tao once again joined hands to embark on a new journey. Su Wuming unexpectedly met three brothers in the marketplace who called themselves "followers of the divine detective"; they enthusiastically praised Su Wuming as the true divine detective, which even surprised Su Wuming himself. These three brothers were full of anticipation, hoping to fight alongside Su Wuming again and jointly uncover the mysteries of the case.
To fulfill their wish, Su Wuming decided to lead this group of like-minded brothers to the legendary ghost market, where countless secrets and clues were hidden. After some searching, they locked onto a suspicious-looking old man, and through questioning learned clues about the dead person on the ground.
Su Wuming quickly took out Lu Lingfeng's portrait for comparison; after confirming that the deceased was not Lu Lingfeng, everyone had just breathed a sigh of relief when they suddenly heard Pei Xijun's call for help. Su Wuming immediately led everyone to the rescue and successfully saved Pei Xijun. Afterwards, he took the portrait back to the old man's home; under clever guidance, the old man became suspicious of the portrait's authenticity.
Su Wuming used this opportunity to reveal that Pei Xijun might have created the portrait based on images from the mural in Jingjiang Temple, which led to the misunderstanding and indirectly affected Lu Lingfeng's situation. After carefully examining the four mythical beasts on the temple mural, Su Wuming was filled with emotion; he believed these mythical beasts were more suited to exist in legends.
At the same time, he greatly praised Qin Xiaobai's painting skills, especially the creativity and technique of incorporating Central Plains elements into Buddhist murals, which was truly astonishing. Before he finished speaking, Qin Xiaobai entered the scene, sensed that something was amiss but pretended to be calm, continued painting, and deliberately struck his junior apprentice beside him, causing a chaotic scene.
Sun Wang's father mistakenly believed Qin Xiaobai was the murderer of his son, became emotional, and wanted to commit violence. At a crucial moment, Su Wuming stepped forward, quelled the dispute, firmly believed there were no ghosts or spirits in the world, and vowed to catch the real culprit. Qin Xiaobai was not grateful for Su Wuming's help; instead, he was attracted by Pei Xijun's painting talent and wanted to take her as his apprentice.
After being rejected, he was quite displeased, believing that art should not be constrained by emotions. Pei Xijun left the scene under Ying Tao's persuasion. Seeing Qin Xiaobai's indifferent attitude, Su Wuming secretly planned to win over this talented painter. Qin Xiaobai was also no ordinary person; he saw through Su Wuming's intentions, thanked him politely, and left resolutely, leaving Su Wuming alone in deep thought.
To ensure Qin Xiaobai's safety and the smooth progress of the investigation, Su Wuming secretly deployed people to monitor his whereabouts and specifically instructed the trackers to act cautiously, as Qin Xiaobai was arrogant and might have an extreme reaction if he discovered he was being monitored.
This matter also angered the Princess; she was deeply furious at those who obstructed the painter's work and disregarded Su Wuming's authority, and at the same time, she was even more worried about Lu Lingfeng's safety. On the other side, Lu Lingfeng survived with Fei Jishi's rescue, but upon hearing the news of Guo Zhuang's "resurrection," he felt complicated emotions.
Su Wuming, through investigation, discovered that Sun Wang's death was related to Madam Ma, so he approached Madam Ma under Lu Lingfeng's name, attempting to extract clues. Madam Ma saw through his intention but cleverly directed Su Wuming toward the precious horses, intending to change the subject. At the same time, Chang Fang, Chen Shi, and Zhang Qian's apprehension towards Su Wuming deepened, and they attempted to avoid him.
And Su Wuming went alone to the ghost market to search for Lu Lingfeng's whereabouts. After some effort, he finally learned Fei Jishi's news from a little beggar and forced him to lead the way. Facing Guo Zhuang's "body," Lu Lingfeng's heart was filled with self-reproach and regret; he hated his incompetence and decided to take Guo Zhuang away alone. Fei Jishi immediately reported when he discovered Lu Lingfeng was missing. Finally, the General found the unconscious Lu Lingfeng; before losing consciousness, he remorsefully expressed his guilt towards his Jinwu Guard brothers.
Episode 3 Recap
Lu Lingfeng awoke to the faint sound of rain, discovering the Crown Prince was about to get out of the carriage, but saw him with a look of concern, gesturing that there was no need to adhere to formalities. Upon learning that Guo Zhuang had passed away, both the Crown Prince and Lu Lingfeng were immersed in grief. Lu Lingfeng was filled with self-reproach, believing that his falling for the villain's scheme was what led to Guo Zhuang's death.
Lu Tong stepped forward to comfort him, saying that capturing the culprit was not a task for a single day. When the Crown Prince heard that Lu Tong intended to request a mission to investigate the ghost market, he showed a look of reluctance. Lu Lingfeng resolutely knelt on one knee, vowing to thoroughly investigate this matter and seek justice for Guo Zhuang.
The Crown Prince was in a dilemma, but was eventually moved by Lu Lingfeng's determination, and nodded in agreement. Lu Lingfeng returned to Dali Temple and found his desk slightly messy. After inquiring, he learned that his senior fellow disciple Su Wuming had visited. The senior and junior disciples, reunited after a long time, should have been filled with joy, but this warm scene was interrupted by Fei Jishi's sudden appearance.
Lu Lingfeng was angry at Fei Jishi for concealing the matter of Guo Zhuang, but he also understood Fei Jishi's difficulties in his heart; though his anger was strong, it was hard to fully blame him. He insisted on investigating this matter thoroughly and requested Su Wuming to hand over the relevant case files to him.
Fei Jishi witnessed this scene from the side and couldn't help but sigh, lamenting that although the two of them held high positions, they still engaged in a battle of wits like children, which was far from what he had hoped for in his heart. At the same time, Cen Zhi spoke arrogantly in front of the Princess, not only slandering Lu Lingfeng but also threatening to take his life.
This act angered the Princess, who ordered him to slap himself in the courtyard as a punishment. Lu Lingfeng went out alone. The Princess failed to find him and was extremely anxious, worrying that his injuries had not healed and he would develop new ailments. Lu Lingfeng's anger was hard to quell; he intended to destroy the painting by Qin Xiaobai, which he believed was the source of all disaster.
Qin Xiaobai, however, protected it with his life, firmly refusing to let him. At a crucial moment, Su Wuming arrived in time to prevent the imminent conflict. Subsequently, the Princess also arrived in a hurry, and the scene became tense. Lu Lingfeng was emotional, firmly believing that the painting had brought countless disasters, and vowed to kill Qin Xiaobai to eliminate future troubles. However, under everyone's persuasion, he ultimately did not act.
Qin Xiaobai saw the Princess's arrival and mistakenly thought he had found protection, attempting to use the Princess's influence to provoke Lu Lingfeng. Unexpectedly, the Princess not only did not support him but instead ordered people to drag him out, making the scene awkward. Seeing this, Su Wuming cleverly winked at Lu Lingfeng, signaling him to bow to the Princess, and then quietly left to avoid getting involved in this turmoil.
Seeing that only Lu Lingfeng remained, the Princess rushed forward to inquire about his injuries, but was lightly pushed away by an unintentional movement from Lu Lingfeng. Although the Princess felt hurt inside, she still maintained a calm appearance on the surface, unwilling to show it. She then turned to admire Qin Xiaobai's painting, while Lu Lingfeng believed this painting was the root of numerous misfortunes and wanted to destroy it quickly.
The Princess paid no mind, firmly believing there were no ghosts or spirits in the world, and thought Lu Lingfeng's idea was too extreme. Lu Lingfeng, however, insisted that someone intended to use this painting to stir up trouble and disrupt the court. The Princess mistakenly thought that Lu Lingfeng's action was provoked by the Crown Prince, intending to damage the mother-son relationship.
Lu Lingfeng quickly knelt and pleaded guilty, clarifying that this matter was purely his personal action and had nothing to do with the Crown Prince. At this moment, Pei Xijun was quietly decocting medicine nearby, her heart filled with self-reproach and pain.
She knew well that Lu Lingfeng had fallen into an enemy's trap because of her painting, and the serious injuries he sustained made her deeply guilty, believing that these medicines could only treat the symptoms but not the root cause. Su Wuming, however, had a different view on Lu Lingfeng's intention to destroy the painting, believing that this act could both reveal the truth and stir up the court situation, killing two birds with one stone.
Lu Lingfeng relentlessly pursued the connection between Sun Wang's death and the mural, while Su Wuming hinted that some of these deceased might have intended to defect to the Crown Prince, adding new complexity to the case. Hearing this, Lu Lingfeng became even more determined to pursue the truth, but unexpectedly, he was overcome by sleeping medicine mixed by Fei Jishi into the incense, and fell unconscious.
Meanwhile, on the other side, a masked person was secretly plotting to refine a mysterious treasure for "dotting the eyes", but was in a predicament because Xu Zhiyun avoided meeting, and the plan was obstructed. Qin Xiaobai refused to dot the eyes. His junior apprentice suggested using youguang to entice viewers, but was scolded by him, and the junior apprentice felt resentment.
Su Wuming noticed that the painting shop owner had changed hands and sent Ying Tao to use seduction to extract information, thus learning the truth. Su Wuming showed goodwill towards Qin Xiaobai, wanting to borrow his youguang power. Qin Xiaobai initially refused, but Su Wuming praised him after learning of his aspirations. Su Wuming visited the ancient monitoring station to find Liang Zhi. Hearing about his whereabouts at Xiaoyun Lou, he sent Ying Tao to bring him back. Liang Zhi frankly admitted that due to poverty, he caught bookworms for others, indirectly explaining the reason for his trip to Xiaoyun Lou.
Episode 4 Recap
Su Wuming was filled with regret and stomped his foot in self-reproach. His original plan was to conduct the transaction at Xiaoyun Lou, but he accidentally alerted the enemy, and the lead on the wall-dwelling fish might be broken. Pei Xijun gently comforted him and suggested drawing a portrait of Liang Sima based on Liang Zhi's description. While grateful, Su Wuming still couldn't hide his sorrow.
Seeing this, Ying Tao encouraged him to cheer up and continue pursuing the painting manual. Immediately, Su Wuming summoned the painting shop owner and inquired about the details. The owner complained that it was due to Bi Chengye's coercion that he took the risk of selling youguang. Upon learning that the owner knew the source of youguang, Su Wuming's eyes lit up, and an idea came to him.
Lu Lingfeng woke up and immediately asked Fei Jishi for the current time. Fei Jishi, however, had a calm expression, showing no signs of guilt, claiming he had drugged Lu Lingfeng to help him sleep for his sake, fearing he was overly tired, and proudly displayed the meal he had prepared. Lu Lingfeng did not appreciate this. His heart was focused on the case, and he was eager to pursue the truth.
At this moment, Pei Xijun handed over a portrait of Su Wuming, wanting Lu Lingfeng to see it. Lu Lingfeng took the painting. Although he playfully teased that Su Wuming's painting skills were not as good as his own, his gaze quickly captured the novelty of the painting, realizing it was not an old work. He immediately became alert, suspecting he might have encountered a deception and that his train of thought had been unnecessarily interrupted.
Just as Lu Lingfeng was lost in thought, Pei Xijun mentioned the "north" clue related to the case. This reminder was like a wake-up call, instantly making Lu Lingfeng clear-headed. He realized this might be the key to the case. Thus, without hesitation, he put down everything he was holding, hurried out the door, vowing to investigate thoroughly and uncover the truth. Lu Lingfeng stepped into Dali Temple alone, his heart filled with dedication to the case.
As he turned, he sharply noticed a figure behind him. Looking closely, it turned out to be Elder Zhou. Lu Lingfeng firmly refused Elder Zhou's help, believing his path should be walked by himself. Elder Zhou, however, used his years of experience in the temple as a reason, proposing that if Lu Lingfeng encountered anything strange, he could call upon him for assistance. Lu Lingfeng remained unmoved.
While reviewing case files, Lu Lingfeng discovered a difficult case that everyone else avoided, but he decided to take it on. Just as he was about to leave, the temple abbot rushed over, claiming he had witnessed the death of Physician Li and revealing that Physician Li intended to perform a tree burial and that he himself had driven away evil people.
Lu Lingfeng became suspicious and wanted to investigate alone, but the abbot mocked him, believing he was overestimating his abilities. After arriving at the scene, Lu Lingfeng deeply felt the strangeness and danger of the place. Three women had ill intentions. He cleverly feigned sleep and repelled them while they were unprepared. Meanwhile, on the other side, although Su Wuming and Lao Jia and others were advised against it, Su Wuming insisted on going to investigate.
He found that the traders each had their own hidden agendas and did not know each other, so he secretly controlled them to ascertain the truth. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming met unexpectedly. Elder Zhou's appearance made Lu Lingfeng question his loyalty again. Elder Zhou showed a look of shame, admitting that he was here to atone for his sins and explaining how he had secretly assisted Lu Lingfeng in finding the book without leaving the dark room.
Su Wuming followed Lu Lingfeng to the crime scene and personally dissected the body to search for clues. Facing the anger towards the officials' dereliction of duty, Lu Lingfeng ordered that the deceased be properly buried to comfort their spirits. Lu Lingfeng vowed to catch the true culprit and seek justice for Physician Li. His determination was firm and unshakable. Upon hearing the news of Physician Li's death, the abbot's sorrow was evident.
Su Wuming, on the other hand, acutely sensed that the departure of the monks might indicate the situation was becoming more complicated. The Princess saw Qin Xiaobai hesitating about the "dotting the eyes" matter and became worried, wishing to ask Pei Xijun for help. Qin Xiaobai stated frankly that he was unable to complete the dotting of the eyes. Cen Zhi took the opportunity to suggest that Pei Xijun take over, but Pei Xijun resolutely refused.
After the soldiers left, Qin Xiaobai couldn't help but feel a flood of emotions, expressing his inner feelings through song. Pei Xijun gently comforted Qin Xiaobai, advising him to put down the heavy burden and enjoy the pleasure of creation. She knew well that this painting was of extraordinary significance to Qin Xiaobai. It was not just a painting, but the crystallization of his life's work.
Pei Xijun's words were like a spring breeze and nourishing rain, making Qin Xiaobai suddenly enlightened. He realized he had been too focused on the result and had instead overlooked the pleasure of creation itself. Under Pei Xijun's inspiration, Qin Xiaobai seemed to have found a new source of inspiration. He gratefully called Pei Xijun his teacher, believing her advice had benefited him greatly. At this moment, Qin Xiaobai seemed to be freed from a heavy burden, regaining his passion and freedom for creation.
Episode 5 Recap
Su Wuming felt thirsty and gently asked Qin Xiaobai if he could taste some wine, but unexpectedly met with a cold response from the other party. However, when Su Wuming mentioned the profound Zen-like phrase "monks are not monks, walls are not walls" which he encountered in the temple, Qin Xiaobai's attitude instantly changed, revealing strong interest.
He explained to Su Wuming that the painting before them was the concrete manifestation of this philosophical thought, and confidently predicted it would become a masterpiece passed down for centuries. Facing Su Wuming's further inquiry as to why he, possessing superb skills, had not yet dotted the eyes for the painting, Qin Xiaobai replied with a wry smile that the surrounding disturbances made it difficult for him to find inner peace to complete this crucial stroke.
This conversation not only demonstrated the subtle emotional exchange between the two, but also profoundly revealed the close connection between artistic creation and inner peace. Pei Xijun was overjoyed upon hearing Lu Lingfeng mention her following Qin Xiaobai, and playfully teased if Lu Lingfeng was feeling jealous. Lu Lingfeng, however, honestly stated he only felt admiration. Upon hearing this, Pei Xijun's heart felt even sweeter.
Seeing this, the Princess said that since Pei Xijun trusted Qin Xiaobai, she was willing to wait patiently for the situation to unfold. Although Cen Zhi was inwardly dissatisfied with the Princess's decision, he had no choice but to endure it. Xu Zhiyun's appearance added a festive touch to the atmosphere. His words of flattery made the Princess smile like a flower.
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Pei Xijun keenly noticed that the cunning killer intended to harm Lu Lingfeng and urgently warned him to be careful. Facing a highly skilled opponent, even Ying Tao felt powerless. Lu Lingfeng and Ying Tao teamed up to pursue him, but the Demon King still escaped. Lu Lingfeng quickly gathered men to search, but the Demon King seemed to have vanished from the earth without a trace.
Lu Lingfeng and Pei Xijun exchanged opinions, both believing that the Demon King who appeared this time was not the same as the previous one, and his appearance was closer to the depiction in the mural. Soon after, Xu Zhiyun unfortunately fell victim to the poisonous hands of the three demonesses. Su Wuming questioned witnesses but could not ascertain the true appearance of the culprits.
At this moment, Qin Xiaobai added a few strokes to the mural, seemingly completing some kind of ritual. He was immersed in his own world, humming an unknown tune. As the Crown Prince, he was deeply worried about the demons rampaging through the Great Tang and harming the innocent. Chang'an City might once again be shrouded in fear. Upon learning that Xu Zhiyun intended to submit to the Princess but met with misfortune, Cen Zhi came up with a plan.
He intended to use this opportunity to guide the Princess's attention while also extending an olive branch to the Crown Prince, hoping for mutual cooperation to jointly deal with this sudden crisis. The Princess weighed the pros and cons and decided to give it a try, believing that although cooperation with the Crown Prince carried risks, it would not cause significant harm to herself.
Lu Lingfeng revealed to Su Wuming that Madam Ma's treasured horse had been ridden recently, and only its owner could ride it, speculating that General Ma might have secretly returned to the capital. Su Wuming used the subtle relationship between Lu Lingfeng and Madam Ma and arranged for him to go and inquire. Although Lu Lingfeng felt uncomfortable, he still carried out the task, using sweet words to entice Madam Ma to come out and successfully extract information.
After Madam Ma was apprehended, she confessed out of fear when questioned by Lao Zhou. It turned out that she had been defiled by Sun Wang, and black ointment was placed in her home, which she used by mistake, indirectly causing Sun Wang's death. Madam Ma revealed that her husband, General Ma, had secretly returned and spent a night with her before Sun Wang was killed.
She noticed General Ma's abnormal behavior after his return, grew suspicious, and later confirmed his identity, but was met with coldness. For revenge, Madam Ma deliberately indulged herself, attempting to provoke her husband. On the other side, Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming faked unconsciousness and joined forces with Lao Fei and others to capture the true culprit, the Demon King - Zhang Qian. The two had already become suspicious of Zhang Qian based on Pei Xijun's reminder.
Under Lao Zhou's pressing questions, Zhang Qian finally confessed. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming deeply felt that this case was intricate and complex, like a tight net that was difficult to break through. Su Wuming resolved to meet the Emperor, and even if he faced the Emperor's wrath, he would insist on pursuing the truth.
In Qin Xiaobai's conversation with his junior brother, he revealed a premonition that Youguang's whereabouts were now clear, as well as a calm attitude towards the approaching Ghost Festival. His junior brother's worries highlighted Qin Xiaobai's confidence, and his words seemed to contain deeper meaning, prompting reflection.
Episode 6 Recap
The buyers were determined to get Youguang and raised large sums of money, while the seller claimed to be an immortal, intending to trick them into handing over their money. However, at this critical moment, Ying Tao cleverly used a silver needle to sever the rope controlling Youguang, causing it to fall, revealing his true face—it was Hu Sima, disguised as Bi Chengye. Seeing this, Su Wuming immediately ordered him to be taken down.
Pei Xijun stood aside, wearing a cold smile; she had long seen through Hu Sima's disguise and was just waiting for this moment. Hu Sima's face turned ashen, shocked and confused as to how Su Wuming and the others had seen through his identity. Su Wuming questioned Hu Sima about his strange attire, pointing out that Xiaoyun Building was open to all with many regular customers, yet only Liang knew his true appearance, which was certainly suspicious.
Hu Sima gave a bitter smile and confessed that his actions were all forced by his official career. The matter at the painting shop was not his doing, as there was a powerful force behind it aiming to restore the imperial court, and he hinted that if Su Wuming was sensible, he might be spared death. However, Su Wuming was more concerned about the whereabouts of Youguang and the mastermind behind it.
Hu Sima, however, claimed Youguang was not with him and threatened that if they did not release him, everyone would perish together. On the other side, Qin Xiaobai was bound by A Zu. A Zu was resentful, saying that three years of service only brought cold treatment. He wanted to use the power of Youguang to become a legendary figure in the art world.
He also revealed that he was guided by his father's friend, specialized in painting, and painted the killer demon king. Qin Xiaobai heard this with deep remorse, regretting that he had taught A Zu this path, which instead helped him do evil. In despair and anger, Qin Xiaobai tried to stop A Zu from destroying the painting, but was powerless. Eventually, A Zu accidentally fell and died.
At this moment, the Princess and the Crown Prince falsely claimed they wanted to admire the Demon Suppression transformation. Facing the ravaged painting, the Princess was furious. Meanwhile, Su Wuming and others had quietly arrived, just as Qin Xiaobai had a sudden inspiration and wanted to dot the eyes for the group of demons, but knowing he had entered the demonic path, he felt unworthy of this task.
After learning of the death, the Princess and the Crown Prince wanted to leave the scene quickly but were stopped by Lu Tong. Immediately after, the Buddha statue shook, and strange figures emerged. The Princess urgently ordered Cen Zhi to mobilize troops, but Cen Zhi remained silent. Su Wuming timely exposed Cen Zhi's secret operations in the temple for many years and his collusion with the ghost market. Bi Chengye was thus bought over, ultimately becoming the Demon King.
An intricate web of power struggles and revenge slowly unfolded in the ancient temple. Clearly, that demonic creature was actually General Ma transformed. After being beheaded in battle, he escaped back and sought his wife, but stumbled upon her meeting secretly with Lu Lingfeng, and became enraged and transformed into a demon. Lu Lingfeng arrived in time and worked with everyone to restrain the demonic creature.
Su Wuming used words to awaken General Ma's remaining consciousness and exposed Feng Han as the mastermind. The Princess's misunderstanding of the Emperor gradually dissipated under Su Wuming's explanation. It turned out that the Emperor had secretly released a subordinate who had made a mistake, but unexpectedly, he had joined the Anlemen, an organization that used Youguang to create paintings for personal gain.
Feng Han claimed this action was to repay the Emperor's kindness, but was obstructed by the Princess and the Crown Prince, and thus planned the events in Chang'an out of anger. After a brief moment of clarity, General Ma engaged in a fierce battle with Feng Han, ultimately injuring both and leading to their mutual demise. Lu Lingfeng witnessed all of this from the side, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He revealed to Su Wuming that in a moment of desperation, he had unconsciously called the Princess "Mother," which made him feel extremely regretful and uneasy. Seeing this, Su Wuming, while understanding Lu Lingfeng's feelings, did not forget to remind him to be careful with his words and actions to avoid embarrassment when meeting the Crown Prince in the future. Hearing this, Lu Lingfeng felt even more lingering fear, knowing deeply that he must act more cautiously to avoid causing unnecessary trouble for those around him.
Episode 7 Recap
The Emperor abdicated, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne and changed the era name. He was extremely busy with state affairs, and Su Wuming wanted to see him but could not, so he had to resort to some unconventional means. The Princess was also angry because Su Wuming frequently avoided her, so she decided to personally go to Dali Temple to find Lu Lingfeng.
Facing the Emperor's summons, Su Wuming requested that the attendants be dismissed, but the Emperor insisted on keeping them by his side. Although Su Wuming felt it was inappropriate, he was helpless and could only frankly state that the relationship between Lu Lingfeng and the Princess was special, and that this matter concerned the stability of the court, so he had to proactively confess to the Emperor.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression changed drastically, clearly showing great interest and suspicion towards this unknown relationship. He stared intently at Su Wuming, waiting for his further explanation. Su Wuming knew deeply that this matter was sensitive and could easily cause palace turmoil if not handled carefully, so he cautiously continued to explain, attempting to resolve the Emperor's doubts in the most appropriate way while protecting Lu Lingfeng and the Princess from unnecessary harm.
Since that day when Lu Lingfeng mistakenly called the Princess "Mother" in front of everyone, his heart had been filled with worry, fearing that he would be exploited by someone with ulterior motives, putting the Princess in a difficult position. He felt deeply guilty and apologized to the Princess many times, but the Princess seemed open-minded and generous, considering it just a small matter, and even urged Lu Lingfeng to consider getting married and starting a family.
Lu Lingfeng politely refused, citing that the time was not yet right, while the Princess hoped to use this opportunity to clarify the misunderstanding and reveal Lu Lingfeng's true identity to the public. The Princess had a clear judgment on the court situation, believing that important positions of the third rank and above still required the decision of the retired Emperor, and that she was not afraid of any challenges.
The Emperor was dissatisfied with Su Wuming coming to report about Lu Lingfeng and the Princess this time, believing that Su Wuming had ulterior motives, intending to test or challenge imperial authority. In a fit of anger, the Emperor directly dismissed Su Wuming from his post and ordered him to leave Chang'an.
The Grand Princess felt deep self-blame for this, feeling that she had failed to give her child enough love and support when she was young, and now that she wanted to make up for it, time had already passed. Fei Jishi also felt regret for Su Wuming's plight; he had originally hoped for Su Wuming's support, but now could only accept reality.
Ying Tao waited anxiously outside for Su Wuming's return; everyone felt puzzled and confused about Su Wuming's testimony, believing there must be hidden reasons. After calming down, the Emperor also began to reflect on his decision, realizing that Su Wuming's actions might not be as simple as they appeared; he might be reminding him in a unique way to pay attention to the undercurrents in the court.
As for Lu Lingfeng's identity, ripples also arose in the Emperor's heart, and he began to re-examine the status and role of this young general in the court. When facing Ying Tao, Su Wuming deliberately put on the appearance of a profligate man who was greedy for fame and fortune and betrayed his friends, but in reality, his heart was filled with helplessness and unspoken difficulties.
He knew deeply that his actions would hurt Ying Tao, but in order to protect Lu Lingfeng from being affected by court struggles, he had to make such a choice. Ying Tao was hurt by Su Wuming's attitude and left angrily. Upon learning of this, Lu Lingfeng felt deep self-blame, believing that he was the culprit behind Su Wuming's demotion.
However, Lu Lingfeng viewed his demotion with optimism, believing that the new place also had its unique aspects, such as fine wine. Fei Jishi expressed his willingness to follow Lu Lingfeng and face future challenges together. The Princess came to bid farewell to Su Wuming and revealed her ambition to take charge of the Great Tang dynasty.
Su Wuming's heart was filled with mixed feelings; he was grateful for the Princess's understanding and protection, yet also filled with uncertainty and apprehension about the future. The Princess had actually long since seen through Su Wuming's true intentions; the reason he acted in such a way was precisely to protect her son, Lu Lingfeng, from unwarranted disaster.
On the other hand, before his death, the General specifically instructed Lu Lingfeng to stay away from Su Wuming, which left Lu Lingfeng shocked and confused about Su Wuming's "informing" behavior. Meanwhile, a group of tomb raiders encountered strange events during their tomb raiding, all perishing except for two survivors. This incident caused panic and unease among the local people. Dugu Xiashu encountered Dugu Yang in Dugu Town and was deeply attracted by his carving of his deceased wife.
The two became connected through the painting, shared drinks and talked happily, and eventually became sworn brothers. However, the good times did not last, as a mysterious shadow murder case occurred in the town, making it difficult for Dugu Xiashu to accept for a time. In his confusion and helplessness, he met Su Wuming. After hearing about this case, Su Wuming felt that there must be something fishy about it and decided to investigate further.
Facing the crowd's resistance to the autopsy, Su Wuming demonstrated his professionalism and humanistic care. Just then, Cao Hui arrived as the coroner; she turned out to be the biological mother of the deceased, Dugu Yang. In extreme grief, Cao Hui fought back tears and completed the autopsy of her son with extraordinary composure. Her trembling hands and resolute eyes deeply touched everyone present, including Su Wuming.
Su Wuming proactively stepped forward to assist Cao Hui in marking the body; there was no need for many words between them, as mutual understanding conveyed respect and mourning for the deceased. After the autopsy, Cao Hui pleaded with the county magistrate, hoping that the murderer of her son would be found as soon as possible to bring peace to Dugu Yang's soul in heaven.
Before she finished speaking, she fainted on the ground due to emotional breakdown; this scene moved everyone present. Upon learning of Dugu Yang's death, everyone expressed disbelief, and witnessing Cao Hui perform the autopsy made people feel even more heartache. Among the crowd, one person heard this news as if struck by lightning, his face pale, muttering to himself, as if he had lost all support. Su Wuming knew deeply that behind this case lay complex human nature and emotional entanglements; he secretly made up his mind to uncover the truth, seek justice for Dugu Yang, and bring some comfort to those who were suffering from the loss of their loved ones.
Episode 8 Recap
People questioned Cao Shi's autopsy, but Su Wuming strongly supported her, stating that she was highly experienced and skilled, and deduced the time of the murder based on the body. He pointed out that Dugu Yang recognized the killer before his death and did not resist, and showed dissatisfaction with Dugu Xiashu, believing him to be weak, incompetent, and lacking experience.
Su Wuming prided himself on solving countless cases over the years and having a distinguished reputation, but also knew the importance of teamwork. He was determined to unite everyone, search for the truth together, and seek justice for Dugu Yang, showing the detective's professionalism and humanistic care. Su Wuming listened as Su Daming boasted about being his case-solving master and claimed they had spent over three months together intimately.
He couldn't help but laugh blankly, saying frankly that he had no memory of such a person and only "met" him today. Su Daming wanted to resort to violence but was fortunately stopped by others. At this moment, Su Wuming noticed that a ceramic figurine nearby contained a hidden mechanism that could shoot arrows from its mouth, which made him suspicious. Boss Ma witnessed this scene and left sadly.
A man surnamed Lu wept bitterly on the surface, but in reality, he secretly lifted the white cloth to confirm the identity of the deceased. Su Wuming saw his actions but did not expose him on the spot, only feeling that there must be hidden reasons behind this matter. Afterwards, Boss Dong secretly met with the man surnamed Lu.
Lu revealed that he was looking for his second brother, who was accidentally injured by the ceramic figurines made by Dugu Yang, and wanted to use this opportunity to seek revenge. Su Wuming found Lu's behavior strange. Upon inquiring, he learned that this person did not exist in this place, so he ordered Lu's arrest to ask for details.
Su Wuming praised Dugu Xiashu for his effective handling of cases and winning the hearts of the people, but then saw him mysteriously close the door, claiming to have seen the soul of the deceased Qing Hong. Su Wuming did not delve further, stating that there were many people in the world who resembled others, and urged him to go to the court to handle official duties.
In the court, the matter concerning Chun Tiao left Dugu Xiashu helpless, and Su Wuming also felt helpless, so he asked Chun Tiao to step down for the time being. Lu Lingfeng waited for a long time, but Old Fei did not arrive, which made him suspicious. Pei Xijun advised him to eat first and stop waiting. It turned out that Old Fei had lost everything at the casino and had even mortgaged Lu Lingfeng's spear as a bet.
Lu Lingfeng was furious upon hearing this and rushed to the casino to redeem his beloved spear. The three arrived at the casino and saw the gambling game in full swing, so they watched from the side. Pei Xijun was extremely clever and saw through the gambling scam at a glance. She teamed up with Lu Lingfeng to expose their double act scheme. When the scam was exposed, the gamblers became enraged and started fighting.
At the critical moment, Old Fei used Lu Lingfeng's former official prestige to intimidate the crowd and quell the situation. While Su Wuming was reading in his quiet study, he suddenly heard that a mute girl outside the yamen wished to see him, claiming her brother had not returned all night and wanted to seek help from Coroner Dugu. Su Wuming keenly noticed the strangeness of the surrounding crowd.
Those evil and wicked people dared to openly intimidate and threaten the mute girl inside the yamen, attempting to silence her. Cao Hui, this mother who had experienced the vicissitudes of life, turned white-haired overnight due to the pain of losing her son and was in a daze. The painful scene of performing the autopsy on her son kept replaying in her mind, and she couldn't control her emotions, eventually fainting while murmuring to herself.
Faced with this situation, people around either watched indifferently, or used this tragedy with ulterior motives to gain personal benefit, even sacrificing the innocent to protect themselves, and also took this opportunity to gain a good reputation. Cao Hui's mental state fluctuated; at times she was clear-headed, recalling the warm moments spent with her son; at other times, she fell into madness, deeply tormented by the pain of losing her son. These scenes made people sigh about the harsh realities of the world and the fickle nature of human relationships.
Episode 9 Recap
Dugu Xiashu asked Cao Hui about her daughter-in-law's absence. Cao Hui revealed that her daughter-in-law was dissatisfied because her husband was a coroner and often went out. Su Wuming expressed understanding, lamenting that although the position of coroner is humble, the responsibility is significant, yet they are often misunderstood by the world. These words surprised Cao Hui, who realized that Su Wuming was no ordinary person and might have a connection with coroners.
She then sought help from Su Wuming, revealing that Chun Tiao was involved in Dugu Yang's death, and mentioning that Chun Tiao's brother, Chun Shan, had told Chun Tiao she had a lover outside. Cao Hui calmly questioned Chun Shan's intention, revealing her wariness regarding the complexity of the matter. After deep thought, Cao Hui believed that Chun Shan's visit that day might not have been accidental.
He might have wanted to extort a sum of money through Dong Hao Gu, and when unsuccessful, he angrily leaked Chun Tiao's secret. Whether this was true or false was hard to discern. Just then, strange noises outside the house startled everyone. Cao Hui suspected a thief. Su Wuming wanted to go out to investigate but was advised against it by Dugu Xiashu. He went himself and indeed found Chun Shan attempting a theft.
With Cao Hui's assistance, Chun Shan was subdued and knocked unconscious. Chun Shan, upon waking, initially denied the crime when facing the authority in court. He showed joy upon hearing he would be released. However, Su Wuming suddenly revealed dice, and Chun Shan's expression changed drastically. He initially resisted but immediately collapsed and confessed when threatened with severe torture. It turned out that he had lost everything at the gambling den that day.
While he was feeling depressed, Boss Dong approached him and offered him 30,000 cash to complete a task. For Chun Shan, who was deeply in debt, this was undoubtedly a huge temptation. Boss Dong claimed to possess a treasure but knew well that the treasure would not be kept at home, so he devised a plan.
He used the opportunity of the county magistrate inviting Dugu Yang for a drink to dispatch Chun Shan to sneak into Dugu Yang's house to search for the treasure. However, Chun Shan encountered a terrifying scene in Dugu Yang's room and fled in panic. Su Wuming was suspicious of Chun Shan's confession and ordered him detained. Dugu Xiashu learned that Chun Tiao had an affair with Boss Dong and was furious, immediately ordering their arrest.
At this moment, Niu Shiwei sneaked in, intending to kill Chun Tiao. Cao Hui, unfortunately, was knocked out and tragically murdered while protecting Chun Tiao. Su Wuming arrived in time and engaged in a fierce fight with Niu Shiwei. Fortunately, Ying Tao stepped in to help, but Su Wuming intentionally provoked Ying Tao, making her leave angrily. Although Dugu Yang was a kind person, he was unfortunately murdered because his wife was beautiful and coveted by wicked people.
Boss Dong arrived at the yamen, feeling inwardly wary. Although Cao Hui was frightened, the doctor diagnosed her with no serious injuries, which brought Chun Tiao some peace of mind. However, Chun Tiao's suspicion of Boss Dong grew. She tested him and discovered that Boss Dong's real motive for approaching her was to obtain Dugu Yang's private seal. Chun Tiao felt deep guilt, realizing she had failed her husband's trust.
Niu Shiwei confessed his feelings to Chun Tiao and proposed to marry her, but Chun Tiao angrily called him shameless and slapped him. Chun Tiao confessed to Su Wuming that she had never seen the multi-sided seal that Dugu Yang had in his possession. She recalled that Dugu Yang had tried to make her stay and revealed her difficulty in having children for certain reasons. Dugu Yang became unusually agitated after hearing this.
Meanwhile, Boss Dong felt an unusual atmosphere within the yamen and began to realize that things might not be as simple as they seemed. Chun Tiao was full of remorse. Her impulsive words were originally just spoken in anger, hoping to attract her husband's attention. In reality, she had remained chaste for her husband all along and inwardly longed to bear a child for Dugu Yang.
Facing Boss Dong's defense, she listened quietly outside the court, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Boss Dong insisted in court that he had not killed anyone. He recalled that night, feeling slightly tipsy from drinking, he went to Dugu's house, indeed with the purpose of obtaining the legendary seal. He admitted that he had agreed on a transaction time with Dugu Yang, which was Hai Shi San Ke.
However, when he arrived on time, he was met with Dugu Yang drawing his sword against him, and the atmosphere instantly became tense. Boss Dong explained that he suggested completing the transaction that day to appease Dugu Yang's anger. But when he stepped inside the room, he was horrified to discover that Dugu Yang was already dead. In panic, he chose to flee the scene without reporting it, fearing he would be unfairly implicated in the murder case.
Hearing this, Chun Tiao became even more certain that her husband's death was intricately linked to this complex transaction. She secretly resolved to investigate the truth, seek justice for Dugu Yang, and at the same time, prove her innocence and loyalty.
Episode 10 Recap
Boss Dong believed he had truthfully stated everything he knew in court, thinking this would grant him freedom. Unexpectedly, Su Wuming announced he would be punished with thirty strokes of the rod. He felt indignant internally and, in a moment of impulse, blurted out the reason for this punishment. Su Wuming calmly pointed out that Boss Dong's actions had violated several laws.
His private tomb raiding not only damaged the integrity of the ancient tomb but also triggered mechanisms within it, causing severe damage to national cultural relics and historical heritage. Furthermore, he secretly transported wealth from the tomb, which is an act of stealing state property and is equally unforgivable. Facing Su Wuming's accusations, Boss Dong was immediately speechless. He realized the severity of his crimes and could not argue, so he could only silently endure the impending punishment.
At this moment, his heart was filled with regret and helplessness, but he also understood that this was the consequence he had to bear. Dugu Xiashu was puzzled by Su Wuming's troubled expression and asked him the reason. Su Wuming pondered for a moment, then slowly voiced his doubts. He believed there were many suspicious points in this case; the statements of the various individuals had obvious contradictions in the timeline, and their accounts were difficult to reconcile.
In particular, Chun Shan's testimony, although fragmented, seemed to hide crucial clues. Coupled with the mysterious disappearance of Lou Qingtai and others, the entire case became even more confusing and unpredictable. After hearing this, Dugu Xiashu was not intimidated by the complexity of the case; instead, he became increasingly excited, stating that he was getting the hang of solving cases and finding joy in it. However, Su Wuming could not hide his worry.
He earnestly told Dugu Xiashu that his greatest wish was for peace under heaven, no cases to solve, and the people to live in peace and contentment. Just as the two were talking, a rush of footsteps broke the silence. A group of masked men suddenly appeared, targeting Su Wuming and attempting to kill him. At this critical moment, Lu Lingfeng arrived like a divine soldier descending from the sky and engaged in a fierce fight with the masked men.
While trying his best to fend off the enemies' attacks, he questioned why they were trying to harm Su Wuming, his words revealing his deep friendship and determination to protect Su Wuming. Ying Tao also arrived at the scene at this moment, and her participation made the battle clearer. Seeing the unfavorable situation, the masked men knew they could not win, so they quietly retreated amidst the chaos.
A thrilling crisis was temporarily resolved, but the truth of the case remained shrouded in thick fog. Su Wuming did not smile because of Ying Tao's timely assistance; instead, his brows were tightly furrowed, his heart full of helplessness regarding the dangers along the way. Ying Tao risked her life to protect him but was injured herself. Su Wuming saw this and felt pain in his heart.
Fei Jishi's arrival brought a ray of hope to this sudden crisis, but it also made him discover that Dugu Xiashu had also suffered heavy injuries. In a trance, Dugu Xiashu seemed to see Chun Tiao's figure; that familiarity and longing stirred complex emotions in his heart, but the fleeting dream made him realize that he must stay awake. Dugu Xiashu rushed towards Chun Tiao despite everything, but Chun Tiao keenly sensed his abnormality.
Faced with her mother-in-law's persistent questioning, Chun Tiao could only try to change the subject by claiming that unwelcome guests had broken into the house. However, Dugu Xiashu's mental state fell into confusion again; he even claimed that he had died in Nanzhou and that all this was just a dream.
Fei Jishi's diagnosis made things even more baffling; he mentioned that Dugu Xiashu might be sleepwalking, and Dugu Xiashu himself gradually realized that a conspiracy involving some kind of miyao seemed to be hidden behind all this. Lu Lingfeng developed a strong interest in the assassins' whereabouts. He suspected that these people had intricate connections with the imperial court. While stopping Dugu Xiashu from acting impulsively, Lu Lingfeng also revealed his complex feelings for Su Wuming to Dugu Xiashu.
After some explanation, Lu Lingfeng finally realized the unusual nature of this case and decided to temporarily stay to uncover the truth together with everyone. Fei Jishi, in a light and humorous way, expressed his willingness to stay, not forgetting to make a few jokes to add a bit of levity to the tense atmosphere. When Chun Shan saw Lu Lingfeng, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes; he yearned for release but also feared facing torture again.
Under Lu Lingfeng's skillful questioning, Chun Shan finally opened up and recounted how he witnessed Dugu Yang being murdered and how he tried to apprehend the killer Lu Er, but unexpectedly witnessed Dugu Yang killing him instead. After Chun Shan witnessed Dugu Yang killing the person, he was utterly terrified. He knew it would be difficult to prove Lu Er's identity, so he tried to extort money from Dugu Yang using this information.
However, Dugu Yang was furious that Chun Shan was still thinking about money at this moment. Although his heart was filled with mixed feelings, he eventually gave Chun Shan ten taels of silver to appease him. After receiving the silver, Chun Shan initially thought it was a large sum, but later learned that the value of the seal was far beyond imagination, so he became greedy and returned to threaten Dugu Yang.
On the other side, Lu Lingfeng decided to go to the Mingqi shop to investigate clues about the body. While expressing admiration for Su Wuming's deduction, he also did not want to be outdone. After Su Wuming woke up, he revealed to Fei Jishi the clue that the body was hidden in a mud figurine.
Fei Jishi immediately took Pei Xijun to the Mingqi shop, intending to create some "trouble" for Lu Lingfeng, as he knew Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming were secretly competing. As expected, Lu Lingfeng found something unusual when examining the mud figurines and eventually lifted Lou Qingtai's body out of a figurine. Afterwards, Fei Jishi also arrived to confirm Su Wuming's speculation, and Lu Lingfeng ordered Cao Hui to perform the autopsy, with Chun Tiao responsible for recording.
Episode 11 Recap
In the dim autopsy room, Cao Hui was focused on examining the bodies of the two deceased individuals. Her gaze meticulously scanned the heads of the deceased, confirming there were no injuries and no signs of poisoning. Chun Tiao was diligently recording each of Cao Hui's findings by the side. Suddenly, Chun Tiao noticed obvious scratches on the hands of both deceased, accompanied by bruises. This discovery startled her. Lu Lingfeng, Su Wuming, and others stood around, quietly observing everything.
A heavy and oppressive atmosphere permeated the autopsy room. Cao Hui noticed window-like wounds on the front and back of the deceased's bodies, apparently caused by some external forceful impact. At the same time, the bodies also showed signs of blood stagnation and torn openings on their robes. Based on these clues, Cao Hui deduced that the deceased died around the Hai hour of the previous day.
At this moment, Chun Tiao noticed that her mother-in-law nearby seemed to be in an abnormal mental state. She would sometimes mutter to herself and at other times have a vacant stare. Cao Hui herself, overly engrossed in her work, also began to become emotional. She kept calling out for her son, hoping he could come and take over the autopsy, as if she had forgotten the fact that her son was no longer alive.
When this cruel reality was mentioned, Cao Hui instantly fell into a state of confusion and grief. Tears streamed down her face, and she wept aloud. This scene moved everyone present. However, even under such immense grief, Cao Hui still stifled her tears and declared she would continue to complete the autopsy work in one go. She deeply understood the great responsibility of a forensic examiner.
The examination of every body was related to the revelation of the truth and the dignity of human life, so she could not afford any slack. Chun Tiao looked at her mother-in-law and Cao Hui in this scene, her heart filled with heartache and admiration. She knew that in this seemingly cold and heartless work, countless unknown hardships and sacrifices were hidden. Everyone present was moved by Cao Hui's tenacity and persistence. She finally fainted from exhaustion.
At this moment, Lu Er's older brother confirmed his brother's identity. Lu Lingfeng, in his detailed examination, found that the other body had no external injury on the neck, clearly indicating strangulation. The mute woman came to identify the body. Seeing this, Boss Ma looked distracted and urgently summoned all the shopkeepers back to the store to discuss countermeasures. Ying Tao woke up, her heart concerned about Su Wuming's safety, and expressed her worry with a reluctant tone.
The mute woman sought help from Pei Xijun, hoping to seek justice for her brother. Suddenly, Ma Huai beat the drum to surrender himself, claiming he killed Lou Qingtai because he was worried she would cause trouble for Dugu Yang. He denied bribery, instead calling Dugu Yang his esteemed teacher. The entire scene became even more complex. Su Wuming is renowned for his extraordinary deductive abilities; even in his dreams, he can unravel layers and solve difficult cases.
This is astonishing and makes people exclaim that he is a divine person. Regarding this case, Dugu Xiashu proposed three main suspects: Chun Shan, Boss Dong, and Niu Daming, each with their suspicious points. Lu Lingfeng maintained a cautious attitude, believing that evidence was still needed. He planned to adopt a strategy of letting the suspects relax their guard like 'casting a long line to catch a big fish,' thereby obtaining more clues.
Su Wuming paid close attention to the case progress. Upon learning that Niu Daming had been released, he eagerly wanted to review the case files. At this moment, Cao Hui came to perform an autopsy and unexpectedly met Su Wuming. A subtle friction arose between them regarding the autopsy. Su Wuming disregarded everything and personally took charge of the autopsy. His focus and professionalism earned even Cao Hui's admiration.
During the autopsy, Su Wuming discovered that the deceased's ribs were fractured under pressure, which coincided with Cao Hui's autopsy results. Both expressed high recognition for each other's professional abilities. Furthermore, Su Wuming also learned from Lu Lingfeng that Ma Huai lost both his parents due to tomb raiding but did not harbor resentment; instead, he was determined to learn Dugu Yang's craft. The master and disciple pair had a deep bond.
Dugu Yang even secretly saved money to give his wife a surprise, but unfortunately, fate did not favor him, and he passed away regretfully. This past story added more emotional depth to the case. Upon hearing this, Chun Tiao was filled with remorse and regret, shedding tears like rain. Cao Hui sternly warned her daughter-in-law not to lose her composure in the public court, as it would harm the family's reputation. Chun Tiao suppressed her grief and continued to listen.
Cao Hui recalled the past when her son brought a body and asked for an autopsy. There was a sense of happiness in his words, mentioning, "It's truly good to be your son," and he instructed her to examine carefully after the autopsy. At the time, she didn't feel anything unusual, but thinking about it now, she felt it was indeed strange.
Episode 12 Recap
Lu Lingfeng tentatively conversed with Ma Huai, expressing recognition of his character, then changed the subject to ask about his motive for killing Lou Qingtai. Ma Huai showed signs of guilt, his gaze occasionally darting towards Niu Daming nearby, who looked abnormal. Under Lu Lingfeng's questioning, Niu Daming confessed that he had snuck into Dugu Yang's shop while Dugu Yang was invited for drinks, attempting to steal treasure, but firmly denied involvement in the murder case.
Lu Lingfeng keenly pointed out that he had not directly mentioned the act of killing, yet Niu Daming's nervous reaction seemed to expose his guilt. Clearly, Niu Daming's psychological defense line had cracked, causing him to panic. The truth gradually surfaced. It turned out that Niu Daming, driven by greed and selfish desires, cruelly killed Lou Qingtai. Subsequently, Dugu Yang returned and unfortunately encountered Lu Er. To protect Chun Shan's life, he resolutely killed Lu Er.
However, Chun Shan, far from being grateful, flatly denied his own crime and pushed all responsibility onto his brother-in-law Dugu Yang. His behavior was despicable, and Lu Lingfeng even regarded him as a complete scoundrel. Upon hearing this, Cao Hui became emotional. Lao Fei (Fei Jishi) quickly comforted her, reminding her that Lu Lingfeng was only analyzing the case and the truth still needed to be verified. Just then, Niu Daming suddenly burst in.
He not only killed Dugu Yang but also attempted to take possession of his wife. Relying on his connections in the government, he tried to downplay the matter. However, the sudden appointment of the new county magistrate disrupted his plans. Niu Daming realized that whether he killed one person or several, the outcome would be the same – he couldn't escape the law. Therefore, he became even more reckless, attempting to make one mistake after another.
Dugu Xiashu was filled with indignation and vowed to bring Niu Daming to justice, ensuring he received the punishment he deserved, until his skin was lacerated and flesh exposed. However, just as Lu Lingfeng was preparing to apply for the case closure, Su Wuming raised a crucial request: to have the witness Zhong Bo testify in court. Zhong Bo seemed quite pleased and even a bit carried away at the prospect of witnessing Niu Daming being brought to justice.
But Su Wuming was not fooled by his facade and directly exposed Zhong Bo's true motive – he was actually seeking revenge for Xun Bo and exposing Niu Daming's crime of indiscriminately killing innocent people. Cao Hui was extremely anxious, eager to know who had killed her son. Su Wuming calmly pointed out that Zhong Bo must know the inside story. Facing questioning, Zhong Bo initially prevaricated, but under Su Wuming's relentless pressure, he finally revealed the truth.
It turned out that Chun Tiao was maliciously slandered by Niu Daming, and Dugu Yang, although harboring doubts, accidentally killed someone in his attempt to save his brother-in-law Chun Shan. He knew deeply that as a forensic examiner, he should adhere to the principle of not killing, yet he made a grave mistake in a moment of urgency.
To cover up the truth, Dugu Yang decided to carry the body home, little knowing that this action would lead to even greater tragedies. Upon hearing this, Cao Hui felt as if her heart was being twisted by a knife. She began to suspect that her son had ended his own life because he couldn't bear the pressure. Zhong Bo's further confirmation made her even more certain of her suspicion.
At the same time, she also learned of Dugu Yang's dying words – he felt overwhelmed by negative energy and decided to end his own life, leaving behind a riddle: whoever was the first to find him would be the true murderer. Subsequently, Dugu Yang committed suicide. Zhong Bo, left with no choice, could only act according to Dugu Yang's dying wish.
After enduring countless hardships, Su Wuming finally cracked the case, but he coughed up blood and fainted from exhaustion. In a dream, he met the soul of Dugu Yang, and the two had a profound conversation. Upon waking, he found Ying Tao watching by his bedside, scolding him for disregarding his own safety. Su Wuming quickly apologized and admitted his mistake. Lao Fei (Fei Jishi) joked from the side, telling him to express his apology with practical actions.
Su Wuming then seized the opportunity to suggest going to find Lu Lingfeng, but Lao Fei (Fei Jishi) saw through his true intention immediately. On the other side, when Dugu Xiashu and Lu Lingfeng were sorting through Dugu Yang's belongings, they found the silver he had left behind and a letter of dissolution addressed to his wife. In this letter, Dugu Yang expressed his deep guilt and helplessness regarding his family.
He knew deeply that his identity could not bring happiness to his wife and descendants, so he chose to let go. This discovery was difficult for Chun Tiao to accept; she could not accept that her husband had sacrificed everything for her. Dugu Yang's spirit of sacrifice also moved everyone present. Chun Tiao resolutely declared that she would not evade responsibility and voluntarily offered to take on the role of forensic examiner.
This action made Cao Hui feel deeply guilty, realizing she had previously misunderstood her daughter-in-law. When facing Su Wuming, Lu Lingfeng had complex feelings, a mix of admiration and resistance, especially when Su Wuming mentioned the matter of the assassin, which made him further suspect Su Wuming's motives. Su Wuming, however, skillfully proposed a salary increase request, easing the tense atmosphere. Ma Huai was full of gratitude towards Lu Lingfeng because he had cleared his name.
Dugu Xiashu, on the other hand, was immersed in the grief of losing a loved one, but he also realized that the help from Su Wuming and others was priceless. In a dream, he received guidance from Dugu Yang, and upon waking, he found an important seal, which made him even more convinced of his family's mission. Chun Tiao refused to accept the seal, insisting that it should belong to the Dugu family. She also invited Dugu Xiashu to her home to taste the cakes that Dugu Yang "sent in a dream," thus expressing her remembrance and respect for her loved ones.
Episode 13 Recap
Su Wuming, Lu Lingfeng, and their group walked to a fork in the road, confused about the path ahead. Su Wuming suggested pausing to let the tired horses rest for a while. Ying Tao felt puzzled by Fei Jishi's behavior of leaving the group late at night, wondering if he was really scouting the situation as he said.
Pei Xijun chuckled, revealing that Fei Jishi had actually left to find alcohol, and was certain that no matter where he got drunk, they would always reunite. Lu Lingfeng, on the side, joked, teasing that Fei Jishi might have already used all his travel expenses on alcohol. Just as Su Wuming was searching everywhere for a new inn without success, muttering to himself, a raggedly dressed old man slowly walked over.
Everyone tried to talk to him, but was met with a cold reception. Pei Xijun felt pity and took off her outerwear to give the old man to keep warm, unexpectedly the old man spoke sharply, showing no gratitude. Ying Tao, witnessing this scene from the side, was displeased, thinking that the old man did not understand gratitude and ignored Pei Xijun's kind act; the atmosphere for a moment seemed a bit awkward and subtle.
Facing the deadlock, Su Wuming actively broke the silence and inquired about the road conditions ahead from the old man. The old man spoke with a heavy tone, mentioning the difficult journey, the dark night and slippery road, and the numerous dangers. Ying Tao was displeased after hearing this, and wanted to draw her sword to confront him; the old man's complexion suddenly changed, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Su Wuming quickly stopped Ying Tao, and the old man then silently left. Su Wuming had keen eyes and caught sight of an inscription on a distant mountain resembling a figure becoming Buddha. He immediately had an estimation in his heart, guessing that the path might be passable, and perhaps a temple was hidden ahead, providing shelter for everyone. Lu Lingfeng also felt uneasy; the seasons changed unpredictably, and heavy snow suddenly fell, adding to the difficulty of the journey.
Su Wuming, however, with a calm demeanor, pointed out that the journey west was originally full of thorns, and this challenge was not surprising. Because of this, Lu Lingfeng became more cautious, and Su Wuming deeply agreed with this. At this time, Fei Jishi was arguing endlessly with the shopkeeper on the side, insisting that he had only eaten one chicken and two legs, while the shopkeeper directly pointed out his insatiable greed.
Inside the Moxie shop, Madam Mo saw through Fei Jishi's intention but did not care too much, generously letting him leave. This series of events made everyone in the team realize more deeply that this journey was not only a challenge to the external environment but also a test of inner beliefs and teamwork. Su Wuming, as the leader, even more so, with his wisdom and calmness, was leading everyone to continue moving forward.
Fei Jishi saw his companions excitedly preparing to leave, but he himself felt suspicious of this shop, thinking it was even weirder than any shop they had passed through before. He anxiously pulled everyone and shared his unease, but Su Wuming, with a hint of curiosity and challenge, insisted on finding out what was going on. Madam Mo, as the shop owner, proposed a unique rule: if outsiders wanted to stay, they must show their unique skills.
This request made everyone show off their signature skills one after another, while Su Wuming and Fei Jishi were shocked into being dumbfounded by this scene, standing outside the door at a loss. Su Wuming had a sudden idea and decided to use revealing the shop's secret as a bargaining chip to exchange for Fei Jishi not having to stay in the wood shed.
He frankly told the proprietress that this place was once the ruins of Jingang Temple; these words made the proprietress show a strange expression. Fei Jishi, after hearing that he might really have to sleep in the wood shed, was even more unconvinced and tried to argue. Upon entering the shop, everyone found that the guests came from all corners of the land, while the proprietress made an exorbitant demand, demanding a high accommodation fee.
At the crucial moment, Pei Xijun used the money she won to calm down this commotion, showing her resourcefulness and generosity. Fei Jishi felt resentful about the arrangement that he still needed to stay in the wood shed, and seeing that his companions seemed to have no intention of extending a helping hand, he became even more anxious and tried to persuade them to change their minds.
Ying Tao, however, keenly noticed that the shop assistants seemed to obey the proprietress implicitly, which made the atmosphere of the entire shop seem even more mysterious and unpredictable. Lu Lingfeng was similarly on guard; he felt the strange aura hidden within the shop. Just as everyone was preparing to leave, the arrival of a new traveler broke the peace.
Fei Jishi saw that this handsome traveler was unconditionally accepted by the proprietress, felt even more unfair, and demanded that the other party also show his unique skills. While Lu Lingfeng noticed the faint killing intent emitting from the nearby swordsman, and was just about to draw his sword, the other party had already quietly left, leaving behind a room full of awkwardness and confusion.
Fei Jishi witnessed the proprietress's special preferential treatment towards the new traveler Jiang Shanren, felt indignant in his heart, and constantly looked for an outlet to vent. Jiang Shanren won everyone's attention with his superb illusion technique. Lan Juzi and Jia Budao even more so vied with each other to get acquainted, one after another offering to treat him. Seeing this situation, the proprietress quietly signaled her subordinates to hang up red silk.
This action made Su Wuming feel suspicious, while Lu Lingfeng noticed that Su Wuming's mood was unusually low, seeming to have hidden worries. Suddenly, a strange noise broke the tranquility. Lu Lingfeng alertly thought that someone was hiding but was stopped by the proprietress, who explained that it was a place for worshipping deities and nobody lived there. Jiang Shanren seized the opportunity to make a request. The proprietress readily agreed and opened the door to welcome the guests.
The Sogdian devoutly knelt and bowed, and promised to exchange gold and silver bribes for a stay, finally getting what he wished for. The atmosphere inside the shop was subtle, and everyone's eyes were complex. Subsequently, the proprietress lured everyone to participate in a gambling game. Lan Juzi was the first to step forward. After winning a round, he then pushed the challenge to the proprietress, and the situation became increasingly confusing and unpredictable.
Episode 14 Recap
Lan Juzi's heart hid desires, wanting to taste pancakes and craving the company of a beauty. He proudly fiddled with the object in his hand, making the proprietress choose between the two, his face beaming with the confidence of success. Jia Budao watched coldly from the side, the atmosphere subtle. However, an unexpected incident occurred; the proprietress was struck and died. Jiang Shanren quickly supported her, his expression complex. Ying Tao noticed three mysterious figures quietly entering, highly skilled.
At this moment, officials appeared outside the window. Everyone's complexion changed suddenly, the atmosphere tense and panicked, and they rushed to distance themselves from the murder case and deny the accusations of killing. Su Wuming quickly stepped forward, telling the arriving officials that there were still guest rooms available in the shop, intending to use this to buy time so the people inside could deal with the body. He led Long Tai into the shop.
Seeing that the body had been properly hidden, he felt slightly relieved, and immediately arranged for Fei Jishi to pretend to be a waiter to receive these uninvited guests. Meanwhile, Jia Budao and Lan Juzi were still whispering about how to distribute the tempting gold cake. Su Wuming and Fei Jishi quickly presented the ingredients to the officials, hoping to quell their doubts. However, these observant officials seemed quite displeased.
Pei Xijun was uneasy inside, worried the body would be discovered, while Ying Tao appeared relatively calm, thinking that since it had happened, there was no need to be overly afraid, and joked that wherever Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming were, things were bound to happen.
Jiang Shanren revealed to Lu Lingfeng that if it weren't for the heavy snow blocking the road, he wouldn't have come here, and he was even less willing to get involved with officials because of a murder case. After Su Wuming sent the officials away, he noticed the red silk tied to the door, feeling secretly suspicious in his heart, but he remained outwardly calm, merely instructing Fei Jishi to close the door.
Although Fei Jishi was unwilling, he could only obey Su Wuming's arrangement and continue to play the role of a waiter. Su Wuming walked into the shop, his gaze sharply sweeping around. He was quite puzzled by the arrangement of ingredients and bowls and chopsticks in the shop; their layout seemed to conceal mysteries, and the strange structure of the house further raised his suspicions.
Just then, an officer noticed something unusual while sampling wine, quickly signaled his subordinates to remain silent, and went out to investigate. After a search, they only found wisps of smoke from the chimney but found no other abnormalities, so they returned to continue drinking. However, just as they were preparing to leave, a subordinate accidentally triggered a hidden mechanism while looking for the wine pot, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Upon hearing this, everyone became vigilant, knowing deeply that if the officials discovered a clue, the consequences would be unimaginable, and they all prepared to fight to the death. At this crucial moment, Fei Jishi, in a moment of desperation, appeared holding a lamb pancake, cleverly diverting the officials' attention, allowing everyone to temporarily heave a sigh of relief. On the other side, the Sogdian finished worshipping and called out for the proprietress.
Su Wuming took the opportunity to fabricate a lie to handle the situation. The Sogdian seemed to sense something, and hurriedly took wine and lamb pancakes to the shrine. Long Tai, as a seasoned official, had already noticed the unusual situation in the shop and decided to leave some subordinates to stay overnight while he prepared to leave himself. However, Jia Budao's sudden appearance, with bloody hands and a panicked expression, disrupted his plan.
Long Tai decided to stay to further investigate the situation. Facing this murder case closely related to the inn staff, Long Tai demanded everyone detail their whereabouts that night. Everyone's stories were consistent, seemingly without flaws, but Long Tai still harbored suspicions towards Su Wuming. Su Wuming was unable to defend himself and could only ask if someone was a killer hired by him, to prove his innocence.
He cautiously revealed his identity and sat beside the water vat where the body was hidden. Seeing this, Lu Lingfeng couldn't help but laugh. After hearing Su Wuming's heartfelt words about evading taxes, Long Tai actually developed a slight liking for him, but the truth of the case remained confusing. Long Tai saw Fei Jishi dressed in rags and instructed Su Wuming to treat him well. Fei Jishi took the opportunity to pressure Su Wuming.
Long Tai drew footprints for everyone to identify. Lan Juzi appeared exceptionally nervous. Su Wuming took the opportunity to compliment Long Tai on his unique insight. Subsequently, Lan Juzi nervously handed over the treasure under threat, and clues about the case gradually emerged.
Episode 15 Recap
Long Tai suspected Lan Juzi was the murderer and wanted to take him away. Lan Juzi was flustered, defending his identity as a scholar and denying the murder. Long Tai stated clearly that there were no instruments of torture here and could only handle it with private punishment. Although Lan Juzi argued desperately, he was still restrained. Long Tai vowed to apprehend him and take him back to the county office for punishment according to the law, to uphold discipline.
Jiang Wei, the Jiang Shanren, stepped forward at this moment, expressing sincere gratitude to the Long County Commandant. Lu Lingfeng also stood up and echoed his words. Long Tai heard this, was secretly delighted, and seeing Su Wuming praise him repeatedly from the side, couldn't help but feel a bit carried away, grandly announcing that he would certainly govern this place orderly.
However, Lu Lingfeng quietly exposed the truth of Long Tai impersonating the County Commandant, making Long Tai secretly surprised at how insightful these people were. Su Wuming took the opportunity to mention exorbitant taxes and levies and the suffering of the people, advocating for the self-sufficiency of the populace. The two sides disagreed, the atmosphere suddenly became tense, and finally came to blows. Ying Tao saw that the other side had the advantage in numbers and quickly joined the fight.
Jiang Wei was also unwilling to fall behind and stepped forward. Long Tai originally wanted to win by virtue of superior numbers, but unexpectedly Lu Lingfeng, by himself, easily defeated everyone. After the fight, Su Wuming suggested questioning Long Tai. Long Tai revealed his past, stating that his family's business was winemaking, but they were ruined and destroyed due to being framed by a villainous court official, and his wife even committed suicide in resentment.
Although he possessed exceptional skills, he never had the thought of killing people. He only plundered the wealth of that high-ranking official and then wandered the world with his brothers. This account gave everyone present a deeper understanding of Long Tai's experiences. Long Tai revealed the reason why he impersonated the County Commandant.
It turns out that the true County Commandant was known for his selfless and simple life and noble character, not hesitating to spend all his family wealth to rescue disaster victims from dire circumstances. And now, the true murderer of Mi Tuo is still at large. Everyone is eager to bring him to justice. Lu Lingfeng solemnly promises at this moment that after he officially takes office, he will definitely prevent such tragedies from recurring.
His firm resolve won the deep respect of Jiang Wei and others. Night falls. Su Wuming originally intended to go to the night market to search for clues. However, on the way, he accidentally encountered Fei Jishi in a corner acting suspiciously. Suspicion immediately arose in his heart, and he secretly thought that Fei Jishi's action was certainly not for a good reason. Meanwhile, Pei Xijun noticed something unusual inside the shrine.
The missing bead on the statue caught her attention. Everyone immediately began a search. During the search, they discovered that not only were precious beads hidden inside the shrine, but also hidden weapons were concealed on the roof. The atmosphere instantly became tense. Lu Lingfeng was agile. He leaped onto the roof. He saw that it was covered in footprints, indicating someone had been active there.
After some tracking, he was surprised to find that the roof was closely connected to the nearby inn, speculating that the murderer might possess superb lightness skills. Jiang Wei, combining various signs, put forward the hypothesis that the murderer had excellent lightness skills.
Pei Xijun further pointed out that besides their group, the shop owner and her old employee had also mysteriously disappeared, and there seemed to be some connection between the red silk on the door and the footprints on the roof. Su Wuming, based on the clues, speculated that the shop owner might not have truly died, but had escaped in a bizarre manner.
Just as everyone was opening the vat to check, an even stranger scene appeared: the ropes inside the vat were intact, but the body had vanished without a trace. This scene was chilling. Ying Tao, upon careful observation, actually discovered a hidden hole at the bottom of the vat, adding a new mystery to the case. Lan Juzi recalled the scene from that day.
Although he firmly believed he had personally witnessed the bloodstain and the horrific sight of the dagger piercing the body, everything before his eyes made him begin to doubt his own memory. Su Wuming was puzzled about where the female shop owner hid after the "murder". Lu Lingfeng speculated that the sound originated from beneath the shrine, suggesting there might be a secret passage. Su Wuming sighed that this place was called an inn, but actually concealed hidden secrets.
Initially, it wasn't for wealth, but had another scheme in mind. Jiang Wei revealed his identity at this moment and thanked Long Tai for his past help and gifts of money. Long Tai explained that he couldn't bear to see Xin Wei decline, which is why he did this. Su Wuming speculated that a gold mine might be hidden here. Upon hearing this, Long Tai noticed the abnormality of the shrine.
Pei Xijun recalled that this place was once a Buddhist hall. Su Wuming suddenly realized that this place was actually the ruins of a Six Dynasties capital. Everyone urgently searched for the underground shrine. After some searching, the secret passage was finally discovered. Jiang Wei vowed to find the murderer and the missing craftsmen. Su Wuming requested assistance from Long Tai and others, hoping to atone for their past misdeeds.
However, as soon as they entered the secret passage, everyone found the ground soaked with oil, clearly indicating someone intended to attack with fire. The situation was critical.
Episode 16 Recap
Jiang Wei was deeply impressed by Su Wuming's meticulous planning and detailed arrangements. Although the battle was won, everyone did not expect the female shop owner to lead a crowd and surround them. Facing Jiang Wei, the female shop owner felt hesitant, could not bring herself to act, and tried to persuade him to leave. Jiang Wei's identity was revealed, and others spoke frankly, which pained the female shop owner greatly.
She originally had the chance to end everything from above, but in front of Jiang Wei, she did not want to show her cruel side and suppressed her grief. The female shop owner was filled with righteous indignation; they had enjoyed her food and drink, but now they turned against her. This betrayal was unacceptable to her.
The female shop owner confessed that she indeed had the thought of killing everyone present at first, but Jiang Wei's appearance was like a gentle breeze. His extraordinary temperament, coupled with his surprisingly similar appearance to her deceased brother, instantly softened her heart, making it difficult for her to strike the deadly blow. She revealed her true feelings to Su Wuming, disclosing the real purpose of everyone's arrival here – seeking treasure.
All this was due to her family's sudden misfortune, with everyone being killed. Having nowhere else to turn, she chose this dangerous path solely to find the treasure, sustain her livelihood, and avenge her family. Upon hearing this, Su Wuming felt deep sympathy and admiration. He promised to be a guarantor for these martyrs, helping them clear their grievances, regain their innocence, and allow them to live uprightly in the sunlight.
These words, like a warm spring breeze, touched the hearts of some of the former subordinates. They began to waver, considering whether to let go of past grudges and choose a new path. However, at this critical moment, the female shop owner's master, the rude old man who had previously clashed with Su Wuming and others on the road, suddenly appeared.
His expression was stern, and he unhesitatingly ordered his subordinates to surround and annihilate everyone, intending to kill them all. This sudden turn of events instantly escalated the already tense atmosphere, and a struggle concerning life and death thus began. Jiang Wei was extremely anxious, pressing for the whereabouts of the craftsmen. Learning that thirteen craftsmen had been brutally killed, he was furious and vowed to seek justice.
Seeing this, Long Tai wanted to step forward and subdue the arrogant old man, but unexpectedly, a fierce monster emerged halfway, and two brothers instantly perished in its mouth. This monster was incredibly strong, and no one present was its match. Su Wuming, in a moment of quick thinking, asked Fei Jishi about the monster's origin, but Fei Jishi shook his head, not knowing.
Su Wuming recalled from ancient texts that the scent of pine and cypress could cause certain exotic beasts to retreat. He then ordered someone to quickly fetch pine and cypress, and finally, by using their power, killed the monster Fushu.
On the other side, while Long Tai and Jiang Wei were fiercely battling the female shop owner, they unexpectedly discovered that the old man was an imposter, and it was he who had indirectly caused the death of the female shop owner's brother. Besides being astonished, the old man was also betrayed by his disciple, killed in the chaos, and the treasure pearl was also stolen. The female shop owner regarded the old man as a father.
Witnessing his death, her heart turned to ashes. After killing her fellow disciple with her own hands, she looked deeply at Jiang Wei, saying that he closely resembled her deceased brother, and then she leaped off the cliff, causing everyone to sigh with regret. Jiang Wei also felt her plight was tragic and felt pity for her. After the situation calmed down, Lan Juzi exchanged glances with his companion, intending to assassinate Lu Lingfeng in the chaos.
Long Tai sacrificed himself bravely to save Lu Lingfeng. Lu Lingfeng searched Lan Juzi and found a secret letter, speculating that someone from the Eastern Palace wanted his life. Jiang Wei gifted Lu Lingfeng and his party the horses that Fei Jishi had seen, to show his gratitude. Three days later, as Lu Lingfeng and the others were about to leave, Jiang Wei entrusted him with sending the relics to their rightful place, to comfort the spirits of the deceased.
Jiang Wei planned to interrogate Long Tai early the next day, but noticed that Fei Jishi's expression was unusual. Unexpectedly, Long Tai actually escaped his restraints with Fei Jishi's assistance, causing the interrogation to end without result. Su Wuming noticed that although Fei Jishi had been tied up all night, he had a look of delight on his face. In his heart, he knew that Fei Jishi must have secretly helped Long Tai escape.
Along the way, Liu Yudi attempted bloodletting therapy to cure a chronic illness. They happened to encounter Fei Jishi and his party. Although they felt curious, Liu Yudi refused the treatment, so everyone continued forward. After several days of travel, everyone arrived at Qianchongdu. Lu Lingfeng wanted to cross the river but was told by the boatman that there was no boat available. The boatman's strange gaze conveyed a chilling coldness that made everyone present feel uneasy. This situation further added to the difficulty and uncertainty of the journey.
Episode 17 Recap
The boatman frankly told Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming that it wasn't that he was unwilling to sail, but rather that the river was full of dangers in the dark, especially the whirlpool in the center, which had swallowed many adventurous private boats and boatmen. He sternly warned that if they sought death, they could try a civilian boat. Su Wuming curiously pressed about the mystery of the river's central whirlpool.
The boatman replied that one explanation was the force of converging currents, while another was more mystical, speaking of fierce beasts possibly stirring up trouble underwater. As for why official boats were safer, the boatman did not elaborate, but Su Wuming secretly pondered that perhaps official boats were sturdier, or the boatmen were more familiar with the waterways and could avoid these natural and unknown dangers.
The boatman forcibly demanded that passengers sell their horses and other livestock to prevent attracting river monsters. After Lao Fei reluctantly sold his horse, he witnessed a waiter trying to kill a donkey, and his mood was heavy. He wanted to buy alcohol to relieve his sorrow but found that the tavern was only in name, with no alcohol for sale. Pei Xijun and Ying Tao became curious about an ancient painting inside the shop.
The river in the painting was exceptionally wide, and the two women had a premonition of the hardships ahead. Liu Yudi was disturbed while meditating and showed displeasure. Lao Fei shared the cakes he had bought, and everyone shared them. However, Su Wuming felt something was off with the cakes and was about to speak but stopped. Censor Xie Nianzu joined them, also experiencing the awkward situation of being unable to buy alcohol.
The shopkeeper insisted there was no alcohol for sale. Upon hearing Xie Nianzu claim a prominent official position, Lao Fei secretly muttered to himself, doubting his identity, just like someone they had met before. Su Wuming speculated that Xie Nianzu had also visited the shop they had been to earlier. At this moment, Su Wuming accidentally choked, and the shopkeeper quickly handed him clean water.
Xie Nianzu, however, was quite picky about the water quality, stating it was difficult to swallow. Using his keen sense of smell, Lao Fei detected a faint scent of alcohol in the air, exposing the truth that the shopkeeper was secretly hoarding fine wine. Just as a dispute was about to erupt, Ying Tao shrewdly intervened, using the excuse that the shopkeeper resembled her senior brother, and successfully obtained a jar of fine wine.
Seeing this, Xie Nianzu also grew greedy and wanted to exchange the horsewhip in his hand for the fine wine. Su Wuming examined the horsewhip, while Lao Fei directly stated it was a fake, and the atmosphere became subtle for a moment. Although Xie Nianzu endured the humiliation, Lu Lingfeng toasted his ancestors with wine, ironically suggesting he had lost the demeanor of his predecessors. Everyone subtly saved Xie Nianzu's face. Xie Nianzu insisted on crossing the river.
The boatman's earnest persuasion was in vain, so he could only have him register his name for official inquiry. Wu Ping was in charge of sailing this boat. Liu Yudi and Lao Fei scrambled to get on board. Xie Nianzu tried to stop them but was ignored by everyone, his face gradually turning sinister. Liu Yudi stared at the boat body, muttering to himself that it was surprisingly similar to the description in a book.
Lao Fei curiously asked which ancient text it was recorded in. Lao Fei felt uneasy and got off the boat to drink water. Unexpectedly, everyone suddenly felt dizzy. Shao Jinling, the owner of the previous shop, quietly boarded the boat and ordered his men to tie up those who hadn't drunk the water, while the others were weak and listless.
He sharpened his knife, intending to kill people for their flesh, harboring murderous intent simply because there were soldiers mixed in on the boat. Lu Lingfeng was unexpectedly unaffected by the drug, which greatly startled Shao Jinling. He immediately cut off the boat's sail and fled in panic. At this moment, the boat had reached the river's central whirlpool. The boatman looked through the register with a smile, suddenly seeing his son returning in distress.
Shao Jinling was afraid of everyone returning. Hearing his father's words, he felt slightly at ease and even mocked Liu Yudi for overestimating himself. Everyone was in a desperate situation. Su Wuming noticed something unusual about the boxes on the boat. Liu Yudi struggled to control the boat, claiming to be the Jade Emperor and speaking of his power being usurped.
Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng were actually sober, having long suspected the identity of the "Jade Emperor," and were secretly on guard. This self-proclaimed Jade Emperor was actually a mad brute, plunging everyone into an unprecedented crisis. Su Wuming said that book was just a legend, joking that it was impossible to enter the heavenly palace from the end of the river. He secretly knew that Liu Yudi was practicing evil arts and saw him falling into madness.
Pei Zhijie urgently tried to persuade him. Unexpectedly, Liu Yudi developed murderous intent, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Episode 18 Recap
Liu Yudi arrogantly fantasized he was the lord of the heavenly court, wanting to eliminate everyone and reign alone, but fortunately Lu Lingfeng quickly subdued him. Just as Xie Nianzu was about to issue orders, the massive boat suddenly shook violently, and a large fierce beast appeared, then immediately disappeared. Su Wuming deduced this was a man-eating Wu Buxiang.
Before everyone had recovered from the shock, the fierce beast reappeared, the boat rocked violently, and everyone narrowly avoided falling into the river. Su Wuming, thinking quickly in a desperate situation, threw meat to lure the beast. All the meat in the cabin was thrown out, and only then did they get a moment of peace. Examining the map, Su Wuming discovered they were only forty li from the city.
Everyone speculated that the boatman was wary because of Xie Nianzu's identity, which was why he requested identity registration before boarding, fearing it might bring trouble. Lao Fei was full of complaints, blaming Xie Nianzu for getting everyone into trouble and enduring hardships. Dangers lurked everywhere, and everyone was feeling uneasy, uncertain what kind of peril awaited them on the road ahead.
Lu Lingfeng was puzzled by the boatman's actions of buying horses at a high price and then disposing of them. Su Wuming explained that Xie Nianzu was eager to head west for his new post and therefore hoped to resolve this case quickly to save time. However, Lao Fei held a different opinion. He believed that as an official appointed by the court, he should thoroughly investigate the truth before leaving.
Xie Nianzu was touched by Lao Fei's words and began to consider how to effectively control these suspicious individuals. Liu Yudi volunteered, stating that a mere twenty li journey was nothing to him, and he was willing to carry Xie Nianzu and leave first. He was grateful for everyone's life-saving grace and promised to help Xie Nianzu.
Xie Nianzu felt Liu Yudi's sincerity and said that he also believed in the power of all beings and was willing to accept his help. The old station master's eyes revealed his extraordinary identity. Su Wuming speculated that this person, having accumulated followers for a long time, must harbor sinister intentions. When everyone returned, the old station master was furious and led his subordinates to prevent them from going ashore.
Pei Zhijie was worried about Lu Lingfeng's safety, and Su Wuming also felt uneasy, quickly ordering Ying Tao to go for aid. At this moment, the reinforcements led by Xie Nianzu arrived in time and successfully subdued the old station master's subordinates. Xie Nianzu handed the task of interrogating the prisoners to Lu Lingfeng and decided to take Liu Yudi with him on the journey west. During the interrogation, the prisoner had a tough attitude and refused to cooperate.
Lu Lingfeng had to resort to tough measures, using the prisoner's son as leverage to exert pressure. Although the old station master was angry, he was helpless and finally revealed the grievances between himself and the Duke of Yan. It turned out that he had committed a capital crime and was fortunately saved by the Duke of Yan, but the Duke of Yan was tragically killed by the court. He harbored resentment and vowed to avenge the Duke of Yan.
Su Wuming sighed at the depth of Pei Xijun's understanding of the terrain. Lu Lingfeng deduced that the monster in the river was likely raised by this father and son, adding a touch of mystery to their revenge plan. Su Wuming received an urgent report, learning that a large number of rebellious officers and soldiers were hidden here, and felt suspicious. The father and son's words were even more insane, claiming that heaven would avenge them.
Lu Lingfeng keenly sensed that a large organization might be hidden behind this. As the team gradually approached Yuding, Ying Tao proposed a bold hypothesis, suggesting there might be some connection between the Taiyin Society and Yinshan. Hearing this, Su Wuming pondered inwardly. He had indeed heard of the Taiyin Society, a secret organization dedicated to plotting rebellion against the court. During the interrogation, Lu Lingfeng unexpectedly discovered that the captured person was carrying rhinoceros horn.
This detail made him suspect that remnants of the Taiyin Society might have infiltrated this place. Meanwhile, Liao Xin and Ma Meng were praying at the temple. Wuliang Dashi invited the two to a chamber to taste tea. Their conversation revealed Liao Xin's private intention to transfer the tongue relic. This scene was just seen by Lu Lingfeng. On the other side, Yuan He informed everyone that his master was about to enter seclusion.
Tian Chou realized they must make arrangements in advance to cope with the upcoming changes. As the truth gradually surfaced, a contest revolving around power and loyalty quietly unfolded. Liao Xin heard Tian Chou mention the matter of the strange murderer and dismissed it, thinking there was no need to make a big fuss. Lao Fei insisted that the treasure should be handed over to the master but valued the meal before him more.
While Su Wuming was eating, he unintentionally overheard talk of deploying troops and felt suspicious. At this moment, Ma Meng walked into the restaurant. Both parties in the transaction had unusual expressions. Lu Lingfeng cautiously refused Ma Meng's request to look. Seeing this, Su Wuming and Lao Fei skillfully smoothed things over, easing the tension. Su Wuming praised Lu Lingfeng's growth. His gaze swept around, when he suddenly saw a suspicious figure, and the atmosphere became subtle once more.
Episode 19 Recap
Two men left after drinking. Lao Fei curiously asked Su Wuming about their conversation. Su Wuming revealed they discussed Hanzhou Granary, a crucial location in the northwest and the lifeline for grain and fodder in that area. Lao Fei understood its importance and expressed his concern. Su Wuming further speculated that this matter might be related to the mysterious Taiyin Society. If so, it would pose a significant threat to national stability.
The two decided that given the importance of Hanzhou Granary to the nation, they must investigate the matter thoroughly to uncover the truth and ensure national peace. Fei Jishi suggested going to Yunding, but Su Wuming had reservations. He believed Lu Lingfeng would not give up easily, and Lu Lingfeng himself insisted he had shown his determination to the monastery abbot and would not quit halfway.
Given the shadow of the previous inn incident, everyone decided to temporarily rent lodgings here for seven days and entrusted Lao Fei with finding a suitable residence. As soon as the news got out, Cao Shuangli's eyes lit up. He enthusiastically stopped Lao Fei, showing great interest in the rental matter. After some bargaining, Lao Fei finally agreed on a house, but upon signing the agreement, he unexpectedly discovered the owner was Longfa.
Cao Shuangli then revealed that Song Ami was actually his younger sister, which made Lao Fei feel a bit awkward. Su Wuming was full of curiosity about the relationship between Cao Shuangli and Song Ami. He keenly noticed the ambiguous tone in Cao Shuangli's voice when mentioning Song Ami and further speculated that Longfa might have met with misfortune. Lao Fei agreed with Su Wuming's analysis and suggested involving Ma Canjun in the investigation.
Facing a potential official investigation, Cao Shuangli seemed flustered and hastily offered to renegotiate. Su Wuming took the opportunity to further lower the price. Although Cao Shuangli was unwilling, he could only reluctantly accept, swallowing his bitterness. Lao Fei was quite satisfied with the house, but Su Wuming felt suspicious about the extremely low rent, believing it was very likely a haunted house.
Pei Xijun felt a tremor of fear upon hearing this, while Su Wuming comforted her humorously, saying that having a nightmare tonight would confirm the speculation. As night fell, Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng conducted a careful inspection of the backyard and indeed found a sealed dry well. Lu Lingfeng bravely went down the well to investigate and finally pulled up a corpse.
After a careful examination, Lao Fei confirmed the deceased had died from injuries inflicted by someone, and the body bore the mark of the Taiyin Society, further deepening their suspicion about the secrets that might be hidden behind this house. Facing this sudden case, Su Wuming stated he would investigate thoroughly, but also realized it would be a difficult task.
Lao Fei enthusiastically expressed his desire to participate, boasting that he was about to become a master detective, which drew a helpless laugh from everyone. To pursue clues, Lu Lingfeng and his group went to the blacksmith shop. Lu Lingfeng cleverly sent Lao Fei and others away to buy chickens while he secretly observed from the side. Soon, he noticed government runners active nearby and apprehending passersby. This scene made Cao Shuangli feel things were bad.
He hastily revealed Song Ami's residence, trying to exchange this information for his own safety. Pei Xijun used Prefect Liao's identity to conduct the investigation, and the government runners had to comply. Lao Fei bragged to Lu Lingfeng about his skills in dealing with blacksmiths, claiming he could get the answer he wanted in just three sentences. However, when Lao Fei probed the blacksmith, Mu Linlang, as a leader of the Taiyin Society, he did not get the expected result.
Mu Linlang was not only not afraid but also bluntly stated they were not local officials. During the conversation, Mu Linlang revealed he had forged a large number of knives for the Taiyin Society but refused their request for him to go into the mountains. Lu Lingfeng keenly perceived Mu Linlang's concerns and deduced that the government runners outside might be related to Ma Meng. To protect Mu Linlang's safety, Lu Lingfeng instructed him not to reveal his identity.
Ying Tao encountered Song Ami by chance, and Su Wuming had a subtle expression when he saw her. Song Ami casually said the deceased's death was caused by Ying Tao's "evil aura. " Cao Shuangli arrived shortly after, making the atmosphere even more awkward. Song Ami's attitude towards the officials changed significantly, while Cao Shuangli insisted the deceased was not Longfa. Their differing statements attracted Su Wuming's attention. Ying Tao was confused by Song Ami's words and actions.
Su Wuming concluded that Song Ami knew the inside story. They followed Song Ami to the affairs hall. Song Ami angrily demanded to return the house and threatened to kill her husband. It turned out that during the transaction, she was discovered attempting to murder her husband, and the other party intended to do something indecent. At a crucial moment, Su Wuming, pretending to be Song Ami's husband, burst in and resolved the crisis.
Episode 20 Recap
Su Wuming, pretending to be Song Ami's husband, bravely saved her from danger. Song Ami mistakenly thought Su Wuming had feelings for her and revealed that she once had the chance to marry a scholar but was trapped by financial difficulties, leading to a miserable life. Ying Tao witnessed this scene and felt jealous. Song Ami asked about Ying Tao's relationship with Su Wuming, but Su Wuming quickly avoided answering and rushed after Ying Tao.
This action made Song Ami believe Su Wuming was also not a good person and she became wary. Song Ami revealed her tragic circumstances to everyone, explaining that the scars on her face were the result of being whipped by her husband, Longfa, and she had to wear makeup to cover them. She confessed that she had attempted to kill Longfa multiple times to escape such a painful life.
When she learned that the body was not Longfa, she felt a complex mix of relief and disappointment. Pei Zhijie saw the situation and advised Song Ami not to make further mistakes, and proactively offered to write a letter of separation for her, hoping she could start anew. However, Song Ami seemed to have special feelings for Su Wuming. She deliberately acted ambiguously with Su Wuming in front of Ying Tao, intending to provoke Ying Tao's jealousy.
Ying Tao indeed fell for it and became extremely jealous. Although Su Wuming was worried that Ying Tao would misunderstand, seeing that she was angry, he didn't dare to easily explain. On the other side, Cao Shuangli expressed his love for Song Ami, hoping to take her away and promising to marry her.
But Song Ami firmly refused him, stating that she had promised Su Wuming she would not leave Hanzhou, and even if the separation was successful, she would not choose Cao Shuangli. Cao Shuangli felt confused and puzzled by this, not understanding what he had done wrong. Song Ami was blunt, pointing out that Cao Shuangli had never truly treated Longfa as a brother, and had even gone so far as to stain her reputation to achieve his own goals.
Just at this moment, there was a knock at the door, and Song Ami realized with horror that Longfa had returned. Seeing this, Cao Shuangli rushed out to find Su Wuming for help, hoping to work together to deal with his brutal brother. Lu Lingfeng immediately objected when he heard that Su Wuming planned to let Ying Tao accompany him.
He believed that if the killer was indeed Longfa, this person must be extraordinary, and the team should not split its forces. Lu Lingfeng solemnly handed the relic to Su Wuming, signifying that there would be a fierce confrontation tonight. Cao Shuangli led Su Wuming and others to Song Ami's residence, where the scene was heartbreaking – Song Ami's face was covered in scars, clearly from Longfa's violence stemming from his suspicion of Song Ami's infidelity.
Song Ami's hatred for Longfa had reached its peak; she begged Cao Shuangli to take action, but he hesitated. In despair, Song Ami made a heavy promise: whoever could get rid of Longfa for her, she would recognize them as her master. Mu Linlang sensed that there would be a fierce battle tonight. He dismissed his subordinates, keeping only two disciples by his side, vowing to guard this land alone.
However, facing a strong enemy, Mu Linlang was brave but no match, and Lu Lingfeng tried to stop him but failed, allowing the opponent to escape. At this moment, someone spied on the battle and urgently called for government soldiers. Lu Lingfeng realized their whereabouts had been exposed and quickly retreated from the scene, leaving Mu Linlang looking confused.
On the other side, Wu Ping prided himself as an expert in providing covert support, but he didn't expect Linghu Shuo's severe scolding. Wu Ping also felt Linghu Shuo's behavior was unusual, seeming to pay special attention to Lu Lingfeng. Linghu Shuo frankly admitted that he already knew Lu Lingfeng's identity and hinted at some deeper meaning. Fei Jishi, amidst this chaos, keenly sensed that there seemed to be hidden secrets behind the events.
Just as everyone was heading to the beast bone yard to investigate Longfa's conspiracy, Song Ami's scream pierced the tranquility, and a black shadow flashed by. Lu Lingfeng was about to step forward when he was suddenly grabbed by Linghu Shuo. Facing a life-or-death moment, Lu Lingfeng, thinking quickly, lied that he intended to seize the Jiangshan (empire), attempting to use this to make Linghu Shuo relax his guard.
However, Linghu Shuo did not easily believe him, and Wu Ping was even more furious, vowing to take Lu Lingfeng's life. Fei Jishi also dreamt of Lu Lingfeng being in danger. Ying Tao speculated that this matter might be related to forces in the capital, which worried Pei Xijun. Lu Lingfeng, bound, recalled that he revealed the name of the blueprint at the critical moment to save his life.
Wu Ping learned that Linghu Shuo had treacherous intentions and regretted introducing the Taiyin Society. His superior urgently ordered Linghu Shuo to eliminate Lu Lingfeng, but he believed Lu Lingfeng still had value. Linghu Shuo then searched for Lu Lingfeng's companions but found no one; it turned out that Su Wuming had already sensed the danger and arranged for everyone to relocate. Lu Lingfeng was half-skeptical of Su Wuming's strategy and insisted on not giving in easily.
Linghu Shuo wanted to bury Lu Lingfeng alive, but seeing his willingness to die, he eventually softened. When Xiao Bozhao was mentioned, Linghu Shuo believed him. Lu Lingfeng took this opportunity to request a meeting with the Master of the Society, otherwise, he would rather die than yield. Linghu Shuo reluctantly agreed.
Episode 21 Recap
Su Wuming felt that Lu Lingfeng's disappearance was urgent and decided to split up to find out the truth. He ordered Lao Fei to wait in place to prevent any mishaps; at the same time, he dispatched Ying Tao into the marketplace to secretly collect information about the Taiyin Society. Afterward, he personally visited Governor Ma with Pei Xijun, hoping to obtain clues from official channels.
At first, Governor Ma was quite cold towards their visit, but upon learning about the "Tongue Relic," his attitude changed dramatically, and he eagerly wanted to know more. Su Wuming seized the opportunity to reveal that Lu Lingfeng was in the hands of the Taiyin Society and that the Tongue Relic was also on him. His words revealed his concern for Lu Lingfeng's safety, while also cleverly utilizing Governor Ma's curiosity, paving the way for subsequent investigations.
Pei Zhijie was extremely anxious and hurriedly reported to Governor Ma the news that Lu Lingfeng had fallen into the hands of the Taiyin Society, pleading for immediate action to rescue him. Upon hearing this, Governor Ma's expression became serious, realizing that the connection to the Taiyin Society was no small matter. He then summoned Ma Meng and Tian Chou to discuss countermeasures.
Ma Meng recognized Su Wuming immediately upon seeing him and was startled to realize that the tall man was actually Lu Lingfeng. Su Wuming smiled and said that Ma Meng was being overly cautious. Upon learning of the need to rescue Lu Lingfeng, Ma Meng eagerly requested troops. The Governor also worried that Lu Lingfeng might be lured by the enemy, so he ordered Tian Chou to prepare to attack the Taiyin Society, vowing to eradicate it.
Su Wuming gazed at Tian Chou and suddenly felt that his face seemed familiar, recalling that they might have met when he first entered the city. He turned to ask the Governor whether Tian Chou had ever worn a beard, and the atmosphere became subtle. At the same time, Linghu Shuo's harsh treatment of Lu Lingfeng also aroused the indignation of those present, with some even harboring murderous intentions.
Lu Lingfeng remained calm and composed, stating that he longed to meet the Society Master and had heard of the Taiyin Society long ago, showing extraordinary composure. Ma Meng also rushed over and expressed suspicion about Lu Lingfeng's motives, believing he must have ill intentions. Lu Lingfeng displayed resilience and wisdom in the complex situation. He proactively offered to assist Linghu Shuo in rescuing his brother, but was met with Linghu Shuo's refusal.
Linghu Shuo's smile revealed a deeper meaning; he seemed to have his own plans and wished to put Luo Qian through some hardship. Luo Qian arrived in a hurry and reported to Yuan He, the Taiyin Society's Yuan commander, that Linghu Shuo seemed to have rebellious intentions, which heightened Yuan He's vigilance, believing it was necessary to prevent trouble before it happened. Meanwhile, Master Wuliang praised an arrow meticulously carved from beast bone.
Yuan He then revealed his profound considerations for the future of the Taiyin Society, hoping to use Master Wuliang's power to curb Linghu Shuo's actions. However, Linghu Shuo confidently declared that the power structure of Hanzhou was about to undergo change, hinting that his plan was steadily advancing. Lu Lingfeng keenly sensed Linghu Shuo's distrust, but he was not discouraged. Instead, he delved deeper into the secrets of the Taiyin Society.
He learned that the Taiyin Society had only existed for three years but was already deeply entrenched, with a strict hierarchy and a mysterious Society Master. Lu Lingfeng longed to gradually approach the core of this mysterious organization through his own efforts. However, a sudden meeting broke the tranquility. The Society Master personally appeared, although masked and difficult to discern, his words revealed appreciation for Lu Lingfeng's talent and requested him to draw a military map.
Lu Lingfeng felt suspicious and tried to stall for time, but unexpectedly, this action angered Yuan He, who was impersonating the Society Master, and his confidant Luo Qian. A sudden turn of events caught Lu Lingfeng off guard; he was thrown into a deep hole, and Linghu Shuo was also implicated due to misunderstanding that Lu Lingfeng had betrayed him, falling into the trap together.
In despair, the two tried to prove their innocence, but seemed to be caught in a deeper crisis. Linghu Shuo revealed to Lu Lingfeng that they would become the prey of the Sky-Piercing Rhino, and even the fierce tiger would be no exception. After the two worked together to repel the fierce tiger, Linghu Shuo was stunned to find that he had fallen into Lu Lingfeng's trap.
It turned out that Lu Lingfeng deliberately dragged him down because he knew the escape route. Yuan He had coveted the position of Society Master for a long time, and Luo Qian closely followed him. Only Lu Si'an stayed out of it, yet enjoyed the favor of the Taiyin Society. Su Wuming insisted on meeting Lu Si'an.
When entering through the back door, he happened to encounter someone delivering money, which displeased Lu Si'an, who believed Su Wuming had cut off his financial path. Su Wuming firmly believed that Lu Si'an was not such a petty person and suggested that everyone wait for good news. At this moment, uninvited guests broke in, and Ying Tao and others quickly became vigilant.
Episode 22 Recap
As everyone's nerves were taut, preparing to deal with the unknown intruders, Lu Lingfeng's voice unexpectedly sounded. The heavy stone in everyone's hearts dropped, and their faces showed joy. Pei Xijun was even more excited; she tightly embraced Lu Lingfeng, causing him to freeze for a moment. Seeing this, Su Wuming and Ying Tao tacitly urged Lu Lingfeng in a joking tone to go cook, leaving the two of them some time alone.
Lu Lingfeng gently comforted Pei Xijun, and the atmosphere was warm. On the other side, Linghu Shuo secretly reported to his master that Yuan He had intentions of usurpation, but he emphasized that Lu Lingfeng was trustworthy, even willing to vouch for him with his life. Linghu Shuo firmly stated to everyone that Lu Lingfeng was absolutely not a spy sent by the court. He deeply believed in Lu Lingfeng's loyalty and ability.
To prove this point, Linghu Shuo made an agreement with Lu Lingfeng that he must obtain the key drawing within three days, otherwise he would have his own countermeasures. Meanwhile, Lao Fei praised Lu Lingfeng's craftsmanship endlessly, commending the delicious dishes he cooked. As Su Wuming was reviewing the files, he discovered an astonishing secret – within the Taiyin Society, there was a granddaughter who had survived, and her surname was Song.
After some deliberation with Ying Tao, they had a guess in their hearts: this woman might be Song Ami. But lacking conclusive evidence, they chose to remain silent. On the other side, Linghu Shuo quietly visited Song Ami. There seemed to be an unknown past between the two, and their demeanor revealed a hint of intimacy.
Linghu Shuo revealed the current situation to Song Ami, believing that having a good general arrive with the map was a great advantage, but Song Ami said she knew nothing about it. At this moment, Ma Meng arrived with the intention of arresting Lu Lingfeng, but unexpectedly encountered Lu Lingfeng's strong threat. Under Lu Lingfeng's coercion, Ma Meng had no choice but to make way. Behind this scene was actually a tacit understanding and plan they had long reached.
Not only did Ma Meng fail to arrest Lu Lingfeng as planned, but he also voluntarily returned the Tongue Relic and promised to help Lu Lingfeng with his matters. Seeing this, Su Wuming seized the opportunity to borrow personnel from Ma Meng to investigate the matter of the deceased Long Fa, and Ma Meng readily agreed.
Ma Meng arrived at the Governor's mansion full of ambition, claiming that the ice pot in his hand was a treasure he had meticulously prepared. With this, he gained the Governor's trust and was given command of heavy troops, ordered to go up the mountain to encircle and suppress the Taiyin Society. This action undoubtedly made the situation more tense.
Su Wuming's sudden plan to visit a brothel greatly displeased Ying Tao, who was standing nearby, but she stubbornly decided to follow him, vowing to stay by Su Wuming's side and protect him. On the other side, the Governor's desire for that half relic had reached an almost frenzy level. He stopped at nothing, secretly instructing Tian Chou to act secretly in order to achieve his goal. However, Tian Chou's loyalty did not seem to be as the Governor expected.
He quickly leaked the news that Lu Lingfeng had already drawn the military map. This action left Linghu Shuo deeply shocked and self-reproachful. He realized that he had misplaced his trust in others, leading the Taiyin Society into an unprecedented crisis. Linghu Shuo decided to take this as his mistake, apologize to everyone, and seek a way to make amends. Meanwhile, facing the enemy before him, Master Wuliang's heart surged with complex emotions.
He had initially wanted to kill this person with his own hands, but upon second thought, it was precisely this person who had driven the Taiyin Society to its current glory. Ultimately, he suppressed the killing intent in his heart and recalled their past interactions. After learning that Duan Gui was actually Master Wuliang's master, Linghu Shuo was surprised and even developed a desire to become his disciple.
Master Wuliang, however, saw this crisis as a turning point and decided to use it to attack Hanzhou and spread rumors to confuse their opponents. After learning of the Governor's conspiracy, Lu Si'an's heart was filled with mixed feelings. He understood that he had been used, but he also sighed helplessly.
He took out the gold coins he had received and showed them to Su Wuming and the others, revealing that these gold coins were a bribe sent to him shortly after he arrived in Hanzhou. He chuckled self-deprecatingly, saying that if he had exposed the Governor back then, it might have caused even greater turmoil and consequences. Therefore, he chose forbearance and silence.
Su Wuming understood Lu Si'an's difficulties well and analyzed the Taiyin Society's current powerful strength and its status, which should not be underestimated, in detail for him. Afterward, Su Wuming went to visit Song Ami. At first, Song Ami mistakenly thought Linghu Shuo hadn't left and showed impatience on her face. When she opened the door and saw it was Su Wuming, she appeared slightly flustered and hastily closed the door. Su Wuming persisted in knocking. Song Ami, having no choice, had to open the door again to welcome him.
Episode 23 Recap
Su Wuming knocked on A Mi's door in Linghu Shuo's way, entered the room, and took the initiative, because he came this time to expose A Mi's true identity. First, Su Wuming told a story: back then, when the Taiyin Society rebelled, all the leaders died, and only a seven-year-old girl survived. She was saved by Tongtianxi and adopted by a hunter named Song. That girl was A Mi; she should have been named Duan.
She was a descendant of Duan Gui, the old leader of the Taiyin Society. A Mi didn't want to admit it, but Su Wuming said that Boss Long was dead. A Mi didn't believe it at first, but she went with Su Wuming to identify the body. After confirming that the deceased was her husband, she decided not to hide it anymore and told the whole story of her identity.
In those years, she was adopted by her adoptive father and lived happily. Later, she met her husband. After her adoptive father died of illness, they got married. Her husband was a good man and treated her very well, giving all his earnings and property deeds to A Mi. Until Linghu Shuo's appearance broke their peaceful life. Linghu Shuo first came to A Mi to buy cloth, showing goodwill to A Mi.
At the same time, he was deliberately approaching A Mi's husband, getting him addicted to bad habits, and deliberately taking A Mi to see how her husband was drinking and having fun with other women. A Mi was disheartened, and after that, she had an improper relationship with Linghu Shuo. Linghu Shuo deliberately spread the news, so later Long's temperament changed drastically, and he physically abused A Mi.
As a result, A Mi felt that Linghu Shuo was a good person. Su Wuming guessed that Linghu Shuo was still young, so it was unlikely that he knew A Mi's identity, so there must be someone else involved. A Mi confessed to the master of the temple. In fact, she had forgotten her identity and only wanted to live the life of an ordinary person, but she accidentally met the master in the temple.
The master recognized her as Duan Gui's descendant and insisted that A Mi succeed as the leader, but A Mi didn't want to, so the master cut off his arm, and later A Mi had to agree. As a descendant of Duan Gui, she could naturally easily control Tongtianxi. When the people of Hanzhou saw that a woman could control the mountain god Tongtianxi, they worshiped her, and naturally, the Taiyin Society had many members.
At the same time, the Taiyin Society had decided to attack Hanzhou. They would completely occupy Hanzhou tonight. Before the master set off, Governor Liao sneaked into the temple to obtain the Tongue Relic, but he was no match for the master at all and was soon seriously injured. The master set off with his men, but he didn't expect that the Governor had already set up an ambush. Only then did he realize that he had been tricked.
He thought that the Governor had been bought by him, but he didn't expect that he was just biding his time. The other two groups of people were also subdued, and their leaders were all executed by the soldiers. Lu Lingfeng was guarding the city gate. The Governor and Ma Meng arrived at the city gate one after another to provide support. At this time, Linghu Shuo appeared wearing a mask and riding Tongtianxi.
He said that he was the leader, and he ordered his men to attack the city gate and help him take Hanzhou. When he became the emperor, those who contributed would be rewarded. The reason why Linghu Shuo was able to control Tongtianxi was because he deceived A Mi. A Mi mistakenly thought that Linghu Shuo loved her, so she told him how to control Tongtianxi.
When Su Wuming pulled A Mi to the city tower, A Mi saw Linghu Shuo's rampant appearance, calling himself "zhèn (the imperial 'I')". A Mi was very sad. It turned out that he never loved her, and all those sweet words were just to use her. Under Su Wuming's persuasion, A Mi used her method to make Tongtianxi go back on its own.
Lu Lingfeng knew that most of those members were ordinary people, so as long as they went home to farm, he would let them live. The members saw this and put down their knives and ran away, leaving only Linghu Shuo alone.
Episode 24 Recap
Su Wuming urgently persuaded Song A Mi, asking her to seriously consider which side she should stand on. He emphasized that the people in the city were innocent and should not lose their lives because of this war. Su Wuming reminded Song A Mi, could she bear to see these children experience the same hardships she did as a child?
He pointed out that Linghu Shuo obviously came with the purpose of using her, and if his goal was achieved, Song A Mi's life would also be in danger. Lu Lingfeng also joined the persuasion. He pointed out that the people below the city were hardworking farmers. If they surrendered now, it would not be too late, and Lu Sian would not hold it against them.
However, Linghu Shuo stubbornly ordered the people to charge and announced that those who fled would be killed without mercy, which plunged the people into fear and hesitation once again. Standing on the city gate, Song A Mi listened to the words from below, her disappointment towards Linghu Shuo deepening. Seeing him trying to use the rhinoceros to break through the city gate, her heart sank further.
Pei Xijun looked worriedly at Lu Lingfeng, while Fei Jishi firmly stated that come what may, they would defend this place and never flee. Lu Lingfeng looked up at the moon, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, if the moon were covered, that Tongtianxi would be like a blind person, and killing it would be as easy as turning one's hand.
Su Wuming also persuaded Song A Mi, saying that although this monster was ferocious, it also had spirituality. However, Linghu Shuo clearly did not care about Tongtianxi's life or death. He kept hitting it with his fists, muttering to himself that he wanted to be the king here. Song A Mi finally understood that Linghu Shuo had never truly liked her, and all his affection was just to satisfy his ambition.
She instantly sobered up, blew a whistle, wanting Tongtianxi to stop attacking. Linghu Shuo realized things were not good, tried to stop it but failed, and could only watch helplessly as Tongtianxi left. Linghu Shuo was still not resigned, saying that he must become king here. Lu Lingfeng reiterated that his previous words were still valid: those who could not control their own lives should hurry and escape, and he would not pursue the past.
In an instant, those ordinary people fled one after another. Linghu Shuo also had one arm cut off by Lu Lingfeng and was finally defeated. Lu Lingfeng finally sent the relic away, while Mu Linlang personally forged a sword to give to Lu Lingfeng, stating that he also had grand thoughts of chivalry. The people of Hanzhou were immensely grateful to Lu Lingfeng and brought out good things to thank him one after another.
Ying Tao had planned to leave, but stayed after Su Wuming's clever persuasion. Song A Mi was carried away by a large eagle. Su Wuming said that perhaps she never belonged here. Lu Sian also agreed with this view, wishing Song A Mi to live well in the deep mountains. --- As Su Wuming and his group were preparing to head west, a person who claimed to be from Yun Ding Ya Nu suddenly appeared and called for help.
Su Wuming observed that the person next to him was holding tightly onto the mute slave, sensing that there must be a hidden reason behind this matter, so he decided not to intervene. Everyone continued on their journey, feeling joyful. While Qing Fu was tattooing someone, a masked person came and requested to change the design to an unopened peony. Lu Lingfeng and others arrived at Yun Ding.
He jokingly invited Fei Jishi to drink together and was surprised by the night market of Yun Ding. Sima Liang talked with Huangfu Tan, stating that he would continue doing business. Song Shang was complimenting them from the side. Fei Jishi was deeply attracted by the delicious dishes and mellow wine of Yun Ding. While everyone was drinking heartily, Lu Lingfeng was filled with emotion, thanking everyone for accompanying him to this place.
Someone nearby saw this and laughed, saying that if they could taste Changsheng Zui, that would be true joy. Upon hearing this, Fei Jishi felt a longing and wanted to taste Changsheng Zui, but found that the wine was sold out. Seeing this, Lu Lingfeng spoke boldly, saying that he would definitely fulfill everyone's wish. On the other side, Qingxi Dance Queen was going home with her wages but was unexpectedly robbed on the way.
Fortunately, Jin Bao passed by and offered help. Learning that Baokang's leg injury was difficult to heal, Jin Bao was even more generous with his money. Upon hearing this, Baokang became suspicious, thinking that Qingxi had an improper relationship with Jin Bao, and thus forbade her from dancing again.
Episode 25 Recap
青溪 held a scroll and strolled through the bustling market. Su Wuming stood on a high place, looking at the night market of Yun Ding, sighing at its prosperous scene and believing that this land was full of peacefulness. However, Lu Lingfeng disagreed with Su Wuming's view. He believed that although the surface seemed prosperous and harmonious, such an environment was more likely to breed murder cases and harbored more danger.
Su Wuming asked Lu Lingfeng who should judge the good or bad of the government's work. Lu Lingfeng believed that this should be based on the court's judgment and regulations, and also depend on whether the common people liked it. Su Wuming laughed and said that Lu Lingfeng was becoming more and more smooth, pointing out that as an official, it is only truly good when the common people say it is good.
Lu Lingfeng, on the other hand, questioned Sima Liang's behavior of being both an official and a businessman, and possibly abusing his power for personal gain, believing that under this prosperous era, many unsatisfactory dealings might be hidden. Su Wuming could not refute Lu Lingfeng, and Lu Lingfeng stated that he must explain this matter to the county magistrate when he sees him tomorrow.
Seeing Lu Lingfeng's displeased face, Su Wuming suggested not closing the night market and wanted to go with Ying Tao to experience the atmosphere of the night market thoroughly. However, Lu Lingfeng immediately got angry, clearly dissatisfied with this suggestion. Afterwards, Lu Lingfeng went to find Pei Xijun, looking awkward, as if something was bothering him. At this time, Su Wuming noticed that a person selling wolf tendons was in difficulty and wanted to step forward to help.
Unexpectedly, the person initially offered a fake product. But when he saw that Su Wuming was sincerely trying to help him, he took out the real wolf tendons. Ying Tao watched from the side, feeling very indignant and dissatisfied with the vendor's behavior. Su Wuming bought the wolf tendons, planning to use them to detect corpses.
Ying Tao suddenly realized that Su Wuming still gave the vendor a pack of fifty coins, understanding in her heart that Su Wuming still maintained his kind nature. Just then, Zhao Yu suddenly appeared, wanting to kill Su Wuming because she mistakenly thought he had killed her brother. However, Lu Lingfeng appeared in time and caught Zhao Yu.
Su Wuming learned from Zhao Yu that her brother Zhao Lei had experienced inhuman torment when he went out, and now looked nothing like Zhao Yu, but the mole between his eyebrows had not changed. Zhao Yu still did not believe Su Wuming after he revealed his identity. It was only when Old Fei took out their copper coins that Zhao Yu's doubts were dispelled.
Zhao Yu said that she had practiced martial arts since she was a child, while her brother had studied literature since he was young. After failing several exams and feeling dejected, Zhao Lei decided to go out and seek refuge with his classmate. Zhao Yu had been waiting at home for her brother to return, but she did not see any sign of him for a long time.
She anxiously went to inquire with the classmate, only to learn that the classmate had not seen Zhao Lei. Lu Lingfeng and the others felt that this matter was very strange. Pei Xijun instructed Lu Lingfeng not to be too impulsive; as a new official, both superiors and subordinates would make things difficult for him. She also asked Su Wuming to follow Lu Lingfeng.
Su Wuming gave his wolf tendons to Lu Lingfeng, saying that although it was a legend, smart people could also make use of it to convince those people. At this time, Sima Liang saw Lu Lingfeng and happily pulled him into the room. Seeing Sima Liang's drunken appearance, Lu Lingfeng was about to question him, but Song Shang hurriedly excused Sima Liang, explaining that the night market here was prosperous and people were accustomed to working in the afternoon.
Sima Liang suddenly had a strange idea and even wanted Su Wuming to serve as Lu Lingfeng's housekeeper, which made Su Wuming stunned for a moment by this sudden arrangement. Song Shang was even more rude, demanding Su Wuming to stand and serve. Lu Lingfeng questioned the existence of the night market, directly stating that he did not approve. The Dudu, however, informed him that this coincided with Lu Xianke's opinion.
When Lu Lingfeng proposed wanting to visit Lu Xianke, the Dudu revealed that this person had gone missing, and also said that he disagreed with Sima Liang and often argued. Song Shang blamed himself, saying that his oversight had caused Old Lu to get lost. On the other side, Sima Liang and Xiao Longzi were drinking and having fun, and he specifically instructed that Lu Lingfeng should not know about that matter.
Song Shang kept flattering him from the side, even mocking Su Wuming for being a scholar yet being relegated to the position of a housekeeper. When Lu Lingfeng was investigating the case files, Suo Long happened to return and showed a disdainful attitude towards Lu Lingfeng. Lu Lingfeng directly stated that Suo Long relied on his family's strength to get his position, and Suo Long was slightly displeased upon hearing this.
Song Shang knew well that Lu Lingfeng intended to gain experience here in order to take on important responsibilities in the future. Seeing this, Suo Long gathered everyone, but Lu Lingfeng ordered them to disband. Suo Long felt mocked and wanted to duel Lu Lingfeng, but the difference in strength was vast, and everyone was afraid upon seeing this. Lu Lingfeng asked if there were files elsewhere, and everyone remained silent.
He then took out the dragon tendons given by Su Wuming, intending to use them to test the truth, and everyone was puzzled. Lu Lingfeng said that after testing, the truth and falsehood would be clear, his words revealing firmness and confidence.
Episode 26 Recap
Lu Lingfeng knew well that Suo Long's influence was vast, and everyone was silent due to fear. To reveal the truth, he decided to light the dragon tendons, forcing the truth out through a public test. After the dragon tendons were lit, he had everyone smell the smoke in turn. Seeing the white smoke coming from the dragon tendons, everyone was convinced.
Seeing this, Suo Long also showed signs of yielding, and some people, eager to take credit, couldn't help but reveal that those files had been burned in a large fire three years ago. Suo Long also quickly confessed, fearing that he would be tested and revealed. He stated that everyone's words were true, but they were afraid of being held accountable by their superiors. Lu Lingfeng personally visited the scene and found traces of the burned cabinet.
Suo Long told him that the county magistrate back then did not pursue the matter, but instead let Sima Liang's merits and demerits cancel each other out, ultimately settling the issue. Lu Lingfeng took the opportunity to talk to Song Shang, extracting information: although those cases did not involve homicides, there were several cases of missing persons. Lu Lingfeng summoned Suo Long again; Song Shang was also present.
He explained that the front and back courtyards caught fire simultaneously, and in an emergency, they could only save the back courtyard first. He noticed Suo Long was somewhat troubled and subtly hinted at a threat from the side. However, Lu Lingfeng directly ordered Suo Long to handle the matter.
Suo Long suddenly realized that the dragon tendons in Lu Lingfeng's hand did not seem to be able to detect lies, and Lu Lingfeng sternly told Suo Long to shut up. Just then, Wang Qiu came to report that Qing Xi was missing and hoped Lu Lingfeng could help find her. He also mentioned that Bao Kang had difficulty with his legs, so he could only come to report.
Suo Long saw that Lu Lingfeng was an upright official and expressed his desire to follow him in the future, but Lu Lingfeng told him to just do his job properly. Lu Lingfeng noticed a cat when he entered the room. Wang Qiu also mentioned that Bao Kang had a bad temper and coldly stated that Qing Xi had disappeared in the night market.
Lu Lingfeng offered Wang Qiu money to take care of Bao Kang, and Wang Qiu thought this was a good job and accepted. After Lu Lingfeng left, Wang Qiu expressed his desire to beat Bao Kang up to avenge Qing Xi. The shop owner told Lu Lingfeng that Qing Xi had indeed come to return a book, and Wu Cai had chased after her at the time.
Lu Lingfeng asked who Wu Cai was, and Suo Long told him that Wu Cai was a scoundrel. He also said that they wanted to see the biographies of Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming, which Lu Lingfeng thought was a good idea. However, Wu Cai was already dead, and there was no coroner here, so Lu Lingfeng called Su Wuming to examine the body.
When Suo Long heard it was Su Wuming, he immediately recognized that the shop owner had been talking about the two of them earlier. Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng both felt that Suo Long talked too much. Fei Jishi found that there was a murder case and felt that this matter was not simple. Su Wuming saw an elderly person come to the inn looking for someone but was thrown out.
After asking, he learned that another person had gone missing. Lu Lingfeng went to see Sima Liang to understand the case, but Sima Liang insulted Lu Lingfeng. Lu Lingfeng couldn't help but want to strike, but fortunately, Suo Long intervened in time, preventing the conflict from escalating. Fei Jishi complained that Yun Ding County was too barren.
Lu Lingfeng found the Dudu to discuss matters, but Song Shang defended Sima Liang from the side, claiming that his merits outweighed his demerits and advised Lu Lingfeng not to be too harsh. Seeing Lu Lingfeng's determination to investigate thoroughly, the Dudu discovered someone was suspected of human trafficking and, in a panic, even tried to push the responsibility onto Song Shang. Lu Lingfeng did not spare the Dudu any face.
Hearing that everyone wanted to go to the night market, Lu Lingfeng quickly pulled Su Wuming and dissuaded him from going. Fei Jishi, meanwhile, comforted Ying Tao, saying that the two of them wouldn't actually fight. Su Wuming exchanged information with Lu Lingfeng, revealing that he was about to head to Yun Ding Xian Street, which Lu Lingfeng said he also intended to do.
Liu Daniang told Lu Lingfeng that when Qing Xi talked to Wang Qiu last night, Wang Qiu had expressed a desire to kill Bao Kang and had feelings for Qing Xi. It was likely that he had kidnapped Qing Xi. Liu Daniang also mentioned that Wang Qiu was wearing brown clothes at the time. Lu Lingfeng found Wang Qiu. Su Wuming also noticed Wang Qiu's clothing and speculated that it might be related to the Golden Leopard.
Wang Qiu claimed he was going to the night market but was being evasive. Su Wuming directly exposed that cloth of the same material as Wang Qiu's clothing was found at Wu Cai's home. According to Wu Cai's dying words, he had planned to treat Wang Qiu to drinks after getting rich, but unexpectedly encountered Qing Xi being surrounded by ruffians on the way. Seeing this, Wang Qiu intended to step in to rescue her.
Episode 27 Recap
Wang Qiu witnessed Qing Xi being harassed by the ruffian Wu Cai, bravely stepped forward, but accidentally killed Wu Cai in the conflict. Facing Qing Xi's panic, Wang Qiu showed extraordinary courage and responsibility. He comforted Qing Xi and told her to leave first, and speculated that Qing Xi might encounter misfortune on her way back. However, when Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng intervened in the investigation, Wang Qiu's statement appeared full of loopholes.
The injuries on the deceased Wu Cai were complex, with not only bite marks but also knife wounds from different angles, clearly left by a fierce struggle. Facing Su Wuming's questioning, Wang Qiu finally confessed, admitting that Qing Xi had also participated in self-defense, cutting Wu Cai from behind. Wang Qiu had originally wanted to take responsibility alone to protect Qing Xi, but did not expect things to develop to this point.
Suo Long on the side praised Lu Lingfeng's keen insight, trying to build a connection, but Lu Lingfeng was unmoved, insisting on pursuing the truth. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming were both puzzled by the half-month Qing Xi had been missing and decided to investigate further. Su Wuming specifically asked Bao Kang about his relationship with Qing Xi, and whether Qing Xi might have fled out of fear.
Su Wuming secretly speculated that Qing Xi's disappearance might not be simple evasion, but hidden behind more complex reasons. Hearing this, Bao Kang's face changed dramatically, a hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes, and then he fell into a daze. He recalled that Qing Xi had refused to become his concubine, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.
To cover up the truth, he lied, claiming that he had unfortunately encountered a fierce tiger while hunting in the mountains, fell off a cliff, resulting in serious leg injuries that were almost incurable. Facing Su Wuming's proposal to find a skilled doctor for help, Bao Kang was full of disbelief, clearly holding great suspicion towards these words.
At this moment, Su Wuming noticed a cat beside Bao Kang, his gaze shifting between the cat and Bao Kang, seemingly discerning something. Seeing this, Bao Kang's expression became more flustered, clearly having an inexplicable fear or resistance towards this cat. Su Wuming smiled calmly and said, "A cat's heart is innocent, so it naturally won't fear the truth.
" On the other side, the widow was worried about Bao Kang's future, hoping he could find a man to take care of him so she could also profit from it. Seeing that Su Wuming did not agree to this matter, she couldn't help but feel a bit resentful. And the appearance of the weasel (Huang You) added a bizarre touch to this complex situation.
He originally wanted to slip away quietly, but under Wang Qiu's hint, he discovered the presence of Lu Lingfeng and others, and instantly turned pale with fright. The appearance of Jin Bao further unveiled the layers of mystery behind Qing Xi's disappearance. It turned out that Qing Xi had requested Jin Bao to persuade Bao Kang to seek medical treatment, but was met with misunderstanding and resentment from Bao Kang.
Under Suo Long's interrogation, Jin Bao finally revealed the truth: Qing Xi had come to seek help at risk for Bao Kang's health, but Bao Kang, due to jealousy and suspicion, developed deep hatred towards Qing Xi. Finally, Su Wuming decided to personally interrogate Bao Kang, leading him step by step into the trap he had set. Under Su Wuming's intense questioning, Bao Kang finally revealed his flaws and admitted to the crime of killing Qing Xi.
Lu Lingfeng witnessed all of this from the side, his heart filled with mixed emotions, both anger towards Bao Kang's wicked deeds and admiration for Su Wuming's wisdom. And Su Wuming, with a calmness and rationality beyond ordinary people, continued to guide the direction of the interrogation. Qing Xi decided to find an engraver (Qing fu), intending to get a peony tattoo to express her feelings.
Su Wuming found this matter strange, speculating that Qing Xi might have had this idea because she saw Bao Kang return home and felt deceived. Lu Lingfeng laughed, saying Su Wuming was shrewd, but Su Wuming disagreed, looking slightly displeased. Lu Lingfeng was concerned about Pei Xijun's safety and strictly ordered her not to go to the night market. Su Wuming spoke directly about his concerns and advised him to be honest with her. Seeing this, Ying Tao joked that everyone benefited from Lu Lingfeng's presence, getting delicious food.
Episode 28 Recap
Su Wuming suggested Ying Tao share the experience of bravely venturing into Yunding with Pei Xijun. Lu Lingfeng also showed strong interest. Pei Xijun mentioned casually meeting Zhao Yu. Ying Tao thought Zhao Yu was investigating alone due to a lack of trust and remained wary of everyone. They followed Zhao Yu, but were unfortunately detected by her. Ying Tao proposed cooperation, willing to lend Zhao Yu a hand, but was initially refused.
Ying Tao displayed extraordinary martial arts, easily subduing Zhao Yu and forcing her to reveal the truth. It turned out that Yunding Night Market hid a bizarre life-and-death gambling game. Zhao Yu suspected her elder brother had been involved in it, so she came to investigate tonight. Everyone then went to Yunding together.
Zhao Yu originally wanted to drive them away, but seeing that Ying Tao and the others were determined, she mocked them using the reason of masks, implying that it would be difficult to proceed without masks. Ying Tao decided to find the Fang Zheng to understand more information, but learned from passersby that no Fang Zheng was set up here.
The reason turned out to be that the larger the official position, the more complex the matters under jurisdiction, so they simply didn't set one up. Instead, Ying Tao and her group discovered a new mask shop. This shop had only started operating a year ago, which attracted their attention.
After some inquiries, Ying Tao learned the bizarre aspects of Yunding Immortal Street: to participate in the life-and-death game, one must first purchase a mask and prepare one Wan Qian (ten thousand cash), enter before the Hai hour at midnight (9-11 pm), then find a hiding place, and quietly wait until dawn. If one manages to survive, they can obtain a reward ten times the initial capital.
Even more shocking was that Yunding Immortal Street had reached a certain agreement with the local government, and killings that occurred in the game would not be legally pursued outside. Su Wuming felt deeply worried about Zhao Yu's safety. Lu Lingfeng proposed going to check personally. Su Wuming had intended to invite Fei Jishi to go with him, but unexpectedly, Fei Jishi had mysteriously disappeared. Lu Lingfeng was extremely anxious and immediately began searching.
Su Wuming speculated that Fei Jishi might have mistakenly entered Yunding Immortal Street because he was tempted by fine wine. However, Suo Long advised Lu Lingfeng not to enter the dangerous place. Seeing this situation, Su Wuming decided to let Lu Lingfeng stay outside, while he would lead the team to continue the investigation. Ying Tao questioned Su Wuming's identity as a scholar, thinking she was more suitable for sneaking in and investigating.
She had already arranged with Qing Fu to get a tattoo tonight to disguise her identity. After multiple rounds of investigation, Su Wuming discovered that Fei Jishi had also entered Yunding Immortal Street. Pei Xijun was worried about this, concerned that Fei Jishi might encounter misfortune. Although Su Wuming appeared relaxed on the surface, he could not hide his inner worry. At this moment, He Yulang appeared at the auction house.
His neither-male-nor-female temperament and demeanor made everyone present feel a wave of strangeness. At the same time, the Ya Ru being auctioned off were even more puzzling. Their existence seemed closely linked to the various mysteries of Yunding Immortal Street. While watching the dance, Pei Xijun noticed that the dancer on stage closely resembled the nephew the old man was looking for and blurted out "A Zhuan". The dancer was startled, attracting He Yulang's attention.
At this point, the Ya Nu auction began. Lu Lingfeng suddenly bid ten Wan (ten thousand), intending to purchase this slave, which alerted He Yulang. Lu Lingfeng further proposed purchasing thirty mute slaves and demanded that He Yulang go to the yamen himself to complete the procedures, stating directly that his actions violated the Tang dynasty laws. He Yulang angrily accused Lu Lingfeng of causing trouble and immediately cleared the venue. Pei Xijun worried about Lu Lingfeng's safety.
Su Wuming comforted her, believing that their presence there would only interfere with the investigation. Therefore, they decided to quietly leave and observe in secret. When Lu Lingfeng was negotiating with his opponent, he accidentally exposed his identity, and a fierce confrontation immediately ensued between the two sides. Although Lu Lingfeng was skilled, he gradually showed signs of fatigue under the repeated attacks of numerous enemies. Just as he was struggling to hold on, another wave of enemies arrived.
Their faces were painted with strange symbols, which sent a chill down one's spine. Lu Lingfeng was momentarily distracted and was easily subdued by these mysterious figures, unable to move. Just at this critical moment, a masked man suddenly appeared and rescued Lu Lingfeng from his predicament. However, before Lu Lingfeng could express his gratitude, a dark arrow quietly flew and hit him in a vital spot. Lu Lingfeng was startled and discovered that this savior was Sima Liang.
He was full of doubts in his heart. Wasn't Yunding Immortal Street Sima Liang's protected place? Why would he save him? Facing Lu Lingfeng's questions, Sima Liang snorted coldly and frankly stated that he had long been unable to tolerate the various evil deeds of Yunding Immortal Street, and this action was precisely to completely destroy it.
Episode 29 Recap
Sima Liang heard Lu Lingfeng mention Yunding Immortal Street as protection, and couldn't help but sneer, stating directly that he had long intended to destroy the place. Just then, Suo Long entered and informed Lu Lingfeng that he had comforted Pei Xijun and the others, telling him to recuperate in peace.
Sima Liang immediately pointed to Suo Long, claiming that it was he who revealed Lu Lingfeng's whereabouts, allowing him to go to Yunding Immortal Street, and took the opportunity to praise Lu Lingfeng's bravery in overcoming the odds. Lu Lingfeng sharply sensed the sarcasm in Sima Liang's words.
Regarding Sima Liang's praise for his saber, he responded calmly, emphasizing that this saber was forged by the common people, symbolizing that one must always bear the welfare of the populace in mind. Suo Long revealed a surprising piece of news. He mentioned that Sima Liang had made similar remarks to Song Shang, regarding enticing invitations from Yunding Immortal Street, but Sima Liang did not agree.
Instead, he insisted that he opened the night market out of concern for the common people and swore that if anyone threatened them, he would be the first to bear the brunt. This further deepened Lu Lingfeng's suspicion about Song Shang's lies. He began to speculate on the true purpose of that fire – destroying key clues. At the same time, Sima Liang also frankly admitted that he did not know He Yulang's true identity.
Although he had tried to get information through a banquet, he gained nothing. Even more surprisingly, He Yulang was introduced by Zhao Lei. This information left Lu Lingfeng more confused and made him more deeply vigilant about the conspiracy behind it. Pei Xijun was deeply worried about Fei Jishi's safety, while Su Wuming, while observing the model of Yunding Immortal Street, discovered traces of its history.
He speculated that this mansion was at least twenty years old and had some subtle connection with the missing Lu Xianke. These clues converged, seemingly slowly unveiling an intricate mystery. As Song Shang poured wine for Huangpu Tan, Lu Lingfeng witnessed this scene and was consumed by rage. He was convinced that Song Shang had lied to and deceived him and immediately ordered his arrest.
Seeing this, Huangpu Tan resolutely refused Lu Lingfeng from joining and even threatened him with an imperial decree. The atmosphere immediately became tense. Lu Lingfeng returned with a heavy heart and frankly told Su Wuming that he did not want him involved in this matter. However, Su Wuming keenly sensed that Lu Lingfeng was acting strangely. When he pressed him, the two ended up arguing due to differing opinions. Su Wuming knew that Lu Lingfeng had something difficult to say.
When he left in anger, he left a remark, "Lu Lingfeng is useless," his words full of concern and helplessness for his friend. On the other side, Su Wuming decided to team up with Ying Tao to rescue Fei Jishi. He resolutely lay down in a coffin, vowing to save Fei Jishi at all costs. Upon learning of this, Pei Xijun was burning with anxiety and wanted to go for the rescue but was stopped by Sima Liang.
Sima Liang informed her in veiled language, hinting that Pei Xijun's greatest help would be to handle Huangpu Tan's banquet properly. Lu Lingfeng also comforted Pei Xijun from the side, emphasizing Sima Liang's reliability. Meanwhile, Ying Tao faced Qing Fu alone, unexpectedly being harassed by him. At the critical moment, Ying Tao decisively fought back, killed Qing Fu, and discovered traces of other victimized women.
On the other side, Sima Liang skillfully arranged a plan, attempting to build a bridge of communication between Huangpu Tan and Lu Lingfeng to ease the tension. Song Shang seized the opportunity to extensively praise Huangpu Tan's achievements, while Pei Xijun also bravely participated in the banquet, interacting with everyone. Lu Lingfeng even cleverly elevated Pei Xijun's status, forcing everyone to continue drinking. The scene appeared harmonious, but undercurrents were surging. Midnight arrived.
Ying Tao arranged for the humiliated women to assist in the investigation to delay the discovery of Qing Fu's body. Pei Xijun seized the opportunity of toasting, intending to get information from Huangpu Tan, and eventually made him drunk. Song Shang noticed something unusual and tried to use the opportunity to escape but was stopped by Lu Lingfeng in time. Sima Liang strongly demanded that Song Shang drink or face more severe consequences.
Song Shang reluctantly complied and was imprisoned after getting drunk. Sima Liang set up a plan (feigning one thing while doing another), entrusting his trusted guards to Lu Lingfeng for contingencies. Lu Lingfeng felt reluctant but could only comply. Meanwhile, Ying Tao sneaked into Yunding Immortal Street and caught sight of the dungeon where Fei Jishi was imprisoned. The situation became increasingly urgent.
Episode 30 Recap
Ying Tao followed that girl and arrived at the hidden place where the women were imprisoned. At the same time, she also found Qing Xi. Given her unfamiliarity with the terrain, she reassured the two girls to stay calm, promising she would rescue them as quickly as possible. On the other side, the game of Yunding Immortal Street silently began, and the arrested individuals had been imprisoned.
Su Wuming keenly noticed that the people who came to capture him were mute slaves, so he deliberately showed himself to lure them into taking him to find Lu Xianke. Lu Xianke was surprised by Su Wuming's sudden appearance, as only a few people knew his name, and he judged his identity to be extraordinary, so he ordered his men to bring him in.
However, when Lu Xianke saw Su Wuming in person, he was unexpectedly surprised to find that it was this person. Facing Su Wuming's questions, Lu Xianke felt resentful towards Zhao Lei's rise.
He admitted frankly that in order to build the Yunding Immortal Steps, he did not hesitate to scheme to eliminate his two sons, yet he never expected the outsider Zhao Lei to easily seize the fruits of his victory, not only controlling the night market but also gaining both fame and fortune.
Out of jealousy, Lu Xianke had attempted to secretly harm Zhao Lei using the soft bone method, immersing him in wine to alter his appearance, but unexpectedly, Zhao Lei miraculously survived and escaped. Su Wuming observed Lu Xianke's triumphant demeanor and took the opportunity to elicit information. Lu Xianke revealed his plot to collect human souls and smugly mentioned how glorious it would be if he could domesticate Di Renjie's disciple into a mute slave.
Su Wuming went along with the flow, pretending to lament his own difficult fate and saying it would be fortunate if he could become Lu Xianke's capable assistant. In reality, he had already secretly planned to capture the mastermind. However, when Su Wuming attempted to take action, he unexpectedly discovered that He Yulang was the real leader. He Yulang was filled with resentment, dissatisfied with Zhao Lei and Lu Xianke's arrangements, and even harbored murderous intentions.
He angrily pushed Su Wuming and his foster father into the wine vats. Su Wuming firmly stated that his purpose for this trip was to save Lao Fei, and if he couldn't achieve it, he would go to the Yellow Springs with Lao Fei. At the same time, he exposed the truth that Zhao Lei had been turned into a mute slave by Lu Xianke.
On the other side, Sima Liang disguised himself as Lu Lingfeng to directly attract firepower, but He Yulang's trap did not prevent the real Lu Lingfeng from appearing. During the fierce battle, Sima Liang was unfortunately hit by an arrow, but he insisted that Lu Lingfeng focus on facing the enemy. Lu Lingfeng and He Yulang were evenly matched, tangled in a fierce fight.
At the critical moment, Ying Tao tried to break the vat to rescue them, but unexpectedly, the wine poured out, creating an excellent fighting opportunity for Lu Lingfeng. He seized the momentum and struck a fatal blow, ending He Yulang's life. After the matter was settled, Su Wuming became curious about Lu Lingfeng's previous abnormal behavior and pressed him about the content of the secret imperial decree concerning Yun Ding.
Although Lu Lingfeng was unwilling to reveal it, under everyone's questioning, he finally confessed the truth: if he acted recklessly, he might be recalled to the capital, and the safety of his friends would be unpredictable. These words gave everyone a deeper understanding of the court's conspiracies and power struggles. Su Wuming was filled with emotion, saying that the Emperor's favor was both a blessing and a curse.
He recalled his dangerous experience with Lao Fei and felt fortunate that Lu Lingfeng had endured and helped him, otherwise he would have been unable to escape disaster. At this point, Lu Lingfeng, slightly resentful, used Su Wuming's own words to respond to everyone accusing him of being narrow-minded. Su Wuming smiled and said that Lu Lingfeng's temper was still the same, and everyone laughed upon hearing this.
Huangpu Tan dealt with the involved parties according to the law and intended to close the night market. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming, however, argued that although the night market was prone to incidents, since the evil had been thoroughly eradicated, the night market could still continue for the benefit of the people's livelihood.
Upon hearing that Lao Fei had healed two mute slaves, Huangpu Tan happily went to see him, but unexpectedly was severely reprimanded by Lao Fei, feeling a mix of emotions. Lao Fei developed a trauma due to Pei Xijun gifting him wine and vowed to quit drinking until all mute slaves were healed. Zhao Lei knew his brother's crimes were grave and his family was ruined, and he decided to wander the martial world.
Su Wuming gave Zhao Lei a letter guiding him to take refuge with Lu Si An. Huangpu Tan was deeply moved and vowed to be a clear and upright official, saying that he had been enlightened by Lao Fei today. Pei Xijun painted a portrait for Lao Fei, while Qing Xi danced gracefully, her dance steps exquisite, winning everyone's applause. Su Wuming watched the prosperous night market from afar, feeling deeply relieved.
Episode 31 Recap
The cloth shop owner, Li Yun, was woken up by a sudden nightmare, his clothes soaked with sweat, and his face as pale as paper. In the dream, a woman wearing a black veil and with her face covered repeatedly said that her face was covered with yellow paper. Each time she spoke, it seemed as though more yellow paper was mercilessly torn from her face.
The scene was both bizarre and terrifying, leaving Li Yun's heart unsettled for a long time. Shen Ping is Li Yun's wife. However, she is plagued by illness and is physically weak, so she handed over her father's cloth shop business to her husband to manage. But her husband was neglecting his proper work. She was woken up by her husband's movements and quickly got up to ask with concern.
Her eyes were full of worry, as if she could see through the unease deep within Li Yun's heart. Just as the two were talking, the maid Changle hurried in, tightly holding a letter of unknown origin in her hand. She claimed to have found it accidentally at the shop entrance, but the person who delivered it had vanished without a trace like a ghost.
Shen Ping took the letter, and a hint of doubt couldn't help but arise in her heart. She looked up at Li Yun, hoping he could give a reasonable explanation. Li Yun hesitated for a moment and finally chose an answer that seemed safe, lying that the letter was from a distant relative named Li Men from Yunding.
However, there was a hint of imperceptible panic hidden in his words, especially when Shen Ping inadvertently mentioned the words "borrow money," Li Yun's face instantly turned extremely unpleasant. Seeing this, Changle quickly changed the subject. She knew deeply that the madam was not well and needed careful care.
So, she quickly got to work, slaughtered the chicken that the master had lost in the cockfight, and carefully brewed it into a bowl of steaming hot chicken soup, hoping to nourish the madam's body. However, this action angered Li Yun. He was very displeased with Changle's talkativeness, especially when his secret of gambling was on the verge of being exposed. Shen Ping saw her husband's abnormality.
She gently comforted him, saying, "It's not that I can't tolerate your occasional indulgence, but that cockfighting business is truly not what a gentleman should do. As for this Fang Jiong, observing his conduct, he is definitely not a good sort. You are too close to him, and I fear you will be influenced by him and go down the wrong path. " After hearing this, although Li Yun felt dissatisfied, he could not refute his wife's good advice.
The next day, Li Yun went out with a heavy heart. He went to Qiongquan Alley in Shangxian Fang, trying to find the distant relative named Li Men. However, everyone in the alley was hurrying along, giving irrelevant answers to his questions. Moreover, an old woman's behavior was exceptionally strange, sending shivers down Li Yun's spine. Early the next morning, bad news arrived. Li Yun had died bizarrely, and the manner of his death was astonishing.
Su Wuming, the official known as "Detective God," was invited to examine the body. After a careful examination, he determined that Li Yun had not died from drowning but had been strangled to death. Lu Lingfeng, as Su Wuming's capable assistant, developed a strong interest in this case. He visited the residents of Qiongquan Alley, especially the old woman Yin, trying to get more clues from her.
Old woman Yin recalled that before Li Yun died, he had come looking for someone named Li Men, but this person did not live in the alley. She also mentioned a silent woman wearing a veil and a strange-acting ugly woman. These clues were like faint lights in the fog, leaving Lu Lingfeng feeling both excited and confused. At the same time, Shen Ping also found Lu Lingfeng.
She fully revealed her speculations about her husband's cause of death, including how Li Yun was dragged by Fang Jiong to gamble and his various actions attempting to conceal all of this. After hearing this, Lu Lingfeng pondered in his heart and decided to thoroughly investigate the truth of this case. Led by Su Wuming, the group went to the brick kiln for inspection. They discovered a special kind of clay that matched the traces left at the crime scene.
After an investigation, they finally locked onto the suspect - a bricklayer who was roaming around. This person not only admitted to the crime of killing Li Yun but also arrogantly mocked Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming for being incompetent. Su Wuming invited the experienced coroner Lao Fei to discuss Li Yun's cause of death. Lao Fei initially speculated it might be due to long-term mental stress, but after a detailed examination of the body, he ruled out illness.
Lu Lingfeng expressed doubt about Su Wuming's judgment, considering him incompetent. At this time, Suo Long brought a clue, identifying a bricklayer as involved in the case. The craftsman confessed to having seen the deceased. Even more surprisingly, Heitou arrogantly confessed to committing crimes across counties, mocking Lu and Su for being incompetent. Facing such provocation, although Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng felt angry, their determination to uncover the truth became even stronger.
Episode 32 Recap
Lu Lingfeng felt the case was significant and decided to join forces with surrounding counties to jointly pursue the homicides mentioned by Heitou and the stolen property. Su Wuming stopped him in time, mentioning that they were unintentionally getting involved in multiple cases, and joked about appearing incompetent during the autopsy. Lu Lingfeng understood, knowing Su Wuming intended to counter his earlier doubts. The two shared a knowing smile and together plunged into the intense investigation of the case.
Pei Xijun completed the criminal portraits with astonishing speed. The people in the paintings were lifelike and breathtaking. Suo Long and his colleagues examined the portraits, all feeling that the people depicted looked familiar, especially the white-clothed masked person. Even more surprisingly, the newcomer Mudan conspicuously appeared in the portraits. Mudan was emotionally agitated, hitting and scolding Heitou, blaming herself for having poor judgment, wrongly loving a murderer, and constantly spending money on him.
However, Mudan's scolding hinted at shielding Heitou; the two sang and echoed each other, creating a subtle scene. Su Wuming pointed out the inconsistency in Li Yun's time of death and intended to take Heitou away, but Heitou seized the opportunity to express his deep affection for Mudan, and Mudan was moved to tears. Although Lu Lingfeng felt Mudan's name was beautiful, he also hinted that she should advise Heitou to change his ways.
Su Wuming deeply appreciated Lu Lingfeng's meticulousness, believing that he was not only rigorous and serious in handling cases but also skilled at discerning people's hearts and resolving their emotional knots. Lu Lingfeng joked about treating them to a meal, which led to teasing from Su Wuming and others, who laughed that they would make this "iron rooster" finally "shed blood.
" On the other side, Suo Long encountered Li Men on the street and was attracted by his superb qinggong (lightness skill), even playfully asking him to demonstrate it on the wall. Li Men appeared cautious in response to their questions, denying having written a letter to Li Yun, and revealed his complex past with his cousin Li Yun. It turned out that Li Men had sought refuge with Li Yun but was neglected, harboring resentment.
Later, he found Li Yun's behavior strange, suspected him of wrongdoing, and even speculated that Li Yun might be involved in Chu Bin's death, attempting to blackmail him with this. Chu Bin, Li Yun's ex-wife, had her cause of death become mysterious through Li Men's words. Li Men claimed Li Yun killed Chu Bin for money and showed letters exchanged with Chu Bin as evidence.
These letters were old, making Su Wuming realize that a deeper secret might be hidden behind the case. The clue provided by the old person further confirmed Li Men's connection to the case, but the time inconsistency made the case even more complicated. Lu Lingfeng urgently hoped Li Men could tell the whole truth, while Li Men revealed that he had been entrusted by Shen Ping to inform Li Yun of his infidelity.
Shen Ping's shock and trust surprised Li Men; she chose to pay Li Men off to leave rather than delve into her husband's betrayal. This series of events not only revealed another side of Li Yun's life but also filled everyone with curiosity and anticipation about the truth of the case. Lu Lingfeng was puzzled that Shen Ping did not mention being blackmailed, deeming her too tolerant. He scrutinized Li Men's testimony, believing it still held merit.
Su Wuming seized the opportunity to compliment Lu Lingfeng, hoping he would consequently disburse monthly allowances, drawing a burst of light laughter. At this moment, Suo Long sent news that the white-clothed person had been found. This person introduced himself as Lin Bei, denied involvement in the case, and revealed that Li Yun had arranged to meet through Fang Jiong. Fang Jiong seemed indifferent to Li Yun's death, saying Li Yun might have fulfilled his wish.
Lin Bei claimed Li Yun had failed to show up for their appointment and that he was not in a hurry to see him. Su Wuming noticed that Lin Bei's testimony was too consistent with Fang Jiong's and became suspicious.
Episode 33 Recap
Lu Lingfeng was shocked by the testimonies of Fang Jiong and Lin Bei. Their statements fit perfectly, with no flaws, leaving him temporarily unable to find a breakthrough. Su Wuming was even more amazed, believing it wasn't just a match, but absolutely seamless. Lu Lingfeng was anxious and decided to pursue the "ugly woman" he suspected that very night. Although Su Wuming tried to dissuade him, Lu Lingfeng's mind was made up.
Seeing this, Su Wuming did not insist further; he simply quietly took down the notice Lu Lingfeng posted after he left, and suggested he act tomorrow instead, hoping Lu Lingfeng could calm down and think, avoiding impulsive actions. Lu Lingfeng looked at the restaurant carefully chosen by Ying Tao, his heart filled with mixed feelings. This place was undoubtedly the most luxurious option among them, making him inwardly smile wryly.
Although he felt it was too extravagant, he silently accepted it out of pride, a hint of a wry smile on his lips, speaking with a bit of exasperated gritting of teeth. Lao Fei sensed Su Wuming's displeasure and tried to cheer him up by mentioning Lu Lingfeng was treating, but Su Wuming was preoccupied with the unsolved case and found it hard to smile.
When Lu Lingfeng asked about Pei Xijun's whereabouts, Ying Tao's response stirred ripples in his heart. Pei Xijun's appearance, and her fondness for the clothes he had given her, instantly brightened Lu Lingfeng's mood. However, Ying Tao's subsequent joke cast a shadow over this joy – the clothes had been delivered so quickly, which puzzled Lu Lingfeng and even made him mistakenly think the tailor shop had given him special treatment due to his status, making the clothes in advance.
This scene made even Su Wuming present sense something unusual. Lu Lingfeng and Pei Xijun decided to go to the tailor shop together to investigate, while Su Wuming insisted on examining the deceased's body meticulously again. He expressed his firm determination to Lao Fei that even if the most extreme measures were required – autopsy – he would ascertain the true cause of death.
Meanwhile, Da De seemed quite surprised upon learning that Lu Lingfeng wanted to thank them and proposed sharing a drink at the night market, especially when they mentioned wanting to order wedding clothes here. Da De stated he needed to go back and discuss it with his wife before deciding. Pei Xijun stood beside him, looking at Lu Lingfeng, her heart full of shyness and joy.
At the tailor shop, a significant discovery by Su Wuming turned the entire case around – he noticed that Li Yun's body still had the smell of lime. Lao Fei confirmed this after verification. When toasting Da De, Lu Lingfeng noticed that although Da De didn't drink, his hand trembled uncontrollably. This aroused his suspicion, especially upon learning that Da De was still busy with work after his master's death. This unusual behavior deepened his curiosity.
Pei Xijun keenly assisted Lu Lingfeng beside him, and Da De inadvertently revealed during the conversation that Fang Jiong had also proposed to Shen Ping. Subsequently, Lu Lingfeng directly asked Fang Jiong why he had concealed the fact that he had previously pursued Shen Ping. Fang Jiong explained that it was an event from many years ago and not appropriate to mention now.
To pursue clues, Lu Lingfeng began searching for someone who sold lime and unexpectedly learned that the "ugly woman," Mudan, actually knew something. At this point, Su Wuming made a new request to Pei Xijun; he hoped Pei Xijun could forget the previous portraits and redraw them to obtain more accurate clues. When talking about Shen Ping, Fang Jiong emotionally revealed the grudges between himself and Li Yun.
It turned out he had introduced Li Yun to Shen's father, but unexpectedly, Li Yun ended up stealing Shen Ping. Fang Jiong left indignantly, leaving behind more unsolved mysteries. Su Wuming asked Lin Bei to describe the mysterious person in detail and asked Pei Xijun to draw a portrait based on the description.
Pei Xijun was surprised to find that they had previously drawn three completely different individuals, while Ying Tao speculated that someone behind the scenes was deliberately causing confusion. Lu Lingfeng was half-convinced by Su Wuming's deduction, thinking his words were almost absurd. However, Su Wuming further proposed that perhaps these three people didn't exist at all. He suggested that Lu Lingfeng ask Huangpu Tan for help, who readily agreed.
Subsequently, Su Wuming decided to open the coffin and examine the body to uncover the truth. Suo Long found Chu Bin's grave, just as Chu Jia was paying respects to his brother. Ying Tao quickly subdued Chu Jia. Chu Jia was shocked and angry at the act of opening the coffin, recalling Chu Bin's grief when he discovered Li Yun and Shen Ping were married.
Su Wuming invited Chu Jia to witness the process of opening the coffin, but before even starting, he had already concluded that the coffin was empty. Su Wuming and the others had long sensed the untruthfulness in the suspects' words. Finally, they decided to open the coffin. They speculated that Lin Bei might be Chu Bin, who returned under the name Lin Bei for revenge.
Episode 34 Recap
Lu Lingfeng specially visited Lin Bei, informed him the case was closed, and announced that he had regained his freedom and could come and go freely. However, after Lu Lingfeng left, Lin Bei actually burst into laughter, and his laughter revealed an inexplicable desolation and deep hatred. It turned out that Lin Bei's true identity was Chu Bin, who had wandered the streets due to amnesia and was fortunate enough to reunite with her older sister Chu Jia.
Just as the two sisters were exchanging warm greetings, Chu Bin learned from her older sister that someone named Su had revealed her whereabouts. She immediately became alert, realizing her sister might have been used, and quickly pushed her away, claiming she had mistaken her for someone else, in order to protect her from implication.
Chu Jia knew her younger sister Chu Bin had her own plans, so she cleverly concealed it, pretending to have mistaken the person, claiming that although this person looked very much like her sister, she was actually not her. Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng faced this unexpected turn of events. Although they were reluctant, they lacked concrete evidence and could only watch Chu Bin leave.
Su Wuming secretly speculated in his heart that the suspects' testimonies varied, and it was clear that the so-called "ugly woman" did not exist. They were likely colluding beforehand, aiming to mislead him and Lu Lingfeng. Facing the numerous suspects, Su Wuming came up with a plan and decided to adopt a strategy of separate interrogation, hoping to find flaws.
On the other side, Fei Jishi proactively sought out Shen Ping, boasting of his superb medical skills and offering to treat her. Although Shen Ping showed delight upon hearing this, Fei Jishi keenly noticed that Shen Ping actually knew all along about Li Yun poisoning her, which caused her physical weakness. This discovery gave Fei Jishi a deeper understanding of the case. Meanwhile, Su Wuming personally visited Chu Bin, attempting to learn more clues from her.
Chu Bin recalled the past and revealed to Su Wuming that she had gained widespread fame for her excellent calligraphy, bringing unprecedented prosperity to the pharmacy. However, the good times did not last long, and as the novelty faded, the pharmacy's business fell into a slump again. This recollection not only revealed Chu Bin's past but also added a touch of complexity and mystery to the case.
Li Yun, introduced by Fang Jiong, entered the Shen family's gates and became an apprentice. He showed extraordinary learning ability and expressed his willingness to marry into the Shen family, which made Fang Jiong deeply angry and unwilling. As for Chu Bin, this young girl who originally had no deep relationship with Li Yun, unfortunately fell victim to his cruel hands. After being force-fed a drug and killed, she was brutally locked inside a coffin.
Meanwhile, Ying Tao was concerned about a mysterious elderly woman. She went to visit her and learned a heartbreaking story from the elderly woman. It turned out that the elderly woman had personally seen that ill-fated woman—Chu Bin. At that time, Li Yun appeared extremely indifferent to Chu Bin's death and even carelessly discarded the coffin on the ground on a day when it was raining heavily.
Fortunately, the kind elderly woman, taking advantage of no one being around, quietly pried open the coffin and rescued the dying Chu Bin. On the other side, Fei Jishi was deeply concerned about Shen Ping's condition. He tentatively asked Shen Ping if she knew the source of the toxins in her body. Shen Ping was grateful for Fei Jishi's life-saving kindness, so she confessed everything.
It turned out that Shen Ping's father had promised her in marriage to Li Yun, even though she knew Li Yun already had someone in his heart, Chu Bin. Li Yun approached Shen Ping in the name of pity, which instead deepened Shen Ping's love for him. After Chu Bin's death, Shen Ping married Li Yun desperately.
However, after the marriage, Li Yun used a drug on Shen Ping, making her fall into a coma, while he went out for pleasure. As for Mudan, her past was also full of tragedy. She once had a happy and fulfilling family, but it was completely changed by a chance encounter with Li Yun. Although she knew Li Yun was married, Mudan still fell hopelessly in love with him and secretly met with him.
Unfortunately, she became pregnant as a result, but Li Yun refused to acknowledge the relationship. Mudan's scandal spread rapidly, causing her parents to pass away from shame and indignation. From then on, Mudan became known as a bad woman by everyone. Her spirit was severely traumatized, and she gradually sank into despair. However, deep down, she still couldn't forget Li Yun and even witnessed him and a maid engaging in illicit behavior one night.
Chang Le, Shen Ping's personal maid, initially received gentle and considerate treatment from Li Yun, and even unexpectedly discovered the secret of Li Yun poisoning Shen Ping while he was measuring clothes for Shen Ping. Li Yun had promised Chang Le that he would marry her after Shen Ping's death and make her the mistress of the household, which ignited a desire for power in Chang Le's heart.
However, Chang Le gradually discovered that Li Yun was also dissolute outside, which left her with mixed feelings. Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng encountered difficulties while interrogating the suspects; they remained tight-lipped. Pei Xijun learned that this case involved the innocent and worried that Lu Lingfeng might act impulsively. She resolutely stated that if Lu Lingfeng dared to harm Chang Le, she would immediately return to the capital, using this as a warning and restraint for Lu Lingfeng.
Episode 35 Recap
Su Wuming insisted on making another deduction. He believed that ten years ago, after Chu Bin was rescued by the elderly woman, she was heartbroken and disheartened by her romantic entanglement, and did not return to her hometown because she felt ashamed to face her relatives. In particular, her older sister Chu Jia had strongly opposed her relationship with Li Yun. However, Ying Tao expressed confusion about this deduction, believing its logic needed further discussion.
Su Wuming elaborated further, mentioning that Fang Jiong's accidental encounter with Chu Bin unexpectedly ignited Chu Bin's idea of revenge. Fang Jiong was also not to be outdone; he funded the elderly woman to open an inn and invited Mudan to join, offering assistance. Meanwhile, Chang Le, being honest, confessed the truth to Shen Ping. Shen Ping, in fear, turned to her childhood sweetheart Fang Jiong for help.
Fang Jiong skillfully arranged a meeting between Li Yun and Chu Bin, and the two women thus saw through Li Yun's character. Originally, Fang Jiong intended to use Chu Bin to get rid of Li Yun, but he didn't expect Li Men to meet Chu Bin first, and Li Men, with his integrity and sense of justice, decided to join them.
Li Men's arrival not only provided an alibi for Chang Le and others but also allowed everyone to testify for each other, forming a solid defense line. Fang Jiong, full of strategies, even used small change to win people over, ensuring his plan was foolproof. After in-depth investigation, Lu Lingfeng finally confirmed the various abnormalities he had previously noticed.
Su Wuming then revealed that Da De was terrified because he had insight into a certain plan, so he hurriedly made an item of clothing overnight to cope. Li Men tried his best to dissuade Li Yun from harming innocent women any further, but Li Yun was stubborn and went his own way, and eventually the two erupted in conflict. Ignoring the persuasion, Li Yun burst into the room and found it empty, with only a bathtub inside.
Feeling uncomfortable in his head, he lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. Lu Lingfeng questioned Li Men's whereabouts, believing that although he climbed out from the roof, he happened to coincide with the time of the crime, lacking a definitive alibi. Su Wuming further analyzed that simple water was not enough to be fatal; the killer cleverly mixed lime into the water, causing Li Yun to suffocate.
Shen Ping used that specially made item of clothing to tightly press down on Li Yun, ultimately causing his death. Lu Lingfeng speculated that the reason the killer resorted to such extreme measures was due to Li Yun's numerous crimes; he not only harmed several women but also aroused public anger. He asserted that this case had no traditional sense of a murderer but was a self-defense counterattack by the victims in despair.
Huangpu Tan, hearing this argument, couldn't help but laugh speechlessly, recalling the scene a few days earlier when Hei Tou voluntarily surrendered. Lu Lingfeng woke up and found Su Wuming kneeling on the ground, expressing deep apologies to his mentor. Su Wuming, however, believed that these actions were not malicious but counterattacks learned by the victims for self-preservation after being harmed.
Lu Lingfeng felt deeply guilty, worried about how he would face his mentor at the master-disciple appointment half a year later. Hei Tou confessed that he was the killer of Li Yun; at that time, he held the lime and personally witnessed Li Yun lose his life before him.
On the other side, Chu Bin was burning paper money for Li Yun, grateful for her older sister's unwavering support, and reflecting that if she had listened to her older sister's advice, perhaps everything would have been different. The two sisters decided to join hands again and venture out into the world. Pei Xijun also felt relieved for the fate of these two women.
Fang Jiong and Li Men each embarked on new journeys, and Mudan also welcomed a better life. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming witnessed everyone getting back on track, their hearts filled with joy, believing the perfect conclusion to this case was truly flawless. Shen Ping apprenticed under Fei Jishi, and both master and disciple were overjoyed. Xue Huan sought out his master Lu Lingfeng, and Suo Long attempted a provocation but was instead defeated.
Lu Lingfeng received an order to return to the capital to deliver golden peaches, while Su Wuming was wary of the hidden mystery within. Lu Lingfeng lamented his thwarted aspirations, and Su Wuming vowed to share hardships together. Su Wuming advised Lu Lingfeng to take Pei Xijun to visit the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, and Lu Lingfeng decided to head west to explore secrets. The six of them journeyed together to Dunhuang, composing poems, painting, and enjoying a rare time of joyful gathering.
Episode 36 Recap
Six people arrived in Dunhuang, shaken by its magnificent scenery. While discussing excitedly, a child, Duobao, appeared, enthusiastically introducing the spirit of Dunhuang, his words flowing endlessly. Su Wuming praised his intelligence and wanted to give him gold as thanks, but Duobao refused it, saying he shouldn't accept payment for so little effort, and instead led everyone to tour the scenic spots. Duobao introduced himself, and everyone felt his innocence and enthusiasm.
After Duobao finished his explanation, he happily accepted the payment. Su Wuming praised the excellence of Tang Dynasty children, who were upright and awe-inspiring, making them admirable. After Duobao left, everyone was surprised to find that a portrait on the wall bore a striking resemblance to Duobao. Fei Jishi, however, thought the mural didn't depict a poor child and concluded that Duobao came from a remarkable background.
Li Chi harbored an inexplicable hostility towards Lu Lingfeng, and Lu Lingfeng also sensed it, making the atmosphere slightly awkward. Fei Jishi cleverly resolved the situation by introducing Lu Lingfeng and the others' identities. When the crowd heard they were disciples of Duke Di, they welcomed them respectfully, and they were treated with extra courtesy upon entering the city. Seeing this, Li Chi's mouth curled into a strange smile.
Inside the city, Cao Weng generously distributed alms, and the common people praised his good deeds in unison. Su Wuming observed Cao Weng's features and also determined him to be a benevolent person, silently approving in his heart. Cao Weng warmly invited everyone to his mansion, not only arranging wonderful music performances but also preparing a sumptuous family banquet. During the meal, the delicious food was mouth-watering, and Fei Jishi praised it endlessly, showing his fondness for it.
At this moment, Ding Mao led He Kekao to the table. He Kekao was very grateful to Duke Di's disciples, praising them repeatedly, and the atmosphere became harmonious for a while. Upon learning it was Cao Weng's birthday that day, Su Wuming immediately stood up and offered sincere birthday wishes to Cao Weng.
Cao Weng smiled in response and revealed that he would be leaving this place the next day, mentioning the Jiazi Agreement passed down in his family and the continuation of this ancient tradition. Upon hearing this, Fei Jishi was filled with respect for Cao Weng's family history, constantly complimenting him, and even emotionally leaned against Cao Weng's side, tears welling up in his eyes, which made everyone feel a little heavy-hearted.
In the dead of night, a masked person stealthily infiltrated the mansion, heading straight for a certain location. However, upon discovering it was Fei Jishi, this person quickly turned and fled. Ying Tao reacted quickly, firing a hidden weapon, successfully hitting the masked person in the leg and injuring him. Afterwards, Su Wuming analyzed that the masked person's original target was not Fei Jishi, but rather Cao Weng.
He noticed that the bed Fei Jishi was sleeping on was square, and the masked person's actions were clearly prepared, directly targeting Cao Weng. Upon hearing this, Cao Weng recalled that someone had attempted an assassination with a curved knife the day before, and he suddenly understood, realizing the mastermind behind it. He decided to question his son-in-law to understand the situation, but his son-in-law avoided seeing him.
In order not to put his daughter in a difficult position, Cao Weng decided to continue coming the next day, vowing to uncover the truth. Ying Tao cleverly apprehended the suspicious person, who turned out to be Li Chi. Faced with solid evidence, Li Chi was forced to confess that he had conspired with his wife and, upon learning the astonishing secret of Cao Weng's property, became greedy.
He was surprised that such a private matter had been leaked by his son-in-law, and immediately realized that this was Ding Mao's conspiracy. Ding Mao deliberately revealed the will information, and Li Chi went along with the flow, attempting to legitimately inherit the property by harming Cao Weng and live happily ever after with his wife. This scene happened to be witnessed by Lu Lingfeng passing by, and he promptly stopped Li Chi's wicked act.
Upon learning the truth, Cao Weng was furious; he could not accept the betrayal and deception from those around him. Just as he was considering how to punish them severely, Ding Mao burst in, panicked, claiming he was willing to bear all the blame, but more urgently, Duobao had been murdered. This news was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Cao Weng stunned, his eyes wide, unable to believe it.
His heart was filled with grief and anger, unable to accept that the innocent, kind child who was passionate about Dunhuang had died so unjustly. Duobao's death, like a sharp knife, deeply pained Cao Weng's heart, making him feel unprecedented despair and helplessness.
Episode 37 Recap
Cao Weng returned home, heard that his beloved son Duobao had died suddenly, his heart felt like being cut by knives, and he anxiously inquired about the reason. Seeing his beloved son's remains, he wanted one last look. Seeing this, Su Wuming asked Mrs. Cao and Cao Weng to step away for a moment, as he wanted to examine the body carefully. Everyone's expression was solemn, surprised to see a ghost mask pattern drawn on Duobao's face.
Su Wuming asserted that it was not the image of Fangxiang. Fei Jishi agreed, pointing out that Fangxiang should have four eyes, while this drawing only had two pupils. Su Wuming pondered for a moment and speculated that this was a drawing of a qitou. He mentioned the Tang Dynasty funeral rites, speaking of the customs of summoning the soul, making clothes as a keepsake, and placing the body on the coffin after bathing and changing clothes.
Cao Weng was filled with grief and indignation, angrily asking who had committed such a vicious act and killed his own son. """ Lu Lingfeng carefully surveyed the surroundings, his brow furrowed, and asked those present who had first discovered the body. Saisai said with a trembling voice that it was she, because the night before last she had arranged with her uncle Duobao to go sandboarding outside the city, but she never expected that this farewell would be forever.
Pei Xijun was even more astonished at this sight. She had originally planned to have Duobao continue to lead them in exploring this land, but she did not expect the tragedy to strike so suddenly and unexpectedly. Yelai, as Duobao's mother, was burning with anger in her heart and felt indignant and helpless about her stepdaughter Pei Xijun's words at this moment.
""" Cao Weng knew well that the people around him had complex minds and various schemes, and their coveting of the family property chilled his heart even more. After a detailed autopsy, Su Wuming confirmed that Duobao had died from asphyxiation. This discovery plunged everyone present into deep thought. Li Chi's conspiracy was exposed; he had attempted to murder Cao Weng, but was fortunately discovered and stopped in time by Cao Weng's daughter.
Cao Weng felt deeply comforted by his daughter's loyalty, and at the same time felt heartbroken by the internal disputes within the family. """ Pei Xijun was immersed in deep self-reproach. She regretted that if she had let Duobao accompany them yesterday, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided. Meanwhile, Ding Mao and Li Chi had been imprisoned. Facing Cao Weng's interrogation, they chose to confess.
Cao Weng decided to make a will to quell the family disputes, but this move was opposed by his eldest daughter, further intensifying the internal family conflict. Based on the clues, Lu Lingfeng deduced that the killer must be an insider from the family, and out of fear of Duobao's ghost haunting them, they covered his head with a cloth, attempting to suppress his soul. He personally went to prison to interrogate Li Chi.
Li Chi's confession matched his wife's testimony, further confirming the complexity of the case. Saisai, the innocent girl, pleaded with Lu Lingfeng to seek justice for her little uncle. She firmly believed that Duobao was not coveting the inheritance, but rather eager to introduce the beauty of Dunhuang to more people. After flipping through Duobao's books, Su Wuming deeply felt his profound affection for his hometown.
Ying Tao meticulously examined the body and was astonished to find traces of rouge on Duobao. Everyone's gaze immediately focused on Fan Songling. Cao Weng was grief-stricken and wanted to take his son into the ancestral grave together, but was met with obstruction. Cao Xiaoxiao was kind-hearted and recalled her younger brother's innocence and loveliness, which contrasted sharply with the indifference and calculation of her eldest and second sisters.
Cao Rong flatly denied killing her brother and raised the question of spouses testifying for each other, prompting everyone to ponder the validity of evidence. Su Wuming summoned Fan Songling and saw that his demeanor was delicate, he wore makeup, and his aged appearance seemed deliberate. Xue Huan felt a sense of revulsion. Lu Lingfeng had doubts and questioned how Fan Songling knew the cause of death. Fan Songling tried to flee but was stopped by Lu Lingfeng. He actually claimed that he was forced to commit the crime because his wife's command was impossible to disobey.
Episode 38 Recap
Cao Rong saw everyone searching for her and knew her husband had betrayed her. She had originally intended to delay and conceal the truth, but was forced to expose it. She frankly admitted her relationship with the old man, which was actually to hasten her husband's death so she could gain a larger share when her father distributed the family property. Unexpectedly, her husband had revealed the matter before her.
Fan Songling confessed that his wife was dissatisfied with not receiving substantial family property, so she moved back to her maiden home, intending to claim more property. He described the scenes of Cao Rong and Duobao going back and forth to the kitchen multiple times. The two took advantage of Duobao being unprepared, quickly carried out their plan, and succeeded easily. Fan Songling claimed it was a temporary slip-up, but Lu Lingfeng pointed out it was premeditated.
Cao Rong had no remorse; in her heart, only family property mattered most. Cao Weng was heartbroken and pleaded with the county magistrate to grant him the right to execute the murderer, even kneeling to beg, to comfort his beloved son's soul in heaven. Su Wuming raised a question. He believed that Duobao's actions of struggling and then suddenly clutching his stomach during the strangulation process, as described by Fan Songling, seemed somewhat illogical.
Therefore, he decided to conduct another autopsy. This decision immediately triggered Cao Xiaoxiao's strong opposition. She was emotional, even going so far as to threaten with her body and life, resolutely opposing disturbing her deceased younger brother's peace again. Cao Weng was currently immersed in the pain of losing his son and appeared cold and unwilling to deal with the three elderly visitors who suddenly arrived, wishing only for them to leave as soon as possible.
However, these three elders showed unusual excitement about Duobao's death, were eager to examine the body, and took the opportunity to mention that Cao Weng no longer needed to fulfill the previous agreement and go to a certain place. Cao Weng was filled with doubts. He felt that this series of events had happened too suddenly, especially since some arrangements had been quietly changed the night before the incident. It seemed there was a hidden secret behind this.
Cao Xiaoxiao angrily accused Su Wuming from the side, saying he had interrupted the joyful moment she originally wanted to celebrate for her father. Su Wuming insisted on his view, believing that changing the coffin and re-embalming was a sign of respect and comfort for the deceased. He keenly sensed the complexity and unusualness within the Cao family, particularly how the vast family fortune and the rules passed down through generations could be easily changed in a short period.
There must be a hidden reason behind this. Furthermore, Ding Mao, as the housekeeper, appeared on the Cao family's offering painting, and this abnormal phenomenon deepened Su Wuming's suspicion. He believed that Ding Mao was likely one of the key figures to unravel the mystery. Therefore, Su Wuming decided to focus his investigation on Fan Songling, attempting to find a breakthrough through him.
During the re-autopsy process, Fan Songling lost control of his emotions, revealing through his words the unusual relationship between Yelai and Ding Mao, as well as his embarrassing situation as a son-in-law entangled with the servant Ding Mao. Amidst his madness and confusion, fragments of certain truths seemed to be hidden. Although Ding Mao could not speak directly when threatened, his urgent eyes and desire for revenge deeply touched Lu Lingfeng.
Lu Lingfeng realized that although Ding Mao was silent, he must have key clues in his heart, but was unable to speak due to some reason. Fei Jishi made a startling discovery: Duobao had been poisoned with aconite before his death, and it was the most potent 'red neck' aconite. Associating this with Duobao's frequent visits to the kitchen, everyone speculated that he was unbearably thirsty due to the poisoning and kept drinking water.
Fei Jishi directly pointed to Cao Weng as the biggest suspect, believing that Duobao's death could relieve Cao Weng's predicament. Lu Lingfeng speculated that Cao Weng might have known about Ding Mao and Yelai's affair and suspected that Duobao was not his biological son. Su Wuming countered, arguing that Cao Weng was no ordinary person; if that were the case, he would have noticed it sooner.
Subsequently, in Cao Xiaoxiao's room, traces of poisoning and the 'red neck' poison were found, and the atmosphere immediately grew tense. Cao Xiaoxiao was shocked and was about to speak when Governor Zhang appeared in time, interrupting the imminent conflict.
Episode 39 Recap
Governor Zhang arrived urgently and revealed the truth: the three elders were heavily bribed by Cao Xiaoxiao and conspired together. Cao Xiaoxiao used shops and wealth as bait, and the four of them colluded shamelessly. Lu Lingfeng was filled with doubts, speculating whether this scheme originated from Cao Weng. If it were truly so, the depth of his family's scheming would be chilling.
After deep consideration, Su Wuming said earnestly to his junior fellow disciple beside him, "On the path of solving cases, we must never easily jump to conclusions. We must evaluate the case based on concrete evidence; otherwise, it is very easy to be misled and deviate from the path of truth. " Subsequently, Lu Lingfeng proposed going together to He Keke's shop, hoping to find new clues or discoveries there.
Facing the inquiry, He Keke said with a blank look that the goods she made had not been delivered to the Cao family, and at the same time, she felt very surprised and confused about the news that the Cao family had been suddenly sealed off. In his home which felt like a prison, seeing the delicious food brought by Su Wuming, although there was bitterness in his heart, he also felt a hint of surprise and solace.
He understood that although his current situation was like a prisoner, Su Wuming and the others did not truly see him as a criminal but merely temporarily restricted his freedom. Yelai was beside them, looking at the snacks Ying Tao handed over, and a warm current surged in her heart.
She deeply knew her status in the Cao family was humble and constantly felt the potential threat from those around her towards her son, even though these threats were not openly expressed. She carefully accepted the food and, full of joy, wanted to share this rare pleasure and care with her son. Cao Rong gazed at Xue Huan, complex emotions revealed in her eyes, and she frankly admitted the greed in her heart.
She mentioned the family property left by her father; if it weren't for greed, this wealth would be enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life, but she was unable to be satisfied with this. After conducting a thorough investigation, Su Wuming discovered that everyone in the family had an unfriendly attitude towards Duobao, especially Cao Weng, who often severely punished Duobao.
Cao Xiaoxiao interjected from the side, mentioning that although Duobao was quite caring towards her, his elder sister, and often brought back snacks, she also knew that the mystery of Duobao's identity had been uncovered by Su Wuming and others, and for this reason, she did not hesitate to poison him to cover up the truth.
Su Wuming revealed that during the interrogation of Cao Weng, he admitted the existence of the 'red neck' poison, while Cao Weng and another suspect pushed responsibility onto each other, attempting to exonerate the other, making the case even more confusing. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming were deeply confused by this, finding it difficult to determine who was more suspect. Lao Fei was outspoken.
He believed that Cao Xiaoxiao's behavior was extremely similar to that of the murderer, and that Cao Weng was well aware of Duobao's non-biological parentage, was extremely harsh towards Ding Mao, and even willing to take his life. He speculated that if Cao Weng was truly willing to take the blame for his daughter, that might prove a deep affection as a father.
However, Cao Weng voluntarily admitted he was Duobao's murderer, firmly stating that the matter had nothing to do with his daughter. He recalled that on the night the incident occurred, he unexpectedly discovered Duobao because he needed to use the restroom and killed him driven by anger and jealousy. He deeply knew Duobao was innocent, but because he was not his biological son and intended to seize the family property, it ultimately made him brutally kill him.
Finally, Cao Weng requested everyone to give him a severe punishment and tearfully kowtowed to his ancestors to repent, stating that he had committed unforgivable crimes and was willing to pay the price of the family's reputation in exchange for a moment of inner peace. Su Wuming sighed that he needed to strengthen his physical fitness, praising Cao Weng for still being agile at the age of sixty. Lu Lingfeng worried about how to help Cao Weng.
Cao Xiaoxiao cried bitterly upon hearing this, blaming herself for harming her father. She confessed frankly that because she feared the family property would be seized, she mistakenly killed Duobao, but in her heart, she actually couldn't bear to do it. Su Wuming revealed that Cao Weng did not administer the poison. Cao Xiaoxiao was startled, realizing something was strange, and urgently asked who the real murderer was. Su Wuming said that the father and daughter protected each other, almost allowing the real murderer to escape.
Episode 40 (Ending) Recap
When Cao Weng was practicing, he noticed Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng had arrived. He closed his eyes and said the window was sealed, and he was willing to surrender to avoid making things difficult for the prefect. Su Wuming smiled and said Cao Weng was being too modest. If he truly wanted to escape, how could such guards stop him?
He further pointed out that Cao Weng pleaded guilty without knowing the truth, fearing this would let the real culprit go free. Cao Xiaoxiao insisted that she did not kill anyone. Su Wuming gazed at Cao Weng, feeling his inner remorse and helplessness, knowing deeply that although his children had erred, it was all out of a desire to protect their father.
Cao Weng gave a bitter smile, stating that he was not a muddled person and had long suspected Duobao was not his biological son. However, because of his purity and kindness, which strongly resembled his long-deceased eldest son, he felt love and pity for him. Lu Lingfeng felt puzzled upon hearing this.
Cao Weng continued to recount past events: he and Situ Mei fell in love at first sight, promising to grow old together, and the following year, they welcomed their beloved son. However, fate played tricks; his wife and son passed away one after another, leaving him alone to this day. Cao Weng revealed that he had once dreamed of his eldest son, who told him that Duobao was actually his reincarnation, simple in character, and most similar to himself.
Therefore, he could never bring himself to harm Duobao. Su Wuming added that although Cao Xiaoxiao had once intended to kill Duobao, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it at the crucial moment, revealing her inner struggle and conflict. Upon hearing this, Cao Weng's eyes snapped open, a mixture of anger and confusion. He desperately wanted to know the real murderer of Duobao. Xue Huan, standing by, secretly admired him.
Although his master's strategy didn't directly reveal the real culprit, it was still extraordinary. Fei Jishi was having a terrible headache. His carefully designed plan seemed not to have worked; the case had become even more convoluted, as if it had returned to the starting point. He thought to himself, even Di Gong's two highly skilled disciples found it tricky; this case was indeed difficult.
At this moment, Lu Lingfeng suddenly remembered Saisai had mentioned Di Gong's authority and his disciples' extraordinary abilities. He exchanged a smile with Su Wuming; it seemed both had simultaneously thought of some crucial clue. Seeing this, Fei Jishi was full of doubt. He saw Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng looking solemn, seemingly communicating without words.
On the other side, everyone speculated that the secret between Cao Yin and Li Chi was accidentally learned by the child, unaware that Su Wuming and Lu Lingfeng had quietly arrived. Lu Lingfeng arranged for Pei Xijun to accompany Saisai as a precaution against the unexpected. Afterwards, everyone searched for Li Chi. They saw him looking triumphant and confidently declaring that he had not broken the law and was about to be released.
Fei Jishi revealed the news of Cao Yin's pregnancy at the right time, causing an uproar. Su Wuming went deep into the place where Li Chi handled cases and unexpectedly discovered the poison used in the crime. The case seemed to have taken a turn. The prefect immediately held court to hear the case, and Li Chi showed fear on his face. Unexpectedly, Cao Yin actually confessed her husband's crime in court, adding a new variable to the case.
Su Wuming cleverly guided Cao Weng, letting Cao Yin learn the truth that Li Chi was keeping a wife and concubines outside. Besides being shocked, Cao Yin felt even more heartbroken and disappointed. She had thought everything her husband did was for the child, never expecting it was for greed of the Cao family's property. She had originally planned to hide the truth for the sake of the child, but she didn't expect Li Chi to be so ruthless.
He Keke's kind gesture unexpectedly allowed Su Wuming to uncover the truth about Li Chi swapping Duobao's food. Although Duobao had passed away, the records he left behind became the key to solving the case, revealing a miscarriage of justice that Li Chi had wrongly judged, leaving the prefect full of regret. Duobao's words foreshadowed that the Great Tang was gradually discarding old habits and moving towards openness. Cao Weng even led everyone, courageously breaking from convention.
Saisai, holding her uncle's dream, enthusiastically introduced the beauty of Dunhuang. Lu Lingfeng and Su Wuming and their group traveled west, and what they saw and heard was moving. Su Wuming had a premonition that Lu Lingfeng would face a difficult choice. Everyone decided to go to the capital together. Lu Lingfeng vowed to fight for the Great Tang dynasty. The capital was experiencing surging changes, and the princess was even more eager for her son's return, willing to do anything to protect him completely.
Related Posts
Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West - Yang Xuwen, Yang Zhigang
Chinese Dramas Like Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty II To the West
Who Is Yang Xuwen's Girlfriend? Did He Have Anything To Do With Ren Jiao's Death?
Yang Xuwen Dramas, Movies, and TV Shows List
Yang Zhigang Dramas, Movies, and TV Shows List
