The Wind Blows From Longxi Episode 8 Recap
> The Wind Blows From Longxi Recap
Chen Gong, operating under the alias Mi Chong, was exploring the terrain and routes around Immortal Valley in Wuxian Sect’s domain. An elder, Qin Ze, found him there and discussed the geomancy of the valley. Qin Ze explained that the area, once a military stronghold for Zhang Wei, had been abandoned by the Shu Emperor after an old immortal declared its unique "concave in the center and convex out there" formation to be a "trap."
Chen Gong, however, perceived it as a place showing signs of revival. As heavy rain clouds gathered, Qin Ze urged Chen Gong to return to the sect, and Chen Gong complied. Chen Gong then instructed Qin Ze to promptly dig out the "bamboo magpies" he had buried en route to Shu. Back at the sect, Huang Yu informed Chen Gong that the person who accompanied him, Recorder Chen, was actually Baidi, a Shu spy, and was now confirmed dead.
Huang Yu also revealed that Governor Guo had dispatched two messengers with a secret order, expected to arrive that night for a feast, and suggested that Chen Gong could reconnect with his "colleagues." Chen Gong remained composed, but shortly after, Huang Yu ordered his subordinates to keep a close eye on Chen Gong, with instructions to kill him if he showed any signs of trying to escape.
Chen Gong, feigning a need to use the toilet, discovered the increased surveillance outside his room. Huang Yu, aiming to test Chen Gong’s loyalty, later ordered the withdrawal of guards from his cave after 7 PM. Chen Gong briefly stepped out, noticed a tell-tale folded green bamboo leaf on a guard's hat, realized something was amiss, and returned to his room.
At the feast, Chen Gong was confronted by Commandant Han from the Intelligence Agency from Chang'an, who claimed to be a messenger and declared that Chen Gong was not the real Mi Chong, as he knew him personally. Commandant Han asserted he was sent by Governor Guo Gang with a secret letter and directly accused Chen Gong of being Baidi, the Shu spy, who had killed Mi Chong to infiltrate Wuxian Sect.
Di Yue, present as the Saint Lady, subtly offered a hint to Chen Gong. Capitalizing on this, Chen Gong recited the first two lines of a supposed secret code from Governor Guo: "The stars are few, and the moon is bright. The raven southward wings its flight." He then challenged the "messengers" to complete the code. When they hesitated, someone suggested verifying Chen Gong's identity by checking for a honeysuckle tattoo, the known insignia of the Chen Clan of Changsha.
Chen Gong agreed and, with Huang Yu's permission, bared his chest, revealing only scars and no tattoo. (He was able to do this because Xun Xu had previously burned off his tattoo with charred charcoal, a fact Chen Gong now inwardly celebrated). He then identified Commandant Han's swordplay as the Yizhou style, accusing the "messengers" of being the true Shu spies. Convinced, Huang Yu killed his own men, the fake messengers.
Huang Yu then praised Chen Gong's keen insight and proposed they become sworn brothers, which Chen Gong accepted. Di Yue, introduced as the Saint Lady and Huang Yu's future wife, presented Chen Gong with an "extremely sharp" sword as a welcoming gift.
After Di Yue departed, Chen Gong shared details of the "Qingping Plan" with Huang Yu, explaining that reviewing the original Jieting intelligence required Clerk Feng's signature, a "troublesome thing," and that Baidi's original file was located at the Scribe's Desk, emphasizing the critical need for secrecy. Meanwhile, at Li Yan's Camp, Li Miao discussed General Li Yan's resolve to impeach the Prime Minister.
Li Miao expressed his frustration at failing to find any incriminating evidence against Yang Yi after two months in Siwencao Intelligence. He confided that he had already orchestrated a plan with Yin Ji to frame Feng Ying, believing that achieving significant goals sometimes required overlooking minor details, and stressed the utmost importance of maintaining secrecy.
Back at Siwencao Intelligence, Feng Ying was reviewing records when Chief Yin Ji approached him, claiming he was merely "passing by" and informed Feng Ying of an "urgent report" from Chengdu on his desk, implying it was for his review. Feng Ying, under an umbrella, returned to Siwencao during the heavy rain. A guard informed him that Clerk Li, concerned about potential floods, had dismissed all departments two hours early.
Feng Ying inquired if anyone remained and was told that an officer was still in the Internal Affairs Department. He went there and found Liao Hui on duty, guarding "important evidence" in a locked cabinet as per Chief Xun's orders. Feng Ying briefly acknowledged Liao Hui and then left. After an overnight stay at Yangping Pass due to the severe rain, Xun Xu and Pei Xu returned to Siwencao to find it heavily guarded.
General Hu Zhong met Xun Xu and escorted him inside. Xun Xu immediately asked about Liao Hui. Hu Zhong explained that Siwencao had dismissed two hours early the previous evening due to the heavy rain, and during that time, a major theft occurred in the department, with items stolen from both Intelligence Analysis and Operations. Liao Hui, who had been on duty in the Internal Affairs Department, was found murdered. Xun Xu was deeply shocked.
Xun Xu examined Liao Hui's body, noting a deep stab wound in his chest but a complete absence of any signs of struggle, contradicting Hu Zhong's initial assessment of a fight. Xun Xu immediately realized that Baidi's code-cracking plates, stored in the Internal Affairs Department, must have been stolen. He questioned Hu Zhong's decision to involve local coroners from the Nanzheng County Government, given his own expertise in such investigations.
Hu Zhong defended the decision, citing concerns of potential internal collusion. After reviewing a list of lost items compiled by Pei Xu, Xun Xu observed that apart from a valuable paperweight lost by Chief Yin, all other stolen items were insignificant. He deduced that the real target of the thieves was the Baidi code-cracking plates from the Internal Affairs Department, strongly suggesting a Wei spy operation. He then questioned why the plates were even stored there.
Meanwhile, Sun Ling, attempting to visit Feng Ying, found his room blocked by guards, who stated that no one was permitted to move freely until the investigation concluded. Shortly after, General Hu Zhong entered, announcing Feng Ying's arrest for "colluding with Wei spies and murdering a man," claiming to possess "irrefutable evidence." Feng Ying vehemently resisted, arguing that Hu Zhong, as merely General Li Yan's henchman, lacked the authority to arrest him without taking his testimony.
Hu Zhong, however, ordered his soldiers to apprehend Feng Ying, stating that General Li Yan would soon return to Nanzheng, and Feng Ying could address his concerns then. Li Miao, keen to swiftly close the case, and having strongly recommended Xun Xu as the chief investigator for the theft case, pressured Xun Xu to sign the investigation report implicating Feng Ying.
Xun Xu initially questioned if such a disposal was too hasty, but Li Miao insisted on decisive action during extraordinary times. Li Miao presented several "facts": Feng Ying was the only individual present in Siwencao during the early dismissal who had visited Liao Hui, a fact corroborated by his attendant's testimony, and there were no signs of external intrusion, making Feng Ying the "only suspect."
Li Miao further reminded Xun Xu of his previous suspicions regarding Feng Ying's potential involvement in the Jieting intelligence case, which could serve as a motive for stealing the Baidi code-cracking plates. Xun Xu countered that Feng Ying, as a co-founder of Siwencao, was too experienced to make such an obvious "stupid mistake" or undertake such a "risky" operation.
Li Miao dismissed Xun Xu's counterarguments as "speculation," suggesting that Feng Ying might have deliberately exploited that very logic to ensnare Xun Xu. He reiterated that the report contained "facts" and emphasized General Li Yan's keen interest in the case, demanding prompt updates. Although Xun Xu still found the conclusion "unconvincing" and "a little bit forced," he acknowledged the factual basis of the report.
Li Miao assured him that signing would allow the report to be sent to Chengdu immediately, and Xun Xu could still pursue his own investigation afterwards. Faced with this pressure and the documented facts, Xun Xu reluctantly signed the document.
