01x22 - Episode 22

[bunniefuu]

[Shadow Punisher]

[Divine Constable Tally]

[Episode 22]

Your Highness!

Li Si!

Li Si.

Jiuying?

Aunt.

What brings you here?

She couldn't bear being idle at my place,

so I brought her along

to gain some experience.

Come on.

Let me take a good look at you.

You've really changed a lot.

Jiuying,

now,

you're more and more

like a heroine.

Aunt must have

taken good care of you.

Don't bother to look for them.

Zhenzhu, Yan Cheng, and the others

have set off for Gutan County.

Gutan County?

Has there been

any major case recently?

The Grand Heir Apparent.

The Grand Heir Apparent?

What happened to Ye?

Don't fret.

It's not a case.

The Grand Heir Apparent is leaving
for the Golden Dragon Pavilion

to pray for His Majesty.

Aunt,

the two remaining mural figures
of ancient Liluo Sect

have yet to be found.

At the thought of that,

my heart is

always unsettled.

I know what's on your mind.

I share your premonition.

Just now, you mentioned

Yan Cheng and Zhenzhu.

Then what about Meng Rui?

Did Meng Rui set out too?

Since that incident of yours,

Meng Rui has always locked himself up

in the Winter's Haven,

refusing to talk to anyone.

As of now,

Li San is dead.

Zhou Yan from the past

is also dead.

The only one still alive now

is Divine Constable Li Qingyang.

Aunt,

I'd like to go to Gutan County as well.

I wish to join Yan Cheng, Zhenzhu,

and the others

to contribute to
the Divine Constable Bureau again

and protect the Grand Heir Apparent.

Divine Constable Qingyang, heed my order.

Whatever you command, Chief.

Quickly go to Gutan County to support

two fellow Divine Constables in secret.

No mistakes are allowed.

Got it.

Take Jiuying with you.

She's a good fighter
who can serve tea

and do all your bidding.

Come here.

Let me take a good look at you.

You've grown much stronger.

This is great.

The holy water

will bring my son back to health.

[Golden Dragon Hall]

The Golden Dragon Pavilion

is indeed spectacular.

Let's go.

This must be

the Dragon Pond holy water.

It appears that kowtowing and praying

are no longer enough

to soothe the longing in people's hearts.

Zhenzhu.

Give me a moment.

Sir,

I'd like some holy water.

Sure.

Yan, I guess this trip is not in vain.

What did you pray for?

I said a prayer...

for Li Qingyang.

Don't people say

that bad guys always live long?

With the way he usually is,

he wouldn't easily die, would he?

I just prayed for him to always

turn misfortune into blessing.

Let's go

take a look in town.

Sure.

[Chenwai Inn]

Why are you staring at me like that?

How did you know they were

setting out to see the Golden Dragon?

That was a no brainer.

The Golden Dragon Pavilion

is the destination
of the Grand Heir Apparent's trip.

So they would surely

scout out that place first.

Careful.

Jiuying,

as the saying goes,

experience beats youth,
and patience beats haste.

When drinking tea,

you should do it the way I do.

Have them over for tea.

I told you about it, didn't I?

This time, we are

on a secret mission.

What is a secret mission?

A secret mission means...

we must know

what they know.

However, they don't necessarily

have to know what we know.

But I think

Mr. Yan got thirsty.

I saw him

drinking water.

That was the holy water
of the Dragon Pond.

Mr. Yan must have

drunk that for me.

I guess he still has a conscience.

What do we do next?

Jiuying,

before setting out for Gutan,

what did the chief instruct you to do?

To serve tea, fight for you,
and do all your bidding.

Let me serve tea to you then.

And you...

shall do my bidding.

Make way!

All of you, move aside!

Clear the path!

Make way for us!

[Xuanjie]

Move aside!

[Sui Bing, Commanding General
of Xuanjie Battalion]

[Ji Xun, Lieutenant General
of Xuanjie Battalion]

Get out of the way!

It's him.

What's he so arrogant about?

[Xuanjie]

Xuanjie Battalion

lost two cities in a row

last year on the northern border.

Fortunately, the Third Prince took command

at that critical time and got them back.

If I were this general,

I would've gotten so ashamed

that I'd pack up and go home.

What was His Majesty thinking,

sending a defeated general

to protect the Grand Heir Apparant?

Maybe it wasn't His Majesty's idea.

I heard from my father

that Sui Bing, the commanding general
of Xuanjie Battalion,

is an aide to the First Prince.

By coming in person to pray,
the Grand Heir Apparent

has brought much glory
to the Crown Prince.

How could Prince Ding not seize

this great opportunity
to show filial piety?

Prince Ding has been stripped
of his title and confined,

but he surely won't yield.

I bet he facilitated this arrangement
by secret means.

Are you suggesting

that His Majesty intends

to help the First Prince rise again?

It can be a possibility.

Look,

it's His Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

[Zhou Zhu, Prince Ping,
the Third Prince of Great Shi]

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness! Your Highness!

Your Highness!

It's been a long time,

-Zhu.
-Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

His Highness Prince Ping has arrived.

Your Highness Prince Ping!

Your Highness Prince Ping!

[Xuanjie]

General Sui.

Your Highness Prince Ping,

fancy meeting you here.

I thought you were

waiting outside the city

for His Highness

the Grand Heir Apparent's arrival.

The order I received

is to station at Gutan

and eliminate hidden dangers.

Gutan County is vast.

Just suit yourself.

Station wherever

you like.

The order I received is to

safeguard the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

Now it seems

you and I

each have our own duties.

What do you mean by that, General Sui?

Just what it literally means.

Isn't that Sui Bing, a subordinate

of my eldest brother,
who leapt three ranks overnight

and was bestowed with
the title of General Huaihua?

He's merely a defeated general.

What right does he

have to challenge Zhu?

If my memory serves me right,

the Golden Dragon Pavilion

is at the end of this road.

General,

you're right.

Your Highness,

I shall take my leave.

Let's go.

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop]

Tanghulu!

What are you looking at?

Tanghulu!

From what we've seen along the way,

the people in Gutan County

dwell in peace and contentment.

The area is bustling with activity.

And this main street

is absolutely buzzing.

-Gui. Gui!
-But look at this shop.

Don't go in there.

Someone died inside.

Let's leave now!

Zhenzhu, you see,

the threshold of the shop
is severely worn.

This means

there were usually many people
coming and going.

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop]

The business must've been good.

But why is it

so quiet today?

Plus what happened just now...

Look at these passers-by.

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop]

They look at this shop

as if it were a den of plague.

Don't you find it odd?

Impressive, Yan.

You really are something.

Let's go

and take a look.

Sure.

My Lords! My Lords!

My Lords.

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop]

I am Du Zhongtao,
Magistrate of Gutan County.

The two of you have
an extraordinary bearing.

May I ask if you are from Tianhuang City?

Within half a day of our arrival,

someone's already calling on us.

We are both head constables

of the Divine Constable Bureau
in Tianhuang City.

This is Constable Frost.

We are here on official business.

As it turns out, you are two

of the renowned Divine Constables.

To think that two

out of the four Divine Constables
are present in person,

I am utterly terrified.

We are just here on official business.

What are you terrified of, Mr. Du?

The royals have repeatedly granted grace

on our tiny Gutan County.

Soon, the Grand Heir Apparent will arrive.

And now we have received

the two lords of you
from the Imperial City.

How can I, as the magistrate here,

not be terrified?

My Lords,

are you hungry?

Why not follow me to the county office?

I will prepare some wine

as a gesture of hospitality.

This bun shop seems fine.

So, don't bother.

My Lords!

What's this about?

You filthy scoundrels!

You're vile and rotten to the core!

None of you are any good!

Take off

the human skin you're wearing

already

and show your true forms!

Listen!

The shadow puppet ghost is here.

Maybe you should all be k*lled,

have your hearts and livers cut out,

and return to the origin!

You crazy cr*pple,

what's that nonsense about?

Zhao Quan!

Yes!

Shut up!

Go after him!

Catch him!

Catch him!

How dare you bite me!

Go after him!

Stop!

What's there to see?

Move aside!

Mr. Du,

What's that shadow puppet ghost about?

Just...

some rumors among the people.

Not credible at all.

But there's no smoke

without fire.

Mr. Du, right?

Let's go.

Bring us to the county office

and explain this matter clearly.

Jiuying,

is this the place?

I saw Zhenzhu and Mr. Yan attempt

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop]

to enter this shop.

Let's go inside

for a look.

Sir,

take a seat, please.

Sir,

why aren't there

any customers in your shop?

There are.

Who says there's no customer?

A group of them just left.

It's just a coincidence

that there are no one else here now.

This is perfect

for you to enjoy peace and quietness.

But everything seems cold

in your shop.

There isn't even a hint of cooking fire.

Obviously, nobody has dined here.

Could this shop

of yours be a crooked establishment

that no one dares to come to?

Hey, mister,

are you here to eat

or to trash the place?

I'd rather not

do business with you.

Please leave.

Sir,

I was just kidding.

Please don't be mad.

Jiuying,

sit down.

Whatever kinds of buns you have in here,

serve them all.

Yin Xiaoshan.

Yin Xiaoshan!

Yin Xiaoshan!

You lazy bones,

Am I paying you

to enjoy yourself here?

Get up right now!

Serve buns to the guests!

Boss,

all your employees ran away.

I came to help

only out of pity.

Speak nonsense again,

and I'll deduct your wages!

You think I care about that little money?

It is known to all

that I, Master Xiaoshan
of the Golden Dragon Pavilion, am

brave and wise, even with the capability
of holding up the sky.

Jiuying.

we're in luck.

Dig in.

Master Xiaoshan.

To be honest,

Working in a small shop like this,

even if you put up with

all that humiliation,

you still won't earn much.

Judging from what you just said,

it seems you have a post
in the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

I wonder if you, Master Xiaoshan, have

any connections in the pavilion.

Who are you?

Why ask about that?

To tell you the truth,

my name is

Li Xiaosi,

and I'm hoping to earn a position

in the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

I long for your instructions,
Master Xiaoshan.

[Great Shi Treasure Notes]

This is just a small gift

to show my sincerity.

Once it's done,

I'll reward you handsomely.

[Great Shi Treasure Notes]

That's easy.

No sweat at all.

Listen,

there is a department of food affairs
in the pavilion.

It's the most

crucial place in there.

Many people are dying to get in
but still can't.

Does it mean

you have a way in for me?

As long as you're not stingy
with treasure notes,

Mr. Li, just leave the task to me.

Enjoy!

Jiuying.

Go to the county office now

to do something for me.

[Gutan County Government]

What?

Nine people were k*lled?

Du Zhongtao!

What kind of magistrate

are you?

You are concealing facts of crimes.

Don't you know the consequences?

Why didn't you report

such a magnificent case?

The Grand Heir Apparent will arrive soon.

How dare I report the case?

If it delays the blessing ceremony

and affects His Majesty's health,

I can't bear the blame

of such a monstrous crime.

Is there any progress
on the investigation?

No, none at all.

Fine then.

Du Zhongtao,

be seated. Don't move.

You useless official,

-I'll k*ll you! You believe that?
-Yan, Yan!

Yan!

It's not like that.

I wish I could do something.

But the case

was not done by humans,

so it certainly can't be solved
by human power.

What did you just say?

As an official of the imperial court,

you actually believe such nonsense

instead of conducting
a thorough investigation!

I think you just

made all that gibberish up
to shirk your responsibility

for dereliction of duty!

Feel free to ask

any locals you want, My Lords.

Then you will know

if I made up anything!

As for the responsibility
for dereliction of duty...

I've long heard about the perception
and shrewdness

of the Divine Constables in solving cases.

Today, with you two

Divine Constables here,

won't the case be solved soon?

And how can I be accused
of dereliction of duty?

I really can't stand this. I...

Where's my whip?

I'll whip or hack you to death!

-My Lord! My Lord!
-Stop right there!

You terrible official!

Master! Master!

Divine Constables!

I've brought Yin Baiquan here.

Quick.

Master.

This is Yin Baiquan,
a body recovery worker.

My Lords, ask him if you have any doubts.

I'm Yin Baiquan, a body recovery worker.
Greetings, My Lords.

Rise and speak.

You are a body recovery worker?

On the 28th of last month,

some were m*rder*d on Mount Hanhao.

And five died on the 6th of this month.

Did you collect all their bodies?

Yes, I did.

How many bodies in total?

Including the four from Mount Hanhao,

there are nine bodies in total.

Nine bodies.

Where are they now?

Lady Constable Frost is asking you.

Why are you looking at me?

Since they were all from Yin Village,

I chose to

bury them

in the village graveyard.

This way, they were brought back
to their roots.

Got it.

I'll dig up the graves
and examine the bodies.

My Lady,

I'm afraid this is inappropriate.

Zhao Quan!

Lady Constable Frost
plans to examine the bodies,

yet you're trying to stop her.

Why?

Do you mean to obstruct
the bureau's investigation of the case?

I wouldn't dare.

I wouldn't dare to do so.

It's just that the graveyard

is where the ancestors of Yin Village

are buried.

My concern

is that the villagers

will definitely think
the feng shui and luck

are ruined if we dig up the graves.

In a worst case scenario,

they might try to fight us to death.

If that happens,

things will go completely out of hand.

Public anger and resentment

are like fierce floods and savage beasts.

Don't you think the dignified

Divine Constables know that?

Cut it out, smarty-pants!

Lady Constable Frost,

what's your decision?

Mr. Du, you manage the whole county.

It is your duty to care for the people.

What Zhao Quan just said

does make sense.

Given all that,

I've decided not to examine the bodies.

Who's there? Halt!

Stop!

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

Proceed.

Keep moving.

Off you go.

Stop!

Are you new to...

Director Liu.

Are the vegetables fresh today?

Yes.

Freshly picked this morning.

Good.

Go in then.

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

Smarten up.

Don't look around.

One gold ingot

for the deputy director's badge.

It's a real bargain.

Thanks, Xiaoshan.

Stop right there!

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

Stop!

You stop there!

Don't you run away!

What are you looking at?

Jiuying?

Go inside and work!

Why is it you?

Get a move on!

Let's go.

I go wherever you go.

Ridiculous!

Who sent you here?

Go back to where you set out from.

I won't!

Oh, kiddo...

There are rules and regulations

in the Divine Constable Bureau.

Come here!

Stop.

By order of the general,

nobody are allowed in except those

working for the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

His Highness Prince Ping
would like to station

at the pavilion with a small troop.

Please inform General Sui.

I said no entry.

And that means no entry.

Informing the general won't help.

Leave now!

Who are you to deny them of entry?

You stay put.

Watch and learn.

We all bear the duty
of protecting the royals.

Better show some respect

when it's needed.

Open your eyes wide

[Iron Constable]

and look carefully.

I am from the Divine Constable Bureau

directly under His Majesty.

Let's see which of you dares to stop me.

Back off!

Showing no respect, aren't you?

Who else cares for a try?

Lord Constable Iron,

instead of performing your duties
in Tianhuang City,

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

what are you doing here
at the Golden Dragon Pavilion?

The Divine Constable Bureau is obligated

to safeguard the Grand Heir Apparent.

Xuanjie Battalion

alone is enough to protect
the Grand Heir Apparent.

Lord Constable Iron,

please leave.

Xuanjie Battalion

is renowned as one
of the four major cavalries of Great Shi.

But from what I see today,

it's not that impressive.

How is it supposed

to shoulder the responsibility
of protecting

the Grand Heir Apparent in the future?

General Sui, have you forgotten

the cities that Xuanjie Battalion lost

years ago

were actually recovered

by Yulin Army?

One should

repay kindness with gratitude.

How insolent!

Did I say anything wrong?

Please don't be mad, General Sui.

I'm Constable Frost Bai Zhenzhu
from the Divine Constable Bureau.

Greetings, General Sui Bing.

You came

in a crowd, didn't you?

We all just want to do our part

for the imperial court.

Just now, Constable Iron
got a bit anxious.

Please forgive him, General Sui.

What a misunderstanding.

It turns out we're all friends.

Du Zhongtao?

Mr. Du and General Sui

are acquaintances?

The general and I are
from the same hometown.

Sui Bing,

come on.

My old friend, we're finally reunited.

Let's go into the pavilion

and do some catching up.

Without my order,

no one is allowed

to enter or leave
the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

Violators shall be ex*cuted.

Yan.

Please.

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

Lord Yan, thank you

for your help.

It seems the general

won't be able to enter this pavilion.

I need to head back
and report to my superior.

I will take my leave then.

Goodbye.

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

Zhenzhu!

Jiuying.

Why are you here?

She must've sneaked out!

I don't think

we'll be able to shake off

this little tagalong.

Now that you're here, so be it.

Another pair of hands is always useful.

Be good, alright?

[Golden Dragon Pavilion]

Yan,

when we go back,

we need to really discuss how to gain

access to the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

[Department of Food Affairs]

Keep moving.

You're allowed in.

Sui Bing is acting

with great causion.

Let's go.

You saw that, right?

[Department of Food Affairs]

These soldiers were

appointed by the imperial court

to protect the Grand Heir Apparent.

I heard

that he's the Emperor's favorite grandson.

Maybe

he'll ascend the throne one day.

If I hadn't

brought you in today,

you would probably never

get a chance to see all of this
in your whole life.

Xiaoshan, you really are

a godsend to me.

Then, Xiaosi,

level with me.

You just spent a fortune

to get into the pavilion.

What exactly is it for?

Xiaoshan,

since you treat me with sincerity,

I might as well tell you the truth.

In fact,

my father has been ill for a long time.

Suffering from the illness every day,

he is

in sheer agony.

So you're here
for the Dragon Saliva Crystal?

[Department of Food Affairs]

Xiaoshan,

do you have a way to get it?

If you help me obtain the crystal,

I'll be glad to off you

all my wealth.

Since I could bring you in...

[Department of Food Affairs]

I certainly am

also able to help you attain the crystal.

It is known to all
that I, Master Xiaoshan, am

brave and wise, even with the capability
of holding up the sky.

Sure, hold up the sky.

Let's go.

Get in.

Come on.

General!

Sorry for my incompetence.

Xuanjie Battalion got in the way,

so we couldn't enter
the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

That is no surprise.

Announce my order:

all shall camp outside the pavilion

and be on high alert.

Yes!

[Yulin]

General,

you haven't slept for three days

fand three nights.

You should get some rest.

I'm too worried to fall asleep

at the thought of Ye's safety.

Zexi,

have you ever lost

a loved one?

The dead are gone forever.

In accordance with the ancient rules,

by public deliberation, the fourth prince
is granted the posthumous title

of Prince Qi Huai.

Father,

my little brother Yan

[Yu'an Hall]

was m*rder*d!

Father,

someone really did

m*rder my brother Yan!

Your Highness, please stop!

-Father...
-Shut up!

You rebellious child!

You're spewing nonsense

without restraint.

Where is your decency
as a royal family member?

Father,

my little brother Yan

was truly m*rder*d by someone!

Guards!

-He was m*rder*d! He was!
-Without my order,

the third prince cannot

step into Tianhuang City again!

Your Highness.

Father, you disregard
your bond with your son!

My older brothers disregard their bond
with their sibling!

Yan didn't die of illness at all!

He was m*rder*d by someone!

He was m*rder*d!

He was m*rder*d!

He was m*rder*d!

As expected of the Great Shi

imperial site for prayer and blessing.

The beams are carved,
nd the rafters painted.

What a spectacular place.

How very magnificent.

Xiaosi, with

the deputy director's badge,

you can access anywhere

you want in the pavilion.

You're free to go wherever you like.

That said,

I am new to this

massive place.

It takes some time
to familiarize myself with it.

As long as you can identify

the four main houses
in the east, west, south, and north,

you won't get lost.

Behind us

is the Golden Dragon Hall,

where

the Golden Dragon God is worshipped.

In front of it is a pond
containing holy water.

It cures diseases and removes ill fortune.

Facing it from afar

is Tongtian Pavilion,

which serves as the principal hall
of the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

It is six stories high,

about eighteen zhang.

Climb it, and you'll reach
the heavenly realm

and stand shoulder to shoulder
with immortals.

The building in the east
is named Fuguang Studio.

It's said to be
where the master of the entire pavilion,

Yun Hai, is in seclusion.

Xiaoshan, have you seen Master Yun Hai?

How could I have seen him?

Yun Hai has been in seclusion
for 20 years.

When he first started it,

I was just born.

Twenty years?

What about the west?

This is

[Langyue Studio]

the west pavilion, Langyue Studio.

At first sight, I can already tell
it's extraordinary.

No wonder General Sui Bing chose this

as his dwelling place.

Let's go now.

We'll be scolded if the tea gets cold.

You are now the deputy director.

So you go first.

[Deputy Director]

Thanks, Xiaoshan.

[Langyue Studio]

Xiaoshan,

so much has been said.

But where exactly

is the Dragon Saliva Crystal?

Think about it.

The Dragon Saliva Crystal

was formed by the saliva
of the Golden Dragon.

Of course it is in the Golden Dragon Hall.

Hurry up and move.

The Divine Constable Bureau is controlled
by relatives of royals.

Xuanyuan Shan is just a woman.

Can she be relied on
to safeguard the country?

And that Iron Constable.

Who does he think he is?

You're right.

How dare he challenge me?

Without my order,

Prince Ping has to stay outside

the Golden Dragon Pavilion.

Right.

How can those people

be compared to you, General?

They are just

jealous of your prestige, General,

and fishing for fame.

Sui Bing,

calm down. Don't be mad.

My Lords, please

have some tea and snacks.

Come on, Sui Bing. Let's enjoy the tea.

If it weren't for the defeat
on the northern border,

how would I have been reduced
to this state

and humiliated like that?

The soldiers of Xuanjie Battalion
fought hard for over a month

and k*lled countless enemies.

But in the end, it was Prince Ping who

took all the credit.

That happened
because you are an incompetent

and arrogant military commander.

The two of you may leave.

Yes.

Sui Bing,

have you heard

that the Dragon Saliva Crystal
can cure all diseases

and bring the dead back to life?

If you attain this treasure, General,

and gift it to His Highness Prince Ding,

the prince will surely present it
to the Emperor.

When His Majesty recovers,

you will be the one
with the greatest merit.

No need to fear you can't
rise again, right?

[Gutan County Government]

My Lords,

these are the county annals,

the case files from previous years,

and the household registrations
of all villages

that you asked for.

These documents record the victims

m*rder*d in the two

shadow puppet cases.

Here are the travel permits

we found on them.

[Anren County Pass]

Good, thank you for your hard work.

Your Highness, this way.

They're right here.

[Law Enforced Impartially]

We are...

Constable Frost Bai Zhenzhu.

Iron Constable Yan Cheng.

Greetings, Your Highness Prince Ping.

Get up already, officers.

Is my abrupt appearance

interrupting your investigation?

I told His Highness

about your visit to Gutan County.

Besides,

the rumors about the shadow puppet ghost
are widely spread.

So, the general figured

that you must be

investigating this case.

This case is too strange.

It directly concerns

the upcoming blessing ceremony

and Ye's safety.

I cannot ignore it.

Officers,

I wonder if I can join you

in the investigation.

Li Si!

What did you find?

I saw Zhenzhu and Mr. Yan

enter the county office.

Let me guess.

Besides the two of them,

there was someone else—

Prince Ping.

How did you figure that out again?

Since Prince Ping has arrived in Gutan,

he must have heard about the killings

done by the shadow puppet ghost.

This matter concerns the safety
of the Grand Heir Apparent.

Of course he is worried.

Where else could he have gone,

if not the magistrate office?

Kiddo, when did you

learn to flatter others?

What is this?

This is a paper cutout

that the locals use to imitate
shadow puppets

and amuse children.

At this point,

it's time to let people see

what a fairy dream is really like.

Jiuying.

Here are four treasure notes.

Complete a task for me

with these three.

After it's done,

this note

will be yours.

What's the task?

Rest assured, Li Si.

I will definitely get it done.

This fuzzy kiddo has even

learned to take money from others.

[Xiangrui Shadow Puppet Shop]

Feel free to browse around.

You're a girl?

Do you want to buy shadow puppets?

[Great Shi Treasure Notes]

What a large sum of money.

What kind of shadow puppet would you like?

Li Si told me to buy

the ugliest

and scariest ones.

I'll take as many as you have.

Got it.

Investigating a case

with no physical evidence or witnesses

is really k*lling me.

Yan.

I also feel that investigating cases

nd collecting evidence

are not at all easier

than leading troops and fighting battles.

You got any findings?

Let's pool them together.

Lady Constable Frost.

In the first m*rder case,

the four victims

were two couples

in their thirties.

They were all herb gatherers
living in Yin Village.

Given that their bodies were found

on Mount Hanhao at the same time,

hung like shadow puppets

on the same tree

with herb baskets on their backs,

it can be inferred that they probably

went to the mountain
as a team to gather herbs

on the 28th of last month.

Then, they were k*lled
by the shadow puppet ghost.

The household registration records show

that these two families lived close.

They should be acquaintances.

So, I am thinking

that the m*rder*r could be

someone they both knew

or a villager from Yin Village.

As for the second m*rder,

it happened on the 6th of this month.

There were five

male victims,

aged between 20 and 45.

They were Yin Changrong,
a butcher from Yin Village,

Kong Jiqing, a fur merchant
from Yuezhou,

Duan Jiang, a carpenter
from Lin County,

Kan Ning, a traveler from Caozhou,

and Jia Sheng,

a staffer at Changlai Steamed Bun Shop.

Among the five of them,

Yin Changrong and Jia Sheng

were from Gutan County.

The remaining three

were all from out of town.

Based on what we have now,

these people had nothing to do
with each other.

And they didn't know each other.

Did the m*rder*r choose

his targets at random?

Changlai Steamed Bun Shop...

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop, Food Market,
West Fair of Gutan County]

I was wondering why the name

sounds so familiar.

[Changlai Steamed Bun Shop]

This bun shop...

-Gui!
-Lady Bai and I

-almost got in there.
-Don't go in there.

No wonder it looks so strange

that no one dares to get in.

Now that I think about it,

people probably know

a staffer there was k*lled
by a vengeful ghost.

Nobody would want to be

associated with that kind of misfortune.

I also found something.

According to the county annals,

the shadow puppetry art of Gutan County

[Zhang Deshan, aged 45,
a citizen and a farmer]

can be traced back
to more than 200 years ago.

[His wife, surnamed Wang, aged 42]
[His daughter, Zhang Er'niang, aged12]

The lifelike puppets

[Chen Wenyuan, aged 32,
a citizen, an organizer]

and excellent skills

won the art a reputation
of "Fairy Dream."

[Commanding Yet Not Haughty]

Nowadays, many families in Gutan County

have made a living
by producing shadow puppets

and performing shadow plays
for generations.

There is a remark in the records,
"when the Fairy Dream's on,"

"all streets are empty
for people have flocked to see it."

No wonder

even a m*rder case in this place

seems so bizarre.

I found

something highly suspicious.

Among the nine victims,

there were young and middle-aged people,

all in their prime.

Seven of them were male,

who wouldn't be easily k*lled.

How exactly

did the m*rder*r

manage to take so many lives

at the same time?

And he chose to dispose of

the bodies in a time-consuming

and laborious way.

He who is able to do both...

If it were not a ghost...

That means

the m*rder*r had helpers.

Let's say the killings
were done by a group.

Why would they k*ll these many people

and then

go to such great lengths

to hang the bodies up?

Could these K*llers have all gone crazy

for watching too many puppet plays
so they decided

to imitate the plots?

[Law Enforced Impartially]

This might explain it.

Here is a file from six years ago

about the shadow puppet ghost

dreaded by the people.

[m*rder committed by Yin Jie,
shadow puppet artist]

He was named Yin Jie.

[from Yin Village, Gutan County]

Please take a look, Your Highness.

Now, it seems

the k*ller is imitating

the m*rder methods from back then,

and trying to pin the blame

on Yin Jie.

This way, those who don't know
the truth

will associate it
with the shadow puppet murders

and are deterred
from investigating this case.

Yin Jie the m*rder*r

fell to his death from the peak

of Mount Hanhao at the back

of the Golden Dragon Pavilion
to avoid being caught.

Such is the way of the world.

Evil people do evil things.

But good people

shouldn't be bullied, right?

Maybe I shouldn't say this,

but Yin Jie was such a wretched soul.

His wife and children were k*lled.

A real man would

definitely take revenge.

Lord Yan, you abhor evil and are explicit

about what you like and dislike.

That's exactly what a Divine Constable
should be like.

Now, the priority

[Law Enforced Impartially]

is to find out

the cause of death of these victims.

Rest assured, Your Highness.

Constable Iron and I have come up
with a plan.

The Crown Prince sent
the Grand Heir Apparent.

The First Prince assigned Sui Bing.

Plus

me

and

Zhu.

Now in Gutan County,

everyone's taking turns

to get on stage.