Original subtitles

[The Wanted Detective]

[Episode 4]

Come.

Who is it?

Who dares to interfere with

an Elite Constabulary Unit investigation?

Xueman?

Do you even know

what you're doing?

Why are you looking at me?

You're a coroner with the Elite Constabulary Unit?

I'm Feng,

Feng Qingzhuo.

How come I never saw you

when I was with the Elite Constabulary Unit?

I joined just over a year ago.

But I've heard of you.

That I'm Yesha?

Not just that.

You're the one who killed

Constable Zhong's father.

The Elite Constabulary Unit ended up like this

because of you.

Fate is cruel.

Tonight's case in the western outskirts

is the fourth corpse-sewing case

in recent times.

You not only didn't report it,

you even burned the body

to destroy the evidence.

Why did you do that?

How do you know about

the previous corpse-sewing cases?

I investigated, of course.

If you don't explain yourself

regarding these four cases,

I'll report this to the Ministry of Justice

and take it straight to His Majesty.

Lately, all major cases in the capital

have been handled

by the Secret Investigation Unit.

What do you think will happen

if they take over?

Chief,

I really don't know.

The poison inside me—

were you the one who gave it to my junior sister?

Yes.

So what?

You're the number one wanted criminal.

Even if I gave you the wrong medicine

and poisoned you to death,

they wouldn't blame me.

I just want to know

what poison I have in me.

The poison inside you

is called Blood-freezing Frost.

Blood-freezing Frost?

It was created by my Master.

Once this poison enters your body,

it corrodes your organs and meridians,

causing all your internal energy to vanish

until your meridians freeze and you die.

I really can't feel

any internal energy at all.

Little White Dragon.

What Little White Dragon?

Are you talking to me?

You're known as

the Little White Dragon of Poison Valley.

What?

Little... little what?

Fine.

Let me tell you a story.

In the martial world, there's an evil sect

called Poison Valley.

Nine out of ten poisons in the world

come from there.

The valley was once ruled by two leaders:

your master, the Unstoppable Old Man,

and the Old Bug.

But a few years ago,

the Unstoppable Old Man passed away accidentally,

the Old Bug disappeared without a trace,

and Poison Valley split apart,

with disciples scattered across the martial world.

Because of

their countless crimes,

they are hated by all and everyone wants them dead.

Do you understand now?

Why are you telling me this?

Can I take a look

at the needles you're carrying?

Why should I show them to you

just because you ask?

You're Yesha.

I'm here under Constable Zhong's orders

to keep watch over you.

I woke up a few times while you were

applying acupuncture for me.

Your acupuncture skills are quite unique.

I've seen them before with disciples

from Poison Valley.

And those weren't ordinary needles you were using;

they were Golden Fire Needles.

In Poison Valley,

the only one skilled with these needles

is the Valley Master, the Unstoppable Old Man.

I've heard that the Unstoppable Old Man

had a disciple

named Little White Dragon.

If I'm not mistaken,

the needles you're using

must be your master's.

You hid your real identity

and blended into the Elite Constabulary Unit

to escape

the martial world's manhunt, didn't you?

Also,

I assume you don't want others

to know your true identity, right?

What?

Trying to threaten me?

I just want to make a deal with you.

Since you've discovered my identity

and you've lost all your martial arts skills,

killing you would be effortless.

Forget it.

Since you know

so much inside information,

you must also know

that those four people

were killed by Yesha, Xiao Beiming, right?

No matter who the culprit is,

we shouldn't destroy the body

to cover up the case.

Then let me ask you,

if I don't destroy the body,

how would this case

develop?

Yesha's return to the martial world

will cause panic throughout the court and beyond.

It's been three years since the Fengbo Lake case.

The Secret Investigation Unit has been investigating it

for three years with nothing to show for it.

What kind of man is Xiao Beiming?

What's he capable of?

You, Constable Zhong,

probably know better than anyone else, right?

Zhuge Tong and his son

couldn't catch him in three years.

What makes you think we can?

There's another reason

I destroyed the body—

you.

Me?

Xiao Beiming was once your husband

and also the man who killed your father.

Now, he's the most dangerous man

in the world.

I know you've been chasing him

these past three years.

No one could talk you out of it.

Luckily,

all those sightings in the martial world turned out to be fakes.

That's why you've stayed safe

until now.

If you find out now

that he has reappeared,

with your reckless nature—

not to mention alerting him too soon—

can you really guarantee

you'll walk away alive

when you face him?

Back then,

your father showed me great kindness.

No matter what,

I will do everything I can to protect you.

[Honest, Wise, Magnanimous, Insightful]

Chief,

I am a constable.

Even if I have to die

while investigating cases,

I must live up

to this uniform I wear

and

my father's name.

You really do make me curious.

You knew I was a wanted criminal,

but when you saw I was poisoned,

you still desperately tried to save me.

Those pills you gave me

were precious.

Because I gave you the wrong medicine.

I had to save you.

Is that all?

Though you're a wanted criminal,

you haven't been sentenced to death yet.

I'm a healer.

You collapsed in front of me,

so of course I would save you.

I'd fight to save you with everything I've got.

A healer?

That's quite different from your reputation

in the martial world.

That's a rumor spread by the Old Bug

to smear me.

He never got along with my master

and couldn't stand to see me doing well.

I haven't harmed

a single person all these years.

It's so unfair.

Then what kind of person

are you really?

As you've seen,

I didn't even dare to kill a chicken,

let alone a person.

What about the poisons you carry?

My master once told me

that poisons come in two types:

those that harm people,

and those that save them.

So you chose the latter?

What deal do you want to make with me?

Chief.

I've made myself perfectly clear.

Why can't you understand?

Even if I let you investigate this case,

can you really solve it?

If you fail

and word spreads,

His Majesty will demand answers.

What are we supposed to do then?

This time is different.

The clues are clear.

I'm confident I can solve it.

What clues?

In the past,

though his methods varied,

Yesha only targeted court officials.

But this time,

the victims were courtesans.

How do you know the victims

were all courtesans?

According to Qi Kingdom laws,

criminals have their faces tattooed, soldiers their arms,

and courtesans their backs.

The fourth corpse

had a courtesan tattoo on her back.

[Prostitute]

Constable Zhu said the word "all" just now,

which means all four victims

were courtesans.

Jiang Yi.

Did the first three corpses

all have tattoos

marking them as courtesans

before they were burned?

Yes.

All four women were courtesans.

But when they died,

they were all wearing bridal gowns.

That means

they had all been redeemed.

So why did Yesha

target these four women

of such low status?

That's why we need to

start the investigation

with the victims' identities.

Once we uncover

the killer's motive

and his connection to these women,

we can follow the trail

and surely find him.

Once we find him,

the truth will come to light.

Find him?

Zhong Xueman, what are you doing?

I just want to find the truth

and catch the killer.

Chief, please let me do this.

Chief, why don't you

just agree to her?

Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her.

I won't let her cause any trouble.

For the past three years,

you've treated me, the chief,

like a figurehead.

Oh, Zhong Xueman.

Fine.

You can investigate this case.

Xueman,

where are you planning to investigate?

As I just said,

we'll start with the identities of the four victims.

But the bodies are all burned.

One hasn't been burned yet.

I'll have someone draw a portrait

and then take it to the brothels for investigation.

Xueman,

you are a girl after all.

Places like brothels

are better left to us to investigate.

To be honest,

these past 3 years have been really frustrating.

Mo Chong was transferred to the morgue,

and Liu Feng and I

haven't had much casework.

I genuinely want

to do something for you.

Rest assured.

Once we find any clues,

I'll tell you immediately.

Alright then.

Thanks a lot, Jiang Yi.

[Beauty Brothel]

It's...

Have you seen this person?

Have you seen her?

-No. -No.

Who are they looking for?

No.

Have you seen her?

[Lotus Pavilion]

I've never seen her.

No recollection.

I don't know her.

I've never seen her.

Who is she?

I've never seen her.

No recollection.

Who is this person anyway?

Why are so many people looking for her?

I can keep your secret

that you're the Little White Dragon of Poison Valley.

But I hope

you can also keep my secret

about staying close to Constable Zhong.

Agreed.

Also,

I hope you can stay

and help Constable Zhong and me.

As you just saw,

Constable Zhong doesn't trust me.

And my identity is quite special.

You're skilled in pharmacology, poisons,

and autopsies.

With you around,

things will go much more smoothly for us.

This is what I don't understand.

Aren't you the one who

killed Constable Zhong's father?

You're Yesha.

Why do you care so much about her?

Everyone in the world thinks

you're the Little White Dragon from Poison Valley

who uses poison to kill.

But only you know

that you're just a healer who can't bear

to watch others die without trying to save them.

Everyone thinks

[Wanted]

I am Yesha.

But only I know

I'm just a constable

trying to uncover the truth.

Even if you didn't ask me,

I'd still help Constable Zhong. Why?

Why?

Because she once saved my life.

Stop right there!

Constable Zhong saved me,

so even without you asking,

I'll help her.

Then are you not going to tell her

your identity as the Little White Dragon

from Poison Valley?

Absolutely not.

Just consider the Little White Dragon dead

and think of me as Feng Qingzhuo, a coroner

from the Elite Constabulary Unit.

So, do we have a deal?

Deal.

Constable Zhong,

you're finally back.

Don't worry.

I've been watching him closely.

The Tailor struck again?

Are you hurt?

As you can see,

I've been locked up here.

Coroner Feng hasn't taken his eyes off me.

Now do you finally believe

I'm not the culprit

behind this sewing murder case?

Even you said that

Yesha might not be just one person.

Maybe you have an accomplice.

Until the truth comes out,

you're still a suspect.

As long as we keep investigating,

the truth will eventually surface.

Of course I'll keep investigating.

Constable Zhong,

should I continue staying here?

The dead girl's name was Ruolan.

She used to work at Xingchun House.

A man named Hu Shisan

sold her there.

Hu Shisan?

Yes.

This man

is a notorious human trafficker in the capital.

Not only Xingchun House,

but many courtesans in the capital

have passed through his hands.

There must be

something wrong with this man.

Beiming, why do you

think so?

Look, human traffickers only deal in selling.

Ruolan was actually bought back

by Hu Shisan

half a month ago.

Sold and then redeemed?

Don't you think that's strange?

Also, I heard that

when he redeemed her,

he gave more money

than when he sold her.

That is indeed odd.

Where is Hu Shisan now?

The third courtyard

at the east end of Sanxing Street.

Stop hitting us.

Please stop.

Your boss is Hu Shisan, right?

Yes, yes.

Where is he now?

Our boss has gone missing.

We don't know where he went.

We're looking for him too.

Missing?

Since when?

For more than 10 days.

We searched

the entire capital

but couldn't find him.

Do you know this woman?

Yes.

She was sold

to Xingchun House by our boss.

Then he bought her back?

Impossible.

Why would anyone sell someone

then buy them back?

Think carefully.

Stop hitting me.

Please, miss,

I'm telling the absolute truth.

Where did the women you sold

come from?

I honestly don't know.

Every time,

someone would bring them over by cart.

The boss never said anything,

and we didn't dare to ask.

The boss makes arrangements

with the brothels.

And we are responsible

for delivering the women.

Please, miss,

spare us.

We're just small-time henchmen.

We don't know much.

Tie these two up.

Take me to your boss's room to have a look.

Okay.

This is

our boss's room.

We usually don't dare go in.

Please.

A human trafficker actually read books?

To be honest,

these books are just for show.

We've never seen our boss actually read.

Has anyone come by since then?

No.

Did Hu Shisan disappear at night?

It should have been at night.

We woke up the next morning

to find our boss missing.

Did anything unusual happen

the night before?

I recall something strange.

The night

before our boss disappeared,

I happened to get up to use the bathroom

and walked past his room,

and I saw...

He was crying?

I had never

seen our boss cry before,

so it left a deep impression.

Take those two

and come with me to the Elite Constabulary Unit.

[Zhong Mansion]

Young Master,

why are we here?

Zhong Xueman's behavior is suspicious.

We're here to investigate.

[Zhong Mansion]

Wait for me outside.

Yes.

What's wrong? You startled me.

There's a thief?

What kind of thief is dumb enough to steal from a constable?

Come here.

Help me.

Zhuge Kongyun?

What are you doing here?

Constable Zhong?

You're home pretty late.

This rockery of yours is quite nice.

I remember coming here before,

but I never noticed

how beautiful this rockery was.

When did the son of the esteemed Secret Investigation Unit's chief

start sneaking around like a petty thief?

You've misunderstood.

I was just passing by.

I heard you were investigating a case

with burned bodies,

so I thought I'd drop by

to discuss it with you.

I didn't expect you to be out,

so I let myself in without thinking.

I'm sorry.

The Secret Investigation Unit always

handles major cases.

Since when are you interested in

such a minor case?

It's not the case I'm interested in—

it's you.

Have you thought about the cooperation

I proposed last time?

What's there to think about?

So you really won't work with me?

Very well. I won't trouble you any further.

Farewell.

[Zhong Mansion]

Young Master, did you find anything?

Get more people to keep a close eye on Zhong Xueman.

Yes.

[Zhong Mansion]

That was close, Constable Zhong.

He didn't discover us, did he?

I managed to cover it up.

I'm afraid it won't stay covered for long.

Constable Zhong, what have you found?

In my current state,

poisoned by frost toxin,

maybe we should discuss the case.

I might be able to help.

Yes.

Just look at the state he's in.

Hu Shisan mysteriously disappeared?

What could make a grown man

cry like that?

It must have been

for a girl.

The time Hu Shisan went missing

perfectly matches the time

of the sewing murder case.

The more I think about it,

the more suspicious Hu Shisan seems.

What's suspicious about it?

Why not just catch him and question him?

I told you he's missing.

Where can we catch him?

Then let's investigate the victims' identities.

Hu Shisan's men said

only he knows

where the kidnapped girls

came from.

Doesn't that mean we've lost our lead

and can't investigate further?

There's still something to investigate—

the victims' bodies.

All the bodies

are at Baishui River Morgue.

There are four bodies,

and three of them are already burned.

There's no coroner there now,

and I'm not skilled at autopsies.

I'm skilled.

Although I haven't investigated

big cases,

autopsy

is my specialty.

I'm a coroner, Constable Zhong.

Constable Zhong. I know

you're worried about my safety.

But don't worry,

I won't cause you

any trouble.

You're worried I'll run

once both of you leave.

Don't worry about that.

He has no internal energy left,

and he's wearing such heavy chains.

He can't go anywhere.

Constable Zhong,

if you're really worried,

you can take me with you.

With me by your side,

you'll feel more at ease.

Who's there?

Coming.

[Elite Constabulary Unit] [Mo Chong]

Xueman?

Why are you here?

Are you on duty tonight?

Since I was assigned here,

I've had to make this place my home.

I'm here day and night.

I brought some people to examine the bodies.

Which room are the bodies

brought this afternoon in?

In Room Jin. I'll take you there.

No need.

I can go by myself.

[Room Jin]

Coroner Feng.

What is this?

Let me see.

It's gold thread.

How could there be gold thread?

Check the other three bodies.

Alright.

The other three bodies

are all burned,

but they all have gold thread on their faces.

Let's go!

Let's go!

Is anyone there?

Help!

Help!

Is anyone there?

Hurry!

Fire!

Get water!

Bring the large buckets!

Get water quickly!

Hurry, get water!

Coming!

Hurry!

Get water, quickly!

Fire!

Xueman!

We need more people!

Why are you here?

And who is this?

I was about to ask you the same question.

Why are you here?

Chief was leading us on a patrol nearby

when we saw a fire here,

so we came over.

I brought people to examine the bodies

and almost got burned alive inside.

Since you're on duty tonight,

you can't avoid responsibility

for this sudden fire.

Who's guarding the door today?

Are you crazy?

This is a bleeding shoulder injury from an old wound.

He needs treatment immediately.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Zhong Xueman?

Why are you here?

Now we can't leave.

Stay calm.

I had some new insights

about the corpse-sewing case,

so I called Coroner Feng

to the morgue for another autopsy.

Did you find anything?

We had just entered when the fire started.

He's injured?

Get him treated quickly.

Thank you, Chief.

Wait.

Who is this?

Chief...

He...

This is...

Look up and talk.

Sir...

I... I'm here to help.

What is he saying?

Chief,

I invited him here.

We were overwhelmed

examining four bodies,

so I asked for his assistance.

Unexpectedly, the fire broke out

and burned his hand.

So now I want

to take him for treatment.

See?

His hand is badly injured.

And his shoulder is wounded too.

Go.

Get him treated.

Hurry up.

Thank you, Chief.

Hang in there.

We'll go put on some ointment for you.

Wait.

Since you were brought here by Coroner Feng,

you must have some background, right?

Which government office do you work for?

Or are you with a morgue?

How come the Chief and I

have never seen you before?

Turn around.

This might be...

I mean him.

Since you're already out here,

why are you wearing a mask?

I told you

not to run around

and you have to listen to Coroner Feng about everything.

Look at the mess

you've caused.

Could it be you

who accidentally set the house on fire?

What are you mumbling about?

He's from my hometown.

We were speaking our local dialect.

He's new to the capital and knows nothing,

so I had him stick close

to Coroner Feng to help out.

I didn't expect

he would cause such a trouble.

Be more careful next time!

Chief Fang,

the fire is huge.

What if the Ministry of Justice asks about this?

Hurry up and put out the fire!

Alright.

Yitie,

prepare the horses.

We need to get to the Ministry of Justice right away.

Yes.

-Be careful! -Boss!

Thank you.

Boss!

What's the relationship between you two?

Why should I tell you?

If you don't tell me,

don't think you can leave here.

Bring it on!

Constable Zhong,

please don't hurt him.

He works for me.

Have you found out

what I asked you to investigate?

This plan is too risky.

I don't agree with it.

You'll get yourself killed.

I have no other choice.

Alright.

Go do what you need to do.

He works for you?

Haven't you figured it out yet?

If my boss hadn't told me

not to lay a finger on you,

I would've beaten you up already.

You planted him

in the Elite Constabulary Unit?

Yes.

He's the one who told me

the clue to the sewing murder case.

How many things

have you been hiding from me?

Just this one.

And now you know about it too.

What exactly are you trying to do?

What are you trying to do?

You still want to fight, don't you?

Try me if you dare!

Let's talk this through.

Don't get physical.

Tong Shuang, go outside first.

Me, go outside?

Boss, if I leave,

what about you?

I'm fine.

You're injured.

I won't die.

But... but these people...

If you keep making a scene here,

I'll suffer worse than death.

Come on.

Go outside first.

Fine.

I'm warning you,

if anything happens

to my boss,

I'll fight tooth and nail

to make you pay.

Constable Zhong,

I placed him in the Elite Constabulary Unit

only to investigate the corpse-sewing case,

find the Tailor, and catch Yesha.

Nothing else.

The urgent priority now is to solve the case.

Once it's solved,

the truth will come out.

Right, right.

Let's solve the case.

It's strange though.

As soon as we arrived at Room Jin,

a fire broke out.

Plus, the door

was locked from the outside.

Do you think

this fire was

deliberately set for us?

That's right.

The only one who doesn't want us to examine the bodies

and investigate the case is the Tailor.

At that time,

I found that gold thread

under the victim's skin.

It's extremely pure,

soft as silk,

and moves with the skin

without piercing it.

But I don't know its purpose.

The Strange Stories of the Nine States mentioned

a rumored secret technique

called Gold Thread Rejuvenation.

By placing hair-thin gold threads

under a woman's facial skin,

it keeps her complexion like smooth jade

and preserves her youth forever.

The gold thread we found is likely

used for this rejuvenation technique.

Gold Thread Rejuvenation?

That's cruel.

Does Qi Kingdom have such a secret technique?

Nanyue.

According to the Strange Stories of the Nine States,

this is a unique technique in Nanyue.

It seems these four victims

are connected to the people of Nanyue.

Wasn't Nanyue destroyed?

That's correct.

Then where should we go to find the answer?

-Nanren Lane. -Nanren Lane

Since the clues point to Nanyue,

we'll definitely find new leads

in Nanren Lane.

Oh no.

All our evidence

was in the mortuary,

probably already burned to ashes.

Without evidence,

the Elite Constabulary Unit

won't support your investigation.

I don't need their support.

I'll investigate on my own.

But...

I'll go with you.

Nanren Lane's situation is uncertain.

Having one more person can't hurt, right?

You come with us too.

I don't feel comfortable

leaving you here alone.

What do you mean by "don't feel comfortable?"

[Nanren Lane]

Constable Zhong?

are we going to investigate

every single Nanyue person?

They are all poor commoners.

How many of them could afford gold threads?

There's nothing to investigate.

Let's go take a look at the gold shops.

We might find some clues there.

Welcome.

What can I help you with?

My steward said

your gold shop is well known in the area,

so I brought my wife here

to take a look.

You two are clearly

a perfect match—

a talented man and a beautiful woman.

You've come to the right place for gold!

We Nanyue people have

unmatched craftsmanship when it comes to gold.

Please, take your time and browse.

Sir, ma'am,

how about this piece?

Here.

Is this all?

Looks pretty ordinary.

You've got a sharp eye,

I can tell.

Wait a moment.

I've got a few premium pieces in my shop.

I'll go fetch them for you.

Please wait here.

No need, sir.

Coming!

We've already found

what we're looking for.

We heard that Nanyue people

are skilled in the Gold Thread Rejuvenation technique.

My wife is beautiful and elegant.

I'd like to ask

if you know anyone

who is skilled in this art.

What?

Gold Thread Rejuvenation?

I've never heard of it.

I don't think

you'll find what you're looking for

in my shop.

The gold items here are all rough and poorly made.

You should

try somewhere else.

Really?

I heard that the people of Nanyue

use black gold paper and a seven-catty hammer

to make gold threads.

They wrap gold foil with black gold paper,

then hammer it 36,000 times

with a seven-catty hammer

to produce the gold threads

used in the rejuvenation technique.

This is what you use

to make gold threads, isn't it?

I didn't understand

a word you said.

I still have business to do.

Please,

this way.

Thank you.

Please leave.

Sir,

I don't think you don't understand—

you're just afraid of getting into trouble.

Wait.

You're forcing me to kick you out,

huh?

Hurry up and leave!

Go!

Ouch! Ouch!

Coroner Feng, close the door.

Coroner?

Who are you guys?

The Elite Constabulary Unit is investigating a case.

Who did you sell the gold threads to?

I...

I really don't know anything.

If you tell us the truth,

you might suffer less.

I'm just a businessman.

I haven't broken any laws.

What right do you have to arrest me?

There have been several serial murders

in the capital recently.

We suspect the killer

is connected to the gold threads.

What gold threads?

I really don't know anything.

Chief,

looks like we have to take him back to the Elite Constabulary Unit

for the "pig-skinning" treatment.

What's "pig-skinning?"

It's a little trick

the Elite Constabulary Unit uses

on stubborn prisoners.

They strip them naked, tie them to an iron bed,

pour boiling water on them,

and keep scraping their skin

with an iron comb.

Some prisoners are so stubborn

they won't talk even after their skin and flesh

are scraped away to the bone.

Heat up more water.

This man is pretty tough.

We'll probably be scraping for a while.

Turn up the heat.

I'll talk! I'll talk!

It's Blossom Skies.

What?

I gave the gold threads to Blossom Skies.

What is Blossom Skies?

Blossom Skies

is highly respected in the religion

of our Nanyue people.

It's specifically meant to protect

our people.

The leader of Blossom Skies, Sada,

is a messenger from Blue Heaven.

I supply these gold threads

to the chosen saintesses

selected by Sada.

Do you know this woman?

How do you have a portrait

of our Saintess?

What exactly do you know?

This is the Saintess from two months ago.

She has already been taken by Blue Heaven

to protect our Nanyue people.

Two months ago,

how many saintesses did Blue Heaven take?

Five.

Were they all implanted with gold threads by you?

Yes, yes.

I implanted them all myself.

I'm telling the truth.

Two months ago,

Blue Heaven took five saintesses,

but four of them

were recently sewn and murdered by the Tailor.

In broad daylight,

a holy light descended from the sky.

The saintesses were taken away with the holy light

by Blue Heaven.

This is too strange.

Could there really be gods?

I never believed in

divine manifestations.

Someone must have been faking it.

Otherwise, how could the kidnapped saintesses

have died such horrible deaths at the hands of Yesha?

The gold shop owner said that

on the 15th day of every even lunar month,

Blossom Skies holds

a fireworks ritual

to choose a saintess

to offer to Blue Heaven.

It's June now, another even month.

The 15th?

That's tonight.

Let's go see for ourselves.

Young Master,

Zhong Xueman has taken people to Nanren Lane.

Are our people following them?

They've been following them all along.