Original subtitles

[The Wanted Detective]

[Episode 17]

This is the former Pingyuan Escort Agency,

[Pingyuan Escort Agency]

my home.

Since the fire burned it down,

no one has lived here.

But I think it could be habitable with some cleaning.

Definitely habitable.

This is much safer than an inn.

Let's go inside and have a look.

Okay.

Are you okay?

I'm okay.

I just didn't rest well on the journey.

What do you want?

Will this ever end?

They're all long dead!

Why do you have to

keep tormenting an old man like me?

Get lost!

Mr. Hai?

Mr. Hai!

W-Why are you here?

You...

Who are you?

I'm Tong Shuang, Mr. Hai.

Don't you remember me?

Third Young Master?

Yes.

I am Third Young Master, Tong Shuang.

I've come back.

You...

You're Third Young Master?

Third Young Master, you're still alive!

That's wonderful!

How have you survived

all these years?

Tell me everything.

Mr. Hai, it's a long story.

These are my friends,

and they'll stay here for a few days.

Come on.

Come on.

Come with me.

Please, come on in.

Come on.

Come on.

Mr. Hai, after you.

Alright.

Third Young Master.

Where have you been all these years?

You must have suffered a lot.

If Master knew you were still alive,

he would be happy even from beyond the grave.

Mr. Hai, don't worry.

Now that I'm back,

the Tong family is still the Tong family.

Dad.

Son.

I'm back from the escort mission.

When the tragedy took place here at the agency,

I happened to be back in my hometown.

I never expected that when I returned...

Almost 100 people in the entire agency

were all gone in just one night.

The Tong family showed me great kindness,

especially Old Master Tong, who treated me

like his own family.

But I...

Why wasn't I here when that happened?

All these years, I've been heartbroken.

I would rather have been burnt

to death with everyone else that day.

It would have been easier to bear.

Mr. Hai.

It's all in the past now.

Isn't Tong Shuang still here with us?

Yes, indeed.

Heaven truly has eyes,

not letting the Tong family bloodline end.

Mr. Hai.

When did you come back?

Back then, I raised money everywhere,

buried Master, Madam,

and everyone else,

and then returned to my hometown to take care of my parents.

My parents passed away a few years ago,

and with the Tong family always on my mind,

I came back here.

Lately, I've been dreaming a lot,

always seeing Master

leading you brothers

playing in the courtyard.

Those were such wonderful times.

Mr. Hai.

The Tong family is fortunate to have you.

You all must be hungry.

I'll go make some food for you.

I'll help you.

Okay.

I...

I don't know how to cook.

I'll clean the house instead.

Let's do it together.

I'll clean the courtyard.

Madman, just leave it there.

I'll take care of it later.

It's nothing.

You shouldn't be working.

Everyone is busy right now.

I can't just sit around doing nothing.

Your poison hasn't been cured yet.

You can't exhaust yourself.

This courtyard gets great sunlight,

and I'm comfortable here.

You don't have to keep watching me all the time.

Go get on with your work.

Mr. Hai, I'm over here.

Third Young Master.

Let me do it.

No, no.

Go back to your work. Your hands are dirty.

I'll deliver it.

Okay.

Put it in the room in the East Courtyard then.

No one's ever died there. It's better luck.

No problem, Young Master.

Up!

[Pingyuan Escort Agency]

Tomorrow, Xueman and I

will go to the Weizhou Garrison to report,

and we'll ask about

the red obsidian while we're at it.

This trip of ours

is officially to investigate the horse plague.

Tomorrow morning,

Miss Huo and I will make a visit to the stables first.

Alright.

What about me?

You haven't been back for a long time.

Go visit your parents' graves

and pay your respects tomorrow.

Oh, right.

One more thing.

When we first arrived today,

Mr. Hai was quite hostile toward us

and kept asking

if we were ever going to stop,

clearly mistaking us

for someone else.

Has anything unusual happened to

the escort agency lately?

Yes,

I noticed that too.

He seemed very nervous.

I'll go ask him then.

It's quite late now.

Mr. Hai is probably asleep.

You can ask tomorrow.

That will work.

Or maybe I'm overthinking it.

Aren't you going to sleep?

If something's on your mind, say it.

I won't tell anyone else.

Dairong.

Do you think that if you like someone,

you must

be with them?

I see.

Now that Beiming's poison is cured,

you don't think he's Yesha anymore,

so you're starting to have

those thoughts again.

What thoughts?

We were married before.

Do you want to hear my opinion?

♪ I wish ♪

♪ I could bring a glimmer to your eyes ♪

♪ It's a wish I dare not say out loud ♪

Beiming is still burdened with

♪ If gentle feelings ♪

false accusations and injustice.

♪ Could become a thousand thoughts of longing ♪

With his character,

♪ I'd write them into a silent song ♪

he definitely wouldn't want to drag you down.

I know.

But don't lose heart.

♪ If I could spend years with you ♪

Once he clears his name,

♪ Feeling the passage of time ♪

everything will fall into place naturally.

But before then,

♪ I'd fall for you before I even know ♪

you have two options.

First,

you can take the initiative

♪ If you ask ♪

and ask Beiming what he thinks.

♪ What's hardest to escape in this world ♪

Second,

you can wait for Beiming to talk first.

♪ It's the longing that lingers in my eyes ♪

He's so smart,

and he's well aware of the situation.

He'll definitely tell you

his thoughts at the right time.

I'll wait for him.

♪ I wish I could be ♪

♪ A star that stays by your side day and night ♪

♪ Being there for you every time you look back ♪

♪ I wish my longing ♪

♪ Could stay hidden behind silent lips ♪

I knew you would laugh.

♪ And drift away in a swaying boat ♪

Let's go to sleep.

♪ I hope this life ♪

♪ Brings you peace through all your days ♪

♪ While my heart tells the stories of passing years ♪

♪ I won't regret traveling thousands of miles ♪

How are you feeling?

Any other sensations besides feeling cold?

No.

Have some ginger soup.

Thank you.

You'll feel warmer.

With your condition,

maybe you shouldn't go yet.

Let Constable Zhong go by herself first.

Then it won't stay hidden.

What are you doing?

[Pingyuan Escort Agency]

What are you all doing?

Your Pingyuan Escort Agency

is full of evil spirits.

[Protected by the Divine, Blessed with Fortune and Honor]

Beat him up!

Say that again!

What happened, Mr. Hai?

Who do you think you're talking about?

[Celestial Master]

What are you talking about?

Who are you calling evil spirits?

Calm down, Tong Shuang!

Calm down, calm down.

Let's talk this through.

-Come on! Try me! -Calm down.

[Elite Constabulary Unit]

Elite Constabulary Unit on duty!

Let's talk this through.

Everyone step back!

Help me up!

So what if you're from the Elite Constabulary Unit?

Can you handle ghosts?

We're going in to perform an exorcism today

no matter what!

Drive out the evil!

Drive out the evil!

Eliminate evil spirits!

Let's go!

Be reasonable, okay?

I'd like to see anyone try to stop me!

Tong Shuang.

Try me!

I dare you!

What?

Are you officials trying to

beat us common folks?

Exactly!

That's not what I meant.

Everyone.

Step back!

Everyone, please calm down!

Stop it!

What's all this commotion so early in the morning?

They're from the Weizhou Garrison.

Stay alert.

Looking for trouble, are you?

Step back!

Move back!

-Back off! -Back off!

-Step back! -Step back!

Move!

-Back off! -Move!

Step back!

Back off!

Step back!

-Move! -Back off!

Step back!

-Back off! -Move!

Stand still!

[Wang Feihu, Weizhou Garrision]

I wasn't aware you officers

from the Elite Constabulary Unit were here.

I'm Wang Feihu from the Weizhou Garrison.

My apologies.

No need for formalities, Constable Wang.

We're also here on official business.

Official business?

About the sick horses?

May I ask your names, officers?

I am Zhong Xueman,

and this is Mo Chong,

Constable Mo.

[Elite Constabulary Unit]

[Zhong Xueman, Constable]

Zhong Xueman?

The daughter of King Zhong of Constables?

This...

I didn't expect you officers to arrive

only to witness such a scene.

It's my negligence.

Constable Wang.

Let's skip the pleasantries

and deal with the matter at hand.

Li Goudan!

You're the ringleader again, aren't you?

I'm not.

Get over here now!

Why are you gathering

so many people here early in the morning,

performing rituals and causing trouble?

What exactly are you up to?

Speak!

We're not the ones causing trouble.

It was the Pingyuan Escort Agency.

They started it first.

Who? Say that again. Who?

Calm down.

The Pingyuan Escort Agency is already in this state.

What trouble could they possibly cause?

I'm not making this up.

It's about the haunted escort wagon.

Constable Wang.

You know about that, don't you?

Constable Wang.

What's the story

about the haunted escort wagon?

The haunted escort wagon

is just some supernatural nonsense

that can't be verified,

so there's nothing we can do about it.

It's not just rumors.

I saw it with my own eyes!

[Pingyuan Escort Agency]

By the time I arrived with others,

all the escort wagons

had completely vanished.

At first, everyone thought

I was mistaken,

but incidents like this

have happened

several times in succession.

So I believe

it's the vengeful spirits of

your Pingyuan Escort Agency,

still lingering after the massacre.

Recently,

not long after my uncle was buried,

someone near the cemetery

saw the haunted escort wagon.

And the next day,

my uncle's grave was dug up,

and his body disappeared!

This matter

must be the work of the spirits

from your Pingyuan Escort Agency.

Nonsense!

Did you personally see the wagon

take your uncle away?

Well, I didn't see that.

But it's not just my family.

Many others

have experienced the same thing.

Isn't that right, everyone?

That's right!

Exactly!

If your Pingyuan Escort Agency

doesn't give us an explanation,

this matter won't be over!

Right!

Not over!

Not over! Not over!

Shut up!

Everyone be quiet!

Not over!

Constable Wang.

Whether this matter is true or not,

with things having escalated this far,

if your Weizhou Garrison doesn't step in,

it would be inexcusable.

I understand.

This matter

can't be ignored anymore.

Thank you.

Everyone, listen up.

Our Weizhou Garrison

will definitely investigate thoroughly

and give you all an explanation.

If you have grievances or crimes to report,

come find me at Weizhou Garrison.

However,

from today on, if anyone causes trouble in groups again

and gets caught by me,

I will show no mercy!

Disperse!

Let's go.

Everyone, disperse.

Move along.

Move along. Move along.

Young Master, please calm down.

These are just foolish actions by ignorant people.

No need to bother with them.

When my dad was still alive,

he did so many good deeds for Weizhou,

yet now, his reputation can't even withstand

a few rumors!

There's no smoke without fire.

This all started because of

the escort wagons of the Pingyuan Escort Agency.

Mr. Hai.

I'd like to ask,

shouldn't these escort flags and wagons

belong to the escort agency?

After the escort agency was wiped out,

all the escort equipment and items

were completely looted.

Who knows

whose hands they've fallen into?

It's all ancient history now.

So you're saying

anyone could use

this haunted escort wagon

to create an illusion.

Our Weizhou Garrison failed in our duty.

Sorry to have embarrassed ourselves in front of you, My Lord.

No need to worry about it.

I should thank you

for getting us out of that situation today, Constable Wang.

Don't mention it. You're too kind.

Constable Wang,

could we take over

this escort wagon case?

That would be better, of course.

I can fully cooperate with you.

In that case,

there's a personal matter I’d like to ask about.

[Post Station]

[Weizhou Post Station]

These horses look

so listless.

They must be quite sick indeed.

Is there something wrong with the feed?

I don't see any issues.

These horses were all eating

quite happily just now.

Look!

Why is the horse acting like this again?

Watch out!

Hurry!

Chase after it!

What's going on?

I'm terribly sorry.

Hope the horse didn't give you a fright.

The horse was still fine

when it was grazing earlier.

During my shifts,

the horses have only been startled twice,

but after each time,

they've become listless.

The doctors from the veterinary clinic

have prescribed medicine,

but the horses' condition

just isn't improving.

In fact,

it seems to be getting worse.

Horses only eat grass and drink water.

Since the fodder is fine,

the problem must be with the water.

Where do you usually

get water for the horses?

I fetched this bucket of water

from a river on the west side

of the stables today.

Today?

Do you normally fetch it from somewhere else?

Sometimes when we're feeling lazy,

we don't go all the way to the river.

We just

fetch it from the well in the stables.

Why go so far when there's water nearby?

Well,

it's a new rule from the higher-ups.

That river is called Salty River.

The water flows down

from those mountains over there.

Since the river water is slightly salty,

the locals

don't like to drink from it,

so it's used for watering the animals instead,

which works out perfectly.

And the water from the stable well

is pure,

so it's designated

for human consumption only.

I see.

This also explains

why these horses

don't get spooked

every time they drink water.

The problem must be with that river.

Red Obsidian?

Constable Zhong, you like this stone?

But it's such a pity.

Had I known you liked it,

I would have collected some for you.

But now in Weizhou,

this stone can no longer be found.

Is this red obsidian

so rare and precious?

Rare it certainly is,

but not particularly valuable.

You see,

the red obsidian

comes from Mount Chixia.

This kind of red stone

can't be made into jewelry,

nor can it be smelted for iron,

and its yield is low.

So naturally, no one cares about it,

let alone trades it.

But if that's the case,

why did you say

this stone can no longer be found?

About a year ago,

a wealthy merchant came to Weizhou

and bought all the quarries

at Mount Chixia.

Not only did he mine it all,

but he also aggressively bought up

all the red obsidian from the locals.

When someone's willing to pay,

people naturally sell.

Who is this merchant?

Is he still in Weizhou?

That I don't know.

If you want to look for him,

I can have someone look into it for you.

Thank you, Constable Wang.

If you get any news about this person,

please let me know immediately.

No problem.

A mysterious merchant who buys red obsidian?

This merchant is really strange.

He must be Yesha, right?

Hard to say.

About the sick horses,

Coroner Feng and Dairong have gone to investigate.

Right now, we should focus on

the escort agency's problem

and figure out what's going on

with the haunted escort wagon.

That's right.

Beiming, tell us,

what's our next step?

The troublemakers said

that recently, many families'

buried corpses

have disappeared along with

the haunted escort wagon.

Can we really trust

what those bastards say?

Whether we believe it or not, we need to investigate.

First, let's look into

the recent cases:

when they happened,

where they occurred,

and if there were any witnesses.

The more details, the better.

Here, careful.

I've looked into the corpse theft cases

from the past year.

Starting last year, every month,

at this suburban burial ground,

[Weizhou]

numerous corpses have been stolen.

And also since last year,

people have been

spotting haunted escort wagons every month.

The haunted escort wagons and the corpse thefts

started almost simultaneously.

So that means

the haunted escort wagon is very likely

appearing specifically for corpse stealing.

I wonder what they did

with all those stolen corpses.

I'm back.

Where is Miss Huo?

She's not feeling well

and went to rest.

She's feeling unwell?

You're about to

feel unwell yourselves too, I'm afraid.

Is this a human finger?

Yes.

Just burned to a crisp.

Where did you find it?

Upstream of the Salty River.

And

I also found something else.

Someone was burning corpses by the river?

To be precise, they were processing corpses.

Those kilns were built right along the river.

The kiln waste is

dumped directly into the water.

It's these things

that contaminated the water source.

The horses at the downstream stables

drank that water

and got horse plague.

Fortunately, the villagers nearby

have never drunk

water from that river.

Otherwise, it would have caused

even greater harm.

Unfortunately,

the corpse processors noticed

our movements and those of the Weizhou Garrison,

so they abandoned the kilns and fled.

These burned corpses

are very likely

the corpses stolen

by the haunted escort wagons.

Those people were burning corpses to...

Extract corpse oil.

Old Bug once mentioned that

they use corpse oil to refine red crystal.

In that case, the haunted escort wagon

is also connected to Yesha?

They abandoned the kilns and fled,

but the corpses haven't been fully burned.

They'll likely use

the haunted escort wagons to steal more corpses.

Has anyone been buried recently?

Yes,

but...

There are two people.

One of them

was a wealthy merchant from town

who just died from illness.

The other

was a farmer from nearby

who fell into a ditch,

hit his head on a rock,

and died from the impact.

A wealthy family's corpse would be difficult to steal.

They'll probably

go with the farmer's body.

Coroner Feng.

Stay here and look after Miss Huo.

What about you?

We'll go confront that haunted escort wagon.

Beiming, what about your cold?

It's nothing.

Where are the people sent by the Weizhou Garrison?

Too many people would make us too visible,

which might alert the culprit.

They're all hiding nearby.

Tong Shuang, where is that new grave?

See that tombstone over there?

I placed two joss papers under the grave.

Tonight, we'll definitely

catch whoever is behind these ghostly tricks.

The fish is about to take the bait.

[Pingyuan Escort Agency]

Those bastards!

Those are really our wagons.

-Tong Shuang! -Tong Shuang!

Don't act restlessly.

They're ruining our escort agency's reputation.

I can't stand it!

Tong Shuang!

-Tong Shuang! -Tong Shuang!

Xueman, put out that lantern.

Are you all right?

I'm okay.

Let's go.

Xueman,

grab that candle for me.

Who... Who's there?

Don't move!

Take him away.

Move!

Spare me, My Lord!

Have mercy!

Move!

You were too reckless just now.

Beiming...

Mercy, My Lord! Please!

My Lord!

Spare me, My Lord!

Have mercy, My Lord!

Spare me!

They

are the real "spirits" driving the wagons.

The so-called haunted escort wagon

is nothing but a deception.

It's a sulfur-core candle.

Sulfur-core candle?

What's that?

When copper powder is mixed into the wick,

it produces a green flame,

just like fireworks.

With these green candles

on the wagon

and a stove like this,

burning dried camphor

and cypress wood inside,

they can create white smoke

that obscures our vision.

I see.

But how do

the wagons move by themselves?

They hide in the shadows

and use these black iron wires

to pull the wagons and control their direction,

creating

the illusion that the wagons move on their own.

With these candles and smoke,

ordinary people

would naturally think they've seen ghosts.

But once the candles are extinguished,

they can't find

the wagons in the smoke either.

Am I right?

Yes, yes.

Everything you said is correct, My Lord.

You bunch of bastards!

Tong Shuang!

Making up ghost stories

to smear our Pingyuan Escort Agency!

-Tong Shuang! -Get up now!

Spare me! Please!

Please don't take offense, Constable Wang.

My Lord, we know we were wrong.

My Lord, we've been making our living

by grave robbing and stealing corpses.

In our line of work,

we need to divert attention.

Everyone in Weizhou

has heard about

the Pingyuan Escort Agency massacre.

We just wanted to use this incident

to our advantage.

First, we got some

abandoned escort wagons.

We modified them a bit,

and then we started operating under

the name of the haunted escort wagon

to transport corpses.

Don't you know

what the corpses are used for?

My Lord! My Lord!

Please don't hit us!

My Lord, we were just greedy,

selling corpses for some money.

We truly don't know

what they were used for.

Who was the one

buying corpses from you?

We have no idea

who it was.

Looks like they're just pawns.

The corpse buyers

and those people upstream of the Salty River

are likely the same group.

Those are the people we need to find.

What about these guys?

Should I beat them up again?

Enough.

They're just corpse thieves.

Constable Wang and Xueman are discussing it.

Let's leave this to them.

Alright.

[Pingyuan Escort Agency]

It's a good plan,

and it makes the most sense

for the two of us to go.

But I'm still a bit worried.

This plan is indeed quite risky.

I'm not worried about the danger.

It's mainly about Tong Shuang.

He's been so reckless these days.

I'm worried that anger inside him

might explode at any moment.

This matter concerns the Pingyuan Escort Agency.

Anyone else

would also find it hard to stay calm,

let alone someone with his temper.

Beiming.

Tong Shuang listens to you the most.

Please talk to him when you get a chance.

I'll speak with him.

How's your discussion going?

We've got the bait ready,

just waiting to catch the big fish.

This time, let's not involve

the Weizhou Garrison.

Just us few will be enough.

This plan is extremely dangerous.

Everyone must proceed with caution.

Tong Shuang, go to the marketplace

disguised as a chamber pot vendor.

Set up the contact signals

and observe secretly.

Remember, don't act rashly.

We don't know

who those people are, either.

We just agreed

that whenever we have goods,

we'd go to the marketplace,

set up grass markers, and pretend to sell chamber pots.

The number of chamber pots indicates the number of items.

At night,

we'd transport the corpses

to a small ditch outside the city.

The buyers

would definitely show up for the exchange,

and we'd do the money-for-goods swap.

Feng Qingzhuo.

You'll be disguised as a corpse thief making the delivery,

while Tong Shuang hides inside the coffin,

waiting for the right moment to strike.

We'll catch them by surprise.

Brute.

Later, I'll knock on the coffin three times,

and when they open it,

we'll catch them completely off guard.

Got it. Got it.

Stick to the plan.

I know.

Who are you?

Why don't I know your face?

We take turns making deliveries.

It's none of your business who I am.

Just give me the money

and check the goods.

Fine, as long as you've got the goods.

Why did you come out already?

Stay back!

Or I'll kill your accomplice!

Let him go,

or I'll kill him right now!

Go ahead and kill me if you dare.

We've long been prepared

to sacrifice ourselves for Holy Master.

That's right!

Go ahead and kill us.

Madman, are you okay?

Tong Shuang.

Why didn't you stick to the plan?

Do you realize

you almost got him killed?

Madman, I'm sorry.

I was really worried they would escape.

-Beiming... -Miss Huo, I'll leave him to you.

Madman, I'm really sorry.

I'll go help them

and be right back.

Wait for me here.

Bear with it.

It's alright.

Who are you people?

Speak up! She's asking who you are!

With the descent of the Yellow Heaven,

we shall ascend.

The demonic flames are purified,

and salvation spreads across the land.

With the descent of the Yellow Heaven...

Stop chanting.

We shall ascend!

Stop it.

The demonic flames are purified...

I said stop!

Salvation spreads across the land!

With the descent of the Yellow Heaven,

we shall ascend!

Tong Shuang!

Tong Shuang!

Are you trying to beat them to death?

You're a constable.

Get out.

Beiming...

Step outside.

Calm yourself down.

What is the Yellow Heaven?

It's a deity, of course.

You've blasphemed against the deity,

and you'll surely face retribution!

Another Blossom Skies cult.

Xueman.

What is this thing?

This is an impurity pill made from

diseased chickens, ducks, geese,

pigs, dogs, cats, and rats.

Legend says that these seven

impure creatures combined together

can corrupt even the most powerful

spiritual practitioners.

Tell me,

if they eat this,

will they still be able to ascend?

Will the Yellow Heaven still protect them?

You... You...

Stop trying to scare us.

This isn't poison?

Not poison at all.

Then let's try it on them.

It won't kill them anyway.

I'm telling you,

even if you kill me,

I won't talk!

I won't eat this!

I won't eat it!

I'll talk! I'll talk!

What do you want to know?

I'll tell you everything!

What is the Yellow Heaven?

Were you responsible for the charred corpses

upstream of the Salty River?

Well...

I don't know about that.

He doesn't know.

Yes, yes!

It was us who did it.

Why did you burn the corpses?

To extract corpse oil.

What's the corpse oil for?

To make pills.

Holy Master asked us to help

with the alchemy.

What Holy Master? What alchemy?

Tell us everything you know.

We don't know much about that, either.

Holy Master is our leader.

He ordered us to find corpses

to extract corpse oil.

He said this would help create

the miraculous pills of immortality.

Then all us disciples

will take them together,

so that we can achieve enlightenment and ascend.

I really don't know about

anything else, I swear.

Still not being honest.

Think harder.

H-He's telling the truth!

The alchemy is divided into Heaven's Roar and Earth's Whisper.

We are the ones

who use corpses for Earth's Whisper.

Yes.

What are Heaven's Roar and Earth's Whisper?

Give him the pill.

Earth's Whisper is about extracting corpse oil.

Yes. Right.

Heaven's Roar is about harvesting blood from the living.

Have any of you seen Holy Master before?

No.

I-I've seen him once.

He has seen him.

He has.

He has.

He had his face covered then,

so I couldn't see clearly what he looked like.

Even with his face covered,

there must have been some exposed skin.

Any distinguishing features?

I think there was a black mole by his eye.

On the right side

of his eye, there's a black mole.

Where do the Heaven's Roar people

get blood from living people?

We truly don't know about that.

The Yellow Heaven has strict hierarchies.

We Earth's Whisper disciples

are of the lowest rank.

We don't even know

what the Heaven's Roar disciples look like.

We've told you

everything we know!