Original subtitles

Come here.

Am I seeing things?

This...

Could this be the realm of immortals?

- Fairies. - Come here.

- Come on. - Come on.

Come here.

You're so strong.

Have another drink.

Come quickly.

You're so beautiful.

Drink up.

Come on.

Good.

Oh my!

This is it.

Ghost Flower.

I've finally found you.

Wake up!

Commander Feng.

Commander Feng, wake up!

Chen.

Ah!

Help!

Wake up!

Wake up!

Wake up!

Fairy.

I'm coming.

Ah!

Ah!

Ah!

Ah!

Commander Feng.

Sir, run quickly!

Ah!

The Ghost Flower is here.

The elixir can be made.

Ah!

Ghosts!

Please work.

Please work!

Come on!

Ah!

Ah!

Ah!

Ghosts!

Help me!

Work!

Come on!

No, not like this.

That's not right.

[Wind and the Clouds Rise]

Kong Chengye.

The Ghost Flower blooms.

The Ghost soldiers claim lives.

[Wind and the Clouds Rise]

[Di Renjie of Extraordinary Flowers On the Faramita]

Something terrible has happened!

Something terrible has happened!

Your Majesty.

Something terrible has happened!

Show me.

In Great Zhou, heaven and earth stand clear.

Yet rumors dare to spread,

tales of Ghost Flower blooming,

of Ghost soldiers reaping souls.

Absolutely ridiculous!

Where is Minister of Justice Di Renjie with his investigation now?

Your Majesty,

Lord Di is currently inspecting Huzhou in Jiangnan Circuit.

Order Shangguan Jing'er to deliver the imperial decree, commanding Di Renjie

to proceed to Luzhou,

and then have her assist him in investigating the Ghost Flower case.

No delay is permitted.

Yes, Your Majesty.

[Inn]

The inspection of Huzhou is finally over.

My Lord, can we return to the capital now?

Mm-hmm.

Hya!

- Hya! - It seems our plans will have to change.

Who is she?

Whoa!

She is Her Majesty's most trusted lady-in-waiting,

Shangguan Jing'er.

Lord Di.

Her Majesty has issued an imperial decree.

You are ordered to proceed to Luzhou immediately

to investigate the death of Kong Chengye.

[Proceed to Luzhou at once and conduct a thorough investigation.]

[Expose the demons in hiding, ]

[and restore clarity to the realm.]

[Wuji Palace]

[Mastery of yin and yang. True command of the fire.]

[Mastery of yin and yang. True command of the fire.]

[Mastery of yin and yang. True command of the fire.]

Jintong, Yintong.

It's getting late.

Both of you should return to your rooms and rest.

- Yes, Master. - Yes, Master.

What is it?

News has arrived from the capital.

The Empress has sent Di Renjie to investigate the case.

He will arrive in Luzhou soon.

The Master wants you to proceed with caution.

Understood.

A storm is coming.

There's an abandoned temple ahead.

Let's rest there for the night.

Hey.

Sir.

Excuse the intrusion.

It's difficult to travel on this rainy night.

We'd like to use your place

to rest for a while

and also

dry our wet clothes.

Please don't be afraid, sir.

We mean no harm.

Go ahead, have a seat.

Thank you.

Here, My Lord.

I'm not hungry.

Jing'er, this is for you.

Sir,

our meeting must be fate.

You let us warm ourselves by your fire,

so I'd like to offer you some flatbread.

No need.

Come on.

Take it.

Look out!

Yue'er!

Go quickly!

Keep him alive!

Speak now!

Who sent you?

He's a die-hard loyalist.

My Lord, look.

The old man.

Sir.

What happened here?

Why were those men in black trying to kill you?

Sir!

The Youming Valley, ten li east of the City God Temple...

What City God Temple?

What Youming Valley?

My Lord.

He's dead.

I notice his skin is dark,

and the scratches on his face were likely caused by a wild animal.

Look at his hands.

They're covered in calluses.

From regular use of pitchforks and bows.

He appears to be a hunter from Luzhou.

And look at his clothes.

There are many tears in them.

He must have fled in panic,

getting scratched by bushes and branches.

Why was he running away?

Where was he trying to escape to?

This knife looks unusual.

It's newly forged.

Not a standard-issue weapon.

Why does his body smell so strongly of sulfur?

My Lord.

[Wei]

Wei waist plaque.

Wei family clan.

Wei surname officials.

Or Wei surname gang.

City God Temple.

Youming Valley.

What exactly did he want to tell me?

Come look!

A new notice from the Inspector's Mansion.

Military Commander Kong's bounty has been canceled.

Oh my.

A hundred taels of gold reward.

What a shame.

Indeed.

Military Commander Kong went to great lengths

to obtain the Ghost Flower.

Think of all the food that could buy.

His bounty

might cost many lives.

A hundred taels of gold reward...

[Bounty Notice]

Gone just like that.

Those poor souls searching for Ghost Flowers in the mountains.

Couldn't agree more.

Let's go.

Okay.

Hey.

Have you heard?

Military Commander Kong found the Ghost Flower.

But he failed to make the elixir

and was taken by the Ghost soldiers.

He is dead now.

How terrifying!

I know.

It's outrageous.

Military Commander Kong Chengye's death

is rumored to be the work of Ghost soldiers.

And these rumors were spread openly, in full public view.

The Inspector's Mansion doesn't seem to care.

The Inspector is incompetent.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent Lord Di to inspect Jiangnan Circuit.

Lu Yingjie, the Inspector of Luzhou, is a jinshi graduate.

He's not incompetent.

- My Lord. - Yes?

Have you discovered something?

Should we go to the Military Commander's Mansion to investigate now?

There's no rush

now that we're in Luzhou.

Look around.

Such a peaceful scene.

Yes.

My Lord.

I'm hungry.

Let's find somewhere to eat.

Great.

[Longsheng Inn]

You troublemakers!

If you keep bothering the Inspector's Mansion,

don't blame me for being harsh.

We beg the Inspector to find our missing relatives.

How dare you talk back!

Stop!

What are you doing?

Get up.

Are you alright?

You dare to stop me.

Are you rebelling?

Bullying citizens,

abusing your power.

You're the one who's rebelling.

You want to stick your nose in?

Go tell Inspector Lu

I, Di Renjie,

am waiting for him here.

Darn Di Renjie!

What is Di Renjie?

Who is Di Renjie?

Huh?

My Lord.

He is Di Renjie.

All right.

You've got guts.

Let's go.

Just you wait!

Thank you three for saving me.

You've offended Commander Lu.

You'd better leave quickly.

It's fine.

Please, ladies, come inside the tavern and sit with us.

Come.

Get up.

Let's go.

My father and husband went to Youming Mountain to find the Ghost Flower.

They disappeared without a trace.

We came to report to the officials,

but they ignored us.

Those darn corrupt officials.

Did you go into the mountains to look for them?

Even the hunters who went searching disappeared.

I see.

Near Youming Mountain,

is there a City God Temple?

Never heard of it.

But there's an abandoned one in Lanyu Town.

Oh.

Lord Di.

Lord Di.

Lord Di.

I am Lu Yingjie, Inspector of Luzhou.

I pay my respects to you, Lord Di, the Imperial Envoy.

Lord Lu,

you got here quickly.

[Inspector's Mansion]

Lord Di,

I've failed in my duties.

Due to the negligence of my subordinates,

I just learned about the missing hunters.

I've ordered a full investigation.

Commander Lu Chong was disrespectful

and offended you, Lord Di.

He has been dismissed

and sent back to his hometown.

I'm here to apologize to you, Lord Di.

Hey,

Inspector Lu, you're too harsh on yourself.

I wonder,

regarding Military Commander Kong's death,

have you found any clues?

Well,

Military Commander Kong's death

is extremely strange.

I had the scene sealed off

and reported the matter to Luoyang at once.

I have been awaiting your arrival.

Lord Lu, from what you're saying,

you haven't investigated anything at all.

At least he sealed off the scene.

Well,

what you don't know is...

- I dare not investigate. - Uh.

Military Commander Kong was obsessed with witchcraft,

searching everywhere for the Ghost Flower.

His death was horrifying and bizarre.

I fear he was killed by evil spirits.

Anyone who gets involved

can hardly escape death.

Inspector Lu,

you also believe in ghosts and spirits?

Ah,

Lord Di.

Better to believe they exist,

lest it be true.

That's true.

Alas,

I am ashamed.

My Lord.

These are the Luzhou Chronicles

and the registry of officials at all levels

as well as the maps.

Lord Di.

I've prepared the main quarters at the Inspector's Mansion for you

and will have these documents sent there.

I cannot accept such privilege.

The imperial court has rules.

Officials on external assignment

must stay at the official inn.

Oh my!

Lord Di, you're so incorruptible!

So incorruptible!

Just leave them here.

Lord Di.

- Want to check the scene of Kong's death? - Hey.

We haven't finished our wine yet.

Yes, indeed.

Let's drink first.

Let's drink.

Bottoms up!

With wine and song...

- How brief is life. - How brief is life.

Come on.

Lord Di, let me tell you

Military Commander Kong

was obsessed with alchemy,

behaved erratically,

and often disrespected me.

He came from a prestigious family

and oversaw the prefecture's military affairs

under Xu Baisheng, the Yingyang General.

Although I was the inspector,

I had no authority over him.

Prince Wei has arrived!

Huh?

I, Imperial Envoy Di Renjie, pay respects to Your Highness.

Lord Di, no need for formalities.

Upon hearing of your arrival in Luzhou,

I came at once, though uninvited.

I wish to ask you

to bring justice for Military Commander Kong.

Your Highness, please rest assured.

I will handle this case impartially.

Military Commander Kong died mysteriously.

Inspector Lu

has been obstructing the investigation.

What do you have to say for yourself?

Your Highness,

this was the work of evil spirits...

Nonsense!

When the truth comes to light,

I will certainly report your misconduct.

I acknowledge my fault.

Ah.

Lord Di.

Have you encountered any dangers on your way to Luzhou?

Why do you ask, Your Highness?

Lingnan is remote.

There are bound to be some beasts along the way.

Lord Di,

do be careful.

Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.

[Military Commander's Mansion]

My master was obsessed with alchemy

because he had previously suffered a serious illness

that was cured by Taoist Ge from the Sanxian Temple.

Taoist Ge saved him

but also ruined him.

The elixir formula came from Taoist Ge.

The Ghost Flower was the catalyst.

My master offered a reward.

Who would have thought

he'd be claimed by the Ghost soldiers?

I saw it with my own eyes.

You saw with your own eyes?

What did these ghosts look like?

That night,

I was patrolling for my master.

Ah!

Ghosts!

That's where they disappeared in the end.

- Go. - Okay.

Get down first.

My Lord, look at this.

Hmm.

This looks like the hem of a Taoist robe.

Does this belong to Military Commander Kong?

My master only practiced alchemy.

He didn't believe in Taoism.

He never wore Taoist robes.

Did he show any unusual behavior in the days before the incident?

The master would sometimes go into a frenzy.

As if possessed by demons.

Take me to his alchemy chamber.

Alright.

It's this way.

Hmm.

[Luzhou Prefectural Office — Sealed]

Wait outside.

Don't come in.

Sulfur.

Tung oil.

Where is the body now?

The master's body was burned to a char.

It was buried after consulting with Inspector Lu.

Ah!

The forbidden Five Mineral Powder.

I want more to drink.

I'm not drunk.

Hey.

Why are we back so early?

I want to keep drinking.

- I won't get drunk. - Stop drinking.

- I want to drink more. - Stop drinking.

Hey, I'm not drunk.

Oh, quickly.

Lie down.

I...

Ouch.

Ouch.

Hey, My Lord.

I haven't finished drinking.

How could I be drunk?

Hmph.

I told you to drink less, but you wouldn't listen.

How are we supposed to investigate the case like this?

I'm leaving.

I'm not taking care of you anymore.

Hmph.

Hmph.

Di Renjie has been dead drunk.

He doesn't seem as formidable as they said.

Di Renjie's reputation is well-deserved.

We need to act quickly.

Have they all been invited?

Yes, at the usual place.

Good.

It takes at least half an hour

from Zuixian Hotel to the Inspector's Mansion.

From the moment Lu Chong left,

Inspector Lu arrived in just 15 minutes.

We've been under surveillance since we arrived in Luzhou.

Lu Yingjie is suspicious.

It's too early to draw conclusions now.

But it is sure that

they don't want us meeting those women.

Yes.

Qingyun Fortress is far from Youming Mountain.

[Map of Luzhou City]

How did it end up here?

[Wei]

Well, My Lord.

Yes?

Could Wei represent Prince Wei?

It's possible.

But this is just a waist plaque.

Hey.

My Lord.

Why don't you open the coffin and examine the corpse?

This is not just a simple murder case.

Kong Chengye's death

is just the tip of the iceberg.

From the moment we received the imperial order,

a battle

had already begun.

My Lord,

the surveillance was arranged by Inspector Lu.

I followed him all the way to the Inspector's Mansion

and noticed they were plotting something.

I see.

Let's

split up.

[Wuji Palace]

Praise be to Buddha.

Good day.

Master has gone to the mountains to gather herbs.

[Wuji Palace]

He is not in the temple.

Do you know

when Taoist Ge will return?

Perhaps in two or three days,

or maybe in seven or eight days.

There's no set time.

In that case,

we won't disturb you.

We'll just offer incense and then leave.

Please go ahead, sir.

[Wuji Palace]

Okay.

I wonder what they all come here to pray for.

What people seek is nothing more than

fortune, prosperity, and longevity.

So what are you going to pray for,

fortune or prosperity?

Well,

I'm praying for Taoist Ge to return quickly.

Let's go.

Okay.

Come on in!

Hey, sir, you're here!

It's been a long time.

I missed you so much.

Come in.

Come on, hurry inside!

Come on in!

Oh, young gentleman!

Come on, come on!

Sir, where are you going?

Hey, miss,

this is a place for men to have fun.

What are you doing here?

I'm here to dine.

What?

Dine?

Then go somewhere else.

This is not a restaurant.

Wow.

What an attractive face

and charming figure!

Would you like to be our headliner?

You...

In your dreams!

Ouch!

Hey!

Oh, damn it!

If I see her again, I'm gonna mess her up.

[Xianyu Teahouse]

[I can play a man.]

Come on in!

This way, sir, please come in!

Don't leave!

Take a look inside!

Oh my, young gentleman, you are so handsome!

[Yunmeng Pavilion]

Please come in.

- Come in and have a look. - Yeah.

Has Di Renjie left?

He left this afternoon.

Did he suspect anything?

Don't worry, Master.

He went to Wuji Palace,

offered some incense and left.

I was watching him the whole time.

Good.

Di Renjie has arrived.

Everyone, speed up.

Keep it secret.

If he discovers the situation with the supplies,

we're doomed.

What's there to fear?

We'll just eliminate him.

There are lots of beasts in Lingnan.

It wouldn't be the first time an imperial envoy died here.

Idiot.

Di Renjie is no ordinary imperial envoy.

If he dies,

imperial troops will arrive immediately.

This is a forbidden area.

How dare you intrude?

Who are you?

State your name.

I am...

Again!

Rude!

He ran away?

Who was that?

I've never seen him before.

I don't think he is from the martial world.

How are things progressing?

Everything is going according to plan.

The target is heading to Luzhou

and will arrive soon.

What a pity!

There's been a complication.

Taoist Ge,

we've been waiting for you.

Praise be to Buddha.

I've just returned from gathering herbs in the mountains.

May I ask why you came here

so late at night, sir?

I'd like to invite you back to the prison for a chat.

To avoid me,

you've been hiding in a cave for hours.

A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

How did you know?

When we were offering incense,

your disciple was watching us.

That proves you're suspicious.

I'm just an ordinary Taoist priest.

Let's be straightforward.

You can't escape.

Praise be to Buddha.

After him!

Di Renjie!

Ghost soldiers!

You dare to oppose the Ghost soldiers?

Aren't you afraid of death?

Just cheap tricks.

Kill!

Watch out!

We are immortal.

Surrender now!

My Lord.

What should we do?

Ah!

That's Kanglong Mace for breaking illusions!

I am a humble disciple

from the Baopuzi Alchemical Lineage,

which is orthodox Taoism.

Nonsense!

Hmph!

To deceive the Military Commander Kong into being obsessed with elixirs,

you even used the Five Mineral Powder.

It is a drug banned by the imperial court.

Once consumed, it causes hallucinations

and a euphoric state.

That's why Military Commander Kong went mad, right?

Our master sometimes goes insane,

as if possessed by demons.

Just for this alone,

I can sentence you to death.

Ah!

Please spare me, sir!

I just wanted

to make some money.

But the ancestral formula

was taken by Military Commander Kong.

He wanted to go to a place with heavy Yin energy

to find Ghost Flowers

and summon Ghost soldiers.

Still not telling the truth?

Every word I say is true!

That wasn't a Ghost Flower at all.

You used cinnabar and sulfur

along with hallucinogenic powder to create it.

You deliberately let them get it.

Ghost Flower.

I finally found it.

Everything you did

was to create the illusion of Ghost soldiers killing people.

Ah!

Help me!

Ah!

You dyed the petals red with cinnabar,

and used sulfur for explosions.

The hallucinogenic powder was used

to make illusions.

Demons!

That night,

assassins rushed in to kill people,

while you controlled everything from outside.

Attack!

A piece of your Taoist robe was torn off.

You must have been quite nervous, right?

You have investigated this far.

Di Renjie, you're truly remarkable.

You are just a Taoist, you couldn't complete all this alone.

Who is your mastermind?

Why did you kill Military Commander Kong?

Lord Di,

I advise you

to stop investigating,

or your life will be in danger.

If I tell you,

I'll die even more horribly.

In a few days,

the one in this prison cell

might be you.

Alright.

Then, Taoist Ge,

take care of yourself.

Taoist Ge doesn't dare speak

because he doesn't think I can protect him.

There must be powerful forces behind this.

This matter is clearly no small affair.

My Lord,

if things don't work out,

we can call in imperial envoys.

We're now standing at the edge of a cliff.

The case is still unclear.

Once the imperial envoys enter Luzhou,

the situation will be hard to control.

[Imperial Envoy]

This is the imperial envoy's waist plaque.

If things become urgent,

go outside Luzhou

and summon the imperial envoys to enter the city.

[Imperial Envoy]

My Lord.

What about you?

Help!

Yue'er!

Yue'er!

Yue'er, what's happened?

My Lord.

How is Yue'er?

Alas.

Her injuries are serious,

but fortunately,

they're not life-threatening.

Yue'er!

You're awake.

Yue'er.

Don't move.

What exactly happened?

After dark,

Inspector Lu got into a carriage.

I followed him quietly

to a brothel.

So I disguised myself as a man and went in.

[Yunmeng Pavilion]

I heard them say,

"Everyone, speed up."

Keep this secret.

If he discovers the situation with the supplies,

"we're doomed."

But they noticed me.

I hid in a courtesan's room.

I thought I was safe.

But I encountered a female assassin

and was stabbed by her sword.

Seeing I was no match for her,

I had to escape through the window.

By the time the assassin came out,

I had hidden in the shadows.

Then a person in black appeared.

When the assassin reported to them,

I saw a plum blossom mark on her wrist.

But since I was too far away,

I couldn't hear what they were saying.

So I took the chance to leave.

Jing'er.

Please take care of Yue'er.

Don't worry, My Lord.

I'll look after Yue'er.

Okay.

My Lord, you haven't rested much today either.

Please go back and rest first.

Alright.

Who is the chess piece,

and who is the player?

When the imperial order was issued,

this game in Luzhou

had already begun.

The Youming Valley, five kilometers east of the City God Temple.

City God Temple.

Youming Valley.

[City God Temple] [Youming Valley]

Alas.

My father and husband went to Youming Mountain for Ghost Flowers,

but they disappeared.

We came to report it,

but the officials ignored us.

Hunters missed.

This must be the work of evil spirits.

Nonsense.

When the truth comes to light,

I will certainly file a complaint against you.

[Wei]

Prince Wei.

I heard them say,

"Everyone, speed up.

Keep this secret.

If he discovers the situation with the supplies,

we're doomed."

Supplies.

Then a person in black appeared.

When the female assassin reported to him,

I saw a plum blossom mark on her wrist.

But since I was too far away,

I couldn't hear what they were saying.

The plum blossom mark.

Could it be the top assassin,

Mo Ruyu, the Scarlet Mark of Jiangnan?

It's said that she was captured in Lingnan

and then disappeared.

She was actually bought by the man in black.

Who is that man?

Ah!

Mo Ruyu.

You finally came.

That's great.

I knew you would come to save me.

What did you tell Di Renjie?

I didn't say anything.

Di Renjie himself deduced that

we used hallucinogenic powder to kill Kong Chengye.

Then, why did they

provide you with wine and meat?

Well.

Prepare some wine and meat for him.

Don't mistreat Taoist Ge.

Yes.

Ah!

You can't kill me.

I'm very useful.

The entire plan was

ruined by you.

Ah!

Ah!

How did I suddenly get here?

Di Renjie,

your death is imminent.

Go to hell!

Lord Di!

Lord Di!

Lord Di!

Who is it?

Taoist Ge was killed in prison.

What?

Has Inspector Lu been informed?

Yes, we did.

Who was on duty yesterday?

Did anyone see the assassin?

It's me.

I was knocked unconscious

and didn't see the assassin.

When I woke up,

I found Taoist Ge dead.

What about the patrol?

Your patrol intervals change daily.

Did no one notice anything?

We truly didn't notice anything unusual.

You!

Everyone, stay here.

Do not go in!

It's her again.

Mo Ruyu, the Scarlet Mark of Jiangnan.

[Wei]

Hang that one higher.

Your Highness!

Hang it properly.

Yes, sir!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Di Renjie is investigating at the prison,

not at the official inn.

Hang another one over there.

Here in Luzhou,

the Ghost Festival is the most lively.

This year is different.

We must make it perfect

for our guests' arrival.

Yes, Your Highness.

[Wind and the Clouds Rise]

Lord Di.

Lord Di.

Well,

forgive me, ladies.

I thought

this is Lord Di's room.

Even if it were,

you'd better knock, Your Highness.

Apologize to you, ladies.

Oh my,

Miss Yue'er, you look quite pale.

Are you ill?

Just caught a cold.

I'll be fine in a couple of days.

Okay.

My attendant

is a skilled physician.

Let him examine you.

Do it.

Excuse me.

Lord Di.

I have already checked Yue'er's condition.

There's no need to trouble your attendant.

Greetings, Your Highness.

How is the investigation going?

I want to know the truth.

I'm afraid I must disappoint you.

With Taoist Ge's death,

all leads have been lost.

Inspector Lu is handling the follow-up.

Sorry to hear that.

In that case,

I won't disturb you any further.

Please.

Yue'er!

What's up?

It's nothing.

Yue'er was afraid of being exposed just now,

so she was putting on a brave face.

They must have come to test us.

We can't stay here anymore.

After I leave,

take Yue'er and hide.

If you notice soldiers surrounding the official inn,

flee Luzhou immediately

to meet up with the imperial envoys.

Jing'er.

Take good care of Yue'er.

Yes.

My Lord.

What about you?

I'm just one step away

from uncovering the whole truth.

Your Highness.

What's up?

That Liu Yue'er was pale

and her breathing was weak.

It's definitely not just a cold.

Hmph.

When Di Renjie went to investigate at the prison,

he didn't take those two women with him.

Di Renjie is actually incredible.

The Ghost Festival is approaching.

Initiate the contingency plan.

Yes.

Di Renjie,

we've been waiting for you.

Kill him!

After him!

He's hurt;

He can't have gone far.

Split up and search!

Orders from the Valley Master.

Pull back!

[Luzhou]

Yingyang General Xu Baisheng arrives!

[Luzhou]

Lord Lu,

I heard

that Lord Di

was sent to Luzhou to investigate a case.

Where is he?

I should like to pay my respects.

Ah…

Unfortunate timing.

Lord Di has left the city on official business.

He likely won't return until the Ghost Festival.

Hmm.

It's getting late.

Lord Lu, do you still have matters to attend to?

No.

I shall take my leave now.

See to it.

Replace everyone in and around the relay station

with our own men.

Yes.

Hmm.

[Wei]

Hmm.

Hurry up!

Move it!

Stop dawdling!

Move it!

I said hurry up!

Get on with it!

Hey.

If that old hunter hadn't gotten away,

they wouldn't even need the shackles.

They deserve it anyway.

Exactly.

Illegally forging weapons?

Hurry up!

Hurry up!

[Secret Pact of the Jiangnan Canal]

[Secret Pact of the Jiangnan Canal]

[Invitation to a Night Banquet]

A letter of Allegiance.

[Letter of Allegiance]

[The task entrusted by Your Highness has been completed.]

Inspector Lu?

[Weapons Manifest]

[Reply from Yingyang General Xu Baisheng—]

[Grateful for your letter. I accept the invitation to the Ghost Festival.]

[Letter of Allegiance from the Yangzhou Salt Merchants]

Defense Map?

Hurry up!

Ah!

[Manager]

[Invitation to a Night Banquet]

Brave warrior, save me!

Who?

Brave warrior,

help me!

You're Zhang Ling, deputy commander

under Yingyang General Xu Baisheng, aren't you?

I am.

How did you recognize me?

You're

Lord Di, aren't you?

Yes.

General Xu received a secret letter from Military Commander Kong,

warning that Prince Wei, Li Jizong, was plotting a rebellion.

He sent me to investigate in secret.

I saw that Inspector Lu and Prince Wei were openly at odds,

so I trusted him...

Only to be deceived and imprisoned here.

Li Jizong truly intends to rebel.

In a few days,

you'll likely be executed as a warning to the troops.

Lord Di, now that you have uncovered the truth

and secured the evidence,

I beg you to dispatch troops at once to suppress the rebellion.

No rush.

In a few days, it will be the Ghost Festival.

Li Jizong is summoning all his allies to gather then.

We'll take him—and every last one of them— In a single sweep.

But

General Xu has likely already reached Luzhou.

I must return at once to support him.

Here is the Defense Map.

Go back to the Yingyang Guard

and mobilize troops for Luzhou.

Yes.

We're too late.

Your Highness.

The moment has come.

Begin the secret roundup.

Hurry!

Hurry!

Lord Di was right after all.

How are you, Yue'er?

Jing'er,

don't worry about me.

You can get away easily

on your own.

What nonsense are you talking?

If anything happens to you,

how am I supposed to answer Lord Di?

Hold on a little longer.

Once we get out of the city and rendezvous with the imperial envoy, we'll be safe.

I wonder how His Lordship is doing now.

Let's go.

Father.

Father.

Why isn't Daddy answering you?

He's probably gone to catch the bad guys.

In disguise.

[Prince Wei's Mansion]

Please, after you.

Please.

Let's go.

[Prince Wei's Mansion]

Hmm.

Hmm.

Today is the Ghost Festival,

a rare auspicious day.

I raise a toast

to all of you.

Please drink up.

How hateful!

That venomous woman

has usurped the Tang Dynasty.

As a member of the imperial clan,

I have failed our founding emperor Gaozu

and Emperor Taizong.

Prince Wei, you're wise and mighty,

worthy of Emperor Taizong himself.

We are ready to rally behind Your Highness, rise up in arms,

overthrow the demoness,

deliver the people from suffering,

and restore the glory of the Zhenguan era!

Silence!

How dare you—traitors!

How dare you rebel?

General Xu,

now that you've reached Luzhou,

you have only two choices:

Obey

or die.

You petty, servile men...

Do you think

I fear

your threats?

So you choose death?

Such a grand occasion...

Why wasn't I invited, Your Highness?

Why is Di Renjie here?

Di Renjie?

How did he get here?

What's going on?

Why are you here?

I've investigated the death of Kong Chengye.

Does Your Highness not want to know the truth?

Di Renjie,

you dare walk into the lion's den?

Put away your blades.

Let's hear what Lord Di has to say.

Consider it a little appetizer while we drink.

Huh?

The death of Kong Chengye

began with Your Highness' plot to rebel.

To rise up in arms,

you'd need the support of prominent families and officials.

But Military Commander Kong

wouldn't cooperate.

So you decided to kill him.

Yet fearing suspicion from the court,

you made him obsessed with elixirs instead.

But here's what I don't get...

If you already had that forbidden drug, Five Mineral Powder,

why create the Ghost Flower?

It was Taoist Ge acting smart...

He brought out the Ghost Flower,

which caused all the later trouble.

And so, those hunters, chasing the bounty,

went into the mountains

and accidentally discovered the Youming Valley.

As a result,

they were either killed

or captured.

Even when Military Commander Kong went after the Ghost Flower,

he noticed something strange in the Youming Valley.

He secretly reported it to General Xu.

Xu then sent Zhang Ling to Luzhou to investigate.

After Zhang Ling, General Xu's deputy,

was tricked and captured by Inspector Lu,

Military Commander Kong's secret was exposed.

So

They deliberately let Military Commander Kong

get a fake Ghost Flower made with sulfur.

Go to hell!

Doused in Tung oil,

the body was destroyed.

After Military Commander Kong's death,

rumors spread that Ghost soldiers were after him,

confusing everyone.

On our way to Luzhou,

we encountered a hunter

who had escaped from the Youming Valley.

From him,

I learned about the Youming Valley...

[Wei]

And a waist plaque marked with the character "Wei."

So you suspected me

from that moment on?

No.

It was just a waist plaque.

At first, I suspected Inspector Lu.

As soon as we arrived in Luzhou,

he had people watching us.

The bounty of a hundred taels of gold

[Wanted Notice]

Vanished overnight.

It ruined those who went into the mountains searching for the Ghost Flower.

Later, Your Highness came to the Inspector's Mansion to test us.

You and Inspector Lu even staged a little play.

That very night,

Inspector Lu sent men to tail me and keep me under watch.

Ah…

I had Jing'er trail them in secret.

Di Renjie is no empty name...

Some matters need to be handled quickly.

Once I learned what Inspector Lu was plotting,

I sent Yue'er to investigate discreetly.

"Jiangnan Scarlet"

is truly impressive.

When I captured Taoist Ge

using the clues I found in

Military Commander Kong's alchemy room,

Your Highness must have been very concerned.

I didn't want any unexpected events before we acted.

Taoist Ge knew too many secrets,

so he had to die.

After Yue'er woke up,

I learned the noble families were stockpiling supplies.

At first, I suspected

Mo Ruyu

had been bribed by Inspector Lu.

But after reviewing the case files,

I realized that when you were captured in Lingnan,

Inspector Lu hadn't even taken office in Luzhou yet.

So

I concluded it had to be Your Highness.

And before

Taoist Ge died,

he left the character "Wei" in the county jail.

[Wei]

Just based on this one character?

Not just that,

there was also a small scar on his chest.

At that time,

I didn't know how much evidence you had.

So you came to the relay station to test me.

Once you realized Yue'er was the one injured,

you knew you were exposed.

So I thought I'd get the jump on you,

but I was still one step too late.

So how did you escape the City God Temple?

A classic trick...

Fake my death, mislead the enemy.

I pretended to be injured in the City God Temple,

then slipped into the Youming Valley.

Hmph.

I found the secret message.

[Grateful for your letter. I accept the invitation to the Ghost Festival.]

When you learned General Xu had been invited to the Ghost Festival,

you planned to use the occasion to coerce him

and seize control of the Yingyang Guard.

Once the Yingyang Guard fell into chaos,

all of Jiangnan would follow...

And the greatest obstacle to your uprising would be gone.

Brilliant.

Brilliant indeed.

Truly brilliant.

Di Renjie,

you're very clever,

but also very foolish.

You actually came back to die.

Since I dared to risk everything,

you should know I came fully prepared.

I also rescued Zhang Ling

from the Youming Valley.

Here's the Defense Map.

Return to the Yingyang Guard at once

and mobilize the troops for Luzhou.

Yes.

Am I right, General Xu?

My deputy

is missing,

so precautions are necessary.

I already had soldiers

disguised as civilians

infiltrating Luzhou.

Your Highness,

something seems wrong.

Guards!

Guards!

Your Highness, we're in trouble!

The Youming Valley was cleared by the Yingyang Guard.

Civilians are attacking our soldiers.

Everything's in chaos!

Li Jizong,

your treacherous ambition

has led you to rebellion.

The tide has turned against you.

Your death is at hand!

Hey, run!

Lord Di, please spare me!

Lord Di!

Kill them!

Kill Di Renjie and Xu Baisheng!

Nobody leaves!

Everyone else has fled.

Why don't you run?

Di Renjie,

why should I run?

Do you truly think

you can stand in the way of my grand design?

Kill him!

Di Renjie,

I am the true emperor!

Join us!

You wield nothing but sorcery to deceive the people.

And you call yourself the true emperor?

What a joke!

You're seeking death!

Protect His Highness!

My Lord,

am I late?

Your timing is perfect.

Thank you for your hard work, Jing'er.

Soldiers,

arrest the traitor Li Jizong!

Yes, sir!

Don't move!

Go!

Lord Di,

spare my life, Lord Di!

Li Jizong,

what do you have to say for yourself?

I am

a royal descendant

of Emperor Taizong.

Had my uprising succeeded,

the imperial clans across the realm would have answered my call.

With chaos sweeping the land,

I might yet have forged an empire

worthy of Taizong himself.

But Heaven was not on my side.

Alas!

[Luzhou]

With General Xu holding Luzhou,

the people can finally live in peace.

Oh, by the way,

what about Youming Valley?

Zhang Ling led the troops and destroyed it.

The hunters have all returned home.

That's good.

I take my leave.

Lord Di,

take care.

Yes.

Take care.

[Luzhou]

I never imagined

Li Jizong would dare rebel.

If not for Lord Di,

Xu Baisheng would likely have been killed,

and all of Jiangnan Circuit

would have descended into war.

Your Majesty,

this was not my achievement alone.

Jing'er, General Xu, and the others coordinated brilliantly

to defeat the rebels.

Now that this case is closed,

Jing'er, remain by my side and serve me.

Your Majesty,

terrible news!

The Six Signs of the Black Dragon have appeared once more,

drawing forces from across the land to Chang'an.

The streets are in chaos.

Dark winds rise...

It can only be the work of evildoers.

The Six Signs of the Black Dragon…