Original subtitles

[Episode 19]

Tanxi Town?

When I was serving as

a clerk in Tanxi Town,

I did handle that case.

Is it possible that this was a wrongful case?

Wrongful?

Impossible.

So...

you acting like you were killing me

was all for this case.

What a pity.

What a great pity.

What is a pity?

It's a pity that your righteous indignation...

has nowhere to be placed.

When I took over this case,

within the case files,

whether it was the suspect's motive,

the witness testimonies,

or the list of physical evidence,

everything was crystal clear.

There was no injustice.

Who are you to Jin Xue Wen?

Why are you questioning this case?

Don't you know that

Jin Xue Wen was a dissolute man?

After he died,

the girls in Tanxi Town

all cheered with joy.

You just said you handled the case.

So you weren't involved in the initial investigation.

Yes.

When I took it over, the trial was already over.

But so what?

Judging by the files,

I knew it was an ironclad case.

Since you insist the facts are clear

and the evidence is solid...

then you must be able to recount the details.

It's been 15 years.

I don't remember.

You can't remember what happened 15 years ago.

How about this...

You remember it, don't you?

If you don't speak up,

you'll only help the person threatening you.

The one who has your leverage...

it's not He Bo.

The Yicheng Magistrate confessed that

the real threat to him is another ledger.

It records the wrongful cases during his tenure.

Did Si Ming use these

to control those officials?

He knows about so many wrongful cases.

Could he be from the government?

We're not sure yet.

But we already know...

it was Si Ming who sent someone to tell Zhi Hua about Jin Xue Wen's case.

So this case is the breakthrough to finding Si Ming.

This is the biggest knot in Bai's heart.

We must find a way to untie it for him.

By the way,

what did the court say about Yue Hua?

They considered that Yue Hua made a great contribution in the Zhongxiao Pavilion case.

Her merits offset her faults. They won't pursue it.

That's good.

What about you? Were you implicated?

In the court, people like Chief Justice Cheng...

have always targeted Kaifeng Prefecture.

They finally seized the chance to make it big.

But Lord Bao argued with reason.

In the end, the court waived my punishment.

The Zhongxiao Pavilion case is finally settled.

What are your plans now?

What about you?

I received a secret order from the court.

I'll get to the bottom of Lord of Xiangyang's faction.

Well, there you go.

I'm going to dig in too.

I'm still helping him resolve his inner turmoil.

You aren't bound by imperial orders. Why bother--

I just said I'd clear her out of this.

I didn't expect that I'd be the one cleared out.

I'm just worried about your family.

Linglong Manor isn't far from Xiangyang.

She can't leave!

No matter what, you can't clear out Huo Xiao Mei.

What else can she do if she's back?

To marry Shao Ji Zu?

[Tomb of Liu Hong Yi] Liu.

I left in a hurry that day,

so I couldn't erect a tombstone for you.

I'm making up for it today.

Glass Spring...

I've brought you a bottle.

[Glass Spring]

Regarding the Zhongxiao Pavilion case,

the main culprit, He Bo, was killed by his enemy.

Zhi Hua has also been caught.

Everyone involved in the kidnapping and imprisonment of innocent girls

has not escaped justice.

It was all thanks to your clues

that the truth could finally be revealed to the world.

You can rest in peace now.

I remember you once told me

that after becoming a constable,

there's always endless work to do.

You always wished...

you could rest for a couple of days.

The scenery of the lake and mountains is all right here.

You can rest well here.

I'll come to visit you often.

Don't worry.

As for Lord of Xiangyang's case,

no matter what, I will pursue it to the end.

If your spirit is still with us,

please watch over me from above.

You have my word.

Please inform His Lordship again

that the two of us have been waiting here for an hour.

Commander Shao. His Lordship knows that you two are waiting here.

But His Lordship is currently in the middle of a hunt.

Please be patient.

Mount up!

Ride with me!

What's wrong?

Are you still thinking...

about the Zhongxiao Pavilion case?

Regarding the Zhongxiao Pavilion case...

Si Ming and I feel deeply ashamed.

If we had taken action earlier at the Burial Mounds,

we wouldn't have caused you such worry.

Zhongxiao Pavilion... Zhongxiao Pavilion...

It was indeed the result of...

many years of my hard work.

It's a pity to lose it.

But don't be so disheartened because of it.

It only involved He Bo.

When I saw you drawing your bow just now,

your hand seemed weak and powerless.

What's wrong?

Has the arrow wound from Miss Huo not healed yet?

It's much better now.

Thank you for your concern.

Miss Huo is quite interesting.

I arranged the marriage,

yet she dared to run away.

She even took the command token,

and brought the Guanghua Army.

Even attacked you without any mercy, her future husband.

She...

She's just a bit immature.

Immature?

You know how important this marriage is.

The Huo family's Linglong Eye must never...

fall into someone else's hands.

This arrow of hers...

has also pierced through my wishful thinking.

My Lord, don't worry.

I'll tie her up if I have to.

This marriage must happen.

My Lord!

Your archery skills are truly unparalleled!

You keep that game.

It's most delicious when grilled!

Thank you for the reward!

Fortunately, you were not implicated by He Bo.

The fall of Zhongxiao Pavilion is my fault.

I failed to guard it for you.

He Bo

was just a brute.

If he's gone, he's gone.

But on your end,

nothing can go wrong now.

With Zhan Zhao's talent,

he has likely already found some clues leading to you.

You must handle it carefully.

Yes.

[Tang Ji, Master of Tang Sect] Tang Ji of Tang Sect. Greetings, Si Ming.

May I ask what you summoned me so urgently for?

Si Ming,

may I ask what you summoned me for?

After the Zhongxiao Pavilion case,

have the Tang Sect or Tanxi Town shown any unusual activity?

I'm not sure what you mean by unusual activity.

If Zhan Zhao wants to save those soldiers,

he will surely find a way to neutralize Yemotian Poison first.

In Xiangyang, there are two families renowned for their study of toxicology.

What has your nephew been up to lately?

He...

A fish out of water may be lively,

but it's a pity...

it won't live much longer.

Control your people.

Keep their mouths shut.

Yes.

Anything?

Si Ming,

many disciples of the Tang Sect have been arrested by the officials.

- Could you please-- - Can't help.

These are troubled times.

The Tang Sect has many men.

A few deaths can be seen as loyalty to their master.

Yes.

It's him! He's the brother of a murderer!

A murderer's brother? How can he be any good?

- Get him out of our town! - That's right.

A murderer's brother!

He clearly isn't a good person.

- Yeah, get out! - Get out!

Yes, get out of our town!

That whole family is no good.

Yes, get out of our town!

- Right! Get him out of our town! - Murderer!

- I'm sorry. - Thank you.

- Xiao Tang? - Ling Long?

For all these years,

I've been hoping to see you in my dreams.

But you never appear.

Now you've suddenly showed up, yet you won't say a word.

What exactly do you want?

Tell me!

Are you here because of that case back then?

Say something!

Speak up!

Speak!

I'm also somewhat of a doctor.

I told you I'm fine. Why won't you believe me?

I really just had a nightmare.

I forgot to introduce you guys just now.

This is Zhan Zhao, the Southern Knight.

This is Bai Yu Tang, the Jinmao Rat.

And this is the young master of Tang Sect, Tang Tian Hao.

Tang.

You came all this way.

Have you already formulated the antidote for Yemotian?

Today, I indeed came for this.

However...

I'm sorry.

I haven't made the antidote yet.

This medicine...

while it cannot neutralize the poison,

it can suppress the hallucinations,

and ease the pain.

Thank you for your help.

I didn't do much. No need for thanks.

If even you couldn't help...

do we really need to find the one who made it to neutralize it?

We'll find another way to help you.

Tang,

I have one more favor to ask.

It's just a pulse check.

Do I have to force you?

Please check on Bai.

See if he's been poisoned by Yemotian.

He does have Yemotian in him,

but it's not exactly poisoning.

Yemotian won't endanger his life,

but it will cause hallucinations.

Once the poison is fully expelled in a few days,

the hallucinations will disappear.

See? I told you I was fine.

Didn't you say that the decoction you took could counteract the Yemotian poison?

I've also consumed many rare herbs.

Why don't we compare notes and think it through?

Maybe we can find the antidote.

You weren't poisoned not because you ate rare herbs.

It's because you have a poison-immune constitution.

Poison-immune?

As far as I know,

people who are immune to poison have either mastered a sinister technique,

or have turned themselves into poison-men by fighting poison with poison.

But those people would look quite strange.

Ling Long, there are some people who doesn't need the dark paths

to achieve a poison-immune constitution.

In Tanxi, not far from Xiangyang,

there is the Jin family of divine doctors.

They have passed down a type of Alchemist Blood for generations.

That's right. Rumor has it that the Jin family has a secret medicinal water recipe.

All newborn babies in the clan must drink it

before they turn seven, and then bathe in it.

Over time,

it can ward off plagues

and dispel all poisons.

This recipe was originally to protect the physicians while they were gathering herbs.

To prevent them from being bitten by venomous insects or scorpions.

No wonder.

When you took Zhan to the Jin Mansion earlier,

you were certain they knew the antidote.

And you're quite knowledgeable about medicine yourself.

Your brother's name was Jin Xue Wen.

You also mentioned when we met.

Your name is Jin Mao Shu.

I just made that up.

Besides,

they're not the only ones with the surname Jin.

I have nothing to do with that family, and I don't want to waste my breath on this.

All I care about now is the antidote for Yemotian.

Xiao Tang.

- If we had more time-- - It's not a matter of time.

It's just that this is all I can do. Because...

Because...

the medical skill of the poison's creator is far beyond my own.

I'm truly no match for.

No matter how much you deny it,

the Alchemist Blood in your veins is ironclad proof of the Jin bloodline.

If you really want to save people,

why not seek help from them?

Zhan?

Why did you come to see me all by yourself?

I came to ask you for help,

if you find any clues while formulating the antidote,

please let me know.

What do you mean?

Do you think...

I'm hiding something from you?

Yemotian involves many lives.

You are kind-hearted.

You wouldn't just watch people die.

Since you already noticed that I was hiding something,

why didn't you expose me then?

You and Miss Huo...

have been close friends for years.

Thank you for covering for me in front of her.

But regarding the Yemotian...

I really cannot say more.

Please understand.

Although I am Ling Long's friend,

I am also the Young Master of Tang Sect.

As the Young Master of Tang Sect,

you will eventually become the real Master.

Xiao Tang,

do you know what kind of sect you are about to take over?

You are truly a terrible liar.

The Xiao Tang I know...

would never admit that he's no match for others.

It was Master Tang who forbade you from helping, right?

He must have also forbidden you from seeing me,

but you still came.

You are kind by nature and sincere with others.

Much better than your uncle.

I am not as good as you say.

You must also know...

that he is steering the Tang Sect

toward inevitable ruin.

What choice do I have?

I was born into the Tang family.

Just like you,

who was born to inherit the Linglong Eye.

Some things are set in stone.

We can't help it.

It's not up to us.

It is different.

In my heart,

as long as you do not accept your fate,

nothing is set in stone.

Ling Long,

I envy you,

and I admire you.

You dare to live as you please,

and be your own master.

Although I do not believe that

I can change the fate of Tang Sect all by myself,

I am still willing to try.

While formulating the antidote,

I found that this Yemotian seemed familiar.

So I consulted Tang Sect's Chronicle of Poisons.

As I suspected, there was a poison called Seven-Day Drunken Dream 15 years ago.

Just like Yemotian, it is addictive and hallucinogenic.

To formulate Seven-Day Drunken Dream,

one must add the mind-altering Muyan Flower pollen,

supplemented by Bone-Eroding Herb,

Red Sand Seeds, and others.

These ingredients are already highly toxic.

When mixed together, they react with one another.

Even if various poison-suppressing drugs are added,

it is to no avail.

Anyone who takes Seven-Day Drunken Dream

dies within seven days.

Uncle...

Uncle...

Uncle, why are the ingredients of Yemotian and Seven-Day Drunken Dream...

so similar?

Could it be...

Go on.

Compared to Seven-Day Drunken Dream, what makes Yemotian superior?

The one who formulated Yemotian

gave up on adding antidotes to suppress the toxins.

Instead, they added Macleaya cordata,

a highly lethal poison.

Macleaya cordata is extremely toxic,

but with precise proportions,

its aggressive toxicity suppresses the excessive reactions of other toxins.

And the toxicity of the other poisons also suppresses it.

This is the brilliance of Yemotian.

Then do you think...

within the Tang Sect,

including you and me...

is there such a master of poisons?

Then Yemotian...

has absolutely nothing to do...

with our Tang Sect.

Uncle! This...

Uncle...

- This... This concerns too many lives! - You are not related to those people.

What do their lives have to do with you?

Stop what you're doing.

Do not meet Huo Ling Long and the others.

Do you hear me?

You've been a coward since childhood,

yet you insist on meddling in this mess.

My uncle said that no one within the Tang Sect could have created this poison.

That is true.

But the one who made it must be connected to the Tang Sect.

I have told you everything I know.

I also know the Tang Sect has sided with someone we shouldn't have,

and done many wrong things.

If there comes a day of reckoning,

Please, in light of what I've told you, show some leniency.

I promise you.

But there is one thing I don't understand.

The one you shouldn't side with...

Who is it?

I usually don't handle the clan's affairs.

But I've heard some visitors mention a name to my uncle.

They all call him Si Ming.

Acting behind my back again?

Don't tell me you're plotting how to dig another pit for me.

We went to buy wine for you.

It's the fine wine from Xiangyang that you mentioned last time.

From Liuke Tavern.

A poison master related to the Tang Sect?

That can only be Jin Zhen Ping, doesn't it?

Don't tell me you've forgotten...

When we just left the Jin Mansion,

the Tang Sect chased after us on sight.

What?

Don't you believe that a Jin disciple would deal in the poison trade?

To know how to detoxify, one must first learn toxicology.

Jin disciples study toxicology from the moment they start learning.

Even the age of kids, plenty of them can handle insects and herbs.

Over a decade ago,

Jin Zhen Ping must have been in his 20s.

Could he have created such a powerful poison?

Although I don't like him,

I cannot deny that he is a diligent man.

At 14, he created Qingyin Powder, which cures the monsoon miasma.

At 15, he began practicing medicine.

At 28, he became the head of the Jin family.

Don't tell me you think Jin Zhen Ping is a good person just because he saved your life.

I can guarantee you.

That day in the Jin family, the one who used Lament Pill to save you was definitely not him.

It was my fourth aunt.

Before this,

you refused to admit your connection to the Jin family.

Is it because they were involved in your brother's case?

Forget about the words of the Yicheng Magistrate.

After you left that day, I questioned him further.

He knew very little about your brother's case.

His words cannot serve as evidence.

The Tang Sect's young master mentioned Si Ming.

And Si Ming knows about your brother's case.

The Tang and Jin clans are also connected.

I'm thinking that Si Ming, the Tang Sect, the Jin family,

and your brother's case...

They are all linked together.

As of now,

the only ones who can cure Yemotian...

are the Jin family.

For the lives of your two sworn brothers,

and for your brother's case,

we must pay them a visit.

You've carried this burden for 15 years.

Why not let us help you carry it?

When we go to Tanxi Town tomorrow,

I will tell you everything...

about my brother's case.

Don't get your hopes up just yet.

If the Jins are truly involved with them,

they must have been tipped off and be prepared.

Jin Zhen Ping might not even let us set foot inside.

We need a careful plan.

Have you noticed that...

many outlanders have checked into the inn lately?

Because the triennial Suwen Assembly is about to begin.

The Suwen Assembly is a competition to select the Jin family's best disciples.

The winner of each assembly gets to learn the Jin family's secret art,

Heavenly Root Moon Cave Needles.

At that time, within Xiangzhou,

all the prominent medical families,

sects that use medicine and poison,

and the Jin family's relatives will all be present.

To witness the competition.

This...

is our best chance to enter the Jin Mansion.

My father and Jin Zhen Ping's father were brothers.

Because he was born to a concubine,

he split up early and moved out of the family.

In the early years, our family lived comfortably.

But when I was three, my parents passed away.

Only I was left, along with my brother and an old servant.

We lived off the savings our parents left behind.

So this was your childhood home.

[15 Years Ago]

Where is your brother?

Not back yet?

As a youth, Jiu Lang was highly praised by the old Chief for his talent.

[Xiang Cai, Jin family's old servant] But now,

he's able to waste all that talent.

Yesterday, he told me he would study hard.

How did he change so fast?

His mind is full of depravity.

How could he ever learn medicine?

What are you doing here?

The Suwen Assembly is coming up.

The Chief checked the registry but didn't see Jin Xue Wen's name.

He sent me to ask...

if he's going to sign up or not.

Do you think I want to be here?

Jin Xue Wen isn't here.

Then I'll just...

tell the Chief that he's not participating.

If he showed up, he'd only tarnish the Jin family name.

I'll go find him. You go back and wait.

My brother will definitely go to the Suwen Assembly.

[Jin Family] That little brat!

Xiao Bai?

Sister Qiu Chan.

Where is he?

Who opened the door?

It's cold!

Who is it?

[Jin Xue Wen, The Jin Family] Xiao Bai?

Don't call me Xiao Bai.

Xiao... Hey!

[Fenglai Pavilion] Xiao Bai!

Xiao Bai!

Xiao Bai!

Xiao Bai. Wait for me!

Xiao Bai!

Xiao Bai.

You're out here dressed like that. Aren't you cold?

Someone from the Jin family came.

They're asking if you're going to this year's Suwen Assembly.

Yes. I'll definitely go.

Let's go sign up now.

My dear brother, don't you worry.

With your brother's skills, I'll surely win the top prize.

How are you going to compete?

How long has it been since you held a needle or touched herbs?

How dare you talk to your brother like that?

If you see Yan Er from the front street, don't talk to her.

- She said you flirted with her. - Flirted with her?

Is it flirting to say she's beautiful?

If you don't want to marry her in,

then stop saying such things.

Xiao Bai!

- When I went home that day, - Xiao Bai!

my brother promised me he'd prepare for the Suwen Assembly.

But...

The county officials found bloody clothes and a murder weapon in my house.

They concluded that my brother killed the girl in the next courtyard.

Later, my brother caught the plague while being interrogated.

He was hanging by a thread.

But the authorities wouldn't let us see him.

My brother was very sick.

So I knelt in front of the Jin family's gate,

begging them to use ‌Lament Pill to save my brother.

The trial wasn't over yet,

but in the eyes of the Jin family,

my brother had already become...

a murderous criminal who had tarnished the family's reputation.

He wasn't worthy of using the ‌Lament Pill.

The next day,

I received news of my brother's death.

Zhan Zhao,

I sent you to the Jin family that day

not only to save you,

but also to get back at them.

Just thinking of Jin Zhen Ping using his precious heirloom to save a stranger,

it fills me with satisfaction.

The plague in Tanxi Town back then was devastating.

My auntie left Linglong Manor to travel the world.

It was in Tanxi Town...

that she caught the plague and died.

Your auntie?

I was too young at the time.

I didn't understand what death meant.

I thought...

that if I prayed every day,

she would come back.

It's nothing.

I just...

hearing Bai mention the plague,

it reminded me of it.

If the plague was so devastating,

why have I never heard of it?

The plague back then was enough to make anyone tremble.

But Jin Zhen Ping quickly developed a prescription for the cure.

He won the Suwen Assembly and made a name in Tanxi because of that.

The plague didn't spread beyond Tanxi,

so not many people know about it.

Come back!

You were fast.

It's you again.

Why running?

Still remember me?

I do, I do.

Except for what you said,

I don't remember anything else.

We are truly destined to meet.

How about this? Pass another message to Jin Zhen Ping.

Tell him I'm waiting for him in Cuixi Forest on the back mountain.

Go on.

Wait!

One more thing.

If he doesn't come,

I'll take his sons again to play Herb Duel.

Cuixi Forest on the back mountain...

Is that Ling Long?

Master! Master!

He's back! He's back!

He's back now!

Speak clearly.

The young man in white who kidnapped the two kids...

He went to the old house in Pagoda Lane.

If he insists on visiting,

just tell him...

that I'm out on a house call.

Fourth Lady went to her mother's house.

No one is here.

Tell him to leave.

He said...

he's waiting for you at Cuixi Forest.

He wants you there immediately.

Otherwise, he'll...

take the kids to play Herb Duel again.

When I saw you just now, I felt a special sense of kinship.

Yes.

When you were little,

I often visited Linglong Manor.

I still remember back then,

you were always clinging to your auntie.

She had to bring you along everywhere.

After I moved away,

I lost touch with your family.

Ling Long,

I'm two years older than your auntie.

If you're willing,

you can call me Aunt.

Aunt.

Let's come inside.

[The Spirit Tablet of Jiao Chao Gui] Your uncle...

passed away last month.

This is just a private mansion that he purchased.

[Mrs. Jiao, Shengyun Stronghold] So we didn't hold a public funeral,

only a private mourning hall.

Did Uncle die of an illness?

Why haven't I heard anyone mention it out there?

An illness...

He sure doesn't have that fortune.

This world is full of killing,

living on the edge of a blade.

He killed others today,

so tomorrow, others...

would naturally kill him.

Uncle was murdered?