Original subtitles

(Zhan Zhao Adventures)

(Episode 19)

Tanxi Town...

Back when I was serving as a clerk there,

I did work on that case.

Could it have been a wrongful conviction?

A wrongful conviction?

Impossible.

I see it now.

You looked like you wanted to murder me before

because of this case.

How unfortunate.

Really unfortunate.

What's unfortunate?

It's unfortunate that all your righteous anger

has nowhere to go now.

When I took over this case,

in the case files,

whether it was the suspect's motive,

the witness statements,

or the physical evidence,

everything was crystal clear.

There was no injustice at all.

What's your relationship to Jin Xue Wen?

Why are you questioning this case?

Don't you know

Jin Xue Wen was a notorious womanizer?

After he died,

the girls in Tanxi Town were all relieved, weren't they?

Just now, you said you took over this case.

So, you weren't involved in the earlier investigation.

That's right.

When I took over, the case was already closed.

But so what?

Just by reading the files,

I could tell this case was rock solid with no way to overturn it.

Since you insist the facts are clear

and the evidence is solid,

then you should be able to recap the details of the case.

It has been 15 years.

I don't remember anymore.

You can't remember what happened 15 years ago.

Then how about this?

You recognize this, don't you?

If you keep quiet,

you're just helping the person who's threatening you.

That person who has leverage over you

is not He Bo.

That Yicheng County Magistrate admitted what really threatened him

was another ledger.

It recorded all the wrongful cases he handled as an official.

Did Si Ming use those records to keep those officials in line?

He knows about so many wrongful cases.

Could he be with the government?

We're not sure yet.

But we do know

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

So this case is our breakthrough in finding Si Ming.

This is Bai's biggest burden.

We need to help him get past it.

By the way,

what did the court decide about Yue Hua?

Yue Hua made great contributions in the Zhongxiao Courtyard case. The court

has decided to let her go as her merits offset her faults.

That's good to hear.

What about you? Did you get caught up in it?

In court, people like Cheng Si Qing

have always been at odds with the Kaifeng Tribunal.

Of course they jumped at the chance to make a big fuss.

But Lord Bao stood up for me.

In the end, the court let me off without punishment.

The Zhongxiao Courtyard case is finally settled.

What are you planning to do next?

What are you planning to do next?

I've received a confidential order from the court

to investigate everyone connected to Prince Xiangyang.

That's it.

I'm going to keep digging as well.

I still want to help him find peace.

But you're not tied down by imperial orders. Why...

You just said you wanted to drive him away.

But you are actually driving yourself away.

I just didn't want your family to worry about you.

Linglong Manor isn't far from Xiangyang.

She can't leave.

You can drive out anyone but Huo.

What's the point of sending her back?

So she can marry Shao Ji Zu?

Liu, we left in such a rush that day.

I didn't have time to put up a gravestone for you.

I'm making it up to you today.

I've also brought you the Liuli Spring Wine.

About the Zhongxiao Courtyard case,

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

Zhi Hua was also caught.

Everyone involved in abducting and imprisoning innocent girls

had been brought to justice.

It was all thanks to your clues.

Only then could the truth come to light for everyone.

You can rest in peace now.

I remember you once told me

that after you became a constable,

there was always endless work to do.

You always wished you could just take a couple of days off.

Here, you are surrounded by the lake and mountains.

Rest well here.

I'll visit you often.

Don't worry.

For the Prince Xiangyang case,

no matter what, I'll see it through to the very end.

If your spirit is still out there,

please watch over us from above.

I always keep my word.

Could you please let the prince know again

that the two of us have been waiting here for two hours.

Commander Shao, His Highness knows you two are waiting here.

But right now, he's out hunting and is in high spirits.

Both of you, please try to be patient.

Mount up! Come and ride a couple of laps with me!

What's wrong?

Still thinking about

the Zhongxiao Courtyard case?

Si Ming and I

feel deeply ashamed about the Zhongxiao Courtyard case.

If we had acted sooner at the mass grave,

we wouldn't have caused you this much trouble.

Zhongxiao Courtyard was truly the result of

my years of hard work.

It's a real shame to lose it.

But you shouldn't

let it get you down.

It only got mixed up with

He Bo's side of things.

Just now, when I saw you drawing your bow,

your hands looked weak and shaky.

What's wrong?

Have you still not recovered from the arrow Lady Huo shot you with?

It's much better now. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.

That girl from the Huo family is really something.

She actually dared

to run away from the marriage I set her up with.

She even took the command token

and summoned the Guanghua Army.

She didn't hold back against her own fiancé.

She...

She's just a little immature, that's all.

Immature?

You know how important this marriage is.

The Linglong Eye from the Huo family

must never fall into anyone else's hands.

That arrow she shot

pretty much shattered all my wishful thinking.

Don't worry, Your Highness.

Even if I have to tie her up, I'll bring her back.

I'm marrying her, no matter what.

Your Highness.

Your archery skills are truly unmatched in this world.

You keep that one.

It tastes best roasted over a fire.

Thank you for the reward, Your Highness.

Luckily, you weren't implicated in the He Bo matter.

The fall of Zhongxiao Courtyard was my fault.

I failed to guard that place for Your Highness.

He Bo was just a brute.

He has fallen, and so be it.

But on your end,

don't let anything else go wrong.

With Zhan Zhao's abilities,

he's probably already figured out

some clues about you.

Be extra careful.

Yes, Your Highness.

Greetings, Si Ming. I'm Tang Ji from the Tang Sect.

(Tang Ji, Sect Leader of the Tang Sect)

Why do you call for me in such a hurry?

Si Ming,

may I ask what you need from me?

Since the Zhongxiao Courtyard case,

has there been any movement in the Tang Sect or Tanxi Town?

I'm not sure what kind of movement you mean, Si Ming.

If Zhan Zhao wants to save that suicide squad,

he'll definitely find a way to cure the Nightmare Sky poison first.

Within Xiangyang's jurisdiction,

there are only two families who are experts in poisons.

What has your nephew been up to lately?

He...

A fish out of water is all riled up.

Too bad,

its living on borrowed time.

Keep your people in line.

Make sure they keep their mouths shut.

Yes, Si Ming.

Anything else?

Si Ming.

Quite a few Tang Sect disciples have been arrested by the authorities.

- Si Ming, could you... - I can't save them.

It's a turbulent time right now.

You have plenty of people in the Tang Sect.

Losing a few

just proves their loyalty to their master.

Yes, Si Ming.

He is the murderer’s brother.

The murderer’s brother? Then he can't be any good!

Kick him out of our town!

- Yes! - He's the murderer’s brother!

- You can tell he’s no good! - Get out!

Get out of our town!

- No one from that family is any good. - Get out of our town!

- Yes! - Kick him out of our town!

(Anfu Inn)

- Sorry. - Thank you.

- Tang? - Ling Long?

All these years,

I've always hoped to see you in my dreams.

But you never showed up.

Now you suddenly appear, but you won't say a word.

What do you really want? Say something!

Are you here because of that case from back then?

Say something!

Talk to me!

Say it!

I'm basically half a doctor myself.

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

I just had a nightmare, that's all.

Earlier, I forgot to introduce everyone in the rush.

He is the Southern Hero, Zhan Zhao. And he is the Sleek Rat, Bai Yu Tang.

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

Tang, are you here

because you've finished making the antidote for Nightmare Sky?

I did come here for that reason today.

But...

I'm sorry.

I don't have the antidote yet.

This medicine can't remove the poison,

but it can suppress the hallucinations.

It'll ease the pain for those poisoned.

Thank you for helping us, Tang.

I didn't really do much. No need to thank me.

If even you can't help,

does it mean we have to find the one who made the poison to neutralize it?

We'll help you figure something out.

Tang, I have one more favor to ask.

He'll just read your pulse.

Do you really want me to fight you over this?

Please check on Bai to see if he has been poisoned by Nightmare Sky.

He does have Nightmare Sky in his system.

But he's not poisoned by it.

Nightmare Sky won't threaten his life. But it will cause hallucinations.

In another two days, once the poison is out of his system,

the hallucinations will disappear.

See? I told you I was fine.

Didn't you say before that the herbal medicine you took when you were young

could neutralize the Nightmare Sky poison?

I've also taken plenty of rare herbs and strange plants myself.

Why don't we compare what we've tried?

Let's try to recall. Maybe we'll figure out the antidote.

You didn't get poisoned, not because you ate rare herbs,

but because you naturally have a body that's immune to all poisons.

Immune to all poisons?

As far as I know, people who are immune to all poisons

either practiced some strange and dangerous martial arts,

or turned themselves into poison men. Fighting poison with poison.

But people like that usually look pretty strange.

Ling Long, there are some who don't need to take such paths

to become immune to all poisons.

In Tanxi, not far from Xiangyang,

there's a famous Jin family of miracle healers.

They have the Healing Blood passed down through generations.

That's right. It's said the Jin family

has a family secret water-based remedy.

After every child in the family is born,

they must drink it before they turn seven.

And they bathe in it as well.

Over time,

it protects them from disease and makes them immune to all poisons.

This formula was originally meant to protect physicians

while they gathered herbs

from poisonous insects, snakes, or scorpions.

No wonder you were so sure the Jin family could neutralize the poison

when you took Zhan to them before this.

And you know a lot about medicine yourself.

Your older brother is Jin Xue Wen, isn't he?

When we first met, you said your name was Jin Mao Shu.

I just made that up on the spot.

Besides,

do you think there's only one Jin family from Tanxi Town in the world?

I'm not related to that family at all.

And I don't want to waste any more words on this.

All I care about now is the antidote for Nightmare Sky.

Tang,

- if you had more time... - It's not a matter of time.

This is as far as I can help. Because...

Because

the person who made this poison is more capable than I am.

I'm not his match.

No matter how much you deny it,

the Healing Blood in your veins is proof you're from the Jin family.

If you really want to save people,

why not just ask the Jin family for help?

Zhan?

Why have you come to see me alone?

I'm here to ask you for a favor, Tang.

If you find any clues while making the antidote,

please let me know.

What are you trying to say?

Are you saying

I'm hiding something from you?

Nightmare Sky concerns many lives.

You're a good man. You wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.

If you already noticed earlier that I was hiding something,

why didn't you call me out on it?

You and Lady Huo have been close friends for years.

Thank you for saving my dignity in front of Ling Long.

But as for the Nightmare Sky matter,

I really can't say much more.

Please be understanding. Although I'm Ling Long's friend,

I'm also the young master of the Tang Sect.

As the young master of the Tang Sect,

one day, you'll have to take over as sect leader.

Tang,

do you really understand what kind of sect you're about to inherit?

You're really not good at lying.

The Tang I know

would never admit he's not as skilled as someone else.

Sect Leader Tang wouldn't let you help, right?

He definitely didn't want you coming to me either.

But you still came.

You're kind by nature and are always sincere with people.

You're way better than your uncle.

I'm not as good as you say.

You must also know

that your uncle is leading the Tang Sect

down a path of no return.

What can I do about it?

I was born into the Tang family.

Just like you, who were born to inherit the Linglong Eye.

Some things are just fate.

We don't get to choose.

- There's no choice. - It's not the same.

In my heart,

as long as you don't accept your fate,

nothing is truly set in stone.

Ling Long,

I really envy and admire you.

You dare to live as you wish,

and be your own master.

Although I don't think I can change the Tang Sect's fate on my own,

I'm still willing to try.

When I was making the antidote,

I realized this Nightmare Sky seemed familiar.

So I checked the Tang Sect's Compendium of Poisons.

And sure enough, 15 years ago,

there was a poison called Seven-Day Dream, just like Nightmare Sky.

Both are addictive and hallucinogenic.

To make Seven-Day Dream,

you have to add an ingredient that makes people lose their minds,

like Muyan flower pollen.

Then you add Bone-Eating Grass, Red Sand, and other herbs as support.

All these ingredients are highly toxic by themselves.

When you mix them together, they react with each other.

Even if you add all kinds of antidotes to suppress the toxins,

it still doesn't help.

Anyone who takes Seven-Day Dream

will die within seven days, no question.

Uncle...

Uncle, why is it that Nightmare Sky has ingredients so similar

to Seven-Day Dream?

Could it be...

Tell me.

Compared to Seven-Day Dream, what makes Nightmare Sky superior?

The person who made Nightmare Sky

gave up adding antidotes to suppress the various toxins,

and instead used Luohui, a deadly poison.

Luohui is extremely toxic on its own.

But because the proportions are just right,

its toxicity suppresses the excessive reactions of other poisons.

And the other poisons also suppress Luohui's toxicity.

That's the brilliance of Nightmare Sky.

So do you think

anyone in the Tang Sect, including you or me,

could make something like this?

Then Nightmare Sky

has nothing to do with the Tang Sect at all.

Uncle! This...

Uncle.

Too many lives are on the line.

You're not related to those people at all.

Their lives have nothing to do with you.

Stop what you're doing right now.

Do not meet Huo girl and her companions ever again.

Do you hear me?

You've always been timid and afraid of trouble.

Yet you insist on getting involved in this mess.

My uncle said no one in the Tang Sect could make this poison.

That's true.

But whoever made it must be connected to the Tang Sect.

I've told you everything I know.

I also know the Tang Sect has sided with the wrong people.

We've done a lot of bad things.

If there's ever a reckoning,

I hope Zhan will remember what I've said today

and show some leniency.

You have my word.

But there's still something I don't understand.

The person you mentioned, the one you shouldn't have sided with, who is it?

I don't usually get involved in sect affairs.

But sometimes, I'll overhear visitors of the Tang Sect talking to my uncle.

They call him Si Ming.

You two are sneaking around behind my back.

Are you plotting how to set me up or something again?

We just went to buy you some wine.

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

From Liuke Hall.

The poison master connected to the Tang Sect

must be Jin Zhen Ping, right?

You haven't forgotten

that after we left the Jin family estate,

the Tang Sect immediately went after us, have you?

What's wrong?

Don't believe the Jin family would get involved in making poison?

If you want to cure poison, you have to learn about toxins first.

Kids in the Jin family start learning about poisons from an early age.

They're already handling poisonous insects and herbs at seven or eight.

It's totally normal.

Over 10 years ago,

Jin Zhen Ping was probably only in his twenties.

Could he really have made such a powerful poison?

Although I don't like him,

I can't deny he's diligent and dedicated.

At 14,

he created Qingyin Powder, which can neutralize the Plum Rain Miasma.

At 15, he was already running a clinic.

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

Do you think Jin Zhen Ping is a good man because he saved your life?

I can guarantee that in the Jin family,

the decision to use Naiheyin Pill to save you was definitely not his.

It was my fourth aunt.

Before this,

you didn't want to admit your connection to the Jin family.

Is it because

they were involved in your brother's case?

Don't take it to heart about what the Yicheng County Magistrate said.

After you left that day, I questioned him a bit more.

He actually knows very little about your brother's case.

So his words can't prove anything.

The Tang Sect's young master mentioned Si Ming.

And Si Ming knows about your brother's case.

Plus, the Tang Sect and the Jin family are connected.

I'm starting to think Si Ming, the Tang Sect, the Jin family,

and your brother's case are all tied together.

Right now,

the only one who can cure Nightmare Sky

is probably the Jin family.

For the sake of your sworn brothers' lives, and for your brother's case,

we have to make this trip.

You've carried this burden for 15 years.

How about we help you carry it for a while?

Tomorrow, let's head to Tanxi Town.

I'll tell you everything about my brother's case, no holding back.

Don't get your hopes up just yet.

If the Jin family really is involved with them,

they'll definitely get wind of it ahead of time and be ready for us.

Jin Zhen Ping probably won't even let us past the front gate.

We need to plan this out carefully.

Have you noticed

the inn has been packed lately with guests from out of town?

It's because the triennial Suwen Tournament is about to start.

The Suwen Tournament is an internal Jin family event

to select their most outstanding disciples.

Whoever wins first place gets to learn

the Jin family's secret technique, Tiangen Yueku acupuncture technique.

By then, everyone from every medical family in Xiangzhou,

every sect that practices medicine or poison,

and all the Jin family's friends and relatives will be there to witness it.

They'll all be there for the tournament.

This

is our best shot at getting into the Jin estate.

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

As they were born to a concubine,

our families split off early on and moved out of the Jin family.

At first, my whole family lived comfortably with our basic needs covered.

But when I was three, my parents passed away.

After that, it was just me, my brother, and an old servant left at home.

We got by on what our parents left behind for us.

Is this the house you grew up in?

(Fifteen Years Ago)

Where's your brother? Is he not back yet?

When Nine was little, the old clan leader used to praise his talent.

But now,

he's just throwing all that talent away.

Yesterday, he told me he'd start working hard from now on.

How did he change his mind so fast?

His head is full of nothing but dirty thoughts.

How could he ever practice medicine?

What are you doing here?

The Suwen Tournament is about to start.

The clan leader checked the registration list

and didn't see Jin Xue Wen's name.

He sent me here to find out

if he'll be signing up or not?

Do you think I wanted to come here?

Jin Xue Wen isn't here.

Then I'll go back and tell the clan leader he's not participating.

If he really does show up,

he'll just bring shame to the Jin family.

I'll find him. You just go back to the Jin estate and wait.

My brother will definitely be there at the Suwen Tournament.

That little brat.

Bai?

Lady Qiu Chan, where is he?

Who left the door open?

It's cold.

Who is it?

(Jin Xue Wen)

- Bai. - Don't call me Bai.

Bai.

Bai.

Bai.

Wait up, Bai.

Bai.

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

Someone from the Jin family came by.

He asked if you'll be joining this year's Suwen Tournament.

Yes. Of course I will.

We'll go and sign up right now.

My good little brother, don't worry.

With my skills, I'll definitely come out as the victor.

What are you even using to compete in the Suwen Tournament?

How long has it been since you picked up a needle or touched any herbs?

Is that any way to talk to your brother?

Next time you see Yan Er from the front street, don't go chatting her up.

- She said you were harassing her. - Harassing her?

I just said she was pretty. Was that harassment?

If you don't plan on marrying her and making her my sister-in-law,

then stop saying things like that.

- Bai! - When I got home that day,

my brother promised me he'd get ready for the Suwen Tournament.

But then...

The county officers found bloody clothes and a murder weapon in our house.

They decided it was my brother who killed the girl next door.

After that, my brother caught the plague while he was being interrogated,

His life was hanging by a thread.

No matter what we did, the authorities wouldn't let us see him.

My brother was seriously ill.

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

begging them to use the Naiheyin Pill to save my brother.

The case wasn't even closed yet.

But in the Jin family's eyes,

my brother was already seen as

a murderer who brought shame to their family.

It wasn't worth using the Naiheyin Pill to save his life.

The next day, I got the news that my brother had died.

Zhan Zhao,

the day I sent you to the Jin family, it was to save you,

but also to get back at the Jin family.

Just thinking about Jin Zhen Ping

having to use his precious family treasure

to save a total stranger,

honestly, that made me feel great.

The plague in Tanxi Town back then was really severe.

My aunt left Linglong Manor to make her own way in the world.

But in Tanxi Town,

she caught the plague and died.

Your aunt?

I was too young back then.

I didn't understand what death meant.

I thought if I prayed every day,

she'd come back.

I'm fine.

It just came to mind after Bai

mentioned the plague.

The plague was so severe back then.

But how come I never heard about it?

That plague back then was terrifying to everyone.

But Jin Zhen Ping quickly came up with a cure for it.

Because of that, he won first place at the Suwen Tournament.

He became famous in Tanxi Town.

The plague never spread outside Tanxi Town.

So not many people have heard about it.

Come back!

You got here really fast.

It's you again.

Why did you run?

Do you still remember me?

Yes, I remember.

Except for what the hero said, I don't remember anything else.

Looks like fate keeps bringing us together.

Alright, do me a favor and give Jin Zhen Ping another message.

Tell him I'll be waiting for him at Cuixi Forest behind the mountain.

Go on.

Wait.

Add one more thing.

If he doesn't show up,

I'll find his son again and play grass-fighting with him.

Cuixi Forest behind the mountain.

Are you Ling Long?

Master!

He's back!

He's back.

Make yourself clear.

The young man in white who kidnapped the young master before this

went to the old house on Huaihua Alley.

If he insists on coming here,

just tell him

I'm out on a house call.

And the Fourth Lady went to her mother's place.

No one's home.

Tell him to leave.

He said he'll be waiting for you at Cuixi Forest.

He wants you to go right away. Otherwise, he'll

find the young master and play grass-fighting with him again.

When I saw you just now, I felt a real sense of closeness.

Yes.

When you were little, I used to visit Linglong Manor all the time.

I still remember back then,

you were always glued to your aunt.

Whatever she did, she had to take you with her.

Later, I moved away.

So I stopped visiting your family as much after that.

Ling Long,

I'm two years older than your aunt.

If you want,

you can call me Aunt from now on.

Aunt.

Come inside and have a seat.

Your uncle passed away last month.

This is just a small villa he bought.

So we didn't hold a funeral here.

We just set up a memorial hall.

Did Uncle die of illness?

How come no one in the martial world ever mentioned it?

Illness?

He wasn't that lucky.

Life in the martial world is full of fighting and killing.

You are always living on edge.

One day, you take someone's life,

the next day, someone else will come for yours.

My uncle was murdered?