Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[White Cat Legend]

[Episode 3]

[Court of Judicial Review]

We were just one step away from success.

As I told you, that master is an amazing fortune teller.

The culture of the Central Plain is indeed unfathomable

and inexplicable.

Master Yuan said

that Chen Shi had been

caught by our people.

Let's go check it out

in case someone else gets ahead of us!

[Court of Judicial Review]

That's right!

It makes sense.

Where have you been?

Where is Chen Shi?

Has he been caught yet?

Are you so eager to solve the case that you've gone crazy?

Do you think you can get something for nothing?

But as it turns out,

you're in luck today.

The Vice Minister wants to see you.

Okay.

Come back here!

I knew you'd try to run away.

Where were you going?

I-I just went in the wrong direction.

Here is the right way.

Let's go.

Get moving!

Are you really not gonna leave Shendu?

Then you need to send her home first

before you start investigating cases.

There are three things I need to tell you.

And...

What's your name?

My name is Gu Xiaohuan.

[Gu Xiaohuan]

Hold on!

So you're not speech-impaired,

and you can speak?

Who told you I couldn't speak?

I'm able to speak.

I avoided crying and speaking

so as to be beaten less.

Xiaohuan.

Chen Shi,

here's the first thing.

We'll take action in secret,

and we must keep a low profile no matter what.

Got it!

What does "keep a low profile" mean?

It means not to attract attention.

Got it!

Secondly,

you must listen to me about everything.

Got it!

What's the third thing?

The third thing

is that I need you to keep

the previous two things in mind.

Got it!

I'll listen to you, Sir.

Sir,

when will you take me home?

Right now.

Let's go.

Go.

Wait.

You need to get changed.

Me?

Madam,

I've brought them here.

Greetings, Madam.

Madam, we wonder

why you asked us to come.

About the previous demon cat murder case,

I handled it in haste.

Madam, are you suggesting

that this case

no longer has anything to do with us?

What I'm saying is,

I approached that matter in an oversimple manner,

and that I didn't give you enough support.

Now that I've put you on this case,

I should give you a chance to do a good job on it.

After some thinking,

I've decided that from today on,

the manpower and material resources of the Court of Judicial Review

will be arranged by Mingjing Hall.

Yes.

Make sure you'll take the investigation seriously,

and put some effort into it.

In three days,

I expect to see a result.

Yes.

What?

But...

Yes, Vice Minister Shangguan.

Straighten up.

Hold yourself upright when you walk.

Mr. Li,

didn't you tell me to keep a low profile?

You'll be safe and sound

since your face isn't on the flyers stuck on the walls like mine is.

If people spot me,

what am I supposed to do?

They won't recognize you.

Why?

Because of the uniform you're wearing.

Most people wouldn't remember

what officials look like.

When they're faced with officials,

they tend to

avert their eyes.

If you don't believe it, just look.

What's the reason for that?

The reason is that you represent law,

constraints and sanctions.

By the way, Mr. Li,

how did you know

the location of Xiaohuan's home?

Xiaohuan,

show him your rattle drum.

My dad gave it to me.

You've gotta be careful.

Okay.

Rattle drums are usually

made of cowhide leather or sheepskin.

But this one is made of horse skin.

[Horse skin] [Cowhide leather or sheep skin]

Most rattle drum makers

don't have access to horse skin.

The one who made it must be near where horses and carriages are sold.

Although the paint on it

has started falling off,

one can still tell

that it isn't an ordinary kind of ink.

Instead, it's the oil paint used by theater performers

as makeup.

In Shendu,

if there's a place where rattle drums can be made,

where horses and carriages are for sale,

and where troupes are situated,

it has to be in one area

named Xiuli District.

[Xiuli District The poorest neighborhood in Shendu]

The rest of the case

depends on what else Xiaohuan remembers,

like neighbors familiar to her.

Sir, you're amazing.

This is called observant.

Mr. Li can find out what people can't.

Mr. Li is also very smart.

I'm just trying to meet the standards

that this uniform represents.

Let's go.

This place seems familiar to me.

I remember this place.

[Zhang's Carriages]

Come on.

Sir.

What can I do for you?

We're from the Court of Judicial Review.

Look at her.

Do you know this little girl?

Please don't say that.

If my wife hears it,

she'll take it the wrong way.

For all these years,

I've been honest and faithful.

There is no way that I would

have an illegitimate daughter.

I asked you to look at her

for a good reason.

Uncle Zhang.

Xiaohuan?

You know her name?

Mr. Li,

he's the person we're looking for.

Come on!

I've finally found Xiaohuan.

I've found her!

Catch me! Catch me!

You can't catch me! You can't!

It's a pity that Gu

was eaten by a demon.

Eaten by a demon?

A few days ago,

a demon cat started killing people.

A senior military officer

met that demon cat.

Then he ended up dead, hanging on Zhuque Gate.

Help!

Help!

Isn't it just fog?

Keep going.

Yes.

Gu was the coachman for this officer.

[Gu]

Gu!

They were both eaten by that demon.

There's no such thing as a demon in the world.

They must have been killed by a human.

How can you say there's no demon?

The Court of Judicial Review has said there is!

The government has admitted it.

What are you talking about?

Three years ago,

many people in Shendu

suddenly disappeared for no reason.

No one knew if they were dead or alive.

The government didn't care much about it.

Those who lost their families, including Gu,

urged the government for an explanation.

But up till now,

the case is still unsolved.

Later on, the imperial court asked a sorcerer for help.

Hurry! Hurry!

Bravo!

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

The sorcerer was said to have stunning magic powers.

He shot an arrow

and hit that demon cat

which then fell from the sky.

Get out of the way!

After the sorcerer made that miracle happen,

nobody else went missing.

Then the Court of Judicial Review closed the case

with a conclusion that the demon cat ate the missing people.

Did the Court of Judicial Review really conclude

that the demon cat was the culprit?

So, Officer,

whether people say there are demons or not,

you have to admit

that demons do exist, don't you?

Gu and his family are so pitiful...

Since Xiaohuan went missing,

[Gu Xiaohuan, female, 5 years old, about 3 feet high]

Gu spent every day

showing these portraits around

and asking people about Xiaohuan's whereabouts.

Mister, look at this.

Have you seen this child?

No.

Xiaohuan's mother

longed for her daughter's return.

She sat by the entrance to the alley, just watching.

[Zhang's Carriages]

Even her eyes were hurt.

All she got in the end

was some news about her daughter being eaten by the demon cat.

Xiaohuan's mother

got seriously ill.

Soon,

she passed away.

Gu had to live all by himself,

lonely and suffering.

When he had spare time,

he'd go out on the streets with the portraits and search.

What a poor man!

Till the day he died, he hadn't

got a chance to see his daughter again.

He didn't even know Xiaohuan was alive.

Mr. Li!

Mr. Li!

Come here, Xiaohuan.

Come.

Sit here.

Xiaohuan,

do you remember Uncle Zhang?

It's me who asked someone

to draw on your rattle drum

with oil paint.

Uncle Zhang.

Good girl.

Officers,

Gu

had worked here for many years.

We saw him as a member of our family.

My wife and I

have no children.

Why don't you

let us take care of

Xiaohuan?

Uncle Zhang,

where's my dad?

Xiaohuan,

your dad

has gone to a remote place,

which is far away.

But before he went away,

he left you a message.

That is, when you come back,

you must be a good girl and listen to

Uncle Zhang and Auntie Zhang.

You'll also need to finish all your meals.

When you grow as tall

as Uncle Zhang,

your dad will come home and meet you.

Sir.

What's up, Xiaohuan?

Sir,

thank you.

Thank you for helping me find my dad.

I thought

the Court of Judicial Review would never owe anyone anything.

But it does owe many things to Xiaohuan

and her parents.

I promise you

that I'll give you an answer.

Xiaohuan,

remember,

whenever you want,

you can always

come to the Court of Judicial Review for me.

Got it?

Xiaohuan,

I'll be there for you too.

Come on.

-Go play. -Go play.

Come on!

I didn't know there's such a story

about Xiaohuan's origin.

Mr. Li,

what do you think we...

Continue with the investigation.

By the way, Mr. Li,

it's been a while

since you started looking so stern.

For the sake of Xiaohuan

and you,

I must get to the bottom

of this case.

Hold on.

[Jianyang Gate]

Mr. Li,

I trust you.

You are different from those who close cases

without careful consideration.

You willingly offer me help,

and seek justice for Xiaohuan's dad.

You're brilliant.

You can do whatever you set your mind to.

You are

too trusting,

and too kind.

You're gonna be tricked in Shendu.

I got it.

See,

a man suddenly died

on the bridge.

Then out of nowhere,

he showed up on a faraway city gate.

Other than a demon,

who could've done it?

I think he was bewitched by a demon.

What does that mean?

These so-called demons

are in fact deceptive tricks.

They not only appear before people's eyes,

but also get in people's minds.

Once a demon is rooted in a person's mind,

this person will be captivated by the demon,

and fail to see the truth.

When you say it out, it would sound ordinary.

But if you don't say it out,

it would appear to be very mysterious.

The so-called demons that have shown up here,

no matter how unfathomable they seem,

can be explained by what I said.

Mr. Li,

have you figured out the truth?

General,

we've checked this place many times,

and yet we can't find anything.

General, why would you come here again?

I'm supposed to investigate the case.

I should at least look like I'm putting in some effort.

General, you and the Minister have made

a pact about solving the case in three days.

Is there anything

I can help you with?

This pact

is designed for the Court of Judicial Review

and Shangguan Qin.

If they can't solve the case in three days,

I will be the winner.

Now it's been ten days.

I don't mind waiting for three more days.

I bet they won't

be able to solve the case.

General, you're right.

By then, you'll be appointed as

a Vice Minister there.

Thank you, General.

No need to thank me.

I'm not the only one having this idea.

But I still need to thank you for recommending me.

Mr. Li! Mr. Li!

There are two people coming this way.

General,

they seem to be officers of the Court of Judicial Review.

Go check it out.

Yes.

Do as I say.

Okay.

Tell them to stop moving first.

Stop!

Ask them who they are.

Who are you?

This is General Qiu, a leader of Left Jinwu Guards.

I'm Lai Zhongshu, a consulting officer.

Are you officers of the Court of Judicial Review?

Go on.

This...

This is where an important case happened.

The Court of Judicial Review is carrying out an inspection here.

Unauthorized personnel must not enter!

Please leave!

You...

Please leave!

Lai Zhongshu,

let's go.

Yes.

Mr. Li,

was I

just...

It's okay.

One of them is my acquaintance.

I had to avoid him.

If you had told me earlier,

I would have let you go away first.

I could've blocked them for you.

They already spotted us.

If we had suddenly turned around,

they would've found us suspicious.

That's why I asked you to yell and tell them to leave.

Sounds right.

Mr. Li,

just now, your eyes...

My eyes are fine.

We should get going now.

Where are we going?

Would you say you're a daring person?

I am a daredevil!

Those two officers from the Court of Judicial Review

were being so rude.

Their institute will collapse soon.

Just let them be.

You're right.

After what happened three years ago,

there haven't been any impressive officers there.

I'm sorry I said that.

Why are we back here?

This is a shorter route.

Wait for me!

Wait!

What is this?

A shortcut.

Don't go!

It's dark inside.

Keep up with me.

I...

It's been three years.

I don't know if it still works.

Nice and slow.

[Morgue of the Court of Judicial Review]

This...

Bless me, Buddha!

Didn't you say

you were a daredevil?

But...

Mr. Li, I didn't know you would

bring me to this place.

We've inspected the crime scene.

Certainly, now it's time to visit the victim.

Bless me, Buddha!

If you're scared,

why not retreat through the tunnel?

I don't have a guilty conscience.

I'm not afraid.

Now no one's here.

Act fast!

This...

Sun Bao,

can't you stop clinging to me

like a tail?

Why do we have to come here?

Vice Minister Shangguan asked us to put some effort in the investigation.

We have to strictly follow the procedure, right?

Why didn't you tell them two to come?

Look at you, you're a military officer,

but you always pray to gods and fear ghosts.

You need some training.

Here is a chance for you

to gain more courage.

Mr. Bai.

I seldom see you two here, Officers.

[Bai, a coroner]

We are pressured

by the superiors.

We aren't usually lucky enough to be given

the cases that require visits to this place.

Was the murderer really a demon cat?

Well...

I wouldn't dare to draw that conclusion.

But there's something

creepy about this case.

The body does have

rips and wounds made by claws and teeth,

along with many injuries inflicted by humans.

I guess the victim was abused.

All his bones and organs

were broken and ruptured.

How horrible!

Obviously,

the harm was caused by a fall from a great height.

As for your question

that whether this was done by a demon cat or not...

B-Be careful.

Be careful.

I think

you should

look at the body yourselves.

Take a look.

You do it.

You go first.

Just go.

I refuse.

Time to train yourself to be a braver man.

H-H-Has he been like this all the time?

Let's go.

Sun Bao, you...

You are such a disgrace!

It's shameful!

Did you just faint?

It was so frightening.

It's just a dead body.

What's frightening about it?

He can't stand back on his feet, can he?

Why were you afraid?

Because a dead man

was sitting up. Wasn't it frightening?

If it had been a living person

or a dead person who was lying still,

I wouldn't have been frightened.

It must be Hu Si who made that happen.

He did it in order to humiliate us.

It must be him.

Who are you talking about?

You talk about people behind their backs

every day!

Here you are.

I heard you fainted.

Were you spooked?

Hu Si!

We are colleagues.

Do you think it's fun to put that dead body

in that shape to scare us?

Don't you make false accusations

about me!

I didn't do that.

I guess

the victim who's in heaven now knew

that the case had been

taken by you guys,

so he believed justice would be restored.

Maybe

he just got up to see how you were doing.

You...

Well, this case

is quite mysterious.

Otherwise, you wouldn't have been

appointed to solve this case.

Now that you're at the door,

I'd like you to bring these dossiers

into the room.

I'd like to kindly

remind you

that now it is already nighttime.

You have less than two days to solve the case.

Everyone in the Court of Judicial Review

is counting on you.

What do you mean?

I only mean to encourage you.

If you need anything,

just let me know.

Why is it so dark?

I did it. I did it.

Done!

M-Mr. Li...

Mr. Li, do you...

still have that chewy stuff?

I can't...

I can't put up with this smell.

Mr. Li,

why do you enjoy chewing this?

Why do you ask?

It sure tastes fresh,

but it had a strange flavor

of thoroughwort.

In my hometown in the countryside,

only cats like eating this.

What's wrong, Mr. Li?

Chewing it has become a habit of mine.

Oh, right,

what have you found?

How were those deceptive tricks were pulled off?

The murderer

did pay attention to every detail.

Instead of talking about those tricks,

let's make a list of questions first.

Questions?

Solving cases is all about answering questions.

Each case consists of

numerous questions.

When we find answers to the questions,

the case will be naturally solved.

The demon cat.

Demon,

[Demon]

is a word usually used

when people are confused by sorcery.

[Demon Confusing people]

He was eaten by a demon.

Eaten by a demon?

The victim was killed and his body was dumped.

[Killing and dumping the body]

How did the murderer do these things?

Cats.

There are clear signs on the body

[Cat] [Rips caused by wild beasts]

showing that the victim was mauled by animals.

It couldn't be done by humans.

[Injuries inflicted by non-human animals]

This is possibly a deceptive trick.

[Deceptive tricks]

But...

What do cats represent?

Why are all the questions based on the assumption

that there is a demon cat?

Why are you back to square one?

Well,

in this world,

there are lots of bizarre things,

but I don't believe

demons truly exist.

The demon cat is said to have appeared twice in three years.

Three years ago, many people in Shendu

suddenly disappeared for no reason.

Later on, the imperial court asked a sorcerer for help.

After the sorcerer made that miracle happen,

nobody else went missing.

If we are to find the truth

about the demon cat that has recently appeared,

we must first find the truth

about the demon cat that appeared three years ago.

Word has it

that in Shendu, there has always been

an urban legend about demon cats.

People say these demon cats would kill humans

and feed on human flesh. It sounds so true.

At least till the moment I left Shendu,

I hadn't heard of it.

Didn't you just come to town not long ago?

Where did you hear about this urban legend?

Under a large tree.

Which large tree?

When I was waiting for you

in a nearby place,

a fortune teller under a large tree

told me that story.

Wait a second!

I left my back basket there!

Oh, no!

Mr. Li!

This...

This...

Are these all about the Demon Cat Case?

Yes.

Why are there so many files about it?

The victim was a senior military officer.

We must not omit any details of his complicated social life.

There are more than 20 frauds

who have used the Demon Cat Case

to attract people's attention

being kept in prison and waiting to be interrogated.

Alibaba,

what happened to you?

I am exhausted.

I can't continue with this.

Sorry.

No worries.

I've stayed long enough with you to get accustomed to it.

There are so many things to check.

How are we supposed to solve the case in two days?

Actually, none of these matter.

[Demon Cat Case, Dossier 46]

The truly important thing

is here.

[Feng Changyou went missing when he collected goods in the market in the city south.]

[An old lady Ms. Zhao went missing when she was drawing water in the city south.]

My stall is closed for business.

All closed. Closed.

Please make way!

Yuan Buer!

I had a rough day.

I've got a bunch of unsold talismans.

Why don't you take them?

These aren't wide enough

to be used as toilet paper.

I'll take it! I'll take it! I'll take it!

Are you sure?

Yeah.

Is that it?

Pay me!

Money is

exactly what I don't have.

My friend!

We're buddies in the same line of business.

Why do you have to

give me a hard time?

Buddies in the same line of business?

God forbid you should say that!

The man who messed with my stall today

was sent by you, right?

You must pay for the damages!

You're falsely accusing me.

I don't even know that guy.

He is a wanted criminal.

Besides,

he has already been arrested.

If you want to claim damages,

you should ask the Court of Judicial Review for it.

As it happens, I do want to talk to the officers of the Court of Judicial Review.

Why don't you get them here?

Who wants to talk to the officers of the Court of Judicial Review?

Officer.

Is there a problem?

No problem at all!

Don't you have a problem with me?

No, I don't.

Talismans that can subdue demons, huh?

What kind of demons?

Demon cats!

Since this matter is about demon cats,

you need to come with me to the Court of Judicial Review.

No, Officer.

These...

These...

These aren't mine.

These belong to him!

Talk, guys.

You two should talk.

It...

It has nothing to do with me!

These

talismans are his. His!

Y-You...

Have you seen this person?

No need to rush to clear up your stall.

Let's have a chat.

I really don't know this person.

I've seen him.

I met him by chance.

In the afternoon,

he sat here for a while.

I'm acquainted with

Mr. Sun Bao

who works in Mingjing Hall of

the Court of Judicial Review.

Soon after he left my stall, this man came.

If you don't believe it, go ask him.

You don't need to tell me those things.

Just answer my questions.

Understood.

Don't look back.

He's a colleague of mine.

Are you worried that I might run away?

I won't go anywhere.

I'll ask you questions

and you'll answer them.

Since you're in this line of business,

I bet you can get all sorts of information.

That's true.

What is the story about the demon cat

that showed up three years ago?

The whole thing started three years ago.

At that time,

There was a series of

strange incidents in Shendu.

Many people

went missing for no reason.

Then the government reached a conclusion...

There was also a Demon Cat Case three years ago.

I can't believe the Court of Judicial Review

would close the case with such a conclusion.

Three years ago,

people constantly went missing,

including men from all walks of life,

young women,

and some of the elderly in their eighties.

Even

a whole troupe went missing.

In the end,

the Court of Judicial Review

concluded that the culprit was a demon cat.

Where were you three years ago?

I returned from a war

and started working as a constable in Shendu.

I was still in my hometown.

I was studying in the Imperial College.

Three years ago, I was selling fabric

with my dad in Yangzhou.

It turns out that in the entire Court of Judicial Review,

we're the only four simpletons

who haven't got to know about this case.

Three years ago, the Court of Judicial Review

concluded that the crimes were committed by a demon cat.

It means the authorities have confirmed

the existence of demons.

Then what can we do to solve this case?

All the blame

will be taken by us.

We'll even drag the Court of Judicial Review down!

What should we do now?

What should we do?

How am I supposed to know what we should do?

The government meant to settle the whole thing quietly.

For the past three years, there hasn't been

a new missing persons case.

But now, the mystery about demon cats

has become a prevailing theory.

Speaking of which,

those wicked sorcerers should be held accountable.

They are scaremongers

and habitual frauds.

Those who lack morals would even

deliberately bring back sad memories for people.

The story itself is just an urban legend.

No big deal.

However,

ten days ago,

there was one more death.

Those crooked sorcerers

saw it as a new opportunity

to exaggerate the situation

in order to yield more profits.

That's how the story about demon cats

was brought up by people again.

There must be a connection

between the two Demon Cat Cases.

Exactly because they are

definitely connected,

it's impossible for us to solve the current case.

Unless we can catch a demon,

we won't stand a chance of closing this case.

But where can we catch a demon?

It's not necessarily a demon.

If the demon thing is not true,

then we'll have to solve the case

that happened three years ago as well.

Do you know what the key problem

is?

It's that we'll contradict our own judgement

and the conclusion made by the Court of Judicial Review.

The four of us shouldn't

deserve this!

We're being made

the scapegoats for this matter.

It's getting more and more serious!

Why don't we

just quit?

Quit?

In the past, if we failed our exams,

at worst, we would be fired.

But do you know what situation we're in now?

The four of us have been

forced to become the enemies

of the Minister and Qiu Qingzhi.

You wanna quit?

Do you how we'll be punished for disobedience,

dereliction of duty,

deceiving and disrespecting the emperor,

and...

That'll be exhilarating.

No. It'll be excruciating.

Excruciating!

By the way,

about the officers you mentioned,

namely Sun Bao, and his fellows,

do they work in Mingjing Hall?

Yes.

They are nice people.

But that doesn't mean they're helpful.

Mingjing Hall used to be so...

I'm not saying that the Court of Judicial Review

isn't helpful.

Please don't take it the wrong way.

If what you've said is true,

then it's fair to say the Court of Judicial Review isn't helpful at all.

When the worst happens, I'll go back to be a constable again.

And I'll return to my country.

Being a teacher

is a good choice for me.

All of you have

backup plans, don't you?

I'm the only fool here then!

I can bring you to my country.

Forget it.

Is anyone there?

Is anyone there?

Someone must be watching us.

Hu Si!

What should I do?

What's up?

Ginseng soup.

Chicken soup,

The signature dishes of Cuihua Restaurant.

All the desserts written in the menu

of Shuyi House. I want all of them!

Do you understand?

How dare you make me do your bidding!

Do you think you are Lord Shangguan?

Don't I get to order you around?

Our jobs are very tiring,

so we need more nutrition.

Do as they asked.

Yes.

Madam,

are we really going to let them

throw their weight around?

Let them be.

Though their work might not deliver a result, they've tried hard.

Madam,

are we gonna keep waiting?

It's not easy

to solve this case.

If Qiu Qingzhi

really sends his minions here,

what should we do?

We'll see what we can do as the situation develops.

Do you

have any other question?

Would you do me one more favor?

Sure. Of course I'll help you.

Go to the Court of Judicial Review

to deliver a message and then you'll be rewarded.

Rewarded?

I have a question.

You're already working in the Court of Judicial Review.

Why do you need me to deliver a message?

It's true that I work there,

but I belong to the old Court of Judicial Review,

not the current one.

Understood.

Sir,

what's this?

Don't play dumb with me.

It's the seal for the Minister of Judicial Review.

The old one has been missing for three years.

[Seal of the Court of Judicial Review]

Now, a new one has finally been made.

The Court of Judicial Review is in charge of all criminal cases in the country.

The position of the Minister of Judicial Review

has a lot of power,

so it is very important.

We can't let the burden of managing the whole institute

be borne by one or two Vice Ministers forever, right?

This post must be filled.

Now that there's a new seal,

we need to find a person to hold it.

[Court of Judicial Review]