Original subtitles

Senior,

could this coffin

have been deliberately left for us by Hong?

She knew the people from the Tianxiang Sect

would find her sooner or later,

so she spread false news

that the child was dead

and even made a fake grave.

The whole point was...

to make sure no one could find Shangguan Chengming.

People in our line of work

rarely have offspring.

Whether it's karma or just coincidence,

who can tell?

You've never gotten over what the old Sect Master

said to you back then.

He said you'd never have offspring.

But now you have a son.

I...

am honestly envious.

Is that so?

Senior,

if I were you,

even if he weren't really mine,

I'd still raise him as my own.

Do you really think he's worthy of being my son?

[A Prophet]

[Episode 22]

Shangguan Chengming,

I must congratulate you.

You ran this scam beautifully.

Others set the trap,

and you reap the rewards.

Second Brother,

are you talking about his career

or love life?

Get lost.

Still, we really owe you

for what happened with the Zhang family.

I must propose a toast to you.

Feiyan, since you're toasting Second Brother,

shouldn't you two drink a cross-cupped toast?

What do you think, Third Brother?

Yes.

You two should drink a cross-cupped toast.

No problem.

Thank you, Second Master.

Come on, Yanzi!

Second Brother is blushing.

You know nothing.

For Fifth Batou,

if she so much as says the word,

I'd give my life.

Fifth Batou.

You guys saved Li Ling?

This has nothing to do with others.

I did it all on my own.

I just couldn't stand watching you men live the good life

while we women suffer.

Second Master,

Fifth Batou saved the Paozi.

Does that count as ruining the scam?

Sixth Brother,

I'm a little drunk today.

Let's forget about the rules first.

At least

we all made money,

right?

Rules are rules.

Second Brother,

I'll ask you one more time.

Does Jiang Feiyan saving the Paozi

count

as ruining the scam?

I could hear you shouting from far away.

Sect Master.

Master.

What happened?

Fifth Batou and Shangguan Chengming

saved a Paozi in a scam.

They were also the ones

who ruined the scam.

Well...

It's up to you.

What do you think we should do?

Sixth Brother.

Shangguan Chengming.

According to the Tianxiang Sect's rules,

either

you kill Jiang Feiyan,

or...

I'll kill

both of you today.

Why should I kill her?

I did break the rules.

But did I stop us from making money?

The rules are the backbone of the Tianxiang Sect.

You ruined the scam, so you broke the rules.

You didn't mind it when you put the money in your pocket,

but now you're talking about the rules?

The Sect Master

is treating everyone to a whole roast lamb today.

A live lamb

costs 5 silver dollars at the market.

Once it's cooked and served,

it's worth 20.

And as for the Zhang family's scam,

the other Batous see it

as a deal worth 50 gold bars.

But to me,

it's worth 500.

What's the point?

See?

When there's meat, everyone's eyes are on the meat.

Now that there's money,

everyone's eyes are on the money.

Now everyone in Yuzheng

knows that soul-trapping rituals bring wealth.

They're all asking around

about who can perform that.

Zhang and his son went to jail,

but I can find you 50 more

Zhangs and their sons just like them in no time.

If I remember correctly,

the first rule of the Tianxiang Sect

is to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming.

The Qing Dynasty has been gone for ages.

So what now?

Should we disband the Tianxiang Sect today?

The old rules have held the Tianxiang Sect back for too long.

We only made it this far

because the Sect Master changed the rules.

How dare you compare yourself to the Sect Master?

He did it for his brothers.

What about you?

Today, you dared to break the rules for a few gold bars.

Tomorrow, you'll dare to tear down the Sect Master's altar!

Fine!

Then there's another rule in the Tianxiang Sect:

when you run a scam, you don't kill.

But I believe every Batou here

has spilled plenty of blood.

By your logic,

shouldn't you all be killed today?

We've got a perfectly good roast lamb here,

and you're here talking about killing.

We eat the meat,

we make the money,

and we follow the rules.

In this scam,

Yanzi and Shangguan Chengming

have done both good

and bad.

I'll keep that

in mind for now.

Next,

Shangguan Chengming.

We'll all wait for

those 50 Zhangs and their sons you promised.

Alright?

Yes.

Let's eat.

Yes.

Let's eat.

Let's make a toast

to the Sect Master!

Here, here.

Master.

Master.

Drink up. Come on.

You know what?

The Sect Master is raising

a lot of children in the sect.

Most of them

were Abaos' illegitimate children.

Some were abandoned babies

picked up off the streets.

Others

were bought from human traffickers.

Why does the Sect Master raise so many children?

You see them as children,

but to him,

they're tools for making money.

The good-looking ones

are sold to wealthy families.

The clever ones

stay in the Tianxiang Sect as agents.

As for

the disabled ones,

they're kept at the sect to do spiritual cons

and hard labor.

That's why I said

I've had so many chances

to leave the Tianxiang Sect,

but I could never go.

But even if you stay in the sect,

you can only protect them for a while.

The Tianxiang Sect is a wolf den.

Whoever takes it over will do the same thing.

Yeah.

If you kill the Sect Master,

you'll get your revenge.

But once the old Sect Master steps down,

a new one will take his place.

It won't make

any difference to us.

I think the same way you do.

Killing the Sect Master is not hard,

but it won't change the world.

What I really want to do

is expose the truth about the Tianxiang Sect.

I want the world to see

their deceiving witchcraft,

and to see

the living hell they've created for people

like me and those children.

I don't just want to bring the Sect Master down.

I want to wipe out the Tianxiang Sect

root and branch.

You seem like you have something on your mind.

Just say it.

Master.

You once said

that when running a scam, you have to use their desires as bait.

But the bait Shangguan Chengming is offering you now

is right up your alley.

My alley?

I think

he's been running a scam on you all along.

Running a scam on me?

Get me some water.

Look at it.

Sect Master.

You wanted to see me?

Have some tea with me.

Sit.

Why are you sitting here today?

It's cool out here.

Have you tried this?

Try it.

Hechuan pastry?

Your mother

loved these back in the day.

I don't need you to tell me.

Look at that.

A few days ago, someone sent me a coffin,

saying that the one lying inside

is Shangguan Chengming.

Want to open it?

You've already seen it, haven't you?

I want to see it too.

There's a skeleton inside.

To be honest with you,

it was Zhang Dancheng who had it sent here.

Obviously,

he wants me to know

that you're not Shangguan Chengming,

then to use me to kill you.

That way, he gets to watch a father and son turn against each other.

Sixth Batou.

Master.

Have some men

carry this coffin to the middle of the courtyard.

Find me a torch.

I'll burn it myself.

Okay.

I just want you to understand

who the real bad guy is

between me and Zhang Dancheng.

Good job.

Sixth Batou,

take Chengming

and call Zhang Dancheng over later.

It's been a while since the two of us old friends have seen each other.

Once you find him,

you'll know the truth

for yourself.

Come on, bro.

To a happy day!

Liang.

You're so generous.

Well...

Our Sixth Master has a beef with your brother,

yet you're still willing to drink with me.

You're a good buddy.

If you hadn't put out all this meat today,

who'd drink with you?

I'm probably saying something I shouldn't,

but I think

Sixth Master isn't being fair.

We're all in the same sect.

Why does he have to keep giving Chengming a hard time?

You and I both work for the people above us.

If they give us an order,

don't we have to follow it?

When have we ever dared say no?

Exactly.

If you ask me,

let's forget about

their grudges today.

Let's just enjoy ourselves!

Come on!

Come on, bro!

Pour it.

Come on.

Cheers!

Let me do it.

Bro!

Here!

You can really drink, Liang.

I still think

my brother Chengming is getting a raw deal.

Yes.

Sixth Master...

isn't being very fair.

Yeah.

I think you're right.

And how so?

Yes.

Liang?

What are you doing?

We haven't finished drinking, Liang.

Liang!

Liang?

Liang?

Tie him up tight.

Stay here and keep watch until I get back tonight.

Yes!

This place is actually pretty comfortable.

Sixth Batou?

Master Zhang, long time no see.

You think just because Shangguan

didn't tell us, we can't find you?

Mentor,

the Sect Master sent me to invite you back.

Sure.

Let me finish this one last scam.

That's not necessary, Master.

We run scams to make money.

Right now, you might be able

to make money,

but you won't live to the day to spend it.

Is that so?

If I can make money,

I can definitely spend it.

I heard there's a new orphanage in town.

I want to leave the children some money.

Master, your skills

are as sharp as ever.

By the way,

the old eunuch in the scam about Cao San

was you, wasn't it?

What?

You want to kill me?

Fine.

Once I die,

it won't be long

before Cao San figures it out.

Let's go.

Sixth Batou.

This is the deposit for my scam.

Ten gold bars in total.

This will be the last scam I ever run.

Once I finish it,

I'll give you half of the money.

After that,

I'll go with you, along with the money.

You can even collect a reward from the Sect Master.

What do you say?

What if I say no?

Mr. Jin.

Mr. Jin.

Mr. Jin.

I've got something good here.

It's damn good.

We've got company?

How about I...

No need.

They're all friends.

Come on, let me introduce everyone.

This is Mr. Song, Song Yangqun.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

Here's the thing.

I heard that Chairman Liu is a fan

of Master Zheng's paintings.

This painting, Bamboo in a Gentle Breeze,

is an original by Master Zheng.

I specifically...

Prepare some tea.

Don't be so polite.

I know

you're good friends with Chairman Liu,

so I brought this over first

to get your opinion.

Careful.

Well?

Mr. Jin,

is there something wrong with this painting?

Mr. Zheng's bamboo

should have thin stalks

and full leaves,

with contrasting shades.

This painting looks like his work,

but it lacks his boldness and spirit.

It can't be fake.

I paid a fortune for it.

I bought it at an auction house.

I even had someone authenticate it.

I'll listen to your explanation,

but will Chairman Liu?

Don't tell him you saw me.

This way, please.

Come on, Mr. Jin.

Please don't.

You have to help me.

Otherwise, I'm stuck with this fake painting.

Mr. Jin,

please do me a favor.

Could you come with me to the auction house

and help clear up this whole fake-painting mess?

Mentor,

since Mr. Song is so sincere,

why don't you help him out?

Exactly, Mr. Jin.

Well, you see...

Please, you've got to help me.

How about this?

You can be the driver

and send us there.

Sure.

Mr. Jin,

please.

Shangguan.

Silly Liang is still in our hands.

Just so you know.

If you're that worried,

let's go together.

Later,

play it by ear.

If they try to stall,

we'll fall out with them.

Worst comes to worst, we'll take Song out too.

Master, I think

we should let them finish the scam.

Delays may lead to complications.

Why are you being so greedy?

Master,

we've already got Shangguan Chengming

firmly under our control.

What is there to worry about?

We have Silly Liang in our hands.

And there's Fifth Batou.

You and I can't lock her up,

but the Sect Master is keeping an eye on Zhang Dancheng.

In other words, Fifth Batou is a hostage as well.

We can't keep the Sect Master waiting that long.

One day.

Let's just give him one day.

And think about it.

If we really take

Zhang Dancheng and Shangguan Chengming

back now,

the Sect Master will kill Zhang Dancheng

and officially acknowledge Shangguan Chengming as his son.

Will you still have a chance then?

Why do you think the Sect Master

likes that brat Shangguan Chengming so much?

Because he always manages to surprise him.

Let's just keep an eye on him,

let him finish the scam,

then bring back both of them and the money.

Then we can also give the Sect Master a surprise.

What if

we wait until Zhang Dancheng finishes the scam,

then kill them both?

When we report back,

we'll say

the two of them turned against each other

and killed one another.

Mr. Jin,

we're here.

This is the auction house where I bought the fake painting.

You must find a way

[Dongyu Chenggu Auction House]

to get me the real one.

Ladies and gentlemen,

distinguished guests,

welcome to this grand auction!

I'm your host today,

and it's my great honor to bring you

this spectacular auction.

Alright,

let's begin with our first lot.

This is a Chenghui Hundred Flowers Vase

from the Qianlong era.

The opening bid

is 100 fabi.

100 fabi!

Okay, now it's 100 fabi.

Any higher bid?

200 fabi!

Alright, 200.

Tell me,

how does an auction house

run scams on the rich?

It's like a restaurant serving fish.

When they show the fish to you, it's alive.

Once it goes into the kitchen,

they swap it out for a dead one.

You have to figure out

how they switch out the real pieces for fakes

before you know how to make your move.

Three hundred, going three times!

Sold to the gentleman!

Alright, everyone.

They'll bring the real piece in

through that door later.

There's a hallway behind it.

At the end of the hallway

is a room called the Treasure Vault.

Open the door.

Only a special key carried by one of the guards

can open the door.

Every item here has two versions:

one genuine

and one fake.

All the genuine pieces that are sold at auction

will be put into storage.

But be careful.

All the guards here are armed.

Alright, everyone.

Next up is a painting by Master Zheng.

The opening bid

is 200 francs.

Anyone bid 200?

Will it go unsold if nobody bids?

Wait a little longer.

200!

Alright, 200!

We have 200.

Anyone want to go higher?

300!

Alright, 300!

The buyer is called Paozi.

The moment Paozi bids,

the shill will drive up the price.

400!

400!

Now it's 400!

500 fabi!

500!

Now it's 500!

We're at 500 now.

Aren't they afraid no one will bid higher than them?

It's the same with fortune-telling.

Before every auction, there would be someone

approaching the Paozis and striking up a conversation.

They already know the highest price

each Paozi is willing to pay.

Five hundred, going once!

Five hundred, going twice!

Five hundred...

Six hundred!

Six hundred!

We're at 600!

Any higher bids?

Alright.

Six hundred, going once!

Six hundred, going twice!

Six hundred, going three times!

Congratulations!

Sold to the gentleman!

What's wrong with you?

Watch where you're going!

Can you afford to pay for this if you break it?

Hurry up!

I'm sorry.

What happened?

We just bumped into each other.

Go ahead.

I've never seen you before.

New here?

Stop!

Sir,

your painting.

Thank you.

Congratulations, sir.

Congratulations.

What is it?

Nothing.

We're admirers of Master Zheng.

Would you do us the honor of letting us have a look?

You were the ones bidding against me

at the auction just now, weren't you?

Impossible.

Definitely not.

We would never take something someone else loves.

Yes.

We just want to have a look.

Really?

Yes.

Really.

Fine.

Let me show you!

Thank you.

It's an honor.

What a beautiful painting.

And look at the calligraphy.

What beautiful bamboo.

Never seen anything like it, have you?

No, no.

Never.

I saw it with my own eyes just now.

This is definitely an original by Zheng Banqiao.

Yes.

Guaranteed genuine!

Yes, guaranteed genuine.

So wonderful.

Amazing.

So beautiful.

This is...

Tianxiang?

What does this mean?

Well...

Tianxiang?

What does Tianxiang mean?

I don't know.

I don't know.

What does it mean?

What's wrong with you?

Watch where you're going!

Can you afford to pay for this if you break it?

I'm sorry.

It's fake!

You liars!

This is a fake painting!

Look!

You can tell it's a fake at a glance!

I spent 600 fabi on it!

Are you even human?

Once it's sold, there's no backing out!

What?

Don't come over!

Calm down!

Calm down?

Zhao!

Zhao, bad news.

Something happened at the auction.

Something happened?

Yes.

Stay here.

I'll come to you later!

Keep an eye on him!

The three of you, come with me!

What do you mean by fake?

We gave it to you,

and you brought it back.

We don't know if it's even

the same thing.

Are you trying to fool me?

Here.

Look what this is.

Now you're turning around

and accusing me?

You'd better solve this today,

or you'll all be going to jail.

What do we do?

How about we give him the real one?

Weren't the fakes

we've made before pretty convincing?

Who knew there'd be

an extra seal on this painting?

It's...

The painting is gone!

The new guy!

Did you get a good look at who did it?

Mr. Lu,

I...

I...

It's okay.

Now that you've admitted your fault,

do your job properly from now on.

Thank...

Thank you, Mr. Lu!

Thank you, Mr. Lu!

Open it.

Excuse me.

Are you done?

Excuse me, sir.

Sir.

The auction is not over yet.

Please don't rush to leave.

What do you mean?

Mr. Lu said

everyone here today

is our distinguished guest.

He told us to take good care of you all.

They may not be able to get out for now.

Let's go back to the apartment first.

Mr. Lu.

We found this in the back hallway.

It should belong to the thief.

Who are you?

Where is the painting?

What are you talking about? We know nothing.

Search!

Yes!

Yes!

Behind the cabinet!

Check under the chair!

We found nothing, Boss!

Nothing here either, Boss!

Take them away!

Move!

That's right.

We'll use this painting to trade for him.

Who?

Shangguan Chengming?

You and the painting are both here, right?

If Lu Qinhai kills him,

wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

Let's go, Master.

What?

If anything happens to Chengming,

how are you going to answer to the Sect Master?

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

Help!

Help!

Let me go!

Let me go!

Let me go!

Let me go!

Everyone outside

is talking about

a new culture

and a new way of life,

but I stick to the old ways

and these old things.

Confucius said,

"Restrain yourself and return to propriety. That is benevolence."

You know what that means?

Don't look at what you shouldn't.

Don't listen to what you shouldn't.

And don't take

what isn't yours.

Back then,

because I didn't understand that,

I took something I shouldn't have

and lost a hand for it.

I'll only ask you once.

Where's the painting?

I sold it a long time ago.

Who did you sell it to?

Mr. Song.

He said you tricked him with a fake,

so he hired us

to steal an original by Master Zheng for him.

That bastard Song.

He's quite the schemer.

You stole the painting

right under my nose.

Even if I can let go of the painting,

I still need...

to save face.

Mr. Lu!

Bring him in.

Yes.

The painting

is real.

I've given you the painting.

Let him go.

Sixth Master, I'm here!

Sixth Master!

Sixth Master!

It's only right for a thief

to return stolen goods.

Keeping him here

is even more

justified.

For such a big auction house

to resort to such dirty tricks—

is that only right too?

What are you talking about?

You run auctions on the surface,

but behind the scenes,

you swap genuine pieces for fakes.

Your treasures

never make it into the hands of ordinary people.

Tell me,

if some government official

finds out you've been pulling these tricks on them,

do you think you can handle it?

You don't

look much like a thief.

You don't look much like a businessman either.

Detective,

that's him.

He sold me a fake.

I have the evidence right here!

Nonsense!

You sent people here to steal from me.

We have both witnesses and evidence right here!

Detective,

don't believe him.

Look at my face.

They did this to me.

Look!

They're even using torture on him!

Detective,

he's just making false accusations against me!

Detective.

Alright, alright.

I'll take both the witnesses

and the items back and investigate thoroughly.

Detective,

Director Wang's stuff is also here.

You can leave my things alone,

can't you?

Cut the crap.

They're all evidence.

Take them away!

Let me go!

Sixth Master, I'm here!

Sixth Master!

Thank Detective Guo for me.

See you.

Detective,

Lu Qinhai's men have confessed.

Well?

This Lu guy

used to specialize in arranging contract killings.

He built his business on more than a dozen lives.

As long as he was paid,

he would kill anyone. Including a woman in her 60s.

Bastard.

He's worse than an animal!

Don't be angry.

Detective Guo, you made another contribution.

Sixth Master, please wait for a minute.

I'll bring your man to you shortly.

Thank you.

The woman in her 60s from the fishing village

was also killed by Lu Qinhai?

Yes.

What was her name?

I think it was...

Wang Guifen.

Why did he kill her?

Someone paid him to kill her.

How did he kill her?

The person who paid him said there couldn't be any wounds.

So he suffocated the old woman with a pillow.

[Interrogation Room]

Someone bailed you out.

You can go now.

Detective,

about my evidence...

What evidence?

Those are stolen goods!

Do you want to leave or not?

Yes.

Yes.

Master Swindler took the bait.

I saw him

take Fan Yifei and Lu Qinhai away.

Lu Qinhai has some powerful connections.

Most people wouldn't dare go after him.

Luckily,

Detective Guo cooperated.

You can fool people, but not Heaven.

Good and evil will always have their consequences.

The scam we set up for Master Swindler

has finally come full circle.

Now that we've helped Master Swindler

find his real enemy,

it's time...

for him to help me.

Good wine!

Good wine!

Good wine!

Brother,

didn't we

already have a deal?

Why did you bring me here for a drink?

Remember Wang Guifen?

I don't know her.

Eighteen years ago.

Li Fishing Village.

I remember her.

Did you kill her?

I did.

That was my mother.

Who hired you?

The Sect Master.

Tell me the truth!

The Sect Master of the Tianxiang Sect!

He paid me!

Whoever paid me,

I did the job for them!

[In the next episode]

Master!

Senior?

Master!

What's wrong?

Master, what's wrong?

The tea is poisoned.

Take Shangguan Chengming away!

Yes!

Senior.

The medicine is here, Senior.

Senior?

Senior!

Senior,

I will avenge you.

I promise.