Original subtitles

"Ancient Detective"

"Episode 8"

That's so awesome.

I think I have started to get it.

Second Master Li's sword technique manuscript is indeed awesome.

His attack is surprisingly impressive.

It's so different from his martial skills then.

How could there be such huge progress overnight?

Who is this guy?

No, I can't zealously continue fighting.

I need to put in my all.

You lost again.

I won't lose all the time.

I'll be back.

Hey!

Tomorrow, bring that detective friend of yours along.

Why do you want to see him?

I found something strange in the northeast corner of the island.

I want to talk to him about it.

All right. I'll bring him along tomorrow.

As predicted.

I should have known.

If that's the case,

we're only short of one piece now.

This guy.

The hole in the back of this chair,

is the same size as Madam Song's eye.

Is it possible that Madam Song's eye...

should have been mounted on the back of the chair?

It was taken away and hidden by someone.

What? He didn't come back last night?

We even had a fight yesterday.

Ming Yue, don't get anxious.

Let's think where we should look for her.

Where could she be?

Could it be Shi Liu's?

Is it hers?

Her neck was snapped with the chain.

The same method was used to kill Jiang Cen.

It looks like the murderer is the same person.

Are you saying that...

these are all Puppet Li's doing?

The traces of a struggle on Shi Liu before she died...

came from her fight with Zhao Wo Huan.

I've checked with Zhao earlier.

It didn't come from the murderer.

This proves that Shi Liu was caught off guard when she died.

She probably died from a sneak attack behind her.

That was where she suffered a fatal blow.

Puppet Li has admitted,

that he killed Jiang Cen...

because Jiang Cen broke the rules of the game.

Then, the same method was used to kill Shi Liu.

Puppet Li must be afraid that we will take away the treasure.

That's why he's taking us down one by one.

It can't be.

It doesn't make any sense.

If that was true,

Puppet Li would be cheating.

Do you think...

it's possible that Shi Liu broke the rules of the game?

That's why Puppet Li killed her.

That's just pure conjecture.

Right, Jian.

When we went separate ways last night,

Shi Liu said there was something strange,

in the northeast corner of the island,

and that she wanted to speak to you because you're a detective.

What else did she tell you?

Nothing else.

The northeast corner?

That's right.

The northeast corner?

Zhao, stay here, and look after Ming Yue.

The rest of us will go over there to check it out.

All right. Let's go.

Tell me. He's seen so many dead bodies.

Yet, he remained so calm.

Back then, the bodies at Shenji Valley...

-were piled up like mountains. -Shenji Valley?

How is it?

This is an island of death.

No one can get out of here alive.

Those who came to this island...

are basically lying around here.

Are you saying that...

these bones belong to those who came for the treasure hunt game?

That's right.

Based on the corrosion of the bones,

they weren't killed at the same time,

but in different batches.

In other words,

this is a serial murder case that lasted for many years.

Look.

These six bones have the smoothest surface.

They should have died a year ago.

And these were from two years ago.

These were from three years ago.

And as for the last batch...

it was even longer.

They have been dead for at least ten years.

Ten years?

Judging from these bones,

they died the same way as Jiang Cen and Shi Liu did.

They all died of a fractured neck.

Jian.

This has a missing ring finger. It was Handy Tang's.

He's really dead.

Soon enough,

we'll be able to catch Puppet Li.

When that comes, I'll kill him myself,

to avenge Shi Liu.

For me?

This is for you.

I don't have anything else to give in return.

Don't get me wrong.

Take it...

and I'll protect you.

Handy Tang's body is right here.

He died a year ago.

But his puppet is placed in the hall.

So, I deduced...

this is how Puppet Li's game is.

He will kill those who break the rules of the game,

and those who do not complete the game.

Then, he will make puppets based on their looks,

and be used in the riddle for the next batch of adventurers.

What about these burnt puppets?

They are probably the props from the previous game.

I don't want to be made a part of the riddle game.

The game that Puppet Li plays is no ordinary game,

but a game of death.

The enemy is hidden in the dark, and we're out in the open.

We might be killed in cold blood by Puppet Li at any time.

It doesn't look good for us.

Do you have any good ideas?

The only way...

is to complete the game...

and get Puppet Li to show up.

That's what a detective is.

Everything he said was right on point.

If we want to live,

we can't act recklessly.

It's so not worthwhile for those who break the rules of the game,

and ended up being killed by Puppet Li.

For the sake of everyone's life,

I have a premature proposal.

Just now, Mr. Jian said that,

we have to solve the mystery quickly,

by finding the pieces.

That way, we can regain the initiative.

Gather all the props together.

We'll leave them in the trust of the most trustworthy person.

Not only it improves efficiency,

it can prevent any infighting.

Don't spare a chance for the enemy to drive a wedge between us.

We'll stick together.

That way, all of us can get out of it.

Why are you pulling that trick again?

Let me do this as a sign of good faith.

Jian, take this.

You might not trust me.

But don't you trust Mr. Jian?

I think,

it's best to leave all the props in the trust of Mr. Jian.

Old geezer!

Give it to me.

I believe in this young man.

All right.

That's the way.

Sir.

Call me if you need anything.

The nose, finger, and hand.

Mr. Jian.

Where's the hand?

It's with Zhao Wo Huan.

It's all right. I'll tell Zhao to pass the hand to you too.

Right now, the only thing we're missing is the eyeball.

Victory is in sight.

We'll just have to wait to get the treasure, get out of here,

and be on our own.

It's settled, then.

Let's go back and find the last prop.

I must warn you.

We don't mind you being useless.

But don't give us trouble. Do you hear me?

Yes, that's for sure.

What's the matter?

Jian Jin Huan of Shenji Valley was your father?

That's right. What's the matter? Do you know him?

You can say that. Come over here.

I have a secret to share with you.

Ten years ago,

I set my eyes on the Golden Seal belonging to Gu Feng of Yibei Bank.

During the feast on August 15,

I sneaked into his house to steal it and had it for a few days.

But Gu Feng didn't report the case to the authorities.

All was quiet.

What's even more strange,

was that Gu Feng even organised a wedding,

for her daughter one month later.

Could the one you stole be a fake one?

I thought it was strange, too.

So, I was thinking to infiltrate the wedding,

to investigate it.

But just when I got in there,

someone said something behind me.

And because of that,

my cover was blown.

What did he say?

That person said that,

no matter how perfect a crime is, there will still be flaws.

It all comes down to one's imagination...

whether he can see through it or not.

Guess who was that.

My father.

When I woke up,

I found myself on death row.

-Death row? -That's right.

I stole the prison warden's identity and worked for half a year.

It was so boring. So, I came out.

That's not the point.

The thing is that,

I got screwed because of your father.

All was quiet then,

because your father laid the trap for me.

The Golden Seal was real.

It was to make me walk right into the trap.

I didn't know that my father...

pulled something like that when he was young.

I always thought that he was a serious person.

Is this the secret that you wanted to share with me?

This is one of the reasons why I shared the secret with you.

Come here.

Mr. Zhao is making rapid progress.

Good skills.

Spill.

Here's the thing.

We just came up with a strategy with Jian.

It's going to be used against Puppet Li.

All of us will leave the pieces of the puppets in the trust of Jian.

We have handed over the pieces to him.

Zhao.

Zhao.

Give me the hand. I'll pass it to Jian.

It's not with me.

Did you lose it?

I gave it to Ming Yue as a token of love.

It's inappropriate to ask it back.

There's one that you haven't found, right?

When you find it, I'll get it back for you.

That's a good idea.

Zhao, I'll let you get back to it.

I searched the whole day, and there was nothing.

Sir, what's on your mind?

I'm thinking about Puppet Li.

Although Puppet Li loves playing games,

he's definitely not someone who enjoys playing with death.

That's because none of you have seen Puppet Li before.

What's the matter?

This is some serious injuries.

Thank goodness you didn't touch my crystal.

I'm using it to start a fire.

Don't touch my diagram.

You're awake.

Try to bite your tongue.

You don't feel a thing, right?

I just gave you an anaesthetic.

You'll have to wait until tomorrow to get your senses back.

You know who I am?

Yes.

Didn't you kill your friend's family of 23?

You're worse than a beast.

You're a wanted man in the martial world.

Your arm is seriously injured.

The bones at your elbow are crushed.

This is the biggest piece.

I got hit by the meteor hammer.

Are you going to remove my arm?

No, I'm going to put in ceramic ones for you.

Otherwise,

your arm will be crippled for good.

Who are you?

I am the descendant of the Mohists.

You can call me Puppet Li.

Everyone calls me that.

So you're Puppet Li?

Apart from this rotten life,

I have nothing now.

The Mohists specialise in trapping mechanisms.

It was originally used to help people.

When there were wars,

we would research on defence mechanism.

When the wars ceased to exist,

we would research on...

agricultural machinery and water conservancy facilities.

The purpose of doing so,

was to make people's lives better.

I'll offer help where help is needed.

Are you going to help anyone...

-regardless if they are good or bad? -Not really.

Someone asked me to design,

a hidden murder weapon.

That, I can't help.

But I...

killed people.

Right now, you're being hunted down.

That's quite pitiful.

I'll help you, however I can.

So, you're here...

to change your elbow.

It's been too long.

It doesn't feel as good now.

That's why...

I would like to see him...

to get a new elbow.

I didn't expect this to happen.

Actually, I've always been a good judge of character.

Puppet Li...

is definitely not a homicidal maniac.

The murderer might be someone else.

This case...

isn't that simple.

There might be some mystery underlying this affair.

Be quiet if you want to live.

Oh, right.

You're mute.

You wouldn't be able to make any noise.

I'll ask you one last time.

Where's the puppet's hand?

If you don't tell me, I'll...

Ms. Ming Yue.

Think about it.

To you, that's just a useless wooden hand.

Is it more important than your life?

I've been in the martial world for years.

I always keep my word.

All you have to do is give me the wooden hand,

and I'll let you go at once.

I'm telling you.

There's a limit to my patience.

I'll ask you one freaking final time.

Where's the wooden hand?

I've searched your room.

It's not there.

If it wasn't in the room,

where could it be?

It must be on you.

Since you refuse to play ball,

don't blame me for this.

Kidnapping a girl in the middle of the night?

That's not the right thing to do.

Zhao Wo Huan?

Why are you here?

Let her go...

and I'll spare your life.

I think you stole my line.

Ask her to give me the wooden hand, and I'll let both of you live.

The wooden hand is not with her.

It's with me.

Great, let's make a deal, then.

Give me the wooden hand, and I'll return Ming Yue to you.

I'm telling you, move one more step forward,

I'll push her off the cliff.

On the count of three.

After that,

I'm going to kill you.

Zhao Wo Huan.

-One. -Get things straight.

Her life is in my hands now.

You should get things straight.

Your life...

is in my hands.

Two.

Zhao Wo Huan.

She's the one you love.

Think it through.

Three.

I'm going to push her.

Hold on!

I'll give you the hand.

Let her go.

You've reminded me.

I'm no match for you.

What if you come after me...

after I let Ming Yue go?

What do you want, then?

The reason why I'm known as the luckiest man,

not because I'm always in luck.

It's because I never fight a battle or make a bet,

that I can never win.

Do you want Ming Yue?

Stab on both your left and right arms.

Make four cuts on your legs, and give me the wooden hand.

Then, I'll let you have Ming Yue.

Right.

Do you know why Jiang Cen wanted to kill Jian Bu Zhi?

That's because I told him to.

Jian Bu Zhi comes from Shenji Valley.

For us to win, he has to die.

It's all because your buddy is too smart.

Only by killing him,

will I stand a chance to win.

Why should I believe that,

you will let Ming Yue go?

Don't worry about that.

All I want is the wooden hand and to get the treasure.

I don't care about the rest.

Aren't you afraid I'll tell them?

You would be crippled by then.

And I would have taken off with the treasure.

Just do as I say,

and I'll surely let Ming Yue go.

All right.

Remember what you said.

Don't move!

That's enough.

Toss the knife over.

Don't be afraid.

I'm here.

Your treasure hunt plan was perfect.

It's almost flawless.

You dug up a hole a few days ago,

to hide the treasure and yourself in there,

so that you can shake us off, right?

How did you know?

The King of Thieves shared a little secret with me.

The puppet's eye has been found.

Hao Zhou Yun.

I saw it under his pillow.

Perhaps, he noticed I was there.

So, he moved it elsewhere.

I don't know where it is now.

I'll admit defeat.

Where did you hide Zhao Wo Huan and Ming Yue?

About that...

Jian.

Hey.

Why are you injured again?

It was nothing.

Just a minor injury. It's not worth mentioning.

Isn't this the most fortunate man in the martial world?

I thought you never fight a battle or make a bet,

that you can't win?

Why are you suddenly behaving now?

Get on your feet and make a bet.

Zhao, that's enough.

Let's go with the plan first.

Sure.

You still need me.

Why would we need you?

When Puppet Li comes,

we'll have to negotiate with him.

I've got the gift of the gab.

Let me go. I'll talk to him.

Says who that we want to negotiate?

Let me tell you.

We want to capture him alive.

What?

Keep your voice down.

Stay still if you want to live.

I'm going to crush your mouth if you scream again.

It's been so many years.

Finally, someone solved the riddle.

-Congrats. -It's not hard to solve the riddle.

What's hard is that we are still alive now.

All my treasures are here.

What else do you want?

I had a lot of questions.

But I'll just ask this.

Ask away.

You saved someone ten years ago,

and gave him an elbow.

Do you still remember?

Sort of.

The girl asked me to thank you.

The girl who had her elbow replaced?

That was nothing. It's not worth mentioning.

What if he wasn't a girl,

but a man?

What do you mean?

Nothing.

The real Puppet Li wouldn't have forgotten that.

Who exactly are you?

No matter how much you know,

you won't be able to leave this island alive.

Watch out!

This is Puppet Li.

That's him.

Judging from the condition of the dried corpse,

he's been dead for at least 10 years.

Dead?

A dried corpse?

And it's been ten years?

Who was the one talking to us, then?

And who killed Jiang Cen and Shi Liu?

This place is haunted.

You've seen a lot.

What's going on?

Do you want to know the answer?

Come and ask me.