The Path to the Underworld.
- Where are they?
- The Mass Grave.
The Gate of Hell.
Humans buried as sacrifices.
Di Renjie, you're next.
[Di Renjie: Bloodstained Coffin]
In the first year of Longsuo,
His Majesty is determined
to pacify the north
to solidify the nation's foundation.
On this night of the Lantern Festival,
Liu Weizhou, Minister of the Court
of Imperial Sacrifices,
is appointed to lead the prayers.
Expel plague demons and invoke blessings.
[Liu Weizhou, Minister of the Court
of Imperial Sacrifices]
The gods descend, blessings to all sides.
We pray to the Heavenly Lord
to protect this vast land.
Look! Look!
This is amazing!
It's snowing.
This snow is an auspicious omen!
It's auspicious!
The sinful ones pollute the world,
committing heinous wrongs.
The gods punish,
afflicting all with divine retribution!
Empyrean Fairy descends on snow,
with red silk for a path
and a crimson phoenix carriage!
The Lantern Festival banquet...
Begin!
The sinful ones pollute the world,
Hurry! This way!
Catch them!
Committing heinous wrongs.
The gods punish,
afflicting all with divine retribution!
On Lantern Festival night,
Minister Liu dies,
Heaven's punishment descends,
and the guilty tremble.
[Imperial Guard]
Chief Justice is here!
What did you say?
[Situ Feng, Chief Justice
of the Court of Judicial Review]
"Di Renjie, dare you gamble life with me?"
What does that mean?
A blood-written white banner
hangs on the city gate.
[Jiang Mulan,
Commander of the Imperial Guard]
It looks like the k*ller's provocation.
Isn't it said that a vengeful ghost
kills people?
This ghost
wants to gamble with Di Renjie's life.
Regardless of whether the k*ller is human
or ghost, and whoever they gamble with,
the Imperial Guard
will do everything to capture
the real culprit.
In my opinion,
you might just bring Di Renjie back
for questioning.
As the former Commander
of Imperial Guard,
[Di Renjie, dare you gamble life with me?]
Di Renjie's name
appears at the crime scene.
If we claim he has nothing to do
with this,
it would be hard to convince the public.
I've sent men to investigate.
Lord Di's whereabouts.
Lord Di?
The Imperial Guard
is quite nostalgic.
He resigned three years ago,
yet you still call him Lord.
I'm warning you.
This is the first Lantern Festival
His Majesty celebrates
with the people since
he ascended the throne.
And such a bizarre incident occurs.
Let's see how you
answer to the Court.
Don't bother...
I suggest you arrest Di
as soon as possible.
Otherwise,
don't blame me for stepping in.
I have to
report to His Majesty.
Goodbye!
A vengeful ghost k*lling
during the New Year.
What ill fortune!
Found him?
As you predicted.
Place your bets!
Bet more, win more! Bet less, win less!
Place your bets and no more changes!
Open it!
Are you betting or not?
Thirteen rounds of small in a row.
I don't believe it.
These dice must hate big bets.
I'm betting big again!
Enough talk.
Look carefully!
Big! Big! Big!
Big! Big! Big!
Two, two, three. Seven points. Small!
Place your bets and no more changes!
Big!
Big!
Master, can you come with me for a bit?
How many times have I told you?
Don't come to me whenever there's a case.
I'm no longer one of the Imperial Guard.
This case involves you.
Now the Court of Judicial Review
is looking for you too.
Coming with me
is better than being arrested by them.
Arrest me?
I'm just a commoner.
At the crime scene,
the k*ller left a blood message
challenging you by name
to gamble with your life!
Gamble with my life?
[Di Renjie, dare you gamble life with me?]
Mulan.
Master,
this is the Deputy Commander
of the Imperial Guard,
[Luo Zhouxing, Deputy Commander
of the Imperial Guard]
Luo Zhouxing.
I, Zhouxing, greet Lord Di.
Don't call me "Lord."
I'm just a commoner,
and I can't bear it.
Master,
have you offended anyone recently?
The only people I could offend now
are petty thieves and scoundrels.
Tell me about the case.
Last night,
Minister Liu of the Court of
Imperial Sacrifices
presided over the Lantern Festival
sacrificial ceremony here.
At the ceremony,
a shaman performed an exorcism dance
and set off fireworks.
After the fireworks,
it started snowing.
At first, it seemed like
an auspicious sign,
but then a vengeful ghost suddenly
descended from the sky.
With ghost fire, it cut limbs
and k*lled dozens of people in an instant.
A vengeful ghost?
A Soul Catcher?
According to survivors,
Lord Liu was taken away
by a skull in the sky,
and his body never found.
A skull in the sky?
All of this
must be illusions.
The problem is
how did the k*ller create illusions
and k*ll in front of so many people?
Apart from sulfur and saltpeter,
there's a strange fragrance.
Other substances were likely mixed in.
Lord Di.
[Coroner]
Long time no see.
Indeed.
It's been three years.
Don't call me Lord.
Any findings?
From my initial examination,
there seem to be two ways of k*lling.
The commoners who died
have no visible wounds on their bodies.
But their faces are contorted,
as if they died of fright.
You mean they were scared to death?
And the second way?
The guards
all had their heads cut off
and limbs severed.
The cuts aren't from ordinary blades,
and there are clear burn marks.
Severe burn marks?
Please continue your examination.
Those people who fled
also claim to have seen ghost fire.
What the eyes see isn't always the truth.
Have you searched this place?
Yes,
nothing unusual.
When did you arrive at the crime scene?
We were patrolling the area last night,
so we got here shortly after it happened.
The city gates are sealed,
and officers patrol the streets.
The k*ller likely hasn't fled the city.
Go.
Search all nearby shops.
Yes.
This way.
We found bloodstains
in the City Gate Armory.
Lord, there is a secret passage here.
Open it.
There is such a secret passage down here.
When the w*r situation was critical
years ago,
the passage was used to sneak
in and out of the city gates.
It has been deserted for a long time.
This should be the shaman's clothes.
And this mask.
They changed here and fled.
Let's go.
It's Lord Liu.
Divine punishment descends.
A hundred deaths won't atone.
The next punished one
will die at 7 to 9 p.m. on the 16th day
of the first lunar month.
Where to find an old friend?
Mist and rain fill the towers.
"The next punished one..."
Does that mean another k*lling?
"On the 16th day of the first
lunar month..."
Isn't it today?
Less than 4 hours remain
until 7 p.m.
The k*ller wanted to gamble "life"
with me.
It turns out they're gambling with
others' lives.
They wanted to gamble
whether they k*ll faster or I save faster.
Commander!
Lord Situ of the Court of
Judicial Review is here.
What a foul place!
The stench is unbearable!
Di Renjie!
Jiang Mulan,
arrest this man!
After so many years,
you still jump to conclusions
when handling cases.
"Jump to conclusions..."
Fine, let me ask you.
Why didn't the m*rder*r gamble with me
or gamble with him?
But only
gamble with you?
This was left by the k*ller.
Within four hours,
another m*rder will happen.
Where to find an old friend?
Mist and rain fill the towers.
This "old friend"
doesn't mean a real friend.
It means someone already departed.
"Mist and rain fill the towers"
likely points to the next k*lling site.
Chang'an City
has a dense river network,
all flowing into the Mist-and-Rain River.
"Mist and rain fill the towers"
must refer to the Mist-and-Rain River.
Along the Mist-and-Rain River,
there are at least hundreds of families.
How do we search them all?
This was also left by the k*ller?
The k*ller created a confusing setup
to gamble with me.
The rice left at the scene
must have its meaning.
Leaving rice?
Could it
relate to a rice shop?
Yes, it must be a rice shop
on the Mist-and-Rain River!
Let's go to the Mist-and-Rain River!
We've asked around.
There are two rice shops here.
One is in Qinghe Lane,
and the other
near the theater ahead.
Why are you in such a hurry?
Sorry, Lord.
Hurry up, girls.
What are you waiting for?
We'll miss the Dream Mist House's
courtesan selection!
Got it.
Let's go.
Got it. Coming.
Courtesan?
Let's go!
Grand Award of the Lantern Festival!
Spin and win!
Please.
Come on!
Next!
Let me!
Don't worry!
Please wait.
Officer, you spin first please.
[Grand Award]
You won the Grand Award
of the Lantern Festival!
Please come in with me!
Master.
Officers,
I'm sorry,
but he can only go in alone.
Apologies.
Never mind.
Wait for me outside.
Lord Di, your visit
truly brightens this humble shop.
Lord Di, this way please.
- How do you know my surname is Di?
- This way, please.
You're famous.
Everyone knows you.
The path is narrow.
Please watch your step.
This is bad.
Master!
Go! Hurry up!
Master.
What happened?
As soon as I entered,
I fell into their trap.
Wang Xun, take some men
and check over there.
Let's go!
Lord.
The shopkeeper and his family were k*lled.
It seems that they have been dead
for a long time.
This is not the right place.
According to the note,
"Where to find an old friend?
Mist and rain fill the towers."
Doesn't it refer to
the Mist-and-Rain River?
Hurry up, girls.
What are you waiting for?
We'll miss the Dream Mist House's
courtesan selection!
Do you remember the girls we met
on the bridge?
Singing girls?
Singing girls headed to Dream Mist House
for the courtesan selection.
Master, do you think they're suspicious?
We don't know whether they are suspicious
or not.
But the next k*lling place
must be Dream Mist House.
"Where to find an old friend?
Mist and rain fill the towers."
This is a line by the former dynasty poet
Yang Su.
He frequented brothels.
Dream Mist House has Yan (Mist)
in its name
and it's by the water.
Isn't it "mist and rain fill the towers"?
Mr. Zhang,
it's been a while since you came
last time.
Come on, same place as always.
By the Mist-and-Rain River,
beautiful women are everywhere.
But if you want both beauty and talent,
can any of them
match our girls at Dream Mist House?
Same rules.
Whoever
bids the highest.
[Longan Beach]
Wins the courtesan tonight.
[Zhuang Xi, owner of Dream Mist House]
Cheers.
Mr. Zhuang.
I didn't expect that
after
yesterday's big mess,
we
Still have such a big crowd tonight.
What mess?
Mr. Zhuang, you were dead drunk
last night,
so you probably haven't heard.
A ghost appeared at the Lantern Festival
prayer ceremony.
Lord Liu Weizhou was k*lled.
What did you say?
Liu Weizhou is dead?
Mr. Zhuang, where are you going?
Little girl, what are you doing here?
Father came to see the courtesan.
Mother was so angry she brought me here
to find him.
But I got separated from her.
Uncle,
can you help me find my mother?
Fine.
I'll take you to your mother, okay?
Let's go.
Zhuang the pimp, blood on his robes.
Heaven's punishment falls,
his life forfeit.
[Dream Mist House]
Ruyan! Ruyan! Ruyan!
Everyone!
Please calm down!
Who is the courtesan?
We'll announce it soon!
Mr. Hua from Jiangling
bids 1,000 taels!
Mr. Zhou from Luoshui
bids 2,000 taels!
2,000 taels! Any higher price?
Have men guard the back door.
Don't let anyone go.
5,000 taels!
Any higher bid?
How about you, sir?
Would you like to bid higher?
I'll go upstairs.
Keep up.
Sir, you're finally here.
I miss you so much.
The courtesan chosen tonight is...
Miss Ruyan!
Come here.
Come here.
Come here.
Di Renjie!
Go collect the corpse!
Master...
It's an illusion.
The hallucinogenic powder
is likely on these flower petals.
It's all my fault.
This method of k*lling
is hard to defend against.
Let go of me!
Let go of me!
You've harbored a fugitive.
Explain that at the Imperial Guard
headquarters!
How was I supposed to know
Ruyan was the k*ller?
It should be Zhuang Xi. Where did he go?
My lord, we found bloodstains
in the kitchen.
The kitchen?
Have you checked inside?
Not yet.
Open it.
Another note.
You lost. Same rules.
Now I'll tell you
about the third punished one.
Travel a thousand miles,
meet the Gate of Hell.
They'll die at about 11 p.m. on the 17th
of the first lunar month.
[A father's debt, the son repays]
A father's debt, the son repays.
Di Zhixun.
Three years ago,
Master's father
was caught for collaborating with
the Khitans.
Unable to bear the humiliation,
he hanged himself in prison.
Soon after,
Master resigned and went home.
I heard
that Lord Di arrested his father himself.
I think Master resigned
just because of that.
He's never been able to let it go.
"A father's debt, the son repays."
What kind of debt
did Lord Di's father owe
that Lord Di must now repay?
I think the k*ller
is deliberately provoking Master.
It's not that simple.
Two identical badges
suggest the same motive
behind both murders.
Perhaps
it really relates to the Di Zhixun case
3 years ago.
The design on this badge.
[Horse]
looks officially made by the Court,
but I've never seen it before.
Likely not from our current dynasty.
Find out its origin quickly!
This k*ller
seems to love ritual.
Like the Liu Weizhou case,
a note and an object were left
at the scene.
[You lost. Same rules. Now I'll tell you
about the third punished one]
The note also has several key characters.
[Travel a thousand miles, meet the Gate of Hell. They'll
die at about 11 p.m. on the 17th of the first lunar month]
And at the scene,
[A father's debt, the son repays]
A blood message was also left.
[Di Renjie, dare you gamble life with me?]
If the line.
"Where to find an old friend?
Mist and rain fill the towers"
refers to.
Zhuang Xi, the owner of Dream Mist House,
then "Travel a thousand miles,
meet the Gate of Hell"
also likely
contains the victim's
identity information.
Commander!
The coroner invites everyone
to the morgue.
Old Coroner.
Lord Di.
Any new findings?
I've re-examined them carefully.
Those who seemed to have their souls
taken by vengeful ghosts
were actually
k*lled by a sharp, needle-like weapon.
The same goes for the victim
from Dream Mist House.
Though he appeared to bleed
from all orifices,
actually,
the true fatal wound
is here.
A fine needle
pierced precisely into the heart.
The wound is tiny,
so blood doesn't flow out,
but the internal organs
become a sea of blood.
This method of k*lling is very concealed.
If done quickly,
the victim might not even feel
someone trying to k*ll them.
Plus, they were under an illusion.
So they seem to have been possessed
by a ghost
and scared to death.
This
reminds me
of a legendary.
Khitan k*lling technique.
Ghost Hand?
Yes, Ghost Hand.
Old Coroner,
I remember you said
there are two ways
to k*ll.
Yes.
Then the ghost fire...
What kind of strange hidden weapon
is that?
I don't know yet.
But
the burning on the wounds,
though it looks like ghost fire,
is actually just from
burning phosphorus powder.
All of these
are tricks to hide the actual
k*lling method.
It's a cover-up.
So Lord Liu
being pulled into the sky by a skull
was also a trick?
Lord Liu was pulled up by a rope.
When I went up the city tower today,
I noticed rope marks
on the railing.
As for the skull in the sky,
witnesses were likely under an illusion.
There must be someone else
casting the illusion.
This person should be the shaman.
If both murders were committed by Khitans,
what is their purpose?
In such a big city like Chang'an,
you chose such a place to meet.
A prost*tute,
and a freak,
only causing trouble everywhere.
b*stard.
You're asking to die!
You are sneaking around,
but you blaming me?
Humiliate me if you want,
but don't insult her.
Aren't you afraid General
will punish you?
Don't pressure me with General!
Who called her a freak?
It's the General himself.
Having a falling out?
General.
Father.
Feng Jiu.
[Huyan Chi]
Who told you to cause trouble
at the rice shop?
Please calm down, General.
I have nothing to do
with... with the rice shop incident.
I don't know how...
I know who did it.
You're a good boy.
You wouldn't be so disobedient.
The employer
wanted us to lure out Di Renjie,
not to k*ll him.
Just follow orders.
Don't cause extra trouble.
Keep
your hands clean.
Yes, General.
Your Highness,
that's all about the two murders.
It's certain
that the k*ller will strike again tonight,
at midnight on January 17th.
Another person may die.
[Prince Xian, Li Zhong]
Autopsies show that
the victims
from the Lantern Festival prayer
and the Dream Mist House
were all k*lled by the Khitan
k*lling technique.
Preliminary judgment suggests
the K*llers in both cases
likely
came from the Khitan Empire.
How audacious!
His Majesty is determined
to campaign north.
Lord Liu
was a pillar of the pro-w*r faction.
Yet
he was brutally m*rder*d by Khitans
in broad daylight!
This is a blatant provocation
against our dynasty!
The Imperial Guard failed in its duty.
I can't absolve myself from the blame!
I beg Your Highness
to allow the Imperial Guard
to atone for its crime!
Your Highness, please see clearly.
Di Renjie is a major suspect.
To prevent the Imperial Guard
from showing favoritism,
this case should be tried
by the Court of Judicial Review.
Rise.
His Majesty is very concerned about
these bloody cases,
so he has appointed me
to oversee the investigation.
Lord Situ,
this case cannot rely solely on
the Court of Judicial Review.
If we work together,
we'll get to the bottom of it
sooner.
Yes.
Di Renjie,
they say you solve cases like a god.
Since the k*ller wants to gamble with you,
I
Authorize you
to assist the Imperial Guard
and the Court of Judicial Review
to investigate this case
and bring the k*ller to justice.
Yes, Your Highness.
Get up.
When did Ruyan arrive at Dream Mist House?
It was...
Ten days ago.
Zhuang Xi brought her in.
I think they met while gambling.
Who has Zhuang Xi been close with lately?
Well...
Mr. Zhuang knows so many people.
Everyone who comes to Dream Mist House
is familiar with him.
If you insist on who he's closest with...
Oh right,
the one who died
on the Lantern Festival,
Lord Liu.
Liu Weizhou?
Yes!
Recently,
he's been here more than once.
And he wasn't alone.
There was another person.
By their clothing,
they seemed like
a martial artist.
When they two came,
they didn't call for the girls.
Come and pay your respects, girls!
No need!
We're here
to talk to Mr. Zhuang.
They were in Mr. Zhuang's room.
I don't know what they were doing.
And Ruyan went to see them.
Ruyan,
Madam sent me to ask you
if you need some girls to accompany you.
No need!
Do you remember
what that martial artist looked like?
I really don't!
Every time he came,
he would cover his face.
Ruyan must have planned this.
Liu Weizhou and the other two
went to the restaurant
to talk about something important.
And was targeted by Ruyan.
Could the one who looks like
a martial artist
be the next target of the m*rder*r?
Unfortunately, the boss
didn't see his face.
Could he be an armed escort?
An armed escort?
There's an old saying in escort agencies.
"An escort travels a thousand miles,
but hard to pass the Gate of Hell."
Chang'an has 12 escort agencies,
over 300 escorts in total.
These are the rosters.
Over 300 escorts...
Where should we start?
Send men to check
which agency
is holding a funeral today.
Also focus on asking
who's been to Dream Mist House recently.
Okay.
I'll arrange it right away.
Oh right,
Situ Feng took those two badges.
I don't know what he's planning.
Could it be...
Let him be for now.
I need to go out.
Where are you going, Master?
To Wind Village.
It's a dozen miles away.
Why are you going to Wind Village?
To find an old friend.
This person knows everything
about both the living and the dead.
I think she can help me explain
how the k*ller created the illusions.
I'll go with you.
Anyone home?
You haven't come to see me
for so many years.
I thought you'd turned to ashes.
You even brought a beautiful wife here.
You have good taste.
Long time no see.
Stop joking.
This is my friend.
We're here
to ask you something important.
[Sorceress]
Same rules.
Give me your most treasured possession
in exchange.
Half a jade pendant?
Master,
isn't that your father's keepsake?
Dead people's things...
I won't take it!
You have nothing to give,
then I'll take something myself.
Dig your eyes
or cut your nose?
I have.
This is your most treasured possession?
Which man gave this to you?
Tell me what you want to know.
Sorceress, please take a look.
This bell belongs to Yin Ruoli,
the Jade-Faced Rakshasa.
This Soul Bell, combined with
Henbane Immortal,
can trap people in illusions.
Once the illusion sets in,
it's usually fatal.
This petal
has been soaked in the Henbane Immortal.
Take a look at these fireworks too.
They likely contain a fair amount
of Henbane Immortal powder.
The Jade-Faced Rakshasa has appeared,
and Yeyang, the Green Grove Girl
is with her.
Yeyang, poisoned since childhood,
though grown,
still looks like a child.
This person is good at Ghost Hand,
k*lling without a trace.
Except them,
there's also a demon called Nether Yaksha.
He has likely come as well.
[Hundred Herbs Hall]
All of these have been soaked
in Henbane Immortal.
There was such a big mess
in Chang'an City yesterday.
So you did such a big business.
I'm afraid the money is too little.
What?
Trying to break the rules?
This hallucinogen is potent,
but its efficiency is short.
It won't work in one day at most.
So you need fresh flowers picked that day
to make the brew.
One day at most?
Picked that day... That means
this Henbane Immortal
is from Chang'an City?
As far as I know,
the only place in Chang'an
that grows this herb
is Hundred Herbs Hall.
It's a dark escort shipment anyway.
A few more of you won't matter!
Master, this man is alive.
Dark...
Dark... escort.
Dark escort.
Dark escort?
I actually know a little about this.
Tell us.
Armed escorts fall into two types.
One type works in the living world,
transporting valuables for people.
That's a dangerous trade.
The other is more secretive,
working for the netherworld.
This is dark escort.
They transport funeral money and coffins
for the dead.
Those who do dark escort
don't want others to know about it.
So they don't fly banners
or appear on escort rosters.
Could the k*ller
be targeting a dark escort?
Commander!
Lord Situ of the Court of Judicial Review
is here.
He wants to see Lord Di.
At such a critical time,
what does he want?
[Unfortunately]
[The matter from 20 years ago
has been clarified]
[Come soon. The painting will explain]
[Qin Meng, Underworld Escort Agency]
Master, Mr. Zhuang Xi is dead too.
Master!
Master!
What is it?
I'm going back to my hometown.
Master, can you give me a ride?
My agency doesn't escort the living.
Miss, you've come to the wrong place.
What I'm asking you to escort
is my husband's coffin.
Today, the evil spirits are rampant
and the evil aura is invading.
It's really inappropriate to go out.
Please find someone else, Madam.
Master!
My husband died in a foreign land.
Even if I have to sell myself,
I will bring his remains
back to the hometown.
Master, please take pity on us,
a widow and her young child,
and escort us on our journey.
Mother, I want Father to go home.
Master, I beg you.
I kowtow to you.
Please. Please!
Please!
All right.
I will make an exception
and escort you two.
The bloody words written
on the wall of Dream Mist House
reminds me of a case your father handled.
Lord Situ, if you want to
denounce me for being cruel and unfilial,
- you can wait until the case is over.
- The case from 3 years ago
was handled by me, Chief Justice
of the Court of Judicial Review.
At that time,
your father
told me something happened in the past.
He said, 20 years ago,
he returned to Chang'an from Khitan
because his identity was exposed.
According to him,
he was a spy sent to Khitan by the Court.
He said that this
can be testified by 4 Riding Envoys.
[Horse]
According to him,
it was a position granted by the late
emperor when he was on the throne.
But this position...
Even I, the Chief Justice,
have never heard of it.
When I wanted to investigate further,
your father was suddenly taken away
by the Ministry of Justice.
All the investigation was thus terminated.
Lord Situ,
what do you want to say
by telling me this?
Today,
I found a roster
from the Ministry of Justice.
You'll understand after reading it.
Don't waste my good intentions.
Roster of Riding Envoys?
This was a secret position.
They spied on military affairs and
collected intelligence along the borders.
The position was suddenly abolished
20 years ago.
Those two badges
belonged to some Riding Envoys.
[Liu Weizhou Zichang] [Zhuang Xi Boyang]
Liu Weizhou!
[Liu Weizhou Zichang] [Zhuang Xi Boyang]
Zhuang Xi!
It seems
the people whom the m*rder*r
wanted to assassinate
are on this list.
Let's find
if there are people
mentioned by the Old Coroner.
Dugu Yin from
the Abyssal Return Escort Agency,
Qin Meng from
the Underworld Escort Agency,
and Dongfang An from
the Netherbane Escort Agency.
[Qin Meng]
Look!
Qin Meng!
Sister!
Sister!
Sister!
Let's go!
He's still alive.
Let's go to the Wind Village!
The blood came out of a wound
between his collarbones,
barely two inches away from his throat.
Exactly because of these two inches,
he's still alive.
When will he wake up?
Maybe tomorrow.
Maybe
Never.
Master,
you haven't slept for two days.
When I was young,
the first word he taught me was "nation."
To lay down one's life for the nation
in times of crisis,
and to face death
as though returning home.
But 3 years ago,
I found the evidence myself.
I found the evidence of his treason.
The day he was arrested,
my heart died.
Master
It's been 3 years,
but he still won't let me go.
A father's debt is his son's to repay.
What evil did he do
that the m*rder*r wants revenge on me?
Mulan.
Tell me.
Even Situ Feng who always opposes me
believes that he was innocent.
I'm the only one who doesn't believe it.
I don't.
Whose fault is this?
Is it my fault
or his?
I only know
that the truth
is like the sun.
It may be veiled by dark clouds sometimes,
but the day will always come
when the clouds part
and the sun is seen once more.
Here.
Why did the Khitan assassinate
the Riding Envoys of the emperor?
Who's their next target?
I think the answers are in this painting.
The person you asked me to save
is lucky.
The King of Hell refused to take him in.
Go ahead if you want to ask him questions.
Master Qin,
I am Jiang Mulan,
Commander of the Imperial Guards.
Two murders have happened
in Chang'an City consecutively recently.
You were in danger yesterday.
That was also part of the k*ller's plan.
I see.
Thank you for saving my life.
Help me over there.
OK.
You look very similar
to one of my old friends.
May I know your name?
I am Di Renjie.
You're the one who sent Lord Di to prison?
For 3 years,
though I've been unwilling to believe it,
the evidence of his collusion is solid.
You wronged him!
He was a spy sent
by the late emperor to Khitan.
A spy?
Twenty years ago,
Liu Weizhou,
Zhuang Xi, Xin Wuliang, and I
were all working
for the Riding Envoy system,
a secret imperial spy network.
[Di Zhixun]
That day,
we were ordered to go to the north border
to meet Lord Di.
Lord Di sent us an important piece
of intelligence.
Inside the Court,
there was an unidentified Khitan traitor.
[Traitor]
This man was in a high position.
The intelligence he sold
caused many failures
in the northern expedition.
Unexpectedly,
this secret meeting
was interrupted by a sudden assassination.
The four of us covered Lord Di to escape
and escorted him back to Chang'an.
Soon after, the Riding Envoy system
was disbanded.
We went our separate ways.
Until 3 years ago,
Lord Di was suddenly arrested for treason
and died in prison.
That's when I knew it was far from over.
A few days ago,
I received a letter
and a painting from Xin Wuliang
who I hadn't met for a long time.
I asked Liu Weizhou to go with me
and discuss it with Zhuang Xi.
No need.
The matter from 20 years ago
has been clarified.
Come to see me fast.
The painting is like a meeting.
But what does the last sentence mean?
Wuliang was always cautious.
Could it be that
something is hidden in this painting?
Who is it?
It's Ruyan.
Madam asked me to ask you
if you need some girls to accompany you.
No need.
Don't bother us again.
Liu Weizhou took the painting away
as he was afraid there were too many ears
in the Dream Mist House.
Who knew that before the mystery
of the painting could be solved,
he and Zhuang Xi
got k*lled one after another.
Was it this painting?
Yes!
Why do you have it?
This painting
was left in the coffin by the m*rder*r.
Turns out they've stolen it!
It seems
you were targeted
by the Khitan K*llers long ago.
General, please forgive me.
I failed to protect Yeyang.
Forget it.
She carried an evil omen.
Perhaps it's for the best that she's dead.
I didn't do my job well.
I left Qin Meng alive.
I'll go get him now.
Get him?
How?
You don't even know where they are!
A bunch of losers!
My lord.
I've sent someone to the Imperial Guard
to ask around.
They are in the Wind Village.
Please rest assured.
There will be no mistake this time.
This painting is about
the story of Su Qin pricking his thigh.
It was him?
Yes.
Su Qin
held the seals of six states
and was extremely powerful.
However,
he had another secret identity.
He was
the spy sent by King of Yan to Qi.
I think Xin Wuliang
tried to tell Master Qin
through this painting
that there was news about
that Khitan spy.
Lord Di was k*lled,
and the traitor was hiding
inside the Court.
Wuliang dare not act rashly.
That was why he used this way
to arrange a secret meeting
with us for discussion.
Since it was a secret meeting,
well,
the location of the meeting
must be in this painting.
Look outside the window.
There's a snow mountain there.
Master Qin,
think more carefully about it.
Where did you meet
with my father?
Did you see a snow mountain back then?
It's Snow Ridge Inn.
So, they stole this painting
to find.
Xin Wuliang's hiding place.
Then, their next target
must be Xin Wuliang!
I'll go back to the Imperial Guard
and bring my men.
Wait.
Now,
we're not the only ones
looking for Xin Wuliang.
The less people know about this,
the better.
Let's pack up
and set out immediately.
Master Qin,
farewell.
Take care.
Take care.
I have one more thing to ask you.
We've been traveling day and night.
At least we weren't delayed.
After working with Lord Di,
I've finally understood
"There's always someone better."
By the way,
I heard
you joined the Imperial Guard
because of Lord Di, as well.
Ten years ago,
I was the daughter of a fallen official.
Stop!
Stop!
On the way to the Imperial Music Bureau
Go back to the Imperial Music Bureau
with us!
Master saved me.
Stop!
Who are you?
Get lost!
I found out later
that the person who saved me
was the Commander of the Imperial Guard.
From that moment on,
I swore
to become someone like him.
Just leave.
Lord Di,
I want to join the Imperial Guard.
Finally
The heavens won't let down
those who have a will.
He finally took me as his disciple.
Master,
please accept my kowtow.
Wipe your sweat.
[Imperial Guard]
Mulan.
Have you ever thought about
living in another way?
Another way?
Yes.
For example,
wandering around the world.
My life was given by Master.
The Imperial Guard is my home.
I must protect the Imperial Guard
for Master.
From what you said,
you want to quit?
Of course not.
What I want to say is...
Master!
What I want to say is.
I'm willing to follow you
wherever you go.
There is only this one inn
in the surrounding area.
This must be the Snow Ridge Inn.
You go in first.
I'll go tie the horses.
OK.
The starting bid is 80 taels of silver.
One hundred and fifty taels!
Okay, 150 taels.
One hundred and eighty taels!
This gentleman offers 180 taels.
I'll add another 50 taels!
Sir,
what are they auctioning?
This must be your first time here.
Of course it's that beauty over there.
The highest bidder gets her.
Master,
they're selling a person in public.
This is outrageous!
This place is complicated.
Don't act rashly.
Let's get down to business first.
There are so many people in this inn.
How can we find Xin Wuliang?
Five hundred taels!
Five hundred taels?
The gentleman has raised the bid
to 500 taels!
Master, why do you want to buy her?
This gentleman offered 500 taels.
I'll be yours.
Master.
I don't have any silver,
but I do have half of the jade pendant.
How can you sell it so carelessly?
How dare you tease me?
If you don't have the silver,
then pay with your life.
I'm willing to offer 1,000 taels for it!
Sir, please come with me.
Let's settle the deal on the spot
Money for goods.
Master!
I have my own plan.
Please.
Master,
this guest wants to purchase
the exotic beauty with a jade pendant.
Please have a look at it.
OK.
You may leave.
Where did you get
this jade pendant?
Family heirloom.
So similar!
Especially your eyebrows and eyes.
You look very similar to Lord Di.
[Xin Wuliang]
Greetings, Lord Xin.
Here.
How did you find me?
I have one more thing to ask you.
When I arrive at the inn,
how can I recognize Lord Xin?
As far as I know,
your father
once gave Wuliang half of a jade pendant.
I assume the other half
should be with you.
Master Qin was saved.
I cracked the mystery of your painting
of Su Qin Pricking His Thigh
and found some clues.
Therefore, I came here
to warn you.
Three years ago,
Lord Di secretly started the case
to investigate the Khitan spy.
However,
he was framed
and had to prove his innocence with death.
I swore
to find the traitor,
so I travelled thousands of miles
to the border
and bought this inn.
I pretended to go along with them
while secretly gathering information
and intelligence.
A month ago,
at an auction in the inn,
I accidentally got a wooden box
that was stolen from the Khitan camp.
I opened the mechanism of the wooden box.
There was actually a peace treaty inside.
The seal on the letter belongs to...
Him?
Your Highness,
I have something important to report.
What has caused your panic?
Your Highness.
Di Renjie and Jiang Mulan
have left the Wind Village.
We don't know where they are.
His Majesty
asked about the progress
of the m*rder case yesterday.
Their safety is especially important now.
Lord Situ,
how could you be so careless?
It's my fault.
Please forgive me, Your Highness.
Send people immediately to investigate.
Yes!
Your father
asked his best friend in
the Ministry of Justice to give it to me.
Take it back and take a look.
Dear Huaiying, my son,
It's been three months
since we parted at home.
I'm in the prison.
White-haired though I am,
my heart is still red.
I have nothing to repay my country,
only this five-foot body.
Now I bid you farewell and
go to my death without regret.
My son, don't grieve or mourn.
Carry on what I have left unfinished and
swear to continue the northern expedition.
Loyal hearts hang high
like beacon fires upon the peaks.
w*r banners billow through the clouds
above snow-capped mountains.
If my aspirations are fulfilled,
then though I die, I shall live on.
I shall have no regrets in life or death.
Father.
Final words.
Father!
I'm sorry!
When we arrive here
This is Lord Xin Wuliang.
I am Jiang Mulan.
I'm Luo Zhouxing.
Greetings, Lord Xin.
They are Chiying, Xiaoyue,
[Chiying] [Xiaoyue]
And Linniang.
[Linniang]
I brought them from the Khitan.
Their families were all k*lled
by the Khitan.
They are now helping me gather information
and intelligence.
The position of Riding Envoy
finally has someone to carry it on.
Well, you were selling people downstairs
A Khitan man who sells firearms
is very suspicious.
We wanted to set up a trap to investigate,
but the plan was unexpectedly
interrupted by Lord Di.
This trip back to Chang'an
is full of dangers.
The most important thing
is to protect Lord Xin.
You must be careful.
Lord Xin,
why don't you give it to us?
No need. I know what to do.
It's a long journey.
We will do our best
to protect you.
OK.
Thank you, everyone.
Are you looking for this?
I'm curious.
When did you start suspecting me?
When we came out of the Wind Village,
I started to suspect you.
After we came here,
you asked Lord Xin to give it to you.
That only confirmed
my suspicions about you.
Lord Xin,
why don't you give it to us?
No need. I know what to do.
From beginning to end,
I've never mentioned to you what it was.
If I remember correctly,
in the Lantern Festival m*rder Case,
you were the one
who led us to discover
the secret passage of the armory.
The blood was found
in the City Gate Armory.
Thus
began a deadly game of life and death.
The k*ller is engaged in
a deadly gamble with me.
[Di Renjie, dare you gamble life with me?]
It turns out what's being wagered
are other people's lives.
Whether he can k*ll faster
or I can save them faster.
You're also the one who told me
the Mist-and-Rain River is not
the scene of the crime.
Where to find an old friend?
Mist and rain fill the towers.
Could it be that
it's not the Mist-and-Rain River?
You've been playing us all along.
You must be happy, right?
Yes!
I led all this.
This was my home 20 years ago.
It was also here
that my whole family was wiped out.
The 4 Riding Envoys
and Di Zhixun dit it!
What did you say?
We k*lled your family?
Yes!
You were used by them.
Twenty years ago,
this was my contact point with Lord Di.
The innkeeper betrayed us.
After we escaped to Chang'an,
we never came back here again.
The ones who k*lled your family
must be those Khitan men
who hunted us down,
because your father
knew too much.
Stop making excuses!
I don't believe
one word you're saying.
You didn't k*ll my whole family,
because I survived.
I was hiding in the rice jar
and watched my family
get k*lled one by one.
That's right.
I not only want you
to pay with your blood,
but also let the whole world know
that your death
is a punishment from God!
But what does this
have to do with my master?
Also,
what's your relationship with Yin Ruoli?
I survived
because my foster father took me in.
As for Di Renjie,
a big client went to my foster father.
He wanted to get something back
from Xin Wuliang.
However, Liu Weizhou and the lot
are just useless.
They couldn't make sense of
Xin Wuliang's secret letter.
The client said that
in the whole Chang'an City,
Di Renjie is the only one
who can decipher the letter.
He's looking for his stuff.
I'll take revenge.
Luo Zhouxing,
you really let me down.
Mulan.
Leave.
When General is here,
they will all die.
Jiang Mulan!
You k*lled my sister.
Today, I want you to pay with your blood!
You asked for it.
You deserve it!
Shut up. Take your life!
Today
will be the day you die.
Mulan!
Where is it?
Father, let her go.
Where is the secret letter?
He has it!
It's really you.
I should have k*lled you 20 years ago.
Unfortunately,
you ran away back then.
Because you couldn't k*ll us,
you went to k*ll the whole family
of the innkeeper instead.
He knew too much!
Father
Now that you know,
I'll tell you the truth.
I k*lled your family
because your father was too greedy.
Knowing a little secret
made him want more.
Remember,
to accomplish great things, one must
be willing to do whatever it takes
and not be held back by minor details.
You took the liberty
to try to k*ll Di Renjie
at the rice shop beside
the Mist-and-Rain River.
I don't blame you.
All this time,
I've treated you as my foster son.
I raised you up
to help you build your career
and enjoy wealth.
Now,
such a great merit is in front of you.
You decide
which way to go.
It's not easy to get this.
It's not easy!
Di Renjie,
I want to thank you.
Without you,
how could I not let my client down?
Zhouxing, k*ll them.
Let's go back to Chang'an!
You have been lying to me for 20 years!
Mulan,
if not for this blood feud.
I really wanted to accompany you
to wander
around
the world
Luo Zhouxing
Your Highness, the serial m*rder case
has been solved.
It was the Khitan assassins,
acting under Luo Zhouxing's orders,
who m*rder*d Lord Liu Weizhou,
Zhuang Xi, owner of the Dream Mist House,
along with dozens of civilians and guards.
Currently,
the m*rder*r has been ex*cuted
at the Snow Ridge Inn
on the northern border.
It was actually Luo Zhouxing.
What did I say?
This matter
does have something to do
with the Imperial Guard.
I was negligent and didn't manage
my subbordinate well.
Please punish me, Your Highness.
As for the serial m*rder case,
prepare a more detailed
memorial to the throne
to report it to His Majesty.
Your Highness.
I have one more thing to report.
This is Xin Wuliang.
He was once one of Riding Envoys
sent to the border by the late emperor.
Lord Xin found the key evidence
about the Khitan spy in the Court.
Oh, you found the evidence?
I rushed back to Chang'an from the border
to present this evidence
to His Majesty.
His Majesty is busy
and burdened with paperwork.
I'll pass the case for you.
Is the secret letter inside?
Your Highness,
I have something that I don't understand.
Just now, I only mentioned that Lord Xin
found the key evidence,
but I didn't say what's inside the box.
The secret letter with your name on it,
Your Highness,
has been presented to His Majesty.
This...
Your Highness, please accept the decree.
By the order of the emperor,
Prince Xian, Li Zhong,
colluded with foreign countries.
His conduct is so vile
that even death would not
be a sufficient punishment.
I ordered the Imperial Guard
and the Court of Judicial Review
to investigate this case together.
[Imperial Guard]
Thoroughly investigate all his accomplices
and punish them without exception,
to uphold the law of the land.
So ordered by His Majesty.
I want to see His Majesty!
Are you rebelling?
I want to see His Majesty!
Let me see His Majesty!
I would like
to help you.
This is also a unfulfilled wish that.
Lord Di and we have held for 20 years.
I'll meet His Majesty
and seek justice for Lord Di
who was wrongfully accused,
and our brothers who died unjustly.
Thank you, Lord Situ.
Lord Di had you as his son.
He could rest in peace.
Master, what's your plan for the future?
Why don't you go back
to the Imperial Guard with me?
Oh, right.
Isn't this...
Isn't it with Sorceress?
Since you like it so much,
I got it back for you.
I'll take this as a yes.
Yes for what?
You didn't say no, so it means you agreed!
[Imperial Guard]
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Di Renjie: Bloodstained Coffin (2026)
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