Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

Before enlightenment, nobody knew there was a tree.

A clear mirror is not a stage either.

If you have something in mind,

the divinatory sign will come naturally.

Start the divination.

Yang.

Yin.

It's a done deal.

The officials are here.

Sir.

No.

Why are you...

Mr. Yuan, calm down.

Our Vice Minister

just wanted to ask you something.

What is it?

Cui Bei.

Cui Bei?

Did Cui Bei from the Court of Judicial Review's Mingjing Hall

came to see you?

I just

briefly read his fortune.

His

Ba-Zi is very unique.

His life is filled with inauspicious influence,

hence his luck has never been good.

I think you're talking nonsense.

This stall of yours...

S-Sir.

I haven't finished yet.

At that time,

I told the officer that

there's something unlucky

in everyone's destiny.

I was just comforting him.

But he insisted that

he felt especially unlucky on the day of Qing Ming.

He asked me if I had a solution.

How did you advise him to resolve it?

I had advised him that

it would be better to stay away from the crowds

on that day during Qing Ming,

and go to a place where there's a lot of yin.

For example, if he goes to the north side of the mountain,

he will be able to pass the day peacefully.

Actually,

after staying in the house for a long time,

we should all go out for some fresh air.

So, you're the reason

Cui Bei ran away.

Officer, officer.

Actually,

most of the time when people come to ask for divination,

it doesn't necessarily mean

they need a solution.

They know

there is no real solution.

Yes.

They are just seeking some comfort.

I...

I'm helping them.

I get it. You just spew nonsense,

and sweet talk your way through.

You are an officer,

but you're talking in circles.

He's praising me.

It turns out

he deliberately avoided us during Qing Ming

because he didn't want to affect us.

No wonder he left

without even greeting us.

Have we been ungrateful,

so he betrayed and abandoned us?

How disappointing.

So disappointing indeed.

Cui Bei must have a reason.

Otherwise, why does he only care about Qing Ming?

Did something

happen before?

Let's go find Mr. Cui.

Since he's hiding,

we just have to go out and find him,

isn't it?

It's easier said than done.

Where are we going to find him?

We are the face of the Court of Judicial Review,

and elite soldiers of Mingjing Hall.

Even the most vicious prisoners

can't escape from us,

let alone

a small Cui Bei.

With our Vice Minister,

it's like having one Zhuge Liang

and four stinky cobblers.

Well then...

Hurry up and search.

Okay, let's go.

Take a look if there's any clues.

Check the top of the bookshelf.

Yes, Sir.

Chen Shi,

what else is in his cabinet?

In the middle...

Vice Minister,

you've really hit the jackpot.

He only mentioned going to the mountains,

but he didn't tell us which mountain it was.

We didn't ask him either.

He took two sets of clothes

and packed a bag.

Was he planning to spend the night there?

Last year, he also came back

only after Qing Ming.

I remembered

when he came back,

his boots were wet.

They must have been stained by the morning dew.

There aren't many places you can go on foot

within one day and night.

Tianchi Mountain!

Vice Minister Li.

What is it?

Vice Minister Li,

I know today is supposed to be your off day,

and I shouldn't be troubling you

with chasing a fugitive.

But the fugitive

has escaped into the mountains.

Vice Minister Shangguan

is currently not in office either.

So,

I still need you to give an order,

so that we can search the mountains.

Where did the fugitive come from?

A few days ago,

somehow,

there was a thunderbolt on a sunny day.

The prison wing of the Ministry of Justice then collapsed.

Many important criminals escaped.

What happened?

It's thundering?

What's that sound?

But most of them

have been arrested.

Only one has been on the run.

What crimes did he commit before?

He's a robber

and a bandit.

He had robbed a lot of official silver.

and killed many officials.

But we still haven't found

the stolen goods,

and there were no sign of any accomplices.

That's why he's been imprisoned all this time.

Since he is a fugitive, we should arrest him

as soon as possible.

Yes, Sir.

Wait.

Yes, Vice Minister?

You mentioned that the fugitive went up the mountains.

Which mountain was it?

Tianchi Mountain in the east.

Oh no, it's exactly it!

Hurry.

Are you sure he went up the mountain?

He snatched a bullock cart

and abandoned the cart at the foot of the mountain.

He probably was there to enter the mountain.

Get the horses ready.

Tell your men not to search the mountain just yet.

We'll search it ourselves.

Hurry up and go.

Let me help you.

Yes.

How are you all not done putting on your shoes?

Let's go to Tianchi Mountain.

Let's go.

Do it yourself.

Hurry up.

Wait for me.

This is where

we lost the fugitive's trail.

There are three roads up the mountain.

I wonder which road

Cui Bei took.

We're not looking for Cui Bei.

We're looking for the fugitive.

Cui Bei went up the mountain this morning.

We definitely won't be able to catch up with him.

But, the fugitive just went up the mountain.

So,

as long as we catch up with the fugitive,

he won't be able to hurt others,

or meet Mr. Cui.

In order to avoid being tracked,

the fugitive would definitely not choose the main road.

He must also be physically exhausted from running away.

That road is too steep,

so he wouldn't choose that either.

That means...

It's this one.

Let's go.

Vice Minister, we...

I am not done.

Why are you stopping me?

I know what you want to say.

Sir has already mentioned that

he doesn't believe in bad luck. Why would you still mention it?

You're simply asking for trouble.

Well, I'm afraid of accidents.

It's fine.

Maybe Vice Minister has a

tenacious life, just like I do.

We might just end up safe and sound.

Impossible.

Let's go.

Slow down.

Sir,

you'd better use a stick to probe the way ahead.

It's okay. I'll take the lead.

Keep up.

This...

No.

-Vice Minister, Sir. -Hold on.

What a shabby place!

Mr. Li!

Mr. Li! Mr. Li!

Mr. Li!

I...

What's wrong?

I've checked. There's no snake.

No.

What is this?

It's horse manure.

It's the smell of horse manure.

Argh!

What on earth did Vice Minister

stepped on?

These are mushrooms.

It's great as herbs for medicine.

It's just a little stinky.

Is there a smell?

I can't smell it though.

Vice Minister,

don't you have a cold?

It's normal that you can't smell it.

Yes, it's normal.

Shoo, shoo!

How about now? Is it better?

Much better, Mr. Li.

Let's go.

Wait.

How many have I stepped on?

One, two...

Two, Mr. Li.

Haven't you guys stepped on one yet?

So Sir, you are indeed very unlucky.

I'm not talking about that.

Look here.

Other than us,

someone else have stepped on it.

Sir, do you mean...

a fugitive?

That means the fugitive

indeed did go this way.

We made the right choice. Let's go.

Okay.

How about this?

Sir.

Sir.

Why don't we change

who's taking the lead?

I'm not afraid. What are you afraid of?

Look.

Are you afraid I'll affect you?

Of course not.

If someone's unlucky, it will only be that person.

I'm worried about you.

What are you worried about?

Suspicion breeds contempt.

Don't worry about me.

H-Here, Sir.

Sir, over here.

We can go up the mountain from here.

Let's go.

Go.

Be careful.

Vice Minister.

Mr. Li!

Run!

Hurry up and run!

Move!

Get up.

The bees are gone.

Luckily,

I didn't get stung.

That's a relief in this misfortune.

Vice Minister.

Y-You...

Was it still only Sir who got stung?

It must have been because

I was closer to the hornets' nest.

So, it's not the matter of bad luck.

Sir,

you don't have to explain to us.

I...

I...

I'm just telling the truth.

Do you guys think

that hornets' nest

was a bit strange?

Could it be that

someone planted it there on purpose?

Otherwise,

why would it have fallen for no reason,

when we were just walking past it?

Yes.

I was too focused on hiding,

so I didn't notice.

The fugitive must have planted it there.

If someone chases him,

he will be attacked by bees.

Those who chase him can only go up the mountain.

But that instead reminds us that

he followed this path upwards.

Let's go.

Let's go.

I'm good. Let's go.

Let's go.

Mr. Cui, you are here again this year.

I've reserved a room for you.

It's the same room you stayed in last year.

There's vegetarian food too.

Thank you, Mr. Zhang.

You're welcome.

Are we first going to dispel the bad luck,

or...

Let me settle down first.

I will trouble you to

carry out the ritual

later on.

All right.

By the way,

I just found this

at the entrance to the mountain.

I reckoned

it could have been yours,

so I brought it with me.

Was it outside the mountain entrance?

Yes.

It's really mine.

This is all thanks to you, Mr. Cui.

Otherwise,

I might have forgotten about it myself.

I have to go to the forest

to collect some herbs later.

If you don't mind,

it would be best

if we carry out the ritual soon.

Just let me know

when you are done.

Mr. Cui,

I'm ready.

Mr. Zhang,

I'll be right there.

Okay.

Bow!

It's all done.

That's...

the end of it?

The ritual seems to be even simpler

than last year's.

Don't worry, Mr. Cui.

It is just as effective at dispelling bad luck.

Mr. Zhang.

I...

I'm a few taels short

of the money I promised.

Will there be any impact?

Mr. Cui it's okay.

These things are normal in the wild.

Don't always talk about ghosts.

But it's been twice,

and both incidents were targeted at you, Sir.

Why don't you believe me?

What do you mean?

It's normal that these things happen once or twice,

but it's unlikely to happen the third or forth time.

Sir,

you must not say that!

It's okay.

But...

We can't see anything

with these trees in the way.

We need to find

higher ground.

Sir,

please let me lead the way.

Sir!

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Mr. Li,

you'd better be careful.

Sir!

Be careful, Mr. Li.

Let me do it.

No need.

Be careful, Mr. Li.

It should be pretty strong.

Sir!

Mr. Li!

Sir, slow down.

Sir, be careful.

Be careful.

How is it?

Nothing happened.

No.

I'm not a cat.

Shoo, go away.

Go away!

Sir!

Sir?

Well, that's it. Something really went wrong.

I have already warned against

Vice Minister jinxing it with his words,

but he refused.

And look!

I'm fine.

There was a cat!

Why did you fall from the tree?

Sir,

are you hallucinating?

We are in the middle of nowhere.

Oh!

There's really a cat.

This cat

seems to like you very much, Sir.

I know where Cui Bei went.

This cat is raised by humans.

Yes, it's quite clean.

It doesn't look like a wild cat.

Since it's raised by humans,

its owner

should be nearby.

When I was up there...

Look over there.

There is a Taoist temple.

A temple gathers yin.

That must be where Cui Bei went.

Yes.

Mr. Cui previously

asked me to buy some stiff yellow paper for him.

It must be for copying scriptures.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Who are you?

I'm looking for someone.

There is only Mr. Zhang in this temple.

Are you here for him?

Mr. Zhang

went to the back of the temple to collect herbs.

I don't think he'll be back until later.

I'll wait for him.

This way, please.

There's tea in the hall.

Please wait here.

What are you doing?

That hurts!

That hurts so much!

I didn't expect

you'd touch it either.

You have to use cold water on burns.

Please wait.

Hurry up.

Here.

Are you feeling better?

What's that stuff you put on me?

It's just clear water.

Is this water?

Why does it burn?

I just got the cloth from the kitchen.

I think it was used to wrapped pepper.

Are you kidding me?

I...

I really didn't mean it.

I'll get you some more.

No need.

It's late.

I'm sleepy.

Is there a place to sleep?

Yes.

Please follow me.

Hurry up.

I'm also staying at the temple.

Call me if you need anything.

Call you?

Aren't you annoying enough?

Hurry up.

Yes.

This way, please.

Be careful.

This way.

Here.

Was it because I don't have enough money for the offerings,

that caused the dispelling of bad luck

to not be as effective?

T-This is...

I-I don't know

how it started burning either.

There's another guest inside.

T-This...

What should we do?

We'll think of something.

Hurry.

Hurry.

Pour water on me.

Okay.

Come.

Be careful.

This way.

Hurry.

Hurry!

Hurry!

Mr. Cui!

Come on.

Take him to the main hall first,

and feed him some water.

He'll wake up soon.

Yes, Sir.

One, two, go.

Watch him.

Got it.

Get up.

Come on. Let's go.

Let's go.

Don't blame yourself, Mr. Cui.

It's not your fault.

Even so,

if I had discovered

sooner,

maybe it wouldn't have burned so badly.

If I wasn't here yesterday,

this big fire wouldn't have happened.

We wouldn't know.

Why do you think so, Mr. Cui?

Vice Minister.

I wonder

if you could take us

to the room where the fire started?

Of course.

Please.

Please.

This was where the fire started?

What was the setup like?

This room

is basically the same as

the room I stayed at.

The bed

faces East.

The closest window is at the end of the bed.

Isn't that strange?

Sir, what do you mean?

By placing the lamp at the end of the bed,

wouldn't that hurt your eyes?

Yes.

It hurts your eyes when you lie down,

and it's inconvenient to put it out.

The lamp should be placed by the bedside.

Maybe this resident

has more peculiar habits.

It's hard to tell.

Really?

Sirs,

it's too dusty here.

Let's talk outside.

Okay.

Please.

I lost my mind for a moment.

Thank you.

Mr. Zhang, please don't be sad.

There are many Taoist temples in Shendu.

If you don't mind,

I can recommend you

to seek refuge with other temples.

Don't bother.

I still have what it takes

to take care of

a small Taoist temple.

If it were somewhere else,

I might not be used to it.

You're too modest.

But are you really not going to be used to it,

or is it simply inconvenience?

Sir,

what do you mean?

I don't quite catch you.

If you really want to

hide

in the wilderness,

you shouldn't have set the fire.

Set the fire?

Are you saying that I set the fire?

How could I

burn my own temple?

What if you were forced to?

He was the prisoner

who escaped a few days ago.

Why did he come

all the way to your place?

You clearly know why, don't you?

A fugitive?

He's here for you.

You know each other?

It's more than just acquaintances, isn't it?

You two must be pretty close.

If I'm not mistaken,

you must be an accomplice of the old case.

Having hid here,

no wonder the authorities couldn't find you.

Is there a misunderstanding?

Did I misunderstand?

You can explain after I finish.

You two

robbed a batch of official silver.

When you guys were splitting the loot,

he was arrested

while you escaped,

and you took all of the silver

and hid here.

You then became a priest in the wild.

Am I wrong?

Sir,

this story sounds great.

But...

do you have any proof?

We've made a lot of discoveries

on our way up this mountain.

For example, the stolen silver.

My money.

My money!

My money!

Don't move!

My money!

Watch carefully.

This is this year's newly minted silver.

The Court of Judicial Review just paid our salaries.

I lied to you.

You...

Don't move!

Take them away.

My money!

Move! Move it!

My money!

Vice Minister.

You guys...

What are you doing up here on your own?

We should be sending people to search the mountain

if we are chasing after a fugitive.

Aren't we on leave anyway?

There's nothing else to do, so I'll just take that I was going for a walk.

Really?

Even if we weren't here to apprehend the fugitive,

we still have to go up the mountain.

We're here for Mr. Cui.

Me?

You left without a word.

We haven't heard from you.

We searched everywhere.

I thought you...

What did you think?

Nothing.

At this time of the year,

the scenery on the mountain is beautiful.

We'd be wasting Qing Ming away if we don't come out for a walk.

I recall...

My father

used to take me for walks

during Qing Ming Festival.

It's been more than ten years.

It's been a long time since

I've seen views like this.

Thank you for coming to look for me.

I'm always afraid that others might think that

I'm unlucky.

So,

I would always try to avoid people

before they even comment.

I wanted to keep a distance from everyone,

and hence even up till when I left the Imperial College,

I was all alone.

Father.

Don't go.

This is official business.

The refugees are still waiting

for relief from the court.

You mustn't go!

I don't let you go!

Don't come back if you leave.

What are you doing?

This is the famous

the famous demon, Cui Bei.

I heard he got the first place again.

Perhaps the reason why

someone like him could have such good grades,

is because everyone was affected by him,

and became

really unlucky.

Exactly.

The teacher is here.

I often dream of them.

But every time,

I can only see their backs.

Don't go.

I was wondering...

Don't go.

Were they

unwilling to meet me in my dreams,

because they resented me?

People like me

are born to attract disaster.

Is it really suitable for me to stay in the Court of Judicial Review?

What are you talking about?

After listening to you,

I think

your parents loved you very much.

How could you say that

they hate you?

I was a little worried.

Do you think

it's because of us that

you almost got killed?

After all, if it wasn't because you were worried about us,

you wouldn't have gone up the mountain alone.

If you hadn't gone up the mountain alone,

you wouldn't have encountered those bandits,

and be implicated.

How?

Why would I think so?

That's good.

Any evil aura and bad luck,

it all comes from your heart.

There was a fire in the temple today.

So?

Are you going to blame yourself

for not predicting the future?

But if it weren't for you,

that guest

would have died in the fire.

To him,

you're a lucky star.

You always say you're unlucky

and bring harm to others.

Well, think of it another way.

If it weren't for the fact that you're always in danger,

you wouldn't have known

how to

stay calm,

and resolve the situation at hand.

You...

are familiar with all kinds of texts.

You can recite

the details of any peculiar or important cases by heart.

But this case file,

which is obviously from many years ago,

has been sitting on your desk all this time.

Judging from the traces...

Why hadn't you open it?

Is it because it recorded

the cause of your father's death,

and you're afraid to look?

You're afraid that it's a record

of the catastrophe,

of how you killed your father.

So you've been staring at this case file

year after year,

in order to remind yourself that

life and death are destined,

and struggle with letting it go.

In that case,

why don't you open and take a look?

How about this?

As the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review,

I order Cui Bei,

to verify the merits of this case file.

If there is any error or omission,

you are to find out the truth.