Original subtitles

[Shadow Punisher]

[Divine Constable Tally]

[Episode 18]

[Chief Constable's Hall]

Impossible.

The young master couldn't have killed himself.

That's a fake suicide note.

It's fake!

Hold still!

You said Tang Wei didn't kill himself.

Is there any proof?

Footprints.

There were footprints behind the young master.

I'm telling you,

those footprints were forged.

If the young master had meant to kill himself,

why would he have forged footprints?

Suppose he didn't want to live anymore,

would he have any reason to frame anyone?

What you said actually makes sense.

There must be a hidden motive

behind Tang Wei's suicide.

Nonsense!

The young master was murdered.

Someone took his life!

Take him away.

-Yes. -Yes.

Move!

Given all that,

let's not close the case as suicide yet.

Got it.

Give my life back to me. Give my life back to me!

Give my life back to me!

It's just karmic infliction.

It's all just karmic infliction.

This is only a delusion.

Right.

The world is filled with suffering.

Take refuge in the Heavenly Lord, and we shall be free from misery.

Those two officials are fasting again?

Chief,

I've observed them

carefully during their stay at the Divine Constable Bureau

these past few days.

They are awakened by nightmares

almost every night.

Their health

is deteriorating day by day.

Since now we can't prove

that Tang Wei was murdered,

there's no need for Lord Huang

and Lord Jiang to be detained anymore.

So we're releasing them?

What if...

Just let them go.

No, Chief.

There isn't a word from His Majesty,

nor a clear statement from the Eastern Palace.

Let's just pretend we don't know.

-Wait, Chief... -Mr. Yan.

Chief told us to release them.

But she didn't explicitly forbid us to...

Tail them.

I'll follow Huang Gang.

[Mount Tianzhu]

Halt!

Inquiries from the Divine Constable Bureau.

My Lord,

w-we are all law-abiding people.

My Lord.

-Yes, we are all law-abiding people. -Don't worry. Just a few questions.

Master Huang is said to have been

seeking the way to immortality on Mount Tianzhu in recent years.

He has even moved the Huang residence here.

Is it true?

Yes.

-Exactly. -Master Huang

has indeed achieved success in cultivation.

He doesn't care for women or money,

but he craves tasty food—the only thing

he can't forsake.

In that case,

why are you taking these groceries

back home?

Are they not fresh?

This time, after Master Huang returned home—

heaven knows what happened—

he said he achieved success in grain avoidance,

and that he could ascend to the immortal realm soon,

hence no longer

needing mortal food.

Yes.

Not only that.

Master Huang's family,

which numbers over a dozen,

wouldn't take a single bite of food.

Who are we

supposed to sell so many groceries to?

[Huang Mansion]

[Huang Mansion]

[Constable Ghost]

Master Huang knew

there would be a visitor from the Divine Constable Bureau,

so he instructed me beforehand

[Constable Ghost]

to answer any questions

you might ask.

Do you know every little thing

about the Huang household?

Please take a look, My Lord.

All within this estate— high and low, old and young—

and Master Huang's chamber for quiet cultivation

are all laid bare to you.

What secrets could there be?

Here are some immortality pills given by Mr. Tang Wei

to Master Huang.

According to Mr. Tang, those who take these pills

can ascend to the immortal realm in three days.

Immortal pills?

Why is something so important to Master Huang

in your hands now?

Mr. Tang said that despite

the benefits of the immortality pills,

they would be no different

from ordinary rice

and flour for those without cultivation.

Now, it has been two days since all

in the Huang household took the immortality pills.

Tomorrow is the day of ascension.

Master Huang ordered

these extra pills to be

given to destined ones since they're no longer of use.

If so,

tell Master Huang I said thank you.

It's getting late.

Why not spend the night here

and watch Master Huang ascend

to the immortal realm tomorrow?

No need.

I will spend the night

on Mount Tianzhu.

Should anything happen,

come find me at the foot of the mountain.

[Tang Mansion]

On the day of the incident,

there were four cups and four sets

of tableware on the table

in the sixth-floor dining room.

Even counting Tang Wei in,

only three sets of tableware were needed.

Who was the fourth one for?

And what's the message hidden

in Tang Wei's jade pendant?

[Tang Mansion]

[Tang Mansion]

Who would go out at this hour of the day?

It's late and dark.

How come

there isn't even a lantern bearer?

Come on.

Careful.

It turns out they are dumping a body at night.

What is it?

Run!

Let's go!

Come back! Why are you running away?

Let's get it done quickly.

If I take the body away now,

the culprit might be alerted.

This seems

like the attire of Miaoxu Sect.

Disciples of this sect

have come here for drinks before.

Go and find out

if any disciples of Miaoxu Sect

have gone missing lately.

Yes.

This pill contains no poison,

but it's definitely unrelated to immortality.

Don't be afraid, everyone.

Tomorrow, we will

all ascend to the immortal realm.

Then we will be free from worldly attachments

and demonic interference!

Evil spirits and demons! There are

evil spirits and demons!

Immortality pills restore youth.

Failing to gain immortality brings disasters.

The heavenly path opens when merit is fulfilled.

It is unknown to all till one treads the clouds.

[Taotie Terrace]

Look!

Yes.

It's the reincarnation of Zhang Guolao.

Master Huang is ascending to immortality!

It's his ascension.

-He's becoming an immortal. -Immortal ascension!

Master Huang is ascending to immortality.

Congratulations to him!

This is incredible.

Look at that!

It's an old immortal.

Immortality pills restore youth.

Failing to gain immortality brings disasters.

The heavenly path opens when merit is fulfilled.

It is unknown to all till one treads the clouds!

Master Huang is finally returning to the immortal realm.

A joyous occasion indeed.

Congratulations to him.

Master Huang is returning to the immortal realm!

How very wonderful!

The heavenly path opens when merit is fulfilled.

It is unknown to all till one treads the clouds.

The heavenly path opens when merit is fulfilled.

It is unknown to all till one treads the clouds.

The heavenly path opens when merit is fulfilled.

It is unknown to all till one treads the clouds.

Don't!

What just happened?

Why did they jump from here?

Yes.

Why did they jump?

They jumped?

Has Huang Gang

truly ascended to immortality?

Constable Ghost,

we did our best to search and found

the corpses below incomplete.

The cliff is steep and high

with the wind blowing hard.

Shall we carry the remains up here?

No need.

Did you find Huang Gang?

No, we didn't.

We only found his donkey.

You found Huang Gang's donkey?

When one attains immortality, even his fouls and hounds rise to heaven.

But why did Huang's donkey stay

while he disappeared?

The only thing I'm certain of

is that Huang Gang

didn't ascend to the immortal realm.

In my opinion,

he possibly

went with

those fools in his family

to meet their ancestors in heaven.

As you said, Huang Gang might be

old and foolish.

But what were his family thinking?

They actually jumped off the cliff.

Any findings on your side?

For the past few days,

we've been examining

the account records of Lanyue Pavilion.

The fourth guest hadn't

been to Lanyue Pavilion for three years.

Do you know why?

Because he already died

three years ago.

Who was he?

Someone who would hang out with Lord Huang,

Lord Jiang, and Mr. Tang was

certainly also an official.

A high-ranking official died three years ago.

Who was he?

Hu Hai, the former General Zhennan.

Exactly.

I'm telling you,

Hu Hai also died

in a mystical manner.

He was slain by the blade to attain liberation.

I'll head to Hu Hai's abode right away.

No need.

I just came back

from General Hu Hai's residence.

I've also brought

his butler here.

My Lords,

[Clear as a Mirror]

after Master Hu resigned from office,

he felt deeply guilty for committing too many killings,

so he started believing in immortal cultivation.

At that time, an immortal master told him

that only through death by the blade

to attain liberation could he atone for his killings.

That immortal master

was Mr. Tang of Lanyue Pavilion, right?

Correct.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival three years ago,

our master threw himself

into his own sword-forging furnace.

When the fire went out,

we opened the furnace,

but there was nothing inside.

Nothing inside?

Even with blazing fires,

there should have been ashes left.

He couldn't have just vanished.

So everyone in the mansion said

that Master Hu must have succeeded in the weapon liberation

and ascended to the immortal realm.

My Lords.

[Clear as a Mirror]

My Lords,

we found a secret passage in the sword-forging furnace

of the Hu residence.

Just now, when I opened the sword-forging furnace

in General Hu Hai's mansion,

somehow there was a strange sound.

So I asked Ding Mao and Jiang Zhan

to check it carefully.

It took us some time to finally

catch a faint glimpse of a door inside.

However, the passage behind it

was already blocked by rocks.

Where does this secret passage lead?

It leads to the dense forest

outside the Hu residence.

So, as expected,

General Hu Hai

didn't die from weapon liberation,

but simply disappeared.

He was probably taken away.

After Master Hu died,

that sword-forging furnace

became a forbidden area in the Hu residence.

None of us

have ever opened it again!

Let me ask you.

After General Hu's passing,

his favorite granddaughter

also passed away.

Is it true?

It is true.

On the seventh day after Master Hu's ascension,

Her Ladyship suddenly had a dream,

in which Master Hu told her

that he had ascended to the heavenly realm

where there was incomparable glory,

and that he would bring her there.

The next day, when I checked on Her Ladyship,

I found her sitting straight on the bed,

already dead.

My Lords!

My Lords,

after investigation,

I can confirm that Butler Hu is telling the truth.

However, later on,

as we questioned many servants,

they all said

that before Miss Hu was buried,

her body

radiated rainbow-like colors

that lasted several days.

I took the liberty

to open Miss Hu's coffin.

Here is a bone of hers.

Her Ladyship was buried and should rest in peace.

H-How could you...

Don't move!

Her body showed seven colors.

The Seven-Flower Bliss Powder.

In recent years,

since Sage Wuxin, head of Miaoxu Sect, has been

rectifying the sect's discipline,

very few disciples would leave the mountain,

much less go missing.

Look at the fabric.

This garment was made years ago, wasn't it?

It is an old garment.

Go talk lto Sage Wuxin again.

Ask him

for the list of all missing female cultivators

of Miaoxu Sect in the past 10 years.

Yes.

Master, where are you going?

This whole thing has cost me one day and one night.

I have to go to Jiang Zeshui's place now,

or I'm afraid something might go wrong.

Jin Se, you may leave now.

Why is my old illness

acting up more and more frequently?

That is to say,

Hu Hai was taken away by someone,

and so was Huang Gang.

Now this is odd.

Among the three guests

on the sixth floor of Lanyue Pavilion,

two went missing,

and the other one

died in a mystical manner.

Given all that...

This is bad.

I'm afraid Jiang Zeshui is also in danger.

A visit to the Jiang residence seems like a must.

Got it. I'll be on my way.

Sure.

[Jiang Mansion]

-Lord Constable Iron. -Lord Constable Iron.

What have you found?

Lord Constable Iron,

Lord Jiang has been staying indoors

these past few days.

Those in the residence all say

that he won't meet guests as he is about to ascend

to immortality.

Over the past few days of standing

guard here, we haven't seen any visitors.

Farewell, Master!

Quick!

[Jiang Mansion]

-Oh no. -Quick!

[Ascending to Immortality]

Farewell, Master. May we reach the Pure Land together.

Farewell, Master. May we reach the Pure Land together.

-Hurry! Stop, all of you! -Everyone, stop!

Quick, stop them!

Go help them out!

Get back here!

-A cultivator should have a peaceful mind. -Who are you?

Do not let worldly matters burden your heart.

Come up here!

Lord Jiang?

This is bad.

Save these people!

Casting aside worldly affairs with both hands,

I step onto the lotus bringing me to the other shore.

My feet feel light as if I were treading the clouds.

Lord Jiang!

My body lies in the void beyond the farthest heaven.

How is he able to walk on water?

This is urgent.

Are you planning to swim over?

How else am I supposed to get there?

On foot, of course.

On foot?

Hidden posts?

Now I understand.

Immortal magic doesn't exist at all.

There are just stepping posts in the water.

This is the path to immortality. I am to become an immortal.

-This is the path to immortality. I am... -Lord Jiang.

You foolish man obsessed with the mundane world,

repent and turn back already.

Lord Jiang,

you are the one who should turn back.

I won't argue with you about the credibility

of cultivation for now.

But if the immortals in heaven

only know to play mysterious tricks like this one,

then I don't think you should

continue on this path.

In all my life, for saving countless lives by harnessing rivers,

I've earned merit.

These immortal posts were naturally formed.

Together they pave a path

to immortality for me by the will of heaven.

So you do remember you've spent

all your life harnessing rivers.

Let me ask you.

You have built many waterways in your life.

Have you ever seen

posts form naturally under water?

Could naturally formed stalagmites and stone steps

be in such an orderly arrangement?

You...

I get it!

You must be a demon in disguise, intentionally

obstructing my way to immortality!

I might as well tell you the truth.

On Taotie Terrace where Huang Gang ascended,

there are chains connecting to a ladder hidden in the clouds.

And inside Hu Hai's sword-forging furnace,

there is a secret door leading to the suburbs.

They didn't

go to the immortal realm at all,

but were taken away by someone.

Lord Jiang,

take one more step forward,

and you will

end up the same as them.

What proof do you have?

Proof?

Lord Jiang.

The donkey that Huang Gang rode on his way to ascension

is still in the human world.

Lord Jiang.

Come back and save yourself.

My Lord, there are indeed

secret mechanisms and a cave hidden in the water.

It is utterly deep and leading straight out of the mountain.

Jiang Zeshui was captured by demon-men.

I assume the same just happened

to Huang Gang and Hu Hai.

As expected, this case

is truly related to Liluo.

Anything wrong?

Nothing. Just an old ailment acting up.

This is the first time

we've caught a living demon-man.

Let's give him a good whipping

when we're back to the bureau,

and see if he'll spill anything.

Let me ask you.

Where were you in the past few days?

Do I even need to report to you

about where I've been?

You're not the chief.

If you had come back earlier,

things would have been different

and Jiang Zeshui wouldn't have been captured.

At least there are still living souls in the Jiang household.

However, I heard

that none in the Huang household

that you were looking into

had survived.

Oh right, Meng Rui.

You're like the Grim Reaper.

Wherever you go, many people die.

I'm just kidding.

Wipe that icy look off your face already.

What's the matter?

Did you smell something?

Yes, a unique scent.

I think I've smelled it somewhere before,

but I can't name it.

Besides being obsessed with cultivation,

was there anything else unusual

about Lord Jiang before the incident?

If I have to name one thing, then I'd say

the master constantly had nightmares in the past few years.

Yes.

I also remember the master having nightmares.

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival,

the whole family was waiting

for the master to wake up from meditation

so as to admire the moon together.

That's right.

All of a sudden,

the master started yelling in his room

and broke out in a cold sweat all over,

muttering about things like retribution

and karmic infliction.

Did you just say

this only began a few years ago?

Yes.

Yes.

Then for him, death was better than living.

It didn't happen every day.

The master's nightmares came at intervals.

But I can't remember

exactly how long.

Little did I expect

the Lanyue Pavilion case

to be related to Liluo and the Dark Night.

Zhenzhu.

Previously,

you examined the body of Hu Hai's granddaughter.

What was the real cause of her death?

Miss Hu's bones are dark blue, proving

that she died of poison.

Now, it seems all these

happenings

are part of a huge conspiracy.

Lord Huang and Lord Jiang

are probably dead now.

Suppose they already died,

where are their bodies now?

Why did

their bodies have to be taken away?

Chief,

the clues have dried up.

Please instruct us

on how to proceed, Chief.

Although the clues have dried up,

we are not entirely out of options.

The disappearances of these three officials,

Huang Gang, Jiang Zeshui, and Hu Hai,

are all related to one person.

It's Tang Wei.

Tang Wei?

But isn't he dead already?

Assign people to keep watch on the Tang residence for now.

Call it surveillance

or protection as you see fit.

Yes.

Zhenzhu,

I need you to find out

if these three officials

had common enemies,

or if their enemies

are related to Liluo.

Yes.

Chief!

Chief,

the demon-man locked up in the dungeon

suddenly went crazy.

Why is this happening?

After withstanding all that torture,

how did he suddenly lose his mind?

This demon-man

seems to be experiencing

some sort of severe pain.

Severe pain?

Severe pain?

See, he can't feel pain, can he?

Li Si is right.

Something must have

gone wrong with this demon-man's body.

Ding Mao, get Tao here now.

No.

We can't put Tao at risk.

Do be careful.

Reinforce the chains!

Why are you

just like Li Qingyang,

coming and going as you please?

It seems the secret of the Underworld Market

will be revealed soon.

Who knows how much longer

I can keep this clinic running.

I'm here for an inquiry.

Is there a herb

that can be used as a painting pigment?

There are plenty of those.

I wonder, My Lord,

what color you are looking for.

I don't know.

You don't even know?

But I remember its smell.

It is in your clinic right now.

Which herb are you looking for, exactly?

You're making a mess of my place.

Forgive me for not walking you out.

This way, please.

Why would this totem change?

The pattern

was painted

with a special pigment.

This is it.

So it is not a herb,

but a pigment.

Do you think there are

only herbs in my clinic?

This pigment

is named Lanweichun.

Lanweichun...

Impressive!

You actually found it.

And you said this is Lanweichun?

This pigment has two characteristics.

For one thing,

after it's used,

the patterns created with it

will naturally fade in two hours.

Only on a full-moon night

when Yin energy is at its peak

will the patterns reappear.

A full-moon night?

Isn't tonight a full-moon night?

This brings out its second characteristic.

Even on a full-moon night,

the patterns won't show

if there's candlelight.

Meng,

are you speculating

that part of the painting of Yu the Great Taming the Waters

in the Jiang residence

was painted with this pigment?

Then what are we waiting for?

Let's go over there now.

Examine the painting and we'll know.

I'll head to Tianshu Pavilion

to find out if the three officials

had a common enemy.

Sure.

Where is Li Si?

Fancy you should ask.

There was quite a scene in the prison today.

What happened?

I'll tell you on the way to the Jiang mansion.

Let's go.

What made him

suddenly quiet down?

[Ascending to Immortality]

Why is there

a familiar scent

on him?

As expected,

part of this painting has been concealed.

You're right.

Based on the characteristics of Lanweichun

and what the Jiang family said

about Jiang Zeshui

having nightmares on the Mid-Autumn Festival,

this horrific pattern would

suddenly appear

on every full-moon night.

Specifically when the candles

are blown out at bedtime.

There are murals in Huang Gang's house too.

I'm afraid this is someone's

plot to disturb Lord Jiang's and Lord Huang's minds.

Who painted these murals?

[Ascending to Immortality]

[Jiang Mansion]

Those in the Jiang residence said

the Huang and Jiang mansions

were last renovated

two years ago.

Since the Huang and Jiang families

are old friends with the Tang family

and the Tang family has unmatched

renovation skills in the world,

whenever those

two families need to renovate their houses

or expand their gardens,

they'd always hire the Tang family's service.

Now it seems it was

Tang Wei who painted the God of Revenge

on the walls.

With such a terrifying and dirty figure

painted above the head,

appearing from time to time,

it was no wonder that these two officials

were scared out of their wits.

I guess they were eager to seek immortality

mostly because their hearts were unsettled.

If they hadn't suffered

from insomnia and confusion,

could they have

easily believed in cultivation?

It seems the problem lies

with the Tang family.

I'll visit the Tang residence again.

Now it's just a question of whether Qin Dayuan talks.

Don't worry. Leave this to me.

I'll give him a good whipping.

Let's go.

[Tianshu Pavilion]

[Royal Records: Spring of the 20th Year of Hongyun Reign]

[Brief Records of the Kingdom of Liluo]

The third year of Zhengwu Reign?

Isn't it from 47 years ago,

when the Kingdom of Liluo fell?

[Brief Records of the Kingdom of Liluo]

The female ruler of Liluo, Qiangong Linglong, came to Great Shi.

Later, Qiangong Linglong allied with Northern Kun

and slighted Great Shi.

Emperor Wuzong

sent General Zhengnan, Hu Hai, to subdue them.

Hu Hai?

Li Si.

Ms. Bai.

It seems like

you're going to

stay up all night again tonight

in Tianshu Pavilion.

I've been wondering if these

four officials, namely Tang from the Ministry of Works,

Jiang from the Bureau of Waterways,

Hu from the Ministry of War,

and Huang from the Imperial Kitchen,

had any connections in the past.

Perhaps

I can find the answer

in these dusty files.

Looks like

we're thinking the same thing.

What have you found?

There are indeed clues in Tianshu Pavilion.

Wait a moment.

You look a bit pale.

Are you feeling unwell?

I'm fine.

I am a physician.

I can definitely find out

if you are unwell.

If you won't tell me,

I'll figure it out myself.

Why is your pulse...

Li Si.

Alright.

I already told you I'm fine.

This...

is the clue I mentioned.

[Brief Records of the Kingdom of Liluo in the Third Year of Zhengwu Reign]

[Chief Constable's Hall]

Chief,

Divine Constable Qingyang

found this in Tianshu Pavilion,

a clue about the case.

[Brief Records of the Kingdom of Liluo in the Third Year of Zhengwu Reign]

In the third year of Zhengwu Reign, namely 47 years ago,

the late Emperor attacked Liluo.

That kingdom was easy to hold and hard to take.

So Lord Jiang

beached the canal and flooded the city walls.

Meanwhile, Huang Gang poisoned

Liluo soldiers' water sources.

General Hu led troops into the royal palace.

And Master Tang cracked

the various mechanisms

and secret passages in there.

It's fair to say that the four

of them were the chief contributors to the conquest of Liluo.

They were

enemies of the Kingdom of Liluo.

So what happened to them could be

acts of revenge by the Liluo people.

Now it all adds up.

Chief!

Chief,

word from the Tang residence says

that Qin Dayuan, butler of the household, went missing.

Missing?

Yes, just three days ago.

Zhenzhu.

Yes.

Go to the Tang Mansion now

to investigate Qin Dayuan's missing.

-Yes. -Yes.

Let's go.

Yan.

I have another task for you.

That is, keep an eye on Li Qingyang.

Got it.

Master.

This is the list submitted

by Sage Wuxin of Miaoxu Sect.

[List of Missing Male Disciples of Miaoxu Sect]

It includes those who have gone missing over the past 10 years,

but all of them are male disciples.

No female disciples at all?

According to Sage Wuxin,

a female disciple

named Kongyuzi

returned to secular life and got married 10 years ago.

If my guess is correct, she must've

married someone of the Tang household.

Exactly.

Kongyuzi's husband is

Qin Dayuan, butler of the Tang household.

Over all these years, Kongyuzi

always lived in the countryside

and rarely met with Qin Dayuan.

She didn't enter Tianhuang City until recently.

Those people dumped Mrs. Qin's body in the wilderness.

What exactly are they trying to hide?

Master, Master Sun,

word from the Tang residence says

that Qin Dayuan is now missing.

Since he went to Lanyue Pavilion

to mourn Young Master Tang three days ago,

he hasn't returned home.

Their butler is missing.

The Tang household must've realized it.

What took them so long to report it?

Before Qin Dayuan left,

did he say anything about it?

How did you know, Master?

I sent someone to investigate at the Tang residence.

Qin Dayuan did say

that if he didn't return in three days,

his missing should be reported

to the Divine Constable Bureau

at noon the next day.

There is indeed a plot.

There's one more thing.

These days,

in the dead of night, howling sounds

would come from Lanyue Pavilion.

It's very terrifying.

People say

that it's because Mr. Tang Wei's spirit is still

lingering.

Impossible.

That said,

logically speaking,

after Mr. Tang's passing,

there should be

no one in Lanyue Pavilion.

Where do these sounds

come from?

[If lord and vassal are in harmony, why not?]

Since Qin Dayuan came

to Lanyue Pavilion to mourn Tang Wei,

then he must've gone missing

on the seventh floor, where Tang Wei's incident happened.

[Lanyue Pavilion]

[Tang Mansion]

[Tang Mansion]

[Second Floor]

[Third Floor]

Lady Constable Frost!

My Lady,

we've searched Qin Dayuan's room.

No clues can be found.

Where is Tang Wei's room?

My Lady,

that is Tang Wei's room.

Besides...

Before Mr. Tang's missing, he said

that after he died,

no one,

not even Qin Dayuan,

should enter

his room to clean it.

He also said that all were banned

from entering his room except that

when

the Divine Constable Bureau made arrests.

Watch out for traps.

I meant to investigate the Tang residence.

Upon hearing about Qin Dayuan's missing,

I came to meet with you.

Any discoveries?

So far, no.

Qin Dayuan,

I know you can hear me.

Didn't you set up these seven fish tanks

just to

let me see through the mechanism

and lure me here, didn't you?

In that case,

why are you hiding?