All language subtitles for [English] the story of the night watcher 2023

(Life is the root of death, death is the root of life. Benevolence is
born from harm, harm is born from benevolence. — "Yin Fu Sacred Text")

(In ancient times, )

(night patrolling was also called,
"beating the block.")

(The block was a sound-making
wooden instrument, )

(also known as a clapper.)

(It's said the sound of the wooden clapper)

(can chase evil spirits away.)

(Legend has it)

(that past midnight, )

(hundreds of ghosts wander.)

(At this time, )

(there is often one human mingling
among them.)

(Night Watch)

(Just as historical records state, )

(he was merely a night watcher, )

(announcing the hours.)

(Night patrolling was just a disguise
to fool people.)

(These night watchers often
have strong constitutions, )

(immune to various evil forces.)

(But it's a taboo among the night watchers)

(The Story Of The Night Watcher)

(to patrol on the fifteenth night
of the seventh lunar month.)

(Cao's Residence)

(Coincidentally, on the fifteenth night
of the seventh lunar month, )

(the Yin rain falls.)

(As the saying goes, )

(don't open the umbrella indoors)

(and invite anyone
indoors on a rainy night.)

(The previous line means)

- (the Yin energy is heavy in the umbrella.)
- Young Master.

(Opening an umbrella indoors)

- (can easily release impure things.)
- Why are you so stubborn?

Sorry to bother you.

I went to pick up some medicinal
prescriptions for my daughter.

But I didn't expect it to rain so heavily.

I am soaking wet.

Oh, come inside.

(The bad luck)

(is that the latter part of that line)

(just mentioned not to invite
anyone indoors on rainy nights.)

(The meaning behind this line)

(is that we might not know)

(what impure things are seeking shelter)

(on a rainy night like this.)

Come on.

Come.

Come here.

Come.

(Wine)

"Above the Nine Heavens,

the divine beings
of the Five Sacred Mountains,

grant me the Fiery Eyes

to shed light on hidden mysteries."

That stinks!

"First spin, set Heaven
and Earth in motion.

The second spin, disrupt evil forces.

With the thirty-six constellations,

righteous energy manifests!"

Contain!

(So)

never ever open your umbrella indoors.

Inside the umbrella,

the Yin energy is strong.

You might never know

what kind of impure...

Hey, what's wrong?

Oh, listen.

There is one more thing.

Just two days ago...

Good day, Chief.

You waste time doing nothing

other than messing around here all day.

Come inside.

Yes, sir.

Can't you be a bit more serious
at the police station?

How can you say that
in front of so many people?

Tell me,

should I reprimand you for that?

Today

is

The one-hundredth day

since Shen Xiaohan's master's passing.

I know I should be there.

But

the County Magistrate's uncle
is celebrating his birthday in a few days.

So

I have to send a gift over.

So

You will go and visit Master Shen Senior

on my behalf.

All right.

Hey, wait.

Come back here.

Buy him something.

After all,
Master Shen Senior is a local hero.

Don't let others find fault with us.

Okay?

Also, Shen Xiaohan

seems to have had a hard time letting go

since his master's passing.

So I'll give you a few days off.

Go to that old temple and keep him company.

Yes, Chief.

Go then.

Sigh.

(Tomb of Beloved Master Shen Henian)

Master,

time really flies.

It's already a hundred days.

Hanging around this old temple every day

makes it feel like you're still around.

(Tomb of Beloved Master Shen Henian)

One morning,
I came back from night watch duty.

I wanted to buy two liang
of pork jowl for you.

When I was about to pay for it,
it then hit me

that you're no longer here.

(Tomb of Beloved Master Shen Henian)

Oh, right.

Junior Master is back.

She's making things
lively at the temple now.

If only you are still here.

Master,

I'm Eryong.

I'm here to see you.

I even brought your favorite pork jowl.

Master, the Chief has been busy
with official work lately.

But he often thinks about you.

He even asked me

to come and visit you.

Oh,

the Chief said

if you need anything there,

just let us know.

We'll send them to you.

Master Shen Junior,

do you think

Master can hear us?

You're feverish.

Yun.

Yes, Master.

Get her some medicine for fever.

All right.

Thank you.

It's almost our turn.

What with this crowd?

What's going on?

That's my Junior Master.

That one is her disciple, Yun.

I didn't know you have a Junior Master.

Back then, my grandmaster took in
two disciples

and passed down medical
knowledge and Taoism.

One of them was my master

who became a night watcher.

The other disciple

is my Junior Master

- who travels around as a medicine peddler.
- Thank you.

Now that my master has passed away,

she returned all of a sudden.

She said something
about reforms and innovations.

It's almost our turn.

Innovations?

Yin and Yang are parting ways,

and vital energy appears hidden.

Miss,

have you been feeling

anxious,

fatigued,

and experiencing cold
hands and feet lately?

Yes.

People

have three internal fires,

which are the Yang fires.

Miss,

you spent too much time indoors.

So you lack Yang fire.

You're more prone to
attracting evil spirits.

Master,

you must help me.

Oh, don't worry.

I dedicate myself and my skills

for the sake of helping the world.

I'll prescribe you some good medicine
to nourish yourself.

Yun.

Yes, Master.

Two pieces of Chinese wolfsbane,

three liang of China root,

two liang of ginseng,

four liang of Atractylodes,

and two liang of Chinese peony.

All right.

Boil with eight liters of water.

Reduce to three liters,

and remove the dregs.

Consume one liter in the morning, noon,
and evening.

Drink it warm,

okay?

Thank you, Master.

One more thing.

Come closer.

Find a suitable husband.

Leaving the home early

so the Yin and Yang energy can harmonize.

That is better than taking any medicine.

All right.

Next!

You can't do that.

Unbelievable.

Hey, the one cutting the line.

Wow, you're chubby with big ears.

Swelling under the skin,

dark eyelids.

You have kidney deficiency.

Do you often wake up at night?

I'm not sick.

You're the one with kidney deficiency.

No, you're the one.

No, it's you.

You have a severe deficiency.

Ugh,

you're a quack.

Ugh.

Wow,

severely deficient indeed.

If you don't take medicine,

your deficiency will get the better of you.

You...

You're unbelievable.

Line up here.

Master Shen Junior,

is your Junior Master's skill

reliable or not?

Would she misdiagnose?

Why do you wake up at night every day?

I... I don't do anything.

Master.

Yes?

Today's income from 36 customers

is twenty-six silver yuan

and sixty-six copper yuan.

All right.

Here, I'll give you more.

Thank you, Master.

Next time, you have to be quicker.

Okay.

Good.

Xiaohan,

I may be using your space.

But I won't use it for nothing.

We'll split the profits three to seven.

You get three, I get seven.

How about that?

That's not right.

This place isn't yours.

It was passed down by your Master.

So logically speaking,

a portion should be
reserved for your Master.

But he's no longer here.

What's the matter?

Based on seniority,

it's not right for you
to keep it for him, either.

Well, I am his junior.

If I keep it for him,

it shouldn't be a problem, right?

Haha.

That's not right, either.

This place...

This place was left by your grandmaster.

So logically,

a portion should be reserved
for him too, right?

But he's no longer here.

Based on seniority,

it's not right for you

to keep it for him, either.

My master only took in two disciples.

Since your master isn't here,

that leaves only me.

So, I'll keep it for him.

It's only fair, isn't it?

Haha.

Master Shen Junior, isn't this too much?

Just do your work.

Oh,

I almost forgot.

Come in for a meeting.

Come inside.

Let's have a meeting.

Sit down.

I

Have traveled the world for so many years.

So I've come to understand one thing.

No matter how capable you are,

it can't turn into money.

That's not capable, then.

It's completely useless.

It's only capable if it turns into money.

The reason I return to
Lin Family Town this time

is to lead everyone,

to lead our temple to
the path of prosperity!

Let me analyze it for you.

How did our town's wealthy families

become so successful?

Let's start with the Cao family.

They're in the brewing business.

As the saying goes, food is essential

and wine is a must during meals.

Can anyone have a meal without wine?

Right?

Now, the Zhao family

runs a dyeing workshop.

Who goes out wearing
clothes without colors?

Right?

Now, the Xu family.

Despite recent troubles,

their family members

have always been focused
on the essentials of life.

So

Running an apothecary
isn't a long-term plan.

The purpose of this meeting

is to discuss the journey to wealth.

Wait.

I almost forgot.

Did your master pass down
the Five Ghosts for Wealth to you?

Did he?

My master said
that those on the path of cultivation

should not be attached
to worldly possessions.

Why are you listening to your master's
old-fashioned ideas in this day and age?

Your master spent his whole life

battling demons and monsters.

Something was also wrong
with his brain.

But he ended up with nothing.

He helped so many people

to the point of losing his life!

Did they even thank him?

It's time for the night patrol.

Hey!

Hey, not even a single thanks?

Don't forget to deliver
Young Master Cao's medicine.

He has a lot of money.

Remember to make them pay double!

Gosh.

Where did I stop just now?

Oh,

you said something is wrong with his brain.

What did you say?

You're the one with a problem
with your brain.

Me... Me?

Pack the medicinal herbs.

People have good and bad fortunes.

Usually involving three successes
and two failures.

Incense also has its destiny.

It's unfavorable when it is two short
and three long joss sticks.

Seeing how they burned into this state,

it's called, "coffin incense."

I'm afraid someone
has cursed death upon your family.

Mister, what do you mean?

Coffin construction uses three long boards

and two short ones.

The long boards are horizontal,

the short ones are vertical.

That's precisely two short ones
and three long ones.

It's the same principle
as the incense burnt when I consulted

about your son's matters.

It's ominous in the direction
of the Azure Dragon.

Someone has spoiled
your family's feng shui.

Have you encountered

any conflicts with anyone in the past year?

Mister, we run a brewing business

and always prioritize harmony.

That's right.

How could we have had
conflicts with anyone?

Dear, do you remember

when we renovated the house one year ago,

we hired a group of roofing workers?

Among them was a limping worker.

We dismissed him before
he finished the work.

Young Master,

don't run!

Young Master,

are you okay?

Are you hurt, Young Master?

Young Master,

are you all right?

What happened?

Young Master, I'm sorry.

Did it startle you?

It wasn't intentional.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it.

I didn't do it on purpose.

I'm sorry.

It wasn't intentional.

I didn't mean it.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean it.

Just leave.

I didn't do it on purpose.

Please, I'm begging you.

Please pay me for my work.

You nearly injured our young master.

And you want payment?

Leave immediately.

I've worked for over half a month.

At least give me some pay.

Leave!

Improper actions

can have serious repercussions.

Your household has been cursed
with Lu Ban's Art.

Those who can perform such art

are always missing one thing.

Either they have no descendants,

or they have a physical disability.

Of all people,

you shouldn't have offended
a limping roof worker.

So... So, what should we do now?

To break the curse of Lu Ban's Art,

you must first locate the "hated object."

Hated object?

The sky is clear and the land is bright.

Master Mulang, heed my chant.

A hateful object is in this residence,

disrupting Yin and Yang
and the Five Elements.

The child is innocent
and not involved in these matters.

I respectfully request Master Mulang
to reveal your divine power.

The world consists of Three Realms,
heaven, earth, and humanity.

The kitchen, the main door, and the hearth
represent a home's Three Realms.

This threshold represents
the spine of a person.

If the spine is tampered with,

can one remain at peace?

Master, look.

Mulang,

swiftly depart to the other realm.

The creator willingly accepts
the consequences,

as the doer
must bear the responsibility.

Expel malevolent spirits,
bind wandering spirits,

and no harm will come.

Dispel!

All good.

Take this

and fry it in hot oil.

Then find a pomelo tree

and bury it under the tree.

Then the Lu Ban Art shall be lifted.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Hurry up.

Thank you.

- You don't have to send me any further.
- Thank you.

Mister,

we don't know how to repay you.

So please accept this small token of ours.

Burning incense is a form

of seeking guidance.

The payment for the incense offering
has already been made.

I can't accept any more than that.

Mister, I'll be honest with you.

In earlier years,

my wife and I

worked tirelessly for our family business.

It wasn't until our middle age
that we had this child.

Since the child's birth,

we've been worried endlessly.

If anything bad happened to our son,

we wouldn't know what to do.

I understand how you feel.

All parents in the world

are willing to give their all
for their children.

Of course.

You can go back inside now.

All right.

Master Shen Junior,

I think what Junior Master said

is completely reasonable.

Think about the current times.

People treat you differently
if you have money.

If you don't,

nobody pays any attention to you.

In my opinion,

even rich people's fart

can be reasonable.

Poor people's reasoning is just nonsense.

Well, do you think your fart is reasonable?

Did you smell it?

Wait.

Housekeeper,

here's the young master's medicine.

Master Shen Junior,

our Young Master's hysteria

has been cured.

Thank you for your concern.

This is a token of
appreciation from Master.

Please take it.

Wait a minute.

Can I ask you something?

Did anyone perform a ritual here today?

Our Young Master's hysteria

was cured by a gentleman.

Master Shen Junior,

how did you know someone performed
a ritual for them?

There's a folk belief

that placing a broom at
the main door signals

that a family is conducting a ritual

and should not be disturbed.

(Cao's Residence)

Of course,
it's also a way to ward off spirits.

It's the hour of Yin!

The long night is about to end!

Yin and Yang shall return to their places!

It's the hour of Yin!

The long night is about to end!

Yin and Yang shall return to their places!

Hmm.

The formation you've set up now
is called the Eight Diagrams Formation.

Eight Diagrams Formation

is something passed down
by your grandmaster.

It's the so-called consulting
of the Eight directions of heaven,

inviting a response from the sky

and earth's spirits.

You know what?

Yesterday,

your grandmaster appeared in my dreams.

He asked me,

"Ying,

how's your life been lately?"

So I told him about how we are struggling

in our lives.

After he heard that,

he felt so guilty.

Then he said,

"Forgive me, Ying.

I

Did not leave a single inheritance
to all of you.

Oh, Ying.

Do you still remember
the Eight Diagrams Formation?

You can set up the formation

and ask heaven

how to strike rich.

Right?"

Junior Master.

What?

The layout of your formation

is a bit different from what's recorded
in the book.

Huh?

The book says to use peach wood soaked
in chicken blood.

You're using things Master collected
from the town for firewood.

Also,

the book mentions using Seven-colored Gold,

Rattan Handle, and Lotus Flower Tassel.

Yours doesn't match.

Really?

Let me check.

Hmm?

And my master said,
if the intention is impure,

the formation won't work.

If we use it for wealth,

it surely won't succeed.

Your grandmaster told us to do this.

Why are you objecting
when your master didn't say anything?

Yun.

Yes, Master.

Hurry!

Go and buy what we're missing now.

Go and buy them quickly.

Yes, Master.

Take Eryong along too.

- Okay.
- There will be a lot of things to carry.

- Okay.
- Go along now.

Oh, one more thing.

Come on.

Yesterday,

your grandmaster asked about you.

Why was he asking about me?

He told you to listen to your master.

No, I mean listen to me.

Listen to me.

Please come and take a look!

Try out our new dishes!

Are you here for a meal?

Yun, let's go inside.

- Please come and try our dishes.
- Let's eat something.

Come on, let's go and eat something.

This way, please.

This dish is delicious.

Thank you.

Please enjoy your meal.

Your martial brother is just too stubborn.

When Miss Lin from the Lin family
had an incident,

the provincial police
department invited him.

But he refused to go.

He insisted on staying in Lin Family Town.

Those from the province
even had a talk with our chief

asking him to return to the police force.
But he still refused.

He insists on guarding that old temple.

After Martial Uncle left,

Martial Brother never really let go.

Don't be fooled by his usual silence.

Deep down, he's been thinking
about him all the time.

Master Shen Senior

is already dead.

He just can't accept this reality.

The dead can't come back to life.

What's the point of thinking of the dead?

Besides, Master Shen Senior

had been doing good deeds all his life.

Living to an old age
was already living long enough.

Many parents in this world

lost their children.

Speaking of which,

people

will die eventually.

It's already predestined.

Humans turn into a ghost when they die.

If a ghost turns into a human,

they are neither a ghost nor a human.

What are they, then?

Ew.

Eat up.

Okay.

This is delicious.

It's my favorite.

Try it.

I like this dish the most.

Look at this chicken.

Excuse me, give me two bowls of noodles.

Coming right up!

Eat more.

Okay.

Drink some.

I'm already full.

Eat some more.

Eryong.

Eryong.

Eryong!

Eryong!

Eryong!

Eryong?

Are you okay?

Xiaohan.

Yes?

Did your master

ever mention me?

He did.

What did he say?

He said

he has a junior skilled in medicine

who has been traveling far and wide.

What else?

He also said

your medical skills are superb

and capable of miraculous healing.

You travel to save lives

and help the injured.

That's it?

Isn't that not enough?

Oh, it's enough.

There's nothing else.

Master! Martial Brother!
Something bad happened!

We had just finished buying things

and were planning to have a bite
at Yuxing Restaurant.

But then suddenly he became like this

before we finished eating.

Hold him down.

Not you.

I'll do it.

"Invoking the divine brush
of our ancestral master.

This brush is an earthly tool,

transformed into a consecrated one.

The ink emits a spiritual vermilion light,
dispelling evil spirits."

It seems there's something unclean.

I need water, a silver needle,
and black locust.

Okay.

He's poisoned with Gu.

Prepare some realgar,

garlic, and calamus.
Boil them in water and have him drink it.

All right.

Hurry.

Feed him.

Luckily we discovered it in time.

Otherwise, he would've been beyond saving

if it penetrated his organs.

Hey, Master Shen Junior.

Huh? Why are you guys tying me up?

You were poisoned with Gu.

What?

Why...

Why am I aching all over?

Who hit me?

No one did.

This kind of snake is called a rat snake.

It's a rare venomous snake.

Legend has it
that people use it to refine Gu.

The Gu created is called the Yin Snake Gu.

There's a folk tale

that in order to refine such Gu,

the house must be thoroughly cleaned first.

(A pit is dug in the
center of the main room)

(and a jar is buried in it.)

(The jar should have a wide mouth
and a small body.)

The mouth of the jar should be level
with the ground.

(On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month,
catch a hundred types of venomous insects)

(and put them in the jar
along with the black rat snake.)

(Then close the lid.)

(On the first and
fifteenth of each month, )

(worship the Gu God.)

(After forty-nine days, )

(the jar can be opened.)

(The day the jar is opened
is the day the Gu will be completed.)

(The only surviving black rat snake
in the jar)

(will become the Mother
of the Yin Snake Gu.)

(Hang the black rat snake upside down
in the tree)

(and beat it daily, )

(and place nine clay bowls)

(beneath the tree)

(to catch the saliva and blood.)

(Then put the bowls)

(in a ventilated place)

(for drying.)

(Grind them into powder)

(and feed the powder to the larvae.)

The larvae that consume it

become the offspring of the Yin Snake Gu.

Those invaded by it

can be controlled
by the Mother Gu's manipulator.

Master,

is there really something
so sinister like this?

These folk beliefs
aren't necessarily credible.

Most of them are shady practices.

If someone is refining
such a wicked Gu in Lin Family Town,

what might they use it for?

Are you feeling better now?

"Mountains and waters have paths,

where heaven and earth meet.

Divine guidance points in all directions.

South, north, west, and east."

Xiaohan, what kind of spell are you using?

All things have spirits.

And animals have their natural instinct
to return to their nests.

They can sense

the places they grow up.

Oh.

Just like

my master and your master.

Right?

Huh?

When my master was young,

she wasn't like this back in the day.

You all think she's a money-minded
old woman now, right?

That's all because of Martial Uncle.

Both of our masters were fellow disciples
when they were young.

They were childhood sweethearts

and almost got married.

But

night watchers must be chaste,

so they can't marry.

Martial Uncle left my master

to carry on the night-watching legacy.

That's why my master
left Lin Family Town in anger

to travel far and wide.

Unexpectedly, Master Shen Senior
was quite charming when he was young.

You see, when a woman

is heartbroken,

they can only devote themselves entirely
to their career.

Speaking of which,

my master has been waiting
for Martial Uncle all this while.

But in the end, Martial Uncle left,

leaving behind an old temple.

Thinking about it,
my master is quite pitiful.

Wait.

This way.

Excuse me.

May I know who you are looking for?

Oh.

We were passing through
and wanted to ask for a bowl of water.

I see.

Please come inside.

Thank you.

Xiaodie,

I'm home.

Them?

They're just passersby.

They came in to rest for a while.

Xiaodie,

I can still wear my shoes.

Don't worry about the new shoes.

There are only my daughter and I
in the family.

My daughter has been frail
since she was young.

So she rarely goes out.

Mister, can I ask you something?

Is there anyone in our village who rear Gu?

In the second year of
the Republic of China,

the government classified Gu practices
as witchcraft

and banned them ever since.

Sigh.

People say Gu harms others.

But actually,

Gu can also save people.

What about that Yin Snake Gu?

I heard

this type of insect can consume
a person's soul.

So,

is this Gu saving or harming people?

Do you believe in the
existence of the soul?

Some things exist if you believe,

and don't exist if you don't.

My child,

have you lost any loved ones?

Actually, I think that old man

doesn't seem like a bad person.

His daughter isn't well.

It's not easy to take
care of her by himself.

In my opinion,

this trip might have been in vain.

Look at this weather.

It changes at any time.

We better hurry.

Let's go.

(Do you believe in the existence
of the soul?)

(Some things exist if you believe, )

(and don't exist if you don't.)

My child,

have you lost any loved ones?

(Beloved Daughter Jiang)

(Cao)

(Cao)

Calm down!

Take your turns! Take turns!

Don't push!

Chief, look.

Calm down! Calm down!

Don't you think this is strange?

How is it that over a dozen people

have gone missing overnight?

Step aside, step aside.

Let us through.

All right!

That's enough! Calm down!

Quiet down!

Take turns to state your problems.

Listen to me!

Keep it down!

I said, keep it down!

Silence!

Yes, sir. We've started handling the case.

What? Your son-in-law is also missing?

Don't worry.

I'll send someone to your house
to record the statement.

Don't worry, don't worry.

We'll find a way to locate him.

Chief.

Oh.

Okay. All right.

Master Shen Junior,

you're finally here.

Over a dozen people
have disappeared overnight.

So many people go missing
at the same time.

Did no one notice it at all?

If not for some kind of wickedness...

There wasn't any trace of struggle,

let alone any signs of forced entry.

I have something to report.

Come in.

Chief, this is the compiled list
of reported cases.

The County Magistrate just called

and said his son-in-law is missing too.

It's the one who hosted
the birthday banquet

(Lin Family Town Police Station.
August 16, 1923, Republic of China)

at the biggest restaurant in our town
a few days ago.

I even attended that event.

How can a person vanishes just like that?

But I gave the County Magistrate my word.

No matter what, we have to find him.

What do you mean?

Chen Deli, is the life

of the County Magistrate's son-in-law
more important

than the lives of ordinary people?

Jeez, Xiaohan. You
misunderstood my meaning.

An officer's first duty is to be
accountable to one's higher-ups

before considering the interests
of those below.

Besides, many people have gone missing.

So we should consolidate the cases.

What did you find?

Tianxiang Restaurant.

Yuxing Restaurant.

Dongxing Restaurant.

Nancheng Tavern.

Taifeng Restaurant.

These taverns and restaurants

may employ their own workers and cooks.

But their wine supply

is from one place in Lin Family Town.

Finally,

the Eight Diagrams Formation is completed.

That's great!

Haha!

Dead meat. Dead meat!

It's bad. It's dead meat!

Junior Master, it's dead meat.

Excuse me? Take it back!

I'm not dead.

Even if you're dead, I'd still be alive!

I mean the town is in trouble.

Master Shen Junior needs
you at Cao's Residence.

Let's go.

(Cao's Residence)

When the Gu enters the wine, it hides.

The Yin Snake Gu
is skilled at concealing itself.

It only reveals itself
when it encounters realgar.

What on earth is happening?

It's not us, Chief Chen!

Chief Chen,
I really don't know what's happening.

Why would we poison our own wine?

It doesn't make sense.

Exactly.

That's right.

Can you tell me

how long it takes for your family's wine
to ferment for one batch?

One batch takes fifteen days.

It happens to be on the day of the ritual.

Do you know anything

about the person who performed the ritual?

It's a long story.

If I remember correctly,

it was on the night of the fifteenth day
of the seventh lunar month.

(Our child was up late, )

(playing and making a ruckus in the house.)

(It was also raining that night.)

Young Master.

Young Master.

Why are you so stubborn?

Sorry to bother you.

I was out for medical consultations

and forgot to check the weather
before leaving.

The rain caught me off guard.

I was hoping to seek shelter here.

Come in.

(Business people like us)

(always seek to make good connections.)

(He looked friendly.)

(So I had the housekeeper
bring him inside.)

(The gentleman's surname is Jiang.)

(He saw our young son)

(staying up late instead of sleeping.)

(He said my son had vigorous energy.)

(So he prescribed a calming remedy.)

(But within a couple of days, )

(my son suddenly developed
hysterical symptoms.)

(Fortunately, Mr. Jiang came back
for a return visit)

(and performed the incense ritual)

that my son's condition improved.

Did he mention anything else

apart from treating the young master?

Oh, he did.

Follow me.

Come.

This way, please.

The well water we use
for brewing our wine is naturally sweet.

It's actually from this old well.

After our son's illness was cured,

Mr. Jiang mentioned

that the Lu Ban Art could disrupt
our family's feng shui.

He said not only it can cause illness
among the family members,

but it can also affect our fortune.

As business people,

financial fortune is crucial.

Mr. Jiang then told me

about a technique to attract wealth.

It could help redirect
wealth to our family.

He gave me a talisman bag.

He instructed me to go
outside the city before dawn

(to draw a large bucket of water)

(and toss the talisman inside.)

(Then I had to carry the bucket
from outside the city back to our house)

(while sprinkling water along the way.)

(But the water line must not be broken.)

(Cao's Residence)

(Once back home, )

(I had to pour the remaining contents
of the bucket into the well.)

(He claimed this would help restore)

(our family's disrupted fortune.)

(This so-called
wealth-attracting technique)

(is just cover-up nonsense.)

(I'm sure the problem lies
in the amulet bag.)

(This drawing)

is called the Great Profound
Yang Life-Giving Talisman.

It is said this kind of talisman is used
by the She Clan of ancient Yue people,

which has been lost for a long time.

Chief, I found it.

This person has a criminal record
in our police station.

But the surname was recorded as She,

not Jiang.

If so, what is the connection

between this talisman
and the wine poisoned with Gu?

It's said that this talisman
could merge souls and refine spirits.

Supposedly, it's capable
of reviving the dead.

The Snake Gu larvae from the talisman bag
must have entered the well water.

By poisoning the wine with Gu,

he collects the souls of people

to bring the dead back to life.

Their ancestors migrated
to Lingyun Village.

He practices Gu healing

to treat his daughter's illness.

Villagers shun them for practicing Gu art

and would normally avoid them
when seeing them.

It was in the second year
of the Republic of China

when Internal Affairs Bureau
issued the ban on witchcraft,

categorizing Gu as witchcraft.

Despite this, he secretly
continued cultivating Gu.

He was eventually exposed by villagers.

He was arrested because of this,

and he spent half a year in prison.

After release, he left Lingyun Village
with his child,

seeking medical treatment elsewhere.

But no one knows

when he returned.

Junior Master,

does this person truly has the ability
to bring the dead back to life?

What do you think?

If such a twisted method

can truly revive the dead,

I can just close down my apothecary.

(The black rat snake placed
in the talisman bag)

(likes dark, moist environments)

(and isn't easily kept
in normal conditions.)

(When Mr. Jiang returned that day, )

(the red mud on his shoes)

(matched the unique red clay found
in the foothills behind the town.)

(This type of mud is sticky and damp.)

(It's perfect for keeping
the black rat snake.)

(People say Gu harms others.)

But actually, it can save people.

Do you believe in the
existence of the soul?

(My daughter has been frail
since she was young.)

(So she rarely goes out.)

Eryong, pack up some
stuff and come with me.

All right.

Oh, dear me.

Master Shen Junior,

what did you make me carry?

It's so heavy.

Dipping willow leaves in dew collected

on the day of the Qingming Festival
can open one's spiritual eyes.

Come on.

Remember the first time
we went to Lingyun Village?

(Something was preventing us
from seeing the true form.)

("The soul's bell rings,
yet the ears do not hear.")

(The incense had limited
our perception of things.)

We were deceived from the beginning.

Let's go.

Mr. Jiang,

resurrecting the dead
goes against the laws of nature.

It's not tolerated by heaven and earth.

(Life exists between heaven and earth.)

(Inheriting Yin and Yang
to nurture the Five Elements.)

(Yin and Yang nurture and transform, )

(sharing a common origin.)

(Harmonizing souls and refining spirits)

(can reverse Yin and Yang!)

The alternation of Yin and Yang
is the rule of all things in the world.

Spring is followed by summer,

autumn goes, and winter ends.

Birth, aging, illness, and death

follow the course of time.

Yin and Yang won't reverse.

Let alone resurrection after death.

(I care not for the laws
of heaven and earth.)

(I only want to save my daughter!)

Your daughter is already gone.

Sacrificing these common people
won't help the situation.

(They heartlessly reported me
to the authorities back then, )

(causing my daughter's death.)

(Today, I'll make them
pay with their lives!)

Master Shen Junior.

Master Shen Junior.

Ancestors above,

I seek your guidance

and directions across the mountains

as the Six Spirits are in confusion.

Above are the Thirty-Six
Heavenly Officials.

Below are the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends.

Open the Gate of Heaven.
Close the Door of Earth.

Retain the human form,
sever the path for wandering ghosts.

Just before a person dies,
their last breath is called "Yang."

It is rumored that using
this kind of formation

can seal the "Yang" in the mouth,

preserving the body from decay.

Where is he?

When we came back,
he was nowhere to be found.

Chief!

Chief!

Chief,

we've searched the village.

We found a grave on the back mountain.

Please go and take a look at it.

(Tomb of Beloved Daughter Jiang Xiaodie)

(Tomb of Beloved Daughter Jiang Xiaodie)

Open it up.

Didn't you hear him?

Open it up!

(Jiang Xiaodie.
Year 1887, 1883. Year 1880, 1878)

(Tomb of Beloved Daughter Jiang Xiaodie)

(Jiang Xiaodie.
Year 1887, 1883. Year 1880, 1878)

The Art of Raising the Dead?

He is planning to deceive heaven

and confuse divine powers.

Yes.

I understand.

Of course.

Magistrate,

we are currently doing our best.

Yes, of course.

We will definitely bring
your son-in-law back.

Please rest assured.

The safety and well-being of the people
are of great importance.

This matter has already reached
the provincial capital.

If anything goes wrong,

I won't be able to cover for you!

Yes, I understand.

I will definitely...

I...

Darn it.

Master Shen Junior,

have you found him?

You can find my father,

right?

I don't want to lose my father.

You see,

Junior Master.

The Master Shen Senior is no longer around.

So you are calling the shots now.

If Shen Xiaohan can't solve this,

you should be able to solve it, right?

Right?

You can't even find him.

How do you expect me to find him?

Oh.

If you can't find that old man,

you can help find the
missing persons, right?

Where's Shen Xiaohan?

Master,

I really don't know what to do now.

(Tomb of Beloved Master Shen Henian)

I wish you were still here.

I knew you would be here.

Your disciple came looking for you.

I wanted to see you too.

Can you tell me something?

I have been away for so long.

You didn't even write
a single letter to me.

What is it that you want
to do with your life?

Just vanquish demons, eliminate evil,
and uphold justice?

What's the use

of leaving a rundown temple

and the Eight Diagram Formation?

Now that we have trouble,

you can't even help one bit.

(The Book of Qiankun)

(Taiji and Post Heaven Diagram)

(Third Lunar Month. Ninth Lunar Month)

(Taiji Diagram)

(Taiji Diagram)

"Heaven's Eight Gates

allow the passage of the Eight Winds.

Earth's Eight Directions

correspond to the Eight Trigrams."

("Gen" symbolizes the mountain.)

(The mountain is still.)

(It's in the northeast.)

(When "Gen" and "Zhen" come together,
it's called nourishing.)

(Nourishing)

(When "Gen" and "Kun" come together,
it's called stripping away.)

(Stripping away)

(When "Gen" and "Kan" come together,
it's called inexperience.)

(Inexperience)

(When "Gen" and "Xun" meet,
it's called conflict.)

(Conflict)

(Conflict is when there's wind
below the mountain.)

(The mountain is in the northeast)

(and the wind is in the southeast.)

How could I forget this?

In the southeast of Lin Family Town,

there is indeed an abandoned
and dilapidated old temple

left by a previous dynasty.

"Two spiritual states,

the transformation of energy,

gathering energy

to neutralize impurities,

spiritual restlessness,

spirits roam freely,

spiritual lights radiates,

subtle energies are stirred,

the right captures seven souls,

the left detains three souls,

five organs generate naturally,

white bones look like jade.

The soul guards and defends,

the three souls protect and rest,

harmonizing souls, refining spirits,

Yin and Yang reverse!"

Mr. Jiang,

after a person dies,

nothing can change it.

Black magic can't save your daughter.

Just give up.

I don't care if it's black magic

or a twisted path.

They are the reasons my daughter is dead.

So they should pay with their lives.

This is their retribution!

Junior Master, help me hold them back.

I will take care of him.

All right.

Let's go.

Take this.

"Immortal master's profound teachings
still exist today,

I shall adhere to safeguard Qiankun."

Hey, Yun.

Hurry.

You two, come over here.

Go down quickly and take a look.

Yes, sir.

Go and check on both sides.

- Hurry up.
- Go.

Where's the son-in-law?

Loosen the ropes quickly.

Isn't he also poisoned with Gu

when he poisons others with Gu?

When Gu enters the body,
it causes hysteria.

When it invades the heart,
it becomes demonic.

(Cold Food Festival)

It's getting cold now.

I've sent some clothes over to you too.

Remember

to keep yourself warm over there.

In reality, the world after death

is merely the thoughts of the living
of the departed.

The living always need something
to hold onto.

Perhaps that is the place

where the lanterns are going.

Father, your shoes are worn out.

I'll go back and make you a new pair.

All right.

(Life is like floating, death is like resting. —
"Ingrained Opinions, Outer Chapter by Zhuangzi")

(Six months later, Aunt Ying left to travel the world. Shen Xiaohan
stayed and continue to protect Lin Family Town as the night watcher.)

(No matter who you are as a night watcher, you
must be ethical to be in the right path.)