Episode Summary
Xu Qi'an is released from prison and put in charge of investigating the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple explosion. He discovers a hidden array beneath Sangbo Lake, suspects the Ministry of Justice, confronts them, and identifies Zhou Chixiong as a prime suspect, who has fled. The episode ends with the discovery that the Magistrate of Taikang County, a key witness, has died in prison.
Spoiler Alert
The episode opens with Golden Gong Zhu, furious that Xu Qi'an has been released from prison again. He storms in to confront Wei Yuan, the head of the Watchmen (a special investigative unit). Wei Yuan calmly explains that the Emperor himself ordered Xu Qi'an's release, and as Watchmen, they must obey. Golden Gong Zhu, checkmated, has no choice but to back down.
Wei Yuan isn't just letting Xu Qi'an off the hook, though. He's putting him in charge of the investigation into the explosion at Yongzhen Shanhe Temple, leading teams from the Spring Breeze Hall and Zhenxie Hall. He even makes Xu Qi'an the chief examiner. Xu Qi'an, ever the sharp cookie, immediately cuts to the heart of the matter after examining the case files. He asks Wei Yuan if something is sealed and suppressed beneath Sangbo (a lake). He points out the significance of the Zhenguo Divine Sword to Sangbo, and the fact the sword is undamaged suggests there might be something else hidden there.
Wei Yuan, clearly aware of the secrets Xu Qi'an is touching upon, deflects. He reminds Xu Qi'an that the Emperor's orders are to find out who destroyed the mountain and temple, not to delve into other mysteries.
Meanwhile, Xu Qi'an gets down to business. He rallies the troops from Jin Jun Hall, Spring Breeze Hall, and Zhenxie Hall, assigning investigation tasks with impressive efficiency. Everyone's geared up and ready to go.
Xu Qi'an's investigation leads him to Sangbo Lake. Remembering strange sounds he'd heard from the depths before, he dives in. He discovers three stone pillars, chains, and a massive engraved stone tablet – clearly part of some kind of magical array. He carefully studies the inscriptions and reports his findings to Li Yuchun. Li Yuchun is chilled by the implications, realizing the Si Tian Jian (a powerful organization of astrologers and mages) might be involved.
The investigation takes a turn when Xu Qi'an suspects the Ministry of Justice is hiding something. He leads his team there, but the Ministry guards treat them with contempt and try to block their entry. Xu Qi'an, in a classic "action hero" moment, unleashes his "one-strike" fighting style, taking down the guards and storming the Ministry. The Vice Minister is outraged, but a timely arrival of a palace eunuch clarifies matters: Xu Qi'an, despite being a mere Copper Gong (a lower-ranking Watchman), has been appointed chief examiner by the Emperor himself.
The Ministry of Justice is stumped by the case. The explosion required a massive amount of gunpowder, the key ingredient of which is saltpeter. This links the case to recent attacks by the Miao tribe in Huang Mountain. Xu Qi'an presses the Vice Minister on who could have concealed so many explosives. The Vice Minister suggests the Minister of Works and two Vice Ministers, but moving that much material would have caused a stir. Xu Qi'an cleverly points out a flaw in this theory, prompting the Vice Minister to reconsider.
On their way back, Xu Qi'an and Chu Caiwei ponder the suspects. They realize Zhou Chixiong, a suspect from a previous case in Jingzhao Prefecture, is a prime candidate. They rush to find him, but Zhou Chixiong has already fled, claiming to be visiting family. Xu Qi'an is frustrated that a promising lead has gone cold.
Xu Qi'an is reminded of the brutal state of the 312 guards who were stationed at Yongzhen Shanhe Temple on the night of the explosion – their vital essence completely drained. This points to a powerful and dangerous perpetrator. Li Yuchun acknowledges that their investigation will be far more difficult than they initially imagined.
That night, Xu Qi'an and his adopted brother, Xu Xinnian, discuss the situation on a rooftop. Xu Xinnian, worried for his brother's safety, suggests he flee to Yunzhou, a remote region known for its banditry, where the Emperor's reach is limited. Xu Xinnian's offhand comment sparks an idea in Xu Qi'an's mind: Zhou Chixiong might have escaped to Yunzhou.
Xu Qi'an's uncle, Xu Pingzhi, finally returns home, emaciated and injured. He'd risked his life to save Xu Qi'an, even daring to confront the dangerous Menghu Hall. Overcome with emotion, Xu Pingzhi weeps at the sight of his nephew safe and sound.
Finally, Xu Qi'an, accompanied by Chu Caiwei and Zhang Shen (a Grand Tutor from Yunlu Academy), goes to the prison to re-examine the Magistrate of Taikang County. Zhang Shen, confident in his ability to read a person's aura, casts a spell, but nothing happens. Xu Qi'an approaches the Magistrate, only to discover he's already dead.
