Episode 27 recap: Yan Xing's Abduction
In Episode 27, we see someone brutally beaten, and Yan Xing believes that the legend of the Half-Faced Ghost originated here to cover up the existence of dismembered victims. Someone informs Ji Dafu that Mo Qianzhi has arrived, prompting Ji Dafu to rush out while Shen Du takes care of the situation.
As Yan Xing and Shen Du are resting, they hear a commotion outside and discover that Sima Biqiu, one of Mo Qianzhi's subordinates, has had his tendons severed by the Half-Faced Ghost. Sima Biqiu, unable to identify his assailant, asks Shen Du to end his suffering, and Shen Du agrees. Yan Xing knows such events are unavoidable but still finds them unbearable each time. Shen Du comforts Yan Xing.
Mo Qianzhi expresses his intention to visit Sima Biqiu's family in Nanshan, where Sima Biqiu's father raises pigeons. This reminds Yan Xing of using pigeons to send messages, leading her to suspect that Sima Biqiu might have been a spy for the Empress. Realizing something is amiss, Mo Qianzhi kills Sima Biqiu. Yan Xing asks Shen Du if he would still trust her if she stood against him one day, and Shen Du replies that his closest person is Yan Xing.
Pan Chi receives news that the Half-Faced Ghost has been spotted on the outskirts of the city. He joins Yan Xing and Shen Du to investigate, but after waiting for a long time, they find no one. It turns out that the news of Sima Biqiu's fate has scared everyone into staying indoors. Yan Xing finds it strange that so many people know about it when only a few should.
They are soon informed that the Half-Faced Ghost has abducted several women, prompting Yan Xing and the others to rush back. Upon returning, they witness the Half-Faced Ghost holding five women hostage. Mo Qianzhi confronts the ghost, demanding the release of the captives, but the ghost insists that the Day of the Three Suns is approaching and leaves it up to Mo Qianzhi to handle the situation.
Mo Qianzhi orders his men to shoot arrows, and Pan Chi is injured. Ji Dafu urges Mo Qianzhi to stop, but he is determined to capture the Half-Faced Ghost. Shen Du draws his knife, forcing Mo Qianzhi to relent.
During the chaos, Yan Xing is captured and, before losing consciousness, blows a whistle to summon Shen Du. Yan Xing realizes that Ji Dafu is the Half-Faced Ghost. Years ago, Li Kaixiang owed gambling debts, which led to Ji Dafu's wife being humiliated and ultimately dying at the hands of debt collectors. Ji Dafu killed Li Kaixiang to seek revenge.
Shen Du arrives just in time to rescue Yan Xing, while Ji Dafu escapes. Mo Qianzhi finds Ji Dafu and knocks him unconscious, sending him to a death cell. Yan Xing prepares herbal medicine for Shen Du, and Jing Lin brings Pan Chi homemade dishes, explaining the differences between him and Shen Du, which frustrates Pan Chi.
Yan Xing notices that Shen Du's eye condition has improved and asks when it happened. Shen Du admits it has been fine for some time, revealing that he pretended to be blind during their hot springs visit. Mo Qianzhi publicly demands Ji Dafu's execution, but Shen Du and the others believe there are still unresolved issues in the case.
Mo Qianzhi refuses to consider this and insists on executing Ji Dafu, which draws cheers from the crowd. Shen Du and the others understand that the public is anxious due to the Half-Faced Ghost's actions, and executing Ji Dafu will bring them relief. Jing Lin arrives with critical news: the five abducted women have not returned, making it imperative to locate them.
Yan Xing realizes something is off; the women bear a striking resemblance to Mo Xiuxiu. Shen Du and the group encounter Mo Qianzhi at Guangchun Hall, where he plans to sacrifice the five women to resurrect Mo Xiuxiu. It turns out that Mo Xiuxiu had tried to help the homeless but was captured and dishonored by a band of robbers.
Comments(Episode 27)