Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty (唐朝诡事录)

[Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty III: To Chang'an]

How is it?

Any clues?

Have you seen him before?

Never.

Liu!

Everyone, come look.

Yingtao,

is this a feather

from that creature?

That's right.

It was knocked off by my sleeve arrow.

That makes sense.

It's identical to the feather

that Fei found.

But look at this.

A leaf?

The Ghost Market shouldn't have

such fresh leaves.

That human-faced raptor must have

brought it from somewhere else.

Xue Huan, take it off

and let me smell it.

Just put it in my mouth.

Sealwort?

What is it?

A kind of herb.

Is it the one known as

Immortals' Leftovers?

That's right.

But this one

is no ordinary sealwort.

It's an extremely rare variety.

Around Chang'an,

it only grows

high up on Mount Zhongnan.

Mount Zhongnan?

Honestly,

are you a human or a bird?

I see, I see.

You're different from the one

that caught me.

Eat up.

This face doesn't belong to you.

I remember the original owner's voice.

The original owner?

You know him?

Yes.

He was an evil person.

He...

I have no interest in his story.

Save your energy.

You were unconscious for a while.

You must be thirsty.

Eat this golden peach.

The taste is

very delicious.

You want me to feed your bird?

This raptor specifically targets

people who have eaten golden peaches.

We've already figured that out.

You are indeed clever,

worthy of being Master Di's disciple.

You know me?

We've met once.

Where?

You don't remember anyway,

so why should I tell you?

Back then, no one

would notice me.

I was worse off than a dog.

Look,

since we're old acquaintances,

why not let me go?

That's not possible.

I can't let you ruin my plans.

I won't give you food

or water.

This golden peach quenches both thirst and hunger.

Take it or leave it.

You're back?

Any gains?

Xue Huan,

come here.

Pour me some wine.

Hurry up.

How are you doing, Fei?

Refreshing.

I've been craving this all day.

Didn't I leave Xijun

to take care of you?

I wouldn't dare to bother Xijun.

She's busy with something important.

Did you find anything?

No.

Then quickly call everyone in.

Three years ago,

I went to Mount Zhongnan with my father for a spring outing.

We climbed the North Peak and overlooked the mountain.

The weather was exceptionally good that day.

All the buildings in the mountains were clearly visible.

This is a map of Mount Zhongnan

that I drew from memory.

Some parts might not

be entirely accurate.

You drew the mountain's map in one day.

Every stroke represents your dedication.

Xijun,

thank you for your hard work.

It's nothing.

I hope it helps.

We hired dozens of woodcutters

and herb gatherers.

We've covered almost every inch of Mount Zhongnan.

But there's no trace

of that raptor in the mountains.

As for the buildings,

Liu and I

searched this area.

General,

please be careful.

I'll keep watch outside.

There were 22

private villas,

Taoist, and Buddhist temples.

We've searched everywhere.

No findings.

Luo and I covered this area.

There were about 30 farmhouses,

two Taoist temples,

three Buddhist temples of various sizes,

and six villas belonging to officials and nobles.

No findings whatsoever.

Jia and I searched this area.

Mostly hermit dwellings.

Sir,

I am Master Di's grand-disciple.

I've come to Mount Zhongnan

specifically to solve a mysterious case.

I'd like to see your courtyard.

One Taoist temple and one Buddhist temple.

Although we've hit dead ends everywhere,

we must be thorough in our investigation.

However...

It's a wasted effort.

What about this area?

Everyone, come over here and take a look.

Other than this place,

has anywhere else been overlooked?

No.

These three villas are the largest

and situated higher than the other locations.

According to Master Ji,

that Immortals' Leftovers

grows best in places like this.

Those are imperial villas.

The Imperial Guard keeps it heavily guarded.

No one is allowed to enter without permission.

What should we do then?

Don't worry.

Tomorrow morning,

if we still have no leads,

I, Lu Lingfeng,

will go with you, Chu Yingtao,

to break into this imperial forbidden ground.

You want to search the imperial villa

just to find Su Wuming?

You'd be better off with him dead!

I've said before

that this despicable man deserves to die.

He betrayed you to climb up

the ladder of success.

And you,

you're willing to risk

your own future for him?

Grand General,

I don't want to explain too much,

but finding Su Wuming

is also a crucial step

in solving this mysterious case.

What mysterious case?

It's all orchestrated

by the Princess herself.

I've done my best to recommend you,

but His Majesty still has reservations about you,

all because of your birth mother.

You are loyal to His Majesty.

Now

is the time to prove yourself.

Su Wuming

is clearly on the Princess's side.

His fate...

Just pay no heed

and His Majesty

will naturally regain his trust in you.

If you get involved in this case,

His Majesty will never trust you.

It might even

bring you deadly consequences.

Return to the Grand General's Mansion immediately.