Episode Summary
The team gets a new lead on Night Devil involving a hallucinogenic drug called "Chijing." As Xiao Beiming's health deteriorates, with only a month left to live, the group masterminds an assignment to travel to Weizhou. Joined by Huo Dairong, who is seeking her own answers, they journey to the new location, deepening their bonds along the way. The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Xiao Beiming's worsening condition becomes apparent upon their arrival.
Spoiler Alert
With the truth of the death now fully known to him, Feng Qingzhuo resolutely refuses to divulge any information about the mysterious Night Devil. He takes it a step further by releasing Old Bug, leading the sharp-minded Xiao Beiming to deduce that Old Bug must have blackmailed Feng Qingzhuo with secrets about Night Devil. Cornered, Old Bug begins to talk. He reveals that Night Devil has a distinctive mole near the corner of his eye and that he was approached personally to concoct a special pill. They developed a drug called "Chijing," made from a rare mineral, which induces hallucinations. While the mineral itself isn't impossible to find, the formula requires the gruesome additions of corpse oil and the blood of a living person. Hearing this, Xiao Beiming decides to start his investigation by tracing the mineral.
Meanwhile, Feng Qingzhuo is weighed down by a heavy heart. He knows the Fire Cicada did not truly cure the poison in Xiao Beiming's body; it merely bought him more time. Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Beiming is already aware of this and reassures Feng Qingzhuo not to blame himself. The poison has already begun to manifest on his arm, and he has only one month left to live. Grateful to Feng Qingzhuo for saving his life, he is determined to use his remaining time to find the crucial clues they need.
The team's next destination is Weizhou, the hometown of Tong Shuang, who is the rightful young master of the Pingyuan Escort Agency. He first met Xiao Beiming while on the run, and the two have been inseparable through hard times ever since. To create a legitimate reason for a "business trip" to Weizhou, Tong Shuang and Zhong Xueman orchestrate a clever plan. They go to the Divine Capture Camp and use a junior officer's gambling habit to pick a fight, causing a major disruption. Their superior, Fang Zheng, unable to control them, assigns them to the "Sick Horse Case" in Weizhou, ordering them not to return to the capital until it's solved. Zhong Xueman feigns reluctance but is secretly thrilled, requesting Tong Shuang as her assistant.
Later, Huo Dairong is overcome with sadness while thinking of her mother. Noticing she skipped dinner, Feng Qingzhuo brings her a late-night snack, and she asks him to join her for a walk. Feng Qingzhuo has been infatuated with her since they first met but has never dared to confess his feelings. In another tender moment, Zhong Xueman brings restorative medicine to Xiao Beiming, who quickly hides the poison marks on his arm. She daydreams about their happy future after the case is solved, but a worried Xiao Beiming fears he won't live to see that day.
The group's journey to Weizhou begins. Tong Shuang solemnly reveals that his own family was killed by poison before their home was set ablaze. He recounts the hardships he faced, being hunted even while begging on the streets as a child. Huo Dairong initially leaves the capital alone, to Feng Qingzhuo's disappointment. However, his spirits lift when he finds her waiting for them at the city gates. She declares her intention to go to Weizhou to find her mother's real killer. Overjoyed, Feng Qingzhuo takes meticulous care of her throughout the trip. The group shares a hearty meal of fish and wild chicken, skillfully caught by Xiao Beiming and Tong Shuang. During a private moment, Tong Shuang teases Feng Qingzhuo about his obvious affection for Huo Dairong, while Huo Dairong expresses her gratitude to Zhong Xueman for making her feel less alone.
After a grueling two-day journey, the party finally arrives in Weizhou. Tong Shuang leads them to the Pingyuan Escort Agency, which is now dilapidated but still habitable after some cleaning. Just as they settle in, Xiao Beiming suddenly feels a wave of dizziness, an alarming sign that Zhong Xueman does not fail to notice.
