Episode Summary
In this episode, Zhuge Kongyun confirms Xiao Beiming is alive and begins a secret search for Zhong Xueman. As Xiao Beiming's poison worsens, his team uncovers a sinister plot by a wealthy merchant who is "adopting" orphans and beggars. Feng Qingzhuo decides to go undercover to investigate, while a guilt-stricken Zhong Xueman vows to find a way to save Xiao Beiming.
Spoiler Alert
Zhuge Kongyun, reflecting on the case, senses that Zhong Xueman is deliberately hiding something. A sudden realization leads him to re-examine the case files, where he confirms that Xiao Beiming is, in fact, still alive. He immediately dispatches his men to find Zhong Xueman, determined to uncover the mystery she's concealing.
Meanwhile, the poison in Xiao Beiming's body is becoming more aggressive. A frantic Feng Qingzhuo examines his other arm and discovers the poison has spread severely, fearing that Xiao Beiming may not have long to live. Despite this, Xiao Beiming insists that Feng Qingzhuo keep his condition a secret. He pushes through the illness to assign tasks to his team, openly criticizing Tong Shuang for his recent recklessness that nearly jeopardized their entire plan. Acknowledging his error, Tong Shuang accepts the punishment of guarding the person who tried to steal the corpse.
From a distance, Zhong Xueman and Xiao Beiming watch over the situation, both concerned for Tong Shuang's well-being. They understand that his difficult childhood has left him with a volatile temper, especially around the members of the escort agency. Zhong Xueman, filled with guilt, resolves to apologize to him. At that moment, a group of villagers arrives with grain and other food, apologizing to Tong Shuang. They explain that they had been deceived into falsely accusing the agency, which had shown them great kindness in the past. Tong Shuang's anger melts away, replaced by a sense of warmth and reconciliation.
Elsewhere, Huo Dairong and Feng Qingzhuo's attempt to buy restorative medicine hits a dead end when a shopkeeper informs them that the entire city is sold out. Thinking quickly, Feng Qingzhuo pretends to faint. The shopkeeper, afraid of having a dead body on his premises, finally tells them where they might find the herbs.
A flashback reveals the history between Xiao Beiming and Tong Shuang. Years ago, after Tong Shuang’s family was massacred, he escaped and was found starving by Xiao Beiming, who gave him his own dry rations. From that point on, Tong Shuang followed him devotedly. Even when Xiao Beiming revealed his identity as the "Night Devil," Tong Shuang’s loyalty never wavered. Eventually, Xiao Beiming took him in, giving him a home at the Pingyuan Escort Agency. Back in the present, Xiao Beiming once again hands Tong Shuang dry rations, bringing back the painful memories. Tong Shuang is heartbroken, still consumed by the desire for revenge but with no knowledge of his family's killers. Xiao Beiming comforts him, assuring him that as long as he is around, the Pingyuan Escort Agency will always be their home.
The next day, Zhuge Kongyun travels to Weizhou. He questions Wang Feihu about Zhong Xueman's whereabouts and asks him to keep his visit a secret to avoid tipping off anyone involved.
Xiao Beiming's condition deteriorates until he finally collapses from the poison, making it impossible to hide his illness any longer. A distraught Tong Shuang insists on finding "Old Bug" to save him, but Feng Qingzhuo delivers the grim news that even Old Bug can't help, and they must find another solution.
That evening, the team reports their findings. First, the specific medicine Xiao Beiming needs has been completely bought out. Second, a mysterious wealthy merchant is adopting strong young men, promising to leave them his entire fortune. The catch is that the applicants are mostly orphans and beggars—people who wouldn't be missed if they disappeared. Xiao Beiming immediately deduces that this is a scheme to "raise" humans for their blood for some evil purpose.
Feng Qingzhuo decides he is the best person to investigate. As a coroner, his keen eye for detail would be an asset. He volunteers to pose as an applicant to become an "adopted son," confident he can use his knowledge of poisons to escape if necessary. While the others continue searching for clues, a guilt-ridden Zhong Xueman walks alone, weeping. She blames herself entirely for Xiao Beiming's suffering and vows to make things right.
Unable to locate Zhong Xueman, Zhuge Kongyun has a new idea. He suspects Tong Shuang's old hometown might hold the key and orders his men to place the Pingyuan Escort Agency under surveillance.
