Di and his friends get closer to uncovering the truth of who is behind the deaths in Chang'an, putting them in danger. But Di has friends in very high places.
Di has been transferred to the north, along with his friends/attendants. They immediately discover a murdered man, a local gangster and unusual customs in the area.
Di's friend Teng is convinced he's committed a terrible crime but Di is unconvinced. His investigation leads him to a prisoner at a local quarry whose description matches the first victim.
Di believes Li Han may be the murderer and the man Yinlian was afraid of, while the dead man is Xu Kai, a painter apparently having an affair with Yinlian. He meets with Yinlian's sister, a woman obsessed with Xu Kai and who hated Yinlian.
Judge Di is investigating possible smuggling of weapons through Penglai when he meets an undercover agent sent by the Empress. During their meeting, a ship with just one stowaway on board crashes into the harbour.
The stabbed and burned body of one of Penglai's pawn brokers has been found near the local military fort. Ma Rong's jealousy over Cao An leads her to deliberately humiliate and steal from Cao An which infuriates Di.
Di attempts to question the fragile Ying'er but it goes badly. When he finds his possible witnesses hanged at the camp Di's frustration boils over. Attempting an arrest almost leads to more tragedy.
A lack of evidence forces Di to reluctantly release accused rapist Han Yongnan, who is then suspected of a death during a banquet. Di and Ma Rong pursue him into the desert.
Di and Ma Rong travel to a distant army fort in the desert. The officer in charge claims to have executed Han Yongnan for stealing but Ma Rong is suspicious. The fort comes under heavy attack by bandits.
Di Renjie and Ma Rong are left traumatized after the battle. Di follows Han Yongnan deeper into the desert and drags him home to Langfan. There he discovers he's been manipulated into a trap.
Ma Rong's guilt over Qiao Tai's injuries leads to a confrontation with Cao An but the latter shows kindness and the two women finally reach an understanding. Di Renjie believes he's found the head of Heiyan.
Mr Hong is busy preparing for Di Renjie and Cao An's big day. Until the remains of a dead girl are delivered anonymously during the party. Di is led to a house of corpses who seem to have killed each other.
Di Renjie realises the deaths are aimed at him. Frustrated he reaches out to community for help. The skeleton is identified and a suspect, but he is also dead. Cao An meets,a shy young man with a connection to the case.