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.