The Spirit Puppet (2023) Movie Script
1
In year 13 the Republic of China,
a mysterious case happened in Liu Town,
(Map of Su City)
Twelve miles west of Su City,
where a family murdered by a spirit puppet.
The whole story
begins with the wedding
that night.
Dragon and phoenix bring good fortune.
Pick up the bride.
Dark fire greets the bride.
Drak wind waves the flag.
Drink the cross-cupped wine
and grow old together in the afterlife.
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
The wind begins.
The ceremony is completed.
Start the music
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
Commander,
please accept my condolences.
You can leave now.
Okay.
Young master,
I'm ordered to keep a vigil.
Pleaseplease don't scare me.
Don't scare me.
Please.
You're such a buzzkill.
You should've seen your face.
I'm heading out.
Please don't.
Don't be upset. I'm joking with you.
What's that sound?
What sound?
Are you done?
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
Who is there?
(Zhang's Mansion)
(Spirit Puppet)
Bravo!
Excellent!
Bravo!
(Qingchen Restaurant)
Thanks for coming.
Sure thing.
Come again.
The voice was beautiful today.
How was it?
Was my singing okay today?
It was excellent.
Thank you.
You have really great posture.
Working here is such a
waste of your talents.
Why don't you come and perform in my house?
You could make much more than working here.
Thank you, Madam.
But I'm not a classy man.
I can only make a living
working for our owner.
Feel free to contact me
if you change your mind.
Okay.
Let's go.
Thanks for coming.
See you soon!
What's the matter?
Are you jealous?
How dare I get jealous of
you, the leading actor?
What is this?
Look at the color
and the texture.
It would definitely look good
on that lady.
Don't you dare.
This is for you.
That's more like it.
I got your favorite
hairy crabs for you.
Awesome.
But I have to be home late tonight.
Do you have a meeting with someone again?
My puppet is a bit damaged.
I need to go to the antique street
to find some parts to repair it.
All you care about is your puppets.
It is the Ghost Festival today.
Go early and come back early.
Don't worry.
(Year 13 the Republic of China)
Sir, how much is this?
Stop.
Give me a discount, please.
Stop!
Stop running, you brat!
Stop!
You brat. You stole my pancake again!
Bastard.
I'm gonna take you back and teach you a lesson.
- Let go of me!
Brother.
Come with me.
Brother.
Let go of me!
How much is the pancake?
I'll pay you.
Is that enough?
Yes.
Watch yourself.
Thank you.
(Wild geese fly south)
(Wild geese fly south)
Hello?
Manager.
What happened?
Were you chased by a dog?
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
Look what this is.
It's just a puppet.
I thought you've got something special.
This puppet is...
Alright.
The crabs are ready.
Eat it while it's hot.
I'll take a shower first.
Okay.
(Wild geese fly south)
Someone took it.
I told you that thing was ominous.
You shouldn't keep it.
And you just didn't listen to me.
Are you crazy? You scared me.
Look at you.
Get out.
Childish.
Shi Jia.
Why is the power off?
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Li.
Yuan.
Document these.
Chief.
We didn't find any trace of
a third person on the scene.
From our primary analysis,
it is a suicide.
Just as I thought.
Well,
how could a homicide happen
within my jurisdiction?
Right.
Well.
You take her statement
as soon as possible.
This case is closed.
Yes.
Sir.
Shi Jia couldn't have committed suicide.
Let go of me.
He certainly didn't commit suicide.
Let go!
Tell me.
If your husband didn't commit suicide,
then did you murder him?
Get ready to go back.
He didn't commit suicide.
- He didn't.
- Let go!
Let go!
Chief.
Chief.
Let me take her statement.
Yuan.
Remember,
don't make any trouble.
Let's go.
Bye, Yuan.
Are you okay?
(Yongan Hotel)
Hello.
I need a room.
Your house is the crime scene.
So
You have to stay in the hotel for now.
This is the key.
Take it.
You can find me at the police
station if you need anything.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
(Su City Police Station)
Cheng.
Yuan.
What is this?
You're too kind.
His body
is not wounded by the external force.
The cause of death
is the lack of oxygen to the brain,
which means suffocation.
We can generally rule out homicide.
What are you doing?
Hold on.
It's weird.
It seems that he was not sober
before he committed suicide.
What do you mean?
Look.
Here.
Here.
And here.
These bruises were caused
by collapsing and falling.
There are so many of those,
which means one situation.
He was drunk, so he couldn't
countrol his body.
But strangely, I found
no trace of alcohol in his body.
Cheng.
What is this?
Blisters.
Normally,
a body will not decompose so quickly.
I'll exam it thoroughly later.
Oh, and
Yuan, don't tell anyone
that I asked you to come here.
I will be in trouble
if the superiors find out.
No worries.
(Spirit puppet took lives in the
Commander's Mansion in Su City )
(June, Year 13)
His body appears to have multiple
bruises and blisters.
When did Shi Jia come home?
Around Nine.
He brought home a puppet.
A puppet?
What are you doing?
People are looking at us.
My wife is so pretty.
I don't mind them looking.
This is for you.
Look what this is.
It's just a puppet.
I thought you've got something special.
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
You're awake.
Why am I here?
I went to your house to look for clues.
Yu Bi.
Ten years ago,
a wedding was held in
the commander's mansion.
The deceased is the commander's son,
Zhang Luzhi.
Unfortunately,
the massacre happened that night.
Since then,
the rumor has it
that Zhang Luzhi's soul is possessed
by the spirit puppet.
Did that puppet kill Shi Jia?
I'm a police officer.
I only trust the evidence.
Do you know
where the puppet is now?
I found it at home.
But when I woke up,
I am already here.
I don't know where the puppet is.
Do you know
who gave it to Shi Jia?
He always liked
those weird things.
And I didn't pay much attention.
Well.
This puppet is...
Alright.
The crabs are ready.
Eat it while it's hot.
I'll take a shower first.
It has the mortise and tenon structure.
Oh, and
he said that the puppet
had the mortise and tenon structure.
Mortise and what?
Mortise and tenon.
The structure is very complex.
Very few craftsmen can make it.
This is a very important lead.
I'll look into it.
If you need anything,
you can go find me at the police station.
Officer Chao,
please find out what
really happened to Shi Jia.
Sure.
Be very careful.
(Open Welcome)
Li,
it's Chao Yuan.
I need you to
look something up for me.
Ten years ago,
which shop sold puppets
that had mortise and tenon structure?
Are you looking for someone?
Sir.
Is Mr. Zheng, Zheng Tong here?
Where is the shipping invoice?
What shipping invoice?
My master went for a long trip.
If you want to buy furniture,
you can talk to me.
Mr. Zheng.
I told you he was not here.
Mr. Zheng.
You...
Mr. Zheng,
I would like to place a big order.
You know me?
Well, we know each other now.
What do you want from me?
Hear me out.
I'm from the opera troupe
in the south of the city.
I heard that you're excellent
at making mortise and tenon joints.
That's why I'm here.
I'd like you to make a batch of puppets.
We only make furniture here.
You came to the wrong place.
No.
Please consider it.
We can discuss the price.
Right?
Wu.
Send him out.
Okay.
Mr. Zheng,
can we talk about it, please?
I would pay you good money.
Our boss said no and he meant it.
Mister. Please.
I'm going to discuss this with Mr. Zheng.
Discuss what?
Get lost!
Mr. Zheng.
Hang in there, master.
(Emergency Room)
Master.
(Emergency Treatment Do not disturb)
Officer,
my master has asked me
to give this letter to the police
if something happens to him.
(Wild geese fly south)
(Spirit puppet took all lives in
the Commander's mansion in Year 13)
The Commander's Mansion.
The spirit puppet took lives.
Thank you.
See you.
Miss.
Miss.
Are you looking for someone?
Is Officer Chao here?
Chao. Officer Chao.
Who?
Officer Chao Yuan.
I have an emergency.
That boy
is not here.
I haven't seen him for days.
Can I go inside and take a look?
- I really need to talk to him.
- No.
I said he is not here.
What are you doing?
Do you think you can just
intrude into a police station?
Please let me go inside.
Liu.
Chief.
What's going on?
Well
She's looking for Chao Yuan.
It's you.
Didn't your man just commit
suicide two days ago?
Why are you here?
He didn't commit suicide.
Don't talk nonsense.
The case is closed.
I said it was a suicide,
so it was a suicide.
Liu.
Send her out.
Alright.
Our Chief has said it.
Just leave.
Go.
He didn't commit suicide.
Leave.
Sir.
Yes.
(Su City Police Station)
Miss,
where do you want to go?
Western suburbs.
Okay. Western suburbs.
The Commander's Mansion.
The Commander's Mansion.
Okay. Sit tight.
Miss, you'll get there
after you across the bridge.
Okay.
Thank you.
Sure thing.
(Zhang's Mansion)
Anyone here?
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
Put it down.
Who are you?
You intrude into the mension
without the owner's permission.
I should ask you that question.
I'm sorry.
I thought no one lived here.
Yeah.
It's been a long time since
human beings lived here.
I want to know what exactly happened
ten years ago here.
Go back.
Please tell me.
My husband died at home
after he brought back a puppet.
I'm seeking justice for him.
What do you want to know?
I want to know if his death
has anything to do
with the murders by the spirit puppet
in the Commander's mansion ten years ago.
The story
begins with two people.
Their names are Liu Fuhui
and Zhang Luzhi.
They first met
in a theater.
Liu Fuhui
was singing
the Story of Jing Chai.
Bravo!
So good!
Bravo!
Excellent!
One more!
Stop.
Good!
It is not good.
I'm here to watch the opera,
not to appreciate your stupid puppet.
Give it to me.
What are you doing?
Behave yourself!
Stop!
You...
How dare you meddle in my business?
Who are you?
How dare you!
He is Mr. Zhang.
Who dares to hurt him!
Brother,
we can't offend him.
Mr. Zhang,
I am sorry.
Zhang Luzhi loved operas
since he was a kid.
From that day on,
they were like old friends.
Since then,
they had been studying scripts together.
Liu Fuhui was a famous
performer in the opera circle.
No one expected Zhang Luzhi
was also knowledgeable.
He knew a lot about operas.
As time passed,
they became close friends who
kept no secrets from each other.
(Zhang's Mansion)
Halt.
Turn left and turn right.
Commander, welcome back!
Commander,
I miss you so much.
Let's go home.
Let's go home.
Why didn't Luzhi come to welcome me?
Commander,
Young Master went to see Mr. Liu.
Mr Liu?
He is not a gentleman.
He's just an actor.
Luzhi stays with him all the time.
I'm afraid that
he has long forgotten you, his dad.
Damn it!
Take this kid
back.
Yes.
You're here, Young Master.
I told you to call me Luzhi.
I can't break the rules.
What is this?
A puppet?
Yes.
I asked Mr. Zheng from
Ruixiang to make this.
Yours
was broken by those bastards.
I compensate you with a new one.
You were not the one who broke it.
Why should you compensate me?
It doesn't matter who compensates you.
But to be honest,
I haven't finished this yet.
I
Want this puppet to sing opera itself.
Are you dreaming
in broad daylight?
You'll know whether I am dreaming
when I'm done.
This is for you.
What are you doing?
I accept
this puppet.
I can't accept
this watch.
Just take it.
If anyone bullies you again,
show it.
You are my friend.
Young master.
What's the matter?
You are in such a panic!
Commander is back.
He wants you to go home.
Why should I go home when he is back?
I won't go.
Young Master...
I said I wouldn't go. Then I won't go.
Luzhi...
(Zhang's Mansion)
I came back to raise funds
and recruit soldiers.
After the matter is done,
you go with me.
Go?
Where are we going?
You are my son.
Sooner or later, you'll take over my job.
It's time for you
to go to the battlefield to get trained.
I won't go.
Say it again.
I won't go even if I say it 100 times.
Bastard!
All you do is fooling around.
You hang out with that actor all day.
It's inappropriate.
What's the matter with actors?
My mother is also an actress.
If you didn't like her,
you should have let her go by then.
Bastard!
I'll kill you!
No, Commander.
Take Young Master out.
Commander!
Please calm down.
Calm down.
Young Master, let's go.
Raise money?
It's none of my business.
You fight your war and I live my life.
Young Master.
There is a guest.
I won't see him.
I won't see anyone today.
Are you not
going to see me either?
Why are you here?
What's wrong with you?
It is because of my father.
All he knows is war.
He also said
he was going to take me to
learn how to train soldiers.
What did you say?
I slammed the door and left.
It seems that
you don't want to go.
Of course.
What if
you raise money for him?
You mean...
If
You raise money for him,
you can bargain with him and tell him
you are not going to lead the army to war.
It's easy to say.
But where can I get
so much money for him?
I have an idea.
I don't know if I should tell you.
Tell me.
(Everyone is responsible for
the rise and fall of the world)
Congratulations.
Mr. Zhang.
It's just a token of respect.
Please.
In order to help Zhang Luzhi,
Liu Fuhui set up a banner
for a benefit performance
in the name of saving the
country in the theater.
He played ten consecutive performances.
The theatre was full every time.
As Commander saw it,
he was happy.
Luzhi
is really smart.
This move is really effective.
Like father, like son.
Commander,
Young Master has put a lot of effort
into fundraising this time.
How much money can they donate?
How can your military expenses
rely on these tickets?
You know nothing.
The one who wins people's
hearts will win the world.
They're trying to drum up
people's support for me.
Let's go there.
Things developed according to
Liu Fuhui and Zhang Luzhi's plan.
But the accident
still happened.
Why did you come to the backstage
rather than dealing with the
fundraising in the front?
Someone is watching there.
Did Commander say anything?
Nothing.
But he came to watch the show today too.
OK.
As long as he comes,
our business will be half done.
The rest is up to you.
So you're here to supervise the work?
Come on.
Let me show you my daydream.
It's really done.
Of course.
There are Western things
in its belly.
You're really something.
Good.
Are you Fan Li?
Exactly.
Good.
Is this Liu Fuhui?
Yes, Commander.
OK.
Why did you bring real weapons here?
Sorry, Senior.
Protect Commander!
Yes.
Commander, go!
This way, Commander.
Commander, go!
Father, are you alright?
Take him away.
Yes.
Back then,
Liu Fuhui was tortured
for seven days and nights here.
Zhang Luzhi tried every means to save him.
Who is performing?
(Zhang's Mansion)
Young Master.
Young Master!
Young master, let's go.
Master is coming to catch you.
Young Master.
Young Master.
Come back with me.
I perform opera to raise money for you.
When I make enough money,
let Mr. Liu go.
So he is Commander's son.
This time, it's quite interesting.
Don't you feel ashamed enough?
Ashamed?
I shouldn't have come to this world.
If I weren't your only son,
would you care so much about my life?
Shut up.
Sing.
Keep singing.
I'm the god here.
I can do whatever I want.
I'll kill the person
who dares to do
things that I forbid.
There is no exception.
(Zhang's Mansion)
Take the money.
Save Liu Fuhui for me.
Young Master,
about this, I...
Feng.
Young master, what are you doing?
Since I was born, I...
I only have this one request.
Take it.
Young Master,
I'll do my best.
Go.
Hurry up.
Kneel!
Mr. Liu.
Look at you.
As an actor,
how dare you assassinate Commander?
Tell me the truth.
You will feel better if we kill you.
I'm innocent!
Innocent?
My young master is innocent!
For an actor like you, he is insane.
Cut off his face.
No!
No!
No.
Have you made up your mind?
I think you still don't understand.
I heard you gave a puppet to Liu Fuhui.
A puppet
is still wood no matter how good it is.
It lacks spirit.
I added something for you.
I specially asked Master Zheng Tong
from Ruixiang to make a
human skin puppet for you.
Are you satisfied now?
Have fun.
No.
No.
Young Master.
Have some food.
Don't kill me.
Don't kill me!
Don't kill me.
Since then,
Zhang Luzhi seemed to be stimulated.
He stayed with the puppet alone all day.
He didn't talk to anyone.
After Zhang Luzhi committed suicide,
Commander held a wedding for him.
Commander also buried the puppet with
the skin of Liu Fuhui with him.
Commander may want to use this method
to appease Zhang Luzhi's soul.
But that night,
a tragedy still occurred.
Zhang Luzhi's soul
possessed the puppet.
That night,
he killed all the people
in Commander's mansion.
(Wild geese fly south)
Hello?
Boss.
Hello?
Is anyone here?
So the puppet was also the one
who killed Shi Jia.
Help me.
Why is the puppet here?
This is its residence.
Take it.
Burn it.
What?
Don't you want to avenge your man?
You don't have time.
It will wake up again in 15 minutes.
You can do nothing then.
(Spirit Tablet of My Son, Zhang Luzhi)
Burn it!
Burn it!
Hurry up!
Burn it, and
everything will be over.
That's not right.
How could it kill someone
if no one controlled it?
Yes.
How could a puppet
kill people if no one controlled it?
I told you it was an ominous thing
and don't keep it. But
you wouldn't listen to me.
I'll find a way to get it back.
Since you know it all,
die with your man.
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia.
Shi Jia?
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
You're finally awake.
Come on.
Why am I in the hospital?
Officer Chao,
what happened?
So,
that woman was the murderer
who killed Shi Jia?
Shi Jia's death
was an accident.
What do you mean?
After Shi Jia parted with you that day,
he accidentally went to a paper shop.
He got the puppet there.
The owner of the paper shop
was Liu Fuhui.
Liu Fuhui?
He was not dead?
Yes.
Everyone thought
Liu Fuhui got shot.
So Zhang Luzhi chose to commit suicide.
But in fact,
even Liu Fuhui didn't expect
the pocket watch on his chest
would save his life.
So Liu Fuhui plotted
a massacre of Commander's
Mansion in a rage.
But why did they kill Shi Jia?
Shi Jia was innocent.
Yu Bi,
I'll take you to a place.
The truth is there.
Cheng,
is the result out?
This is the first time in my life
to dissect a puppet.
You two, follow me.
Look.
This powder
is hidden in the puppet's body.
It's called Emo Powder.
Emo Powder. -It's a bacteria
that can cause hallucinations.
The reason why the autopsy
couldn't find anything
is that this bacteria
has no toxin itself.
And it's easy to be dissolved too.
All kinds of inducing
hallucinations after hallucinating
are the real cause of death.
Cheng, thank you.
You are welcome.
Director is waiting for me.
I have to go.
Go ahead.
Emo Powder
was left by Liu Fuhui to himself.
Shi Jia
must have accidentally
touched the mechanism,
so...
How could this be?
Back then,
after knowing that Zhang Luzhi was dead,
Liu Fuhui was extremely sad.
So he forced the puppet
craftsman, Zheng Tong,
to tamper with
the puppet which would be
buried with Zhang Luzhi.
He used Emo Powder
to create a tragedy in Commander's mansion.
There's one thing I don't understand.
Who was the woman in
the Commander's mansion?
Why did she want to kill me?
She was a maid in Commander's mansion.
Her name was
Ning Dong.
She was also Liu Fuhui's sister.
It was her.
After the case in Commander's mansion,
someone mistook it as a
spirit puppet killing people.
So this puppet
became the only clue to expose the lie.
That day,
after Shi Jia took away the puppet,
Liu Fuhui didn't plan to hide it anymore.
But Ning Dong
wanted to hide the truth
to protect her brother,
so she used the spirit
puppet to kill people again.
For this reason,
she wanted to
kill you.
Lies
and hiding lies
are still lies.
There's no puppet killing people.
It's just the human mind.
Officer Chao,
anyway, thank you.
You're welcome.
I'm a policeman.
This is my duty.
I have something to do.
See you.
Take care.
When we have enough money,
let's buy this big house, okay?
OK.
I'll listen to you.
And
I'll build a troupe
and become the leader.
And then?
After that,
I will marry you,
my beautiful and lovely wife.
I don't want to marry you.
(Zhang Luzhi's tomb, established in
the 13th year of the Republic of China)
Thank you.
Yours
was broken by those bastards.
I compensate you with a new one.
You are my friend.
Officer Chao,
do you think we were wrong
or the world was wrong?
I, a tiny police officer,
can't make
these clearly.
But there's one thing
I am very clear.
No one
can cover up the truth with crimes.
Although a puppet can't speak,
it doesn't mean the person who controls it
can do whatever he wants
and hide his crime.
As a police officer,
I will find out the
person behind the puppet
and bring justice to the victim.
A puppet has no intention.
All evil deeds are committed by humans.
(Zhang Luzhi's tomb, established in
the 13th year of the Republic of China)
In year 13 the Republic of China,
a mysterious case happened in Liu Town,
(Map of Su City)
Twelve miles west of Su City,
where a family murdered by a spirit puppet.
The whole story
begins with the wedding
that night.
Dragon and phoenix bring good fortune.
Pick up the bride.
Dark fire greets the bride.
Drak wind waves the flag.
Drink the cross-cupped wine
and grow old together in the afterlife.
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
The wind begins.
The ceremony is completed.
Start the music
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
Commander,
please accept my condolences.
You can leave now.
Okay.
Young master,
I'm ordered to keep a vigil.
Pleaseplease don't scare me.
Don't scare me.
Please.
You're such a buzzkill.
You should've seen your face.
I'm heading out.
Please don't.
Don't be upset. I'm joking with you.
What's that sound?
What sound?
Are you done?
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
Who is there?
(Zhang's Mansion)
(Spirit Puppet)
Bravo!
Excellent!
Bravo!
(Qingchen Restaurant)
Thanks for coming.
Sure thing.
Come again.
The voice was beautiful today.
How was it?
Was my singing okay today?
It was excellent.
Thank you.
You have really great posture.
Working here is such a
waste of your talents.
Why don't you come and perform in my house?
You could make much more than working here.
Thank you, Madam.
But I'm not a classy man.
I can only make a living
working for our owner.
Feel free to contact me
if you change your mind.
Okay.
Let's go.
Thanks for coming.
See you soon!
What's the matter?
Are you jealous?
How dare I get jealous of
you, the leading actor?
What is this?
Look at the color
and the texture.
It would definitely look good
on that lady.
Don't you dare.
This is for you.
That's more like it.
I got your favorite
hairy crabs for you.
Awesome.
But I have to be home late tonight.
Do you have a meeting with someone again?
My puppet is a bit damaged.
I need to go to the antique street
to find some parts to repair it.
All you care about is your puppets.
It is the Ghost Festival today.
Go early and come back early.
Don't worry.
(Year 13 the Republic of China)
Sir, how much is this?
Stop.
Give me a discount, please.
Stop!
Stop running, you brat!
Stop!
You brat. You stole my pancake again!
Bastard.
I'm gonna take you back and teach you a lesson.
- Let go of me!
Brother.
Come with me.
Brother.
Let go of me!
How much is the pancake?
I'll pay you.
Is that enough?
Yes.
Watch yourself.
Thank you.
(Wild geese fly south)
(Wild geese fly south)
Hello?
Manager.
What happened?
Were you chased by a dog?
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
Look what this is.
It's just a puppet.
I thought you've got something special.
This puppet is...
Alright.
The crabs are ready.
Eat it while it's hot.
I'll take a shower first.
Okay.
(Wild geese fly south)
Someone took it.
I told you that thing was ominous.
You shouldn't keep it.
And you just didn't listen to me.
Are you crazy? You scared me.
Look at you.
Get out.
Childish.
Shi Jia.
Why is the power off?
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Li.
Yuan.
Document these.
Chief.
We didn't find any trace of
a third person on the scene.
From our primary analysis,
it is a suicide.
Just as I thought.
Well,
how could a homicide happen
within my jurisdiction?
Right.
Well.
You take her statement
as soon as possible.
This case is closed.
Yes.
Sir.
Shi Jia couldn't have committed suicide.
Let go of me.
He certainly didn't commit suicide.
Let go!
Tell me.
If your husband didn't commit suicide,
then did you murder him?
Get ready to go back.
He didn't commit suicide.
- He didn't.
- Let go!
Let go!
Chief.
Chief.
Let me take her statement.
Yuan.
Remember,
don't make any trouble.
Let's go.
Bye, Yuan.
Are you okay?
(Yongan Hotel)
Hello.
I need a room.
Your house is the crime scene.
So
You have to stay in the hotel for now.
This is the key.
Take it.
You can find me at the police
station if you need anything.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
(Su City Police Station)
Cheng.
Yuan.
What is this?
You're too kind.
His body
is not wounded by the external force.
The cause of death
is the lack of oxygen to the brain,
which means suffocation.
We can generally rule out homicide.
What are you doing?
Hold on.
It's weird.
It seems that he was not sober
before he committed suicide.
What do you mean?
Look.
Here.
Here.
And here.
These bruises were caused
by collapsing and falling.
There are so many of those,
which means one situation.
He was drunk, so he couldn't
countrol his body.
But strangely, I found
no trace of alcohol in his body.
Cheng.
What is this?
Blisters.
Normally,
a body will not decompose so quickly.
I'll exam it thoroughly later.
Oh, and
Yuan, don't tell anyone
that I asked you to come here.
I will be in trouble
if the superiors find out.
No worries.
(Spirit puppet took lives in the
Commander's Mansion in Su City )
(June, Year 13)
His body appears to have multiple
bruises and blisters.
When did Shi Jia come home?
Around Nine.
He brought home a puppet.
A puppet?
What are you doing?
People are looking at us.
My wife is so pretty.
I don't mind them looking.
This is for you.
Look what this is.
It's just a puppet.
I thought you've got something special.
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
You're awake.
Why am I here?
I went to your house to look for clues.
Yu Bi.
Ten years ago,
a wedding was held in
the commander's mansion.
The deceased is the commander's son,
Zhang Luzhi.
Unfortunately,
the massacre happened that night.
Since then,
the rumor has it
that Zhang Luzhi's soul is possessed
by the spirit puppet.
Did that puppet kill Shi Jia?
I'm a police officer.
I only trust the evidence.
Do you know
where the puppet is now?
I found it at home.
But when I woke up,
I am already here.
I don't know where the puppet is.
Do you know
who gave it to Shi Jia?
He always liked
those weird things.
And I didn't pay much attention.
Well.
This puppet is...
Alright.
The crabs are ready.
Eat it while it's hot.
I'll take a shower first.
It has the mortise and tenon structure.
Oh, and
he said that the puppet
had the mortise and tenon structure.
Mortise and what?
Mortise and tenon.
The structure is very complex.
Very few craftsmen can make it.
This is a very important lead.
I'll look into it.
If you need anything,
you can go find me at the police station.
Officer Chao,
please find out what
really happened to Shi Jia.
Sure.
Be very careful.
(Open Welcome)
Li,
it's Chao Yuan.
I need you to
look something up for me.
Ten years ago,
which shop sold puppets
that had mortise and tenon structure?
Are you looking for someone?
Sir.
Is Mr. Zheng, Zheng Tong here?
Where is the shipping invoice?
What shipping invoice?
My master went for a long trip.
If you want to buy furniture,
you can talk to me.
Mr. Zheng.
I told you he was not here.
Mr. Zheng.
You...
Mr. Zheng,
I would like to place a big order.
You know me?
Well, we know each other now.
What do you want from me?
Hear me out.
I'm from the opera troupe
in the south of the city.
I heard that you're excellent
at making mortise and tenon joints.
That's why I'm here.
I'd like you to make a batch of puppets.
We only make furniture here.
You came to the wrong place.
No.
Please consider it.
We can discuss the price.
Right?
Wu.
Send him out.
Okay.
Mr. Zheng,
can we talk about it, please?
I would pay you good money.
Our boss said no and he meant it.
Mister. Please.
I'm going to discuss this with Mr. Zheng.
Discuss what?
Get lost!
Mr. Zheng.
Hang in there, master.
(Emergency Room)
Master.
(Emergency Treatment Do not disturb)
Officer,
my master has asked me
to give this letter to the police
if something happens to him.
(Wild geese fly south)
(Spirit puppet took all lives in
the Commander's mansion in Year 13)
The Commander's Mansion.
The spirit puppet took lives.
Thank you.
See you.
Miss.
Miss.
Are you looking for someone?
Is Officer Chao here?
Chao. Officer Chao.
Who?
Officer Chao Yuan.
I have an emergency.
That boy
is not here.
I haven't seen him for days.
Can I go inside and take a look?
- I really need to talk to him.
- No.
I said he is not here.
What are you doing?
Do you think you can just
intrude into a police station?
Please let me go inside.
Liu.
Chief.
What's going on?
Well
She's looking for Chao Yuan.
It's you.
Didn't your man just commit
suicide two days ago?
Why are you here?
He didn't commit suicide.
Don't talk nonsense.
The case is closed.
I said it was a suicide,
so it was a suicide.
Liu.
Send her out.
Alright.
Our Chief has said it.
Just leave.
Go.
He didn't commit suicide.
Leave.
Sir.
Yes.
(Su City Police Station)
Miss,
where do you want to go?
Western suburbs.
Okay. Western suburbs.
The Commander's Mansion.
The Commander's Mansion.
Okay. Sit tight.
Miss, you'll get there
after you across the bridge.
Okay.
Thank you.
Sure thing.
(Zhang's Mansion)
Anyone here?
(Spirit tablet of beloved son Zhang Luzhi)
Put it down.
Who are you?
You intrude into the mension
without the owner's permission.
I should ask you that question.
I'm sorry.
I thought no one lived here.
Yeah.
It's been a long time since
human beings lived here.
I want to know what exactly happened
ten years ago here.
Go back.
Please tell me.
My husband died at home
after he brought back a puppet.
I'm seeking justice for him.
What do you want to know?
I want to know if his death
has anything to do
with the murders by the spirit puppet
in the Commander's mansion ten years ago.
The story
begins with two people.
Their names are Liu Fuhui
and Zhang Luzhi.
They first met
in a theater.
Liu Fuhui
was singing
the Story of Jing Chai.
Bravo!
So good!
Bravo!
Excellent!
One more!
Stop.
Good!
It is not good.
I'm here to watch the opera,
not to appreciate your stupid puppet.
Give it to me.
What are you doing?
Behave yourself!
Stop!
You...
How dare you meddle in my business?
Who are you?
How dare you!
He is Mr. Zhang.
Who dares to hurt him!
Brother,
we can't offend him.
Mr. Zhang,
I am sorry.
Zhang Luzhi loved operas
since he was a kid.
From that day on,
they were like old friends.
Since then,
they had been studying scripts together.
Liu Fuhui was a famous
performer in the opera circle.
No one expected Zhang Luzhi
was also knowledgeable.
He knew a lot about operas.
As time passed,
they became close friends who
kept no secrets from each other.
(Zhang's Mansion)
Halt.
Turn left and turn right.
Commander, welcome back!
Commander,
I miss you so much.
Let's go home.
Let's go home.
Why didn't Luzhi come to welcome me?
Commander,
Young Master went to see Mr. Liu.
Mr Liu?
He is not a gentleman.
He's just an actor.
Luzhi stays with him all the time.
I'm afraid that
he has long forgotten you, his dad.
Damn it!
Take this kid
back.
Yes.
You're here, Young Master.
I told you to call me Luzhi.
I can't break the rules.
What is this?
A puppet?
Yes.
I asked Mr. Zheng from
Ruixiang to make this.
Yours
was broken by those bastards.
I compensate you with a new one.
You were not the one who broke it.
Why should you compensate me?
It doesn't matter who compensates you.
But to be honest,
I haven't finished this yet.
I
Want this puppet to sing opera itself.
Are you dreaming
in broad daylight?
You'll know whether I am dreaming
when I'm done.
This is for you.
What are you doing?
I accept
this puppet.
I can't accept
this watch.
Just take it.
If anyone bullies you again,
show it.
You are my friend.
Young master.
What's the matter?
You are in such a panic!
Commander is back.
He wants you to go home.
Why should I go home when he is back?
I won't go.
Young Master...
I said I wouldn't go. Then I won't go.
Luzhi...
(Zhang's Mansion)
I came back to raise funds
and recruit soldiers.
After the matter is done,
you go with me.
Go?
Where are we going?
You are my son.
Sooner or later, you'll take over my job.
It's time for you
to go to the battlefield to get trained.
I won't go.
Say it again.
I won't go even if I say it 100 times.
Bastard!
All you do is fooling around.
You hang out with that actor all day.
It's inappropriate.
What's the matter with actors?
My mother is also an actress.
If you didn't like her,
you should have let her go by then.
Bastard!
I'll kill you!
No, Commander.
Take Young Master out.
Commander!
Please calm down.
Calm down.
Young Master, let's go.
Raise money?
It's none of my business.
You fight your war and I live my life.
Young Master.
There is a guest.
I won't see him.
I won't see anyone today.
Are you not
going to see me either?
Why are you here?
What's wrong with you?
It is because of my father.
All he knows is war.
He also said
he was going to take me to
learn how to train soldiers.
What did you say?
I slammed the door and left.
It seems that
you don't want to go.
Of course.
What if
you raise money for him?
You mean...
If
You raise money for him,
you can bargain with him and tell him
you are not going to lead the army to war.
It's easy to say.
But where can I get
so much money for him?
I have an idea.
I don't know if I should tell you.
Tell me.
(Everyone is responsible for
the rise and fall of the world)
Congratulations.
Mr. Zhang.
It's just a token of respect.
Please.
In order to help Zhang Luzhi,
Liu Fuhui set up a banner
for a benefit performance
in the name of saving the
country in the theater.
He played ten consecutive performances.
The theatre was full every time.
As Commander saw it,
he was happy.
Luzhi
is really smart.
This move is really effective.
Like father, like son.
Commander,
Young Master has put a lot of effort
into fundraising this time.
How much money can they donate?
How can your military expenses
rely on these tickets?
You know nothing.
The one who wins people's
hearts will win the world.
They're trying to drum up
people's support for me.
Let's go there.
Things developed according to
Liu Fuhui and Zhang Luzhi's plan.
But the accident
still happened.
Why did you come to the backstage
rather than dealing with the
fundraising in the front?
Someone is watching there.
Did Commander say anything?
Nothing.
But he came to watch the show today too.
OK.
As long as he comes,
our business will be half done.
The rest is up to you.
So you're here to supervise the work?
Come on.
Let me show you my daydream.
It's really done.
Of course.
There are Western things
in its belly.
You're really something.
Good.
Are you Fan Li?
Exactly.
Good.
Is this Liu Fuhui?
Yes, Commander.
OK.
Why did you bring real weapons here?
Sorry, Senior.
Protect Commander!
Yes.
Commander, go!
This way, Commander.
Commander, go!
Father, are you alright?
Take him away.
Yes.
Back then,
Liu Fuhui was tortured
for seven days and nights here.
Zhang Luzhi tried every means to save him.
Who is performing?
(Zhang's Mansion)
Young Master.
Young Master!
Young master, let's go.
Master is coming to catch you.
Young Master.
Young Master.
Come back with me.
I perform opera to raise money for you.
When I make enough money,
let Mr. Liu go.
So he is Commander's son.
This time, it's quite interesting.
Don't you feel ashamed enough?
Ashamed?
I shouldn't have come to this world.
If I weren't your only son,
would you care so much about my life?
Shut up.
Sing.
Keep singing.
I'm the god here.
I can do whatever I want.
I'll kill the person
who dares to do
things that I forbid.
There is no exception.
(Zhang's Mansion)
Take the money.
Save Liu Fuhui for me.
Young Master,
about this, I...
Feng.
Young master, what are you doing?
Since I was born, I...
I only have this one request.
Take it.
Young Master,
I'll do my best.
Go.
Hurry up.
Kneel!
Mr. Liu.
Look at you.
As an actor,
how dare you assassinate Commander?
Tell me the truth.
You will feel better if we kill you.
I'm innocent!
Innocent?
My young master is innocent!
For an actor like you, he is insane.
Cut off his face.
No!
No!
No.
Have you made up your mind?
I think you still don't understand.
I heard you gave a puppet to Liu Fuhui.
A puppet
is still wood no matter how good it is.
It lacks spirit.
I added something for you.
I specially asked Master Zheng Tong
from Ruixiang to make a
human skin puppet for you.
Are you satisfied now?
Have fun.
No.
No.
Young Master.
Have some food.
Don't kill me.
Don't kill me!
Don't kill me.
Since then,
Zhang Luzhi seemed to be stimulated.
He stayed with the puppet alone all day.
He didn't talk to anyone.
After Zhang Luzhi committed suicide,
Commander held a wedding for him.
Commander also buried the puppet with
the skin of Liu Fuhui with him.
Commander may want to use this method
to appease Zhang Luzhi's soul.
But that night,
a tragedy still occurred.
Zhang Luzhi's soul
possessed the puppet.
That night,
he killed all the people
in Commander's mansion.
(Wild geese fly south)
Hello?
Boss.
Hello?
Is anyone here?
So the puppet was also the one
who killed Shi Jia.
Help me.
Why is the puppet here?
This is its residence.
Take it.
Burn it.
What?
Don't you want to avenge your man?
You don't have time.
It will wake up again in 15 minutes.
You can do nothing then.
(Spirit Tablet of My Son, Zhang Luzhi)
Burn it!
Burn it!
Hurry up!
Burn it, and
everything will be over.
That's not right.
How could it kill someone
if no one controlled it?
Yes.
How could a puppet
kill people if no one controlled it?
I told you it was an ominous thing
and don't keep it. But
you wouldn't listen to me.
I'll find a way to get it back.
Since you know it all,
die with your man.
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia.
Shi Jia?
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Shi Jia!
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
Yu Bi.
You're finally awake.
Come on.
Why am I in the hospital?
Officer Chao,
what happened?
So,
that woman was the murderer
who killed Shi Jia?
Shi Jia's death
was an accident.
What do you mean?
After Shi Jia parted with you that day,
he accidentally went to a paper shop.
He got the puppet there.
The owner of the paper shop
was Liu Fuhui.
Liu Fuhui?
He was not dead?
Yes.
Everyone thought
Liu Fuhui got shot.
So Zhang Luzhi chose to commit suicide.
But in fact,
even Liu Fuhui didn't expect
the pocket watch on his chest
would save his life.
So Liu Fuhui plotted
a massacre of Commander's
Mansion in a rage.
But why did they kill Shi Jia?
Shi Jia was innocent.
Yu Bi,
I'll take you to a place.
The truth is there.
Cheng,
is the result out?
This is the first time in my life
to dissect a puppet.
You two, follow me.
Look.
This powder
is hidden in the puppet's body.
It's called Emo Powder.
Emo Powder. -It's a bacteria
that can cause hallucinations.
The reason why the autopsy
couldn't find anything
is that this bacteria
has no toxin itself.
And it's easy to be dissolved too.
All kinds of inducing
hallucinations after hallucinating
are the real cause of death.
Cheng, thank you.
You are welcome.
Director is waiting for me.
I have to go.
Go ahead.
Emo Powder
was left by Liu Fuhui to himself.
Shi Jia
must have accidentally
touched the mechanism,
so...
How could this be?
Back then,
after knowing that Zhang Luzhi was dead,
Liu Fuhui was extremely sad.
So he forced the puppet
craftsman, Zheng Tong,
to tamper with
the puppet which would be
buried with Zhang Luzhi.
He used Emo Powder
to create a tragedy in Commander's mansion.
There's one thing I don't understand.
Who was the woman in
the Commander's mansion?
Why did she want to kill me?
She was a maid in Commander's mansion.
Her name was
Ning Dong.
She was also Liu Fuhui's sister.
It was her.
After the case in Commander's mansion,
someone mistook it as a
spirit puppet killing people.
So this puppet
became the only clue to expose the lie.
That day,
after Shi Jia took away the puppet,
Liu Fuhui didn't plan to hide it anymore.
But Ning Dong
wanted to hide the truth
to protect her brother,
so she used the spirit
puppet to kill people again.
For this reason,
she wanted to
kill you.
Lies
and hiding lies
are still lies.
There's no puppet killing people.
It's just the human mind.
Officer Chao,
anyway, thank you.
You're welcome.
I'm a policeman.
This is my duty.
I have something to do.
See you.
Take care.
When we have enough money,
let's buy this big house, okay?
OK.
I'll listen to you.
And
I'll build a troupe
and become the leader.
And then?
After that,
I will marry you,
my beautiful and lovely wife.
I don't want to marry you.
(Zhang Luzhi's tomb, established in
the 13th year of the Republic of China)
Thank you.
Yours
was broken by those bastards.
I compensate you with a new one.
You are my friend.
Officer Chao,
do you think we were wrong
or the world was wrong?
I, a tiny police officer,
can't make
these clearly.
But there's one thing
I am very clear.
No one
can cover up the truth with crimes.
Although a puppet can't speak,
it doesn't mean the person who controls it
can do whatever he wants
and hide his crime.
As a police officer,
I will find out the
person behind the puppet
and bring justice to the victim.
A puppet has no intention.
All evil deeds are committed by humans.
(Zhang Luzhi's tomb, established in
the 13th year of the Republic of China)