Though the fireball has turned into scraps,
I can still find sulfur and realgar.
The arrow head was soaked in sulfur
which blew the Jin merchant's inside to pieces
Minister Yuen, the fireball and the firebird are all related to sulfur.
An explosives fanatic has invented a weapon we have never seen before.
Hung Fung?
What is the sulfur for?
I don't know!
Who was your contact?
I don't know!
Don't toy with me.
Who'd dare to toy with the Phecda Bureau?
My father and I are model citizens who abide by the law,
Don't try to frame us!
I really don't know anything.
My son may be a loafer,
but don't try to pin anything on him!
So you're responsible?
Don't frame me either!
I have more money than I know what to do with,
I have so many granaries I can't tell which is which.
What were you doing there?
I rented out the granary,
but the tenant is behind in rent.
My son and I decided to make our rounds.
As soon as we found the sulfur,
we meant to report it and you showed up.
If you find that creep, make sure you tell him to pay his rent.
Don't try to weasel out of this.
Possession of sulfur is not punishable by death.
But if you make fireballs with sulfur
and kill the Minister of War and a special envoy from Jin,
and threaten the nation, you're dead.
Unless you work with us
and tell us who your buyer is.
I've told you I don't know.
There are 2 reasons why you won't fess up.
Either you're covering up for the maker of the fireball,
or you're the one making the fireball.
Both possibilities are impossible.
I'm an honest businessman.
How do you explain your repeated trips to Jin in the last 6 months?
I went there to buy rice.
Something so simple shouldn't be worth your time.
Are you implying I'm colluding with them to harm my country?
You know the answer to that!
You can say anything, but you can't call me a traitor!
Gangsters can be patriots too!
Why did I start a gang?
To balance the power of the state and the civilians.
I donated 40,000 taels during the Yellow River flood.
What about you?
Can't answer that? I bet you didn't.
You're not as patriotic as I am.
Feel free to arrest me if you have proof.
Someone called Lee Sam-cheung just turned himself in.
He claims to be the owner of the sulfur.
Tell him to pay his rent!
Who is Lee Sam-cheung?
He's obviously the fall guy!
He's definitely hiding something.
Hey, She Pak-nin! Tai-lik!
We arrested Hung Fung, why are you interrogating him?
Cheung-sing, I'm sure you'll agree
we don't need to put the Sun and Moon Sections on the same case.
You're right!
Your close ties with the Dragon Gang
will make it rather embarrassing for you.
You're right again!
I think Hung Fung had nothing to do with the fireball.
He's probably guilty of selling sulfur and making firecrackers.
Then why does he need a scapegoat?
Mo!
Hung Fung is suspicious,
I can't let him go just because you say so.
Let me talk to Uncle Hung.
Maybe he'll tell me the truth.
That's against protocol.
Save your breath, just beat him up!
Tai-lik!
Stop it!
I'm putting the Moon Section on the fireball case.
Cheung-sing, Pak-nin is right.
Considering your ties with Sap-kau and his father,
I think it's not fair for you to get involved
I understand.
Good! Pass all the evidence and documents to the Moon Section.
What does that mean?
This is an order!
Fine!
Lee Sam-cheung admitted he owned the sulfur.
You're free to go.
See? I told you. We're honest businessmen!
Stop staring! Want me to gouge your eyes out?
Don't start! We're honest businessmen.
Godfather!
Let's go. We're fine!
We're really letting them go?
Reel in the big fish.
The old fox found a fall guy.
It's useless to badger him.
Wait for the fox to show its tail.
Master Fung is being partial.
He was all smiles
and this one is busy stuffing his mouth.
You're talking about me?
Can't you see I'm busy eating peanuts?
My wife bought these. Want some?
Don't you feel hurt and humiliated?
Exactly! I'm so pissed I can explode.
Why?
I don't mind doing less work.
I wouldn't know what to do if Hung Fung was really behind it.
He took us off the case.
That means he thinks we're incapable.
You really want to do something?
Of course
Ask Chuen-kung! He was sniggering just now.
I bet he didn't hand over everything.
You're not that stupid!
To catch the fireball fanatic,
we can wait to reel in the big fish like Pak-nin
and we can rely on this.
This pot can give us answers?
How can we consider the supernatural when investigating a case?
The key lies not in the pot, but the seed inside.
That's right! I found this seed on the sole of Minister Yuen's shoe.
He was killed where this seed was found.
I'll wait for the seed to germinate
and I'll know where the crime scene was,
and the identity of the killer
and so on and so forth...
That's brilliant!
How can we help?
The only thing we can do is to wait.
Cheung-sing, everything is ready.
Let's go! But you're not invited.
We have an operation?
You have a lead?
Let's go!
I haven't changed!
You don't have to! Come on...
We're not working? Why the bath house?
Nothing beats a bath after a meal.
The bath house used to be the pits, but not anymore.
Sulfur? You took the evidence!
Go ahead and tell Master Fung!
I'm not that stupid!
Sulfur is good for circulation,
relieve of fatigue and detoxification.
Come on, take your clothes off!
Go ahead! I'm busy!
Hey...I finally know why you have such a bad temper.
You need to have a good sweat.
Take your clothes off and cool down...
Come on...
No!
Don't move!
Get away from me!
Come on...
Stay back!
I'm not taking a bath with you.
I'd rather do that with a prostitute.
What's wrong with him?
He's really weird.
Has anyone ever taken a bath with him?
I've seen him take a bath alone late at night.
Or he'll fetch water to wipe his body.
Something is fishy.
Maybe Tai-lik is a girl!
Maybe he's impotent.
He doesn't look it.
Appearances can be deceiving.
Maybe he's a hermaphrodite.
There's only one way to find out.
How?
Old Ghost! They're onto me!
How would they know?
Did you spill the beans?
Of course not!
There's no record and register of your real identity.
Are you just being suspicious?
My eye has been twitching lately.
You can't wrap a fire with paper.
I'll only be the laughing stock if I stay.
I'm afraid I'll let you down.
You want to back out now?
Remember we had an agreement?
Nobody likes people like me.
You have no idea how I feel.
You'll pay a heavy price if you breach our agreement.
It's your call whether you want to stay.
Why are you following me?
I asked you why you're following me!
Don't touch that! It's handed down in my family!
Did they tell you to follow me?
Who? I just wanted to know why you're sneaking around.
Stop following me! I have no qualms about beating up a woman.
I think we have a traitor among us.
The case of the sulfur has more to it.
It's over for now. Give it a rest.
I suspect Chuen, Kai, Fu and Kwai!
That's enough!
Godfather! I've paid off Lee Sam-cheung!
Get out!
What are you looking at? Get out!
I'm telling you to get out!
You can never do anything right.
Trading sulfur in the black market is no big deal.
If you hadn't followed me,
the Phecda Bureau wouldn't have got me.
Now they confiscated my stock.
You always mess things up!
But Dad, I was trying to help you!
When?
I look after Sei Fong Inn and Yee Heung Lau for you.
You think the protection money rolls in by itself?
I collect it for you!
A leopard can never change its spots.
You never bring in the right amount,
or you spend what you collect.
I opened Sei Fong Inn and Yee Heung Lau just so that you have somewhere to go.
I'm the one who's doing all the work.
Wrong! You wanted to do all the work.
I'm more than capable. I don't need you!
You're the dragon that can fly, right?
Go on and fly. Leave me and Chi-sin alone.
Chi-sin? Let's get it all out in the open!
Is he one of your bastard sons?
What are you saying?
Wai! Meng!
Throw him out!
Hung Fung, don't forget you threw me out!
You'd better not regret it!
I'll find a place to stay!
I'll never go back to the Dragon Gang.
Move it...
Get out of the way...
Who's chasing me away now?
Move it! I said move it...
What right do you have?
The Jin ambassador will be passing by.
Unauthorised persons are not allowed.
We are model citizens of Song.
We can sleep on the street
or sell candied haws if we want to.
Why should we give way to Jin dogs?
You must not beat up your fellow countrymen.
Song nationals should not bully each other.
You have no shame!
If you want to fight, why not join the army and beat up Jin dogs?
I'm sorry, I was wrong!
Bravo!
You can capture the commander in an army,
but you can't take away the will of the people.
You're absolutely right, young man!
Run along!
Want to try the Peach Blossom Grove? We're open.
No thanks.
Our food is really good...
We have a discount on chicken, come on in...
Sure!
Every dish is on special offer for the grand opening.
Here are our signature dishes...
Tao Fa!
Go on in. Someone will wait on you!
You're so well-dressed...You must be Sap-kau!
You're very smart!
Where is Cheung-sing?
He can't make it. He has to work.
He's not coming for the grand opening?
Don't worry, I'm here!
This is for you!
This is...
It's a fortune cat.
The Dragon Gang is doing so well, all thanks to this fortune cat.
I stole...brought it from home.
How kind of you!
Don't mention it! Cheung-sing is my pal.
Thank you so much!
Let me finish giving out these flyers.
Go on in and get a seat.
I'll talk to you later.
Sure!
We're open today. Please come in...
Our chicken is very famous!
Try it. We have discounts.
Trust me. It's very good!
That's not how you give out the flyers.
Take this inside. I'll do this for you.
What?
Go on!
Stop! Hold this!
I'm not hungry!
What's wrong with you?
How hard is it to take a piece of paper?
Hold this and go on in! Move it!
Stop right there! Hold this!
I'm not hungry.
Maybe not now, but you will be tomorrow.
Your parents will be hungry too.
Hold this...Take a good look!
Now go in and get something to eat!
Have a seat...
Come wait on the customers!
What's your name?
Man Hum!
Law Yuek!
Together your names sound like "completely deserted"!
Call yourselves Hak Chi and Wan Loy!
Now go wait on the customers.
I want chicken! Sure!
I'm ordering chicken today.
Really? I'll have chicken too!
Uncle Yam! Granny Veggie! Tao Fa, come here!
This is Uncle Yam and Granny Veggie!
Hello!
Obviously they sell yam and vegetables.
From now on, they'll be your suppliers.
I guarantee they'll give you the best.
No problem!
That's right. He's our big brother!
I'll go get your chicken!
Thanks!
Thank you!
Whatever can bring in the business!
It'll be easier for me to collect protection money.
You're my lucky star, Sap-kau!
Or else our grand opening would have been quiet.
You need word of mouth in this business.
With your cooking skills,
I'm sure you'll be opening more shops soon.
It won't be that easy!
It'll be if I help you.
Really? I can't afford you!
Interest is more important than money.
I'll step down when your restaurant is a hit
That's great! I'm so lucky!
Wai! Meng!
Yes, Boss?
We're not going back to the Dragon Gang.
We'll hang around the Peach Blossom Grove.
What?
Great!
I'll get you the chicken!
Thanks, Sap-kau!
It's a Yinping peony!
Yinping peony grows on cliffs.
Chaoyang Peak is the only place in the capital where you can find it.
Allow me to brag, I'm never wrong!
The seeds of the Yinping peony were scattered on the slope,
and Minister Yuen was brought there by the Man in Cape,
that's why he stepped on the seeds.
Over there is where the fireball wiped out the ancestral hall.
This is probably where he fired the fireball.
I got something!
What is it?
That's none of your business!
Take a look...
See the tracks?
Looks like someone was dragging something heavy.
Let's take a look!
Over there!
What is that?
Unveil it if you want to know.
Excuse me now!
It's sulfur!
Serves you right!
It's made of cast iron!
Such superb craftsmanship is eye-opening indeed.
The strong smell of sulfur tells me it's related to the fireball.
I suspect the Man in Cape used this cannon
to launch the fireball over to the ancestral hall.
This is such a monster.
The Man in Cape brought Minister Yuen all the way out here,
so that he can threaten him with this cannon
I bet Minister Yuen wouldn't budge!
But he didn't know kung fu.
He tried to get away but failed.
Let go...She hit me!
Get up! Stop clowning around!
She hit me!
Are you hurt?
Stop it!
Then the Man in Cape moved Minister Yuen's body,
and left it outside the Bureau to taunt us.
He didn't move the cannon,
because he knew we'd find this place.
He wanted everyone to know
he has the ability to make such a weapon.
What is the relationship between Minister Yuen and the Man in Cape?
This is the key to cracking the case.
Cheung-sing, what's in your mind? Tell us.
There was a year when Minister Yuen's whereabouts were left blank.
Cheung-sing, have you seen the magnifying glass?
Wedged between Shen Nong's Herbal Classic.
How did you know?
Have you forgotten they call me Hawkeye?
How can you remember everything?
This is a roll call log of the Ministry of War.
These pages are about Minister Yuen.
I remember the image, not the content.
Minister Yuen's record was blank for a year.
Nothing on where he went, what he did.
He was on a secret mission?
The Bureau of Military Affairs keeps a log of all secret missions.
If we can find the log, we'll know what Minister Yuen was up to.
We need His Majesty's consent to access the log.
We'll need to alert Master Fung.
Chuen-kung, your turn!
Watch it!
Greetings, Your Majesty!
Fung Nam-tin! Kung! Catch!
Wielding a panlong stick is about
the sweep, hack, hit, draw, lift...and pull.
Don't you remember, Your Majesty?
I'm good with paper and ink,
you're the expert on kung fu.
Together we're invincible.
Kung! I've really missed you!
Times have changed, Your Majesty!
You're my only kindred spirit!
It's lonely where I am!
I can't wield the stick left behind by Emperor Taizu,
and I can't run the country my father left me.
Minister Yuen's death must be troubling you.
That's why we're here.
What's the status? Tell me!
The log from the Bureau of Military Affairs is a piece of cake.
You're free to go anywhere with my signature.
Fung Nam-tin, get it done right away.
Save me the trouble!
Yes, Your Majesty!
No!
Greetings, Mother!
Greetings, Empress Dowager! Prince Tuen!
The log repository of the Bureau of Military Affairs
contains classified information of the Court
Even I have no access to it,
let alone the Phecda Bureau.
You have a point, Mother, but...
Minister Yuen's death is related to the fireball case.
We'll know the truth if we can read the log.
To open doors to the Bureau of Military Affairs
is a slap in the face to our ancestors.
The Phecda Bureau is so resourceful.
You don't need to read the log.
But this is the most direct method...
The Phecda Bureau is but a motley crowd.
They even took in the son of a convicted official.
The Court's top secret must not be leaked.
Find another way to solve the case.
Your Majesty, the Ministry of War is ready to take over the fireball case.
Your Majesty, this is our case!
The Ministry has more resources,
I'm sure we'll catch the culprit.
The key is to focus on the peace talks with the Jins.
Your Majesty, you need not be indecisive.
Just do as your uncle says.
Fine! Do it as you say!
Your Majesty, we found this outside the Palace gate.
Kung!
Explosives!
Probably the Man in Cape left this.
"Appeasement with Jin will only bring misery and sufferings.
Daily bombings will follow unless we declare war,"
Your Majesty, the killer wants you to declare war on Jin.
If I declare war, we may be defeated.
If I seek peace, people will call me a coward.
How dare they threaten His Majesty!
He couldn't have gotten far!
Your Majesty, the Bureau will dispatch more men to intercept him at the outposts.
Don't bother. The Ministry of War is taking over.
My head really hurts!
Do whatever you want, Uncle.
Thanks to your kick just now.
Where did you learn your acrobatics?
Here and there...Your invisible kick was quite awesome.
You had us fooled or else I wouldn't have succeeded.
That's right, you had me fooled!
I thought you'd kick with your left foot.
But you passed the ball to Tai-lik with your right foot.
And Tai-lik scored with an upside down kick!
Too bad Chuen-kung has gone to see His Majesty and missed the game.
I wonder how it went.
What's taking them so long?
His Majesty won't want the Man in Cape to continue with the bombings.
I bet they're just catching up.
That's true!
We're all soaked. Let's take a bath!
Great!
You don't want to come with us?
Fine! Do it alone!
We'll have a feast at the Peach Blossom Grove afterwards. My treat!
What are you doing?
We should be asking you that!
Beasts! Give me my clothes!
Check his back!
Hey!
Drag him out!
Thief!
Ink!
Tattoo punishment!
A convict?
Let go of me!
Happy now?
Tai-lik, why did you...
I have the answer!
Hey, this is the men's bath house!
I saw Tai-lik with a suspicious looking man a few days ago.
He looked familiar to me then,
and I remembered afterwards the guy was the bandit Chow Tung.
Chow Tung is known for multiple bank robberies.
You know him?
I followed Chow Tung,
and found out he'd made symbols outside the banks in the city.
Obviously he's planning his next heist.
And he's Chow Tung's accomplice.
Tai-lik, I don't want to blame an innocent man. Explain yourself.
He's quiet because he's guilty.
This is what I found in Tai-lik's room.
A map of the capital?
The banks are marked with a cross.
This bag of money must be from Chow Tung.
You're Hung Hung the Thief who was arrested across the border.
You're Hung Hung the Thief?
I can't believe we hired a thief!
Tai-lik is a thief?
He's planning to rob a bank?
Quiet down!
Tell us. I don't think you'll rob a bank.
Spare me your crocodile tears.
You're beginning to suspect me.
You can level with me if you don't like me.
There's no need to set me up and humiliate me.
We didn't! We thought you were impotent!
Just like the rest of them,
you think once a thief, always a thief.
Quit trying to act like you've been wronged!
I don't have to! So what if I was a thief?
What about you? You followed me
and ransacked my room. That's despicable.
And you...tried to act so chummy,
and then pry into my life.
That's shameless!
And the rest of you are creeps!
Master Fung!
I'm glad you're here.
I heard Tai-lik threaten you the other day.
See? Not that I don't want to stay,
but these people won't let me.
Tai-lik!
So what if Tai-lik is Hung Hung the Thief?
I hired him. Think I didn't know that?
Hung Hung the Thief?
Why didn't you tell us?
Never ask a hero about his background.
No doubt he was a thief,
but he was a thief with ethics.
Since he joined the Bureau,
he has done his job well.
Has anything been missing?
He doesn't want people to know,
because he doesn't need the cold shoulder.
Sure enough, you're a bunch of snobs.
He's planning a heist, I must stop him.
You mean Chow Tung?
Tai-lik told me about the money and the map.
He thinks Chow Tung is only the middleman.
He's working undercover to reel in the big fish,
and find the mastermind behind the heist.
But you were presumptuous to think he's back to his old ways.
It wasn't my idea to check up on him!
But you set him up to take a peek at his tattoo.
Neither of you is defendable.
Look who's talking!
Cheung-sing, as their Commander,
you should set a good example and keep them in line.
How can you encourage them to do something so stupid!
Put your clothes on and return to Ho Tin Hall.
You, go get Tai-lik!
Yes, Sir!
Get ready to pass the documents to the Ministry of War.
Yes, Sir!
As long as the killer is on the loose,
the people of the capital are in danger.
We never do as we are told anyway.
We can't disobey His Majesty.
If you're so brave, you can work on the case alone.
Nothing fazes me!
Don't! If you openly defy His Majesty,
Prince Tuen and the Empress Dowager will have an excuse
to file a complaint against us.
They want to close us down even!
They don't want His Majesty to rely on us.
Prince Tuen controls the army,
and is in collaboration with the Empress Dowager.
In fact, they're calling the shots.
His Majesty is all alone and is helpless like a toothless tiger.
Prince Tuen and the Empress Dowager are the ones in charge.
Enough of your chitchat!
Let's move on to the next case.
Why bother? Let's get some rest!
Master Fung, dozens have been wounded in an explosion at the market.
There was an explosion again!
It's safer to leave Bianjing!
Misery loves company!
The Man in Cape did as he promised.
He's forcing His Majesty to war with daily bombings.
What a lunatic!
Sir!
You can't go in!
What's the matter with you?
Do you know who we are?
I'm Fung Nam-tin of the Phecda Bureau.
Please let us in.
By order of Prince Tuen,
no one is allowed to meddle with this case.
The Phecda Bureau is no exception.
We all serve His Majesty. Is this necessary?
I have my orders!
You're asking for trouble!
Mind your manners!
We should follow the orders. Let's go!
Lives are at stake, Sir!
You can't count on them to solve the case!
What's the use of arguing?
You'll only invite criticism if you break in by force.
Prince Tuen only cares about strengthening his power, not the people.
I'd love to crack his skull personally.
He's really burning with rage!
Much worse than we are.
Tai-lik, don't be mad! It was a joke.
The calligraphy on your back looks quite forceful.
I'm also a thief on the run.
It was actually Yeung Mau's fault.
You should be angry with her, not me.
It really wasn't my fault!
Chu Cheung-sing! What a petty man!
Tai-lik, I won't run from my responsibility.
I admit I was wrong about you.
Please accept my apology.
Tai-lik, we're dealing with daily bombings.
Set aside your personal grudge.
Good point!
Well said!
You know the Ministry of War is full of loafers.
You can't count on them to catch the killer.
To stop the daily bombings,
we must have access to the log.
Now you're talking, but how?
We must take the back door!
Break in?
Good idea!
Remove your pig hand!
You're Hung Hung the Thief.
Aren't you itching to steal something?
Go ahead! That's none of my business.
We're a team!
Tai-lik, don't be so petty!
Exactly! You're the expert on stealing!
And you're nothing!
I'll do anything if you'll do it.
I'm only doing this for the civilians.
The key to stealing:
planning, measuring and planning again.
Detailed planning and preparation is a must.
The Bureau of Military Affairs is in a remote area,
divided into the front, main and rear halls
with guards on all sides around the clock.
Our target, the log repository, is in the rear hall.
We focus our efforts, but make sure the guards get dispersed.
And we'll catch them by surprise.
We gather our force, and divert their attention.
That's a brilliant move!
He's beaming once he starts talking about his trade.
So typical of a thief!
I'm the master thief!
This is not about personal glory.
The reputation of the Bureau and lives are at stake.
I will not miss
and I won't let you become a burden.
First, we need the key to the repository.
Master Lee holds all the keys to the Bureau of Military Affairs,
where he eats and sleeps.
He never goes out,
except when he sneaks out to eat dog meat.
The change of guards is every 2 hours,
and it's the best time to act.
While Master Lee is in the toilet,
we'll sneak inside
Choi, Yuen, Kwong and Chun will stand guard outside.
Cheung-sing will watch the entire Bureau of Military Affairs from the front hall,
while Mau and I will sneak inside the rear hall.
Why me?
Because of your smaller built.
Men are easier to spot.
Why so many?
Will you be quiet?
Someone is coming. Try another one.
Stop it!
Why doesn't it work?
Hurry!
Let's get started!
I feel lucky today!
They're playing hooky!
How are we to get out?
Let's find the log!
Cheung-sing, 4 guards have gone inside!
Have they got caught?
It wouldn't be so quiet if they were.
But they can't get out!
What should we do?
I'll check it out. Create a diversion.
So many in here. Where should we look?
Even I knew the answer and I'm illiterate!
Find the Ministry of War, then under Yuen.
I know that! I'll do it.
Here it is!
Thank goodness!
A rat!
I heard a noise inside.
Just get on with it!
Fire!
Pack up and see what's happening!
Cheung-sing knew we're caught!
Great minds think alike! Here...
Come on...
I really heard something inside.
Where are the keys?
Let's go!
Now we know what Minister Yuen was up to.
The late Emperor ordered him to run a munitions factory
that specialised in inventing firearms and explosives.
It's called the Explosives Workshop.
The Workshop recruited the best firearms experts
to develop the most powerful firearms against Jin.
The person in charge was Yim Sing,
who was a gifted inventor
who invented caltrops, grenades, firebird arrows and dragon cannons.
The theory behind each firearm is the same.
You light explosives inside an air tight container made of cast iron,
to create enormous pressure.
The pressure is released
to create an unfathomable force.
If they had succeeded,
wiping out the Jin would have been easy.
The ratio of sulfur, sodium nitrate and charcoal,
and the manufacture of cast iron containers was hard to manage.
That's why they did not succeed.
There was an accident at the Workshop,
killing Yim Sing and all the craftsmen.
The late Emperor hence ordered the Workshop to close down.
The sole survivor was a young apprentice called Chan Chit-wo.
He's the only one who knows the technical know-how!
So he's the fanatic behind the serial bombings?
He's also the Man in Cape who killed Minister Yuen.