The Imperial Inspector

A print edition has been contracted for publication. In the thirtieth year of the Da'an era, a bizarre murder takes place at the Grand Preceptor's residence in the capital. Cao Feng, Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, takes the case, but after days of investigation, he gets nowhere. Then, despite heavy security, another member of the Ning family is mysteriously killed. Just as Cao Feng is at his wit's end, a masked Inspector and Zhu Wushuang, a female constable from the Six Gates, arrive at the Ning residence and order the Court of Judicial Review to assist with the investigation. The Inspector is an imperial investigator appointed by the Da'an royal family, with authority directly above the Three Judicial Offices and the power to execute first and report later. At this point, Grand Preceptor Ning and his family discover that the Ghost-Faced Man is none other than Ning He, the eldest son who disappeared ten years ago. But as the investigation continues, Cao Feng discovers that the Inspector's identity is far from simple...