Bai Jiuzhi, a nationally obscure master of puppet theater, was mistaken for a fake spirit medium by Chen Qiuming during his first performance after returning to China. Chen cuffed him and hauled him back to the station.
Chen Qiuming: ...Why not just say you're putting on a puppet show?
Bai Jiuzhi: ? You didn't tell me you were a detective, either.
After that, at the scenes of one shocking case after another, Bai Jiuzhi's puppets were always there, placed in prominent spots at the crime scenes to look down upon all those present.
Chen Qiuming brought Bai Jiuzhi back to the city police bureau himself again. But the one who spoke was a dead victim, returned to life by borrowing Bai Jiuzhi's body.
The final sights of sixteen victims spilled from Bai Jiuzhi's lips, and he even recreated their deaths with uncanny accuracy.
A tragedy fifteen years ago forced a boy to don a heavily painted mask and hide in a dark corner, becoming a puppet bound in chains.
Now, the puppet will finally rebuild his flesh and blood. Alone, he will take up his sword against howling gales and sneering demons, set the truth right, and reclaim his freedom.
"I will wipe the paint from the puppet's face, sever the strings controlled by others, and break through this impenetrable shell. Even if my heart is cold, I will save you with all the passion in my heart."
"You're wrong," Bai Jiuzhi finally let down every guard.
"You have to love me."
[Cold-hearted and sharp-tongued detective who seems to have no feelings x emotionally closed-off puppet master with no worldly desires, the top crime-solver who hides behind countless flawless disguises, falls for the one person he sees as a tool, and is a master of escape]
Both have psychological scars they can't move past, and they save each other.
*Fake spirit communication, real deduction. Everything follows science.
1. The title reflects the main plot, and the ending is happy. The author loves her characters, and all the foreshadowing and heartbreaking moments will be explained in time.
2. Modern alternate universe with a mountain of original worldbuilding. The characters and cases are not based on real people or events; I made them all up.
3. If you spot any errors in the professional details, feel free to point them out and discuss them in the comments.
Theme: Love and justice
