Towards the Truth (朝云散) opens with an eerie scene. In the dead of night, during the fourth watch, a night patrol guard hears a woman’s voice reciting something. Mesmerized, he follows the sound and encounters a woman dressed in white, dancing gracefully under the moonlight. Spellbound, he warns her it’s late and she should return home. But as he approaches, the woman’s face morphs into a skull. Before he can react, skeletal hands grab him, his body engulfed in flames. As he screams for help, a shadow appears in a nearby attic but offers no assistance.
At daybreak, life resumes its bustling normalcy. Shen Song, a skilled chef, is busy preparing a soup at a tavern, surrounded by curious onlookers. His creation is for the prestigious Nanke Tower, which challenges chefs to create dishes inspired by cryptic seven-line poems. Despite the complaints of the other cooks about such unusual demands, Shen Song admires the women of Nanke Tower for their business acumen, as their clientele thrives on the rare and peculiar.
On his way home, Shen Song crosses paths with the head constable, who pleads for his help in investigating the mysterious death of the patrol guard. The constable reminds Shen Song of a favor owed, but Shen Song refuses to be swayed and tries to leave. However, a mysterious force grips him, transforming his eyes into double pupils. Drawn uncontrollably to the scene, he follows the direction pointed by the victim’s hand. Smelling death, Shen Song instinctively pulls on a wooden beam from an archway, causing it to collapse and reveal a massive pit filled with human skeletons. Shocked, he notices Nanke Tower across the street and heads directly there.
Nanke Tower, known for its monthly competitions, attracts talented scholars. Gongsun Li, a gifted young man, competes fiercely to gain entry. However, Shen Song interrupts, demanding access to the tower. Gongsun Li insists on a poetic duel, which Shen Song effortlessly wins, leaving Gongsun Li stunned by the chef’s talent.
Inside the tower, Shen Song finds a room filled with gold. Picking up a piece, he realizes it’s an illusion and angrily throws it away. A woman appears, trying to seduce him, but Shen Song notices the presence of blueleaf grass—a plant used in illusions. Enraged, he demands answers. A woman in red emerges, and Shen Song identifies her as the one responsible for the illusions through the sound of bells on her wrist. He connects her to the patrol guard’s death.
The woman, impressed by Shen Song’s abilities, urges him to uncover the truth for the sake of the victims. Shen Song refuses, but she warns him of dire consequences. Dismissing her, Shen Song leaves. Meanwhile, Gongsun Li faces his father’s wrath for his failure, but recalls Shen Song’s cryptic poems, sensing a connection to the case.
Shen Song is soon arrested on false charges by Peng Xiaoyu, who accuses him of being at the crime scene. The constable urges Shen Song to explain his whereabouts, but Shen Song maintains his innocence. In court, Shen Song cites the law to demand a proper investigation. With no choice, Peng Xiaoyu agrees. Shen Song cleverly discredits the witness, Jiu Hulu, proving his poor vision and shaky hands render his testimony unreliable. Public support forces Peng Xiaoyu to release Shen Song.
Outside court, Shen Song confronts Jiu Hulu about visiting Nanke Tower, confirming his suspicions from Jiu Hulu’s flustered reaction. Shen Song seeks out the woman in red, who warns him that his uncle is the true culprit if he doesn’t investigate. Realizing his uncle has been drugged, Shen Song reluctantly agrees.
Gongsun Li, awestruck by Shen Song’s intellect, offers to assist in the investigation, only to be rebuffed. Determined, Gongsun Li pays for their meal with a large silver note, impressing Shen Song. The constable urges Shen Song to accept Gongsun Li as a helper, and Shen Song agrees, swayed by the money.
Shen Song and the constable purchase erotic art books from the previous dynasty as a bribe for Peng Xiaoyu, who grants them access to the Ministry of Revenue. Gongsun Li, however, sneaks away to work with an official named Chao Dong to examine the accounts. He finds glaring inconsistencies, fueling his unease.
Back at the crime scene, Shen Song discovers a bracelet inscribed with “Blessings and Longevity.” Gongsun Li deduces it’s a coming-of-age gift for a young woman, which deepens the mystery. With over 60 skeletons uncovered and no reports to the authorities, Shen Song begins to suspect an entire family vanished without a trace.
