Shadow Punisher (魅影神捕)

Adapted from Wang Ke's novel of the same name, the story is set in the fictional Great Shi Dynasty during the 37th year of the Hongyun era. Li Si, known as the "Qingyang Young Master," is actually the Fourth Prince Zhou Yan, who faked his death 17 years ago. To uncover the truth behind the "Fourth Prince's death" and the conspiracy surrounding it, he infiltrates the Divine Constable Bureau under a false identity. There, he partners with Bai Zhenzhu, the empire's finest female coroner known as "Frost Catcher," and Meng Rui, a formidable martial artist called the "Ghost Catcher" who harbors a deep-seated blood feud. Together, they form an investigative unit to solve a series of bizarre and supernatural-seeming cases. As they unravel the mysteries, they discover that the remnants of the fallen Liluo Kingdom are using the "Five Extraordinary Mystical Arts" to create chaos, aiming to restore their nation and overthrow the Great Shi Dynasty. The drama emphasizes pure detective work with no romantic subplot.

The 30-episode series (approx. 45 min each) can be broadly divided into the following main story arcs:

• Act 1: Infiltration & The Blood-Draining Case (Episodes 1-5 approx.): Li Si deliberately allows himself to be captured by the Divine Constable Bureau to access their archives. He encounters Bai Zhenzhu and Meng Rui while investigating a case involving missing girls and a mysterious "Blood-Draining" murder. The case leads them to a cult attempting to create a "Corpse Fragrance" and introduces the larger conspiracy of the Liluo remnants.
• Act 2: The Puppet Murders & Rising Threat (Episodes 6-10 approx.): The team investigates the "Demon Box Murder Case" and a series of puppet-related killings. The political intrigue deepens, involving the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the power struggles within the court. The Divine Constable Bureau finds itself caught between various factions.
• Act 3: Unraveling the Five Arts (Episodes 11-24 approx.): Li Si and his team face a series of increasingly complex cases tied to the "Five Extraordinary Mystical Arts," including the "Worldly Demon," "Magic Box Illusion Prison," and "Jade Tower Immortal Corpse" cases. As they solve each case, they gather more evidence of the Liluo Kingdom's revival plot and the truth behind the Fourth Prince's death.
• Act 4: The Final Confrontation & Restoration of Justice (Episodes 25-30): The team closes in on the masterminds behind the conspiracy. In the final showdown, Li Si's true identity as the Fourth Prince is revealed. They expose the culprits, clear the 17-year-old injustice, and defeat the Liluo remnants' ambitions to restore their kingdom, restoring peace to the Great Shi Dynasty.