Guo Lishi delivers an oral edict from the Emperor ordering Peacekeeper Corps to close the investigation. The edict states that all personnel in the Agency are deemed to have achieved sufficient merits to be safe from any disciplinary sanctions. They shall return to the original posts from which they were seconded. Zhang Xiaojing is to be sent back to death row. Li Bi secretly orders Tan Qi to release Zhang Xiaojing to undertake further covert investigations. However, having been deceived and misguided by Yao Runeng, Cui Qi leads the Lyuben Regiment to defect to the Yourao Regiment, taking Zhang Xiaojing with them.
郭利仕传圣旨，令靖安司结案，全司人等功过相抵，各调回来处，张小敬也将被送回死牢。李必秘令檀棋私放张小敬查案，但崔器受了姚汝能的蛊惑，带全体旅贲军叛逃到右骁卫，并且抓走了张小敬。徐宾言明被张小敬消除的十五桶伏火雷并不是全部，长安城中被人运进来整整三百桶伏火雷。李必只身赶往何执正府，请他出面解救张小敬。临行前李必叮嘱檀棋和姚汝能，如果自己不能成功，他们需要设法救出张小敬。
