Double Vision (2002) - full transcript
An FBI Agent pairs with a troubled Taiwan cop to hunt for a serial killer who's embedding a mysterious fungus in the brains of victims.
She needs an operation badly.
Hurry. Get ready to operate.
Hurry up!
It's stillborn.
-Stop the bleeding.
-Wait, one more.
Sponge.
We're losing the mother.
Commence CPR quickly.
Help stop the bleeding.
Hurry. Come help, hurry.
What are you doing here?
Sleeping at your office again tonight?
Is your office really that comfortable?
It stinks worse than the restroom here.
Every day, you don't go home,
you ignore your wife and child.
Just hole yourself up in your
damn office, playing your damn chess.
Who would feel sorry for you?
Do you look like someone working
for the Foreign Affairs unit?
TAI FENG CHEMICAL GROUP
My brother works for the government.
How long have you worked here?
Miss? Why isn't the air conditioning on?
-Boss told us to turn it off.
-Don't you know how hot it is?
Two hours ago, the boss kept telling me
the office was too cold.
I gave him a blanket,
but still he said it was too cold.
So he told us to turn off
the air conditioning.
You can turn it on now, since your boss
has kicked the bucket.
What is the situation?
Captain, do you know who he is?
The chairman
of the Tai Feng Corporation.
The one who dumped toxic waste...
-...into the river?
-Yes.
Come with me.
The medics took one look at him
and called us.
It's ridiculous.
I believe he was drowned...
...in icy water.
The mucus in his
nasal cavities is frozen.
Drowned?
You are with Foreign Affairs.
This is not your case.
What are you doing here?
Might this not be
the original crime scene?
This scene is perfectly intact. And his
employees say he never left his office.
-What case?
-I said, I have a case here.
On such a hot day as today,
the boss of a major corporation...
...drowns in his 17th-floor office.
What the hell are you doing here?
What case are you on?
-What are you doing?
-What is he doing here?
Captain.
Huo-tu, you have no business here.
Go back.
-Espin Pinosa?
-Yes, sir.
I've got to bring you in...
...for violating Taiwan's
agreement with the Philippines.
-Understand?
-I don't understand.
I'm arresting you.
No! Why? Why's that?
Why is that? No.
No....
Mei-mei, go outside.
Mommy wants to talk to Daddy.
Mei-mei.
Mei-mei.
-What happened to her neck?
-That was last week's news.
Her classmate shot at her
with a toy gun at naptime.
Didn't I tell you
not to bring Mei-mei here?
When was the last time you came home?
The teacher wants a meeting
with her parents.
I cannot take another day off.
You go this time.
I'll take these clothes home to wash.
I think Mei-mei should stay with you.
It's better for her
to be with her mother.
Why make us miserable too?
Mei-mei, we're going home.
I've never seen anything like it.
His epidermal and dermal layers
were completely frozen.
How is that possible?
Is there water in his lungs?
Not one drop.
But his brain....
Come look at this.
This is the thalamus. Seat of
the nervous system. Guess what that is?
What is it?
-It looks like mold.
-Yes. It is mold bacteria.
This was scraped out of his sinus
cavity, same bacteria as in his brain.
What did you put for cause of death?
"Suspected drowning."
-Is that a good thing to do?
-No.
It's not good at all.
-Is it toxic?
-Don't know.
Taiwan can't find out.
Our technology is too far behind.
Where can we find out?
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, USA
FBI ACADEMY
Anyway, the U.S.
is not only the biggest producer...
...of movies and nuclear weapons.
We're also number one
in serial killers.
Now, when we give these classes...
...what the bureau doesn't want us
to tell you is that...
...we still fail.
Every rule has its exception...
...and you learn from failure.
So...
...let's start there.
Okay, in 1994,
a total of nine corpses...
...were found
in the suburbs of St. Louis.
All boys...
...all found lying like this:
Posed, facedown.
Cause of death was strangulation.
There were no bruises,
no signs of struggle.
No evidence of molestation either.
All the victims were runaways.
Kids who slipped through the cracks,
et cetera.
I drew up a profile of the type
we call the "preferential offender."
Street predator.
White male, of course.
Loner. Out of work or itinerant.
Socially inept, sexually repressed,
an outcast.
But when the killer
turned himself in--
-He surrendered?
-Yes.
Walked into his local police department.
And if that wasn't embarrassing enough...
...we soon found that except
for the "white male" part...
...he did not correspond
to one single detail of my profile.
In fact, I could not have been
any more wrong.
That wasn't even the strange part.
The strange part
were the victims' facial expressions.
Are they smiling?
Sure appears that way, doesn't it?
Almost as if they were on
some kind of high...
...at the moment of their death...
...in a state of bliss.
HSIN-YI DISTRICT, TAIPEI
Fire department?
My home is on fire.
I'm at Alley 200, Section 3,
Hsin-yi Road--
SENATOR'S WIFE
TO SUE CHIU FOR ADULTERY
I've never experienced
this kind of situation before.
-Of course I'm scared.
-I am too.
She's the one?
-The senator's mistress?
-She's the one.
Bailed out just this morning.
Who reported this?
She called the fire department
an hour ago to report a fire.
-They hurried over.
-And no sign of a fire at all.
No.
Your face looks worse than hers.
Look at her arms.
This peculiar kind of contortion...
...is caused by severe
muscular dehydration.
This situation only happens to...
...corpses burned to death
at very high temperatures.
But here....
How could it be?
"Suspected murder...
...cause of death unknown"?
This doesn't look good.
My report is based on current evidence.
And I feel both cases are related.
Re-examine the corpse.
Rewrite the report.
As if we don't have enough problems.
Getting tangled up
in a politician's personal affairs.
Re-examine her heart.
People die of heart attacks every day!
TEACHERS' OFFICE
This is Su Chao-pin.
He cut your daughter's hair...
...during naptime today.
Then she scratched his eye.
Last week....
This is Huang Chin-feng.
Your daughter fought with him.
Mr. Huang, excuse me...
...I risk offense to ask a question.
I am thinking, would it be better
if you sent her...
...to a special school?
Huang Mei-mei's parent.
Huang Mei-mei's parent.
Has she been taking her medication?
I don't know. I suppose so.
You "suppose"?
She hates taking them.
But I haven't been home recently.
The pills don't work so well.
But she should take them.
CHURCH OF NEW TRUTH, TAMSUI
Hello?
What?
Mei-mei, it's just a dream.
JIAN MING LEGAL SERVICES
DIVORCE AGREEMENT
Father Lorenzo died
in his own room last night.
Murdered.
This case is sensitive
because of his identity.
Taiwan must go through this man
to buy weapons from America.
The foreign press will be here,
you deal with them.
I have left Homicide.
Leave me alone, would you?
Foreign Affairs handles
foreigners in Taiwan.
And you speak the best English.
It's all yours.
What happened?
Time of death, 3 a.m.
There were at least two murderers.
While the victim was asleep,
they disemboweled him.
This is intestinal fat
that insulates our intestines.
After the suspects
cut open Lorenzo's belly...
...they took out his intestines,
washed them with water...
...replaced them and sewed him up.
He lasted at least two hours
before he died.
It looks as though
he had been held down...
...but his wrists
have sustained no injuries.
Now will you still say those people...
...died naturally of heart attacks?
After an initial investigation,
we have discovered that...
...the deaths of Father Lorenzo,
the chairman of Tai Feng...
...and Chiu Miao-fang
are all possibly related.
These are serial murders.
Because this case--
Let the chief finish.
Because this case
has generated many rumors...
...causing anxiety among our society...
...our police force wishes
to solve this crime logically.
Through the American Institute
in Taiwan...
...the FBI has agreed to send an agent
specializing in serial murder...
...to Taiwan to assist
in solving this case.
We hope he can use a scientific method
to move us forward.
Chief....
A question from Miss Chow, please.
Are you giving in
to political pressure?
Also, what about Taiwan's
judicial independence?
Everyone, I am announcing that...
...this FBI investigator doesn't
have the right to bear arms, arrest...
...nor interrogate.
The legal investigation rights
are clear.
Rumors say there are talismans
on the corpse. Was it a cult ritual?
No such thing.
What's the name of the agent?
His name is Kevin Richter.
-How do you spell that?
-How do you spell that?
-How do you spell that?
-How do you spell that?
R-I-C-H-T-E-R.
Bye.
What a nut!
That was my husband.
What is the murderer like?
Are there any political agendas
for your trip?
Do you speak Chinese?
How will you investigate
without speaking Chinese?
Do you know an officer
named Huang Huo-tu?
You want to listen to some music?
And ruin this conversation?
Yeah, sure. Fine with me.
The same mold was
found in the brains...
...and nasal cavities of the victims.
Whether it's toxic and how it entered
the bodies of the victims...
...will depend on the report
from America.
There are no obvious motives
to the murders.
And they did not know one another.
On the body of the third victim...
...a Taoist talisman painted
with the victim's blood.
We have checked
with the Taoist Society.
They've never seen it before.
It should be related to Taoism.
Yes. I wanted to-- Excuse me.
Hold on....
I'm sorry.
Tell them they shouldn't count on
a Taoist organization for help.
He said we shouldn't
have done that.
What we want is an expert,
a scholar...
...in religious studies
from a university maybe, or....
He said we should ask a scholar.
That's it.
Did you explain how--?
Okay. All right, look, this is....
Do we know why the killer
picked these victims?
Anyone know why the victims
were chosen?
It seems to me that's currently
the top priority of our investigation.
Everything else is a waste of time.
Everything else is a waste of time.
Didn't we just say
there's no obvious motive?
Is this material from a textbook?
Why come all the way
to tell us this?
Who is in charge?
Who is in charge?
All right, stop it.
What are they saying?
"Thank you," and they'll
consider your suggestions.
I can see that.
That's all for today.
No questions, right?
That's it for today.
If someone can take me
to Lorenzo's murder scene--
How tall can a person get?
I had these blessed for our safety.
Sit down. Sit down.
Excuse me.
What, what?
Sit down, please.
He wants to go
to Lorenzo's murder scene.
Not necessary. We checked
everything out in detail.
And took photographs.
-He says it's not necessary.
-Bullshit.
That's bullshit.
Go ahead, translate it.
-I don't have to. They know.
-Good.
It's very necessary.
It's what I do.
It's why I'm here.
You take him there.
But I don't know anything about this.
-He said it's okay.
-Good.
Well, then....
Thank your mother.
Thank your mother.
We-- We....
It's "Thank you very much," right?
Right.
This is Taoist, isn't it?
Can I offer advice?
You should be more respectful.
Not talk so much.
Thanks.
I'll consider your suggestion.
You are a foreigner.
I'm saying, if you don't
want to cause trouble.
I'm surprised at you, Huo-tu.
I didn't figure you
for the cautious type.
-That's not your reputation.
-What do you mean?
-You researched my background?
-I like to know my partners.
This story is why
the AIT recommended you to us.
They don't have much confidence
in your police force.
They got it all wrong.
I'm no different than any other
policeman on the force.
And I regret very much
my naive behavior.
What do you have to say
about your corruption trial?
Huang Huo-tu, you bastard!
How can you sleep at night?
What kind of cousin are you?
Officer Huang!
Watch out!
Listen, I was assigned to this case.
I got no choice.
And you are not going to get
any special treatment from me.
Got it.
Do me a favor and try
not to kill me, okay?
So this is where the dead guy was?
Yes.
-What's this?
-Lung Chi-ji, air conditioner.
Let's just see.
Were there air conditioners
at the other crime scenes?
The whole city has them.
It's hot. Why?
Do you have any idea...
...what this is?
This is the pellet found
in Lorenzo's room.
This is from Chiu Miao-fang's
air conditioner.
This was found on the floor
of Chairman Liao's office.
They were from the same device.
-What device?
-Possibly a converted air rifle.
-These people are amazing.
-Why do you say that?
To hollow out
and drill three holes...
...requires advanced technology.
Besides...
...look...
...it's the same bacteria
found in the victims.
So the killers put the mold
into the hollowed-out pellets...
...then shot them into
the air-conditioning vents...
-...for the bacteria to dissipate.
-Correct.
How are you?
Hello there, how you doing?
What's the matter?
You shy?
Well, I'm just wondering...
...what you're doing here
all by yourself.
My name is Kevin.
Yours?
-What's your--?
-Her name is Mei-mei.
She's my daughter.
I was just trying
to make her smile.
I apologize.
She's scared of strangers.
Not at all.
You taught her right.
-Kevin Richter.
-I know.
-I'm the wife of Officer Huang Huo-tu.
-Oh, really?
-It's a pleasure to meet you.
-Me too.
Your husband. He's a....
You know, he's....
He's a very interesting guy.
Yeah, he is.
Thank you for lying.
Anytime.
Remember how I turned up
at Tai Feng...
...to arrest an illegal
foreign worker?
Well?
I found out from the papers...
...I checked the other two victims.
They were in the papers
and were killed thereafter.
TAI FENG DUMPS TOXIC WASTE
ILLEGAL LABORER WON'T TESTIFY
Huo-tu, I have to tell you one thing.
Chief is concerned about that FBI man.
You must be careful.
Have you thought that...
...no matter what this Richter...
...comes up with in the end or not...
...your life will be different?
Think about it.
Let's say, because of him,
the case really does move ahead.
How do you think the men will feel?
You will be even worse off.
He was called in just to do a show.
Just help him finish his show.
Besides....
I don't think the chief believes
this case can be cracked.
Just watch.
He'll be looking for a scapegoat.
-It can't be cracked?
-Are you an idiot?
Use your head.
This is not even a normal case.
How many years since the academy?
Twenty? Have you seen
such a thing in 20 years?
Or heard anything like it?
Let me tell you...
...it may not have been
committed by a human.
Now you've gone too far.
Today I stand in the position
of your friend...
...although being your friend
sure as hell isn't easy...
...I still must tell you...
...you are facing
a hopeless chess game.
The best way is to give up...
...and save your own skin.
You mean she hasn't
spoken in two years?
-Not one word?
-Nothing. Ever since the incident.
You're talking about the abduction?
-I'm sorry.
-It's okay.
What's going on?
Don't lose it again.
Each copy costs $150.
I am busy. When I'm done,
I'll complete the application.
You're too busy to sign your name?
I have to make arrangements.
What have you done
for the past two years?
I spoke with my parents.
You won't have to be responsible.
And our daughter?
I'll bring her to Canada.
They have specialists there.
She needs help.
-She has a whole life ahead of her.
-Very well.
Thanks for taking the trouble.
Let's go, Mei-mei.
-It was nice to meet you.
-Pleasure was all mine.
-And good luck. You will need it.
-Thank you. Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
ACADEMIA SINICA
DR. SHENG ZU CHANG,
SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Amazing.
This talisman is fairly new.
Several years ago...
...a Taoist temple was unearthed
in Jiao Chi, China...
...called the True Sage Temple.
Inside, they discovered writing
carved into the stone.
Some religious implements
and talismanic relics.
These are the photographs.
This way, please.
TRUE SAGE TEMPLE
Do you understand?
The talisman
on the foreigner's body...
...is the same as those
discovered a few years ago.
-What does the talisman represent?
-Gou Di.
Gou Di?
A summons to the underworld.
A death curse from the king of hell.
FRIGID HELL
TONGUE-REMOVAL HELL
DISEMBOWELMENT HELL
HEART-EXTRACTING HELL
And the stone carvings....
It is all in code.
We don't know what they mean...
...we can't make out the text.
It's a complete puzzle.
This is a copy of the same scriptures
in modern characters.
But they still don't make any sense.
-What about these diagrams?
-They're common.
They're basic Taoist visions.
Taoism believes
that through this system...
...it's possible to see
into the past and future.
It depicts the universe of Taoism.
Mah-jong and Chinese chess...
...through minor examples...
...have also evolved
from these diagrams.
I brought the markings.
And if you put it on top the scripture...
...they encircle Chinese characters.
This one, Fu,
would mean "Liao Zheng Fu."
And Miao would mean
"Chiu Miao-fang."
They happen to be the first two victims.
And this one, Jing...
...though it's more abstract...
...perhaps it has something to do
with the fact that...
...Lorenzo was a Christian pastor.
When Christianity was
first introduced to China...
...it was referred to
as the Jing religion.
So our guys are using this pattern...
...to search out their victims?
All we can say, he's fulfilling
a thousand-year-old prophecy.
You see this one?
"The ones who don't believe in God."
Which means "the nonbeliever."
And this one is...
..."yin and yang."
All these are from the same diagram.
Next victim could be a Wong.
If according to this.
Phil.
Phil? Can we get on with it?
We're still not sure how to interpret
the evidence you sent us.
However, we're sure of one thing.
The mold in the victims' brains
isn't mold after all.
It's a hybrid life form.
A bug-born fungus.
It's a variety
we haven't seen before.
This is a kind of mite.
And these spores attach themselves.
So you're saying mites
carry the fungus to the brain?
Exactly. These insects seek out
the body warmth of living organisms.
They need a host,
and they'll find one...
...especially in small,
contained spaces.
That's why the killer shot the fungus
into the a/c units. Ingenious, actually.
The mites enter through the nose...
...find their way up to the warm
brain and embed themselves.
The victim doesn't feel a thing.
But were you able
to establish cause of death?
Yes and no.
We found very high amounts
of serotonin...
...and dopamine in the victims' blood.
What's dopamine?
A naturally occurring chemical.
Same as morphine.
How much is "very high"?
-Are those elements toxic?
-Not usually.
Just the opposite, in fact.
It's considered to be healing.
The amount in the victims' blood
is about 50,000 times...
...any previously recorded count.
To secrete this amount, you'd
have to do a ton of cocaine...
...and then have an orgasm
that lasts 40 years.
What a way to go.
So you're saying the dopamine...
...made the victims feel
like they were drowning...
...or being consumed by fire?
Well, it could. Just like what
drugs do to the brain.
-Why different hallucinations?
-Yeah, why?
Do you mean the killer
can control their delusions?
Tell you the truth, we don't know.
None of this has ever been studied.
Only $100?
-You can't give me two extra?
-The boss says no.
-When do you get off tonight?
-I'll tell if you buy more.
-Then give me a Mild Seven.
-Okay. Wait here.
Do you need anything else?
-What is your name?
-I'm Xiao Ya.
-Shit, what are you honking about?
-I'll pick you up later.
Huo-tu!
Where to?
Scene of a murder.
This is from two days ago.
The victim is Chen Liang-wang.
His parents committed suicide.
We called his home to check it out.
They said he went to a séance
at a Taoist temple.
He felt his parents had hid
his inheritance from him.
Do we know which temple?
I called to ask.
There are at least 1000
temples around here.
Li, long time no see!
What are you doing here?
-We're here to visit you!
-Stop it!
You are in the media everywhere.
It's a pain in the ass.
They're injured.
Gangsters of this neighborhood.
-Is there a Chen Liang-wang?
-He's over there.
What's the situation?
A girl saw two bald guys
get into an argument over traffic.
People came to watch,
and the van couldn't move.
No one saw what actually happened.
The bald guys killed the gangster?
Looks like we got our fourth victim.
He took a gun and suddenly
there was a loud scream.
I couldn't see what they were doing.
And things got confusing.
A lot of people came over to watch....
Richter.
You all right with your noodles?
-I hope they're not too hot for you.
-No, they're spicy.
I'm from Texas. I like spicy food.
Oh, yes? Then add more of this.
You'll like it.
Thank you.
I've been wondering.
That bag of yours in the car....
Are you religious?
It's not relevant what I am.
We are convinced...
...that something impure could...
-...be lurking anywhere.
-Impure?
Evil spirits, ghosts.
The altar or the red pouch
is for peace and prosperity.
Most of the people believe in them.
You haven't answered yet.
Do you believe in them?
We just don't understand...
-...why you can't see all the evil.
-We see it.
-We lock it up sometimes.
-That's impossible.
Look, I rely on science.
Not talismans, not good-luck charms.
Your so-called scientific methods...
...are only useful when dealing
with mortals like ourselves.
There are beings that cannot be
controlled by our laws.
What are you saying?
Are you saying that the killer
is an evil spirit...
...or some kind of...
...something from another world?
What's wrong with you, Mr. Richter?
In all your years with the FBI...
...you have never encountered a demon?
Now I see why you have a hard time
fitting in with your fellow officers.
You're going to profile me?
I am a suspect now?
I may be a foreigner, but there
are some things that are universal.
What you are doing to your family,
and yourself, I've seen it before.
You gave me some advice before.
I'll return the favor.
You're a brave man.
You could be a great police officer.
You exposed major corruption.
That took courage.
-Courage?
-That's right. Courage.
And that's in any language.
Now you're just torturing yourself.
Not many men
could've done what you did.
You let your colleagues
treat you like a joke.
You welcome it.
You hide out in that office
and let your marriage go to shit.
I've never fired a shot
since I joined the force.
And I've never been under fire.
But my daughter did...
...by my own wife's cousin.
And I just did nothing.
I did nothing to stop it.
-Daddy!
-Don't come over!
Put the gun down.
Put the gun down!
-Yuan!
-Put your gun down.
Put it down!
-I've been sentenced to 15 years!
-Daddy.
Mei-mei!
I gave my life to the police force
for 15 years in jail?
Yuan, don't do that.
She is your own niece!
We can appeal!
We can still appeal!
It's useless.
So what if I took the money?
Think clearly about it.
Huo-tu. Are you really so clean?
You can't bear to see
someone have a better life?
Your daddy forced me to do this.
No!
His aim was off.
The bullet grazed her.
The doctor said she was unharmed
and would be fine.
But he was wrong.
Like you, he thought only of science.
You asked what I believe in.
I believe that she saw
something evil that day.
And ever since...
...she's been unable to speak again.
Who is it?
My name is Huang.
I'm looking for Dr. Sheng.
Do you know what time it is?
Dr. Sheng has gone to bed.
I'm sorry. I am a police officer.
This is urgent.
This guy wants to attain immortality.
Why didn't you show me this before?
Attain immortality?
One branch of Taoism theorized
there are five kinds of hell.
There is frigid hell...
...fire hell, disembowelment hell,
heart-extraction hell...
...and tongue-removal hell.
After passing through
these five hells...
...you attain immortality
in the sixth level.
How to pass through the five tortures...
...is something people cannot imagine.
So the murderer killed
in order to attain...
...immortality?
According to history...
...there was a Wong Shang
during the Sung Dynasty...
...who is worshiped in Hong Kong's
Wong Tai Sin Temple.
Before he attained immortality,
he killed many half-humans.
These half-humans are people
who had committed sins...
...and are neither human nor ghost.
He must have used that theory to send
those man-ghosts to hell...
...so he could attain sainthood.
These four victims...
...are presumably all morally corrupt.
It's said that Wong Shang...
...could write talismans
and perform rituals.
He had double pupils,
which enabled him...
...to see a thousand miles by day
and look at spirits by night.
-Double pupils?
-Yes.
Double pupils means...
...that this person has two pupils...
...in one eye.
Only with two pupils
can one locate half-humans.
From looking at his methods...
...your murderer is quite something.
He must have been gravely ill
to be able to distill this kind of potion.
-Why must he be gravely ill?
-According to Taoism...
...grave illness is essential
for attaining immortality.
Only in grave illness can a person
experience real awakening.
Dr. Shang, I found some words.
Yin and yang.
Do you know what that means?
According to the lunar diagram...
...these "Chi" represent
from May to July...
...they also represent
fire, Huo, and earth, Tu.
Excuse me. Hello?
-Where are you?
-Surfing the Web with some teenagers.
That Styrofoam we found
inside the killer's van?
It's a type of Styrofoam used
to prevent static electricity.
The windows were covered
with a special material.
A heat-isolating layer
shuts out ultraviolet rays.
Now, in the U.S...
...both are used in delivery vans
for integrated-circuit units.
All our evidence points to suspects
with a high-tech industry background.
We're not looking for delivery men.
These guys are highly placed.
Dr. Sheng.
Excuse me for asking.
Do you believe in this
"attaining immortality"?
If I told you yes,
you would immediately...
...doubt my authority.
Officer Huang...
...if you ask me...
...whether I believe in
Taoist immortals...
...or in aliens...
...I would not choose aliens.
This delivery van
belongs to Cutting Edge.
HSINCHU SCIENCE PARK
ADMINISTRATION
-It no longer exists.
-What does that mean?
Cutting Edge was
an IC design company...
...owned by two guys who got
their PhD's from America.
They made a lot of money.
But they got caught up in religion.
In the end, they sold the company
for $2 billion.
-And the two went off to become monks.
-Do you have any data on them?
It's printing. These people
are really fanatical.
They spent a lot of money
to ship a temple...
...from mainland China.
The whole thing.
A historical relic. They took
the temple down, piece by piece...
...then put it back together.
How crazy.
Where is it?
Open up.
Open up! Police business!
Christ! How'd they fit
this temple in there?
Which one of you is Lin Tao-sheng?
And Huang Yi-feng?
Lin Tao-sheng. Huang Yi-feng.
You are the people in charge here?
-We don't have anyone in charge.
-Bullshit!
You didn't register for a license?
What are these?
Take them all away.
-Bring them.
-Move it.
-Be cooperative.
-You've violated arms-control laws.
-Hurry!
-Move it!
Take them away!
What is this temple?
-Did you register it?
-What is inside there?
Out of the way.
-Officer down! Help!
-Send backup now!
Hurry up!
REALITY
This is Li Yun-chan at the scene
of the massacre...
...that took place inside
the Central World Building.
Nine officers and 24 members
of the True Sage cult...
...are listed as dead.
It has been confirmed
that Huang Yi-feng was killed.
--members of this cult
are from very social backgrounds...
...among them professors, doctors...
...legislators, police officers
and even politicians.
Acting on new information,
police raided 50....
Officer Huang, the foreigner
inside wants to see you.
What's happened?
I found something.
Come help.
Pull!
What the hell?
She needs an ambulance.
Stretcher!
Emergency! Hurry!
Out of the way!
Agent Richter! Agent Richter!
Can you give your view
on these strange murders?
My personal view's unimportant.
Get your cable off me!
There's talk of supernatural
aspects to these crimes.
That the killer wanted
to attain immortality.
They definitely failed.
But some officers have experienced
supernatural phenomena.
Can you comment on that?
Hey! How is--?
Your captain, how is he?
Got some 30 stitches.
You could even see his ribs.
I'll go see him.
He's under sedation.
The doctors want him to rest.
And the girl?
Her condition isn't critical.
She was already ill anyway.
What do you mean she was ill?
"Hsieh Ya-li.
Benign brain tumor exerts pressure...
...on her pituitary gland
and optic chiasm and expands...
...to both sides of the forehead.
Condition deemed inoperable."
How about the injury
on her belly?
The skin on her belly
had been peeled off...
...and was used to cultivate--
What's it called? A bug-born fungus.
The bureau has notified me
that Lin Tao-sheng...
...has confessed to the murders.
Case closed.
Where do you want to eat?
It's my treat.
No, it's mine. Those noodles of yours
almost killed me last time.
Since it's my last night here...
...I thought we'd do something
more appropriate.
Got some directions here.
Take a left at this next street.
Yeah.
And--?
And then, you...
...take a right
at the next light. I think.
It's the one after.
Okay.
You take it from here.
Hey, you are late.
Dinner is ready.
-Good, I'm starving.
-Welcome, welcome.
Thank you.
Hi. Welcome home.
So you're not interested in staying
more days as a tourist?
You will remember us only for death.
Actually, the true beauty
of the island is on the East Coast.
Like Su-ao, a little fishing village.
Huang was born there. Very pretty.
Well, it sounds nice.
But to be perfectly honest with you,
I'm a little homesick.
Been a long time,
the job's done and....
Well, you know what? I got a week's
vacation coming at Christmas...
...and maybe you two
will have me back.
-Show me around.
-Sure.
If it's not too cold.
Compared to the States,
we never get too cold.
Then it's a date.
Here's to Huo-tu's wife.
And to Mei-mei.
And to this meal
and your gracious hospitality.
And thank your mother.
What's so funny?
Someone tell me what's so funny.
Mei-mei.
-It's my fault.
-Somebody tell me what's so funny.
It's my fault.
Go to sleep.
It'd be a lot easier for us
if there were evil spirits.
Unfortunately, man is worse than
any figment of our imagination.
-You're good.
-I am, aren't I?
I give these things
dozens of times a year.
Now I am just tired.
I'm tired of-- Tired of pretending.
Everything is....
Everything is under control.
Until the next...
...atrocity comes along.
And it will.
More and more, I just want to....
I just want to scream.
I don't want to talk, just scream.
You and your wife, why don't you
sleep in the same room?
No.
Mei-mei always gets nightmares.
She feels more comfortable
when her mom's around.
Don't you miss--?
How long has it been since--?
Is there any question too personal
for an American to ask?
Yes, definitely.
-But not me.
-So....
So tell me about your family.
Your wife.
-My wife?
-Yeah.
My wife is long gone.
How come you still have
your wedding ring on?
Ready for another one?
-I'll get it.
-I will.
-No, no.
-I'll get it.
Maybe not.
What?
What is it?
Kevin.
Time to get up.
Kevin.
You've got a flight to catch.
What the hell is going on?
Didn't you sleep here
last night?
--not ask so many questions.
What the hell
are you mumbling about?
Too much. So many questions.
There's mold in his nasal cavity.
Like the victims before him.
It looks like he just
yanked off his own tongue.
How is it possible
that he was harmed, but not you?
Get the doctor, quick!
-What are you saying?
-Mei-mei...
...is talking to me.
Out of the way.
What poison has he taken?
-I don't know.
-Why is there so much serotonin?
Two cc's haloperidol.
IV push.
Tell me, how he is doing?
-What happened?
-Family will wait outside!
Please tell me how he is.
He is probably flying through space.
In Taiwan, less than 24 hours
after being interviewed...
...on the True Sage serial killings,
FBI Agent Kevin Richter...
...has been found murdered
in a Taipei apartment.
He is the latest victim in what was
thought to be a solved case.
Another theory claims he was killed to
complete the fifth path to immortality.
Richter publicly claimed he didn't
believe in spirits or demons.
He was therefore condemned to
the tongue-extracting punishment...
...for the unbeliever.
To understand Richter's death,
one has to go....
--these "Chi" represent
from May to July...
...they also represent
fire, Huo, and earth, Tu.
The murder is quite something.
He must be gravely ill to be able
to distill a potion like this.
Why must he be gravely ill?
According to Taoism...
...grave illness is essential
for attaining immortality.
Only in grave illness can a person
experience real awakening.
Where's that girl? Hsieh Ya-li?
I'm a police officer.
-She's disappeared.
-Disappeared?
Just disappeared.
Since this afternoon.
Aren't you--? Aren't you the guy--?
EMERGENCY ROOM
Ching Fang.
-Central World Building.
-Are you there?
I don't know what happened.
I am unable to wake up.
The girl who is sick
is coming to see me.
She told me that she killed everyone.
She hides in the cave
and meditates.
She found me
according to the scriptures.
She also said
all her disciples are gone now.
But she is not afraid.
She can still be immortal.
It will not be an obstacle.
Ching Fang.
Are you there?
Anyone there?
Hello?
Who are you?
What the hell do you want?
Everything has already been destined.
You came to see me off. Come.
To hell with you! I am a police officer.
You are under arrest.
On your knees.
Hands behind your back.
You seem so sad.
Do you need me to help you?
Come. Come back
to the hospital with me.
Really?
Can the hospital help you?
Would you rather have Mei-mei here?
Maybe she can help you.
Daddy!
Yuan! Don't shoot! Yuan!
Your daddy forced me to do this.
-Yuan!
-Daddy!
Huo-tu!
Have you ever really cared about us?
Have you really needed us?
Come on. Shoot me too.
Help me.
I don't believe people
can attain immortality.
I am a police officer,
Foreign Affairs division.
I am arresting you as a suspect...
...of serial murders.
This is not real.
I am...
...Huang Huo-tu.
I neglected the lives
of my wife and daughter.
And ignored the deaths
of my colleagues.
You think I will help you?
Come on.
Come on!
Give it to me!
One shot and your heart
will stop instantly.
Your body will respond
as if you died from a gunshot.
You know when you die,
your wife and Mei-mei....
What will their lives be like?
So pathetic!
With no one to take care of them.
EMERGENCY ROOM
Huo-tu.
Are you all right?
Where's the girl?
Inside.
Is she badly injured?
The bullet didn't enter.
It grazed her skull.
Did you check her eyes?
Is there anything unusual about them?
Unusual?
Does she have two pupils in one eye?
Come with me.
Seventeen years ago,
her mother gave birth here.
She gave birth to twins.
One was stillborn. She was the other.
She was never a happy child.
No one to care for her.
They found a tumor in her brain.
She claimed she could see things.
You know what I mean?
She said she could see her sister.
This is not unusual.
Brain-tumor patients react like this.
It's like they're on drugs.
Like they're possessed.
It's difficult
to explain scientifically.
During her stay here, she found out
about her stillborn twin and changed.
She said her sister was not dead...
...but had attained immortality.
The double pupils prove this.
You scared me.
-Are you all right?
-I am now.
Where's Mei-mei?
Sleeping.
I'll wake her up for dinner.
Sleeping? Is she ill?
DIVORCE AGREEMENT
SIGNED AND EXECUTED
Get up! Think you can
get away with this?
Can you hear me? Get up!
-Ching Fang.
-Like father, like daughter!
I'm telling you to get up!
Huo-tu.
I don't know what to do with her.
Say you're sorry. Apologize.
What are you doing?
I must go.
You will come with me too.
It has all been ordained.
Don't be afraid.
I'm not afraid.
Be brave.
I'm going now.
Huo-tu!
Huo-tu!
I want to review the reports
before they go to your superiors.
Where's Huo-tu?
Where's Huo-tu?
That's not him!
That's the girl.
He did not suffer.
We gave him CPR for a long time.
We did our best.
Wake up.
Wake up.
I know you can hear me.
Wake up. Can you hear me?
He inhaled too much mold bacteria.
His heart couldn't take it.
Wake up. Wake up!
-Let him go!
-No, I have to try!
I know he can hear me!
I will get him back.
I will get him back!
Come back!
You can't abandon me and Mei-mei!
Come back!
Come back.
Tell your father to wake up.
Mommy. Mommy?
What is Daddy laughing at?
Daddy loves you...
...but doesn't know how to tell you,
so all he can do is smile.
Daddy.
Daddy.
Look at his eyes.
Paramedics!
Get him to the hospital!
He's crying!
LOVE CAUSES SORROW
LOVE CAUSES FEAR
THOSE SEPARATED FROM LOVE
HAVE NO SORROW AND NO FEAR
FROM A STONE CARVING
EXCAVATED FROM JIAO CHI, CHINA
WITH LOVE NO DEATH
Hurry. Get ready to operate.
Hurry up!
It's stillborn.
-Stop the bleeding.
-Wait, one more.
Sponge.
We're losing the mother.
Commence CPR quickly.
Help stop the bleeding.
Hurry. Come help, hurry.
What are you doing here?
Sleeping at your office again tonight?
Is your office really that comfortable?
It stinks worse than the restroom here.
Every day, you don't go home,
you ignore your wife and child.
Just hole yourself up in your
damn office, playing your damn chess.
Who would feel sorry for you?
Do you look like someone working
for the Foreign Affairs unit?
TAI FENG CHEMICAL GROUP
My brother works for the government.
How long have you worked here?
Miss? Why isn't the air conditioning on?
-Boss told us to turn it off.
-Don't you know how hot it is?
Two hours ago, the boss kept telling me
the office was too cold.
I gave him a blanket,
but still he said it was too cold.
So he told us to turn off
the air conditioning.
You can turn it on now, since your boss
has kicked the bucket.
What is the situation?
Captain, do you know who he is?
The chairman
of the Tai Feng Corporation.
The one who dumped toxic waste...
-...into the river?
-Yes.
Come with me.
The medics took one look at him
and called us.
It's ridiculous.
I believe he was drowned...
...in icy water.
The mucus in his
nasal cavities is frozen.
Drowned?
You are with Foreign Affairs.
This is not your case.
What are you doing here?
Might this not be
the original crime scene?
This scene is perfectly intact. And his
employees say he never left his office.
-What case?
-I said, I have a case here.
On such a hot day as today,
the boss of a major corporation...
...drowns in his 17th-floor office.
What the hell are you doing here?
What case are you on?
-What are you doing?
-What is he doing here?
Captain.
Huo-tu, you have no business here.
Go back.
-Espin Pinosa?
-Yes, sir.
I've got to bring you in...
...for violating Taiwan's
agreement with the Philippines.
-Understand?
-I don't understand.
I'm arresting you.
No! Why? Why's that?
Why is that? No.
No....
Mei-mei, go outside.
Mommy wants to talk to Daddy.
Mei-mei.
Mei-mei.
-What happened to her neck?
-That was last week's news.
Her classmate shot at her
with a toy gun at naptime.
Didn't I tell you
not to bring Mei-mei here?
When was the last time you came home?
The teacher wants a meeting
with her parents.
I cannot take another day off.
You go this time.
I'll take these clothes home to wash.
I think Mei-mei should stay with you.
It's better for her
to be with her mother.
Why make us miserable too?
Mei-mei, we're going home.
I've never seen anything like it.
His epidermal and dermal layers
were completely frozen.
How is that possible?
Is there water in his lungs?
Not one drop.
But his brain....
Come look at this.
This is the thalamus. Seat of
the nervous system. Guess what that is?
What is it?
-It looks like mold.
-Yes. It is mold bacteria.
This was scraped out of his sinus
cavity, same bacteria as in his brain.
What did you put for cause of death?
"Suspected drowning."
-Is that a good thing to do?
-No.
It's not good at all.
-Is it toxic?
-Don't know.
Taiwan can't find out.
Our technology is too far behind.
Where can we find out?
QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, USA
FBI ACADEMY
Anyway, the U.S.
is not only the biggest producer...
...of movies and nuclear weapons.
We're also number one
in serial killers.
Now, when we give these classes...
...what the bureau doesn't want us
to tell you is that...
...we still fail.
Every rule has its exception...
...and you learn from failure.
So...
...let's start there.
Okay, in 1994,
a total of nine corpses...
...were found
in the suburbs of St. Louis.
All boys...
...all found lying like this:
Posed, facedown.
Cause of death was strangulation.
There were no bruises,
no signs of struggle.
No evidence of molestation either.
All the victims were runaways.
Kids who slipped through the cracks,
et cetera.
I drew up a profile of the type
we call the "preferential offender."
Street predator.
White male, of course.
Loner. Out of work or itinerant.
Socially inept, sexually repressed,
an outcast.
But when the killer
turned himself in--
-He surrendered?
-Yes.
Walked into his local police department.
And if that wasn't embarrassing enough...
...we soon found that except
for the "white male" part...
...he did not correspond
to one single detail of my profile.
In fact, I could not have been
any more wrong.
That wasn't even the strange part.
The strange part
were the victims' facial expressions.
Are they smiling?
Sure appears that way, doesn't it?
Almost as if they were on
some kind of high...
...at the moment of their death...
...in a state of bliss.
HSIN-YI DISTRICT, TAIPEI
Fire department?
My home is on fire.
I'm at Alley 200, Section 3,
Hsin-yi Road--
SENATOR'S WIFE
TO SUE CHIU FOR ADULTERY
I've never experienced
this kind of situation before.
-Of course I'm scared.
-I am too.
She's the one?
-The senator's mistress?
-She's the one.
Bailed out just this morning.
Who reported this?
She called the fire department
an hour ago to report a fire.
-They hurried over.
-And no sign of a fire at all.
No.
Your face looks worse than hers.
Look at her arms.
This peculiar kind of contortion...
...is caused by severe
muscular dehydration.
This situation only happens to...
...corpses burned to death
at very high temperatures.
But here....
How could it be?
"Suspected murder...
...cause of death unknown"?
This doesn't look good.
My report is based on current evidence.
And I feel both cases are related.
Re-examine the corpse.
Rewrite the report.
As if we don't have enough problems.
Getting tangled up
in a politician's personal affairs.
Re-examine her heart.
People die of heart attacks every day!
TEACHERS' OFFICE
This is Su Chao-pin.
He cut your daughter's hair...
...during naptime today.
Then she scratched his eye.
Last week....
This is Huang Chin-feng.
Your daughter fought with him.
Mr. Huang, excuse me...
...I risk offense to ask a question.
I am thinking, would it be better
if you sent her...
...to a special school?
Huang Mei-mei's parent.
Huang Mei-mei's parent.
Has she been taking her medication?
I don't know. I suppose so.
You "suppose"?
She hates taking them.
But I haven't been home recently.
The pills don't work so well.
But she should take them.
CHURCH OF NEW TRUTH, TAMSUI
Hello?
What?
Mei-mei, it's just a dream.
JIAN MING LEGAL SERVICES
DIVORCE AGREEMENT
Father Lorenzo died
in his own room last night.
Murdered.
This case is sensitive
because of his identity.
Taiwan must go through this man
to buy weapons from America.
The foreign press will be here,
you deal with them.
I have left Homicide.
Leave me alone, would you?
Foreign Affairs handles
foreigners in Taiwan.
And you speak the best English.
It's all yours.
What happened?
Time of death, 3 a.m.
There were at least two murderers.
While the victim was asleep,
they disemboweled him.
This is intestinal fat
that insulates our intestines.
After the suspects
cut open Lorenzo's belly...
...they took out his intestines,
washed them with water...
...replaced them and sewed him up.
He lasted at least two hours
before he died.
It looks as though
he had been held down...
...but his wrists
have sustained no injuries.
Now will you still say those people...
...died naturally of heart attacks?
After an initial investigation,
we have discovered that...
...the deaths of Father Lorenzo,
the chairman of Tai Feng...
...and Chiu Miao-fang
are all possibly related.
These are serial murders.
Because this case--
Let the chief finish.
Because this case
has generated many rumors...
...causing anxiety among our society...
...our police force wishes
to solve this crime logically.
Through the American Institute
in Taiwan...
...the FBI has agreed to send an agent
specializing in serial murder...
...to Taiwan to assist
in solving this case.
We hope he can use a scientific method
to move us forward.
Chief....
A question from Miss Chow, please.
Are you giving in
to political pressure?
Also, what about Taiwan's
judicial independence?
Everyone, I am announcing that...
...this FBI investigator doesn't
have the right to bear arms, arrest...
...nor interrogate.
The legal investigation rights
are clear.
Rumors say there are talismans
on the corpse. Was it a cult ritual?
No such thing.
What's the name of the agent?
His name is Kevin Richter.
-How do you spell that?
-How do you spell that?
-How do you spell that?
-How do you spell that?
R-I-C-H-T-E-R.
Bye.
What a nut!
That was my husband.
What is the murderer like?
Are there any political agendas
for your trip?
Do you speak Chinese?
How will you investigate
without speaking Chinese?
Do you know an officer
named Huang Huo-tu?
You want to listen to some music?
And ruin this conversation?
Yeah, sure. Fine with me.
The same mold was
found in the brains...
...and nasal cavities of the victims.
Whether it's toxic and how it entered
the bodies of the victims...
...will depend on the report
from America.
There are no obvious motives
to the murders.
And they did not know one another.
On the body of the third victim...
...a Taoist talisman painted
with the victim's blood.
We have checked
with the Taoist Society.
They've never seen it before.
It should be related to Taoism.
Yes. I wanted to-- Excuse me.
Hold on....
I'm sorry.
Tell them they shouldn't count on
a Taoist organization for help.
He said we shouldn't
have done that.
What we want is an expert,
a scholar...
...in religious studies
from a university maybe, or....
He said we should ask a scholar.
That's it.
Did you explain how--?
Okay. All right, look, this is....
Do we know why the killer
picked these victims?
Anyone know why the victims
were chosen?
It seems to me that's currently
the top priority of our investigation.
Everything else is a waste of time.
Everything else is a waste of time.
Didn't we just say
there's no obvious motive?
Is this material from a textbook?
Why come all the way
to tell us this?
Who is in charge?
Who is in charge?
All right, stop it.
What are they saying?
"Thank you," and they'll
consider your suggestions.
I can see that.
That's all for today.
No questions, right?
That's it for today.
If someone can take me
to Lorenzo's murder scene--
How tall can a person get?
I had these blessed for our safety.
Sit down. Sit down.
Excuse me.
What, what?
Sit down, please.
He wants to go
to Lorenzo's murder scene.
Not necessary. We checked
everything out in detail.
And took photographs.
-He says it's not necessary.
-Bullshit.
That's bullshit.
Go ahead, translate it.
-I don't have to. They know.
-Good.
It's very necessary.
It's what I do.
It's why I'm here.
You take him there.
But I don't know anything about this.
-He said it's okay.
-Good.
Well, then....
Thank your mother.
Thank your mother.
We-- We....
It's "Thank you very much," right?
Right.
This is Taoist, isn't it?
Can I offer advice?
You should be more respectful.
Not talk so much.
Thanks.
I'll consider your suggestion.
You are a foreigner.
I'm saying, if you don't
want to cause trouble.
I'm surprised at you, Huo-tu.
I didn't figure you
for the cautious type.
-That's not your reputation.
-What do you mean?
-You researched my background?
-I like to know my partners.
This story is why
the AIT recommended you to us.
They don't have much confidence
in your police force.
They got it all wrong.
I'm no different than any other
policeman on the force.
And I regret very much
my naive behavior.
What do you have to say
about your corruption trial?
Huang Huo-tu, you bastard!
How can you sleep at night?
What kind of cousin are you?
Officer Huang!
Watch out!
Listen, I was assigned to this case.
I got no choice.
And you are not going to get
any special treatment from me.
Got it.
Do me a favor and try
not to kill me, okay?
So this is where the dead guy was?
Yes.
-What's this?
-Lung Chi-ji, air conditioner.
Let's just see.
Were there air conditioners
at the other crime scenes?
The whole city has them.
It's hot. Why?
Do you have any idea...
...what this is?
This is the pellet found
in Lorenzo's room.
This is from Chiu Miao-fang's
air conditioner.
This was found on the floor
of Chairman Liao's office.
They were from the same device.
-What device?
-Possibly a converted air rifle.
-These people are amazing.
-Why do you say that?
To hollow out
and drill three holes...
...requires advanced technology.
Besides...
...look...
...it's the same bacteria
found in the victims.
So the killers put the mold
into the hollowed-out pellets...
...then shot them into
the air-conditioning vents...
-...for the bacteria to dissipate.
-Correct.
How are you?
Hello there, how you doing?
What's the matter?
You shy?
Well, I'm just wondering...
...what you're doing here
all by yourself.
My name is Kevin.
Yours?
-What's your--?
-Her name is Mei-mei.
She's my daughter.
I was just trying
to make her smile.
I apologize.
She's scared of strangers.
Not at all.
You taught her right.
-Kevin Richter.
-I know.
-I'm the wife of Officer Huang Huo-tu.
-Oh, really?
-It's a pleasure to meet you.
-Me too.
Your husband. He's a....
You know, he's....
He's a very interesting guy.
Yeah, he is.
Thank you for lying.
Anytime.
Remember how I turned up
at Tai Feng...
...to arrest an illegal
foreign worker?
Well?
I found out from the papers...
...I checked the other two victims.
They were in the papers
and were killed thereafter.
TAI FENG DUMPS TOXIC WASTE
ILLEGAL LABORER WON'T TESTIFY
Huo-tu, I have to tell you one thing.
Chief is concerned about that FBI man.
You must be careful.
Have you thought that...
...no matter what this Richter...
...comes up with in the end or not...
...your life will be different?
Think about it.
Let's say, because of him,
the case really does move ahead.
How do you think the men will feel?
You will be even worse off.
He was called in just to do a show.
Just help him finish his show.
Besides....
I don't think the chief believes
this case can be cracked.
Just watch.
He'll be looking for a scapegoat.
-It can't be cracked?
-Are you an idiot?
Use your head.
This is not even a normal case.
How many years since the academy?
Twenty? Have you seen
such a thing in 20 years?
Or heard anything like it?
Let me tell you...
...it may not have been
committed by a human.
Now you've gone too far.
Today I stand in the position
of your friend...
...although being your friend
sure as hell isn't easy...
...I still must tell you...
...you are facing
a hopeless chess game.
The best way is to give up...
...and save your own skin.
You mean she hasn't
spoken in two years?
-Not one word?
-Nothing. Ever since the incident.
You're talking about the abduction?
-I'm sorry.
-It's okay.
What's going on?
Don't lose it again.
Each copy costs $150.
I am busy. When I'm done,
I'll complete the application.
You're too busy to sign your name?
I have to make arrangements.
What have you done
for the past two years?
I spoke with my parents.
You won't have to be responsible.
And our daughter?
I'll bring her to Canada.
They have specialists there.
She needs help.
-She has a whole life ahead of her.
-Very well.
Thanks for taking the trouble.
Let's go, Mei-mei.
-It was nice to meet you.
-Pleasure was all mine.
-And good luck. You will need it.
-Thank you. Bye-bye.
Bye-bye.
ACADEMIA SINICA
DR. SHENG ZU CHANG,
SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Amazing.
This talisman is fairly new.
Several years ago...
...a Taoist temple was unearthed
in Jiao Chi, China...
...called the True Sage Temple.
Inside, they discovered writing
carved into the stone.
Some religious implements
and talismanic relics.
These are the photographs.
This way, please.
TRUE SAGE TEMPLE
Do you understand?
The talisman
on the foreigner's body...
...is the same as those
discovered a few years ago.
-What does the talisman represent?
-Gou Di.
Gou Di?
A summons to the underworld.
A death curse from the king of hell.
FRIGID HELL
TONGUE-REMOVAL HELL
DISEMBOWELMENT HELL
HEART-EXTRACTING HELL
And the stone carvings....
It is all in code.
We don't know what they mean...
...we can't make out the text.
It's a complete puzzle.
This is a copy of the same scriptures
in modern characters.
But they still don't make any sense.
-What about these diagrams?
-They're common.
They're basic Taoist visions.
Taoism believes
that through this system...
...it's possible to see
into the past and future.
It depicts the universe of Taoism.
Mah-jong and Chinese chess...
...through minor examples...
...have also evolved
from these diagrams.
I brought the markings.
And if you put it on top the scripture...
...they encircle Chinese characters.
This one, Fu,
would mean "Liao Zheng Fu."
And Miao would mean
"Chiu Miao-fang."
They happen to be the first two victims.
And this one, Jing...
...though it's more abstract...
...perhaps it has something to do
with the fact that...
...Lorenzo was a Christian pastor.
When Christianity was
first introduced to China...
...it was referred to
as the Jing religion.
So our guys are using this pattern...
...to search out their victims?
All we can say, he's fulfilling
a thousand-year-old prophecy.
You see this one?
"The ones who don't believe in God."
Which means "the nonbeliever."
And this one is...
..."yin and yang."
All these are from the same diagram.
Next victim could be a Wong.
If according to this.
Phil.
Phil? Can we get on with it?
We're still not sure how to interpret
the evidence you sent us.
However, we're sure of one thing.
The mold in the victims' brains
isn't mold after all.
It's a hybrid life form.
A bug-born fungus.
It's a variety
we haven't seen before.
This is a kind of mite.
And these spores attach themselves.
So you're saying mites
carry the fungus to the brain?
Exactly. These insects seek out
the body warmth of living organisms.
They need a host,
and they'll find one...
...especially in small,
contained spaces.
That's why the killer shot the fungus
into the a/c units. Ingenious, actually.
The mites enter through the nose...
...find their way up to the warm
brain and embed themselves.
The victim doesn't feel a thing.
But were you able
to establish cause of death?
Yes and no.
We found very high amounts
of serotonin...
...and dopamine in the victims' blood.
What's dopamine?
A naturally occurring chemical.
Same as morphine.
How much is "very high"?
-Are those elements toxic?
-Not usually.
Just the opposite, in fact.
It's considered to be healing.
The amount in the victims' blood
is about 50,000 times...
...any previously recorded count.
To secrete this amount, you'd
have to do a ton of cocaine...
...and then have an orgasm
that lasts 40 years.
What a way to go.
So you're saying the dopamine...
...made the victims feel
like they were drowning...
...or being consumed by fire?
Well, it could. Just like what
drugs do to the brain.
-Why different hallucinations?
-Yeah, why?
Do you mean the killer
can control their delusions?
Tell you the truth, we don't know.
None of this has ever been studied.
Only $100?
-You can't give me two extra?
-The boss says no.
-When do you get off tonight?
-I'll tell if you buy more.
-Then give me a Mild Seven.
-Okay. Wait here.
Do you need anything else?
-What is your name?
-I'm Xiao Ya.
-Shit, what are you honking about?
-I'll pick you up later.
Huo-tu!
Where to?
Scene of a murder.
This is from two days ago.
The victim is Chen Liang-wang.
His parents committed suicide.
We called his home to check it out.
They said he went to a séance
at a Taoist temple.
He felt his parents had hid
his inheritance from him.
Do we know which temple?
I called to ask.
There are at least 1000
temples around here.
Li, long time no see!
What are you doing here?
-We're here to visit you!
-Stop it!
You are in the media everywhere.
It's a pain in the ass.
They're injured.
Gangsters of this neighborhood.
-Is there a Chen Liang-wang?
-He's over there.
What's the situation?
A girl saw two bald guys
get into an argument over traffic.
People came to watch,
and the van couldn't move.
No one saw what actually happened.
The bald guys killed the gangster?
Looks like we got our fourth victim.
He took a gun and suddenly
there was a loud scream.
I couldn't see what they were doing.
And things got confusing.
A lot of people came over to watch....
Richter.
You all right with your noodles?
-I hope they're not too hot for you.
-No, they're spicy.
I'm from Texas. I like spicy food.
Oh, yes? Then add more of this.
You'll like it.
Thank you.
I've been wondering.
That bag of yours in the car....
Are you religious?
It's not relevant what I am.
We are convinced...
...that something impure could...
-...be lurking anywhere.
-Impure?
Evil spirits, ghosts.
The altar or the red pouch
is for peace and prosperity.
Most of the people believe in them.
You haven't answered yet.
Do you believe in them?
We just don't understand...
-...why you can't see all the evil.
-We see it.
-We lock it up sometimes.
-That's impossible.
Look, I rely on science.
Not talismans, not good-luck charms.
Your so-called scientific methods...
...are only useful when dealing
with mortals like ourselves.
There are beings that cannot be
controlled by our laws.
What are you saying?
Are you saying that the killer
is an evil spirit...
...or some kind of...
...something from another world?
What's wrong with you, Mr. Richter?
In all your years with the FBI...
...you have never encountered a demon?
Now I see why you have a hard time
fitting in with your fellow officers.
You're going to profile me?
I am a suspect now?
I may be a foreigner, but there
are some things that are universal.
What you are doing to your family,
and yourself, I've seen it before.
You gave me some advice before.
I'll return the favor.
You're a brave man.
You could be a great police officer.
You exposed major corruption.
That took courage.
-Courage?
-That's right. Courage.
And that's in any language.
Now you're just torturing yourself.
Not many men
could've done what you did.
You let your colleagues
treat you like a joke.
You welcome it.
You hide out in that office
and let your marriage go to shit.
I've never fired a shot
since I joined the force.
And I've never been under fire.
But my daughter did...
...by my own wife's cousin.
And I just did nothing.
I did nothing to stop it.
-Daddy!
-Don't come over!
Put the gun down.
Put the gun down!
-Yuan!
-Put your gun down.
Put it down!
-I've been sentenced to 15 years!
-Daddy.
Mei-mei!
I gave my life to the police force
for 15 years in jail?
Yuan, don't do that.
She is your own niece!
We can appeal!
We can still appeal!
It's useless.
So what if I took the money?
Think clearly about it.
Huo-tu. Are you really so clean?
You can't bear to see
someone have a better life?
Your daddy forced me to do this.
No!
His aim was off.
The bullet grazed her.
The doctor said she was unharmed
and would be fine.
But he was wrong.
Like you, he thought only of science.
You asked what I believe in.
I believe that she saw
something evil that day.
And ever since...
...she's been unable to speak again.
Who is it?
My name is Huang.
I'm looking for Dr. Sheng.
Do you know what time it is?
Dr. Sheng has gone to bed.
I'm sorry. I am a police officer.
This is urgent.
This guy wants to attain immortality.
Why didn't you show me this before?
Attain immortality?
One branch of Taoism theorized
there are five kinds of hell.
There is frigid hell...
...fire hell, disembowelment hell,
heart-extraction hell...
...and tongue-removal hell.
After passing through
these five hells...
...you attain immortality
in the sixth level.
How to pass through the five tortures...
...is something people cannot imagine.
So the murderer killed
in order to attain...
...immortality?
According to history...
...there was a Wong Shang
during the Sung Dynasty...
...who is worshiped in Hong Kong's
Wong Tai Sin Temple.
Before he attained immortality,
he killed many half-humans.
These half-humans are people
who had committed sins...
...and are neither human nor ghost.
He must have used that theory to send
those man-ghosts to hell...
...so he could attain sainthood.
These four victims...
...are presumably all morally corrupt.
It's said that Wong Shang...
...could write talismans
and perform rituals.
He had double pupils,
which enabled him...
...to see a thousand miles by day
and look at spirits by night.
-Double pupils?
-Yes.
Double pupils means...
...that this person has two pupils...
...in one eye.
Only with two pupils
can one locate half-humans.
From looking at his methods...
...your murderer is quite something.
He must have been gravely ill
to be able to distill this kind of potion.
-Why must he be gravely ill?
-According to Taoism...
...grave illness is essential
for attaining immortality.
Only in grave illness can a person
experience real awakening.
Dr. Shang, I found some words.
Yin and yang.
Do you know what that means?
According to the lunar diagram...
...these "Chi" represent
from May to July...
...they also represent
fire, Huo, and earth, Tu.
Excuse me. Hello?
-Where are you?
-Surfing the Web with some teenagers.
That Styrofoam we found
inside the killer's van?
It's a type of Styrofoam used
to prevent static electricity.
The windows were covered
with a special material.
A heat-isolating layer
shuts out ultraviolet rays.
Now, in the U.S...
...both are used in delivery vans
for integrated-circuit units.
All our evidence points to suspects
with a high-tech industry background.
We're not looking for delivery men.
These guys are highly placed.
Dr. Sheng.
Excuse me for asking.
Do you believe in this
"attaining immortality"?
If I told you yes,
you would immediately...
...doubt my authority.
Officer Huang...
...if you ask me...
...whether I believe in
Taoist immortals...
...or in aliens...
...I would not choose aliens.
This delivery van
belongs to Cutting Edge.
HSINCHU SCIENCE PARK
ADMINISTRATION
-It no longer exists.
-What does that mean?
Cutting Edge was
an IC design company...
...owned by two guys who got
their PhD's from America.
They made a lot of money.
But they got caught up in religion.
In the end, they sold the company
for $2 billion.
-And the two went off to become monks.
-Do you have any data on them?
It's printing. These people
are really fanatical.
They spent a lot of money
to ship a temple...
...from mainland China.
The whole thing.
A historical relic. They took
the temple down, piece by piece...
...then put it back together.
How crazy.
Where is it?
Open up.
Open up! Police business!
Christ! How'd they fit
this temple in there?
Which one of you is Lin Tao-sheng?
And Huang Yi-feng?
Lin Tao-sheng. Huang Yi-feng.
You are the people in charge here?
-We don't have anyone in charge.
-Bullshit!
You didn't register for a license?
What are these?
Take them all away.
-Bring them.
-Move it.
-Be cooperative.
-You've violated arms-control laws.
-Hurry!
-Move it!
Take them away!
What is this temple?
-Did you register it?
-What is inside there?
Out of the way.
-Officer down! Help!
-Send backup now!
Hurry up!
REALITY
This is Li Yun-chan at the scene
of the massacre...
...that took place inside
the Central World Building.
Nine officers and 24 members
of the True Sage cult...
...are listed as dead.
It has been confirmed
that Huang Yi-feng was killed.
--members of this cult
are from very social backgrounds...
...among them professors, doctors...
...legislators, police officers
and even politicians.
Acting on new information,
police raided 50....
Officer Huang, the foreigner
inside wants to see you.
What's happened?
I found something.
Come help.
Pull!
What the hell?
She needs an ambulance.
Stretcher!
Emergency! Hurry!
Out of the way!
Agent Richter! Agent Richter!
Can you give your view
on these strange murders?
My personal view's unimportant.
Get your cable off me!
There's talk of supernatural
aspects to these crimes.
That the killer wanted
to attain immortality.
They definitely failed.
But some officers have experienced
supernatural phenomena.
Can you comment on that?
Hey! How is--?
Your captain, how is he?
Got some 30 stitches.
You could even see his ribs.
I'll go see him.
He's under sedation.
The doctors want him to rest.
And the girl?
Her condition isn't critical.
She was already ill anyway.
What do you mean she was ill?
"Hsieh Ya-li.
Benign brain tumor exerts pressure...
...on her pituitary gland
and optic chiasm and expands...
...to both sides of the forehead.
Condition deemed inoperable."
How about the injury
on her belly?
The skin on her belly
had been peeled off...
...and was used to cultivate--
What's it called? A bug-born fungus.
The bureau has notified me
that Lin Tao-sheng...
...has confessed to the murders.
Case closed.
Where do you want to eat?
It's my treat.
No, it's mine. Those noodles of yours
almost killed me last time.
Since it's my last night here...
...I thought we'd do something
more appropriate.
Got some directions here.
Take a left at this next street.
Yeah.
And--?
And then, you...
...take a right
at the next light. I think.
It's the one after.
Okay.
You take it from here.
Hey, you are late.
Dinner is ready.
-Good, I'm starving.
-Welcome, welcome.
Thank you.
Hi. Welcome home.
So you're not interested in staying
more days as a tourist?
You will remember us only for death.
Actually, the true beauty
of the island is on the East Coast.
Like Su-ao, a little fishing village.
Huang was born there. Very pretty.
Well, it sounds nice.
But to be perfectly honest with you,
I'm a little homesick.
Been a long time,
the job's done and....
Well, you know what? I got a week's
vacation coming at Christmas...
...and maybe you two
will have me back.
-Show me around.
-Sure.
If it's not too cold.
Compared to the States,
we never get too cold.
Then it's a date.
Here's to Huo-tu's wife.
And to Mei-mei.
And to this meal
and your gracious hospitality.
And thank your mother.
What's so funny?
Someone tell me what's so funny.
Mei-mei.
-It's my fault.
-Somebody tell me what's so funny.
It's my fault.
Go to sleep.
It'd be a lot easier for us
if there were evil spirits.
Unfortunately, man is worse than
any figment of our imagination.
-You're good.
-I am, aren't I?
I give these things
dozens of times a year.
Now I am just tired.
I'm tired of-- Tired of pretending.
Everything is....
Everything is under control.
Until the next...
...atrocity comes along.
And it will.
More and more, I just want to....
I just want to scream.
I don't want to talk, just scream.
You and your wife, why don't you
sleep in the same room?
No.
Mei-mei always gets nightmares.
She feels more comfortable
when her mom's around.
Don't you miss--?
How long has it been since--?
Is there any question too personal
for an American to ask?
Yes, definitely.
-But not me.
-So....
So tell me about your family.
Your wife.
-My wife?
-Yeah.
My wife is long gone.
How come you still have
your wedding ring on?
Ready for another one?
-I'll get it.
-I will.
-No, no.
-I'll get it.
Maybe not.
What?
What is it?
Kevin.
Time to get up.
Kevin.
You've got a flight to catch.
What the hell is going on?
Didn't you sleep here
last night?
--not ask so many questions.
What the hell
are you mumbling about?
Too much. So many questions.
There's mold in his nasal cavity.
Like the victims before him.
It looks like he just
yanked off his own tongue.
How is it possible
that he was harmed, but not you?
Get the doctor, quick!
-What are you saying?
-Mei-mei...
...is talking to me.
Out of the way.
What poison has he taken?
-I don't know.
-Why is there so much serotonin?
Two cc's haloperidol.
IV push.
Tell me, how he is doing?
-What happened?
-Family will wait outside!
Please tell me how he is.
He is probably flying through space.
In Taiwan, less than 24 hours
after being interviewed...
...on the True Sage serial killings,
FBI Agent Kevin Richter...
...has been found murdered
in a Taipei apartment.
He is the latest victim in what was
thought to be a solved case.
Another theory claims he was killed to
complete the fifth path to immortality.
Richter publicly claimed he didn't
believe in spirits or demons.
He was therefore condemned to
the tongue-extracting punishment...
...for the unbeliever.
To understand Richter's death,
one has to go....
--these "Chi" represent
from May to July...
...they also represent
fire, Huo, and earth, Tu.
The murder is quite something.
He must be gravely ill to be able
to distill a potion like this.
Why must he be gravely ill?
According to Taoism...
...grave illness is essential
for attaining immortality.
Only in grave illness can a person
experience real awakening.
Where's that girl? Hsieh Ya-li?
I'm a police officer.
-She's disappeared.
-Disappeared?
Just disappeared.
Since this afternoon.
Aren't you--? Aren't you the guy--?
EMERGENCY ROOM
Ching Fang.
-Central World Building.
-Are you there?
I don't know what happened.
I am unable to wake up.
The girl who is sick
is coming to see me.
She told me that she killed everyone.
She hides in the cave
and meditates.
She found me
according to the scriptures.
She also said
all her disciples are gone now.
But she is not afraid.
She can still be immortal.
It will not be an obstacle.
Ching Fang.
Are you there?
Anyone there?
Hello?
Who are you?
What the hell do you want?
Everything has already been destined.
You came to see me off. Come.
To hell with you! I am a police officer.
You are under arrest.
On your knees.
Hands behind your back.
You seem so sad.
Do you need me to help you?
Come. Come back
to the hospital with me.
Really?
Can the hospital help you?
Would you rather have Mei-mei here?
Maybe she can help you.
Daddy!
Yuan! Don't shoot! Yuan!
Your daddy forced me to do this.
-Yuan!
-Daddy!
Huo-tu!
Have you ever really cared about us?
Have you really needed us?
Come on. Shoot me too.
Help me.
I don't believe people
can attain immortality.
I am a police officer,
Foreign Affairs division.
I am arresting you as a suspect...
...of serial murders.
This is not real.
I am...
...Huang Huo-tu.
I neglected the lives
of my wife and daughter.
And ignored the deaths
of my colleagues.
You think I will help you?
Come on.
Come on!
Give it to me!
One shot and your heart
will stop instantly.
Your body will respond
as if you died from a gunshot.
You know when you die,
your wife and Mei-mei....
What will their lives be like?
So pathetic!
With no one to take care of them.
EMERGENCY ROOM
Huo-tu.
Are you all right?
Where's the girl?
Inside.
Is she badly injured?
The bullet didn't enter.
It grazed her skull.
Did you check her eyes?
Is there anything unusual about them?
Unusual?
Does she have two pupils in one eye?
Come with me.
Seventeen years ago,
her mother gave birth here.
She gave birth to twins.
One was stillborn. She was the other.
She was never a happy child.
No one to care for her.
They found a tumor in her brain.
She claimed she could see things.
You know what I mean?
She said she could see her sister.
This is not unusual.
Brain-tumor patients react like this.
It's like they're on drugs.
Like they're possessed.
It's difficult
to explain scientifically.
During her stay here, she found out
about her stillborn twin and changed.
She said her sister was not dead...
...but had attained immortality.
The double pupils prove this.
You scared me.
-Are you all right?
-I am now.
Where's Mei-mei?
Sleeping.
I'll wake her up for dinner.
Sleeping? Is she ill?
DIVORCE AGREEMENT
SIGNED AND EXECUTED
Get up! Think you can
get away with this?
Can you hear me? Get up!
-Ching Fang.
-Like father, like daughter!
I'm telling you to get up!
Huo-tu.
I don't know what to do with her.
Say you're sorry. Apologize.
What are you doing?
I must go.
You will come with me too.
It has all been ordained.
Don't be afraid.
I'm not afraid.
Be brave.
I'm going now.
Huo-tu!
Huo-tu!
I want to review the reports
before they go to your superiors.
Where's Huo-tu?
Where's Huo-tu?
That's not him!
That's the girl.
He did not suffer.
We gave him CPR for a long time.
We did our best.
Wake up.
Wake up.
I know you can hear me.
Wake up. Can you hear me?
He inhaled too much mold bacteria.
His heart couldn't take it.
Wake up. Wake up!
-Let him go!
-No, I have to try!
I know he can hear me!
I will get him back.
I will get him back!
Come back!
You can't abandon me and Mei-mei!
Come back!
Come back.
Tell your father to wake up.
Mommy. Mommy?
What is Daddy laughing at?
Daddy loves you...
...but doesn't know how to tell you,
so all he can do is smile.
Daddy.
Daddy.
Look at his eyes.
Paramedics!
Get him to the hospital!
He's crying!
LOVE CAUSES SORROW
LOVE CAUSES FEAR
THOSE SEPARATED FROM LOVE
HAVE NO SORROW AND NO FEAR
FROM A STONE CARVING
EXCAVATED FROM JIAO CHI, CHINA
WITH LOVE NO DEATH