Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (2013) Plot Summary & Timeline

Spoilers ahead

1. 1

   Sea Monster Attacks the Fleet

   660 AD, a mysterious sea monster devastates the Chinese fleet in the East China Sea, leaving ships shattered and sailors reeling. The attack triggers an urgent imperial response and the start of a perilous investigation. The event establishes the scale of the threat facing Luoyang and the court.

   When:660 AD Where:East China Sea

2. 2

   Imperial Commission to Find the Threat

   Empress Wu Zetian orders Yuchi Zhenjin of the Ministry of Justice to uncover the creature's origins and end the threat within ten days. She warns that failure will bring harsh consequences for the conspirators behind the attack. The directive tightens the deadline and channels court effort toward a swift resolution.

   When:660 AD Where:Luoyang, Imperial Court

3. 3

   Dee Renjie Arrives in Luoyang

   Dee Renjie arrives in Luoyang after earning a place in the Court of Judicature, quickly entangled in the capital's intrigue. He navigates rival factions and shadows of conspiracies as he moves closer to the monster case. His fresh perspective makes him both a suspect and a key ally for the investigation.

   When:660 AD Where:Luoyang

4. 4

   Dee Discovers Abduction Plot and Rescues Ruiji

   Dee overhears a plan to abduct the offering meant to appease the sea monster—the courtesan Yin Ruiji—and he acts to intervene. He fights off the initial kidnapper and later saves Ruiji from a second humanoid intruder. The rescue binds Ruiji to Dee and deepens the mystery surrounding the threat.

   When:660 AD Where:Luoyang

5. 5

   Dee Arrested; Escape with Shatuo Zhong

   Yuchi Zhenjin arrests Dee on suspicion of colluding with outsiders, and Ruiji is placed under protective custody. In prison, Dee forms a bond with medical assistant Shatuo Zhong, whose healing skills prove crucial for their escape. Their breakout marks a turning point in the case as they join forces outside the prison walls.

   When:660 AD Where:Luoyang, Prison

6. 6

   Ruiji’s Lover Yuan Zhen Revealed

   The creature haunting Ruiji visits again, and she slowly realizes it is her missing lover, Yuan Zhen, a tea manufacturer. Masked thugs strike their refuge, forcing Dee, Yuchi, and Shatuo to rush to defend them. The revelation links personal loss to the broader conspiracy driving the monster's appearances.

   When:660 AD Where:Ruiji's Refuge, Luoyang

7. 7

   Ambush on the Eaves and Truths Unveiled

   Dee reaches the scene but is ambushed by Yuan, who has been hiding on the eaves. Ruiji lashes out and stabs Dee, threatening self-harm, which compels Yuan to flee. Ruiji later confides the truth about Yuan to Dee, clarifying the complicated bond between the lovers.

   When:660 AD Where:Ruiji's Refuge

8. 8

   Suspicions Point to Dondo; Tea Plot Emerges

   Piecing clues together, Dee suspects the attackers come from the war-torn nation of Dondo and aim to poison the imperial tea to topple Emperor Gaozong and his court. He, Shatuo, and Ruiji track Yuan to a hidden lair and prepare to intercept the conspiracy. The investigation widens from a creature of myth to a political plot.

   When:660 AD Where:Luoyang

9. 9

   Wang Pu Discovers the Transformation; Antidote Planned

   Dee, Shatuo, and Ruiji bring Yuan to the imperial doctor Wang Pu, who administers a sedative to stabilize him. Wang Pu uncovers that Yuan’s disturbing transformation is caused by dung beetles and poison effects. He crafts an antidote that can be distributed to the entire court, averting catastrophe.

   When:660 AD Where:Wang Pu's Chamber, Luoyang

10. 10

    Traitor in Da Li Si and the Mutated Sea Monster

    Dee and his allies uncover a traitor within Da Li Si and confronts the sea monster—an enormous manta ray mutated by Dondo through parasites and poison. The investigation threads together political betrayal with the creature’s unnatural menace. The dual threat binds political treachery to the creature's attacks.

    When:660 AD Where:Da Li Si, Luoyang

• DR

  Dee Renjie (Detective Dee) – Mark Chao

  Played by Mark Chao

  Young, sharp-witted detective who joins Da Li Si and quickly earns a reputation for courage and tenacity. He pursues the truth despite political pressure, forming a bond with Shatuo Zhong during imprisonment and escape. His sense of justice drives the investigation, even when it puts him at odds with powerful figures.

  • 🛡️ Justice-seeker
  • ⚔️ Courage under pressure
  • 🤝 Alliance-builder
• WZ

  Wu Zetian

  Played by Carina Lau

  The powerful Empress who assigns the investigation and sets a ten-day deadline to resolve the threat. She wields political influence to shape outcomes and keep control over the court. Her decisions reveal a pragmatic, sometimes ruthless leadership style.

  • 👑 Ruler & Power
  • 🧭 Political strategy
  • 🗡️ Ruthless pragmatism
• YZ

  Yuan Zhen

  Played by Kim Bum

  Yin Ruiji’s missing lover who becomes a transformed figure after poisoning and parasite exposure. He alternates between danger, remorse, and coercive influence, revealing the human costs of political scheming. His arc drives crucial revelations about the traitor network.

  • 🧪 Poison & Transformation
  • 🎭 Dual identity
• YR

  Yin Ruiji

  Played by AngelaBaby

  A courtesan from the Fuyu Kingdom whose fate intersects with the court’s politics and Dee’s investigation. She discovers truths about Yuan Zhen and navigates danger while seeking safety for herself. Her loyalty and romantic longing add emotional stakes to the chase.

  • 💃 Courtesan
  • ❤️ Forbidden love
• SZ

  Shatuo Zhong

  Played by Lin Gengxin

  A medical assistant whose skills save Dee and help them escape prison. He becomes a trusted ally whose practical knowledge complements Dee’s deductive instincts. His calm demeanor under pressure stabilizes the team.

  • 🩺 Healer
  • 🤝 Loyal ally
• DW

  Doctor Wang Pu

  Played by Chen Kun

  Imperial physician who diagnoses Yuan Zhen’s condition and devises an antidote to counter the poisoning. His scientific approach provides crucial breakthroughs that avert catastrophe. He embodies the blend of medicine and investigation at court.

  • 🧬 Healer
  • 🧭 Scientific mind

1. 01 🛡️

   Duty & Loyalty

   Dee Renjie’s steadfast pursuit of justice pits personal loyalty against official duty. The ten-day deadline forces hard choices and sacrifices. Trust is tested as insiders and conspirators threaten the mission, while alliances with unlikely partners become essential.

2. 02 🎭

   Court Intrigue

   The Empress’s ambitions, traitors within Da Li Si, and political rivals create a web of scheming and reversals. Abductions, disguises, and hidden agendas drive the plot as power battles for supremacy in Luoyang. The balance of rule hinges on deciphering truth from deception.

3. 03 🌊

   Monstrous Threats

   The mutated sea monster serves as a catalyst that exposes foreign influence and internal weakness. Poison and parasites underscore the dangers of external manipulation. The threat forces unity among unlikely allies and justifies decisive action.