Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Five Incense Gathering
Guests arrive at the secluded homestay for a vacation. The owner and waitress welcome them, establishing a calm atmosphere before the tragedy strikes.
Key Events
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Arrival at Five Incense — Guests arrive for vacation at the secluded homestay.
Location: Five Incense Homestay
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Owner Greets Guests — Owner welcomes the vacationing policeman and other guests.
Location: Homestay Lobby
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First Murder Discovered — The homestay owner is found dead, triggering the mystery.
Location: Homestay Interior
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Guest List Compiled — The policeman records the identities of all arriving guests.
Location: Homestay Reception
Double Tragedy Strikes
The homestay owner and waitress are found dead, shattering the peaceful vacation. The policeman takes charge as the initial shock sets in.
Key Events
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First Murder Discovered — The homestay owner is found dead, triggering the mystery.
Location: Homestay Interior
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Waitress Found Deceased — The waitress is also killed, confirming a targeted attack.
Location: Homestay Kitchen
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Identities Questioned — All guests true backgrounds are suddenly questioned.
Location: Homestay Common Room
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Search for Clues — Guests search their rooms for evidence of the murders.
Location: Homestay Rooms
Suspects Turn Detectives
With identities suddenly unclear, paranoia spreads among the guests. The policeman and detective novelist form an alliance to investigate.
Key Events
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Identities Questioned — All guests true backgrounds are suddenly questioned.
Location: Homestay Common Room
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Mutual Accusations Begin — Guests turn on each other as suspects and detectives.
Location: Homestay Dining Hall
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Policeman Leads Investigation — The policeman coordinates with the novelist to analyze clues.
Location: Homestay Study
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Novelist Proposes Theory — The novelist outlines a theory about hidden secrets.
Location: Homestay Library
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Secret Meeting — Two guests secretly discuss their suspicions away from others.
Location: Homestay Balcony
Hidden Truths Emerge
Secrets about the vagabond, pianist, and homestay owner are uncovered. Alliances shift as guests realize they are being used as cannon fodder.
Key Events
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Novelist Proposes Theory — The novelist outlines a theory about hidden secrets.
Location: Homestay Library
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Vagabond Past Exposed — The vagabond unknown history is revealed to the group.
Location: Homestay Garden
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Pianist Alibi Verified — The pianist whereabouts during the murders are confirmed.
Location: Homestay Music Room
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Hidden Connections Uncovered — Secrets linking the owner to all guests are discovered.
Location: Homestay Basement
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Betrayal Among Allies — An ally is revealed to be manipulating others as cannon fodder.
Location: Homestay Corridor
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Evidence Tampered — Critical evidence is found to have been altered by an insider.
Location: Homestay Archive
Final Reckoning
The true killer motive is revealed during a tense confrontation. All suspicions are cleared, and the mystery surrounding the homestay is resolved.
Key Events
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Betrayal Among Allies — An ally is revealed to be manipulating others as cannon fodder.
Location: Homestay Corridor
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True Killer Motive — The mastermind reason for the killings is explained.
Location: Homestay Rooftop
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Final Confrontation — The group confronts the killer in a tense standoff.
Location: Homestay Main Hall
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Mystery Resolved — All suspicions are cleared, and the truth is finalized.
Location: Homestay Exterior
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Final Truth Revealed — The complete chain of events and identities is laid bare.
Location: Homestay Courtyard
The vacationing policeman stays at the "Five Incense" homestay, where there are also detective novelists, vagabonds, and a pianist played by Cao Enqi. With the death of the homestay owner and the waitress, the identities of all the people in the homestay are suddenly unclear. All are suspects, and all are detectives. The "Five Incense Homestay" is filled with mystery overnight.What unknown secrets are hidden behind everyone?Are their identities really as simple as they seem?Will everyone try their best to clear their own suspicion while becoming the cannon fodder of others?