Notable Actors/Actresses
Ou Hao: Wu Jian
Brief Character Intro
The Good Police
Wu Jian is brave, has a steel heart and a strong belief that justice will prevail. He’s also stubborn like an ox. Wen Lu Yang looks friendly, and at the same time, there's a hint of cunningness. Hidden under his smoothness and calmness, he is passionate about uncompromising on the fight for justice. He’s also rather sly. Yi Ran. She’s Wu Jian’s trusty disciple.
The Bad Guys
Chen Jin Hui and Chen Jin Fa are the mafia brothers. Chen Jin Hui (Knife Scar) looks vicious, but he’s a simpleton. If he’s the brawn, then his younger brother, Chen Jin Hui (Mu Jiang), is the brain. (His nickname = Mu Jiang = Wood Carpenter, but I’m sticking to Mu Jiang. Carpenter as a mafia name sounds stupid)
The Questionable Ones
Lin Shu is Chen Jin Hui’s mistress. But her identity seems more complicated than that. She also has connections with Wu Jian. She’d give him tips on the people he needs. There’s also a case she’s interested in that Wu Jian is keeping an eye on. Director Liu Jian Jun says he’s determined to eradicate the underworld during the last years of his tenure. He’s suspicious because he’s the Emperor from Nirvana in Fire. What can I say? Captain Yuan Gang has a peculiar dislike towards Banyun Village and is obviously irritated at working with Wu Jian who grew up in Banyun Village.
Cyn-opsis
With character pictures. Because the case is complicated.
Mini Recaps
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| Baldie (but he’s not bald) |
Wu Jian gets a mysterious call from a man with a voice changer, telling him of Sun Lie’s whereabouts. When he arrives at Little Swiss Clubhouse, there's a gang fight between two groups: Baldie and Knife Scar's (Dao Ba; Chen Jin Hui). From one of the gangsters, Wu Jian learns Sun Lie is upstairs. Then there's a blackout. With a lighter, he manages to find Sun Lie, who’s lying on the ground with life threatening injuries. Wu Jian quickly takes him to the hospital.
Iron Head (Tie Tou) sees Wu Jian save Sun Lie. He quickly abandons the fight and runs upstairs to check. Then he runs back down and orders his boys to chase Wu Jian’s car.
[Ep2] Baldie is found dead on the second floor. This is what Iron Head saw. But how come he knew his boss was in danger upon seeing that Sun Lie was fine? Baldie died from a gunshot (that happened after the blackout).
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| The scene from Ep1. Wen Lu Yang is there ^. |
Now here’s the kicker. Wen Lu Yang reveals that there’s no hospital record for Sun Lie. Sun Lie disappeared. The bullet from Sun Lie’s body that Wu Jian submitted to forensics also vanished. o.o Xiao Dong (an officer) lost the evidence. The moment he turned away, the evidence was gone. The surveillance was also wiped. Xiao Dong is too obvious of a red herring, it can’t be him...! Plus, he self-reported everything. So honest. But he also suspiciously asked to fix Wu Jian’s car. Show is playing with me...
[Ep3] Wu Jian is on probation, but then Wen Lu Yang wants Wu Jian as his assistant, irking our male lead even more because now he has to work under an officer who is suspecting him. I think the dinner scene in Ep1 was a good indicator of Wu Jian’s upright character. It’s just that before Wen Lu Yang can trust Wu Jian, he needs to rule out the circumstantial evidence pointing at him.
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| What a smirk. But you know he’s a good guy |
Wen Lu Yang mentions the “Tiger Disease” case, which makes Director Liu Jian Jun uneasy. Then he shakes hands with Wen Lu Yang, entrusting the case to him, hoping he’d catch the “tiger”. I don’t get the significance of this tiger disease case.
Wu Jian and Yi Ran (Wu Jian’s trusty little disciple) return to the crime scene. Wu Jian swears he saw Knife Scar on the second floor, but how did he disappear from the scene? Yi Ran gets it. He’s looking for a secret passage. She’s curious why he cares about the case so much. He explains that it’s not just for Sun Lie, whom he grew up with. If he is (wrongfully) charged, then everyone in the village will be further discriminated. There are hardworking villagers and their days will only be tougher if the prejudice deepens.
Yuan Gang is the brigade captain (Wu Jian’s direct superior). He’s determined to prove that Sun Lie is the murderer. He also hates Banyun village, which might be because of an incident ten years ago, which might also be the reason he particularly dislikes Wu Jian who’s from Banyun village.
The secret passage at the clubhouse is found. Wu Jian and Yi Ran make their way down, then they hear someone else approaching.
[Ep4] Wu Jian strikes at the man. It’s Wen Lu Yang. Did Wen Lu Yang hit Wu Jian faster?! But it was Wu Jian who threw the punch first. Wow.
Wen Lu Yang entered the tunnel from the other exit. He had checked the surveillance and found it suspicious that Lin Shu left the clubhouse without anyone noticing, which led to his discovery of the tunnel in a locksmith store on another street. I really like how logical his deductions were. Wen Lu Yang found Lin Shu's route home was different than usual. He followed the car’s route, which then led to the observation of a store that’s oddly closed during business hours. And this is the store that’s the exit to the underground route. Now this is a logical deduction! And not just a genius being a genius. Wu Jian is impressed. Wen Lu Yang shares the sentiment since Wu Jian found the other entrance.
Wu Jian finds dust on the wall, but not on the railing. Someone must have cleaned the scene. On a closer examination, there’s blood on the wall. Then on the underside of the railing, there’s a fingerprint. These findings prove that there was a third person on the scene, which means Wu Jian wasn’t lying about seeing Knife Scar. But with the blood, there’s indication that Knife Scar was injured. Wen Lu Yang asks the obvious, “Could Knife Scar have hurt himself then?” Oh. This means there’s a fourth person! Wen Lu Yang eyes Wu Jian. Wu Jian quickly snaps that he’s not the fourth person. I like how the tone between them has lightened! A smart deduction from the both of them (the secret tunnel) and now they see each other eye to eye. Wen Lu Yang teases that he never said it was him.
The episode prologue had a person with a hard hat on who opened fire in the crime scene. Hard hat = Yuan Gang = fourth person? It can’t be. That’s too easy!
Wen Lu Yang was also on the scene that night (after the crime). He had a garbage can brought back for analysis (the one that Wu Jian tripped on in Ep1, details!). Wu Jian doesn’t get why he cares about a garbage bin. Because it was the only bin without a bag. Wen Lu Yang reminds Wu Jian that they’re missing something else from the crime scene. The weapon. The gun. The garbage bag could have been used to hide the gun? So we examine the garbage bin for fingerprints?
Wen Lu Yang removes Wu Jian’s probation. He’s back on the case.
Yuan Gang finds the (second) bullet on the scene. It was hidden very inconspicuously in a curtain fold. How is that not suspicious. I don’t think he’s the mole, though. I just think he really wants to pin the charges on Sun Lie, and on Banyun Village. Could this be the scene from the prologue? To show that Yuan Gang planted the evidence?
Yuan Gang finds the (second) bullet on the scene. It was hidden very inconspicuously in a curtain fold. How is that not suspicious. I don’t think he’s the mole, though. I just think he really wants to pin the charges on Sun Lie, and on Banyun Village. Could this be the scene from the prologue? To show that Yuan Gang planted the evidence?
The analysis is back. All evidence seems to be pointing at Knife Scar. 1) The fingerprint is Knife Scar’s. 2) The blood on the wall is Sun Lie’s, which means Knife Scar had contact with Sun Lie when he was injured. 3) The bullet matches the gun from the 6-6 Case ten years ago. It’s the gun that Knife Scar used to kill someone. For that, he went to jail for three years. Yuan Gang furrows his brows and clarifies, “The gun wasn’t Knife Scar’s, was it? Wu Jian changes the conversation back to the current case. These observations don’t go unnoticed by Wen Lu Yang (who’s new to the bureau).
Interrogations are in process. Lin Shu and Knife Scar are summoned.
But the more interesting interrogation is happening in the observation room next door between Wu Jian and Wen Lu Yang. This is the scene that had my full intention. Wen Lu Yang casually shares with Wu Jian that the second bullet Yuan Gang found wasn’t the one that killed Baldie. Excuse me? Wen Lu Yang is certain because he has the analysis of the bullet that Wu Jian found in Sun Lie’s body. It was Wen Lu Yang who stole the bullet?! It was always just one bullet. The bullet that killed Baldie, went through him, and injured Sun Lie.
Then what’s the deal with the second bullet that Yuan Gang found? Who would plant a second bullet, and why?
First of all, Wu Jian is exasperated at Wen Lu Yang for stealing evidence and bombards him with questions. Wen Lu Yang clarifies it’s “advance examination of evidence”. LOL. O-kay. Whatever the boss says. And he’s telling Wu Jian now because he needs someone he can trust in this bureau. (Also, Xiao Dong is fine, he was cooperating with Wen Lu Yang). Now it’s Wen Lu Yang's turn to ask Wu Jian questions. He wants to know about the 6-6 Case ten years ago. This is related because the second bullet is from the same gun that’s still missing to this day.
[Ep5] Flashback to 2008. Wu Jian had a buddy who was like a brother to him. He’s Liu Zhen. They were both from Banyun Village. They were both righteous and had pride in their village. On the night that Wu Jian graduated from the police academy, he was celebrating with Director Liu and missed the SOS calls from Lao Qi, another friend, calling for support to help Liu Zhen. Liu Zhen was having a face-off with Knife Scar who was collecting “protection fee”. In the end, Knife Scar shot Liu Zhen.
The gun was never found, but the case was put to trial. Knife Scar’s younger brother, Chen Jin Fa (Mu Jiang) bribed/threatened all the witnesses to change their testimony. And so Knife Scar’s murder turned into self defence. Liu Zhen, who was a victim, turned into a murderer. Even his wife changed her testimony and claimed the gun was her husband’s. She had no choice. When the judge sentenced Knife Scar to only three years in prison, the mafia brothers exchanged wicked smiles. They prevailed over justice.
Wen Lu Yang finds it odd that the case was trailed when the weapon wasn’t even found. Oh. Corruption reaches all the way into the judicial system. Why am I not surprised.
As for Baldie’s murder, could someone be framing Knife Scar? Is that the reason for the second bullet belonging to the same gun? But this person will need to have access to Baldie’s blood samples (to put the blood on the bullet).
This means there’s a mole in the police force.
Who could have access and who would have such a hatred towards Knife Scar? Who could it be? Wen Lu Yang asks Wu Jian. Such a penetrating yet subtle conversation.
Wu Jian (coldly returns the rhetorical question): Then who do you think that person is?Wen Lu Yang: You.
They temporarily arrive at a truce and agree that the one who killed Baldie and the one who’s pinning the crime on Knife Scar is the same person. Yuan Gang is their top suspect. Wu Jian reminds Wen Lu Yang that he’s being suspected too because he has access as well. Is he being petty? Lol. Either way, I like how they’re both toeing the line of trust and distrust, and how the case is never jeopardized because of their distrust.
[Ep6] After the 6-6-Case, the mafia brothers’ reputation has been on the rise. People in this city (Luoyang) rather believe in them than in the police. Their business continues to flourish. It’s the prime example of 以商養黑以黑護商. Using business (money) to raise the dark and using the dark to protect the business. A vicious cycle.
Wen Lu Yang asks Wu Jian about Liu Zhen's family. Mao Mao (son) ran away when he was 12. Is it Mao Mao who’s framing Knife Scar? :O
Knife Scar and Lin Shu are released. Knife Scar is innocent. Lin Shu is Knife Scar’s alibi since they were having an affair that night. But I find Lin Shu is suspicious. It was deliberate that she kept Knife Scar from meeting Baldie.
Knife Scar searches for his gun in the lake from ten years ago. Mu Jiang has updates from “Tu Long” (= Dragon on Earth = Dragon (for simplicity)) that the gun is no longer there. Intel from “Dragon” cannot be wrong. Could it be that someone had followed Knife Scar ten years ago and retrieved the gun from the lake? Could this person have waited ten years for this moment to avenge Liu Zhen? Omg. Could it be Lao Qi? During the flashback, there was a scene of him in the alley but instead of heading over to Liu Zhen and Wu Jian, he disappeared somewhere else.
Wu Jian and Yi Ran find Zhang Zheng, who’s injured (and is on the run?). Zhang Zheng works for Baldie. He tells them that Sun Lie suddenly had the Midas touch. And what is Zhang Zheng’s story? Why is he continuously involved?
Sun Lie’s Midas touch wasn’t a coincidence. Mu Jiang used Knife Scar's underground casino to give Sun Lie money. Yi Ran is trying to understand why. Wu Jian and Wen Lu Yang fill in each other’s sentences to explain. The money is a reward for Sun Lie to kill the city mayor, which will make the government determined to eradicate the gangsters in Banyun Village. This means the mafia brothers won’t have to pay the promised amount to Baldie and they will get their demolition. It’s two birds with one stone.
Wen Lu Yang says it’s three. Why would Mu Jiang use Knife Scar’s casino as his cover? Wu Jian disagrees. The brothers have a really good relationship. Hm. Wen Lu Yang isn't convinced.
I like how when Wen Lu Yang was strugglingly to open his thermos at 34:45, Yi Ran automatically helped. Was this an adlib? I also liked how easy it was for Wen Lu Yang to round up the gamblers, and how impressed Wu Jian was. Wu Jian is being won over by Wen Lu Yang’s wit and experience.
The motive on Baldie’s murder is clear, Mu Jiang’s the mastermind, but they need Sun Lie’s testimony and he’s still missing. If Mu Jiang wants Sun Lie to cooperate, then Mu Jiang will have to protect Xiao Hui, Sun Lie’s pregnant wife. Yi Ran skips lunch and dashes to work. She’s going to look up all the private hospitals because Xiao Hui is almost due.
Knife Scar suspects Wu Jian has his gun from the 6-6-Case. Wu Jian does not. But he does provoke Knife Scar by telling him that his brother used him (the casino). Knife Scar looks surprised. But is he? He was on the scene when the police rounded up his underground casino. His expression was calm, like he knew.
[Ep7] Mu Jiang meets up with Lin Shu. He wants her to ally with him that if there’s anything he needs to convince Knife Scar of, she’d help. He promises her that everything he does is for the sake of his brother. She agrees because she also cares about her brother the most too. Do they?!?
It seems that Knife Scar has an inferiority complex. No one tells him directly, but it’s obvious everyone respects his younger brother more than him. Will their brotherhood fall apart?
Wen Lu Yang has the help of CEO Hu who will bid against Mu Jiang for the construction in Banyun Village.
Sun Lie turns himself in. He says he killed Baldie.
Also, there’s someone recording Xiao Hui at the hospital. Who? It’s not Mu Jiang’s men because they’re guarding the door. Is it the police? But that’s unnecessary.
Wu Jian thinks Wen Lu Yang’s interrogation was splendid, but it could be better with one last punch. Why not reveal that they know there was only one bullet? Wen Lu Yang asserts that’s their hidden card to be used against the mole. Now is not the time.
Knife Scar doesn’t understand why Mu Jiang has to pay Sun Lie to admit the crime if they didn't kill Baldie. Mu Jiang explains that someone wants to sabotage his brother, and it’s almost time for the bidding. They have to clear their obstacles now. Mu Jiang asks Knife Scar how he knew about the money he gave Sun Lie. From Wu Jian. I wonder if this will make Mu Jiang doubt his brother. If Mu Jiang believes he’s stupid and manipulated, I feel like he could abandon his brother. Just a thought.
Xiao Hui (and Sun Lie) being threatened reminds Wu Jian of how Liu Zhen’s wife was threatened too. Nothing has changed even if ten years have passed.
Wen Lu Yang wants Wu Jian to summon Mu Jiang for interrogation. Wu Jian doesn’t get it. They barely have evidence to charge Mu Jiang. Wen Lu Yang explains that Sun Lie will be in Room 1. He’ll be able to see Mu Jiang being arrested in Room 2. It’ll make him nervous and then maybe, he’ll talk. Wu Jian smirks and calls him a 老薑 (Lao Jiang). An old ginger. The older they are, the spicier they are. That’s not all to our spicy 老薑. He waited until the bidding to arrest Mu Jiang so that they’d lose to CEO Hu. After all, we all know how incapable Knife Scar is.
At the station, Yuan Gang lectures Wu Jian for putting Mu Jiang into Room 2. That’s not the right protocol. Wu Jian apologizes with fake sincerity. Wen Lu Yang lectures him with a fake wrath. These two. Heh.
However, Sun Lie doesn’t fess up even after seeing Mu Jiang being arrested. He’s desperate and tells Wu Jiang he can’t say it.
[Ep9] Yi Ran has a way to convince Sun Lie: through Xiao Hui and their newborn. If he knew that Mu Jiang risked his baby’s health for money, then Sun Lie would turn on Mu Jiang. Wu Jian compliments Yi Ran: “A masterful teacher raised a good student.” Once again, his praise for her is praising himself. She rolls her eyes and snickers. I really like that the drama actually had a scene of Yi Ran in contemplation when Wu Jian mentioned Xiao Hui (Ep8 42:15-42:20). She was already thinking of this in the last episode. Details!
Once Yi Ran and Wu Jian bring back lab results on his baby, Sun Lie is willing to confess. The night of the 20th, he and Baldie were waiting for Knife Scar to arrive, but he never did. The blackout happened. Then someone opened the door. Gunshot. Sun Lie felt pain in his shoulder and fell down. It was one shot in pitch dark in mere seconds with such high accuracy. How’s that possible? Then a second person entered from the balcony doors. Sun Lie pretended to be dead because that person had a gun. Afterwards, the second gunman left from the direction s/he came from. Then it was Knife Scar who arrived. So there were a total of 5 people.
Wu Jian and Wen Lu Yang check the balcony doors. It’s a dual lock. The keyhole is outside, but to enter, someone needs to unlock from the inside too. This means that someone inside Little Swiss Clubhouse unlocked the doors for the person to enter (as well as re-locked the doors??) to create the illusion that no one entered from the outside. Wait. So are there 6 people? I can’t math.
Why must this person’s identity be confidential from the gangsters as well? What is the motive of this second gunman? To kill Baldie? But don’t forget, the meeting was supposed to include Knife Scar. But who would want to kill Knife Scar? Hmmmmmmmmm.
Knife Scar threatens CEO Hu with his daughter’s safety (who is all the way in America). She’s arrested for possessing illegal drugs (which is a blatant sabotage). CEO Hu cannot help the police anymore. He gives up the bidding. Knife Scar wins. The mafia brothers win again.
The garbage bin analysis has returned. There’s traces of gunpowder. Homemade guns usually use gunpowder. But the gun that killed Baldie was a modern handheld gun, using smokeless powder. So there’s two guns and one bullet. What’s the motive behind this second gun? Who was it used to kill? Why did this person have to throw it away? Our officers deduce that s/he must either be working for Baldie or Knife Scar but could not be suspected by their own gang members. S/he must also be familiar with Little Swiss Clubhouse to remember which garbage bin s/he threw it in.
But how did this person remove the gun? The police force already arrived on scene. Wen Lu Yang instructs the female officer to double check the agents on duty that night to see if there’s anything suspicious. Oh. A police officer helped conceal the gun. Dragon?
[Ep10] Wu Jian and Wen Lu Yang discuss the relationship of the mafia brothers. Wen Lu Yang thinks their bond is on the verge of breaking. Mu Jiang backstabbed his own brother by hiring Sun Lie to kill the mayor. Knife Scar had no idea because he had offered Baldie 100M RMB. This brings up another point. How much money can the brothers even earn from the construction? How can they easily offer 100M? :O More questions! But I barely got answers to the previous questions. Wen Lu Yang tells Wu Jian that there’s just one standard in measuring how deep this water (corruption) is: “Money.” It’s a pun. In Chinese, Money sounds like Depth.
But are the brothers really in discordant? They’re visiting their father’s grave with happy news. They won the bid for the construction at Banyun Village. They can now earn clean money. A nice transition from the previous scene. “Money” is the key to this case.
Wen Lu Yang waits for the brothers at the gravesite. He speaks with Mu Jiang privately. Afterwards, Mu Jiang tells Knife Scar all about it. Wen Lu Yang warned him to be careful, and if doesn’t comply he could be arrested again. Then Wen offers to cooperate, but doesn’t say how. Wen makes him guess just how much he actually knows. Mu Jiang smirks. Wen Lu Yang knows how to bargain. Honestly.... I didn’t read that much into Wen Lu Yang’s words lol. But the nature of the conversation intensified when Wen Lu Yang mentioned this: “Banyun Village sure is an auspicious land”. What is it about this village? Why must the brother’s win the bidding at all cost?
Yuan Gang is ballistic. Wu Jian didn’t submit a proper application for witness protection services and is already executing the mission. Wen Lu Yang calms him down. He approved of it. I think it’s on purpose that Yuan Gang wasn’t notified ahead of time. Our police officers are wary of Yuan Gang. But Mu Jiang somehow still got a tip about it.
Also it seems the mafia brothers are working for someone at a higher level. The burner phone is their way of contacting the brothers.
Wen Lu Yang continues to cerebrate on the second gunman. We can rule out that the gunmen knew about the tunnel because that would make hiding the gun in the garbage bag redundant. Wen Lu Yang doesn’t understand how the gunman escaped the clubhouse. At any time he left the room, he would have either bumped into Wu Jian (who was saving Sun Lie), Iron Head (who was checking on Baldie), or Knife Scar. Could he be a waiter then? Someone who walks in and out without any suspicion?
Wu Jian has arrived at the hospital to pick up Xiao Hui. The bodyguards can’t hold him down (because he’s a police officer and they’re in public). Wu Jian brought clothes for Xiao Hui and they left together in all black. The bodyguards can only follow and take the next elevator down.
And then comes the violent car chase. Rogues attack Wu Jian and Xiao Hui. But she’s not Xiao Hui! She’s Yi Ran! This is why Wu Jian brought clothes for Xiao Hui so that it would match with Yi Ran’s. When they took the elevator down, they made a stop at the third level to switch the girls. Show is thorough.
Wu Jian suffers a gunshot. Thankfully, he’s wearing a bulletproof vest. He still faints from the impact. Yi Ran is also unconscious. The rogues drag Wu Jian into the car, leaving Yi Ran on the road, but they’re stopped by a can that has rolled in front of their car. It’s a can of oil, or was a can of oil because it’s emptied. The oil spilled along the road and now fire lights up all the way to the van. The explosion sends the van rolling downhill. Then a gunman shoots at the wheels to make the van stop. It’s a handmade gun, using gunpowder. Second gunman, is that you? Are you saving Wu Jian? The rogues run, but there’s hand grenades thrown at them. Among the chaos, the gunman pulls Wu Jian from the van and then s/he disappears. Yi Ran wakes up and calls for support. Wu Jian is sent to the hospital.
Wen Lu Yang visits Wu Jian who’s still unconscious. He slurps his noodle until it’s empty, leaving nothing for Wu Jian. Then he leaves. But Wu Jian was awake! He complains that he really left him nothing. Nah, Wen Lu Yang brought food for him! It’s yummy plain congee. Aw.
Wen Lu Yang receives a call from Director Wang (his supervisor). His update: he completely believes in Wu Jian now. “He’s tense, but he doesn’t snap easily.” He treads carefully, possibly because he walked in the dark for too long. I love how he praises Wu Jian!!!!! Even Director Wang recognizes that’s high praise coming from him.
The next day Mu Jiang receives a delivery. It’s another burner phone. After the call (which we don’t hear the contents of), he snaps the phone into pieces.
Wen Lu Yang interrogates Sun Lie. He can’t share Xiao Hui’s location yet. The scriber looks up and then back down to type. Gah. Is this guy suspicious or not! Wen Lu Yang also reveals Wu Jian’s sacrifice for him. Sun Lei is very concerned. Of all the Banyun boys, Wu Jian is the only one who can’t fight. Aw. Brotherhood is so strong >_<. Being able to fight is their only way to survive. Without an ID, they don’t have access to education. If they can’t even fight, there’s nothing left of them.
During the testimony, Sun Lie admits that My Jiang ordered him to shoot the mayor. It didn’t matter if he killed the mayor, he just had to shoot (and make noise). Then after Baldie’s death, Mu Jiang ordered him to take the blame for the murder. He also testifies to hearing Mu Jiang on the phone with a police officer by the name of Dragon.
Wen Lu Yang instructs Sun Lie to speak only to him or Wu Jian, and no one else. But there’s the scriber, taking the notes.
[Ep11] Mu Jiang assigns two bodyguards to ‘protect’ Knife Scar. It’s more like he’s watching him so that he’s not beating up another officer. People at the top are upset. He also asks Lin Shu to control him. Could Lin Shu be approaching the mafia brothers for the people at the top?
Now we’re investigating every officer involved in Wu Jian’s witness protection operation. Director Liu doesn't want to (In his defence, I don’t think any director would want their team suspected). Yuan Gang doesn’t look happy either, but Wen Lu Yang insists.
During the cross-examination, Wen Lu Yang asks Director Liu how he had evidence to charge Knife Scar for his illegal casino in such a short time. Director Liu admits his evidence was weak and he was rash. He was upset for Wu Jian. Then Wen Lu Yang asks him to describe their city. Director Liu says everyone wants to be like Knife Scar, to walk horizontally on the streets. No one dares to testify against him. Then Wen Lu Yang asks about Yi Ran. Why does she call him father? She’s his god-daughter. Her father and him were comrades. She lost her father when he was three.
One by one, all the other officers are investigated too. When it’s Yuan Gang’s turn, he’s pissed but he cooperates. He even throws his phone at them to check all they want. He’s got nothing to hide.
Wen Lu Yang investigates the scene where Wu Jian was attacked. I’m very confused about the numbers. From the weight of the barrels and the distance it rolled, is he deducing there’s two barrels? And there is a second barrel in the woods. What’s the significance?
Rewind a day.
Li Ze spots Lao Zhou, his supervisor, using two phones. Lao Zhou is the suspicious officer from Ep1! The next day, Li Ze gets money transferred to his girlfriend’s account for their marriage. Oh, this is not looking good for Li Ze. He’s going to be accused of being the spy.
At the station, Yuan Gang and Lao Zhou interrogate Sun Lie. The latter wants all recording devices off. He has important information to testify. Wait, Wen Lu Yang told him not to speak to anyone else! Why you doing this, Sun Lie?! Yuan Gang approves, and shuts off everything even though it’s against the protocol. There’s only three people in the room now: Yuan Gang, Lao Zhou, and Sun Lie. Sun Lie confesses he had a partner when he shot the mayor. Before he shares his identity, he wants to see Wu Jian at the hospital. Yuan Gang promises that once Wu Jian heals, he’ll organize a time for them to meet. And so Sun Lie reveals that his partner is Iron Head. Hm. He’s telling Yuan Gang this because he’s the only person he can trust. Hmm?! He also says the gun should be in Iron Head’s bathroom. If they go now, perhaps it’ll still be there. Yuan Gang runs off, leaving Lao Zhou and Sun Lie in the room.
Li Ze is outside wondering what the fuss is about. When he arrives, both Lao Zhou and Sun Lie are on the ground, rolling in pain. Lao Zhou tells Li Ze and Xiao Ma to take Sun Lie to the hospital.
Nurses give Sun Lie IV drip. A fight in the corridor distracts Xiao Ma. The fight is between two men. Li Ze recognizes one of them as Ah Fei, the one who gave him money. Uh oh. Realizing there’s something fishy, Li Ze checks on Sun Lie. He’s asleep. Shaking him awake won’t work. Li Ze uncuffs Sun Lie and carries him down the stairs. Before he exits the door. He’s electrocuted. ?!? By what?! When Li Ze woke up, Sun Lie was unconscious. The syringe is in Li Ze's hands. Sun Lie's heart stopped beating. He performs CPR. A garbage lady is a witness. I think she can prove that Li Ze tried to save Sun Lie, proving his innocence.
Initial autopsy reveals that Sun Lie died from poisoning.
[Ep12] Yuan Gang is back with the gun and just finds out Sun Lie died. He’s shocked. Wen Lu Yang asks about turning off the recording. Wen Lu Yang, it’s not Yuan Gang who’s suspicious! It’s Lao Zhou! Wen Lu Yang penetrates with another question: Does Yuan Gang hold a grudge on Sun Lie from ten years ago when the latter threw a tile at his face? Yuan Guang angrily leaves, but he’s closing the door to keep their conversation private. He removes his contacts and reveals his right eye is blind. This is why he hates Sun Lie for throwing the tile. For all these years he kept his blindness a secret and then he just found out that half a year later, his left eye will be blind too. He only wants to be in the front line so he can clean up Banyun Village once and for all. Wen Lu Yang understands and permits him to continue working. OMG. I feel so bad for him. Now it makes sense that whenever it involves Sun Lie, he jumps to conclusion.
Yi Ran cross-examines Lao Zhou who says Sun Lie was strangling him with the cuff and so he stabbed his thigh with a pen.
Knife Scar finds the waiter who's working for Lin Shu suspicious. He also knows the police are looking into him. Lin Shu says that the waiter disappeared after Baldie’s death. And then Knife Scar accidentally let the name “Dragon” slip. She curiously asks but doesn’t probe when he changes the conversation.
Iron Head motivates his gang to kill Knife Scar for revenge, for the sake of their pride, and for their livelihood. Wait. What happened to the gun Yuan Gang confiscated? But Baldie’s son (Zhe-shao) is against it. He wants the village to accept Knife Scar’s compensation, to live better lives, and not to make needless sacrifices. Is the son limping? The villagers disperse. And it seems Zhe-shao has also allied with Mu Jiang.
The mafia brothers discuss who killed Sun Lie. It’s neither of them. Hmm.
The police are investigating too. Their prime suspect is Li Ze. All the evidence points to him. So convenient. He has access to the poison (since he was investigating it in another case). But Wen Lu Yang asks the most important question: What is his motive in killing Sun Lie? Go Wen Lu Yang! Wen Lu Yang questions Li Ze and asks why he carried Sun Lie away. Li Ze testifies that he knows Ah Fei. Previously, he asked him to participate in P2P and gave him a lump sum. Li Ze rejected and so the moment he saw Ah Fei in the hospital, he felt uneasy.
Yuan Gang finds the remainder of the poison. It’s in Li Ze’s locker. Wen Lu Yang nods. Everything matches now. Time to arrest Li Ze! No. With the poison in the locker, Wen Lu Yang can prove that Li Ze was framed. Firstly, there’s no thumbprint on the syringe. You can’t inject without pushing on the thumb (normally). From that point on, Wen Lu Yang doubted the spy could be Li Ze, which is why he deliberately revealed there’s still half of the poison that’s missing. And so that night, the real spy went into action. Knowing that the locker is a blind spot in the police station, he planted the poison in Li Ze’s locker. But what the spy doesn’t know is that Wen Lu Yang installed a new camera there. Yuan Gang eyes Wen Lu Yang, impressed. I am too. I am too. Wen Lu Yang teaches Yuan Gang that they can feel impatient, but they can’t act rashly. Ya Yuan Gang! Yuan Gang admits to his fault and promises to correct himself.
[Ep13] The prologue makes Li Ze look suspicious too! SHOW, don’t do this to me! And Li Ze has converted. Sigh. I liked the guy. He had accepted the money from Mu Jiang (via Ah Fei) to help with a ‘small matter’. He was never truly innocent. Now his fiancé’s parents won’t return the ‘dowry’. And so how does he repay the money? Be bribed again! He accepts Mu Jiang’s new assignment: capture Dragon. Li Ze also knows it was Dragon who framed him. Mu Jiang gives him a phone and it reminds Li Ze of Lao Zhou’s second phone.
Wen Lu Yang updates Wu Jian that the lab results indicate a second medication in Sun Lie's blood analysis: an anesthetic. This means he was injected with anesthetics and a poison. Also, surveillance captured Ah Fei in the parking lot. It’s very likely that Li Ze gave Sun Lie the anesthetics so that Ah Fei could take Sun Lei to Mu Jiang. Wu Jian doesn’t understand why use poison on top of anesthetics. Isn’t it redundant to give both? That’s because whoever poisoned Sun Lie wasn’t working for Mu Jiang. Two confounding poisons. Two guns. One bullet. @_@. This means Wen Lu Yang knows Li Ze isn’t innocent. He released Li Ze as bait. So sly! Wen Lu Yang smiles as he asks Wu Jian rhetorically, “Who told your station’s water to be so deep? Good thing my fishing line is long.”
There’s an operation tonight to arrest Ah Fei. Li Ze and Lao Zhou are partners. They separate. Then there’s a gunshot. Li Ze goes to check and turns over the body. Is it Lao Zhou? Or is it Ah Fei? When Team 1 and Team 2 check on them, it’s Lao Zhou crying for the death of Li Ze. OMG. WHAT!!!!!! Why? How! There’s two corpses. Li Ze died from poison. Ah Fei died from a gunshot.
And here’s another complication. The onset of the poison takes about 10-15 seconds. Li Ze’s reaction from being poisoned and then to pulling the trigger should be about 3 seconds. There’s the 10 second gap when he was still alive. He could have spoken to Lao Zhou who said he kicked open the door and ran over immediately. Or he could have used the walkie-talkie. And here is where I appreciate the walkie-talkie scene. I thought it looked cool, and now it proves to be useful.
I like that we know a bit more than the officers, but seeing their reenactment and their ability to find even MORE clues, I’m impressed. We know that when the gunshot occurred, it was Li Ze who ran over. The gunshot killed Ah Fei and the only possible shooter is Lao Zhou. He has to be the one who poisoned Li Ze. I wonder if Lao Zhou is working against Mu Jiang or it was Mu Jiang’s plan was to kill Li Ze all along.
From Lao Zhou’s flashback, he knows that Li Ze is using a burner phone. Does this mean he knows Li Ze wanted to kill him? Was this Lao Zhou’s motive then? If he doesn’t kill Li Ze, Li Ze will kill him.
[Ep14] Lao Zhou is cross-examined. He has a sound story, but compared to the truth, a story will only be a story.
- Lao Zhou said he ran to the scene after the gunshot. Wen Lu Yang: “You lied!” Li Ze had 10-15 seconds to talk or at the very least, use the radio.
- He said he kicked open the door. Wen Lu Yang: “You lied!” The door cannot be kicked open from the outside, which means he was already inside.
- He said he saw the syringe in Ah Fei’s hands. Wen Lu Yang: “You also lied!” He placed the syringe in Ah Fei’s hand after wiping his own fingerprints. Wen Lu Yang knows because the syringe was so clean it didn’t even have Ah Fei’s clothing remnants. (By the way, Ah Fei used glue on his hand to cover up his own fingerprints so it’s normal his fingerprints don’t show up, but abnormal that his clothings also didn’t). Thorough, thorough, thorough.
- He said the phone belonged to Li Ze. He lied about that too. And then he lies again that his second phone is to contact his mistress. (And a mistress actually shows up o.o). I think there’s supposed to be more to the mistress? Until next time? Wen Lu Yang brings up an interesting point. How come when he has the phone it’s to contact a mistress, but when he spots Li Ze with the same phone, it’s because Li Ze is a spy. What kind of double standard is that? Sharp! On point!
- He said Li Ze turned off their walkie-talkies. Surprise, he lied. It’s him who prepared their equipment and it’s him who switched their guns before the operation so that Ah Fei’s gunshot came from Li Ze’s gun. Science doesn’t lie. Forensics show that Li Ze had no firing remnant on his hands. Each of his lies have evidence to prove otherwise. O_O. Have I seen a show this thorough before?
Wen Lu Yang and Wu Jian tell Lao Zhou that Li Ze had gone back to save him. O.O. His syringe didn’t contain poison. It was an antidote. Oof. This makes me cry. Li Ze wanted to save his shifu who was like a father to him.
Sun Lie’s death is explained. Lao Zhou killed him. Here’s how. He knows the routine of the station, and all the blindspots. He craftily organized a time to meet with Sun Lie in the washroom. He lied to Sun Lie that Xiao Hui is in his hands and the police are deceiving him about his family’s safety. The attack in the interrogation room was planned by Lao Zhou. His next move was to kill Sun Lie at the hospital, but changed his plan on the whim because Li Ze was carrying Sun Lie down the stairs. Lao Zhou shot Li Ze with a taser, killed Sun Lie, and framed Li Ze with the syringe.
Lao Zhou killed Sun Lie because he was like a ticking bomb. He knew too much. He knew about “Dragon on Earth” ( = Lao Zhou).
Mu Jiang hired Li Ze to kill Lao Zhou precisely because Lao Zhou took action on his own and killed Sun Lie.
However, the partnership between Mu Jiang and Lao Zhou fissured earlier than Sun Lie’s death. It was when Knife Scar attacked Wu Jian. It’s not because Lao Zhou cares about Wu Jian: Attacking a police officer is a severe offence. The department will investigate to the end and his identity as Dragon will be exposed. Hence why Lao Zhou made Li Ze a scapegoat. He was the perfect candidate because he needed money. Ah, so everything took a turn for the worse (or better for us) because Knife Scar attacked Wu Jian.
Lao Zhou will confess. He killed three people already. He can’t run. He asks that his family is protected. The hypocrisy. But so real. Humans are selfish beings. Lao Zhou reveals that Mu Jiang most likely has other spies (from 6-6 case) and that Mu Jiang paid no attention to Baldie’s murder until it involved the same gun from ten years ago.
[Ep15] Yuan Gang confronts Lao Zhou. Why be a traitor? Why be a murderer? Lao Zhou says it was for his family. Yuan Gang calls it bullshit when he was the one who cross-examined Lao Zhou’s mistress. Lao Zhou sombrely admits he already tasted what's up there, how can he come back down? Just to clarify, initially Lao Zhou did it for his family. Afterwards for greed. But the moment he accepted the first bribery, there was no other way but to continue down that path.
Yuan Gang volunteers to quit after completing the case. He’s the captain. It’s his responsibility the spy was in his camp. Director Liu scolds him that the board will make the right judgment.
The meeting moves on to the next topic. 6-6 Case will be re-investigated because of Lao Zhou’s testimony: Mu Jiang didn’t care about Baldie’s murder until the gun from 6-6 Case was involved. This is enough to suspect the brothers were involved with the case ten years ago.
Yuan Gang questions Wen Lu Yang why he didn’t probe Sun Lie when he said he only heard one gunshot when they know there are two bullets. To let a detail like this slip is unlike Wen Lu Yang. It is Director Liu who silences Yuan Gang for doubting Wen Lu Yang. Hm. Am I thinly one who thinks that if Director Liu is the spy, it’s too obvious? So it can’t be him...Or it is him? Confused. Lol.
Wen Lu Yang keeps it a secret that there was only one bullet. He doesn’t want to 打草驚蛇 (beat the grass to scare the snake), alerting their enemy inadvertently. Wu Jian asks if there are more snakes in the station. There is. Since Lao Zhou believed the second gunshot killed Baldie (and notified Mu Jiang who also believed it) then he cannot be the one who replaced the gun. Wait. Then the one who replaced the gun really wanted to frame Knife Scar... Could it really be Director Liu? Wu Jian asks just how many more ‘Dragon on Earths’ are there. Wen Lu Yang replies that ‘Dragon on Earth’ is only a dike. In the beginning the dike was useful, but now it has fractured and fissured. A flood will rush through. And it’s the water we want. The tide is in our favour. (I’m really liking the water theme).
Wen Lu Yang finds more clues on the waiter. He hid the gun in a locker. Then a man in a hat took the gun. Wu Jian watches the footage. He says he doesn’t recognize the hat man, who is presumably the man who saved Wu Jian. The wool specimen from the scene where Wu Jian was attacked and the balcony door are the same. The waiter also has a fake identity. Wu Jian will look into the waiter by asking Lin Shu. Meanwhile Wen Lu Yang will look into the hat man.
Wen Lu Yang has an undercover agent – for now he is “Ah You” – to investigate the hat man. Lo and behold, the hat man is Lao Qi! Wen Lu Yang doesn’t tell Wu Jian in case he gets too emotional. Lao Qi is also the “third person” in the room, and the second gunman. Currently Lao Qi is working for Knife Scar in a fishing port. This fishing port doesn’t make money, and is even in the red, but Knife Scar still funds it. Wen Lu Yang notes how the water here is particularly deep. It’s good for hiding anything, or smuggling a few people (like the gangsters who attacked Wu Jian).
Lao Qi locks up a young man in the house. He doesn’t want this young man’s hands to be tainted with blood. Is that you, Mao Mao?
Knife Scar attacks Zhe-shao because they (including Zhang Zheng) are trying to scam Mu Jiang with a counterfeit book. But Knife Scar also steals the money that Mu Jiang was going to pay for the (fake) book. It’s money for his gang members to flee. Knife Scar stole his brother’s money in such a roundabout way because Mu Jiang gave them too little.
Mu Jiang wants stocks in this tech company (from CEO Li).
[Ep16] Wu Jian uses his detective proficiency to find the young man (the waiter), who is indeed Mao Mao. Wu Jian (who’s unable to use his combat proficiency) allows Mao Mao to escape the locked room (mainly because Yi Ran is held hostage). Mao Mao leaves to help Lao Qi kill Knife Scar, but instead of helping, Mao Mao makes a mess. The gangsters beat up Lao Qi and Mao Mao. Good thing Ah You saves them and calls for support (the police). Afterwards, Lao Qi calls Knife Scar to warn him not to come because the place is surrounded by police officers. Is Lao Qi trying to buy Knife Scar’s trust?
Knife Scar accuses Mu Jiang of calling the police. Now Mu Jiang snaps. He didn’t even condemn him for stealing his money. Mu Jiang knows Knife Scar stole the book and the cash. Mu Jiang is truly the brain and calms down his brother. He reminds Knife Scar they have a common enemy lurking out there, it’s the one who killed Baldie.
Mu Jiang checks the book. I recognize chemistry reactions. Combustion reactions? Does he want to produce his own guns? He gives the book back to Knife Scar. It’s safer with him. Mu Jiang instructs him to not show the contents to another person. It’s very important. Afterwards, Lin Shu playfully asks Knife Scar to see it, but Knife Scar rejects her.
Ah You arrests Lao Qi. Lao Qi wants to see Wu Jian because right now Mao Mao is hunting Knife Scar. Good thing Wu Jian catches Mao Mao in time.
Lao Qi testifies. Ten years ago, he found the gun and left it on top of a police car because he was afraid of Knife Scar’s influence. :O. Then Mu Jiang approached him, revealing that he bribed the officer. Lao Qi had no choice but to accept the money. It was that or death. Moreover, Lao Qi wanted to protect Mao Mao. He sent Mao Mao to his relatives, to escape Luoyang, but Mao Mao never escaped his hatred for Knife Scar. He returned half a year earlier.
The night Baldie died, Mao Mao helped Lao Qi sneak into Little Swiss Clubhouse. Lao Qi was already in the room when Baldie was still alive. He was waiting for Knife Scar to appear. Mao Mao was in charge of instigating the gang fight (for the purpose of masking the gunshot sound). Lao Qi knew that Knife Scar wasn’t going to come inside the room, and so he wanted to catch him at the staircase. Before he left through the balcony doors, there was a blackout and shortly after, a gunshot. Then Knife Scar entered. Lao Qi thought Knife Scar had a gun and didn’t chase after him. Then Wu Jian appeared. Afterwards, Lao Qi tried to escape but then he heard Iron Head heading upstairs. He quickly hid the gun in the garbage can and dodged in the next room. When Iron Head’s men were heading back down, he joined the gang and left inconspicuously.
Wen Lu Yang has a question. Why did Mao Mao call Wu Jian that night? Mao Mao is the mysterious caller! But seriously, why?? Lao Qi looks surprised.
[Ep17] Mao Mao is cross-examined. He blames the police in stopping him from killing Knife Scar. It’s just a (worthless) life, isn’t it? Wu Jian tells him that Knife Scar’s life isn’t worthy of exchanging his. His father would be disappointed in him. Mao Mao scoffs. His father is already dead. Plus Mao Mao says he’s young. He’ll just sit for ten years (Note: Wen Lu Yang’s head drops as if understanding something).
Wen Lu Yang cuts in. “Let’s talk about ‘life’.” And let’s talk about why Mao Mao called Wu Jian to the scene. Wu Jian was supposed to be Mao Mao’s witness in holding the gun. He wants to take all the blame for the murder. It’s his own revenge, nothing to do with Lao Qi. Wen Lu Yang nods in understanding. Lao Qi was a fool, willing to sacrifice for Mao Mao and it’s the same for Mao Mao. “You think living is already meaningless, but there is still someone who cares for you. This is the person you’re calling foolish.” Foolish Mao Mao. T_T. So much love between Mao Mao and Lao Qi...
But the blackout happened. Their plan crumbled. Mao Mao went to the electrical room, but another waiter stopped him. If he wants to fix it, they’ll need to ask the boss. Well, time for our officers to ask the boss: Lin Shu!
Our officers can now confirm that whoever has the 6-6 gun is from their team. What is his/her purpose? Is s/he trying to incriminate Knife Scar? I think Wen Yu Lang’s intuition was right from the beginning. Whoever planted the 6-6 gun into Baldie’s homicide is taking justice in their own hands. They don’t believe in law anymore. Wu Jian will look into the officer who was using an SUV ten years ago (it was rare back then). Wen Lu Yang says this person is the other Dragon on Earth. When one is in the dark for too long, that person will learn to use darker methods to solve their problems. This is not a spoiler. Just my intuition. At this point, it has to be Director Liu. I don’t think he’s rotten to the core but likened to Wen Lu Yang’s theory: Director Liu has been in the dark for too long. He’s making two wrongs to make a right. But it doesn’t work that way.
Lin Shu asks Mu Jiang to introduce her to his business partners. He dismisses her. Afterwards she receives a text: “Be careful, don’t step over the line”. It’s from an unknown number, but does Lin Shu know who sent it?
When questioned, Lin Shu admits to the police the blackout was her orders. She wanted the gang fight to stop or move elsewhere. Our officers aren’t believing her. From Sun Lie’s testimony, the shooter’s speed and immaculate accuracy can only be explained if the blackout was premeditated and the shooter had night vision goggles. The shooter 1) must have a shared motive with Lin Shu and 2) is connected with the 6-6 Case.
CEO Li cannot win against the mafia brothers and their dark ways. Originally, he had hired Little Whiskers to kill Mu Jiang, but now it’s Knife Scar who kidnaps CEO Li and Little Whiskers is presumably inside a concrete mixing truck. Omg. The fear of not seeing what actually happened to a person. Knife Scar finishes threatening CEO Li and finds his brother. Mu Jiang says the 20% shares of CEO Li’s tech company will go to Knife Scar. It’s time they turned their black money into white trade.
Later in the episode, Mu Jiang tells CEO Li that there’s a lot of snakes around here, but tigers, there’s only one. But there’s two brothers. So who’s the tiger?
Iron Head visits Zhe-shao and entices him to take revenge against Knife Scar who’s a tiger that should retire by now. He gained a reputation because he got away with murder. It’s time for Luoyang (that’s like a zoo) to have a new apex predator. They hire Zhang Zheng to shoot down Knife Scar. Zhang Zheng wasn’t willing, but then Iron Head mentions there was a witness to his sister’s disappearance.
[Ep18] Zhang Zheng (gangster name: Pirate) meets with Yi Ran to give her back the money. From the hospital. He promised to pay her back. Aw. I’m warming up to this guy. Zhang Zheng, please don’t be (too) bad. And please don’t die. Yi Ran gives back his money. Friends help each other. He says he can’t be friends with the police. Yi Ran lightly scoffs, “As if you have other friends.”
Zhang Zheng aims at Knife Scar (to avenge his sister). Please don't shoot! His life isn’t worth it! But he fails. Knife Scar attacks him. Then there’s a gunshot. Thankfully he’s fine. So is Knife Scar (thanks to Lin Shu who gave him a heads up). Now Zhang Zheng is fleeing. He calls Yi Ran for help. Yi Ran, please don’t mess up this time! She brings him to Wu Jian’s place. Safely. As for the gun, it’s with Knife Scar (it’s the gun that Iron Head dug out to give Zhang Zheng).
On the police’s side, Wen Lu Yang finds Iron Head suspicious. There’s traffic footage of him speeding back home, which was within 30 minutes of Baldie’s death. Why was he in a rush to leave?
Yi Ran prepares food and cares for Zhang Zheng. His incredulous expression is a little over but kind of cute. She reminds him of his sister (Zhang Zhen) who disappeared three years ago. It’s somehow related to Mu Jiang. Yi Ran promises to help him find her. He thanks her. Yi Ran replies, “You're welcome. I guess you can be friends with the police now?” Meanwhile, Wu Jian has already submitted Zhang Zheng’s hair samples for forensics to find anything related to unidentified female corpses within the past three years. We see the evidence being logged. Good. We can be assured no one can steal the evidence.
Wu Jian finds out who was using the SUV from a decade ago. It was Director Liu.
Post-thoughts; By now, I think it’s obvious that Lin Shu and Director Liu are a team. Lin Shu stopped Knife Scar from arriving on scene on the night of 20th. Director Liu killed Baldie, planted the gun to frame Knife Scar so that he’s finally charged with murder, which should have been his rightful sentencing ten years ago.
Now that I have my answers, I love the drama for giving me more questions. Ofc. How is Iron Head related to the case? What does Lin Shu want? Who sent her the text? What’s up with Zhang Zheng’s sister?
[Ep19] Opening and ending song has changed.
Prologue: (Four years ago) Zhang Zheng crashed into someone. Then he stole his bag but the man was still alive. He was so frightened, he ran away.
Wen Lu Yang finds Iron Head who testifies that on the night of Baldie’s murder, he sped home to look for a notebook which he believes has Mu Jiang and Knife Scar’s weakness. He had yet to open the safe and Yang Gang already confiscated everything.
Knife Scar lets Lin Shu read the book. She restrains her desire from surfacing. He even had professionals read it over and he still doesn’t get why it’s worth 50 million RMB.
Wen Lu Yang asks Yuan Gang to search for cases within a certain time frame. Immediately, Yuan Gang recalls Zhang Zheng surrendering to the police for a hit and run on Director Liu’s birthday (2014/10/25).
DNA results are back for Zhang Zheng. There’s a match. Oh no. His sister died three years ago. Her corpse was only discovered 1.5 years ago. She had changed her name to Wang Yue. The report is poorly written, though. The cause of death is unknown and her body was already burned to ashes. Yi Ran looks into the forensics guy (Qin), but he disappeared without a trace 1.5 years ago.
Next, Yi Ran looks into Zhang Zhen (Wang Yue). In 2015, she was raped, but redacted her charges after the rapist committed suicide. The case was handled by Director Liu. Yi Ran investigates further and interviews a landlord who describes Zhang Zhen as generous since she gave two years worth of rent. But she never returned after two months. Half a year later, a man apologized for Zhang Zhen, telling her that she won’t be returning. The landlord remembers the man staring at the picture of the siblings for a very long time. It’s Director Liu.
Wen Lu Yang summons Lin Shu to the station regarding the gunshot sound at her club. She says she doesn’t know Zhang Zheng. Conspicuously, he drops a journal (the one from Baldie’s safe, the “real” one) in front of her. Her eyes fixate onto the book. Wen Lu Yang notices. He tells her the book was with Zhang Zheng but since she doesn’t know him then it’s pointless to ask anymore. Nice. Lin Shu is piqued.
Yi Ran begins to suspect Director Liu. She learns that 16 years ago Director Liu paid 200K RMB for her surgery. Omg. He did it for Yi Ran. Her memories are evoked and she vaguely remembers a man visiting her and giving her toys. It was Mu Jiang. Omg. The realization of how these officers cave in to the mafia brothers is gutting. Mu Jiang finds their mortal weakness, and manipulates them with money when they’re desperate.
[Ep20] Prologue: (Ten years ago) Director Liu finds a gun on his SUV.
Mu Jiang says the book isn’t worth millions. It’s billions. Also, Mu Jiang has been approaching executives of different companies (to find their weaknesses or to make them have weaknesses). Mu Jiang is collecting his chess pieces. He doesn’t want to be controlled by the higher-ups.
Yi Ran continues her investigation of Director Liu. Ten years ago, he made Officer Li sign the papers to handle the 6-6 case, but Officer Li was hospitalized. Officer Li was the scapegoat.
Zhang Zheng crashed into Wang Jin Kang under Mu Jiang and Knife Scar’s orders. They hired him because he was underaged and he’ll only be imprisoned for three years. Part of the orders were to steal the bag. However, Wang Jin Kang didn’t die. Afterwards, Zhang Zheng tried to flee with his sister, but Mu Jiang caught them. Mu Jiang ordered him to surrender to the police.
Yi Ran tells Wu Jian and Wen Lu Yang her suspicions on Director Liu. Here’s the question: How did Director Liu know the corpse was Zhang Zhen before the autopsy was completed?
Director Liu takes Zhang Zheng away to a temple. Oh no. He gives him a key to unlock his cuffs. Director Liu says he can help him take revenge. First, they put on gloves. From under the Buddha, Director Liu takes out the gun – the gun from 6-6 case. Zhang Zheng is irritated. If Director Liu killed Baldie, why not kill Knife Scar too? It’s useless, says Director Liu. Kill Knife Scar today, and tomorrow there will be another Knife Scar. He tells Zhang Zheng that he trusts him and that he has no alternative for himself. Then he gives Zhang Zheng the gun and lets him flee.
Lin Shu is abducted! Zhang Zheng has her. After Zhang Zheng hangs up on Knife Scar, he holds the gun up to Lin Shu’s head, who’s standing there motionless. She’s not abducted. But why is she cooperating with Director Liu and Zhang Zheng?
Because Lin Shu is Wang Jin Kang's girlfriend! Aha!
Our officers are ready to catch Mu Jiang and Knife Scar. But Knife Scar is headed to an abandoned place to find Zhang Zheng. This surprises our team. Isn’t he in jail? Geez this station, man.
Knife Scar chases down Zhang Zheng but that was the trap. They want him to contact the gun and have him charged for murdering Baldie. Knife Scar is arrested. But Yi Ran is captured by Mu Jiang!!!!!! OMG. Girl! Just stay put!!!
[Ep21] Prologue: It was Mu Jiang who pulled the strings to promote Liu Jian Jun to be a director.
Yi Ran is fine. Director Liu has to flee, though. Mu Jiang submitted the video of Director Liu giving Zhang Zheng the gun to incriminate Knife Scar. Director Liu texts Yi Ran to apologize. He will surrender after he completes a task. He also tells her that behind the frame of his painting, there’s an SD card. It contains Zhang Zhen’s real autopsy report, which reveals that there’s an indent in her skull and her corpse is missing a tooth.
Mu Jiang suspects Lin Shu, but Knife Scar ain’t processing it.
Mu Jiang abducts CEO Li and threatens to flatten him with a car. CEO Li capitulates and signs the contract to turnover his company.
Mu Jiang and Wen Lu Yang mingle. The latter hints to the former that the higher-ups are upset he turned in evidence on Director Liu.
In Wen Lu Yang’s absence, Wu Jian and Yuan Gang continue the investigation of Zhang Zhen’s death (07/02/2015). Her bank account had transactions after her passing. It was from a retired man whose son worked for Mu Jiang, likely meant to mask her death to her brother. Wu Jian also looked into all the cars that passed by the crime scene. One of the cars (a truck) was reported missing two days afterward. The ownership of the truck is also from Mu Jiang’s company. I like the detail of Yuan Gang reading the notes up close. ): Another peculiarity: the truck disappeared from traffic cameras about 18 minutes from the scene. From a map, Wu Jian and Yuan Gang single out the gas station. Yi Ran and Wu Jian arrive on site to interview the employees. One of them recalls it was Mu Jiang who drove the truck. He paid in cash, which required him to enter the station to pay in person, but he didn’t want to (in case he’s caught on camera) and so he gave the employee 2000 RMB tip to help him pay his 200 RMB gas. Show, this is too obvious. The employee also noticed red ink dripping from his truck but since the truck was so dirty, she had no idea what the red liquid was.
There’s another life Mu Jiang took: Wang Jin Kang. When Zhang Zheng crashed into him, he was still alive. Mu Jiang went back to look for the book and because Wang Jin Kang was so persistent, Mu Jiang strangled him to death. He tells Lin Shu the details (after his secretary, Chen Li, found a picture of her and Wang Jin Kang). I wasn’t expecting him to be so cruel. He’s more ruthless than his brother. When Knife Scar committed murder for the first time, there was at least fear. For Mu Jiang....was there fear? Even the way he murdered is haunting: strangulation and brute force (to the skull).
[Ep22] Lin Shu proves to Knife Scar the picture with Wang Jin Kang is fake. The original picture was with a girl and not Wang Jin Kang. Her passport can prove that she wasn’t even in the country in 2013. Then Knife Scar slaps Mu Jiang for accusing his girl. Well played. Lin Shu set up a trap for Mu Jiang to catch her with a picture she forged. Director Liu helped her with the passport.
Wen Lu Yang criticizes Wu Jian and Yi Ran. The evidence they found that Mu Jiang went to the gas station proves nothing. He topped up his fuel, so what? There’s nothing to indicate he dumped the corpse or that Zhang Zhen was even in the truck. So true...! Then Wen Lu Yang hurriedly leaves. He’s got other plans. Yi Ran and Wu Jian continue to discuss the case. How could a truck just disappear in such a short time frame? An idea sinks into their minds. Mu Jiang must have sunk the car in a deep body of water. Yi Ran takes out the map and points to the lake. They stop eating and ask for the bill. But Wen Lu Yang already paid. I like these details. Characters paying for their meals and then the realization that their supervisor already did, aw.
The truck is recovered. The tooth is found! Eek. But we can’t prove that Zhang Zhen lost her tooth the night of her death. Wu Jian tells Yi Ran that they should now look into the motive. Learning from Wen Lu Yang, are we?
The higher-ups tell Mu Jiang to clean up his own mess on Zhang Zhen’s murder. And so Mu Jiang takes his brother fishing. Really, he’s taking him on a trip down memory lane of how they were bullied, their father committed suicide, and they survived relying on one another. Mu Jiang also describes how he took revenge on the gangster who made their lives miserable. He had him locked up for months, torturing him, and making him eat fish fece like how he treated them. Mu Jiang kept it from Knife Scar because he would have killed him immediately. Mu Jiang is the cruel one. Finally, Mu Jiang tells Knife Scar his stop is here. The police have evidence on Zhan Zhen’s murder He tells Knife Scar to leave with his family to Thailand. Everything is ready, but Knife Scar, being the loyal brother he is, will not abandon Mu Jiang. Knife Scar will serve the jail time for him. Mu Jiang was aiming for this all along. So wicked. His very own brother.
Lin Shu misunderstands that Knife Scar is fleeing. She notifies Director Liu who arrives on the scene to kill Knife Scar, but Lin Shu stops him. He doesn’t want to see Director Liu murder someone (else). Moreover, it wasn't Knife Scar who killed Wang Jin Kang. It was Mu Jiang.
Lin Shu leaves with Knife Scar. And give this guy some credit. He’s not the simpleton we all thought he was. He knew she dated Wang Jin Kang. He asks her if she ever loved him (Knife Scar) or even hated him. He lets her take a gun and aim it at him while he’s driving. He dares her to shoot. She can’t pull the trigger. He accelerates.
Director Liu escapes from the police and is at Yi Ran’s father’s grave site. Was this the task he had to do before turning himself in? It’s the father's memorial date. He was killed by the convict he arrested. That incident left a deep scar in Director Liu’s heart. After greeting his friend, Yuan Gang appears with his squad to arrest him. He was ready. He’s glad it’s his disciple. Then he says his last goodbye to his friend. T_T. This injustice, sucks.
[Ep23] Prologue: Wang Jing Kan is a scientist. His trip to Luoyang was to find a rare element. His discovery will make the city flourish. He also proposes to Lin Shu with the rock (like it’s a diamond? lol). She accepts even before he completes his proposal. Then he disappears. Lin Shu wakes up from her nightmare/dream. She’s alone. I guess Knife Scar didn’t kill her.
Director Liu is cross-examined. There’s two layers to his motives in killing Baldie: 1) to punish him for ruining the lives of so many children (e.g. Sun Lie), 2) to incriminate Baldie. But if Director Liu was so righteous, why did he hide the 6-6 gun in the first place? Because Mu Jiang paid for Yi Ran’s surgical fees. Director Liu asserts that he has no accomplice. Lin Shu. Wen Lu Yang asks how he knew about the secret passage then. Lin Shu. From experience. He says. He also set up firecrackers to hide the gunshot sound. Is a silencer not a thing in China?
Ten years ago, Director Liu’s intentions were to lighten Knife Scar’s charges, but he hadn’t expected Mu Jiang to have bribed every level of authority and turned Knife Scar, a criminal, into a victim. Ten years later, Director Liu opted to frame Knife Scar (instead of killing him) to show Luoyang that whoever commits a sin will be punished. Two wrongs don’t make a right :[ Wu Jian is disappointed in Director Liu. No matter how he garnishes his motives, he has sinned. He went below the line of being human, Director Liu replies, “Being human, it’s hard to not commit a mistake in life.” He passes on a proverb to Wu Jian: 任重道遠. Of Confucian Analects. It means to bear heavy responsibilities through a long struggle. Finally, he asks Wu Jian to not be like him. One more question! Why didn't Director Liu target Mu Jiang when he’s the mastermind? It’s because Mu Jiang has backup. And this person is someone the police force cannot even fathom to move.
Procurators are here to take custody of Director Liu. Yi Ran says goodbye in tears. Her father did it for her. Director Liu says it was all his choice. He wants her to take care of herself and to hold onto her principles. Be a good officer.
Knife Scar has surrendered to the police for Zhang Zhen’s homicide.
Director Liu has a scheduled email for Lin Shu. He apologizes for lying when he knew who murdered Wang Jing Kan (2014/10/25). He tells her of the evidence he has on Mu Jiang to indict him.
Lin Shu testifies. All these years she could have killed Knife Scar (because she thought it was him who killed her boyfriend), but she worked with Director Liu because it was never their goal to kill. They wanted justice. But once they started committing crimes, they couldn’t stop. She realizes there wasn’t much of a difference between them and the mafia brothers.
Mayor Zhu Qing Yun is the superior who Mu Jiang is working for. They need someone to substitute Director Liu. Mu Jiang thinks Wen Lu Yang is a prime candidate. However, he’s the disciple of Director Yang (the “rapist” who committed suicide). All the cases fit together now.
I thought the mayor was suspicious once the drama mentioned a higher up but I was thinking what a huge gamble he made to take a gunshot, and Mu Jiang’s orders were to just shoot. I think Mu Jiang wanted to kill the Mayor from Ep1. It’s also somewhat neat that all the important characters appeared in Ep1. Well planned.
Wen Lu Yang and Mu Jiang have an open conversation. They know each other’s motives. Wen Lu Yang adds that he has a target too, but it’s not the ’shooter’, it’s the mastermind (Mayor) who’s controlling the shooter (Mu Jiang). Mu Jiang was fixing his glasses. I think that if he had removed them, it would be a signal for Chen Li to kill Wen Lu Yang. He keeps his spectacles on as Wen Lu Yang offers to be his 保護傘 (protective umbrella = officials who shelter criminals/organizations) and to take down the Mayor together.
[Ep24] Prologue: Mu Jiang had Zheng Zhen’s phone unlocked. There’s a recording with contents of drugging someone and about her nude pictures.She worked for Mu Jiang to incriminate Director Yang of rape. And I think she liked Mu Jiang too. Did Mu Jiang like her? Don’t know. I don’t think he trusts anyone.
Wen Lu Yang uses the steel plate that was used to slit Wang Jing Kan’s throat as a bargaining chip for Mu Jiang. When Mu Jiang recovers the evidence, his secretary, Chen Li, turns on him. He works for Mayor Zhu to monitor Mu Jiang. He will be executing Mu Jiang tonight. Yuan Gang and Wu Jian were following Mu Jiang and they save him. Mu Jiang runs away, but is hounded by Wu Jian. Mu Jiang counterattacks and strangles Wu Jian. Then there’s an oncoming car speeding towards them. The car narrowly misses as Wu Jian jumps out of the way. Mu Jiang jumps in the car. Wen Lu Yang is driving it!
This is all a trap set by the police to make Mu Jiang believe in Wen Lu Yang. The biggest flaw in the entire drama for me is how Mu Jiang is swayed by Wen Lu Yang. It’s so obvious Wen Lu Yang is good. But maybe that’s in the eye of the audience? The show did have scenes in the beginning where Wen Lu Yang was sketchy and chatting with the brothers.
Zhang Zhen had helped Mu Jiang and Mayor Zhu, but she never got her end of the deal from Mayor Zhu, which was to pardon her brother. She threatens to expose the recording she has of them ordering her to incriminate Director Yang with rape. Mu Jiang tried to stop her and accidentally killed her. The dent in the skull. Afterwards, Mayor Zhu told him to clean up his own mess.
Mu Jiang escapes with a notebook from the safe. Chen Li is watching for Mayor Zhu. The police aren’t worried, though. They were already prepared for this. After Mu Jiang kills everyone one of the Mayor Zhu’s men, the police are already stationed outside, waiting for him to come out. He reaches for his gun, but in less than 3 seconds, Wu Jian aims at his arm.
Wu Jian visits Mao Mao to tell him his father’s name is cleared. Knife Scar admitted to everything. Wu Jian apologizes for being so late on his promise. Mao Mao smiles and cries. He always believed in Wu Jian.
Wen Lu Yang, Wu Jian and Yuan Gang are awarded. I think those officials are real people??? Mayor Zhu is arrested. I wonder. Have I ever seen an official being arrested for a crime in a Cdrama before? Mayor Zhu is sentenced to lifetime imprisonment. Knife Scar and Mu Jiang are facing death penalties.
The last scene: Wu Jian and Wen Lu Yang have noodles together at the first place they met. Wu Jian wants to meet his good friend who Wen Lu Yang mentionned was like him, with a temper and stubborn like a mule. You know, the one who likes beef brisket noodles too. Wen Lu Yang slurps his noodles. “He’s eating noodle right now.”
The end.
Remarks
[First Impression (Ep1-10)] Show did it! It has me so invested when it’s a drama that’s so far off from my taste. It is a hardcore police crime cdrama. In Ep2, our ML is suspected of aiding and abetting a murder. The evidence disappears. The prime suspect disappears. Hospital records and surveillance footage vanish. That’s just the beginning. I love the twist in Ep4 regarding the evidence (the bullet).
There’s no romance. Maybe there’s a crush.
Bromance is alright, but Show isn’t commercializing it to match the BL/bromance trend. It’s plain old teamwork with mutual respect and smart dialogue. I like how they toe the line between trust and mistrust, but the focus is always on the case.
No geniuses. But so smart, and I mean it’s the show that’s smart. Every cool thing that happens has a logical explanation. I love how show takes me through every clue. Very detailed.
Show takes patience and brain space. It’s not flashy. There’s no visuals. There’s no star power, either. No offence to Ou Hao. I like the guy, I think he’s charming, but he’s not what I would call a visual. The veterans are so darn good, but low chance there’s anyone out there who’d watch a drama just to see them. This is a show that’s completely reliant on the quality of the case and its deductions. And the acting. And I am in this to the end.
The case they’re solving evolves every episode. I love and hate it – hate it because it’s so good, but it’s so complicated. I can’t even see how deep it is. I’m already overwhelmed with the clues in front of me, I can’t see beyond that, but show is hinting that behind the mafia brothers, there’s a massive network enabling them. Breathe. There’s 12 episodes left.
By Ep10, my list of questions is doubling. I don’t even know who to suspect anymore. I don’t think there’s a simple bad guy in this.
My shortlisted questions and predictions (Spoilers up to Ep10)
- The big question: who’s the mole in the police department? At first, Show wants us to suspect Yuan Gang, but I think he’s just a stickler for rules and has a hatred towards anything Banyun Village related. He’s not the nefarious type. Then Show wants us to suspect Director Liu and oh, he seriously confuses me. I think he might know something, but he’s not the mastermind. If it’s really not these two, who else can it be? The new characters? Then there’s also that suspicious scriber in every interrogation scene. But is the Show that obvious? Or is it that police officer in Ep1 that barely ever appears again in the later episodes?
- Are the mafia brothers really in disharmony? And is Knife Scar really a simpleton?
- Who has Knife Scar’s gun from the 6-6 Case? I think it’s Lao Qi and he’s back for revenge. Or could it be Mao Mao who perhaps received the gun from Lao Qi?
- Why was a blackout necessary? How does the gunman shoot so accurately in pitch dark?
- Why was a second gunman on the scene? He’s the guy with the handmade gun (with the gunpowder)
- How is Lin Shu involved? She has a case that Wu Jian is looking into for her, which makes me think that she has an ulterior motive in approaching the mafia brothers. She’s a very grey character whose motive is murky.
- In Ep 10, who saved Wu Jian? The man was holding a handmade gun (possibly made by Zhang Zheng). I think it’s Mao Mao – the kid who’s father was accused of murder. Is he also the mysterious caller in Ep1 who told Wu Jian of Sun Lie’s whereabouts?
[Cast&Crew] (Ending update) I read quite a lot of hate comments for Ou Hao on Douban and giving a 1-star because of him. I don’t get it. He has screentime that isn’t even suffice for being a ML. His character is just a hardworking cop. There’s nothing to hate (or even to love), and to rate it because of Ou Hao means the commenter isn’t even watching the drama.
There’s an insightful post on Douban by one of the 12 writers, Yang Zhe. He (and his team?) interviewed real criminals to build this story. I used Google Translate to pick out the interesting bits from Yang Zhe’s long essay:
- [The mafia brothers], it can be said that they are the epitome of all black bosses with Chinese characteristics. [...] We went to interview the county seat in a certain province with the most backward law and order. It wasn't until 2018 that the place was finally covered with cameras everywhere. And even then, the cameras were destroyed.
- There is a grassroots public security bureau with about 30 police officers. Every year on the 30th of the Chinese New Year, a policeman would disappear. He would always be snatched away and beaten by someone with a mask on, and then on the first day of CNY, he would be thrown back to the gate of the Public Security Bureau. The underworld doesn't beat you to serious injuries – soft tissue injuries at most. They just humiliate you. Because you are the only person in this area who fights every day with the underworld forces.
- To these little [gang members], going to jail is like going on a business trip. They have no education. Some don't even have an ‘account’ (T/N: think ID). They can't find better jobs. Being a gangster is the most promising career in their eyes. This is the deep-seated reason why the underworld forces are difficult to eradicate. If the black boss does not fall, there will always be someone to take the blame for them
- When we went to chat with the black boss, the most shocking sentence was said by the boss himself. He was too lazy to threaten each and every small boss. Those small companies earned too little for the boss to care but everyone who set up companies in the local area will come to them on their own initiative and give them 10 or 20 percent of the shares. Unspoken rules have replaced normal rules, which is the scariest part in reality.
- One day, the black boss was driving a car and accidentally crushed a farmer’s leg. [...] He was going to grab some cash for the farmer, but the farmer recognized his car, dragged his crushed foot, and ran away. No one called the police. This kind of thing is not reported to the police, and the police have no way of knowing. Only when the black boss falls, will the evil done by the black boss come to the surface
- The most important thing in sweeping the underworld is to sweep away the soil that breeds the underworld [...]: the black police.
- The evil forces will always dig into your weakness. The black boss who secretly controls a county seat [e.g. police] is definitely not relying on ruthlessness. The most effort he spends is observing your weaknesses. [He’d pay for your child’s English lessons and then your wife would stop nagging at you]. And the black boss doesn’t need you to do anything. A few days later, the black boss comes over and begs you for a favour. “A gangster was caught stealing something, can you let him go?” You think it's a small thing again. After repaying the last favour, they will always make you owe more "favor". Until, one day, you will make more mistakes in order to hide your mistakes. This is how people gradually roll to the edge of the cliff.
- When an anti-criminal hero was chatting with me, he repeated a sentence, being a policeman, you have to be ruthless. Love, friendship, kindness, any of them can kill you.
- In the eyes of ordinary viewers, this is a crime-solving film. But in my eyes, it is actually a stage for the display of human nature.
The last point that I highlighted from this writer is exactly how I saw the story: how ‘bad guys’ are nurtured from their environment. Seeing them cave into the mafia bosses felt so sad because of how helpless they were. Being part of the gang was the only way to survive because evil forces “penetrated every aspect of a society, corroding every place out of reach from the sun”.
[Glossary]
以商養黑以黑護商 – See in Ep6
薑還是老的辣 Jiāng hái shì lǎo de là – Ginger gets spicier as it gets older = The older, the wiser (Ep8)
打草驚蛇 Dǎ cǎo jīng shé – Beat the grass to scare the snake = To inadvertently alert an enemy (Ep15)
保護傘 Bǎo hù sǎn – Protective umbrella = government officials who shelter criminals/organizations (Ep23)
[Ending] It’s a steady happy ending. In terms of excitement or last minute twists, it’s not there. It’s also not as tight as the rest of the series. But it is a clean closure.
[Review & Rating]
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