Episode Summary
Wang Bingde is captured and confesses, revealing his obsession with immortality. Chen Nan and Xu Xiao investigate the tomb, uncovering more about the immortality ritual. The task force solves the case, and relationships evolve.
Spoiler Alert
"Hanging Mirrors" Episode 18: Recap & Spoilers
Episode 18 kicks off with some serious action! Xu Xiao seizes the opportunity and subdues Wang Bingde. Da Fei arrives just in the nick of time with backup, and they haul Wang Bingde away. Xu Xiao, ever the concerned colleague, checks on Chen Nan. He's clearly impressed that she risked everything to save others.
With Wang Bingde in custody, Xu Xiao and Chen Nan visit Lin Guoqiang. But Lin Guoqiang is actually at Ding Dang's bedside, feeling guilty that he couldn't protect her. Zhang Yanni is there too. It's an emotional scene.
The interrogation of Wang Bingde is intense. He confesses to his crimes but remains unrepentant, still clinging to the idea of immortality. He reveals that he was desperate to eliminate everyone because he discovered Xu Xiao and the team were watching him, realizing his plans were ruined. Wang Bingde explains that Zhou Jiahei was the first to obtain the immortality technique. Initially, Wang Bingde didn't care much, but as he aged and became wealthier, the allure of eternal life grew stronger. Wang Bingde's full cooperation is a facade. He sees this as his last chance to preach, believing that some of the officers present will eventually crave immortality when they get older and more successful.
Meanwhile, Han Zhen finds Chen Nan at the ancient tomb to discuss her thesis. Chen Nan is worried she's failed, but Han Zhen surprises her by saying her thesis passed. Han Zhen is stepping back and entrusting the management of the tomb to Chen Nan. Xu Xiao also visits Chen Nan at the tomb, and they discuss the concept of immortality. Xu Xiao offers a professional analysis, suggesting that the person buried in the king's position within the tomb is actually Liu Chuan, the one who tricked the king into believing in immortality. The real king lies outside the tomb's entrance. Liu Chuan's motive was to deceive future generations, ensuring that anyone who opens the tomb will believe in the possibility of eternal life. Their discussion is interrupted when forensic doctor Lao Guo summons Xu Xiao back to the police station. Chen Nan follows Xu Xiao's lead and searches for clues in the tomb, discovering something in the Lu Ding (furnace). The police have found the victim's torso, but the internal organs are missing. When Xu Xiao questions Wang Bingde about the whereabouts of the organs, Wang Bingde initially denies it. However, Xu Xiao already knows the entire process of the immortality ritual, and Wang Bingde is forced to admit that he followed the methods described in the ritual, shocking the police officers.
Xu Xiao is hesitant but finally goes home. Lin Guoqiang, relieved that the case is closed, visits the library to look at his daughter's drawings. The task force celebrates their success with a dinner. They tease Xu Xiao, urging him to invite Chen Nan, but she can't make it due to a pre-arranged assignment in Italy for artifact restoration. The dynamic between Xu Xiao and Chen Nan has shifted, and they show genuine care for each other.
Lin Guoqiang and Zhang Yanni go out to eat at Ding Dang's dumpling restaurant. Lin Guoqiang is happy to see Ding Dang working and doing well. Ding Dang is also pleased to see Lin Guoqiang and Zhang Yanni together. With the case resolved, the task force disbands, and everyone returns to their regular duties. Da Fei and Xiao Xing visit Lin Guoqiang in the archives, taking all the case files to re-examine them. Lin Guoqiang smiles genuinely, no longer burdened by the past. Xu Xiao reviews the case files and notices the Liu Xian painting. He recalls Chen Nan's mention of someone resembling Liu Chuan presiding over the sacrificial ritual.
