Episode Summary
The episode centers around an Asian Nuclear Energy Summit hosted by China, which antagonist Sander aims to sabotage to prevent China's growing global influence. His team targets elderly nuclear expert Sun Yaokuan, who possesses critical data on his laptop. Despite National Security's protection, led by Yang Guang, Sander's operatives, Duke and Shirley, along with a coerced Dr. Hermann, execute a plan. Professor Sun agrees to speak at the summit, bringing his laptop. During the event, after being introduced to suspicious new attendees Zhao Yaning and Sander (linked to Huaze Group), Professor Sun collapses in the restroom from an induced heart attack. Zhao Yaning confirms their mission's success to Sander. While the laptop is secured by National Security, an attempt by Shirley and Duke to retrieve data remotely fails. An investigation reveals Sun's condition isn't natural, and Yang Guang uncovers suspicious links involving an Asian Energy Company representative, Li Minhao, and a money launderer.
Spoiler Alert
The Secret Path: Episode 3 Recap – The Summit Showdown
So, China's hosting this massive Asian Nuclear Energy Summit, right? The goal is all about international cooperation on energy tech. But our main antagonist, Sander, is having none of it. He knows that if this summit is a success, China's deep ties with other nations in the energy sector will totally reshape the global power balance. And let's be real, whoever controls the energy, controls the world. So, Sander's mission is crystal clear: stop this summit, no matter the cost.
His team has zeroed in on their prime target: Professor Sun Yaokuan, a nuclear energy expert in his seventies. Why him? Because the core data they desperately need is holed up on his computer at the Nuclear Energy Institute No. 2. He's the only way in. Sander tasks his operatives: Duke is on recon, while Shirley has a date with a mysterious operative codenamed "Train." Intriguing!
Meanwhile, Liu Xinnian, the big boss at Huaze Group, personally visits Professor Sun. Laying it on thick about national strategy, he convinces Sun to give the keynote speech on fourth-generation high-temperature nuclear tech. Sun initially wanted his star student, Ou Qihong, to do it, but Liu's persuasive charm (or perhaps something more) gets Sun to agree to bring his laptop – the one with all the juicy data – to the conference himself. Smooth move, Liu, or is it?
Naturally, the National Security's Third Division isn't sleeping on the job. They immediately flag Professor Sun as a VIP needing top-tier protection. Yang Guang leads the team, launching a full background check and ordering the tech department to compile detailed files on everyone attending. Yang Guang even pays Professor Sun a visit. Listening to the old man talk about his lifelong dedication to nuclear energy, Yang Guang is genuinely moved by his sincerity. You can tell he respects the guy.
Back to the bad guys: Duke, disguised as a venue rental vendor, sneaks in to scope things out. He discovers that National Security has deployed a brand-new, full-spectrum signal jamming system. So much for Sander's plan to hack in remotely! Plan B it is: physical contact. This ropes in Dr. Hermann, a medical doctor forced into a corner because his family is being held hostage (classic villain move). Shirley gives him a chilling warning: he better be 100% sure he can pull this off. The pressure is ON.
Fast forward to April 20th, summit day. Tian Ziwei, a National Security technician, gets caught sneaking candy while setting up equipment in the temporary office. She hilariously tries to play it cool, quickly swallowing the evidence and claiming she was just "testing." Classic. By 10:30 AM, everyone's gone through rigorous security checks. Ou Qihong accompanies Professor Sun to the venue, with Yang Guang shadowing them closely. So far, so good.
But then, BAM! The surveillance feed suddenly picks up Zhao Yaning and Sander. Yang Guang immediately checks the guest list and, what do you know, they've been added last minute as "partners" of the Huaze Group. Now, Huaze Group is a strategic partner of the National Energy Administration, so they technically have the authority to invite guests. Still, this sudden appearance sets off major alarm bells for Yang Guang. You can almost see the gears turning in his head.
At 1:30 PM, Professor Sun is on stage, delivering his speech and even giving a shout-out to Huaze Group (oh, the irony!). Yang Guang is in the audience, eyes glued to Zhao Yaning and Sander, watching their every move. After the speech, Liu Xinnian introduces Professor Sun to Zhao Yaning. They have a brief, seemingly normal chat, and then Zhao Yaning and Sander peace out.
But here’s where it all goes sideways. Professor Sun heads to the restroom and… doesn't come out. After what feels like an eternity (probably just a few minutes, but drama!), Yang Guang, Li Jian, and the team rush in. They find Professor Sun collapsed, having suffered a heart attack. Cut to Zhao Yaning, cool as a cucumber, sending an email confirming "mission accomplished" and sharing a knowing smile with Sander. These two are trouble with a capital T.
Ou Qihong checks his mentor's laptop. Tian Ziwei, using the quickest method, finds that the three most recent access logs were all by Professor Sun himself. To prevent any data leaks, the laptop is temporarily handed over to the Third Division for safekeeping. Smart.
While Zhang Lei and Wang Hong are escorting Li Jian (presumably with crucial evidence), they get rear-ended by none other than Shirley and Duke! A car chase ensues, but Wang Hong, with some seriously slick driving skills, manages to shake them off. Li Jian safely delivers the key evidence to the Third Division's evidence room. Shirley and Duke's plan to remotely snatch the files? Epic fail. They’ve got to report back to Sander, tails between their legs.
Over at the hospital, Yang Guang and Ou Qihong are anxiously waiting outside the emergency room. The attending physician drops a bombshell: Professor Sun's heart muscle suddenly released a massive amount of hydrolytic enzymes. This isn't your run-of-the-mill heart attack; something is very, very wrong. Yang Guang's Spidey senses are tingling (or, you know, his highly trained National Security senses), and he immediately requests a comprehensive examination.
Meanwhile, National Security flags a suspicious character: Li Minhao, a representative from an Asian energy company. Yang Guang and Li Jian track him to a high-end bar. There, they see him meeting privately with Xia Chuanmin, a client manager from Yinghe Trust Bank. This Xia Chuanmin is apparently a big deal in shady circles, known as the "King of Black Gold" for helping criminals launder money. The plot thickens!
Once Xia Chuanmin leaves, Yang Guang and Li Jian approach Li Minhao, questioning him about Professor Sun. Li Minhao claims to be an old friend of Sun's and puts on a show of being shocked and saddened to hear about the professor's collapse, urging them to notify the family to sign papers. Yeah, right, buddy. We see you.
And that’s where Episode 3 leaves us! Professor Sun's life hangs in the balance, his data is maybe compromised, and Yang Guang is closing in on a much larger conspiracy. Can't wait to see what happens next!
