Episode Summary
In 1940s Shicheng, Shanhai Gang leader Liu Xiongwu takes brutal revenge for an assault on a young woman, ordering the perpetrator killed and dumped at sea. His police captain son, Liu Zhendong, confronts him but can't prove anything. Three months later, Liu Xiongwu is murdered. News reaches former gang leader Cheng Hui, who decides to return to Shicheng with his skilled adopted son, Huang Zhongxin. Back in Shicheng, rival gangs sense opportunity, and the Shanhai Gang's Hall Masters argue over succession until Liu Zhendong steps in to manage his father's affairs.
Spoiler Alert
Contenders Episode 1 Recap: Power, Revenge, and a Sudden Vacancy
We open in 1940s Shicheng, a melting pot bustling with Chinese immigrants trying to make a life. The real power, though, lies with the legendary "Shanhai Gang" (Mountain Sea Gang), the dominant force in the local Chinese community.
Things get dark fast. One night, a young woman who sells cakes is brutally assaulted by some lowlife scum. The attacker has connections with foreigners , making him untouchable through official channels. The heartbroken mother, finding no help from the authorities, turns to the only power that might deliver justice: the Shanhai Gang.
Enter Liu Xiongwu, the big boss of the Shanhai Gang. He's known this girl since she was little and has a soft spot for her. Hearing what happened sends him into a rage. He doesn't waste time. He orders his trusted lieutenant, A'Qi, to handle it. Swiftly and brutally, A'Qi and his men grab the attacker using just a rope and a burlap sack, dragging him to the seaside. Liu Xiongwu, consumed by fury, personally picks up heavy stones and smashes the sack – twice. Blood seeps out. He then orders the body dumped into the sea and tells A'Qi to find a good doctor for the traumatized young woman. Cold, efficient, and utterly ruthless justice, gangland style.
The next day, the Xingzhou Daily newspaper reports a body found floating in the sea. This immediately pings the radar of Police Captain Liu Zhendong. Why? Because Captain Liu is none other than Liu Xiongwu's son. Talk about complicated family dynamics! Zhendong marches straight to his father, demanding answers. While Liu Xiongwu doesn't explicitly confess, Zhendong knows his old man was involved. He gives his father a stern warning: don't stir up trouble in his jurisdiction. Despite his fearsome reputation, Liu Xiongwu clearly dotes on his son; it's implied this indulgence is why Zhendong is still a cop instead of being groomed to take over the gang.
Fast forward three months. Just when you think things might settle into an uneasy truce... disaster strikes. Liu Xiongwu is found dead in the street, a sharp knife plunged into his chest. By the time a devastated Liu Zhendong rushes to the scene, his father is gone.
Meanwhile, in a place called Xiangfu Qingmai, the former Shanhai Gang leader, Cheng Hui, is living a quiet life running a small restaurant. He keeps a low profile, but trouble finds him anyway when local thugs try to shake him down for protection money. His adopted son, Huang Zhongxin, steps in and proves he's lethally skilled, taking down the thugs in seconds. Just then, news arrives from Shicheng about Liu Xiongwu's murder. The terrified thugs suddenly realize who this unassuming old restaurant owner really is and scramble to apologize. Cheng Hui's face darkens. He tells his confidant, Lao Xu, to prepare a boat – he's heading back to Shicheng.
Back in the powder keg of Shicheng, things are heating up. A fellow police officer, Gou Wendao, specifically warns Liu Zhendong that another group, the "Shanding Zai" (Mountaintop Boys - likely rivals), are gathering their forces, looking to capitalize on the chaos.
Inside the Shanhai Gang headquarters, it's a tense gathering of the top brass. The various Hall Masters are all present, ready to hash out who will be the next leader. We've got:
- Bai Shan Lian Liuliu (White Fan strategist type)
- Cai Fu Zhuang Bo (Treasurer)
- A'Rong (Hall Master of Xiayi Tang - Hall of Chivalry)
- Hei Hu (Black Tiger, Hall Master of Weiyuan Tang - Hall of Prestige)
- Da Peng (Big Roc, Hall Master of Fengyun Tang - Hall of Wind and Cloud)
- She Yan (Snake Eye, Hall Master of Zhongxiao Tang - Hall of Loyalty and Filial Piety)
Predictably, they immediately start arguing, each likely eyeing the empty throne. Seeing the situation devolve, Liu Zhendong steps forward. Cutting through the bickering, he declares that, following the customs for regular families, he, as the son, will take charge of his father's affairs – specifically, he'll "carry the funeral banner" (扛幡 - kang fan). This is a significant move, essentially asserting his right, at least temporarily, to lead and manage the situation in the wake of his father's death.
And that's where Episode 1 leaves us! The boss is dead, the former boss is returning, rivals are circling, the lieutenants are squabbling, and the estranged cop son has just thrown his hat into the ring (in a way). Shicheng is about to explode. Can't wait to see what happens next!
