Episode Summary
Zheng Qiu visits Cheng Hui's daughter, Cheng Nanping, claiming Cheng Hui is innocent of Jin Yaju's murder and expressing past regrets. He then confronts his assassin, Cha Peng, for failing to stop Cheng Hui's return; Cha Peng cuts off his own finger in apology and vows to kill Cheng Hui in Shicheng. Cheng Hui investigates Jin Yaju's murder, believing the killer is in Shicheng, but refuses calls to reclaim leadership. Meanwhile, Liu Zhendong brutally murders Wu A'nan in revenge for an earlier slight and dumps the body publicly. However, Wu A'nan's mistress witnesses the crime and identifies Liu Zhendong to the police, leading to his immediate questioning.
Spoiler Alert
Zheng Qiu's Moves and Old Secrets
The episode kicks off with Zheng Qiu making a rather sudden visit to Cheng Nanping, who is Cheng Hui's daughter. It seems Nanping didn't know Liu Xiongwu for ages, but she still holds some affection for the man she grew up calling "Uncle Er." She's pretty pragmatic about the whole gangster life, though, and wasn't exactly floored by Liu Xiongwu's ultimate fate – comes with the territory, right?
During their chat, Zheng Qiu drops some interesting tidbits. He claims he and Cheng Hui used to be super close friends and is absolutely convinced Cheng Hui didn't murder Jin Yaju. He also gets a bit sentimental, lamenting that he couldn't prevent Nanping's mother, A'Zhen, from marrying Cheng Hui, suggesting the marriage led to her dying young. Hmm, layers upon layers here.
An Assassin's Penance
After leaving the Cheng place, Zheng Qiu has another intense meeting, this time with Cha Peng, an assassin apparently connected to the "Lu Mansion" (or Lu family). Zheng Qiu is not happy, chewing Cha Peng out for failing his mission – specifically, for letting Cheng Hui get back to Shicheng (which translates to Lion City, likely the show's setting).
Cha Peng doesn't say much, but his actions speak volumes. To show his remorse and loyalty, he takes out a knife and chops off his own ring finger. Ouch! Talk about a serious apology. He then swears a solemn oath that he will kill Cheng Hui right there in Shicheng. So, the hunt is definitely on.
Cheng Hui's Investigation and Refusal
Meanwhile, Cheng Hui isn't just sitting around. He gathers his key people – hall masters and trusted confidantes – to seriously investigate Jin Yaju's murder. We get a crucial flashback: two years prior, Cheng Hui showed up for a meeting, only to find Jin Yaju already dead in a pool of blood. The place was instantly surrounded by cops, forcing Cheng Hui to make a dramatic escape through a window.
His guys, like Huang Zhongxin, are adamant it was a setup orchestrated by the police. Cheng Hui himself, having spent two years quietly looking into it, has concluded the real killer is somewhere in Shicheng. Despite the danger, his loyal followers Hei Hu and Lian Liu Liu strongly urge him to retake his position as the gang's leader. However, Cheng Hui firmly refuses. He's clearly got his own agenda right now.
Liu Zhendong's Brutal Revenge
Now for the really gritty part. Liu Zhendong is still absolutely furious about Wu A'nan's earlier provocations and is dead set on restoring the Shanhai Gang's reputation. That night, he and his associate A'Qi track down and kidnap Wu A'nan. Big mistake for them (or maybe just Wu A'nan): the whole abduction is witnessed by Wu A'nan's mistress.
They drag Wu A'nan to an abandoned warehouse, and things get ugly fast. A brutal fight breaks out. Initially, Liu Zhendong is getting absolutely wrecked by Wu A'nan's fierce fighting style and is nearly beaten. But then, something snaps. Liu Zhendong flies into a rage, turning the tables with pure, frenzied aggression. He pummels Wu A'nan relentlessly with his fists until Wu A'nan is barely recognizable, described as a bloody mess.
Even then, Liu Zhendong tries to interrogate him, demanding to know who hired him. Wu A'nan, even facing death, refuses to talk. So, Liu Zhendong ends it with a bullet to the head. When A'Qi moves to dispose of the body, Liu Zhendong, with a disturbing grin, orders him to dump the corpse out in the open on the street – a clear move to incite fear and make a statement.
The Morning After and the Police
The next morning, Liu Zhendong acts like nothing happened, casually walking into the police station with a coffee. But his cool demeanor doesn't last long. Police Chief Steven immediately calls him into his office. Why? Wu A'nan's mistress didn't waste any time – she went straight to the police and identified Liu Zhendong as the killer.
Spoilers & Cliffhangers:
- Zheng Qiu's Agenda: He's actively working against Cheng Hui, using assassins and potentially manipulating Cheng Nanping with stories about the past. His true motives regarding Cheng Hui's innocence claim are still murky.
- Cheng Hui's Quest: He's back in Shicheng not to reclaim power, but specifically to find Jin Yaju's real killer. Refusing leadership suggests he's focused solely on this personal mission for now.
- Liu Zhendong Caught?: His impulsive, brutal revenge has immediately backfired. With an eyewitness pointing him out, he's now the prime suspect in Wu A'nan's murder, putting him directly in the police's crosshairs. This will definitely escalate tensions between the gangs and the law.
So, Episode 3 leaves us with Cheng Hui hunting a killer from the shadows, Zheng Qiu pulling strings and setting deadly plots in motion, and Liu Zhendong facing immediate consequences for his violent actions. Things are escalating quickly! Can't wait to see what happens next.
