Episode Summary
In "Abyss Dweller" Episode 12, Liang Shuo publicly exposes Chen Gengsheng's spying, leading to Chen's arrest within No. 76. Simultaneously, a critical Military-Statistics Bureau operation to transport explosives fails when their agent, Wang Qiaosu, is captured by the Japanese. Facing a crisis, Liang Shuo is forced to ally with Communist agent Jiang Feiman to devise a rescue plan for Wang. While navigating internal traps set by his superiors at No. 76, Liang Shuo solidifies his position and reveals his true allegiance is to the "Maple Leaf" mission, not his cover identity.
Spoiler Alert
Abyss Dweller Episode 12 Recap & Spoilers: A Crisis of Trust
In a tense hour of shifting allegiances and desperate gambles, Episode 12 of "Abyss Dweller" sees Liang Shuo turn the tables on his enemies within No. 76, only to be pulled into a high-stakes rescue mission that forces him to forge an uneasy alliance with the Communist underground. As battle lines blur, Liang Shuo must navigate a minefield of suspicion and betrayal to protect his cover and advance his true mission.
The Downfall of a Rival
The episode kicks off with Liang Shuo publicly exposing Chen Gengsheng's illegal wiretapping in front of the entire No. 76 agency. Chen’s pleas of innocence fall on deaf ears, and the Director has him swiftly taken into custody for investigation. This power play is witnessed by Hirata Kiko of the Japanese military police; because Liang Shuo previously saved her life, and she is convinced Chen is a Japanese mole, she offers to help Liang Shuo win the trust of her superior, Mizuho Genxin. Meanwhile, the disgraced Chen Gengsheng attempts to bribe his way out of trouble, offering gold bars to his interrogator, Director Cui.
A Mission in Tatters
The Military-Statistics Bureau's operation to transport explosives, disguised as construction materials, collapses catastrophically. Their key contact, Wang Qiaosu, is ambushed at his residence by Japanese officer Takagi Yugi. Although Wang manages to escape the initial raid, the Japanese kill his doorman in frustration, signaling that the entire transport chain has been compromised by Mizuho Genxin. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Bureau leader Xie Jun'an urgently orders his subordinate, Xie Nianci, to contact Liang Shuo for help. Simultaneously, Communist agent Jiang Feiman reports to her superiors that Wang Qiaosu's potential capture poses a direct threat to Liang Shuo's deep-cover mission.
A Test of Loyalty at No. 76
The Director of No. 76, ever suspicious, uses Chen Gengsheng's downfall to test Liang Shuo's loyalty. He orders Liang Shuo to oversee Chen's interrogation but listens in on the proceedings. Liang Shuo delegates the task to Director Cui, who only feigns torturing Chen. After hearing the recording of Chen's bribery attempt, the Director suspects both men are lying. He then instructs Cui to set a trap for Liang Shuo using a safe key provided by Chen. Cui suggests Liang Shuo plant incriminating evidence in the safe to frame Chen permanently, but Liang Shuo sees through the ploy and masterfully defuses the situation, avoiding the trap.
Liang Shuo's Counterplay
Armed with the recording of his own bugged office, Liang Shuo confronts the Director directly. "If you had authorized Chen Gengsheng to monitor me, why would I have bothered to report it?" he asks, leaving the Director speechless. Seizing the momentum, Liang Shuo makes a bid for power, vying for control over the security of the upcoming Peace Conference. He points out that Director Cui has a poor relationship with the Japanese, subtly positioning himself as the more suitable candidate. While the Director doesn't commit, the seed of doubt against Cui has been firmly planted.
An Alliance of Necessity
Xie Nianci successfully contacts Liang Shuo using a pre-arranged signal—a flowerpot on a windowsill—to inform him of Wang Qiaosu's desperate situation. This forces Liang Shuo to seek out Jiang Feiman. Together, they devise a crucial strategy: to sow discord among the Japanese and discredit any intelligence they might get from Wang, buying time for a rescue.
During their clandestine meeting, Liang Shuo reveals his core motivation. He is not driven by an allegiance to his cover identity but by his duty to the "Maple Leaf" mission. He also confesses a strange sense of familiarity with Jiang Feiman, hinting at a shared past. As they strategize, the clock is ticking—Wang Qiaosu has been captured by the Japanese Army and is being brutally tortured for information.
Episode Highlights
- Checkmate: Liang Shuo brilliantly turns Chen Gengsheng's attempt to spy on him into a public spectacle, leading to Chen's arrest and investigation by No. 76.
- Mission Failure: The Military-Statistics Bureau's critical explosives transport plan is blown when their operative, Wang Qiaosu, is hunted by the Japanese, severing the supply chain.
- Liang Shuo's Gambit: He masterfully navigates a web of deceit spun by his own Director and Director Cui, turning their tests of loyalty into an opportunity to challenge Cui's authority and angle for more power.
- Unlikely Allies: With Wang Qiaosu captured, Liang Shuo is forced to collaborate with Communist agent Jiang Feiman, formulating a plan to discredit the Japanese from within.
- A Deeper Purpose: Liang Shuo confides in Jiang Feiman that his actions are for the "Maple Leaf" mission, revealing a commitment that transcends his current identity and hinting at a personal connection between them.
Lingering Questions
- Will Liang Shuo and Jiang Feiman's plan to sow discord among the Japanese succeed in saving Wang Qiaosu?
- Under torture, what will Wang Qiaosu reveal, and could it expose Liang Shuo?
- Will the cornered Chen Gengsheng retaliate by implicating Liang Shuo in other schemes?
- How will the Director's growing suspicion of Director Cui reshape the power dynamics within No. 76?
