Episode Summary
In "Abyss Dweller" Episode 23, a banquet turns into a deadly trap set by the Japanese, resulting in the deaths of agents Zhao Di and Gu Chengchun. The chaos reveals a devastating betrayal by Station Chief Wang of the Military-Statistics Bureau, leading to the complete destruction of the Shanghai station. While agent Xie Jun'an escapes with help and learns the horrifying truth, Liang Shuo becomes the primary suspect in an intense interrogation by the cunning Mizuho Genxin. The episode ends with the revelation of a secret list, creating new dangers for all involved.
Spoiler Alert
Abyss Dweller Episode 23: Recap & Spoilers
A celebratory banquet turns into a slaughterhouse, alliances are shattered by a devastating betrayal, and the entire Shanghai spy network is thrown into a vortex of suspicion and death. This episode of Abyss Dweller pulls no punches, delivering a cascade of shocking twists that will change the game for every character.
This Episode's Highlights
- A Banquet of Blood: A sudden blackout at a Japanese military banquet triggers a deadly shootout, claiming a key character's life in a heroic, desperate act.
- A Hero's Last Stand: Another agent makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure a comrade's escape from a deadly ambush, leaving others to grapple with the immense loss.
- The Traitor Unmasked: The head of the Military-Statistics Bureau's Shanghai station is revealed to be in league with the Japanese, leading to the station's complete annihilation.
- A Desperate Flight: On the run and out of options, an agent is rescued by unexpected allies and learns the horrifying truth behind a seemingly innocent fireworks display.
- The Interrogation: In the aftermath, the Secret Service Headquarters is locked down, and Liang Shuo finds himself the primary suspect in a tense showdown with the cunning Mizuho Genxin.
Full Recap (Spoilers Ahead!)
A Deadly Celebration
The episode opens at a Japanese Army banquet, a trap meticulously set by Mizuho Genxin. Just as the festivities are underway, the lights flicker and die—an electrical short that plunges the hall into chaos. In the confusion, Zhao Di makes a desperate move, rushing towards Liang Shuo and firing his gun into the air as a warning. His bravery is cut short as Japanese soldiers riddle him with bullets, sending him tumbling from a second-story staircase. By the time Liang Shuo reaches him, Zhao Di is already dead in a pool of his own blood.
Simultaneously, Xie Jun'an, codenamed "Scorpio," is on his way to a church when he's ambushed by Takagi Yugi's forces. His protector, Gu Chengchun, fights valiantly to cover his retreat, engaging the Japanese soldiers in a brutal, fatal struggle. Gu Chengchun falls, sacrificing himself so that Xie Jun'an might live.
The Traitor's Endgame
Back at the scene, Liang Shuo and Lu Xijian quickly piece together the grim reality: the banquet was a sophisticated ruse to corner and eliminate the Military-Statistics Bureau. The architect of this disaster is none other than their own Station Chief Wang, who has betrayed his country and sided with Takagi to systematically destroy the Shanghai station. Takagi, arrogant in his victory, mocks the crippled bureau, dismissing the escaped Xie Jun'an and calling the traitorous Wang a useless pawn.
Meanwhile, a frantic Xie Jun'an crashes his car during his escape but is miraculously found and rescued by Xie Nianci and Jiang Feiman. When he learns of Gu Chengchun's death, his grief turns to pure rage. He now understands the full scope of the betrayal: Station Chief Wang didn't just leak their plans; the celebratory fireworks at the banquet were the signal for the Japanese to begin their attack.
The Blame Game
With the operation a bloody success for the Japanese, Mizuho Genxin locks down the Secret Service Headquarters and begins his interrogation, starting with Liang Shuo. Mizuho accuses him of being Zhao Di's accomplice. Liang Shuo coolly refutes the charge, arguing, "If I were his inside man, I would have acted with him." But Mizuho has a damning piece of evidence: the power was cut at the precise moment Liang Shuo proposed a toast, a coincidence he finds impossible to believe.
Elsewhere, a vengeful Xie Jun'an tracks down the traitor. From a hidden position, he takes aim and fires a single shot, hitting Station Chief Wang in the thigh. Though Takagi may boast of his successful operation, his key asset, Wang, is now a crippled liability.
The Aftermath
After a grueling all-night investigation, Mizuho releases the detained agents. A worried Liang Shuo immediately tries to borrow a car from Director Cui to check on Xie Nianci, but Cui, ever watchful, insists on accompanying him. As news of the Military-Statistics Bureau's collapse spreads, Director Li attempts to probe Mizuho about his intelligence tactics, but Mizuho remains enigmatic.
Xie Nianci, meanwhile, is troubled by the timing of Station Chief Wang's betrayal, sensing a deeper conspiracy. Against Xie Jun'an's stern warnings, an agent named Lao Wu reveals the existence of a highly classified list to both Xie Nianci and Jiang Feiman. Xie Jun'an is furious, cautioning that Jiang Feiman's knowledge of this list will undoubtedly bring disaster upon her.
The episode closes on two pivotal, somber notes. Xie Nianci formally invites a grieving Jiang Feiman to join the Communist Party, but Jiang Feiman is too consumed by sorrow over Gu Chengchun's death to respond. And when pressed by Director Li about his methods, Mizuho Genxin delivers a chilling final line: "Turning an enemy is never accomplished with guns and cannons."
