Episode Summary
Under intense surveillance, Liang Shuo advances a plan to uncover a list of spies while being drawn into a trap set by a Japanese VIP, Nakayama Kazuo. Meanwhile, Xie Nianci is coerced by her estranged father, Xie Jun'an, into spying on Liang Shuo. As agent Jiang Feiman's cover is blown, she defies orders to retreat. The episode culminates with Liang Shuo and Jiang Feiman discovering that the confidential documents they sought were a decoy, realizing they have been ensnared in an elaborate scheme.
Spoiler Alert
"Abyss Dweller" Episode 25 Recap & Spoilers: The Empty Safe
Key Moments
- Cat and Mouse: Lu Xijian’s surveillance on Liang Shuo intensifies, but Liang masterfully deflects suspicion with a clever cover story about seeking a fertility cure for Director Cui.
- An Unexpected Gift: After years of trying to conceive, Mrs. Cui is diagnosed with a surprise pregnancy. A grateful Mrs. Cui gifts Xie Nianci a jade pendant, a key piece that foreshadows future revelations.
- A Father's Gambit: Xie Jun'an, disguised as a jeweler named "Mr. Li," corners his daughter, Xie Nianci. He reveals his plot to take down Director Cui and coerces her into spying on Liang Shuo in exchange for her freedom after the upcoming "Peace Conference."
- A Crisis of Faith: With her cover blown by Xie Jun'an, fellow agent Jiang Feiman refuses the order to evacuate Shanghai. She opens up to Liang Shuo, revealing the revolutionary conviction that drives her and a past event that ties her fate to his.
- The Deadly Trap: Liang Shuo and Jiang Feiman team up to raid a safe belonging to the Japanese VIP, Nakayama Kazuo. But when they open it, they find only blank documents and realize they've walked straight into an elaborate setup.
Full Recap
Liang Shuo Walks a Tightrope
The episode opens with Lu Xijian tailing Liang Shuo to a doctor's office but finding nothing out of the ordinary. Inside, Liang Shuo meets with his handler, Lao Tan, confirming that Lu Xijian's surveillance has become a constant threat. He proposes a risky move: making Xie Nianci his emergency contact. While the Organization still needs to vet her, Liang Shuo insists she is the only person he can trust.
Their focus shifts to the list of Japanese spies. Liang Shuo suggests they leverage forces from Nanjing to accelerate the investigation, with a man named Asai Hisashi as their primary person of interest. Meanwhile, Lao Tan deciphers intel from a photo provided by Liang Shuo, revealing that a high-ranking Japanese official, Nakayama Kazuo, is en route to Shanghai. Before parting, Liang Shuo makes a personal request: to have a monument erected in Yan'an for their fallen comrade, Zhao Di, finally finding a measure of peace.
A Surprising Turn for the Cuis
Director Cui's wife pays a visit to Liang Shuo's home, appearing unwell. Xie Nianci accompanies her to the doctor, where they receive shocking news: Mrs. Cui is pregnant. Overjoyed, Mrs. Cui takes Xie Nianci to inspect a jewelry shop she is preparing to open. There, a jade pendant catches Xie Nianci's eye, as it bears a striking resemblance to one owned by her late mother. Mrs. Cui immediately gifts it to her.
The moment is interrupted by the arrival of the shop's partner, "Mr. Li," who is none other than Xie Nianci's father, Xie Jun'an, in disguise. In a private, tense conversation, he lays his cards on the table. The jewelry shop is a front to ruin Director Cui, though he promises Mrs. Cui will not be harmed. His price for this mercy is that Xie Nianci must monitor Liang Shuo's every move, repeating his vow to release her after the "Peace Conference."
A Collision of Trust and Conviction
Playing his own game, Liang Shuo passes the intelligence about Nakayama's arrival to Lu Xijian, knowing it will get back to Xie Jun'an. Lu Xijian uses the opportunity to make his ambitions clear: if Liang Shuo falters, he will be the one to take his place.
Meanwhile, Jiang Feiman confesses to Liang Shuo that her identity has been compromised and that the Organization has ordered her to evacuate Shanghai—an order she intends to defy. For the first time, Liang Shuo asks why she joined the Communist Party. Jiang Feiman recounts a story from her past: while searching for him, she ran into danger and was saved by Lao Tan. This experience solidified her belief in their cause and in him. She tells him with unwavering faith, "Even if you lost your memory a thousand times, you would always find your way back to the right path." During their conversation, Jiang Feiman intercepts a critical piece of intelligence: Nakayama Kazuo is an alias for their target, Asai Hisashi.
The Empty Safe Ploy
On the day of Nakayama's arrival, Liang Shuo and Director Cui are assigned to his security detail. Liang Shuo watches as Nakayama locks his briefcase in a second-floor safe, noting the man's unusual behavior. As he moves to investigate, Jiang Feiman appears, having defied orders to provide backup.
She creates a diversion, drawing away the military police guarding the area. Liang Shuo seizes the moment, cracks the safe, and pulls out the contents. Inside, he finds nothing but blank sheets of paper. In that instant, they both understand the horrifying truth: this was never a heist; it was a meticulously designed trap.
Lingering Questions
- The connection between the jade pendant Xie Nianci received and her late mother's heirloom remains a mystery.
- The true motive behind Asai Hisashi's elaborate scheme involving a fake document is still unknown.
- Lu Xijian's ambition to "replace Liang Shuo" is now moving from a threat to a tangible plan of action.
