Episode Summary

In "In the Name of Justice" Episode 12, the investigation into Qiao Zhenxing's death intensifies. The task force links a crematorium worker, Lei Guangfa, to a payoff from the Tianlong Group, whose chairman, Chen Shenglong, is revealed as the mastermind behind a three-year-old conspiracy. As local officials led by Lan Jingming pressure the task force into accepting a cover-up, Wang Yu tortures Wan Chao to seize his family's business. Just as the team is forced to concede, a provincial investigator, Sun Xiangqun, arrives with crucial evidence of a forged signature, turning the tables by launching a formal investigation into the corrupt officials and reigniting the case with a key USB drive left by the victim.

Spoiler Alert

In the Name of Justice Episode 12 Recap: The Walls Close In

The web of corruption in Dongping tightens as the Provincial Task Force finds itself cornered, only for a dramatic intervention to blow the case wide open. This episode unmasks the true mastermind behind the city's darkness and sets the stage for a final, decisive confrontation.

The Mastermind and His Machinations

The episode confirms the identity of Dongping's ultimate villain: Chen Shenglong, the chairman of the powerful Tianlong Group. A flashback reveals his sins run deep. Three years prior, driven by greed for the Wan family's mining assets, Chen orchestrated the downfall of Wanhaiby having his subordinate, Wang Yu , frame him for organized crime. He didn't stop there, ordering the murder of Qiao Zhenxingto silence him.

In the present, Chen's paranoia is on full display. He had the task force's hotel bugged to monitor their every move. Upon learning from a leak that Hong Liangplanned a second autopsy on Qiao Zhenxing's body, Chen panicked and paid off a crematorium worker, Lei Guangfa , to incinerate the body prematurely, destroying crucial evidence. His fury is palpable when he later berates his underlings for the sloppy execution of his orders, a tirade that a terrified Wang Yu accidentally witnesses.

A Treacherous Dinner and a Forced Compromise

The pressure on the task force intensifies from all sides. At the crematorium, director Sun Feistonewalls Xu Yanwu , insisting the early cremation was a simple "work error" by Lei Guangfa and another employee, Zhang Shuang . Meanwhile, local officials Li Renjunand Xie Hongfeiattempt to corral the team, but are rebuffed by a defiant Zheng Yaping .

The situation escalates when Wang Yu tortures Wan Chao , the brother of the imprisoned Wanhai, brutally beating him and sending a video to his family to force the sale of their lucrative freight station. This act of terror pushes Wan Hongto seek help from Cheng Zijian , offering incriminating evidence in exchange for protection.

Sensing he's losing control, Li Renjun appeals to his superior, Lan Jingming , who arranges a dinner for the task force under the pretense of cooperation. The banquet is a trap. Lan, flanked by Li and Xie, pressures Xu Yanwu to accept the official explanation for the cremation. Faced with overwhelming political force, Zheng Yaping makes a strategic retreat, reluctantly agreeing to classify the incident as a "work error" for the time being.

A New Dawn for the Investigation

Just as defeat seems imminent, hope arrives. On their way back from the dinner, Zheng Yaping receives a call: Sun Xiangqun , a special commissioner from the Provincial Procuratorate, has arrived at their hotel. The team's morale is instantly restored.

Sun Xiangqun wastes no time. After reviewing the evidence, he delivers a bombshell: a forensic analysis has confirmed that the signature on Zhang Wenjing'sconfession was forged. With this, he officially announces a provincial-level investigation into Li Renjun and Xie Hongfei for obstruction of justice. The investigation quickly bears fruit, proving that Xie Hongfei was the one who leaked the autopsy plans to Cheng Zijian. Li Renjun is temporarily in the clear, as he had only informed his subordinate, Xie.

The episode concludes with a surge of momentum as Hong Liang presents the ultimate piece of evidence left behind by the murdered Qiao Zhenxing: a USB drive. The game has changed, and a new, more aggressive phase of the anti-corruption campaign is officially underway.

Spoilers & Key Developments

  • The Big Bad Revealed: Chen Shenglong of the Tianlong Group is confirmed as the mastermind who framed Wanhai, murdered Qiao Zhenxing, and ordered the destruction of his body.
  • The Casino Connection: Qiao Fengand Yang Jinggo undercover and discover that crematorium worker Lei Guangfa was paid 20,000 RMB to destroy evidence.
  • A Family in Crisis: Wang Yu tortures Wan Chao, putting immense pressure on the Wan family to surrender their assets.
  • A Forced Concession: At a tense dinner, Lan Jingming pressures the task force into accepting the "work error" narrative for the illegal cremation, forcing Zheng Yaping to back down temporarily.
  • The Cavalry Arrives: Provincial Special Commissioner Sun Xiangqun arrives with critical evidence—a forged signature on a confession—and launches a formal investigation into local officials Li Renjun and Xie Hongfei.
  • The Final Clue: The investigation is reignited with a USB drive that Qiao Zhenxing left behind before his death, promising to unlock the case's deepest secrets.