Episode Summary
Frustrated by the stalled investigation into Qiao Zhenxing's death, Hong Liang rescinds his resignation and vows to solve the case in seven days. He heads to Dongping to follow new leads, including a delivery driver named Gong Xiaozhi. Meanwhile, the new Chief Prosecutor, Li Renjun, grows suspicious of his colleagues, particularly Xie Hongfei, after noticing inconsistencies in the Wanhai case. His visit to Wanhai in prison confirms his fears when Wanhai reveals that Qiao Zhenxing was helping him before being replaced by Xie Hongfei, who then coerced a guilty plea. Both men now pursue separate paths toward uncovering a deep-rooted conspiracy within the Dongping legal system.
Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Justice ep 19: A Vow for Truth
The episode kicks off with Hong Liang on the verge of quitting, his resignation letter signed by Zhang Fang. However, his final debrief turns into a fiery outburst of frustration. He confronts his superiors, Zhang Fang and Sun Xiangqun, over the stalled investigation into Qiao Zhenxing's death. Key evidence, including a water sample from the Jinhai Karaoke Bar, has yielded no results, and a crucial witness, the cremator Lei Guangfa, has vanished. Hong Liang is particularly incensed by the lack of answers for Qiao's devastated wife and daughter, Zhou Mei and Qiao Yiran.
Zhang Fang attempts to placate him, revealing that the investigation is more complex than it appears, hinting at a deep-seated conspiracy within the Dongping justice system that prevents the Provincial Procuratorate from directly intervening. This revelation, instead of discouraging Hong Liang, fuels his resolve. In a dramatic turn, he retracts his resignation for seven days, demanding all of Qiao Zhenxing's financial and phone records. He makes a solemn promise: he will uncover the truth behind Qiao's death before he leaves, demonstrating the true power of his unit, the 11th Division.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Chief Prosecutor, Li Renjun, is plagued by doubts. Wanhai's conviction, which secured his promotion, feels hollow and wrong. He begins to suspect a cover-up, especially concerning the close relationship between prosecutors Xie Hongfei and Sun Fei. Li Renjun's suspicions grow when he uncovers conflicting stories from Xie Hongfei and Cheng Zijian about a phone call, leading him to believe they are lying to hide Xie's involvement in leaking information. This prompts him to arrange an urgent meeting with the now-imprisoned Wanhai.
In prison, Wanhai provides Li Renjun with a bombshell revelation. He insists that Qiao Zhenxing was not corrupt but was, in fact, helping him fight his case. Qiao was abruptly replaced by Xie Hongfei, who then coerced Wanhai into pleading guilty.
Hong Liang's independent investigation takes him to Dongping. He learns that Qiao Zhenxing had been in contact with a delivery driver, Gong Xiaozhi. After a difficult chase, Hong Liang corners Gong, who directs him to a woman named Wang Li at a nail salon, only for her to angrily throw him out. Undeterred, Hong Liang continues his search for clues, at one point visiting the Yongqing River to collect water samples, where he is so consumed by the case that he momentarily hallucinates seeing Qiao Zhenxing alive. The episode ends with both Hong Liang and Li Renjun closing in on a conspiracy that runs deeper than either of them imagined.
