Episode Summary
The episode reveals the truth behind the 13-year-old "1.31 Armed Robbery Case," exposing that the wrong man, Sun Yihu, was executed for a murder committed by Yang Dayou. As Hong Liang investigates the death of a former colleague, he uncovers that Yang Dayou faked his own death and is now living under the alias Xiong Lei, working for the powerful Yu Tiancheng. This discovery links the cold case to a present-day corporate battle over Wanchuan Mining, creating new alliances and explosive conflicts among the main characters.
Spoiler Alert
The Ghost of a Cold Case: A 13-Year-Old Lie Resurfaces
The past comes roaring back to life, centered on the "1.31 Armed Robbery Case" from thirteen years ago. In a flashback, we see the brutal robbery of the Wanchuan Mining payroll office. Yang Dayou and a terrified Sun Yihu are the masked gunmen. When Sun Yihu hesitates, Yang Dayou opens fire, killing two and mortally wounding Yang Zheng. With his dying breath, Yang Zheng tells officers Qin Feng and Ma Chongyang that the shooter was a "big guy."
Despite this, the investigation took a strange turn. Sun Yihu, a small man, confessed to the murders and was sentenced to death. Yang Dayou received a 17-year sentence but was reported to have died of liver cancer a year later while on medical parole. The lead investigator, Qiao Zhenxing, always suspected something was wrong and that Yang Dayou was the real killer. Burdened by guilt, he secretly sent money to Sun Yihu’s son, Gong Xiaozhi, for years.
In the present, Hong Liang, delaying his resignation to investigate Qiao Zhenxing's recent death, uncovers Qiao's persistent calls to Yang Zheng's daughter, Yang Jing. This leads him back to the old 1.31 case file. When he questions Qin Feng, who is now dating Yang Jing, the truth begins to crumble. Cornered by both Hong Liang and a newly arrived Ma Chongyang, Qin Feng finally confesses why he never signed the original investigation report: he was told at the hospital by Sun Fei and Jiang Hongjun that Yang Zheng had died before he could give a full statement, and he was quickly transferred to a rural post, effectively silencing him.
Meanwhile, the antagonists are feeling the heat. Prosecutor Li Renjun's decision to appeal the Wanhai case forces his colleague Xie Hongfei into a panic. Tasked with pulling phone records, Xie discovers frequent calls between Wang Yu and Cheng Zijian, a link that could expose his own corruption. He rushes to Cheng Zijian for help, only to find him casually eating hotpot with the powerful Chen Shenglong. When Xie threatens to expose them, Chen Shenglong calmly points to an office surveillance camera, blackmailing him back into silence.
The episode's biggest shock comes from Hong Liang's continued digging. He discovers that Yang Dayou never died of cancer. He is alive and well, living under the alias Xiong Lei and working as an associate of the formidable Yu Tiancheng.
This revelation connects the old crime to a new power struggle. Yu Tiancheng, Xiong Lei (Yang Dayou), and Cheng Zijian are seen meeting. Jiang Yuan, a returning businessman, arrives and announces his plan to use Wanchuan Mining for a new energy vehicle project. This infuriates Chen Shenglong, who has spent years plotting to ruin Wanhai and seize the mining company for himself. He refuses to let his prize fall into Jiang Yuan's hands, setting the stage for a new, explosive conflict.
