Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Justice - Episode 24 Spoilers
Following the tragic Wanchuan mine collapse that resulted in two deaths and thirteen severe injuries, the Dongping police department holds a press conference. Sun Fei, a police official, quickly attributes the disaster to aging equipment and operational overload, placing all blame on Wan Chao, who is now a wanted fugitive.
The plot thickens as Chen Shenglong, the head of Tianlong Group, makes his move. He ambushes Wan Hong, brother of the imprisoned Wanhai, with a sinister proposal over hotpot. Chen offers to cover the hefty compensation for the victims' families and clear the mine's bank loans in exchange for full control of the Wanchuan mine. When Wan Hong refuses to betray his brother, he is brutally beaten. It's revealed that Chen's man, Xiong Lei, sabotaged the mine's elevator, intentionally causing the disaster. Chen further threatens the life of the fugitive Wan Chao to force the family's hand.
Meanwhile, a high-level emergency meeting is convened by Yan Licheng with the heads of public security, the procuratorate, and the courts. Citing a string of recent criminal cases in Dongping, he announces a new directive from the central government to crack down on organized crime and corruption. Zhang Fang suggests reopening the case of Wanhai, who was previously framed, and launching a full investigation into official misconduct. A new joint task force, designated "5.19," is immediately formed to tackle the deep-seated corruption in the city.
Unaware of these developments, Liu Yun is surprised but relieved when Chen Shenglong reaffirms his interest in acquiring the now-toxic asset, Wanchuan Mining. Seeing an opportunity, Chen's associate, Cheng Zijian, pitches a new energy project to build a battery factory on the Hongjia Village land, for which Liu Yun pledges her full support.
However, Li Renjun grows suspicious. After learning of Chen's acquisition, he has his director, Guan Wenbo, look into Tianlong Group's financials. Guan discovers that the late Qiao Zhenxing, whose death was suspicious, had also been investigating the group. He learns Chen Shenglong became wealthy overnight before venturing into real estate. Li Renjun connects the dots: Wanhai was mining copper and nickel, essential resources for the new energy vehicles Chen wants to build. He theorizes that Chen Shenglong framed Wanhai using the justice system to seize his valuable mining resources, and realizes with horror that he and Liu Yun have inadvertently become pawns in Chen's scheme.
In prison, Wan Hong tells his brother Wanhai about Chen's hostile takeover attempt. Wanhai has an epiphany, realizing the entire conspiracy was orchestrated by a man named Yu Tiancheng. He recalls how, three years prior, he had refused Yu Tiancheng's plea for leniency for a violent criminal, earning his lasting enmity. Faced with threats against his other brother, Wan Chao, a cornered Wan Hong urges Wanhai to give up the mine.
As the newly formed 5.19 Task Force, led by Sun Xiangqun and including Hong Liang as a deputy leader, prepares to descend on Dongping, the pieces are set for a major confrontation. While Wanhai contemplates filing a formal appeal from his prison cell, his fugitive brother Wan Chao is nearly recognized while buying food on the street, a stark reminder that the clock is ticking for everyone involved.
