Episode Summary
The investigation tightens its grip, leading to the arrest of Cheng Zijian and his accomplices after Zhang Wenjing provides crucial evidence. Wang Yu, feeling betrayed by Chen Shenglong, threatens to expose the conspiracy before making a narrow escape. Key secrets are revealed: Yu Tiancheng is the ultimate power behind Chen Shenglong, and their actions are tied to Jiang Xudong's son, Jiang Yuan. Chen captures Wan Chao and Wan Hong, but Wan Chao reveals he has evidence against them. In a final gambit, Chen reveals a dark secret from Wanhai's past involving Yu Tiancheng, while Wanhai, under surveillance in prison, refuses to appeal his case to protect his loved ones.
Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Justice: Episode 31 Spoilers
The walls are closing in on Chen Shenglong. The episode kicks off with a tense confrontation between him and Wang Yu. Three years ago, Chen had promised Wang Yu the distribution center in exchange for falsely accusing Wanhai of being a triad boss. Now, Wang Yu realizes he was just a pawn; Chen's true goal was Wanhai's mine, for which he even orchestrated a deadly mining accident. With the Special Investigation Team arresting key figures like Sun Fei and Jiang Hongjun, Wang Yu knows his time is up. He demands Chen Shenglong help him, but Chen merely tells him to lay low for a while. Unwilling to become a loose end that gets cut, Wang Yu threatens to expose everyone, including Chen Shenglong and Xiong Lei.
During a heated argument, Xiong Lei nearly attacks Wang Yu, but Cheng Zijian intervenes, trying to placate Wang Yu with empty promises of protection. As Cheng Zijian sees him off, he reveals a crucial piece of information: Chen Shenglong's powerful backer is Yu Tiancheng, and their actions are all for the benefit of Jiang Yuan, the son of the influential Jiang Xudong. Realizing he's in mortal danger, Wang Yu packs his bags to flee Dongping, but Chen's men are already waiting for him. He makes a daring escape by jumping from a window onto a passing truck, vanishing before his pursuers can catch up.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team continues its work. Hong Liang questions Xu Yanwu, who admits he tried to convince Sun Fei to turn himself in. Xu explains his difficult position: he is aware of the deep-rooted corruption within Dongping's justice system but is powerless to fight it alone, so he has been quietly doing what he can to aid the investigation. He also confesses his suspicions about the supposed suicide of Qiao Zhenxing.
The case breaks wide open when Zhang Wenjing approaches prosecutor Zheng Yaping. Having chosen to trust in justice, she hands over definitive evidence proving that Cheng Zijian, under Chen Shenglong's orders, orchestrated the entire plot to frame Wanhai, using Wang Yu, Qian Bo, Wu Xiaotian, and Chen Youcai. Zheng Yaping immediately orders the arrests of all involved.
With his cronies being rounded up, Chen Shenglong is advised by Yu Tiancheng to go into hiding. A bitter argument erupts between Chen and Jiang Yuan, revealing their history. Chen and Yu Tiancheng only befriended Jiang Yuan to exploit his connection to his powerful father, Jiang Xudong.
The focus then shifts to Wan Chao and Wan Hong. After the Wanchuan Mine disaster, Wan Hong hid his wanted brother, Wan Chao, in the sealed-off mine. However, Chen Shenglong's men tracked them down and are now holding them captive at a garbage disposal plant.
Zheng Yaping and Zhang Wenjing visit Wanhai in prison. Zhang offers to be his defense lawyer and urges him to appeal, but Wanhai adamantly refuses, seemingly trying to protect her. Zheng confronts him with the truth: Chen Shenglong is behind everything, his goal being to reclaim the mine. Wanhai's reaction, a glance at the surveillance camera, makes Zheng realize their conversation is being monitored.
Back at the garbage plant, Chen Shenglong confronts the captive brothers. Wan Chao reveals he has evidence of police faking the scene of the mine disaster. Chen then drops a bombshell from thirteen years ago: Yu Tiancheng was responsible for a violent robbery at Wanchuan Mine that left three dead. Shortly after, Yu Tiancheng gifted Dacheng Mining to Wanhai. Chen tries to use this to forge a new alliance with Wan Chao, but Wan Chao isn't buying it, convinced Chen is the one who framed his father.
