Episode Summary

In "In the Name of Justice" Episode 8, prosecutor Hong Liang discovers a crucial clue in Qiao Zhenxing's final video—a wisp of smoke—proving he was murdered and his suicide was staged. An informant provides Hong with a USB drive from the deceased, which contains evidence that the Wanhai company was framed by a businessman named Wang Yu. Analyzing this new information, Hong Liang and his colleague Zheng Yaping deduce that a high-level official, whom they suspect is Li Renjun, acted as a "protective umbrella" to orchestrate the conspiracy for political gain. The episode ends with Hong Liang directly confronting Li Renjun with his suspicions.

Spoiler Alert

In the Name of Justice, Episode 8 Recap: A Whiff of Smoke and a Hidden Conspiracy

The investigation into the apparent suicide of official Qiao Zhenxing takes a dramatic turn, as a tiny, overlooked clue in his final video message unravels the official story. Prosecutor Hong Liang, refusing to accept the simple narrative, uncovers evidence of a sophisticated frame-up, pointing not to a straightforward crime, but to a conspiracy reaching into the highest levels of power.

The episode opens on the raw grief of the Qiao family. Qiao Feng finds his sister, Qiao Yiran, bruised and upset. He learns she got into a fight at school after classmates, seeing the news online, called their late father a villain. Qiao Yiran passionately defends her father's integrity, a conviction her brother shares completely. They both refuse to believe the steadfastly righteous Qiao Zhenxing could have been corrupt.

Meanwhile, Qiao Zhenxing's widow, Zhou Mei, faces immense pressure from official Li Renjun to sign the case closure report and claim her husband's body. Initially, she refuses, demanding a proper memorial service to clear his name. However, after another official, Jiang Hongjun, explains that the authorities will dispose of the body if she doesn't comply, a cornered Zhou Mei reluctantly signs the papers. Li Renjun then calls Hong Liang, inviting him to the funeral, and Hong Liang agrees to attend.

Elsewhere, Qiao Zhenxing's former colleague, Xie Hongfei, engages in a performative act of self-criticism before Li Renjun. He laments not seeing the "fall" of his longtime associate. Li Renjun casually asks if Xie himself is clean, a question that visibly startles Xie, who quickly proclaims his own innocence.

On his way out of Dongping, Hong Liang is haunted by Qiao Zhenxing’s final words in the video: "Live on well." A gut feeling tells him something is wrong. He orders his driver, Zhang Huaien, to turn the car around. Back at the office, he meticulously re-examines the footage, zooming in until he finds it: a faint wisp of smoke curling into the frame. Knowing Qiao Zhenxing was a non-smoker, Hong Liang makes a stunning deduction: someone else was in the room, forcing Qiao to record the message before murdering him and staging it as a suicide. His colleagues, Zheng Yaping and Bai Ziyan, agree the logic is sound. Just as this new theory takes shape, Hong Liang receives a text from an informant, asking to meet under the Daying Bridge.

The next morning, Hong Liang meets the informant, a fisherman who introduces himself as Ma Chongyang, the warden of Dongping's Second Prison. Ma, a close friend of Qiao Zhenxing, reveals that Qiao had entrusted him with a USB drive just before his death. The drive contains Qiao's complete analysis of the controversial Wanhai case. His instructions were clear: if anything happened to him, Ma was to give the drive to the authorities.

The contents of the USB drive are explosive. Qiao Zhenxing’s investigation concluded that the Wanhai company was framed. A businessman named Wang Yu, deep in gambling debt, sold his distribution center to Wanhai. When Wanhai turned it into a success, Wang Yu accused them of being a criminal enterprise to reclaim the valuable asset. The evidence against Wanhai was flimsy, relying on questionable witness testimony. Because of this, Qiao Zhenxing had vehemently opposed prosecuting them. His report reveals he had a major argument with Li Renjun, and that he suspected Li, Xie Hongfei, and another official, Cheng Zijian, were the ones pushing the case forward for their own reasons.

Working late into the night, Hong Liang and Zheng Yaping piece together the puzzle. Zheng Yaping initially theorizes that Wanhai might have killed Qiao for taking a bribe but failing to deliver, but Hong Liang dismisses this—it would be simpler for them to just ask for their money back. Zheng Yaping then lays out a more chilling hypothesis: the entire Wanhai case was a setup orchestrated by Wang Yu and a high-level protector, a "protective umbrella." By framing Wanhai, Wang Yu gets his business back, and the powerful official gets a major political victory for taking down a supposed crime syndicate. As the logic clicks into place, Hong Liang makes a bold leap, naming the person he believes is the "protective umbrella": Li Renjun.

The episode culminates in a tense confrontation. Hong Liang waits for Li Renjun in his office. Li cheerfully reminds him about Qiao's funeral. But Hong Liang cuts to the chase, questioning the very foundation of the Wanhai case. If Wanhai truly stole the distribution center, why did Wang Yu wait so long to report it? Why did he only accuse them of being a criminal organization after another major case had put the heat on organized crime? Hong Liang’s pointed questions hang in the air, a direct challenge to a man who is now his prime suspect.

Spoilers & Key Developments from Episode 8:

  • Murder, Not Suicide: Hong Liang discovers a wisp of smoke in Qiao Zhenxing's "suicide" video, deducing he was coerced and murdered by a smoker who was present in the room.
  • The Secret USB Drive: An informant and friend of Qiao's, Ma Chongyang, provides Hong Liang with a USB drive containing all of Qiao's research into the Wanhai case.
  • The Wanhai Conspiracy: The drive reveals Qiao Zhenxing's belief that the Wanhai company was framed by businessman Wang Yu, with flimsy evidence being pushed by higher-ups.
  • The "Protective Umbrella": Hong Liang and Zheng Yaping theorize that a powerful official orchestrated the frame-up for political gain.
  • Li Renjun is the Prime Suspect: Based on the evidence and Qiao's own suspicions, Hong Liang concludes that the high-level protector is likely Li Renjun, setting up a direct conflict.