Episode Summary
A flashback reveals Zhou Shaoxiong murdered Yun Anna and framed Yang Libing to take over his drug empire. In the present, Lin Qiangfeng learns from Mo Kang's daughter that the assassin, Miao Lun, is still alive. Lin's team locates Miao Lun and arranges for her to testify against Zhou Shaoxiong in front of Yun Ding'en, who, enraged by the betrayal, agrees to cooperate with the police. Meanwhile, Lu Shaohua plans an escape with the help of another cartel but buys time by announcing his fake marriage to Ma Yingzi. With all the pieces in place, Lin Qiangfeng prepares for a final, decisive operation to capture both Lu Shaohua and Zhou Shaoxiong.
Spoiler Alert
The Narcotic Operation: Episode 26 Spoilers
The episode opens with a shocking flashback to one year ago, revealing the true mastermind behind Yun Anna's murder. Zhou Shaoxiong ordered Mo Kang to arrange the street assassination, then cleverly framed drug lord Yang Libing for the crime. Manipulated by this lie, a grieving Yun Ding'en commanded Zhou Shaoxiong to wipe out Yang Libing's entire family. Zhou Shaoxiong led the brutal assault himself, gunning down everyone in Yang's home. He found Yang Libing still breathing and, in a chilling confession, admitted to killing Yun Anna and framing him, all to seize his drug production base and plantation. After revealing he also murdered Yang's son, Zhou Shaoxiong finished him with a spear. He proceeded to execute three of Yang's four wives, but his gun ran out of bullets as he aimed at the last one, Ma Yingzi. Clutching her son, she pleaded for their lives, and Zhou Shaoxiong unexpectedly spared them.
In the present, Lin Qiangfeng learns of Mo Kang's apparent suicide but finds it suspicious, believing Zhou Shaoxiong is pulling the strings. His investigation gets a major lead when Wang Juhua, Mo Kang's estranged daughter, seeks his help. She explains that she cut ties with her father after discovering he was an enforcer for Yun Ding'en's cartel. She reveals a critical secret: Zhou Shaoxiong had ordered her father to use an assassin named Miao Lun to kill Yun Anna and then to eliminate the assassins. However, Mo Kang secretly let Miao Lun escape. Lin Qiangfeng realizes that finding Miao Lun is the key to exposing Zhou Shaoxiong to Yun Ding'en.
Meanwhile, Lu Shaohua's group is planning their own escape. After Ma Yingzi tells him of her tragic past, Lu Shaohua proposes marriage and gives her a phone number for Brother K, a cartel leader in Fen'ang Country, instructing her to call for rescue. She successfully makes the call while pretending to buy groceries. However, Brother K proves to be a ruthless and cautious leader, hesitant to risk a rescue, even after his subordinate Luo Bingzhang praises Lu Shaohua as a "drug-making genius." To buy more time and lower Zhou Shaoxiong's guard, Lu Shaohua announces his intention to marry Ma Yingzi, falsely claiming she is pregnant with his child. A delighted Zhou Shaoxiong agrees to host a grand wedding for them.
The separate plotlines begin to merge as Lin Qiangfeng and Li An persuade a reluctant Gu Feng to help locate Miao Lun. They argue that her testimony will cause Yun Ding'en to destroy Zhou Shaoxiong, leading to the collapse of the entire Wanbei armed drug operation. Their plan is bolstered by support from the Wanbei Ministry of Internal Affairs. Gu Feng's men successfully find Miao Lun, who has been living in disguise as a man and surviving as an underground fighter, and save her from an assassination attempt sent by Zhou Shaoxiong.
The climax is set in motion when Gu Feng boldly meets with Yun Ding'en alone, presenting him with Yun Anna's necklace—which Miao Lun had taken—as proof. He reveals Zhou Shaoxiong's treachery, enraging Yun Ding'en. At the police station, with officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs present, Miao Lun gives her full testimony, confirming everything. Although Yun Ding'en wants personal revenge, he is convinced to cooperate with the authorities to ensure Zhou Shaoxiong and Lu Shaohua are both brought to justice.
As the operation prepares to launch, Lin Qiangfeng receives an emotional call informing him that his colleague, Wang Hui, has awakened from a coma. Overjoyed, Lin Qiangfeng promises to capture Lu Shaohua as a gift for his friend. After two previous failed attempts, he and Li An are now filled with confidence that this time, they will not fail.
