Episode Summary
In this episode, alliances are shattered as Bai Tao Hua and San Ma Hu betray Qi Lianshan, leading to Qi Lianshan's arrest and Lang Bu's death. San Ma Hu brutally seizes control of Qi Lianshan's former territory. To secure his own power, Han Weidong is blackmailed by San Ma Hu into ordering the murder of the Old Chinese Doctor, a key witness, an act that is secretly recorded by Bai Tao Hua.
Spoiler Alert
Double Track Puzzle: Alliances Crumble and Bodies Drop
You know, just when you think you have a handle on who's playing who, this show throws a grenade into the middle of everything. This episode was all about power plays. Some were smart. Some were just brutal.
The Escape and a Fiery End
So, the episode kicks off with a major double-cross. Bai Tao Hua makes it look like she's rejoining Qi Lianshan. But it's a fake-out. She gives a look to San Ma Hu, and they immediately team up, fighting their way out of Qi Lianshan's trap. San Ma Hu's guys show up just in time, and they get away clean. The cops arrive, but Qi Lianshan and Lang Bu are already gone.
Later, Lang Bu finally confronts Qi Lianshan. He asks him how his family really died twenty years ago. Qi Lianshan puts on a show of regret, talking about how complicated the underworld is. Lang Bu takes this as a confession. He pulls out a tracker, ready to go down with the man who he thinks killed his family. They start brawling inside the car.
The police, following the tracker, find the vehicle. The door opens and Lang Bu's body just falls out onto the road. The cops arrest Qi Lianshan right there. It was a messy, bitter end for that partnership.
A New King "Outside the Pass"
With Qi Lianshan off the board, San Ma Hu makes his move. He reports the arrest to the mysterious Mr. Jiang and volunteers to take over Qi Lianshan's territory, an area they call "outside the pass." Mr. Jiang is fine with this. He also updates "Grandma Guan" on the situation, who seems to have a lot of faith in Mr. Jiang's ability to control the market. We also learn Mr. Jiang is the Tan family's son-in-law, which feels like an important detail.
San Ma Hu doesn't waste any time. He goes to the new territory and hosts a dinner for Qi Lianshan's main guys. He's not asking to take over; he's telling them. One guy, Xiao Fei, isn't having it. He insults San Ma Hu and tries to fight him. Big mistake. One of Xiao Fei's own men, who was already bought by San Ma Hu, kills him on the spot. To make the point crystal clear, Bai Tao Hua murders Xiao Fei's entire family. Faced with that level of ruthlessness, the rest of the crew falls in line. San Ma Hu is the new boss.
The Doctor's Last Stand
Back in Xiatong, other pieces are moving. Hua Long, grieving his murdered godmother, decides to get revenge on Sun Ge by spilling everything he knows to the police. Han Weidong finds out Hua Long is still alive and tells Sun Ge to lay low "outside the pass" and try to take over that market for him. He puts a guy named Xiao Sheng in charge of his local business.
San Ma Hu returns to Xiatong for a very important meeting. He goes to see the Old Chinese Doctor, even bringing him roast chicken. But the doctor is no fool. He knows this is the end. He uses San Ma Hu's phone to call his apprentice, telling him to study his medical books and take care of the clinic. Tu Hongjiang happens to overhear this call and immediately knows the doctor is in mortal danger.
Then, Han Weidong shows up. San Ma Hu lays out his offer. He'll give Han Weidong the market "outside the pass" if Han Weidong agrees to be equal partners in Xiatong. As leverage, he hands over the Old Chinese Doctor. San Ma Hu tells him the police will be there in thirty minutes. With the doctor as a witness, Han Weidong's empire is finished.
Han Weidong is trapped. He knows the doctor, and he knows how important the man is to Tu Hongjiang. But his business is on the line. He orders his guy, Xiao Sheng, to do the job. Xiao Sheng has never killed anyone and freezes. But under pressure from Han Weidong, he eventually walks over and kills the Old Chinese Doctor.
And in the shadows, Bai Tao Hua records the entire murder on her phone.
