Episode Summary
In this episode, Shen Wanqing sacrifices himself to allow Li Huan to escape with a message. His death, along with Liang Jingyuan's accidental killing, throws everything into chaos. In the end, Ding Yi retrieves intelligence hidden by Shen Wanqing and volunteers to take his place in the mission.
Spoiler Alert
The Interrogation Room
A Desperate Blame Game
The episode kicks off with Shen Wanqing in the hot seat. Liang Jingyuan is grilling him. Shen Wanqing puts on a whole show. He acts terrified. He says he's just a coward who likes a smoke now and then. Liang Jingyuan isn't buying a word of it.
So, Shen Wanqing tries a new tactic. He decides to rat someone out. He starts to blame Joseph Needham for sending a telegram. Then he stops mid-sentence. He must have realized that was a bad idea. He quickly pivots and points the finger at Charlie instead. He claims Charlie is the communist.
A Surprise Accusation
Just then, Li Huan storms into the room. She looks furious. She accuses her own teacher, Shen Wanqing, of being the communist. She says her brother found blood in Shen Wanqing's car. She also found a magazine in his possession. The magazine had information related to the Cygnus code.
Shen Wanqing immediately tries to discredit her. He claims she's just distraught over her brother's death. He says she isn't thinking straight. As for the magazine, he says he was just being greedy. He planned to sell it on the black market for some extra cash.
The Escape Plan
A Secret Message
Li Huan looks completely convinced. She agrees to lead Liang Jingyuan's men to a bank. She says that's where the magazine is hidden. But the moment she gets into the car, her whole demeanor changes. Her face becomes calm.
We learn this was all a setup. Before the interrogation, she and Shen Wanqing secretly communicated. They used Morse code. He told her to accuse him publicly. This would give her a reason to leave Sanyangli. It was her only chance to get an important message out.
A Clever Distraction
Ding Yi is sharper than he looks. He noticed the Morse code exchange. He doesn't say anything out loud. But he quietly gives Li Huan some advice. He tells her to find a man named Old Wu from the theater troupe.
Li Huan waits for the right moment in the car. She sees her chance. She intentionally causes an accident. The car veers off the road and plunges straight into a river. She's a good swimmer. She easily escapes in the chaos.
Chaos in Sanyangli
A Sacrifice Play
The news of Li Huan's escape gets back to Sanyangli fast. Joseph Needham tries to use it as proof. He says she must be the communist agent. But Liang Jingyuan is not convinced. He believes the real agent is still among them.
Suddenly, Shen Wanqing makes a move. He runs out and viciously accuses Joseph Needham of being the communist. He grabs Needham by the collar. As they struggle, he's secretly tapping out another Morse code message. He's telling Needham to accuse him right back. Shen Wanqing is preparing to sacrifice himself. While pretending to choke Needham, he passes on his final instructions.
A Deadly End
Ding Yi sees what's happening. He pulls a dagger hidden inside his cane. He lunges at Shen Wanqing. But Shen Wanqing is quick. He disarms Ding Yi and grabs the dagger himself. He turns the blade toward Joseph Needham. Before he can strike, one of Liang Jingyuan's men opens fire. Shen Wanqing is shot and killed.
The situation completely falls apart. In the confusion, Liang Jingyuan is accidentally shot by one of his own men. He dies on the spot. The main lead on the mysterious "White Night" is now gone. Sasaki arrives to find a total disaster. He sees Shen Wanqing's body and is enraged. He screams at Liang Jingyuan's men for their incompetence. Joseph Needham is overcome with grief for his fallen comrade. He grabs a gun and shoots the dead Liang Jingyuan's leg out of pure rage.
The Aftermath
A Hidden Intelligence
Xian Biyun eventually recovers from her injuries. She sees the look on Needham's face. She knows immediately that Shen Wanqing is dead.
We learn about Shen Wanqing's final message to Ding Yi. It was a phrase about sacrifice. But this was just a clue. The real intelligence wasn't written down. Shen Wanqing had swallowed it before his capture. Later, Ding Yi carefully retrieves the intel from Shen Wanqing's body. He delivers it to Old Wu.
A New Beginning
This whole ordeal changes Ding Yi. He goes to Xian Biyun. He requests to take Shen Wanqing's place. He wants to complete the mission as the new "White Night." With Old Wu and Xian Biyun as witnesses, Ding Yi is formally sworn into the Communist Party.
Gu Yangshan sits alone. He looks at a pen he once gave his teacher. He thinks about how Shen Wanqing and his teacher fought together. Now both of them have died for their country. This only hardens his own anti-Japanese resolve. Because the Cygnus code was compromised, the organization has to create a new one. Gu Yangshan gets official credit for his work. This improves his father's standing in Chongqing. He is still unhappy with his own party's methods. But he stays, knowing he has a family to protect.
