Episode Summary
Two separate plans to steal a new Japanese codebook collide. Xian Biyun and Old Wu launch a complex scheme to frame Qiaoben, the code's designer, for an assassination attempt. At the same time, Gu Yangshan sends Luo Han on a simpler ambush mission, which fails when Old Wu intervenes. The chaos results in Qiaoben's accidental death, which is later revealed to be a personal tragedy for Sasaki, as Qiaoben was his son. The Japanese launch a massive manhunt for Luo Han, who is quickly captured. His capture puts Gu Yangshan and his entire network, including Joseph Needham, in immediate danger.
Spoiler Alert
A Mess of Competing Plans
Gu Yangshan's Regret
Gu Yangshan gets home and finds something unexpected. Ding Yi left him a bowl of noodles. It’s a small gesture, but it says a lot. Ding Yi knows Gu went easy on him with that report he was supposed to file.
Gu finally opens up. He tells Ding Yi they were both played by Liang Jingyuan. He regrets everything. He wishes he had just left Shanghai when he had the chance. If he had, they wouldn't be in this mess. It’s a rare moment of honesty between them.
The next day, Gu goes to work like nothing happened. Joseph Needham tries to visit his wife, Xian Biyun, in the hospital. The guards stop him. So, he fakes a complete meltdown. It works. The Japanese soldiers finally take him to the hospital.
He gets a moment alone with Xian Biyun. He tells her he's under investigation. He also warns her that a man named Qiaoben is designing a new code system. With the "Qingxiang Plan" officially starting, getting that code is everything. Their only lead is to have Old Wu follow Qiaoben's driver.
Two Separate Plots to Steal the Code
Gu Yangshan has his own idea for getting the code. He tells Luo Han to set up an ambush. He wants Luo Han to intercept Qiaoben on his daily route and grab the codebook. It's a direct, brute-force approach.
At the same time, Old Wu and Old Owl are running their own game. They figure out that Sasaki wants "The Duke" dead. If The Duke dies, Ding Yi loses his protector. So, they decide to make sure Sasaki's plan fails.
Xian Biyun sees the problem from another angle. She knows if The Duke dies, Ding Yi is exposed. But she also knows if The Duke wakes up, he’ll expose Ding Yi himself. It’s a no-win situation. She comes up with a wild, third option. They need to create the illusion that The Duke is still in a coma. They also need to fake an assassination attempt on a man named Edward. Then, they can frame Qiaoben for it all and use the chaos to get the code.
The Frame Job Goes Live
Setting the Stage at the Hospital
Xian Biyun's plan is complicated, but it kicks off immediately. She gives Old Wu a photo of The Duke’s daughter. The plan requires the daughter to run into Qiaoben at the hospital.
Old Wu disguises himself as a Japanese military doctor. He delivers The Duke’s medical report to Edward. While handing it over, he "accidentally" pricks his own finger. The needle is laced with a poison Xian Biyun prepared. It will cause Edward to fall into a coma within 24 hours.
Next, Old Wu stages a run-in with The Duke's daughter in a hallway. He makes sure she sees a specific scar on his hand. This scar is identical to one Qiaoben has. He apologizes and rushes off, leaving a very specific memory in her mind.
Luo Han's Ambush Goes Wrong
While all this is happening, Qiaoben leaves the New Asia Hotel. He's carrying the codebook. A staff member hands him an umbrella. He can't find a cab, so he starts walking to work.
This is Luo Han's chance. He cuts a power line along the path. Qiaoben walks right into it, gets electrocuted, and collapses. Luo Han, disguised as a paramedic, swoops in to take him to the hospital. But the plan hits a snag. The hospital sees he’s Japanese and refuses to admit him.
Old Wu has been watching this entire thing unfold. He sees his opportunity. He knocks out Luo Han and steals the roll of film from his camera, which likely had photos of the codebook. Luo Han's entire mission is a failure.
The Dominoes Start to Fall
A Devastating Personal Reveal for Sasaki
Back at the hospital, Edward is found unconscious. Doctors rush to save him. Around the same time, Qiaoben's dead body is brought in.
The Duke’s daughter is there. She sees the body and recognizes the scar on his hand. It's the same one she saw on the "doctor" in the hallway. She immediately suspects Qiaoben is connected to Edward's sudden coma and orders an investigation.
Sasaki arrives at the morgue. He is completely broken up over Qiaoben's body. A witness reports seeing a man dressed as a utility worker at the scene of the electrocution. Sasaki orders his men to find this person at all costs. He wants Luo Han.
Later, as his team decodes Qiaoben's personal belongings, they make a shocking discovery. Qiaoben was Sasaki's son.
The Net Closes on Luo Han
Gu Yangshan hears what happened and frantically tries to warn Luo Han to get out of town. It’s too late. The Japanese are fast. Wanted posters with Luo Han’s face are already plastered all over the city.
Ding Yi is worried. If Luo Han gets caught, he'll give up Gu Yangshan. But Gu refuses to run. He tells Ding Yi that he's the one who should leave. Just when they thought they were free of each other, this crisis has tied them right back together.
Luo Han makes a run for the countryside. He almost makes it, but he drives straight into a surprise Japanese checkpoint. His instincts take over. He pulls his gun, but he's hopelessly outnumbered. He gets shot while trying to escape on foot.
He knows he can't be taken alive. He puts the gun to his head to end it, but it just clicks. He's out of bullets. The soldiers capture him.
Luo Han wakes up to a nightmare. He's been strung up. To make him talk, the Japanese soldiers start executing innocent civilians in front of him. It's brutal. Eventually, a witness identifies people Luo Han was seen with. The names are Joseph Needham, Charlie, and Li Jingzhong. Sasaki now has a new list of targets, and he won't stop until he gets them.
