Episode Summary
Yan Tuo is captured by Lin Xirou after she finds his notebook, leading to a tense standoff where he refuses to eat. The Nanshan hunters identify multiple Di Xiao targets in Yudong City and prepare for a coordinated raid. Using a clever text-based conversation, Lu Xian and Lin Ling confirm Yan Tuo's imprisonment and discover Lin Xirou's travel plans, setting the stage for a rescue mission next Wednesday.
Spoiler Alert
Yan Tuo Gets Grounded
Yan Tuo barely gets a moment of peace. He plans to take Nie Jiuluo out for breakfast, but his phone rings. It is Lin Xirou. She demands he come home immediately. Nie Jiuluo tells him to be careful. They share a hug before he leaves. It feels like a goodbye.
He pulls up to the house and sees people waiting outside. The vibe is bad. Yan Tuo makes a smart move. He turns off his phone and drops it into a sewer drain before getting out of the car. He walks inside. Xiong Hei is there. He immediately searches Yan Tuo for his phone. Yan Tuo plays dumb. He says he left it in the car.
The lie buys him a few seconds. But Lin Xirou is holding his notebook. She has the evidence she needs. She doesn't let him explain. She locks him up right there.
Dirt and Deception
Xing Shen is busy in the lab. He analyzes the soil sample Lin Xirou brought back. It contains special ingredients that devour other substances. This is dangerous stuff.
Back at the house, Xiong Hei tries to talk to Yan Tuo. He gives the kid a chance to explain himself. Yan Tuo doesn't beg. He turns the tables. He asks Xiong Hei if he truly loves Weiyu. He asks how Xiong Hei can live peacefully while wearing a human skin. This hits a nerve. Xiong Hei gets angry and storms out.
Lin Xirou has her own plans. She tells Feng Mi that it is time to go back and handle some business.
The Hit List
Nie Jiuluo is panicking. She waits for a text from Yan Tuo. Nothing comes through. It is total radio silence.
Meanwhile, the Nanshan hunters are preparing for a massive raid. They have identified several targets in Yudong City.
First is Shen Lizhu. She runs a snack shop. She is a Di Xiao. Her sister Yu Caiyan is a second-generation blood bag. Her niece Qianqian is a third-generation blood bag. Qianqian is strong. Xing Shen takes the lead on catching her.
Next is Zheng Liang. He lives with a porter named Zhou Cheng. Datou is in charge of that capture.
Finally, there is Wei Jiao. She is an art teacher. She takes special care of a student named Mutong. The team suspects Mutong is her blood bag. Que Cha and Yu Rong will handle this one.
The pressure is on. They cannot fail. If they miss, these Di Xiao will go into hiding. Finding them again would be impossible.
Secret Messages
Xing Shen calls Nie Jiuluo. He tells her Yan Tuo is missing. He worries Yan Tuo might have betrayed them. Nie Jiuluo disagrees. She is just terrified for his safety.
She goes to Lu Xian for help. She needs intel. Two days pass. Yan Tuo is on a hunger strike. He sits like a statue and refuses to speak. Lin Ling notices he is gone. She asks Lin Xirou about him. Lin Xirou lies. She says he has a contagious disease and cannot see anyone.
Lu Xian visits the house with some soup for Lin Ling. Lin Xirou leaves the room. But she is suspicious. She signals Fourth Sister to eavesdrop on them.
Lu Xian and Lin Ling are smart. They have a loud, casual conversation for the eavesdropper. But they type the real truth on their phones. Lu Xian learns Yan Tuo is locked up. He also learns Lin Xirou is traveling next week.
The Date is Set
Lu Xian rushes back to Nie Jiuluo. He tells her everything. Xing Shen joins the brainstorming session. He finds a clue in the hunter logs recited by the madman. He does the math. Lin Xirou will likely leave next Wednesday.
The team makes a decision. They will strike on the day she leaves. It is a huge risk. Success means safety. Failure means disaster. But they are ready to fight.
