Episode Summary
Decades later, a lawsuit in Tokyo regarding germ warfare stalls due to a lack of evidence. Back in 1941, Changgen joins the resistance while Changfu returns to help smuggle supplies. Yulan investigates the new location of Unit 731. A Japanese soldier, Arakawa, discovers the gruesome reality of the unit's disposal pit. Changfu brings the traitor Kojima to the resistance, leading to a violent clash with Yan Bingrui.
Spoiler Alert
The Courtroom Battle
We start with a flash-forward. It is decades later at the Tokyo District Court. A lawsuit is about to begin. Chinese victims of germ warfare are stepping into a Japanese courtroom as plaintiffs. They want an apology. They want compensation. But the defense is playing hardball. They claim there is not enough evidence to prove the Japanese government committed these crimes. The legal battle is stuck in a deadlock.
Back to the Winter of 1941
Yulan tries to hide the truth from her sister-in-law, Guifen. But Guifen asks directly. Yulan admits she saw Tong Changfu and Changgen run off. She has people looking for them.
The truth is safe for now. The Anti-Japanese United Army rescued the two men. They are hiding out with a man named Old Sour Jar. Changfu looks around at the resistance fighters. Some are missing arms. Others are missing legs. Yet they keep fighting the Japanese invaders. Changfu respects their grit. He also hates Kojima Yukio for selling him out.
The Hunt for the New Base
Yan Bingrui notices a change in traffic. The transport teams between the Police Department and Unit 731 have stopped running. This means the Japanese moved their interrogation site. He needs to find the new location immediately.
Yulan takes initiative. She goes to Huifangli to ask Defeng for information. Defeng heard a soldier mention Unit 731. She digs for more details. Later, Defeng confirms the soldier belongs to that unit. Yulan takes a risk. She sneaks onto a truck. She ends up outside the Central Hospital. There, she spots a special pass in another vehicle.
Choosing Sides
Changgen and Changfu have been safe with the resistance. But it is time to make a choice. Changgen decides to stay. He wants to kill the enemy. Changfu tries to talk him out of it. It doesn't work. Changfu has to go back alone.
He breaks the news to Changgen's mother. She accepts her son's choice. However, she refuses to leave her home with Changfu's family.
Arakawa Breaks Down
Arakawa is stuck painting a portrait of Ishii Shiro. The pressure gets to him. He makes an international call to his father. He begs to come home. He says he cannot handle life in Manchuria. His father shuts him down. He reveals Arakawa's mother died a month ago. She died thinking her son was happy. His father is selling their shop. There is no home for Arakawa to return to.
Arakawa wanders back to his unit in a daze. He sees black smoke rising from a chimney. He follows the foul smell to a deep pit. He looks inside. The sight makes him vomit instantly. The horror of Unit 731 is undeniable.
Changfu's Mission
Changfu needs exit papers. He goes to Qian Ye. Qian Ye doesn't want money. He wants a delivery made. Changfu has to transport a cart of cow dung to the river. But the dung is just camouflage. Underneath lies supplies for the resistance. Changfu agrees immediately. He is done being a coward. He wants to help.
The Confrontation
Kojima Yukio shows up at Changfu's door. He apologizes. He brings a family photo as a peace offering. Changfu curses him out. Yulan wants him dead. Kojima claims the Japanese forced him to talk at gunpoint. He wants to redeem himself. He wants to film a survivor from Unit 731 to expose the crimes.
Changfu decides to trust him one more time. He takes Kojima along on the supply run. They reach the river. Changfu signals the resistance with bird calls. Yan Bingrui steps out. He sees Kojima. He doesn't ask questions. He attacks Kojima on sight.
