Episode Summary
Police Captain Hu Xiaoyue commits suicide to trigger an investigation into a corrupt criminal syndicate led by Ma Jin. His colleague Qin Feng suspects foul play involving a man named Luo Bo. Meanwhile, a conflict brews at Longwan Farm as developers try to seize ancestral land, setting the stage for a larger confrontation.
Spoiler Alert
A Tragic Start
The year is 2008 in Hanzhou City. Hu Xiaoyue, a captain in the police force, stands on a rooftop. He makes a fatal choice. He jumps. He believes his death is the only way to crush the evil forces controlling the city. Qin Feng and his mentor, Ye Tianyou, rush to the scene. They are too late. The tragedy is already complete. Ye Tianyou senses something wrong immediately. He knows powerful people are behind this. He requests a transfer back to Hanzhou as the police chief. He plans to uncover the truth behind his student's death.
The Failed Raid
One week before the suicide, Hu Xiaoyue asks Qin Feng for help. Qin Feng is working at a local station. They target a dog farm in the suburbs to catch some traffickers. An informant named Wang Ming is inside. The criminals caught Wang Ming and locked him in a cage. The police surround the yard. The gang spots them and scatters. Hu Xiaoyue ignores his safety. He jumps onto a fleeing car. He drags the driver out and subdues him. He rips open the trunk to save the informant. The trunk is empty.
Suspicion Grows
The raid fails to produce hard evidence. The use of guns causes a headache for the department. Qin Feng questions Hu privately. He suspects Hu is hiding the real motive. Hu claims he just wanted to warn the gangs. Internal affairs starts investigating Hu. Even the chief doesn't know who filed the complaint. Hu's friends try to pull strings to help him. Qin Feng goes home and finds a surprise. Luo Bo is in his kitchen cooking dinner. Luo Bo manages the Roma Hotel now. He tells Qin Feng to stay calm. Qin Feng realizes Luo Bo knows too much about the internal investigation. He suspects Luo Bo is the snitch.
The Final Call
Hu Xiaoyue returns to the rooftop. He calls the "dark force." Ma Jin answers. Ma Jin is the chairman of Jinding Group. He controls Hu's parents and brothers. Hu knows Ma Jin can bury any standard investigation. Hu needs to make a scene Ma Jin cannot suppress. He takes off his uniform. He jumps. He lands right in front of Qin Feng and Ye Tianyou.
Disrespect at the Funeral
The scene shifts to Longwan Farm. Liu Tian, the vice manager, is worshipping his ancestors. His sister, Wen Jiangyan, interrupts the solemn moment. Back in the city, the opera troupe holds a funeral for Hu Xiaoyue. Luo Bo shows up with a group of thugs. He claims to be paying respects. It is a clear provocation. Qin Feng holds back his rage. He tells Luo Bo to bow and leave. Outside, Qin Feng finds his car destroyed. A forklift moved it. Luo Bo laughs from the sidelines.
Battle for the Land
Jinding Group wants to rent land from Longwan Farm. Wen Qin, the general manager, refuses. The rent is too low. The deal also threatens the ancestral hall. The villagers are divided. Some want the money. Others want to protect the land. Wen Qin stands firm. She holds a grand ceremony to show unity. Luo Bo returns with Director Chen from the development zone. They discuss demolition plans for the ancestral hall. The villagers riot. The officials retreat. Luo Bo drops the act. He threatens to use force against Wen Qin.
