Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

What?

Join the task force?

The higher-ups have authorized it.

Covert and overt,

a double-channel operation.

Before Chang Zheng

finds out about the Secret Task Force,

you will be the middleman between both sides.

So you have a big responsibility.

Got it.

Sir.

Are you still not going

to tell him about the Secret Task Force?

It's not the right time yet.

When you join the task force,

aside from doing your best

to help Chang Zheng crack the case,

you also have two more important tasks.

Firstly,

considering that the Zhaos

have infiltrated the inner circle of Binxi Branch,

I need you

to be an extra pair of eyes for Chang Zheng.

Keep reminding him

to be wary of the situation.

Be quick to notice

and alert him.

Understood.

Secondly,

I have faith

in Chang Zheng's work ability.

But his communication skill,

particularly when communicating with superiors,

need to be improved.

You have to become

the bridge

between Chang Zheng and the superiors.

Always remind him.

Help him

to be less impulsive.

Help coordinate his relationship with the superiors

to ensure

that the investigation can proceed smoothly.

Yes, sir.

[Chasing the Undercurrent]

[who violate the prohibitions so as to terrify would-be violators. Guanzi, Ban Fa]

[Punish those who commit crimes and make mistakes so as to discipline them, and execute those]

[Episode 9]

Can we have a civilized conversation now?

Sure.

All right there?

What the heck?

What is this...

You should've killed me when you had the chance.

Do you regret it?

Do you?

If given another chance,

I still wouldn't kill you.

You're my third brother.

Save your crap.

Listen up, Pengchao.

Here's a lesson for you.

When you get the chance,

always make full use of it.

When it's gone,

it's gone for good.

You broke my rib!

To others,

perhaps they only get one chance.

But if I'm willing,

I will always have a chance.

Right?

Pengchao.

Let's put down

the gun, okay?

You want to have a civilized conversation, right?

If I hadn't saved you,

you would've long died.

How come I didn't know you saved me?

The day Pengcheng died,

the car broke down, right?

You got Heitou to sabotage the car?

Pengchao.

Thank you.

For real, Pengchao.

I...

always repay my debt.

However, if it's a debt of gratitude,

I will...

No.

No, no.

Hold up.

How did you know there were explosives on the boat?

You're finally using your brain.

Not bad.

Continue.

Pengchao.

Pengchao!

You're heartless!

Pengcheng was on the boat!

Pengchao.

You knew the boat was rigged.

Either

you know who the killer is,

or

you're the one who killed Pengcheng.

Pengchao!

Pengchao!

Pengchao!

Pengchao, listen to me.

I promise

I won't tell anyone about it.

Trust me, Pengchao.

I won't tell Father.

I won't tell Pengzhan either.

This secret will go to the grave with me.

You can tell anyone you wish.

I don't care.

Then what do you care?

You want to bet?

Okay, you win!

I'll do whatever you say.

Whatever you say!

You'll do as I say?

Okay.

I'll tell you when it's time then.

[Binxi Criminal Investigation]

According to the technical department's analysis,

this clip is authentic and accountable.

With the clip,

Chang Zheng managed to prove his innocence.

So,

the municipal party committee have decided

to reinstate Chang Zheng

as the Deputy Chief of Binxi Branch's

Criminal Investigation Detachment.

At the same time,

the branch has decided

to set up a task force

to investigate Zhao Pengcheng's homicide.

Chang Zheng will lead the team.

As for team members,

aside from

Song Guangming, who previously partnered with him,

there are two more additions.

One of them will be here soon.

Who could it be?

I don't know.

What? You don't know as the team leader?

I have no idea.

Reporting.

Come in.

Political Commissar Yan.

Deputy Director Xiao.

Captain Chang.

Jin Yan, reporting for duty.

Alright. Take a seat.

Come, sit.

Thanks.

As for the other,

you can choose one

among them.

Ning Yu.

Here.

Step forward.

Yes, sir.

From now on,

you are the fourth member

of the task force.

Yes, sir.

Commissar Yan.

The task force

has been assembled.

Ready to serve.

Chang Zheng managed to redeem himself.

[Changwu City PSB Binxi Branch]

You could say it's a valiant return.

Of course I'm happy.

I've heard.

Chang Zheng has been thriving

under your guidance.

He's won

much honor for you

as the bureau deputy director.

Your admiration and bias towards him

are no secret.

Don't point your finger at me.

It's the same for you.

If you hadn't taught him well

back in school,

I wouldn't be showing favoritism

but rather helplessness.

You've learned how to open the door for your superior.

This isn't like you.

I didn't do it because you're my superior.

You're the academy principal.

My teacher.

If I was trying to butter up someone,

I would be like them,

opening doors for their direct supervisor.

Look.

Why sigh?

Is your nose itchy?

Wipe it then.

Get in the car.

Don't embarrass me.

You have my word.

Mentor.

I never expected this to happen.

I'm so happy!

-For us... -Chang Zheng.

Captain Chang.

The task force is officially assembled

today.

As the captain,

shouldn't you show some sincerity?

Take the team for a meal

and build some rapport. How about it?

Yes.

It has to be at least worth one month's pay.

We should at least get

a lobster each.

-That will make your wallet bleed. -Good idea.

Already feasting before you even start working?

We're having a private gathering.

Do I have to report it to you, sir?

No need to report if no alcohol is involved.

Since I didn't inform you, it means we're not drinking.

Chang Zheng.

Here's a reminder.

You weren't investigated for nothing.

I hope you learned from it.

The biggest taboo

in an investigation is wanting to stand out and take credit.

Don't be like your father.

Before the case was cracked,

something bad happened to him.

Who do you mean by wanting to stand out and take credit?

You're in no position to talk about my dad.

Alright.

We're getting off work.

Let's get changed and go eat.

You guys go.

Tell me

how much I have to pay later.

No, Mentor.

The four of us...

You guys go.

Mentor.

Wait.

No, Chang Zheng.

Let him be.

Come on.

We're supposed to be...

I'll explain later.

Pengxiang.

There's something

I have to tell you.

I heard the boss fell ill.

He's hospitalized.

[Rainbow Pavilion]

About today,

let me tell you.

Back then,

Chang Zheng was doing his graduate studies at the academy.

His father, Chang Fei...

Chang Zheng.

What I want to tell you is

that everything I did

was in accordance with the police code.

If...

If something happens to me,

then don't ever go back to Changwu.

Because of that call

from Chang Fei before he died,

Chang Zheng adamantly believes

his father did not commit suicide.

Also,

I've seen

many times

how Chang Zheng

would talk to the picture of Chang Fei in his cupboard.

"If I don't solve this case,

I do not have the right to be a cop."

No wonder.

I wondered why

my mentor always looked so glum.

Getting that call,

it is understandable that Chang Zheng hates the Zhaos.

But how come it seems

like he despises Chief Zhang too?

You don't know.

Chang Fei's old partner was Chief Zhang,

Zhang Qiufeng.

The chief back then

was Deputy Chief Li Bodong.

And the brigade chief

was Deputy Director Xiao Zhenbang.

They...

Never mind.

Let's eat first.

Come on, Song.

Don't do this.

You can't leave us hanging.

We're dying of curiosity here.

Eat first.

Yeah, Song.

We're not

trying to be busybodies.

Besides, we're in the same task force.

Well,

even if we put aside the relationship between superior and subordinate,

when it comes to investigating,

we can't just follow

Chang Zheng's personal vendetta, right?

If you tell us the whole story,

we'll be able to discern what's right and wrong.

That's right.

All right.

Then

I will tell you everything I know.

Before

Chang Fei died,

aside from calling Chang Zheng,

he also received a call.

Chang Fei's psychological test report.

Severe depression.

Has suicidal thoughts?

Where is this report from?

From the brigade.

Previously, all the police officers

underwent a psychological test.

Did you forget?

No, I remember.

I remember.

So what's the detachment's decision?

Suspend him,

and he'll receive treatment.

But

he is hot on a case right now.

Is the case more important than his health?

It was Chief Xiao Zhenbang

who told me about it.

What?

You don't believe me?

Why would I not believe you?

I'm just not sure

why you showed me the report.

What's the deal?

You'll tell him.

I tell him?

You two are partners.

I don't think that's a good idea.

I mean,

ever since he started investigating the Zhaos,

he's been unhappy with me.

Qiufeng.

He's even more unhappy with the detachment.

Okay.

I got it.

I'll call him.

Chang Fei.

Where are you?

I'm driving.

A winding, mountain road.

What's up?

Winding, mountain road?

You need to get back here.

I can't.

I'm on the way to catch someone.

Listen up.

It's not me telling you to come back.

It's an order from the detachment.

You've been suspended.

Suspended?

Okay.

Go ahead.

But I'm still going to make the arrest first.

It's not what you think.

Listen.

Your report...

Hello?

That was the last call Chang Fei received.

Not long after he hung up,

his car went over the cliff.

He died on the spot.

So why was Chang Fei's death ruled a suicide?

The result of the psychological test said

he had severe depression

and exhibited suicidal tendencies.

He received a call telling him he was suspended.

Isn't that clear enough?

When the investigation team arrived,

Chief Zhang spoke up.

He told the investigators the content

of the final phone call.

How could Chief Zhang do that?

Hey.

Are you saying

he did wrong by reporting it?

[Rainbow Pavilion]

He only told the truth, no?

Yes.

That's right.

But Chang Fei was also...

Fine, Ning Yu.

I know what it is you're thinking.

After that,

Chang Zheng hasn't been able to get over it.

I mean, coincidentally,

after he spoke up about it,

he was promoted as the detachment's deputy chief.

So Chang Zheng

always thinks

that the relationship between Chief Zhang and Zhaos

is dubious.

Ning Yu.

You're just like your mentor.

What do you mean? I'm like him?

Song.

So,

how was Chief Zhang and Chang Fei's

relationship?

They used to be pretty close.

But after Chang Fei

got involved with the Zhaos,

friction arose between them.

I heard

that Chief Zhang had questioned

the way Chang Fei handled the investigation.

He thought he shouldn't be so reckless.

They fought about it

and things got tense.

I mean, why did Chang Fei

have to pick on the Zhaos?

Song.

Yes.

The Zhaos are powerful.

Are you saying if they break the law,

we as police officers

should just keep a blind eye

and pretend nothing happened?

Ning Yu.

Surely you've never been in the dumps.

It's not as simple as you think.

In Changwu,

in this place,

you two will soon learn

how deep the water goes.

Get up.

Are you really sick?

What's the problem?

I'm old.

All sorts of problems pop up.

Pengzhan.

You're only 40 plus.

Don't pretend like you're a feeble 80-year-old.

Tell me.

Is it

because of Pengchao?

Just get straight to the point.

Get lost if there's nothing.

There is something.

Do you see this?

Pengchao saved Xia Zongtao.

He even helped him to recuperate.

The next thing I know,

he got Xia Zongtao to get onto me.

Pengzhan.

What is Pengchao plotting?

Pengxiang, if you're not happy about it,

go look for him yourself.

Don't drag me into this.

Pengzhan.

We were not born from the same mother,

but we have the same dad.

Am I right?

Your brother, me, is in trouble.

Will you just sit idly by?

Let me remind you.

Pengchao and you

also have the same father.

That's different.

That can't be more different.

Zhao Pengchao is clearly

trying to take what belongs to us.

That nerd.

The punk.

He's getting ahead of himself.

Punk?

If he's a punk,

then why are you always the one getting injured?

Since young,

Pengchao was sent abroad.

He's never shed one drop of blood for the family.

Not a drop of sweat.

What makes him think he can come back here and claim the throne?

Based on what?

I'm the third oldest.

I might be able to swallow it.

But can you?

So what do you want to do?

You're the brain,

and I'm the brawn.

Together,

we'll take him down.

Pengxiang.

Can't you see my condition right now?

I'm no longer bothered.

I don't care who it is that rules

the Zhao family in the future.

So be it.

[Keep quiet]

[Tomb of Chang Fei. Erected July 9, 2015]

[Dad.]

[I heard from Mom]

[that you once said this.]

[As long as the Zhaos are in power,]

[you will not be buried to rest.]

[So Mom and I]

[laid you to rest instead.]

[It's been more than three years.]

[I've never slacked.]

[Tomb of Chang Fei. Erected July 9, 2015]

[But I've not been able to fulfill]

[the promise I made before your tomb.]

[Despite my efforts]

[against the Zhaos,]

[they were merely pricks on the surface]

[and couldn't get to the core.]

[Will I not be able to fulfill]

[the promise I made?]

♫ Watching as dreams waver ♫

♫ Humming the battle song ♫

♫ Keeping this mission deep inside ♫

[Tomb of Chang Fei]

♫ To be forgotten ♫

Pengxiang.

Isn't that my car?

Yes, it is.

Pengchao gave me money

to get your car back.

Pengxiang.

It's a good car.

What do you mean?

It's about 2 million, right?

Every time you gamble

and lose, you'll use it as collateral.

Then you'll buy it back later.

Constantly pawning and buying back.

That would've been at least 20 million.

So?

Did you spend over 20 million to buy it back?

Impressive.

I no longer want the car.

You can keep it.

That won't do.

What will you pawn the next time you lose then?

What do you want, Pengchao?

[Flight ticket]

Macau, China?

What do you mean?

Nothing.

I'm inviting you to go have fun.

What if I don't go?

You agreed to do as I say, didn't you?

I'll be going to Macau, China tomorrow with Pengxiang.

Tang, you'll tag along.

Okay.

Pengchao.

Pengxiang

never goes on a trip by himself.

Tang is better with his brain.

For this trip,

I think I should go with you.

Don't worry.

We're going to Macau, China to gamble.

That's why I need Tang.

I have a more dangerous job for you.

Tell me.

Are you saying

Master may be in danger in the coming days?

Better to always be prepared.

Don't worry.

Leave it to me.

That's all.

You're back.

You're still here.

I'm waiting

for a document.

Good thing you're here.

I wanted to talk to you.

Anyway,

he's left, right?

A long time ago.

I mentioned

Xiao Chen from the People's Procuratorate, right?

Zhao Pengcheng is his mentor.

They're very close.

If we're investigating Zhao Pengcheng,

I want you to...

No, I won't.

What do you mean no?

Why?

No why.

The work day is finished.

No point going.

The People's Procuratorate

isn't like the police.

They don't have fixed working hours.

He'll be there even now.

Still, I won't go.

You can go yourself.

If I could,

I would.

I need not have asked you.

This is a police investigation.

He has a duty to cooperate.

He should know that as a prosecutor.

What's up with you today?

No use talking to you.

I'm just wasting time.

Dad.

You got me to come back from Australia.

But you're just laying here.

Not saying a word.

That's a little inappropriate.

When you called,

I kind of guessed it.

Because of the current situation in Mainland China

and the annoyances at home,

you called me back.

I reckoned

perhaps you're having trouble holding the ship steady.

I did some things

after coming back.

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I'd like to talk to you.

What is it you want to talk about?

Come.

Help me up.

Slowly.

Let me ask you first.

How

did you know I was still conscious?

The day I returned,

I went to look for Dr. Huang.

So it was Huang that told you.

You know what?

Huang and I

have been friends for 30 odd years.

The fact that you could pry this from him,

kid,

I have to hand it to you.

You're not angry?

I'd be angry if you hadn't gone to see him.

Just look at your two older brothers.

They would never have thought to do that.

Two of them can't even compare to one.

So were you

trying to inspect them,

or test them?

To be precise,

it's to test them.

Tell you what.

There's something fishy about Pengcheng's death.

As for who is the killer?

I'm not omitting Pengzhan and Pengxian.

If

they are intent on treason,

I'm afraid the next target

will be me.

So

I pretended to be in a coma.

I wanted to find out

exactly what they were plotting.

Of course,

it was also to wait for your return.

What if

I was the one

who killed Pengcheng?

Would you believe it?

You?

Why?

The domino effect.

To ensure the tiles remain standing,

you need to get rid of the first one.

I know blood ties matter most to you.

But Pengcheng, that tile,

had to be removed.

Actually,

your second brother

gave me an ultimatum.

Either I turned myself in,

or

he would report me.

At the time, the thought crossed my mind.

I'm indeed old.

I've become soft.

Do you blame me?

What's done is done.

However,

you had indeed done the family a favor.

You also helped me.

Boy,

your decisive attitude

does remind me of my younger self.

[Changwu City People's Procuratorate]

Xiao Chen.

I'm Hu, the entrance guard.

Someone's looking for you.

Okay.

What's your name?

I...

We're from Binxi Criminal Investigation Detachment.

I'm Jin Yan.

I'm not doing this for you. It's for work.

A Jin Yan from Binxi Criminal Investigation Detachment.

This is for the team.

Nice.

It is you, Jin Yan.

Who else could it be?

After graduating,

I heard you joined Changwu PSB.

I've been trying to find you.

Isn't your dad the PSB Deputy Director?

Tracking me should be easy-peasy.

My dad's the PSB Deputy Director.

But it has nothing to do with me.

You can't use that

as an excuse to treat me lukewarmly.

I never faulted you for it.

I know.

That's why I've been secretly

trying to find out.

I never told my dad about our relationship.

What relationship?

We...

We were classmates.

Let's talk upstairs.

Just now,

you said

the Zhao family

is facing both internal and external problems.

Then tell me.

I called you back

on such short notice.

Aren't you worried about falling into the fire pit?

Whether the Zhao family is heaven or hell,

it is still my home.

I cannot avoid

this path.

Right.

I heard

you're doing pretty well

in Australia.

You're representing

triads in lawsuits.

Tell me honestly.

Is your goal to...

Using legal means

to familiarize myself with the triads' rules.

Traversing the forbidden zone between black and white.

This way,

I'd be able to clear the Zhao family's name.

That sounds good and well.

But can you actually do it?

I'm trying.

Trying?

You've tried it already.

Now, Pengzhan and Pengxiang

have both been beaten by you.

So you knew.

Of course.

You gave orders

to Tang and Qiu right in front of me.

You purposely wanted me to hear.

How could I still remain oblivious?

Even if I hadn't said it in front of you,

you'd still find out.

Chao,

was it you or not?

I'm only telling you this.

It wasn't me.

No need to ask more.

Okay.

I won't.

Think of it

as my reporting to you.

If you had anything to say,

you'd wake up sooner.

Looks like

getting you to come back so urgently

was the right move.

It's still too soon

to make that conclusion.

In order to clear

the Zhao family's name,

I'd need

to use

the other tiles in your hand.

Those people

are the ones quietly supporting the family business.

Of course,

they've benefited greatly from it too.

Only with them

will we be able

to escape from this fire pit.

I understand

your wariness about handing them to me.

At least I'd like to know,

what do I have to do

before you'll hand them to me?

Let's wait and see.

You can stop here.

Okay. Take care on your way back.

[Procuratorate]

What's so funny?

Well?

Did you find anything?

Hu.

Did those two come together?

Yes.

When Jin Yan went in to see you,

the guy waited here.

Okay.

It's nothing. Carry on.

Okay.

Xiao Chen kept emphasizing

that although Zhao Pengcheng was a Zhao,

he did not get along with the rest of the family.

He had been trying to get proof

to bring the Zhaos to justice.

If Xiao Chen really said that,

then it means

I had wrongfully accused Zhao Pengcheng.

It's too late to apologize now.

And look.

Knowing what Xiao Chen said

and the news info on the Zhaos

we found on Pengcheng's computer,

this clearly shows that he had been

watching them.

He made his stand clear,

and it proved your assumption.

If Zhao Pengcheng were against

his father and brothers,

then we can't omit the Zhaos

as the possible killers.

I've thought about that.

But think about it.

Zhao Pengcheng is their biological son.

Those are his actual brothers.

Could they really be so heartless?

Unless...

Zhao Pengcheng had found solid evidence

that could prove the Zhaos' crimes.

So the Zhaos

had no choice but to silence him.

If that's the case,

then Zhao Pengcheng could've tried

to hand the evidence to me when he called me.

Let's go.

Are you still going to work at this hour?

Now that my head is clear, I realized my stomach is empty.

Let's go get some food.

Xiao Chen.

I know.

You're prejudiced against Chang Zheng.

That's because you don't know him.

Chang Zheng has a good reputation

in the municipal PSB.

He's upright,

impartial at his job,

and meticulous.

He's just a little...

A little what?

He doesn't have self-restraint.

You just don't know him.

I think Chang Zheng and your mentor

are of the same type.

Don't you compare them.

Dad, I know you think highly of him.

It's an open secret in the entire PSB.

I actually think

if not for your pride,

you would've taken him in as your godson.

You don't say.

Chang Zheng

does remind me of myself when I was younger.

Determined and bold.

No fear of status or authority.

Does his job fairly.

There are many things

you can learn from him.

See?

And you say you're not pampering him?

Are you finished or not, Xiao Chen?

Where are you going?

I'm going to shower and then sleep.

That boy.