Chapter Summaries

Deputy Director Min Aiwu defied Liu Wenjie and other powerful officials to arrest Zhang Hao, invoking his years of service and injuries. After Zhang Hao was taken away, Wu Kunsheng arranged covert protection for the Changning officers, while Min’s sacrifice left a deep impression on those present.

• Min Aiwu answered Liu Wenjie’s accusations by revealing his scars and bullet wounds and recounting how he had been injured in the line of duty.
• Hu Shiyuan challenged the Changning police over releasing and rearresting Zhang Hao, and Min explained that officers who released him without authorization had been suspended.
• Min declared that anyone obstructing Zhang Hao’s lawful arrest would be treated as a suspect, and Li Linsen and the other officers handcuffed Zhang and escorted him away.
• Xu Qinglan recognized that Zhou Yi’s influence came partly from loyal subordinates like Min, who were willing to defy powerful officials to carry out his orders.
• Wu Kunsheng reported Zhang’s arrest to a secretary and ordered the SWAT Officers Detachment to covertly ensure the Changning officers returned safely.

After Zhou Yi praised Min Aiwu for arresting Zhang Hao in Jincheng, Chen Gang led a raid on Tianyue Entertainment City, where undercover officers exposed the club’s criminal operation and learned of hidden drugs and murders. The Changning City Public Security Bureau announced Zhang Hao’s third arrest, leaving the city to reckon with Zhou Yi’s reach.

• Zhou Yi praised Min Aiwu for bringing Zhang Hao back to Changning and reminded him to stay alert.
• Ling Jiu learned that Zhang Hao had been arrested at Hu Shiyuan’s reception in Jincheng, then received word that police had raided Tianyue Entertainment City.
• Chen Gang led the raid with undercover officers Shao Mingbao and Cai Xiaobo, who revealed their identities to the models and urged them to change course.
• One model admitted she had lied about drugs in Dream Travel Room 3 and told Shao Mingbao and Cai Xiaobo that she knew where drugs were hidden and that Lang Kun and Ling Jiu had killed people.
• On October 20, the Changning City Public Security Bureau issued a bulletin confirming Zhang Hao’s arrest, and news of it spread throughout the city.

After studying Zhou Yi’s record, Xu Qinglan recognized how thoroughly he had dismantled Zhang Hao’s network. Zhou’s campaign continued as anonymous tips led to Fang Hong’s arrest, leaving Zhang Hao’s organization leaderless and its remaining members fearful while Ding Chunling tried to hold it together.

• Xu Qinglan read Zhou Yi’s biography and reviewed his methods for bringing down criminal organizations, concluding that Zhang Hao had underestimated him.
• The Changning City Public Security Bureau announced that a raid on Tianyue Entertainment City had resulted in fifty-six arrests and the detention of its managers, Ling Jiu and Lang Kun.
• After the bureau solicited criminal leads, three anonymous letters arrived on Zhou Yi’s desk.
• On October 24, Fang Hong was placed under criminal detention, completing Zhou Yi’s roundup of Zhang Hao and all Eight Great Vajras.
• With Zhang Hao’s gang in disarray, Cui Meng warned Ding Chunling that the men were losing morale, and she told him to keep them in line until Brother Hao returned.

Zhou Yi briefed Mayor Tang Sanzang on the investigation into Zhang Hao and learned Zhang could soon be released after the charges against him were reduced. Zhang was sentenced to a suspended term and regained his freedom, but Zhou remained determined to arrest him again.

• Zhou Yi told Tang Sanzang that police had strong evidence against Yu Jinhai and Fang Hong but lacked crucial evidence tying Zhang Hao to organized crime.
• Tang Sanzang warned Zhou that Zhang could receive a suspended sentence if the Procuratorate amended the charges, and Zhou outlined a plan to lure Zhang out.
• Jiang Zhenming of the Finance Bureau exchanged phone numbers with Zhou and asked for his help with an urgent matter.
• On November 23, the Changning Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhang Hao to six months in prison, suspended for one year, for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
• Zhang Hao regained his freedom less than thirty days after the Procuratorate filed charges, while Zhou remained resolved to arrest him again.

Zhang Hao courted political and legal officials while planning another drug deal, and Zhou Yi attended a citywide political and legal affairs conference. The chapter ended with Zhang Hao publicly provoking Zhou Yi by asking him to approve his trip to Jincheng.

• Zhang Hao hosted four political and legal officials at the Qinglian Club and privately considered how to win over Zhou Yi.
• Fan Dongqiang called to order ten more units of Zhang Hao’s goods, and Zhang Hao chose Cui Meng to handle the deal in Jincheng.
• Zhou Yi attended the November 29 political and legal affairs work conference alongside court president Nie Anyi and Deputy Procurator-General Jiang Hong.
• After the conference, Zhang Hao invited the officials to lunch and taunted Zhou Yi by asking him to approve his trip to Jincheng.
• Zhou Yi turned back and strode toward Zhang Hao with a dark expression.

Zhou Yi publicly warned Zhang Hao to behave, while Zhang resolved to have him killed. Deputy Procurator-General Jiang Hong then offered Zhou insight into corruption at the Procuratorate and revealed that he had material on He Yinghui.

• Zhou Yi confronted Zhang Hao outside the Municipal Party Committee and warned that he could arrest him again.
• Zhang Hao left in a car with Feng Dehui and He Yinghui, then resolved to eliminate Zhou Yi.
• Deputy Director Min Aiwu and Chen Gang praised Zhou Yi, who said Zhang Hao would not give up his criminal activities.
• Jiang Hong called Zhou Yi and offered his support, hoping to improve his career prospects.
• Zhou Yi asked Jiang Hong about the Procuratorate, and Jiang began describing its internal situation and his material on He Yinghui.

Zhou Yi finalized a secret operation to arrest Zhang Hao during a major drug deal in Jincheng, despite Min Aiwu volunteering to lead the dangerous team. Meanwhile, Jian Wanyan ordered extra protection for Zhou Yi, and Zhang Hao chose Cui Meng to handle the deal but decided to oversee it himself.

• Zhou Yi called Chen Gang and Min Aiwu to finalize the Jincheng operation, expecting Zhang Hao might handle the deal personally.
• Min Aiwu insisted on leading the ten-person team, and Zhou Yi reluctantly agreed despite concerns about his health.
• Min Aiwu returned to his office and privately said he even dreamed of dying in the line of duty.
• Jian Wanyan instructed Xiu Cun to ensure Zhou Yi's safety and resolved to move him to a safer post after the operation.
• Zhang Hao chose Cui Meng to take responsibility for the deal but decided to go to Jincheng and supervise it himself.

Zhang Hao arrived in Jincheng believing he had outmaneuvered Zhou Yi, while police prepared to intercept a drug deal between his gang and Lin Zhiwei’s crew. The raid ended with the gangs turning on each other, and Fan Dongqiang revealed that he was a police officer as Lin Zhiwei’s side faced arrest.

• Zhang Hao obtained permission for inpatient treatment in Jincheng and checked into the Golden Capital Hotel with his underlings.
• Fan Dongqiang and Lin Zhiwei traveled to Jincheng with their men for a drug deal, while police received intelligence that the exchange would happen at an abandoned warehouse on Nanjiang Mountain.
• At the warehouse, Fan Dongqiang questioned the appearance of the drugs, then a gunshot outside prompted both groups to draw their weapons.
• Min Aiwu led the police into the warehouse, and Lin Zhiwei’s men mistakenly opened fire on Cui Meng’s group before the officers suppressed the dealers and called for surrender.
• Lin Zhiwei handed Fan Dongqiang the cash and urged him to escape, but Fan Dongqiang pressed a gun to Lin Zhiwei’s neck and confessed that he was a cop.

After Changning police arrested Cui Meng and Lin Zhiwei in Jincheng, Zhang Hao called on his provincial police ally Wang Yongjiang to take the suspects away. Deputy Director Min Aiwu defied the order and held the other officers at gunpoint, leaving the standoff unresolved.

• Changning police arrested Cui Meng, two of his underlings, and Lin Zhiwei during the warehouse raid, while Min Aiwu and several officers were wounded.
• Zhang Hao learned the deal had been raided and called Wang Yongjiang for help; Wang led provincial officers to Nanjiang Mountain to take custody of the suspects.
• Zhou Yi informed Jincheng Public Security Director Wu Kunsheng about the operation, and Wu sent officers to support the Changning team.
• Wang ordered the Changning officers to hand over the suspects, but Min Aiwu and his team refused and insisted they would answer only to Director Zhou.
• Min fired warning shots when Wang's officers tried to seize the suspects, then threatened to shoot anyone who came closer, forcing them to stop.

The Changning and Jincheng police secured the drug suspects and evidence despite the provincial department’s attempt to take them, then moved against Zhang Hao after identifying his likely hiding place. Their search of the Tongda Building found nothing, and Governor Wen Lecheng summoned several officials the next morning.

• Lü Junfeng backed Min Aiwu’s decision to leave the suspects and evidence with the Jincheng and Changning police, while Wang Yongjiang failed to get them transferred to the provincial department.
• Lin Zhiwei and Cui Meng confessed, implicating Zhang Hao in the drug operation.
• Li Linsen and Yan Xiaoqing found that the Golden Capital Hotel’s surveillance footage had been deliberately deleted and traced Zhang Hao to the Tongda Building.
• Zhou Yi ordered the police to search the Tongda Building, but the joint operation found no sign of Zhang Hao.
• Wen Lecheng summoned Gu Lechang, Guan Tao, Zhou Yi, and Wu Kunsheng to the provincial offices.

Zhou Yi was questioned by Provincial Governor Wen Lecheng over Changning’s anti-drug raid and his refusal to hand the suspects and evidence to the provincial department. He challenged Liu Wenjie to explain why the provincial department wanted the case transferred, leaving the meeting tense.

• After the raid on Yunxiao Pharmaceutical Group failed to find Zhang Hao, Xu Qinglan complained to Wei Siqi and Wen Lecheng, who summoned officials from Changning and Jincheng for questioning.
• Zhou Yi visited the injured Min Aiwu, who said Zhang Hao’s drug-smuggling crimes were established, and promised that Zhang Hao would not escape.
• At the provincial government meeting, Wu Kunsheng confirmed that he had coordinated with Zhou Yi before the anti-drug operation and that Jincheng had only provided support afterward.
• Wen Lecheng questioned Zhou Yi about refusing to hand over the suspects and evidence, and Zhou Yi said he had never received the provincial department’s orders.
• Liu Wenjie ordered Zhou Yi to transfer the suspects, drugs, and drug money, but Zhou Yi demanded a sufficient reason and accused the provincial department of possibly seeking credit or having another motive.

Zhou Yi confronted Liu Wenjie and defended the investigation of Zhang Hao, while provincial leaders questioned whether Zhang Hao had been framed or extorted. The municipal officials affirmed the evidence against Zhang Hao, and Zhou Yi ended by declaring that he would crack down only on criminals.

• Zhou Yi challenged Liu Wenjie over the Provincial Public Security Department's interest in Zhang Hao's case, and Liu Wenjie angrily slammed the table.
• Wen Lecheng said Zhang Hao had accused someone of framing and extorting him and asked the officials to explain what they knew.
• Deng Ruxue gave a cautious answer, while Tang Qingrui, Guan Tao, and Wu Kunsheng described the evidence against Zhang Hao and the Dragon-Riding Operation.
• Wen Lecheng told Zhou Yi that Zhang Hao had accused him, and Zhou Yi denied the allegations and demanded evidence.
• Zhou Yi declared that, as Public Security Director, he would crack down without hesitation on criminals.

Zhou Yi resisted Liu Wenjie's order to transfer Zhang Hao's drug trafficking case, and Wei Siqi intervened to keep the investigation with Changning and Jincheng. Meanwhile, Zhang Hao, now a wanted fugitive, offered one million to have Zhou Yi killed, but the person he called said it would cost extra.

• Zhou Yi agreed to cooperate with the Provincial Public Security Department but insisted on medical examinations before transferring the suspects and witnesses.
• Tang Qingrui and Guan Tao backed Zhou Yi's position that Changning and Jincheng should handle the case under provincial supervision.
• Liu Wenjie ordered the Changning Municipal Public Security Bureau to hand over Zhang Hao's case, but Wei Siqi called and forbade the provincial department from getting involved.
• Provincial Governor Wen accepted Wei Siqi's decision and warned Zhou Yi to handle the case lawfully while the provincial department monitored it.
• Zhang Hao smashed up his hiding place, called an associate, and offered one million to have Zhou Yi killed; the associate demanded extra money.

Zhang Hao’s crimes and secret recordings triggered a sweeping purge of Changning’s officials, leaving him with no chance of escape. As Xu Qinglan considered Zhou Yi’s next move, Ding Chunling visited to sell her stake in Huagang Mining, apparently preparing to flee abroad.

• Ghost Hand demanded two million yuan to kill Zhou Yi, and Zhang Hao agreed on the condition that Ghost Hand carry out the job himself.
• Changning police publicized Zhang Hao as a wanted fugitive, prompting residents to report years of alleged crimes against him.
• Police found footage Zhang Hao had used to blackmail officials, and Tang Qingrui ordered those implicated placed under Shuanggui as the investigation spread through Changning’s hierarchy.
• Xu Qinglan concluded Zhang Hao was beyond saving and wondered whether Zhou Yi’s campaign would continue.
• Ding Chunling told Xu Qinglan she was innocent and offered to sell her controlling stake in Huagang Mining, and Xu Qinglan said the price would determine her interest.

Jiang Zhenming told Zhou Yi that Zhang Hao was hiding in Erlong Township, prompting Zhou Yi to organize a police operation with local assistance. As the police raided Zhang Hao’s hideout, he fled into the mountains and was confronted at gunpoint by an unknown assailant.

• Jiang Zhenming told Zhou Yi that a clerk named Cai Ling had identified Zhang Hao at a house built by Township Party Secretary Yang Zhongjun.
• Zhou Yi, Chen Gang, and Li Linsen planned the arrest and contacted Jincheng officials for support.
• Cai Ling anticipated the raid and thought about taking revenge on Yang Zhongjun for violating her.
• Police attacked Zhang Hao’s hideout, and Zhang Hao escaped into the mountains with a bodyguard.
• An unknown person pressed a gun to Zhang Hao’s temple and said his wife had ordered him to send Zhang Hao on his way.

After Zhang Hao was arrested, his wife’s betrayal left him defeated, and he confessed to years of crimes during interrogation. He refused to identify who had tried to silence him, but hinted that another powerful criminal deserved investigation.

• Awei was shot dead after Zhang Hao realized Ding Chunling had planted him to kill Zhang Hao if he was arrested.
• Changning and Jincheng police raided Zhang Hao’s hideout, killing five armed criminals, capturing three, and arresting Zhang Hao.
• Min Aiwu regretted missing the operation, while Ding Chunling feared Zhang Hao would expose her.
• Zhang Hao asked Zhou Yi to join his interrogation, then confessed to murders and other crimes dating back to 1998.
• Zhang Hao refused to name the person who had tried to silence him, apparently to protect Ding Chunling and their children.
• Zhang Hao asked Zhou Yi to pursue another criminal in Changning or Jincheng, prompting Zhou Yi’s interest.

Zhou Yi questioned Zhang Hao, who implicated Xu Qinglan in several old cases but offered no evidence. As Zhang Hao’s arrest stirred public attention, Ding Chunling grieved over his sacrifice, while special operators raided Ghost Hand’s meeting and captured the killer gang.

• Zhang Hao told Zhou Yi that Xu Qinglan had hired his company to settle a land dispute in 2003 that left one person dead and three injured, and he also raised the deaths of Wei Jinrong and Zong Yunxiao without providing evidence.
• Zhou Yi returned to his office, where Li Linsen welcomed the leads as a chance to investigate Xu Qinglan, though Zhou considered them weak.
• News of Zhang Hao’s arrest spread through Changning, and online readers praised Zhou Yi while demanding more chapters from Xia Mingyue.
• Ding Chunling mourned Zhang Hao’s decision not to implicate her, then called for someone to come to her room with Da Biao.
• Ghost Hand and his four accomplices discussed their unpaid contract to kill Zhou Yi before special operators stormed their meeting and arrested the gang.

Zhou Yi returned to Changning after the New Year and began planning how to investigate Xu Qinglan, the powerful chairwoman of Yunxiao Pharmaceutical Group. He called Xu with a disguised voice and claimed to know where her missing husband, Zong Yunxiao, was.

• Zhou Yi spent Lunar New Year's Eve catching up with his extensive network of friends, colleagues, and officials.
• Zhou Yi visited Jian Shuyue and Tian Tian in Liaoyang before returning to Changning on February 25.
• The Changning Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhang Hao to death, and he said he would not appeal.
• Zhou Yi reviewed Xu Qinglan's history and considered how to find a way to bring her down despite her influence and caution.
• A disguised caller demanded five million from Xu Qinglan in exchange for information about Zong Yunxiao and said he had been in Jincheng, where he could not see sunlight.

Xu Qinglan was pressured by two anonymous callers seeking information tied to her darkest secrets, while Director Zhou's team tried to draw her into revealing herself. After Xu Qinglan asked a powerful official for help against Zhou Yi, the second caller claimed to possess a hidden video connected to Wei Jinrong's death, and Xu Qinglan asked what he wanted.

• An anonymous caller warned Xu Qinglan that her husband's hiding place might be known and gave her two days to consider a deal; she decided not to investigate the hiding place and agreed to meet someone at the usual place.
• Cai Xiaobo asked whether Xu Qinglan would take the bait, and Director Zhou told him to call her again in two days and rely on her guilty conscience.
• Xu Qinglan met a middle-aged official in a luxury suite, asked whether he had heard of Zhou Yi, and secured his promise to help her if Zhou Yi came after her.
• Two days later, a man called Xu Qinglan and claimed he knew why Wei Jinrong had jumped to his death and possessed a hidden video of his real final message.
• The caller said the video showed that Xu Qinglan had a mole in her organization, and she asked him what he wanted.

Xu Qinglan agreed to two blackmailers’ demands while trying to protect her secrets and discover her husband’s whereabouts. After Zhou Yi set surveillance on her, Xu Qinglan drove alone into the night to meet the first blackmailer.

• A blackmailer demanded a million and sex from Xu Qinglan in exchange for keeping a video secret, and she agreed to meet him that night.
• Cai Xiaobo offered Xu Qinglan information about Zong Yunxiao’s whereabouts for five million Pretty Dollars and named Lingming Mountain as a clue.
• Zhou Yi ordered Li Linsen to have Yu Xiao, Meng Shen, and the others watch Xu Qinglan in case she investigated Lingming Mountain.
• Xu Qinglan decided to deal first with the blackmailer demanding sex and money, whom she considered a dead man.
• At nine that evening, Xu Qinglan followed the caller’s instructions, took a suitcase, and drove alone toward Sanlin District.