Episode 21 recap: # Escape from Sanbianpo
In this episode, Sanbianpo has gone through three major upheavals, each followed by sporadic conflicts between local armed groups. To mark their territories, they often lay landmines along the borders without ever clearing them, turning these areas into desolate no-go zones. Grandpa Whitebeard, an expert in mine clearance, is allowed to live nearby for this very reason.
Jue Xin Tun helps Shen Xing contact the detox center in Modeler. During this conversation, Shen Xing reveals to Jue Xin Tun that Cai Shu is smuggling drugs through Luo Yang, mentioning that Dan Tuo is unaware and merely a pawn in this operation.
Having already faced a significant risk previously, Jue Xin Tun is reluctant to let Shen Xing delve deeper into danger. However, Shen Xing is determined to complete the mission at any cost.
Upon returning to his place, Shen Xing finds an envelope containing his identification and passport on the bed. He doesn't raise an alarm and hides the important documents under his pillow. The next day, when Dan Tuo leaves to deliver goods, Shen Xing follows him on a motorcycle, wearing a mask. He ignores the whining and complaining of a nearby dog, unable to understand why, despite the dire situation in Daban, so many people are still dying without any sign of resistance.
Cai Shu also has his own questions, such as why Ai Suo won’t let him use the horse caravan route and why he received a counterfeit gold Buddha statue. Because of these suspicions, Cai Shu instructs Luo Yang to kill Ai Suo. Even while engaging in drug smuggling, Cai Shu remains committed to the promise he made to his deceased wife.
Disregarding Jue Xin Tun's advice, Shen Xing sneaks into a warehouse to confirm the presence of drugs and immediately calls Jue Xin Tun to report the evidence. However, Jue Xin Tun receives an urgent assignment and cannot go to the scene, instructing Shen Xing to withdraw instead.
Just as Shen Xing is growing anxious, he is spotted by drug traffickers and chased. In a panic, he drives into a minefield, and the pursuing traffickers’ vehicle tragically hits a landmine, leaving no survivors. Meanwhile, Dan Tuo places a tracker in the drug traffickers' car, but he’s caught by one of their sons. To divert attention, Dan Tuo deliberately breaks the child's toy, but this results in him being held at gunpoint.
Fortunately, the trafficker does not pull the trigger.
Despite narrowly escaping danger, Dan Tuo's actions raised Cai Shu's suspicions. When Shen Xing returned home, he discovered that the documents he had hidden under his pillow were missing. Dan Tuo was on his knees, confessing that he had completed the task assigned to Shen Xing by Jue Xin Tun.
Cai Shu had initially planned to smuggle drugs through Luo Yang to attract the attention of neighboring countries and take down the Luo Yang gang, but the plan had failed. Only then did Shen Xing and Dan Tuo understand Cai Shu's true intentions.
While Shen Xing managed to escape, Dan Tuo had to fake his own death to make the traffickers believe Cai Shu, ensuring that Cai Shu's plan could continue. In front of the traffickers, Cai Shu personally cut Dan Tuo's throat.
Twelve days later, a multinational task force dismantled the series of cross-border drug trafficking operations, and the Luo Yang gang was brought to justice. Jue Xin Tun informed Shen Xing that Cai Shu had already established contact with Chen Hao and Jin Zhanba.
Cai Shu helped Luan Basong eliminate the Luo Yang gang on the condition that Luan Basong would support him in rebuilding Sanbianpo. Shen Xing felt a sense of dread. When he found his passport and prepared to leave, he almost collided with the returning Cai Shu. Cai Shu had drunk a lot, but he was not entirely unconscious; he said some meaningful things to Shen Xing.
Uncertain whether Cai Shu was truly drunk, Shen Xing decided to escape under the cover of night. The dog attempted to stop him, but after a brief exchange of glances, it ultimately stepped aside. Once across the border, Shen Xing allowed himself a faint smile. In reality, Cai Shu had not fallen asleep; he watched Shen Xing's retreating figure, knowing he could not stop him, and chose to let go.
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