A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 20 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Spring entered the KMT secret service station in Suzhou, radiating an air of authority as the new Suzhou District Chief. Agents stopped their work and respectfully welcomed her. Taking a paper note from her pocket, she conveyed Xu Enzeng's explicit orders: rescue Jiang Boxian at all costs and severely sanction Zhou Zhifei. In the dark, damp prison, Jiang Boxian scoffed at the eggs he was given, stating he wouldn't eat them.
Junxia, imprisoned with him, quickly took the eggs and carefully opened one, finding a hidden note. He swiftly read and memorized its contents, then chewed and swallowed the paper. Following a prearranged plan by Gu Yizhong, he began to knock on the wall, signaling. Across the prison, Ruotong used a stethoscope, listening intently. As the knocking became clearer, a smile of relief appeared on her face; she had successfully located Junxia's position, allowing for a more targeted rescue attempt.
Zhou Zhifei, watching Gu Yizhong's movements through binoculars, suspected he was involved in digging a tunnel for the rescue. He called Gu Yizhong over, directly voiced his suspicion, and invited him to witness a "good show." He then called the prison, ordering Jiang Boxian and Junxia to be brought out. Despite maintaining a calm exterior, Gu Yizhong's mind raced. Suddenly, a loud explosion rocked the prison area.
Zhou Zhifei confidently patted his shoulder, remarking that while Gu Yizhong's tunnel plan was clever, he hadn't accounted for Zhou's counter-measures. Captain Zhang and his team were waiting at the exit, and Gu Yizhong realized the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, Fu Gui worked desperately, eventually using a grenade to breach the prison wall. The blast stunned Jiang Boxian. Ruotong quickly helped Junxia withdraw, while Fu Gui planted landmines to hinder pursuit.
Reaching the tunnel exit, Fu Gui sternly warned the laborers to remain silent. Just as they were about to leave, they discovered seven or eight agents waiting, trapping them. Fortunately, Zhou Zhenwu arrived with the New Fourth Army, launching a surprise attack that reversed the situation and provided an opportunity for escape. In a relatively safe location, Junxia revealed a significant secret to Ruotong: Gu Yizhong was not the long-sought Cell 8.
When Ruotong pressed for the true identity of Cell 8, Junxia carefully removed his clothing and retrieved a photograph hidden in the lining. He explained that while imprisoned, he had personally met the real Nakanishi Tarou, a Japanese Communist Party member singing The Internationale in the dungeon. However, the person in the photo they had used for the rescue operation was different, proving the photo was a fake intended as a trap.
He stated that the person who had given him that photo was Cell 8. Elsewhere, upon learning of Junxia's escape, Hu Zhiping urgently went to Zhou Zhifei, criticizing him for allowing Junxia to live. Hu Zhiping deeply feared that if Junxia met with "Old Eagle," his own identity as Cell 8 would be exposed. He implored Zhou Zhifei to arrange his retreat.
Zhou Zhifei seized the opportunity, demanding information about the New Fourth Army's liaison points and threatening to reveal Hu Zhiping's identity as Cell 8, specifically mentioning his wife. Under this pressure, Hu Zhiping reluctantly agreed to consider the demand. Concurrently, Gu Yizhong was painting at home when Zhou Zhifei suddenly visited, seemingly seeking a way to navigate the escalating situation. Gu Yizhong maintained a firm stance, stating his only objective was to expose the true identity of Cell 8.
Zhou Zhifei, recognizing Gu Yizhong's resolve, cautioned that even knowing the truth wouldn't easily allow Gu Yizhong to leave No. 90. He admitted he knew Ruotong and Fu Gui were involved in rescuing Junxia, implying he had intentionally allowed their escape. Zhou Zhifei finally revealed his true motive: he wanted to establish contact with Gu Yizhong's organization for his own benefit. In Suzhou, Special Commissioner Ji Hongbo arrived from Chongqing, carrying Xu Enzeng's secret directive.
The letter criticized Spring and Deputy District Chief Shen for their lack of progress over three months in Suzhou, specifically failing to rescue Jiang Boxian or sanction Zhou Zhifei, and noted the loss of agents. Given Zhou Zhifei's perceived disloyalty to the Kuomintang, Xu Enzeng ordered his elimination if he could not be brought back into the fold. Ji Hongbo learned that Spring had previously stayed at Zhou Zhifei's residence.
He requested the address from Spring, compared it to existing KMT intelligence, and finding they matched, immediately ordered Deputy District Chief Shen to lead an action team for the assassination. Ji Hongbo also confirmed the teams were equipped with armor-piercing shells for Zhou Zhifei's bulletproof car. Separately, Zhou Zhenwu met with Junxia. Junxia explicitly confirmed that Hu Zhiping was the mysterious Cell 8.
Concerned that Hu Zhiping's exposure could endanger provincial leaders who had recently crossed through Suzhou under his arrangement, Zhou Zhenwu decided he must immediately find Hu Zhiping to prevent further contact. Hu Zhiping returned home, finding his child asleep in the cradle but Gu Huizhong gone. As he pondered her absence, Zhou Zhenwu arrived, setting the stage for a confrontation.
