A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 6 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Deeply affected by Gu Yizhong's death, Xiao Ruotong was silent for days. When Zhou Zhenwu attempted to comfort her, she blamed him and others, believing they had pressured Gu Yizhong to his death. Zhou Zhenwu reflected on the possibility that Gu Yizhong might have had hidden reasons. They discussed the lingering questions surrounding his death and the identity of 'Cell 8.' Xiao Ruotong pointed out that both of them were still under suspicion and needed to act cautiously.
Zhou Zhifei and Jin Hai maintained close surveillance outside Gu Garden, noting the complete silence within. Gu Yizhong's body had been brought back the day he died, followed by a coffin the next day, while Gu Xixing remained secluded. Jin Hai expressed his respect and awe for Gu Xixing, feeling the elder man's gaze could see through him despite his physical frailty. Zhou Zhifei reflected that Gu Yizhong's death seemed to be his own choice, a situation Zhou Zhifei regretted.
He noted that Gu Yizhong's 'death' actually made the situation more precarious for the 'Cell 8' operation; any subsequent activity would reveal the death was faked. Gu Huizhong and Hu Zhiping returned home with their baby, Junsheng. Hu Zhiping brought provisions like fresh fish, aiming to nourish Gu Huizhong, who felt grateful for her partner. She eagerly asked for news of Gu Yizhong.
Hu Zhiping delivered the devastating news: Gu Yizhong had been killed in a gun battle with agents from No. 90. Overcome with grief, Gu Huizhong wept, regretting not insisting he leave with them earlier. She worried deeply about how her father would cope with the loss. After funeral arrangements were completed at Gu Xixing's house, surveillance by agents from No. 70 was withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Hai Mo appeared at a hospital with a food basket and found Gu Yizhong alive and recovering in a ward. Hai Mo had courageously rescued him after he was gravely injured and secretly facilitated his medical treatment, enabling him to survive. Hai Mo diligently nursed Gu Yizhong, urging him to eat to aid his recovery. She also cared for Gu Xixing, ensuring he took his medication as he often tried to avoid it.
Gu Xixing was deeply touched by Hai Mo's dedication, viewing her like a daughter. He stressed the importance of keeping Gu Yizhong's survival a strict secret. At his home, Zhou Zhifei received a substantial box of gold bars, a bribe from Wang Zemin seeking the position of Wu County magistrate. Zhou Zhifei recognized this gift stemmed from Mr. Li's influence.
As a trusted figure loyal to Mr. Li, Zhou Zhifei adhered to a practice of passing on most such gifts, demonstrating his unwavering fidelity. After sending his son off to study in Japan, Zhou Zhifei received a note from Spring, threatening to deliver a letter from Xu Zeng'en to the Japanese authorities if he didn't meet her. Zhou Zhifei agreed to the meeting and made his own security preparations.
Spring approached him warmly but quickly revealed she was aware of his arrangements and had her own snipers positioned, creating a tense standoff. Zhou Zhifei remained cautious. Spring delivered a letter from Xu Zeng'en requesting a prompt reply and, unexpectedly, revealed that Gu Yizhong was still alive in Suzhou. Zhou Zhifei was visibly surprised by this intelligence, realizing they had been outmaneuvered.
Spring gave him instructions for future contact: finding Master Hou at No. 9 Tailor Shop near Xuanmiao Taoist Temple and requesting a suit like Chaplin's from "Modern Times". Xu Zeng'en's letter addressed Zhou Zhifei as a long-standing friend, expressing regret over his perceived defection which he deemed a temporary error. He appealed to Zhou Zhifei's conscience and loyalty, explaining he tasked Spring with this mission.
The letter offered forgiveness for past actions and substantial rewards if Zhou Zhifei could persuade personnel from the Suzhou agent station to defect, presenting it as a chance for atonement. Zhou Zhenwu met with a special agent, also joined by Gu Huizhong and her baby Junsheng.
The special agent relayed the urgent need for medicine, especially quinine, for injured New Fourth Army soldiers and those suffering from malaria, a situation worsened by the Japanese and puppet forces' "pacification" campaign that restricted supply procurement. Zhou Zhenwu offered to help find the medicine. The special agent then voiced concerns about Xiao Ruotong's suitability for underground work in Suzhou, which Zhou Zhenwu immediately opposed.
Zhou Zhenwu brought up the lingering suspicion surrounding Gu Yizhong's death, specifically questioning how No. 90 agents knew about his meeting with them. Xiao Ruotong countered by highlighting the possibility of an informer amongst those present at the meeting. The special agent intervened, emphasizing the necessity of mutual trust among comrades and refocusing their efforts on the critical mission: acquiring quinine. Gu Huizhong confided in Hu Zhiping about a dream where Gu Yizhong asked why she had killed him.
Hu Zhiping comforted her, attributing the dream to her intense grief and longing. Separately, a conversation took place, strongly implied to be between Gu Xixing and the recuperating Gu Yizhong at the hospital, reflecting on loss and resilience. The speaker recounted seeing Xiao Ruotong during the funeral procession and expressed confusion about her actions. They discussed enduring hardship by remembering loved ones, sharing a poignant memory of their own deceased parents weeping in a dream, urging them to live on.
The conversation concluded with a plea for perseverance, especially for Xiao Ruotong's sake. Later, a note was anonymously placed in a temple donation box. It stated that "Gu Yizhong is still alive" and directed "No. 90" to "Investigate now," revealing the secret of his survival to the Japanese-backed intelligence agency.
