A Lonely Hero's Journey Episode 9 Recap
> A Lonely Hero's Journey Recap
Zhou Zhifei and Jinhai discussed the status of the lead on Cell 8. Zhou Zhifei was certain Cell 8 was in Suzhou and had seen the note left for him, as the mark on it had been altered. They interpreted Cell 8's lack of response as an attempt to sever ties, a move Jinhai termed like "burning bridges" after getting on a boat.
They reasoned that the person who most wanted Gu Yizhong dead was Cell 8 because if Gu Yizhong were to die, everyone would believe he was Cell 8, thus keeping the real Cell 8's identity safe and freeing him from the obligation to provide further intelligence. Zhou Zhifei explained that this was why he permitted Gu Yizhong within No. 90 in the first place; he served as a counterbalance to Cell 8.
Jinhai questioned whether Kondo would truly trust Gu Yizhong, but Zhou Zhifei pointed out the Japanese rigidity and their significant previous investment in Gu Xixing, making it unlikely they would easily abandon the opening they found with Gu Yizhong. Jinhai worried that Gu Yizhong, being intelligent, would eventually cause problems if he didn't listen to them.
Zhou Zhifei proposed making Gu Yizhong kill someone as a "pledge of loyalty" to ensure he could never turn back from participating in the peace movement ("和运"). Jinhai agreed to arrange it, stating that once Gu Yizhong was in No. 90, he wouldn't have a choice but to sink with them, using the term "hànjiān." Zhou Zhifei corrected Jinhai, emphasizing they were engaging in a "peace movement," not acting as traitors.
Jinhai then shared news about Ou Xinping, reporting that Jiuzhao, while not skilled at killing, was effective at finding people. Ou Xinping was reportedly hiding in Gu's Garden and had been promoted to Head of the Jiangsu Operations for CBIS, according to intelligence from Shanghai's No. 76. Jinhai asked Zhou Zhifei about a letter from Xu Enzeng, speculating if Xu intended to recruit Zhou Zhifei and the people of No. 90 back to CBIS.
Zhou Zhifei confirmed Jinhai's guess was accurate and asked how Jinhai would feel about such a move. Jinhai pledged his unwavering loyalty, vowing to follow wherever Zhou Zhifei went. Zhou Zhifei then confided his dream of retiring someday by buying an island abroad with Jinhai and his wife, Xiaolan, which Jinhai eagerly accepted. Zhou Zhifei insisted Jinhai take some money before leaving, despite his initial refusal.
The new recruits faced their final assessment, which involved murder, described as a common technique for professional agents. Cui Yaomin was presented as a condemned man, sentenced to death for collaborating with the enemy. Section Chief Lian instructed the recruits on the execution method, demonstrating how to shoot for a quick, clean kill, and ordered Gu Yizhong to carry it out, handing him a gun. Gu Yizhong protested, saying he couldn't kill.
Section Chief Lian insisted, forcing the gun into his hand and telling him to aim and shoot. Cui Yaomin, with a cloth gag in his mouth, struggled to speak. Gu Yizhong, noticing this, quickly removed the gag. Released from the gag, Cui Yaomin angrily shouted accusations at Section Chief Lian and Zhou Zhifei, claiming they had taken his money (mentioning gold bars given by his wife to Zhou's and Lian's wives) and were now killing him.
He also shouted about their connections to Kondo and Ding Jiansheng. As agents moved to silence Cui Yaomin, Cui Yaomin suddenly grabbed the gun from Gu Yizhong and shot Jinhai. The surrounding agents immediately opened fire, killing Cui Yaomin, while Jinhai was severely wounded and rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, Xiao Ruotong sought out Haimo, convinced that Gu Yizhong had a compelling reason for joining No. 90.
She asked Haimo to arrange a meeting with him to talk things through, promising to keep their conversation strictly confidential among the three of them. Haimo agreed to try. Haimo located Gu Yizhong at the Appeasement Military Hospital, where he was being held. Gu Yizhong refused to meet Xiao Ruotong, stating that if the situation could be easily explained, he wouldn't be where he was.
He gave Haimo a steel pen to return to Xiao Ruotong, saying she would understand its meaning. As Haimo was leaving, agents arrived and took Gu Yizhong away from the hospital. Captain Zhang intercepted Haimo and demanded the pen, dismissing her claim that it was broken and hers, and took it despite Gu Yizhong's assertion that it belonged to him and should be returned to her.
Back in confinement, Gu Yizhong, distraught, called out for Jinhai and Huang Xinzhai, seeking answers. He attempted to bribe a guard to see Huang Xinzhai. Haimo returned to Xiao Ruotong, telling her Gu Yizhong refused to meet and gave her the pen, adding that he had been taken away to No. 90. Separately, Lin Shujuan and Wang Ma, who worked at Gu's Garden, discussed Gu Yizhong joining No. 90, troubled by it and speculating he might be a "double agent."
Haimo then spoke with Lin Shujuan, pleading for help to save Gu Yizhong, stating she had seen him arrested at No. 90 that morning. Lin Shujuan refused, claiming she knew no one at No. 90, warned Haimo to mind her own business, and implicitly threatened Haimo's brother if she interfered. Zhou Zhifei mourned Jinhai's death with Xiaolan, who was overcome with grief and had attempted suicide by swallowing opium.
Zhou Zhifei suspected Gu Yizhong and Huang Xinzhai were responsible for Jinhai's death and were plotting to seize his power. Xiaolan urged him to avenge Jinhai by killing Gu Yizhong. Huang Xinzhai visited Gu Yizhong in confinement, accusing him of being the one who benefited most from the deaths of both Cui and Lian. Gu Yizhong maintained his innocence, explaining that Cui Yaomin had grabbed his gun and was killed in the crossfire, with many witnesses to back him up.
Huang Xinzhai expressed frustration that Cui Yaomin, a vital witness, was dead, cutting off crucial leads. Gu Yizhong then asked Huang Xinzhai about Ding Jiansheng, mentioning Cui Yaomin spoke the name before he died. Huang Xinzhai sternly warned Gu Yizhong that if he wanted to survive in No. 90, he must never mention that name again. Huang Xinzhai left, telling Gu Yizhong that Zhou Zhifei would seek revenge for Jinhai's death and advised him to look out for himself.
Captain Zhang then took Gu Yizhong to see Director Zhou. News of Gu Yizhong being taken by Zhou Zhifei, and the potential threat to his life, reached the Japanese advisor Kondo. Kondo was concerned as Gu Yizhong's role was crucial to his plan to get Gu Xixing to accept the position of Magistrate. Zhou Zhifei gathered the training class, including Gu Yizhong, and announced they were officially members of the Suzhou Agent Station.
Kondo arrived to observe, describing the scene as a "play." Someone, possibly Huang Xinzhai, indicated to Kondo that Zhou Zhifei intended to kill Gu Yizhong, but Kondo dismissed it, stating Zhou Zhifei was more cunning. Kondo then discussed the appointment letter for Gu Xixing as the new Magistrate of Wu County, noting Wang Zemin was out and the decision was made, which presented difficulties for Wang Zemin. Kondo believed Gu Xixing's stubbornness meant he wouldn't accept the position.
Kondo inquired about Gu Yizhong, noting his foreign education, tie to Liang Sicheng, and top ranking in the training. Kondo asked if Gu Yizhong was Zhou Zhifei's man. Zhou Zhifei replied he wasn't sure whose man Gu Yizhong was, prompting Kondo to suggest making him Zhou Zhifei's man. Zhou Zhifei agreed to try, while privately resolving to avenge Jinhai but to proceed cautiously, keeping Gu Yizhong stable for now.
Zhou Zhifei summoned Gu Yizhong to his office, congratulating him on being named the Outstanding Trainee and offering his support. Zhou Zhifei explained that he had received the appointment letter for Gu Xixing to become the Magistrate of Wu County from Kondo, who admired Gu Xixing, and stated it was a unanimous decision from higher authorities. Zhou Zhifei tasked Gu Yizhong with delivering the letter to his father.
Gu Yizhong protested, citing his father's stubbornness and the fact he had been disowned, but Zhou Zhifei insisted, stating Kondo required Gu Yizhong to deliver it personally, especially with Gu Xixing's 60th birthday approaching in three days, which would make the occasion doubly joyful. Zhou Zhifei then reminded Gu Yizhong of his close relationship with Jinhai and the distress of Jinhai's wife who was demanding the responsible party.
He offered a deal: if Gu Yizhong delivered the letter, Zhou Zhifei would settle the Jinhai matter for him and release his cousin, Lu Zheng, from No. 90. Zhou Zhifei added that according to No. 90's rules, Lu Zheng's release was not free, demanding twenty gold bars from the Lu family—ten for the agents and ten for Jinhai's family.
Zhou Zhifei praised Gu Yizhong's past military service (mentioning the 3rd Gendarmerie Regiment) and loyalty (as praised by Jinhai) and appointed him Acting Chief of the Investigation Department, promising a permanent position and increased salary if he proved capable in three months. Gu Yizhong pledged his loyalty and accepted his first task: to investigate Gu Yizhong's own background. Gu Yizhong went, accompanied by Gao Hu, to facilitate Lu Zheng's release.
He informed Lu Zheng he was there to take him home. Lu Zheng described the harsh prison conditions initially but noted an improvement recently and acknowledged Gu Yizhong's efforts to free him, mentioning his status as Outstanding Trainee.
Upon arriving at Lu Zheng's home, Lu Zheng's father appeared but reacted coldly upon seeing Gu Yizhong, telling his son to enter alone to avoid neighbor misunderstandings and refusing to let Gu Yizhong call him "Uncle," instead addressing him formally as "Mr. Gu." Gu Yizhong reminded Lu Zheng's father about the twenty gold bars needed for the release, for which he had vouched. After a moment, Lu Zheng's father took his son inside, leaving Gu Yizhong and Gao Hu outside.
Lu Zheng expressed shock at his father's cold demeanor. Gu Yizhong explained that everyone in Suzhou knew he had joined No. 90 and become a Japanese agent. After telling Lu Zheng to go inside to bathe and "wash away the bad luck," Gu Yizhong, while seemingly unobserved, used a matchbox to pass a concealed message to Lu Zheng.
The message warned Lu Zheng that Gu Yizhong was being forced to deliver the magistrate appointment letter within three days, that his life was in danger, and urged Lu Zheng to request his father ("您") leave Suzhou before his birthday. Gu Xixing, understanding the message conveyed by Lu Zheng, interpreted it as the Japanese using both persuasion and force to drag him and Gu Yizhong into trouble. Lu Zheng suggested seeking safety in the French Concession in Shanghai.
However, Gu Xixing decided to celebrate his 60th birthday in Suzhou, refusing to remain "in hiding" after four years of keeping a low profile. He announced a lavish banquet for all notable individuals and placed a public invitation in the Jiangsu Daily newspaper. Wang Zemin discussed the potential magistrate appointment with Li, expressing his disappointment at losing the opportunity. Li advised him to be patient, suggesting Gu Xixing's acceptance was not guaranteed.
Wang Zemin, sensing Li's approval, offered to prepare a significant gift for Li immediately. Zhou Zhifei encouraged Wang Zemin to prepare the gift for Li and defer his own gift to Zhou. Zhou Zhifei also asked Wang Zemin to organize a respectable funeral for Jinhai, which Wang Zemin agreed to do. Zhou Zhifei introduced Gu Yizhong and Gao Hu to the Investigation Department, stating they were assigned there under his orders.
The department members, particularly Acting Chief Xie Wenchao, who was loyal to the deceased Section Chief Lian and described as his "die-hard," appeared unwelcoming. Gu Yizhong and Gao Hu attempted to foster goodwill by providing snacks from Lugaojian, including braised meat, lotus seed pig trotters, and braised duck, and promised to cover future midnight snacks for the department. They toasted with the team.
Gao Hu reported to Zhou Zhifei that Gu Yizhong had been drinking heavily for two nights and had not directly contacted Gu's Garden. Zhou Zhifei insisted Gu Yizhong must have contacted them using an alternative method. He instructed Gao Hu on the importance of reading newspapers, especially small ads and notices, as these were sometimes used for transmitting information.
He showed Gao Hu the public notice in the Jiangsu Daily about Gu Xixing's open invitation to his birthday banquet, identifying it as Gu Yizhong's message to his father, which Zhou Zhifei correctly interpreted as a signal for his father to leave Suzhou urgently. After learning of the newspaper notice, Zhou Zhifei privately resolved to wait and see how the situation unfolded, anticipating the resulting complications.
He also secretly contacted the mysterious "Cell 8," proposing continued cooperation if Cell 8 would help him eliminate Gu Yizhong. Cell 8's response was a cold exchange, demanding Gu Yizhong's life in return for Cell 8's continued loyalty.
