Checkmate Episode 23 Recap
> Checkmate Recap
Situ Yan continued his intense interrogation of Du Heng in the study, sternly accusing him of not deserving a daughter like Zou Jingxuan, especially after abandoning his family, murdering friends for the "Oracle," and bringing trouble upon her, including the death of Chairman Luo who raised her. Du Heng, showing remorse, conceded that he indeed did not deserve her.
He then clarified his role within the "Oracle" organization: while he was involved in assassination preparations in Beijing, his primary objective was to identify and recruit suitable individuals, such as Yu Daren and Chief Xie, who could be manipulated to serve the Emperor. Du Heng explained that Chairman Luo Wensheng's unwavering support for the Southern Government and his strong influence in Harbin made him a direct threat to the Japanese, leading to a plot to replace him with Yu Daren.
Situ Yan listed a series of past deaths and incidents, including Chairman Luo's murder, Zhao Qiansun's death, Yu Daren's suicide, and the kidnapping of Consul Kondo, questioning if all these were solely X's doing. Du Heng confirmed that X orchestrated many of these events, but noted some were coincidental, emphasizing the immense, almost imperially backed power of the Oracle, which infiltrated various sectors, with assassination being merely one of its many tactics.
He further divulged that X was behind Ma Shiying's assassination of Xu Shiren and Ma Shiying’s subsequent elimination. Du Heng stated that if Bai Lu hadn't committed suicide, the Xu family case would have remained entirely without suspicion. When Situ Yan suggested Bai Lu’s death was a result of Du Heng’s actions, Du Heng explained that every failed operation within the Oracle demanded a "sacrifice" to take responsibility. These sacrifices, though highly respected and loyal, were ultimately distrusted by X.
He also clarified that Xie Hua was not an Oracle member, but X had tried to ensnare him through murder. Situ Yan’s intervention, however, exposed Xie Hua’s scheme, compelling him to commit suicide to protect his son. Du Heng admitted he lacked the specific details of Luo Wensheng's murder, as X was far more meticulous than he. He noted that if X had not been so particular, Zhao Qiansun would not have died so simply.
Du Heng also stated that the sacrifices had no choice in their fate and elaborated on Bai Lu’s death from poison shortly after leaving a train, having turned herself in to the Fengtian Police to prevent greater harm. Situ Yan expressed his disbelief at her actions, but Du Heng simply stated that she had done it anyway. Du Heng concluded by revealing that Situ Yan was actually X’s top choice, but their differing values posed an insurmountable obstacle.
He warned that as Situ Yan's influence grew, he would become a thorn in X’s side, and if X couldn't recruit him, he would eliminate him. Situ Yan probed for more information, but Du Heng insisted he had shared everything he knew. Meanwhile, Zou Jingxuan wandered into the main hall and picked up the book "No One Lives."
A folded page within it contained a story about a character named Bai Zhi who, years later, realized her father had protected her by instructing her to call him "Old Lei" instead of "uncle." This narrative strongly resonated with Jingxuan, who recalled Du Heng's persistent requests for her to call him "Old Du" rather than "uncle." The story made her realize with a shock that Du Heng was her biological father.
Elsewhere in the mansion, Bai Shanshan and others were idly playing Mahjong. Zhou Mowan arrived with unsettling news: the suspension bridge, their only way out, had collapsed under the heavy snow, trapping everyone inside. Concerned about dwindling provisions, Zhou Mowan instructed Ding Meng to inventory the remaining food, water, and firewood, and then told everyone to consolidate into a single area to conserve fuel.
She urged the group to remain calm and suggested they all head to the kitchen to take stock. Noticing Jingxuan’s unwell appearance, Zhou Mowan offered her rest, but Jingxuan declined, insisting she was fine. Luo Shaochuan then informed Situ Yan about their predicament, confirming they were isolated and low on supplies. Situ Yan immediately recognized this as a deliberate move by X.
He instructed Luo Shaochuan to keep everyone away from his study and then revealed the presence of Oracle members among them, connecting it to a past warning from Zhou Mowan about the Japanese Consulate case. Luo Shaochuan, concerned for Situ Yan’s safety, vowed to protect him and eliminate the Oracle members, even suggesting Situ Yan hide once they escaped.
Luo Shaochuan then inferred that Du Heng, as an Oracle member, must have been behind the eliminations of Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi. Situ Yan then disclosed that Du Heng had delivered a message from X: three more individuals were to die in the mansion. This revelation deeply shocked Luo Shaochuan. Situ Yan expressed his determination to stop X but admitted X knew him intimately, while X's true identity remained unknown.
He dismissed Liu as a suspect due to his simple nature and Officer Bao due to his clear motivation for personal gain. Situ Yan considered hiding Zou Jingxuan and his aunt, but Luo Shaochuan urged him to remain calm. Despite Luo Shaochuan’s suspicious glances, Situ Yan affirmed his trust in him. Suddenly, a fire broke out in the basement kitchen, sending everyone into a panicked frenzy to extinguish it.
After the flames were put out, the cause was identified as water left boiling on a water gas stove until it completely evaporated. Situ Yan immediately suspected Ding Meng, questioning who else would have been boiling water. During the chaos, Luo Shaochuan noticed Zou Jingxuan's absence and learned she had gone to rest, causing Situ Yan considerable worry. Situ Yan soon discovered Du Heng had escaped the study, leaving his ropes behind. He realized this was a diversion.
Luo Shaochuan mused that perhaps Du Heng, speaking of three more deaths, intended himself to be the first. Situ Yan's priority was the safety of the others. He instructed Luo Shaochuan to gather everyone and ensure no one wandered off alone.
While Luo Shaochuan attempted to calm the increasingly frightened group, assuring them they would be safe if they stayed together until the police arrived, Dai Liming, searching the kitchen cabinets for alcohol, found a bottle labeled "Nicotine" among several bottles of wine. He grabbed a bottle of wine and left. Later that night, Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan tracked Du Heng through the heavy snowfall and found him frozen to death.
Luo Shaochuan observed that Du Heng had stripped, concluding he had succumbed to hypothermia, exacerbated by alcohol, which can create a false sensation of warmth. Situ Yan revealed Du Heng’s dying wish: that Zou Jingxuan never learn he was her father, and that their relationship remain a secret. Situ Yan promised to honor this wish and instructed Luo Shaochuan to report that Du Heng was still missing, rather than dead, to avoid further panic and to protect Jingxuan.
They then buried Du Heng in the snow. Upon returning, Situ Yan located the copy of "No One Lives" and, recognizing the folded page that exposed Du Heng's identity, realized Zou Jingxuan now knew the truth. The others then confronted Situ Yan and Luo Shaochuan, demanding answers about Du Heng and the prophecy of "three more deaths." Situ Yan confirmed Du Heng's affiliation with the Oracle and the organization's existence.
He announced X's challenge of three additional deaths in the mansion, clarifying that Du Heng was the first. Situ Yan stressed the urgency of finding and stopping X, who he knew was among them and understood him deeply, though X's identity remained unknown. He reiterated that Du Heng's death must remain a secret to prevent widespread panic. Subsequently, Zhou Mowan, reflecting on the kitchen fire, pointed out Zou Jingxuan's absence from the scene.
Luo Shaochuan, misinterpreting Zhou Mowan's comment as an accusation, angrily defended Jingxuan, vehemently denying any connection between her and Du Heng or the Oracle, and rejecting the notion that she would wish harm upon Situ Yan. Overwhelmed by the accusations, Zou Jingxuan interrupted, tearfully confessing that she had released Du Heng because he was her father.
She explained that she realized this from "No One Lives," a book Du Heng had helped Dong Cixin write, which contained a story mirroring her own situation. She recounted giving Du Heng wine (having heard Bai Shanshan mention it could ward off cold), confronting him, and his initial denial of their relationship, claiming he was merely a murderer. However, seeing his tears, she had set him free.
Zou Jingxuan offered herself for arrest, but Zhou Mowan comforted her, assuring her that no one blamed her, as anyone in her position would have done the same. Situ Yan then returned a necklace to her, revealing it to be a love token between Du Heng and her mother. Meanwhile, Dai Liming, seemingly awakened to the gravity of their situation, approached Zheng Bai, profusely apologizing and begging for reconciliation. He offered her wine and then coffee, as she disliked alcohol.
Zheng Bai, however, remained resolute in her decision for a divorce, offering him half of her property, which he refused, pleading only for her forgiveness. Bai Shanshan made cynical remarks about Dai Liming's sudden change of heart, prompting Dong Cixin to accuse Zou Jingxuan of releasing a murderer. Bai Shanshan and Luo Shaochuan defended Zou Jingxuan, with Luo Shaochuan even guaranteeing Du Heng's reformed character and offering his own life if he were to kill again.
Dong Cixin sarcastically implied a familial connection between Luo Shaochuan and Du Heng. The argument escalated further, with Dong Cixin suggesting Zou Jingxuan deliberately set the kitchen fire as a diversion to free her father, noting her absence from the scene and alluding to the "blood is thicker than water" bond. Bai Shanshan and Luo Shaochuan retorted, criticizing Dong Cixin's "imagination."
The verbal spat turned into a physical scuffle when Luo Shaochuan attempted to attack Dong Cixin but was restrained, causing the table holding a wine glass to be knocked. In the ensuing chaos, Dai Liming suddenly collapsed and died after drinking the wine from the jostled glass. Zou Jingxuan was horrified, believing Du Heng had committed the murder despite his promise. Situ Yan inspected the scene and found traces of nicotine.
Luo Shaochuan, enraged by the new death and Situ Yan's inaction, angrily confronted Situ Yan, blaming him for not defending Zou Jingxuan earlier and for failing to prevent this murder. He declared an end to their partnership and stormed off, taking Liu with him. In the secret basement room, Luo Shaochuan explained to Bai Shanshan and Zou Jingxuan that Liu had discovered the naturally warm space.
He then barricaded them inside, instructing them not to open the door for anyone, including Situ Yan or Officer Bao, and to trust no one but him. He vehemently claimed that the "Oracle" was a mere fabrication, and the entire series of events was a calculated scheme by Situ Yan.
Luo Shaochuan accused Situ Yan of orchestrating all the murders, including Xie Hua's killing of his father, Luo Wensheng, and Du Heng's elimination of Shen Jianxian and Fang Jianqi, claiming these were all aimed at destroying the Luo family. He even alleged that Situ Yan had manipulated Zou Jingxuan into freeing Du Heng and was now attempting to frame him.
He presented a train ticket and a nicotine toxicology research paper, claiming Situ Yan had planted them on him as evidence. Zou Jingxuan, though initially skeptical about Situ Yan's involvement in her uncle's case, questioned Luo Shaochuan's claims. Luo Shaochuan countered that destroying the Luo family would be Situ Yan's ultimate gain. He reiterated that no one could leave until three more people died, promising to protect both women.
Distraught, Zou Jingxuan offered her own life, believing her death might end the bloodshed, but Bai Shanshan dismissed this, fearing she would be the next victim. While trying to comfort Zou Jingxuan, Luo Shaochuan inadvertently revealed Du Heng's death. A shocked Zou Jingxuan demanded to know the cause, and Luo Shaochuan falsely claimed it was Situ Yan's plan, asserting that Situ Yan had used Zou Jingxuan's act of giving wine to her father to cause his death by freezing.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Zou Jingxuan broke down, convinced she had caused her father's death, and begged Luo Shaochuan to kill her. Zheng Bai, who was also present, comforted her, reminding her she was her mother. Meanwhile, Situ Yan, in the wine cellar, discovered nicotine among the foreign wines, recalling that Dr. Fang received many bottles of foreign wine from a friend, which he disliked and stored in the kitchen cabinets for cooking.
He concluded that X was a master manipulator who did not commit murders directly but instead provided the "knife," turning others into killers. Situ Yan admitted that despite his own skill at understanding human nature, X was far superior. He then asked Zhou Mowan who had moved the book "No One Lives" from the study to the living room. Zhou Mowan remembered it was Jin Qiming.
Situ Yan pondered why Zou Jingxuan, a non-drinker, would have offered wine to Du Heng, realizing that without that bottle, Du Heng might have survived longer in the cold. Zhou Mowan then recalled Bai Shanshan's earlier casual remark that drinking alcohol could help ward off the cold. Situ Yan pieced together that Bai Shanshan's comment likely influenced Zou Jingxuan to give the wine to Du Heng, indirectly leading to his death.
He also noted that Luo Shaochuan had handed the poisoned wine to Dai Liming. When Zhou Mowan suggested Bai Shanshan was the primary instigator, Situ Yan shook his head, stating he truly did not know who the culprit was.
