Stealth Walker Episode 22 Recap
> Stealth Walker Recap
As Ma Hongtao stood over Fang Lin's dead body, Lin Qiang appeared and was immediately threatened. To save herself, Lin Qiang desperately appealed to Ma Hongtao, identifying herself as "Wang Qian" and emphasizing her close relationship with Zhang Xianhe, Ma Hongtao’s son. She stated, "He's your son. So I'm on your side. I'm not a threat to you," and offered, "I know a way to get out. I can help you."
Meanwhile, Cheng Jingsong and his team were in a standoff with Liu Bing's men when special police forces, dispatched by Cao Yongming, arrived. They quickly subdued Liu Bing's crew and arrested them. Fang Lin's body was discovered, but Lin Qiang was missing. She had, in fact, helped Ma Hongtao escape the drug factory. On their way out, they met Luo Kun. Ma Hongtao informed Luo Kun that Cheng Jingsong was a police mole, a revelation Luo Kun received without surprise.
After learning that the drugs were not at the factory, Luo Kun moved to kill Lin Qiang because she knew Ma Hongtao's identity. " So I can't keep you alive," Luo Kun stated. Lin Qiang quickly offered a new incentive, claiming to have "a distribution network" and "a new network" to sell drugs. She pleaded to see Zhang Xianhe one last time, invoking his name as a reason for Ma Hongtao to spare her.
In police custody, Liu Bing confessed to multiple crimes but denied any knowledge of Ma Hongtao's whereabouts, insisting he was "in the US." He also expressed surprise upon learning of Fang Lin's death when questioned by Cao Yongming. Regarding the missing one ton of meth, Liu Bing revealed, "Li Guohua has it. As for where he keeps it, I have no idea."
An autopsy report confirmed that the bullet in Fang Lin's head did not match any weapons recovered from Liu Bing or Wu Hong's group, suggesting another individual was present at the scene. Additionally, Luo Kun's driver, Sun, was also reported missing, and further investigation revealed he was a temporary worker with no records at Chenhua Pharmaceutical.
Recognizing the significant scale of the drug operation, involving an estimated five tons of meth in Li Guohua's possession, a special task force, "Operation Thunder," was formed with the help of Officer Zhou from Interpol. Officer Zhou revealed that Zhang Xianhe, Ma Hongtao’s foster son, was actually an Interpol informant. He had been recruited by their American office due to his deep hatred for drugs, stemming from his biological mother's death as Ma Hongtao's drug mule.
Zhang Xianhe had previously assisted in raiding Ma Hongtao's plantations in Hongwa and was considered "a valuable asset." Officer Zhou also noted that Zhang Xianhe had lost contact with them, similar to Lin Qiang's disappearance, and had sought help from the local police. During the investigation, Cheng Jingsong took over the interrogation of De, who, upon seeing Cheng Jingsong's police uniform, realized his true identity and expressed concern for Lin Qiang's safety.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongtao contacted Li Guohua, instructing him to hand over the large quantity of drugs. Luo Kun confined Lin Qiang in a secluded room at a remote suburban location after confiscating all her belongings. Later, Luo Kun met Zhang Xianhe, confirming Cheng Jingsong's status as a police mole, stating, "Boss Ma was right. There was a mole among us." Zhang Xianhe then met Ma Hongtao, who had undergone facial surgery and expressed joy at their reunion.
Zhang Xianhe confronted Ma Hongtao, piecing together his father's plan to use the police to eliminate Liu Bing, remarking, "To root up the mole around you, you tipped the police, so they'd take Liu Bing down for you. Right?" Ma Hongtao explained his covert presence in Lingnan was to "solve quietly" certain problems. He also confirmed he had obtained the drug formula from Fang Lin and intended to revive his business.
When Zhang Xianhe asked about Sun Dapeng's autopsy report, Ma Hongtao confirmed Sun Dapeng's death was "a suicide," assuring Zhang Xianhe that he knew his son's character and that he "wouldn't hurt him." Ma Hongtao then asked Zhang Xianhe to return to managing his finances. Zhang Xianhe agreed but set a condition: "Give Coco back to me." Ma Hongtao assured him that Coco was safe and "Uncle Li is the most thoughtful.
With him taking care of Coco, you'll have nothing to worry about." Zhang Xianhe responded, "I'm naturally reassured with Uncle Li taking care of Coco." Later, Lin Qiang met with Zhang Xianhe. Zhang Xianhe revealed he knew her true identity, addressing her as "Officer Lin," and reassured her that he would keep her identity secret from Ma Hongtao, warning that if Ma Hongtao knew, "you'll die."
He explained that Ma Hongtao's suspicions about her had dissipated after confirming Cheng Jingsong was a police officer. Zhang Xianhe then urged Lin Qiang to tip off the police about Ma Hongtao's location, stressing that "only when Boss Ma is arrested can Coco finally be safe." Lin Qiang questioned his true motives, asking, "Is it true it's just about Coco's safety? Zhang Xianhe, who are you?"
Zhang Xianhe confirmed Lin Qiang's proposed distribution channel through "K" was reliable and asked that Lin Qiang not be kept locked up. Ma Hongtao agreed to let her "show her around tomorrow," as if on "a pleasant trip, a vacation." While being taken out, Lin Qiang managed to discreetly use a passerby's mobile phone to send a message, simply "K," to De via a mobile poker game. Upon receiving the message, De immediately reported it to the police.
Despite initial doubts from some officers about the sender's identity, as the account was registered by a local tout, De firmly believed it was Lin Qiang, asserting, "The game account I registered has never received messages from others except for Lin Qiang. It has to be her." Cheng Jingsong also vouched for De’s conviction. The police acted on the lead and began tracking K, observing him meeting Zhang Xianhe and Luo Kun.
During their meeting, K demanded cash payment for the drugs, specifically requesting old banknotes with no consecutive serial numbers, and asked for two days to prepare. They agreed to finalize the transaction in "two days" at Nanjiang Refinery, with the delivery at "Warehouse No. 14." K insisted that Ma Hongtao "has to come to collect the cash in person, or I'll drop out of this deal." Cao Yongming and Officer Zhou finalized the police operation.
They planned to deploy officers at the Yumin Expressway exit to prevent any escape from the Nanjiang Refinery area. Although Zhang Xianhe and Luo Kun were momentarily lost after switching to a public ferry, K remained under surveillance, expected to lead them to Ma Hongtao. Cao Yongming emphasized the need for extra protection for Lin Qiang and Zhang Xianhe if they appeared during the operation, surmising that Lin Qiang sent the message to lure Ma Hongtao.
Cheng Jingsong expressed optimism for Lin Qiang's safety. On the day of the transaction, Zhang Xianhe urged Ma Hongtao to depart, as K had the money ready. However, Ma Hongtao calmly dismissed him, saying, "No rush. Sit down for a while. Luo Kun has it arranged," indicating he had a plan. At Warehouse No. 14, K's men confirmed the drugs were legitimate but expressed unease over Ma Hongtao's absence.
As they started loading the truck, Cao Yongming, after a moment of hesitation, gave the order to move in. Police swarmed the warehouse, apprehending K and seizing the narcotics. From a vantage point on the rooftop, Luo Kun telephoned Ma Hongtao, confirming the police raid. Ma Hongtao, having anticipated this, instructed Luo Kun to detonate the bomb planted in the truck.
As officers discovered the bomb and began to evacuate, Cheng Jingsong, recognizing the grave danger posed by the nearby refinery, bravely entered the truck. Ignoring frantic pleas from Cao Yongming and Dazhuang to escape, Cheng Jingsong drove the bomb-laden truck away from the warehouse to an isolated area. The bomb exploded moments later, leaving Cheng Jingsong's fate tragically uncertain, with Cao Yongming's desperate radio calls met only by Dazhuang's anguished shouts of "Cheng Jingsong!"
