Qi Menglin and Luo Shu spend three thousand taels of silver to purchase the swapped military grain and transport it overnight to Linfen. Qin Yi, arriving at Luosha Port shortly after, learns that Qi Menglin and Luo Shu have already left for Taoyuan Ferry. He rushes to catch up but is too late—the two have already taken the grain. Qin Yi personally leads his men to Linfen in pursuit.
Early the next morning, Qi Menglin and Luo Shu arrive in Linfen to distribute the grain to the people. Han Muzhi, hearing of this, sends Officer Cai and his men to the dock to investigate. The townspeople, suspicious of the grain’s origins, demand an explanation. Luo Shu reveals the truth about Liu Yiqing and Qin Yi’s scheme to swap the military grain, earning the people’s trust. They line up to receive the grain.
Qin Yi arrives in Linfen by boat and sees Luo Shu and Qi Menglin distributing grain from a distance. Furious, he speeds to the shore, but Cai Baozi arrives in time to escort Luo Shu and Qi Menglin back to the county office. Officer Cai and his men cover their retreat, leaving Qin Yi empty-handed when he reaches the shore.
Han Muzhi hides Luo Shu and Qi Menglin in the county office, while Qi Menglin asks Officer Cai to deliver a letter to Lian Shu in Taiyuan. Qin Yi surrounds the county office, demanding that Han Muzhi hand over Luo Shu and Qi Menglin, invoking Liu Yiqing’s authority. Han Muzhi refuses, and Qin Yi, knowing that forcibly entering the county office would be a capital offense, stations his men to keep watch.
Liu Yiqing, learning of the situation, makes a bold decision: to use this opportunity to eliminate both Qin Yi and Han Muzhi, ridding himself of Qin Yi as a thorn in his side and ensuring Liu Wan gives up on Han Muzhi. Liu Yiqing sends Peng Cheng to deliver a message to Qin Yi, instructing him to kill Han Muzhi. Qin Yi, however, sees through Liu Yiqing’s plan, realizing that Liu Yiqing intends to silence him afterward. Qin Yi convinces Peng Cheng to kill Han Muzhi, promising to support him afterward and elevate their statuses so that Liu Yiqing cannot touch either of them. Peng Cheng, tempted by the offer, agrees.
Meanwhile, a conflict breaks out among the people along the Fen River over newly arrived high-quality seeds. Han Muzhi personally leads his officers to mediate. At the same time, Qin Yi causes a disturbance at the county office, distracting Chen Meiqing at the front gate while masked men sneak into the backyard. Cai Baozi and Xu Wuzuo, having set traps, capture the intruders. Xu Wenzheng escorts Luo Shu and Qi Menglin out, but they are pursued, and Qi Menglin is injured. Luo Shu helps him escape.
Han Muzhi and Officer Cai arrive at the scene of the conflict, where the fighting has escalated. They intervene to stop the violence, and when an assassin attempts to attack Han Muzhi, Officer Cai steps in, killing the assassin on the spot. Officer Cai recognizes the assassin from Taiyuan. Qin Yi, noticing bloodstains outside, deduces that Qi Menglin cannot have gone far and orders a thorough search.
Luo Shu takes Qi Menglin to a slum where they had previously done charitable work. Qi Menglin, weakened from blood loss, faints. Luo Shu tends to his wounds and ventures out at night to fetch medicine. When Qi Menglin regains consciousness and finds Luo Shu gone, he struggles to his feet to search for her.
Luo Shu, while buying medicine, is captured by a local thug, Er Mazi, who delivers her to Qin Yi at Mingke Fang. Qi Menglin, searching for Luo Shu, learns of her capture. Qin Yi tries to coerce Luo Shu, but she remains defiant. Enraged, Qin Yi pins her down, but Luo Shu fights back. Qi Menglin finds Luo Shu at Mingke Fang but is unable to enter as the doors and windows are sealed.
Qin Yi uses Luo Shu as bait to lure Qi Menglin, who arrives shortly after, offering his life in exchange for Luo Shu’s freedom. Qin Yi, in a fit of rage, injures Qi Menglin and begins to harass Luo Shu in front of him. Luo Shu warns Qin Yi that Liu Yiqing will never spare him, even if he kills Qi Menglin. Qin Yi refuses to believe her. Han Muzhi, Liu Yiqing, and Provincial Administrator Zhao surround Mingke Fang. Qin Yi, realizing he is doomed, publicly declares that Liu Yiqing orchestrated everything. Han Muzhi orders Qin Yi’s arrest, but Qin Yi threatens Luo Shu’s life. Administrator Zhao orders Qin Yi’s capture.
Qin Yi, prepared to die, ignites a fire in the room using oil. As flames engulf the building, Han Muzhi desperately tries to break down the door to save Luo Shu, but Liu Yiqing orders it sealed. Qi Menglin braves the fire to rescue Luo Shu, kicking Qin Yi aside as he tries to stop them. Qin Yi perishes in the flames, while Qi Menglin and Luo Shu narrowly escape.
