Metamorphosis (Po Jian Er Chu / 破茧而出)

Metamorphosis

Episode 1

He's Rattlesnake.

Now that Grandpa's dead, he's the man most likely to become the next boss.

But it won't be a smooth transition.

That's Red Boar.

He's Rattlesnake's rival.

These two are the most powerful of Grandpa's men.

Sooner or later,they'll be at each other's throats

Why the long face?

Have you forgotten what Grandpa told us before he died?

He said he was content to have lived to his 70s.

He wanted us to see him off with a smile.

Give us a smile.

Where's Teochew?

Why isn't he here?

They scored?

Speaking.

Got it.

There's been a murder.

A football match at this time of day?

Who do you think you're kidding?

I told Teochew to bet on Barcelona yesterday.

But he wouldn't listen.

He preferred Chelsea.

He said they were a solid team, and had been building up their strength.

He was sure they'd win the match.

But sometimes pure strength is useless.

You have to go with the flow.

But he insisted on betting on Chelsea.

And what happened?

They lost the match.

I've said before that we mustn't fall out after Grandpa's death.

We'd only be doing others a favor.

Let's all profit together. There's plenty to go round.

I don't know what you're talking about. I was talking about football.

Don't bother to pretend.

You know very well...

what you've been up to.

I've not been up to anything. Don't make things up.

That's right! 3 days ago, your punks beat our men up on our turf!

Your guys started it!

Drop the act! Anyone can tell you're eyeing our turf!

Red Boar, rein in your dog.

Since when has it been your place to tell me what to do?

Don't get too big for your boots.

Don't waste your breath, Boss. Let's fight them!

We're in Grandpa's presence.

If anyone dares misbehave...

I'll kill him!

Relax, boys.

We're here to pay Grandpa our last respects.

Not to pick a fight.

When the funeral's over, we'll have a nice chat over a cup of tea.

Yeah.

What is it?

Teochew's been murdered.

-Uncle Ming. -Well?

The dead man's a 43-year-old named Fu Zhigang, aka "Teochew"

Three others were injured. They've been sent to hospital.

They were all from a gang.

This is the second murder of a gangster.

Uncle Ming.

Witnesses say the killer was around 1.75m tall, thin and dressed in black.

But we've no idea what his face looks like.

Lots of cases are solved through small clues.

Hey... Why is his blood black?

You really don't know, Mya?

So much for being a brilliant graduate of the Police Academy.

Sir, not even a brilliant graduate knows everything.

Pay attention.

He died from a blow to his kidney. And the weapon pierced the aorta.

That's why the blood from the kidney is dark red.

Mya, you'd do well to learn from him.

Did you find anything else, Ouyang?

The killer is skilled with a knife.

He killed the victim with just one blow, no more.

In terms of force and speed, it was no ordinary blow.

I'm sure he's a professional killer.

You all noticed that his methods are similar to those in the previous case?

I think we've got a serial murder case on our hands.

These four men are Grandpa's henchmen, aka "The Four Heavenly Kings"

But these two are dead.

The first victim, Cai Jin, aka "Gold Tooth", aged 35,

died from a stab wound to the kidney 3 days ago.

Fu Zhigang, aka "Teochew", also died from a stab wound to the kidney today.

These men were both killed in the week right after Grandpa's death.

I suspect the murders are the result of internal strife.

Now only Red Boar and Rattlesnake are left. They're our prime suspects

Could one of them've hired a killer to dispose of the rest so he can be boss?

That's possible.

Ouyang, what does the forensic report say?

According to the report, the stab wound found on Teochew was 6cm deep,

just like the wound on Gold Tooth.

They were both stabbed fatally in the kidney.

In addition, both wounds were made with the same kind of knife.

I suspect we're dealing with the same killer.

Di Lun,what's your take on this?

I agree with Ouyang.

There are two notable points in these cases:

One, the killer subdued the people other than the victims barehanded.

Only with his victim did he use a knife.

Second, the killer struck when the victim had the fewest companions.

He was familiar with their whereabouts.

He did his research on the victims before he struck.

Could he have been informed by the mastermind behind the murders?

Very likely.

From what we can tell from his methods, the killer is an extremely cautious man.

But the killer displayed a very distinctive style.

He wanted us to know that he was responsible for both murders.

No one knows what he's after, though.

Maybe all hitmen have to kill stylishly to be cool.

You've seen too many movies.

Right. So have we any leads on the identity of the killer?

Sir, we showed Di Lun's sketch to people near the crime scene,

but no one had seen anyone like it.

All three witnesses said the killer moved too fast.

They couldn't see his face.

Yes, he's too quick and cautious. We'll need more time to identify him.

The killer is Blade.

Huang Zhiqiang, aka "Blade". Age 32, male, 1.75m tall.

Three years ago, he robbed a string of jewelry stores and killed two innocent people.

He's wanted and extremely dangerous.

Yes, I've heard of him. But he fled abroad 3 years ago.

Sir, I'm sorry I interrupted your meeting.

Not at all.

People, this is An Xiaoqian, your new chief.

She'll be leading the unit from now on. Do give her your full support.

Yes, sir!

These murders will turn the gangsters against each other.

I hope to take this opportunity to round them all up.

Round them all up? Like it's that simple.

Blade is a highly dangerous man.

If you encounter him in the course of the investigation, be extra careful.

We'll worry about that when we've found him.

-Is that clear? -Yes, ma'am!

This is your office.

Congrats on your promotion.

Thanks. I'm handing everything here over to you.

I'll do my best.

Everyone in the unit has a distinct personality.

It may take you some time to get used to working with them.

Di Lun is an orphan.

He's cool-headed, meticulous, and analytical.

He has a gift for drawing, which has helped identify many suspects.

What did you think of An Xiaoqian?

She's got a sharp mind, and she's severe. Anyway, she's no pushover.

Why are you singing her praises? You fancy her?

Ouyang Li

He grew up in the same orphanage as Di Lun.

He's physically agile, and confident,

and was once National Shooting Champion.

But he's impulsive, and often rash in his actions.

She'd better have what it takes to be Chief, or she's going out!

Who knows? She may kick you out.

What? You don't think I'll win?

She named the killer on her first day here.

It's obvious she did her research.

Do you really think she's a pushover?

Mya, Sun Meiya.

Daughter of the legendary detective Sun Yiqing.

Passionate about her job, efficient, and eager to prove herself.

She had to impress you up front so you wouldn't push her around.

Push her around?

She's so icy.

We'll have to turn down the aircon to keep from freezing to death.

You afraid of her?

But I've got beauty and brains. What have I got to be afraid of?

Big Meng, Meng Tianbao.

A man of few words, observant, but lacking in confidence.

One day, he may be as capable as Di Lun.

Why do you suppose Chief knows so much about Blade?

Why is she so sure he's the killer?

Could their paths have crossed before?

You can stop guessing.

Just ask me.

Cao Zhongming - he's been in the service for 23 years.

Has a wealth of experience and immense patience.

Has the facts of many past cases at his fingertips. He's a walking archive.

Three years ago, Chief was in charge of Blade's case.

She'd been on it for a long time and could have arrested him.

But there was an accident. To see to the wounded, she let him go.

No wonder she knows so much about him.

Seems our new chief isn't someone to mess with.

What's the big deal? The killer still got away.

Ouyang Li has cracked many cases for us.

But he's often ignored procedure in the process.

Do keep an eye on him.

Don't worry. I won't allow any flouting of the rules.

You've seized every single one of Teochew's and Gold Tooth's turfs.

Have you no respect for me?

Relax. Come, have some tea.

I've acquired a taste for Teochew tea. This is quality imported stuff.

Tell me up front right now - are you intent on opposing me?

Of course not. We're family.

People would laugh if we fought among ourselves.

You're the one who's most glad that Gold Tooth and Teochew are dead.

Xiang, we mustn't let our guard down, or we'll be next.

You want me dead? Dream on.

You're suggesting I was the one who did Gold Tooth and Teochew in?