Rakshasa Street Episode 9 Recap
> Rakshasa Street Recap
Hattori reports back to her master in the Kingdom Organization, confirming that all bounty hunters dispatched, except for Young Master Zhao Xin, the Silver Spear, were annihilated. Her master expresses surprise, noting that these bounty hunters possessed "scorching level" strength and were expected to kill Cao Yanbing. However, Hattori clarifies that the bounty hunters did not die at Xiang Kunlun's hands, and Xiang Kunlun himself returned to Qunying Hall alone, without Cao Yanbing. Hattori states that Zhao Xin likely survived.
Meanwhile, in the human world, Xia Ling and Cao Yanbing confront each other. Cao Yanbing, believing Ghost-Symbol San Tong to be dead, scathingly calls Xia Ling a "deserter" and declares their team disbanded, ordering her to return to school for her graduation defense. Xia Ling protests that Ghost-Symbol San Tong was the one who knocked Cao Yanbing out, not her.
As Cao Yanbing attempts to erase her memories using a technique he refers to as "opening the brain," Li Xuanyuan briefly appears, shielding Xia Ling and asserting his ability to contend with Xu Chu in the human world. After Li Xuanyuan quickly retreats, Xia Ling passionately berates Cao Yanbing for his arrogance, male chauvinism, lack of respect for others, and distrust of his partners.
She defiantly tells him she will no longer allow him to erase her memories, affirming her resolve before leaving. Left alone, Cao Yanbing misses Xia Ling, lamenting that without her, they can't even play mahjong. In her dream, Xia Ling enters the guardian spirit space and thanks Li Xuanyuan for preventing Cao Yanbing from "opening her brain" again.
Li Xuanyuan reaffirms his duty to protect her but expresses doubt about her resolve, questioning why she doesn't trust Cao Yanbing to retrieve the linghuai branch, as Cao Yanbing is the Zhenhun General of Luocha Street and his family has historically guarded the linghuai tree. Xia Ling, in turn, challenges Li Xuanyuan's sense of justice. Li Xuanyuan quickly pledges his unwavering loyalty, promising to fulfill her wishes even if it costs him his life.
Xia Ling then asks if the Lock chain binding them can be broken if she remains in the human world. Li Xuanyuan explains that as a supernatural being, the human world's air is detrimental to him; prolonged exposure would force him into a hibernation state within ten days.
Deeply concerned for both Li Xuanyuan and her mission, Xia Ling firmly declares her unwavering determination to return to Zhenhun Street and reclaim the linghuai branch to save the world, urging Li Xuanyuan not to doubt her resolve again. Li Xuanyuan then reveals that during his brief appearance to stop Cao Yanbing, he secretly stole Cao Yanbing's map and placed it in Xia Ling's pocket, thereby ensuring Cao Yanbing would be forced to take her with him.
Elsewhere, Cao Yanbing discovers his map missing and mutters about Li Xuanyuan's righteous facade hiding a thieving nature. Back in the guardian spirit space, Li Xuanyuan senses two powerful Messengers nearby. Xia Ling then awakens from her dream, initially dismissing the significance of other Messengers, but ultimately decides to investigate the disturbance. Xia Ling rushes towards the perceived disturbance and finds Cao Yanbing engaged in a fierce battle with Young Master Zhao Xin, the Silver Spear, on a basketball court.
Zhao Xin, confident, remarks on the moon being perfect for killing. Li Xuanyuan briefly manifests to save Cao Yanbing, but Zhao Xin challenges them to a fair fight: Messenger against Messenger, guardian spirit against guardian spirit. However, Li Xuanyuan abruptly disappears due to the constraints of the Lock chain. Undeterred, Cao Yanbing recalls Ghost-Symbol San Tong's training, masters the "Spit" technique on the spot, and, with the help of his guardian spirit Xu Chu, swiftly defeats Zhao Xin.
Cao Yanbing binds Zhao Xin to a pillar, threatening him with sulfuric acid to extract information about the linghuai branch. Zhao Xin, however, is genuinely confused, claiming ignorance of the "linghuai branch" or "soul art" and asserting he is merely a bounty hunter seeking a reward, not affiliated with the Kingdom Organization. Realizing Zhao Xin isn't a direct threat from the Kingdom, Cao Yanbing and Xia Ling eagerly question him about the fate of Ghost-Symbol San Tong.
Zhao Xin then recalls a previous encounter with Huangfu Longdou (disguised as Ghost-Symbol San Tong), where he was offered a deal: if he won against Cao Yanbing, he was to report Ghost-Symbol San Tong's death; if he lost, he was to reveal that Ghost-Symbol San Tong was still alive, but without mentioning Huangfu Longdou's name. Upholding his part of the bargain, Zhao Xin reveals that Ghost-Symbol San Tong is indeed alive.
Overjoyed by this news, Xia Ling urges Cao Yanbing to release Zhao Xin. Though Cao Yanbing initially feigns wanting to kill him for safety, he eventually unties Zhao Xin, who defiantly warns that he will relentlessly pursue Cao Yanbing again unless killed. Cao Yanbing observes Zhao Xin's unblinking gaze, recognizing him as a formidable opponent, while Xia Ling comically suggests he might just be slow to react.
Meanwhile, a subordinate reports to Huangfu Longdou that Cao Yanbing has mastered "Spit," hailing it as the awakening of a "sleeping tiger." Huangfu Longdou expresses satisfaction, noting that "Yanming's son" has not disappointed him. His subordinate voices concern that if Cao Yanbing becomes powerful but refuses to serve him, he could become a formidable adversary.
Huangfu Longdou, however, remains unconcerned, stating that he merely cast a pebble into the sea; the pebble's ownership is secondary to whether the initial ripple will eventually escalate into a colossal storm.
