Rattan Episode 9 Recap
> Rattan Recap
In Yunxi Village, Shen Yindeng orchestrated a complex plan to ensnare Si Teng. Wang Qiankun, dispatched by his master to oversee the operations, ventured into a peculiar underground cavern where Shen Yindeng was directing workers to construct what she claimed was Chi San's lair. Wang Qiankun, believing Shen Yindeng to be pregnant and commendably diligent, urged her to rest.
Shen Yindeng skillfully played into his concern, feigning exhaustion and expressing fear of not living to see her child, which solidified Wang Qiankun's resolve to assist her against Si Teng. Shen Yindeng later confessed to a worker that her pregnancy was a fabrication. Meanwhile, Qin Fang arrived in Yunxi Village and messaged his friend Shan Zhigang, who smiled subtly but did not reply. Shan Zhigang traveled to an apartment building and located Zhao Jianglong's residence.
Posing as a downstairs neighbor, he claimed water was leaking from his ceiling. As Zhao Jianglong, who had just been discharged from the hospital, began to speak, the voice of An Man was heard outside. Panicked, Zhao Jianglong quickly concealed his wife and pulled Shan Zhigang into a closet with them just as An Man and two brothers, Zhou Ge and Qi Ge, burst through the door.
An Man immediately confronted Zhao Jianglong, demanding to know the whereabouts of the Nine-Eyed Heaven Pearl. Zhao Jianglong attempted to deflect, accusing An Man of possessing the pearl and having stabbed him. An Man vehemently denied this, revealing her realization that Zhao Jianglong had faked the severity of his own stabbing to hide the pearl in his wound. When Zhao Jianglong continued to refuse, he was brutally beaten into unconsciousness.
His wife, still hidden with Shan Zhigang, wanted to intervene but was restrained by Shan Zhigang. Early the next morning, Yan Furui awoke to find Shen Yindeng's husband meticulously crafting silver ornaments. He inquired about the whereabouts of Shen Yindeng and their guests, and the husband explained they had likely gone to Black Back Mountain, where Shen Yindeng's mother and grandmother were buried.
He further detailed that the area was notorious for red glowing soil and the mysterious disappearances of herbalists. Qin Fang, upon learning this, grew suspicious, expressing to Si Teng that their progress seemed unnervingly smooth, as if a trap had been meticulously laid. Si Teng, however, remained unperturbed. Elsewhere, Bai Jin attempted to reason with Shen Yindeng, suggesting that the truth behind Wafang's fate might be a misunderstanding.
Shen Yindeng firmly rejected this, citing Si Teng's past killings of Xuan Sect members. Yan Furui, overhearing their conversation, concurred with Bai Jin, stating his disbelief that Si Teng could harm Wafang and recalling a memory of Si Teng playfully but firmly making Wafang do math problems, a testament to her affection for the boy. Back at Zhao Jianglong's apartment, the search continued. An Man briefly opened the closet, saw Shan Zhigang, and quickly closed it, denying anyone was inside.
However, Qi Ge soon discovered them. Zhao Jianglong’s wife immediately fled, only to be pushed off the balcony by Qi Ge. Miraculously, a surge of vine-like energy, emanating from Shan Zhigang, caught her, bringing her safely to the ground. Shan Zhigang then unleashed a powerful force, knocking Qi Ge unconscious. Inside, Zhou Ge was brutally beating An Man. Shan Zhigang intervened, restraining Zhou Ge. However, Zhao Jianglong, regaining consciousness, seized a knife and stabbed An Man.
Shan Zhigang swiftly subdued both men and rushed the severely wounded An Man to the hospital. Qin Fang received an urgent call from Shan Zhigang, who frantically informed him of An Man's critical condition, explaining she was hurt because of her affection for Qin Fang. Distressed, Qin Fang told Si Teng he needed to leave. Si Teng refused to accompany him, stressing the critical juncture of their mission.
As Xuan Sect members arrived to report on a "cave," Qin Fang was overheard on the phone by Shen Yindeng, expressing uncertainty about his return. Shen Yindeng approached him, questioning his servitude to Si Teng and offering the Xuan Sect's aid. As he tried to leave, she conjured an illusion of Chen Wan, his deceased fiancée. He was momentarily caught in the vision, expressing his regret over their lack of a proper farewell.
Protected by the strand of Si Teng's hair he carried, he saw through the deception, but the experience solidified his resolve not to repeat his past mistakes. He then asked Shan Zhigang on the phone to hold the receiver to An Man's ear. Qin Fang told her he understood and forgave her, promising to return and urging her to hold on.
He added that if he didn't make it back, it would mean he had "gone first," hinting at the grave danger he faced by leaving Si Teng's side. Despite Qin Fang's decision, Si Teng did not stop him. He explained his departure was for himself, to avoid living with the regret of an unspoken goodbye as he had with Chen Wan. Si Teng questioned his feelings for An Man, but he struggled to articulate them.
She dismissed him, remarking that if she happened upon his grave and had time, she might visit. Before departing, Qin Fang left behind cash and a bank card with no password, advising her to hire an assistant. He also issued a grave warning about Shen Yindeng's unsavory methods and their past animosity. Si Teng scoffed, interpreting his concern as a ploy to make her follow him.
As a final gesture, Qin Fang left a pair of flat shoes, suggesting heels were unhealthy. Left alone, Si Teng picked up a notebook with a drawing of herself and Wafang, reflecting quietly. Qin Fang, meanwhile, visibly weakened as he continued his journey alone. Later, Si Teng swiftly pursued Qin Fang, catching up to him just as he was on the verge of collapsing.
