The Mystic Nine Episode 13 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Peng Sanbian challenged Zhang Qishan to a whip duel with blindfolds, which Zhang Qishan accepted. Before covering Zhang Qishan’s eyes, Qi Tiezui cleverly poked two small holes in the blindfold, allowing Zhang Qishan to subtly observe Peng Sanbian's movements while Peng Sanbian could only rely on sound. During the duel, Qi Tiezui and Yin Xinyue loudly discussed local Beiping delicacies and sightseeing, deliberately disrupting Peng Sanbian’s hearing. Yin Xinyue, in particular, was captivated by Zhang Qishan's elegant and graceful movements.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Zhang Qishan defeated Peng Sanbian. Defeated and realizing he had been tricked, Peng Sanbian became enraged and attempted to harm Zhang Qishan. Yin Xinyue intervened, stopping Peng Sanbian and declaring to the assembled crowd that Zhang Qishan was her true fiancé, Peng Sanbian, while the other man was an impostor.
When questioned by a hotel staff member as to why she hadn't revealed this earlier, Yin Xinyue quickly fabricated a story, claiming she wanted her "invincible fiancé" to demonstrate his skills. She accused the real Peng Sanbian of being a sore loser, which swayed the crowd. Yin Xinyue then banished the angry Peng Sanbian from Xinyue Hotel and ordered her staff to escort him out. Inside, Zhang Qishan thanked Yin Xinyue but wondered why they still needed to rush.
Yin Xinyue explained that astute observers had already seen through their disguise, and trouble was imminent. Qi Tiezui, panicking, urged them to leave, jokingly asking if Zhang Qishan was reluctant to part with his "beautiful fiancée." Zhang Qishan dismissed the joke, reminding them of the urgent need for medicine. Yin Xinyue then revealed the medicine was in the Cangjing Pavilion and led Zhang Qishan there, leaving Qi Tiezui behind to guard.
Inside the Cangjing Pavilion, Zhang Qishan commented on Yin Xinyue’s familiarity, playfully suggesting she often stole from her own home. She retorted that it was her home, so she had no need to steal, and questioned why he didn't turn on the lights, also mentioning a night pearl.
She then explained that if such valuable items were easily stolen by an outsider, her hotel's security would be a joke, then added that if he couldn't steal it, he was simply stupid. After retrieving the medicine, Zhang Qishan expressed concern about the hotel's responsibility if his identity was exposed. Yin Xinyue brushed off the payment aspect but questioned his willingness to risk everything for others. Zhang Qishan simply stated, "He's not 'other people.'
" As they left, Yin Xinyue continued to insist on guiding them, offering to take them through a side door to the train station for their journey to Changsha. Outside the hotel, the real Peng Sanbian was furious, ranting at his men for their incompetence and ordering them to find the impostor, predicting he would leave by train.
His men, wary of Xinyue Hotel’s influence, advised him to leave and avoid further humiliation, but Peng Sanbian defiantly refused, vowing that Zhang Qishan would return. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce president approached Peng Sanbian, claiming he had recognized Zhang Qishan as a fake from the start. He invited Peng Sanbian into Judecard's car. Inside, Judecard revealed Zhang Qishan's name as Zhang Qishan, a local from Changsha, and promised his demise.
Peng Sanbian, still asserting his claim as Yin Xinyue's true fiancé, boasted about his ability to kill Zhang Qishan. Judecard, impressed by his bravado, proposed an alliance, offering his men to assist Peng Sanbian, knowing he traveled lightly. Peng Sanbian, realizing Judecard's true motive was to acquire the medicine, initially refused to be used but eventually conceded, agreeing to share the medicine in exchange for Zhang Qishan's location.
At the train station, Qi Tiezui reported that Er Yue Hong had boarded the train, urging Zhang Qishan and Yin Xinyue to join him. Qi Tiezui, admitting his lack of martial arts skills, quickly retreated onto the train. Yin Xinyue declared that if anyone dared to stop Zhang Qishan, she would ensure they never left Beiping. Zhang Qishan, however, insisted he didn't need a woman's protection.
As they prepared to board, Master Baylor appeared, expressing his admiration for Zhang Qishan's skills, admitting he knew Zhang Qishan wasn't the real Peng Sanbian, and asked to befriend him. Zhang Qishan, cautious, avoided revealing his name, but Master Baylor, undeterred, gave him a jade pendant as a token, asking him to visit when he traveled to Northeast China. Zhang Qishan thanked Yin Xinyue once more and tried to bid her farewell.
However, Yin Xinyue insisted on accompanying them, citing the danger from Peng Sanbian and the need to protect the unarmed Qi Tiezui. Zhang Qishan reluctantly agreed to let her come "until they left Beiping." On the train, Qi Tiezui introduced Yin Xinyue to Er Yue Hong and Ya Tou. Yin Xinyue immediately declared herself Zhang Qishan’s future wife, as he had lit the "Sky Lanterns" for her. Qi Tiezui jokingly questioned Zhang Qishan about bringing a "wife" without mention.
Yin Xinyue then suggested they all go to the dining car, but Er Yue Hong, Ya Tou, and Zhang Qishan all declined. Zhang Qishan then pulled Yin Xinyue aside, explaining that his infiltration of the hotel was solely to obtain medicine for Ya Tou, and he promised to compensate her and Peng Sanbian after settling affairs in Changsha. Yin Xinyue adamantly retorted that according to their rules, whoever secured the three medicine items would become her husband.
She didn't care about his true identity; he had lit the Sky Lanterns and must take responsibility. Zhang Qishan acknowledged his responsibility but suggested they had only just met and she should reconsider. Yin Xinyue, after a moment's playful thought, declared her decision was made and she was determined to marry him.
Zhang Qishan tried to deter her by painting a grim picture of his life as a warrior facing national crisis and potential death, hinting at other women in his past. Yin Xinyue, however, was unfazed, proclaiming her fearlessness as the lady of Xinyue Hotel and her resolve to be his wife, demanding to know his true profession.
Zhang Qishan then informed her that he and his companions had given all their money to her father and advised her to use any remaining funds to buy a return ticket to Beiping. Yin Xinyue, seeing this as a positive, said it saved them the betrothal gift expense. Zhang Qishan then gave her his family heirloom, the Erxianghuan, as additional compensation, intending to make her get off the train.
Upon seeing this, Ya Tou, realizing Yin Xinyue was upset, pulled her aside for a private conversation. Meanwhile, Er Yue Hong also spoke up on Yin Xinyue's behalf, hoping Zhang Qishan would let her stay. After talking with Ya Tou, Yin Xinyue understood that Zhang Qishan was not as cold-hearted as he seemed, and since he had already given her his family heirloom, she was no longer angry.
She returned to Zhang Qishan, resumed her persistent manner, and insisted on accompanying him back to Changsha. Qi Tiezui immediately recognized the Erxianghuan as a valuable piece and explained its significance, causing Yin Xinyue to delightedly demand they address her as "Mrs. Zhang." Qi Tiezui, ever the opportunist, flattered her, saying she would bring Zhang Qishan good fortune and their recent escape was thanks to her.
Back in the compartment, Er Yue Hong suggested to Zhang Qishan that Yin Xinyue was "adorable" and "suitable" for him, contrasting her lively nature with Zhang Qishan's cold manor. Zhang Qishan, in turn, joked that Er Yue Hong was more suited to him, as Yin Xinyue was too noisy. Er Yue Hong then challenged Zhang Qishan, suggesting he was afraid he couldn't "control" her. Zhang Qishan scoffed at the idea, asserting his ability to control anyone.
Later, as the train arrived at the next station, Zhang Qishan told Yin Xinyue to disembark. She defiantly refused, stating five reasons why sending her back would be unacceptable: it would humiliate her father, make it difficult for her father to answer to the Japanese, put her in danger as Zhang Qishan's enemy, make Zhang Qishan an ungrateful man for not repaying her kindness, and finally, because marrying him was her best choice for happiness. She concluded by declaring that if he refused her, he would be an "asshole."
