The Mystic Nine Episode 17 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Devastated by Yatou's passing, Er Yue Hong retreated into a life of decadence, frequenting brothels daily. Unable to bear witnessing his self-destruction, Yin Xinyue confronted him at a brothel, chastising him for chasing women so soon after Yatou's death and reminding him of Yatou's wishes and Zhang Qishan's unrecovered injury. Er Yue Hong, however, remained indifferent, dismissing her and asking her to call the women back since he had paid for their company.
Yin Xinyue, disgusted, left, vowing to see how long he could remain in such a muddled state. Meanwhile, Chen Pi, still distraught from Yatou's death, wandered aimlessly. Resting outside a noodle shop, he overheard the owner and staff discussing the night Yatou died. They recalled how Er Yue Hong had desperately knocked on doors, carrying a woman, trying to buy noodles, but they, and other shops, had refused to open.
The staff expressed anxiety, fearing retaliation from Er Yue Hong, whom they knew was connected to both the authorities and underworld gangs. They also casually dismissed Yatou's death, calling her sickly and saying she didn't die just from missing a bowl of noodles.
Enraged by their disrespect and the painful memory of his Madam's unfulfilled last wish for a simple bowl of noodles, Chen Pi violently attacked several noodle joints along the river shoal, leaving a trail of eight dead chefs, waiters, and owners, all victims of his ruthless revenge. Upon learning of Chen Pi's massacre, Zhang Qishan deemed his actions reckless and immediately ordered a city-wide manhunt.
As Zhang Qishan was still recovering from his injuries, Lieutenant Zhang was dispatched to inform Jiu Ye of the situation. Fearing Er Yue Hong's volatile reaction if he learned of his disciple's heinous acts, Jiu Ye decided to keep the truth from him for the time being, instructing Lieutenant Zhang to focus on capturing Chen Pi first to prevent further complications. Simultaneously, Lu Jianxun, also aware of Chen Pi's escape, saw an opportunity.
He instructed his men to capture Chen Pi before Zhang Qishan's forces could, hoping to extract valuable intelligence about the Mystic Nine from him. Both Zhang Qishan's and Lu Jianxun's factions soon located Chen Pi hiding among the tombs west of Changsha. As Lieutenant Zhang and a small unit moved in to apprehend him, Lu Jianxun's men, who had been lying in ambush, unexpectedly appeared.
They blocked Lieutenant Zhang's path, creating a diversion that allowed Chen Pi to slip away once more. Lu Jianxun openly mocked Lieutenant Zhang, while Lieutenant Zhang accused Lu Jianxun of deliberately obstructing justice. Lu Jianxun retorted by blaming Zhang Qishan for Chen Pi's actions, claiming the incident would not have happened if Zhang Qishan hadn't insisted on releasing Chen Pi earlier. He then subtly threatened Zhang Qishan's position as Defense Commander, asserting his own authority.
Lieutenant Zhang later reported the failed capture to Zhang Qishan, expressing concern over Lu Jianxun's increasingly brazen ambitions. On the day of Yatou's funeral, Zhang Qishan, Qi Ba Ye, and others came to pay their respects. Er Yue Hong, however, dismissed all family and servants, choosing to bid his beloved wife farewell alone at the gravesite. In his profound grief, he spoke to Yatou, promising to listen to her wishes and asking her to wait for him.
As he stood by her coffin, he accidentally stepped into a hidden cavity, revealing a "reverse tomb robber's tunnel." Curiosity piqued, Er Yue Hong descended into the tunnel. He eventually discovered a secret room containing two skeletal figures, which he identified as his ancestors. The walls of the chamber were covered with documents and diagrams related to the Hatoyama Report.
Reading through them, Er Yue Hong learned that his ancestors had, many years ago, ventured into a tomb with Hatoyama and uncovered numerous secrets. This discovery was a pivotal moment for Er Yue Hong, potentially shaking him from his grief-stricken stupor. Meanwhile, back at Zhang Qishan's mansion, Qi Ba Ye reported Er Yue Hong's deep sorrow and decision to dismiss all his servants.
Despite the concern for Er Yue Hong's state, Qi Ba Ye reassured Zhang Qishan that, having learned the truth about Yatou's death from Jiu Ye, Er Yue Hong was unlikely to act irrationally, though his recovery would be slow. Qi Ba Ye then shared an urgent update: Japanese activity around the mine had become increasingly frequent. Despite his unhealed injury and Er Yue Hong's fragile state, Zhang Qishan decided that they had no time to lose.
He declared they must return to the mine before the Japanese could, to uncover what lay within. Acknowledging the extreme danger without Er Yue Hong's expertise, Qi Ba Ye reluctantly agreed to accompany Zhang Qishan on this perilous second expedition. As they discussed preparations, Yin Xinyue, having overheard their conversation, confronted Zhang Qishan once more, vehemently protesting his decision to risk his life while still injured. Zhang Qishan, maintaining his resolve, again urged her to return to Peking, but she defiantly refused, asserting that she stayed out of concern for him.
