The Mystic Nine Episode 18 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Er Yuehong delved into the documents left by his grand-uncle, learning that during an expedition into the mining mountain with Hatoyama Miyoshi years ago, his grand-uncle and two companions had covertly separated from the Japanese group. Their intention was to investigate a different path, preventing Chinese treasures from falling into Japanese hands.
Noticing the disappearance of the three Chinese, Hatoyama, who knew that a living sacrifice was needed to activate the tomb's mechanisms, ordered the remaining Chinese people accompanying them to be pressed against a highly corrosive wall, where they were devoured as a chilling warning. Meanwhile, Er Yuehong's grand-uncle and his companions endured being trapped in the cave for twenty-seven days before finally discovering a way out.
Along their escape, they stumbled upon the very wall where Hatoyama had performed the blood sacrifice. Observing traces of blood, the grand-uncle cautiously dug into the wall, only to unearth the dismembered remains of his companions, Xiao Sanzi, Si'er, and Liu'er, realizing with profound sorrow that they had indeed perished within the mine. After their escape, Er Yuehong's grand-uncle and his group were infected with a debilitating hair poison, their lives quickly ebbing away.
Despite their grim fate, they were determined to thwart the Japanese scheme to seize China's treasures. Before their deaths, they meticulously laid down a series of intricate traps within the cave, solvable only by those of the Hong family line. They then left behind documents detailing the harrowing events of their expedition, hoping future generations would learn the truth. Reading these accounts, Er Yuehong felt a profound sense of duty.
He recognized his family's unique ability to navigate the traps and resolve the mysteries of the tomb, and he resolved to put aside his grief and assist Zhang Qishan in exploring the mine. Meanwhile, Chen Piasi, wounded and covered in blood, made his way back to Changsha. He had become a notorious murderer, infamous throughout the city. Citizens recoiled in fear, whispering about how he had slaughtered countless people along the river, staining the waters crimson.
As Chen Piasi walked, he overheard a noodle shop owner and his apprentice discussing the night Ya Tou died. They recounted how Er Yuehong had desperately begged for a bowl of noodles for his ailing wife, only to be turned away. The shop owner expressed fear of Er Yuehong, who had connections in both legitimate and underworld circles, and worried that Er Yuehong might seek revenge for his "sickly wife."
Enraged by the disrespect shown to his master and mistress, and realizing Ya Tou had been denied a simple bowl of noodles in her final hours, Chen Piasi unleashed his fury, slaughtering everyone in several noodle shops along the river. Upon learning of Chen Piasi's uncontrolled rampage, Zhang Qishan, still recovering from his injuries, issued an city-wide warrant for his arrest. Lieutenant Zhang was dispatched to inform Jie Jiuye.
Jie Jiuye, fearing that Er Yuehong's emotional state might destabilize their plans if he learned of Chen Piasi's actions, decided to keep the information from him for the time being. However, Lu Jianxun also caught wind of Chen Piasi's massacre and his subsequent flight. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Jianxun immediately ordered his men to capture Chen Piasi before Zhang Qishan could, hoping to extract valuable information about the Mystic Nine from him.
As Lieutenant Zhang and his soldiers closed in on Chen Piasi, Lu Jianxun's ambush team suddenly appeared, blocking Lieutenant Zhang's path, allowing Chen Piasi to slip away. On the day of Ya Tou's burial, Zhang Qishan and his men paid their respects. Er Yuehong, having dismissed all relatives and servants, chose to see his beloved wife off alone. As he stood by her coffin, lost in grief, he inadvertently stepped into a hidden cavity and fell into a concealed tunnel.
To his surprise, it was a reverse tomb robber's tunnel. Curious, Er Yuehong ventured deeper, eventually reaching a secret chamber containing two ancient corpses, which he recognized as his ancestors. The chamber walls were covered with documents related to the Hatoyama Report. Immersing himself in these historical records, Er Yuehong discovered that his ancestors had also entered the same mine with Hatoyama many years ago, uncovering numerous secrets within.
Having understood Zhang Qishan's well-meaning intentions regarding the Carpesium medicine and the perilous nature of the tomb, Er Yuehong met with Zhang Qishan. He declared that, in accordance with his ancestors' last wishes, he would join the expedition. He presented Zhang Qishan with a mine map and additional notes found in the reverse tomb robber's tunnel within his ancestral grave, which also contained the bodies of ancestors who had escaped the mine but died in the tunnel.
Qi Tiezui was excited by the new information, but Er Yuehong cautioned them, revealing that the mine contained a "dead human-shape tomb." Qi Tiezui explained that this type of tomb lacked a fixed layout, much like a deceased person's meridians, and one misstep could trigger all its traps, turning safe passages into deadly ones and vice versa.
Er Yuehong also noted that because his ancestors and Hatoyama Miyoshi had exited the tomb separately, the current state of the traps was unknown. Zhang Qishan acknowledged the urgency, stating they must enter quickly to protect the artifacts. Er Yuehong solemnly affirmed his commitment, declaring that even if it meant venturing into Hell itself, they must go for the sake of their ancestors' will and the safety of Changsha.
Qi Tiezui expressed relief and confidence that Er Yuehong's presence guaranteed half their success. Zhang Qishan instructed them to move discreetly to avoid Lu Jianxun's spies. When asked if he needed any supplies, Er Yuehong replied he needed nothing, mentioning that Jie Jiuye had already provided an array of German-made weapons. Zhang Qishan later confided in Qi Tiezui, taking responsibility for Ya Tou's death and noting Er Yuehong's changed demeanor.
Qi Tiezui reassured him that Er Yuehong still cared, and Zhang Qishan stressed the importance of protecting Er Yuehong during the dangerous tomb exploration, leaving Qi Tiezui to wonder who would protect Zhang Qishan himself. As Zhang Qishan, Er Yuehong, and Qi Tiezui arrived at the mining mountain with their chosen soldiers, Qi Tiezui observed that the mine had been bombed years ago by the Japanese, and even his compass malfunctioned in the treacherous terrain.
He explained that the mine's layout mirrored a human body—a human-shaped tomb—where activating one trap would trigger a chain reaction, altering the entire tomb. He suggested that Hatoyama and Er Yuehong's ancestors entering and exiting through different paths made the current trap configurations unpredictable. Using Zhang Qishan's map, Qi Tiezui began searching for a new entrance.
Er Yuehong recalled his ancestor's notes, which spoke of an "arched door" as a potential safe entry, accompanied by the warning, "All hope must be abandoned ye who enter here," a quote reminiscent of Dante Alighieri's "The Divine Comedy." Eventually, Qi Tiezui located a cave opening, identifying it as the "Shenque Acupoint," or the waist position, of the human-shaped tomb. He theorized it could be a safe entry point if no mechanisms had been disturbed.
Er Yuehong pondered whether the old entrance, where they had previously heard strange, deceptive opera music, would be a safer option. Qi Tiezui clarified that the music was likely a lure to a death trap, but their unexpected survival made its true nature ambiguous. Deciding to trust Qi Tiezui's current assessment, Er Yuehong agreed to take the new path. Zhang Qishan then ordered his men to prepare torches and enter the long, winding cave.
As they descended a vertical shaft, Zhang Qishan instructed two subordinates to go first, warning them to stay close to the walls, as traps were usually set in the middle. The two men followed the instruction, but after a moment, a scream echoed from below, followed by the sound of a falling rope and a volley of arrows, indicating a trap had been sprung. Zhang Qishan immediately took command, ordering two men to hold their position while he led the rest of the team down into the perilous shaft.
