The Mystic Nine Episode 19 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Lu Jianxun, aware that Zhang Qishan was not at his mansion, visited under the pretense of catching up, but was informed by the guards that Officer Zhang was out on inspections. As Lu Jianxun prepared to leave, he observed Chen Pi stealthily entering the mansion. Curious, Lu Jianxun also found a way to enter, intending to see what Chen Pi was up to.
Chen Pi, having snuck into Zhang Qishan's residence, followed music to a room where he found Yin Xinyue. Noticing her elegant attire and the respect she commanded, Chen Pi deduced she had an intimate connection with Zhang Qishan. He immediately demanded to know Zhang Qishan's whereabouts. Yin Xinyue, recognizing him as Chen Pi, the notorious murderer of the river noodle joints, bravely confronted him.
She chastised him for trespassing into a lady's private chambers, calling him a pervert, and ordered him to leave. Chen Pi, undeterred, threatened to kill her as a "first-meeting present" for Zhang Qishan, remarking on her close relationship with him. He even taunted her, noting her knowledge of Du Xinwu's Natural Martial Arts, but she refused to fight him because he was a man. Chen Pi declared that if he couldn't find Zhang Qishan, she would die in his place.
Yin Xinyue defiantly challenged his audacity, warning him of her powerful father and threatening him with a gruesome death if he laid a finger on her. Despite her initial bravado, when Chen Pi prepared to strike, Yin Xinyue cleverly threw a handful of scented powder at him, then screamed for help. At that moment, Lu Jianxun, who had been hiding outside the room, intervened, drawing his gun and ordering Chen Pi to stop.
Seeing the change in circumstances, Chen Pi quickly fled. Yin Xinyue, now faced with another unfamiliar man, learned he was Lu Jianxun, the intelligence officer of Changsha. While Lu Jianxun attempted to ingratiate himself, Yin Xinyue, sensing his ulterior motives, politely but firmly ushered him out, declining his offer of additional guards for the mansion.
After Lu Jianxun departed, Yin Xinyue confided in her maids that both Chen Pi and Lu Jianxun were suspicious; Lu Jianxun's timely appearance was too coincidental, and his offer to send his own men was alarming. She resolved to report her suspicions to Zhang Qishan as soon as he returned. Deep within the mine, Zhang Qishan divided his team, sending two men to stay behind while he led the rest further down.
They soon encountered a perilous area filled with traps, which Qi Tiezui identified as creations of his great-uncle. Zhang Qishan ordered his lieutenant to ensure proper funerals and double compensation for the soldiers who had already perished. As they delved deeper, they found numerous deity statues in alcoves. Zhang Qishan expressed a desire to uncover the secrets held within, urging his team to proceed with caution.
They soon arrived at a section completely covered in fine threads, which Zhang Qishan warned would trigger all the trap mechanisms if touched. Qi Tiezui echoed the warning, emphasizing the importance of not succumbing to curiosity. Zhang Qishan advised everyone to avoid touching the walls, as they were covered in poisonous moths.
Recognizing the necessity of passing through the webs, but also the danger of the moths' toxic wing powder, Zhang Qishan ordered his lieutenant to distribute protective gear to everyone. He then led the group, explaining that the traps were designed to provoke them into touching the webs, and instructed them to follow his path to avoid activating them. Later, they spotted what appeared to be a temple.
Zhang Qishan deduced it was a Taoist temple, likely the central point for warding off evil spirits and the entrance to the tomb. He reminded everyone to remain vigilant. Suddenly, Qi Tiezui was pulled into a wall of silk. Zhang Qishan's subordinate cried out for help. Er Yue Hong immediately warned Zhang Qishan that staying would only endanger them all without saving Qi Tiezui.
As the webs became more aggressive, Zhang Qishan commanded his men not to panic and threatened military law against anyone attempting to flee. Despite Zhang Qishan's formidable combat skills, the sheer number of attacking silk webs proved challenging. Er Yue Hong, observing the webs, quickly realized they dissolved upon contact with salt. He began to scatter salt, turning the webs into water and allowing the team to escape to safety.
Once they had taken a moment to rest, Zhang Qishan asked Er Yue Hong about the substance he used. Er Yue Hong confirmed it was common salt, which he had tried on a hunch to see if it would dissolve the silk. They continued their journey, only to find the path blocked by an illusion created by a mirror, which Zhang Qishan had inadvertently shattered with a gunshot, causing the illusion to vanish.
Realizing that the tomb likely contained more such mirrors and the dim lighting made them difficult to spot, Zhang Qishan decided they should turn back. He believed there might be an alternate path at the location where Qi Tiezui had disappeared. Er Yue Hong confidently stated he could locate the exact spot, and led them back. Returning to the wall that had engulfed Qi Tiezui, the men expressed confusion. Er Yue Hong, however, posited that the wall was hollow.
Zhang Qishan cautiously tested it, confirming Er Yue Hong's theory. He then descended first, with the others following. They quickly found Qi Tiezui, who, disoriented and in pain, complained of his head and body aching. Both Er Yue Hong and Zhang Qishan sheepishly admitted they had accidentally stepped on him during the chaotic descent.
Qi Tiezui, despite his discomfort, dramatically recounted his terrifying experience, boasting of his magnanimity and intelligence in staying close to Zhang Qishan, which he claimed saved his life. Er Yue Hong jokingly threatened to make him "Qi Shut-up" if he continued his chatter. As they pressed on, through a long, spiraling mine path, Qi Tiezui wondered about its unusual construction.
Zhang Qishan explained that such a spiral path required precise soil conditions, and according to ancestral records, the mine was unimaginably vast. Zhang Qishan, while reassuring Qi Tiezui that they would navigate it layer by layer, expressed concern for the situation in Changsha during their prolonged absence. Meanwhile, Chen Pi arrived at Hendry's hideout. Hendry, who had anticipated Chen Pi's visit, offered him tea and explained his motivation: they shared a common enemy in Zhang Qishan.
Hendry elaborated that Zhang Qishan was responsible for Madam's death and had framed Chen Pi for treason, suggesting a joint effort to seek vengeance for both Madam's death and the torture Chen Pi endured. Chen Pi, fueled by hatred for Zhang Qishan, vowed to make him pay for causing Madam's death. However, he expressed concern about his wanted status, especially after his recent failed attempt on Yin Xinyue, which had alerted Zhang Qishan's household.
Hendry then proposed using Lu Jianxun, who also held authority over Changsha's military, to neutralize Zhang Qishan. Despite Chen Pi's initial reluctance due to his past conflicts with Lu Jianxun, Hendry convinced him that a "great man can make temporary setbacks," emphasizing that avenging Madam's death was paramount. Convinced, Chen Pi prepared to leave for Lu Jianxun, but Hendry stopped him, presenting a token as a "meeting gift."
He explained that this token granted Chen Pi free entry and exit from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and instructed him to show it to Lu Jianxun if he proved difficult, assuring him it would secure their alliance. In return, Chen Pi offered Hendry valuable intelligence: he advised against trying to sway Qi Tiezui or Xie Jiu Ye, as they were fiercely loyal to Zhang Qishan.
Instead, he suggested that only Huo Sanniang among the Mystic Nine might be open to their schemes. Hendry, intrigued, then inquired about Zhang Qishan's current location. Chen Pi revealed that Zhang Qishan was deep within the mine under the mountain outside Changsha, prompting Hendry to remark that this information, once known to Huo Sanniang, would make for an interesting development. Later, Chen Pi stealthily entered Lu Jianxun's mansion, where he confronted the intelligence officer.
Lu Jianxun initially dismissed Chen Pi as a mere wanted criminal, questioning his audacity to propose an alliance. Chen Pi, undeterred, threatened Lu Jianxun with his knife, daring him to call for help and test whose men were faster. He demanded that Lu Jianxun revoke his arrest warrant. Recognizing the Japanese token Chen Pi presented, Lu Jianxun acknowledged his new backing. Chen Pi affirmed his willingness to ally with anyone who could help him kill Zhang Qishan.
Lu Jianxun then agreed to lift the warrant if Chen Pi cooperated in overthrowing Zhang Qishan and securing his own position as the leader of Changsha. Since his own official status prevented him from openly approaching the Mystic Nine, Lu Jianxun tasked Chen Pi with contacting them. Chen Pi expressed skepticism about swaying the famously united Mystic Nine, but Lu Jianxun confidently asserted he had his methods.
True to his word, Lu Jianxun began his efforts to court other Mystic Nine members. He sent his subordinate to find out Yin Xinyue's preferences and prepare a gift. Meanwhile, Lu Jianxun personally met with Huo Sanniang, offering her high-quality tea. Huo Sanniang was immediately wary, dismissing his attempts at pleasantries and stating her preference for wine, implying she was not easily swayed by superficial gestures.
When she tried to leave, Lu Jianxun stopped her, hinting that Zhang Qishan owed her an apology. He revealed that Zhang Qishan had entered a tomb on the Huo family's territory, implicitly questioning her loyalty to the 'united' Mystic Nine and her leadership as the only female head. He further disclosed that Zhang Qishan was currently trapped deep within the mine outside Changsha, warning her that Zhang Qishan might be 'blinding' her.
Huo Sanniang remained guarded, refusing to openly acknowledge his provocations, but clearly absorbing the information. Lu Jianxun then personally visited Zhang Qishan's mansion. He feigned concern for the mansion's security and whether Chen Pi had caused any further trouble, to which Yin Xinyue replied that Chen Pi had not dared to return since Lu Jianxun's intervention. Lu Jianxun then inquired about Zhang Qishan's health, expressing deep worry about his sudden illness and slow recovery, claiming Changsha needed him.
Yin Xinyue maintained that her husband was recovering well and merely required undisturbed rest due to exhaustion, politely refusing Lu Jianxun's request to visit him. Lu Jianxun, subtly implying his readiness to take over Changsha's affairs, reiterated his concern. Yin Xinyue, however, pointedly suggested he focus on his official duties, implying he was overstaying his welcome. After Lu Jianxun finally left, Yin Xinyue, dismissing his gifts as a "Greek gift harboring evil intentions," ordered them to be discarded.
