The Mystic Nine Episode 24 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Zhang Qishan triggered a mechanism, and sharp, mirror-like blades flew towards him. Unable to fully dodge, he sustained multiple injuries and began to experience hallucinations. He saw visions of his rigorous training within the Zhang family, hearing a voice from his past tell him that when something feels wrong, it means something bad has already happened, and it must be handled immediately, not neglected, but sought out.
Thinking he might have been attacked by the hair-like fungus, Zhang Qishan calmed himself. Despite the intense pain and without any medicine or tools, he forcefully pulled the hair-like strands from the back of his neck, finally escaping danger. With his body covered in wounds, Zhang Qishan continued to explore the tomb. He eventually found Qi Tiezui in one of the chambers. Upon seeing Zhang Qishan, Qi Tiezui finally settled down.
He explained that they were in a complex secret room beneath a mine mountain, a labyrinth of interconnected rooms, all arranged in a changeable manner, yet each containing exactly sixty-four holes, matching the sixty-four Fuxi Hexagrams, representing the causal cycle of the world. He then recalled that Er Yue Hong's ancestors were once trapped there for twenty-seven days but managed to escape.
He deduced that Er Yue Hong must possess the knowledge to break the formation, making their immediate goal to find him. Zhang Qishan, despite his injuries, grew frustrated with Qi Tiezui's lack of a direct solution, even jokingly threatening him. Qi Tiezui's mention of "sister-in-law" (Yin Xinyue) then triggered further hallucinations for Zhang Qishan, where he relived playful and affectionate moments with her, including her insistence on not leaving him and her worry for his safety.
After the hallucination, Qi Tiezui teased Zhang Qishan about missing his "sister-in-law" but quickly refocused on their urgent situation and their shared concern for Er Yue Hong's well-being. Meanwhile, Er Yue Hong explored the intricate tomb passages alone. He arrived at a chamber where reflections from shattered mirrors disoriented him, causing him to experience vivid hallucinations. He saw an ethereal version of himself, his "heart's demon," who taunted him with his grief over Ya Tou's death.
The demon relentlessly questioned him: "Why come you're still alive when Ya Tou is dead? Didn't you say that the person you love the most is Ya Tou? Weren't you supposed to take care of her forever? Did you manage to do that?" Er Yue Hong tried to silence his tormentor, but the demon continued, mocking his past vows of national and familial duties as meaningless without Ya Tou.
Er Yue Hong vehemently defended his actions, stating that his family had all died because of the tomb, and taking responsibility as a member of the Mystic Nine was the only thing he could do for them. He rejected the demon, eventually causing it to fade. Despite being consumed by sadness, believing he had never forgiven himself for Ya Tou's loss, Er Yue Hong found renewed determination.
He recalled his granduncle had also been there, seeing his family's emblem, reinforcing his resolve. He then had a flashback of his ancestors trapped in the tomb, with one of them rallying others by declaring, "None from our clan is afraid of staying in a tomb." Inspired by his ancestors' resilience and his own duty, Er Yue Hong carefully studied his granduncle's notes and used metal marbles to sound out the path, successfully locating an exit.
Er Yue Hong eventually reached Zhang Qishan and Qi Tiezui, who were still trapped and exasperated by their situation. Qi Tiezui, who had been panicking about various misfortunes and the overwhelming number of possible paths, was overjoyed to see Er Yue Hong. Er Yue Hong confirmed he was unharmed and asserted that if his granduncle could escape, so could he.
He explained that the cave's precise design meant that finding the single correct exit would lead them to the tomb's center. With his knowledge, Er Yue Hong led them along the correct route. They arrived at what Er Yue Hong identified as the final chamber, which also served as the safe exit from the labyrinth and the entrance to the treasure vault.
Er Yue Hong suggested they leave, but Zhang Qishan insisted on entering the vault to retrieve the items the Japanese desired, as it was his ultimate objective. Er Yue Hong adamantly refused to let Zhang Qishan go, arguing that Zhang Qishan had a wife, a family, and the people of Changsha relying on him, unlike himself, who was unburdened by such ties.
He feared that if anything happened to Zhang Qishan, he, Er Yue Hong, would become "a sinner through the ages." He proposed to enter the treacherous vault alone, asking Zhang Qishan and Qi Tiezui to wait for two hours, and if he didn't return, they should leave.
Though Qi Tiezui initially seemed to agree with Er Yue Hong's logic, both he and Zhang Qishan secretly resolved to wait for him, with Zhang Qishan explaining that he only agreed to put Er Yue Hong at ease, as he and Qi Tiezui were the only ones left to truly care for him.
