The Mystic Nine Episode 25 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Yin Xinyue, under the impression that her father had arrived in Changsha, nervously made her way to the Xinyue Hotel to meet him. Upon discovering it was her uncle instead, she immediately relaxed, playfully complaining about being forced into a marriage with Peng Sanbian without her consent.
Her uncle admonished her for sneaking off to live with a "tomb robber," reminding her of the privileged life she enjoyed as a member of the Yin family and questioning her naive belief that Zhang Qishan, whom she barely knew, would pay off any family debts. He asserted that Zhang Qishan's past generosity toward Er Yue Hong was purely out of self-interest.
He urged her to return to Beiping, suggesting they could find other eligible bachelors there since her marriage to Zhang Qishan was not yet official. However, Yin Xinyue staunchly refused, declaring that Zhang Qishan was the man she had chosen, and she would never regret it, regardless of his status. She insisted on living her own life. Noticing her stubbornness mirrored that of her father, her uncle softened.
After confirming that Zhang Qishan treated her "very, very well," he relented, acknowledging that Zhang Qishan's local influence in Changsha could benefit the Yin family's business. He agreed to let her stay and assume the role of Mrs. Zhang, revealing that this was her father's true intention all along. He then warned her about the volatile situation in Changsha, explaining that a Tang dynasty jade Buddha, intended for auction at Xinyue Hotel, had been stolen.
The thief was later apprehended in Changsha but committed suicide by biting his tongue, leaving the Buddha still missing. Worried by this news, Yin Xinyue sought out Jie Jiuye, informing him that Fo Ye had specifically instructed her to consult him on any matters while he and Er Yue Hong were down in the tomb.
Jie Jiuye expressed concern that the thief was likely more than a common criminal, possibly having ulterior motives, which was particularly troubling with Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong absent. He requested an image of the stolen jade Buddha, which Yin Xinyue provided from the hotel's latest auction documents. Jie Jiuye then advised her to remain vigilant and calm, emphasizing the importance of not panicking in her husband's absence.
Meanwhile, Chen Pi arrived at Jie Jiuye's, interrupting his game of Go. Jie Jiuye, acknowledging Chen Pi's ruthlessness and his success in replacing Si Ye, welcomed him. Chen Pi then presented a jade Buddha, claiming it was a fake that came from Xinyue Hotel, intending to discredit the hotel and Yin Xinyue. He boldly stated that Xinyue Hotel's reputation was undeserved for dealing with such a "degrading" item. Jie Jiuye feigned agreement, acknowledging the Buddha's apparent flaws.
He then produced another jade Buddha, claiming it was the authentic one given to him by Xinyue Hotel's second-in-charge. Through his cunning, Jie Jiuye tricked Chen Pi into believing the Buddha Chen Pi had brought was actually fake, and that the exquisite fake Jiuye presented was real. Convinced he had been fooled and realizing his authentication skills were insufficient, Chen Pi, in a fit of rage, smashed the jade Buddha he had brought, admitting defeat before storming out.
After Chen Pi's departure, Jie Jiuye revealed to his subordinate that the Buddha Chen Pi brought was, in fact, the real one. Chen Pi had deliberately added fake casting marks to make it appear counterfeit, a cunning tactic that was meant to test Jie Jiuye's stance and his connection to the Nine Gates, knowing Yin Xinyue would seek his help.
Jie Jiuye concluded that a mastermind, whom he called an "evil ghost" in Changsha, was behind Chen Pi, and he suspected this individual was also responsible for the death of Si Ye. Immediately after leaving Jie Jiuye, Chen Pi furiously confronted Jude Kao in his car, blaming him for the humiliating stunt. He accused Jude Kao of making him a laughingstock and even questioned Jude Kao's safety, demanding to know the real purpose of the "useless" scheme.
Jude Kao, unperturbed, calmly explained that he was helping Chen Pi, applying the ancient strategy of "knowing yourself and your enemy." He revealed his actual intention was to gauge Jie Jiuye's capabilities. With Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong absent in the tomb, Jude Kao correctly anticipated that Yin Xinyue would turn to Jie Jiuye for help regarding the stolen jade Buddha.
This provided an opportunity to "test the ins and outs of Jie Jiuye" and develop a strategy against him, concluding that Jie Jiuye was indeed "formidable" and the hardest to deal with among the Nine Mystic Families. Chen Pi scoffed at Jude Kao's caution, dismissing Jie Jiuye as a mere "gentle and weak scholar" and branding Jude Kao a "coward."
He advocated for direct assassination, but Jude Kao challenged him, demonstrating that brute force was not always effective by asking if Chen Pi dared to kill him right there, knowing Chen Pi would be trapped. Jude Kao argued that Chen Pi's reliance on killing had never truly achieved his objectives, labeling it "the least effective method in solving problems among strong persons."
He then detailed Jie Jiuye's vast and diverse business empire in Shanghai, including casinos, medicine monopolies, and jewelry, explaining that an old-fashioned "tomb robber" mentality would lead to obsolescence. Jude Kao concluded by instructing a subordinate via phone to covertly replace a batch of goods to frame Jie Jiuye, ensuring he would be tied up with legal issues and unable to interfere with their plans for the next few days.
Chen Pi realized Jude Kao's true goal was to isolate Zhang Qishan by temporarily incapacitating his most trusted ally. Jude Kao further advised Chen Pi that true power lay in indirect and strategic manipulation rather than overt violence, to which Chen Pi expressed a willingness to learn "how to destroy people without using my knife." Outside the tomb, Lieutenant Zhang grew increasingly anxious about Zhang Qishan's prolonged absence.
He dispatched four of his men in two groups to enter the cave and search for Fo Ye, with strict instructions to return immediately if they encountered any danger. Meanwhile, inside, after a long wait for Er Yue Hong to reappear, Zhang Qishan decided to re-enter the treacherous tomb himself, but Qi Tiezui desperately tried to stop him, fearing he too would get lost.
Suddenly, a bloodied and unsteady Er Yue Hong stumbled out of the cave entrance, warning them not to approach as he pointed back into the darkness. Zhang Qishan and Qi Tiezui quickly rushed to support him, asking what had happened. Despite his severe injuries and weakening state, Er Yue Hong managed to hand Zhang Qishan a bronze fragment, urging him to keep it safe and to immediately bomb the cave entrance. He then collapsed.
Just then, Lieutenant Zhang and his search party arrived. With all men accounted for, Zhang Qishan's group swiftly evacuated the site. Following Zhang Qishan's orders, Lieutenant Zhang quickly set up explosives and blew up the cave entrance, sealing it off. As they regrouped, a still-conscious Er Yue Hong, despite his fading strength, reiterated to Zhang Qishan the importance of the bronze fragment and assured him that with the mine entrance destroyed, no one could retrieve anything from within.
Back at his manor, Zhang Qishan, despite his own injuries, immediately attended to his duties. Lieutenant Zhang reported that Er Yue Hong had only superficial wounds and had been sent home, along with the other injured brothers. Zhang Qishan ordered a generous distribution of money to all his men, strictly warning them to maintain absolute silence about their recent expedition.
He then solemnly began writing down the names of the fallen soldiers, acknowledging them as those who "died for the country" and instructing Lieutenant Zhang to ensure their families were handsomely compensated according to their customs. Yin Xinyue, concerned for Zhang Qishan's health, insisted that her cousin, Mo Ce, examine him. Mo Ce, a Western medicine doctor who had studied abroad, assured them that Zhang Qishan's wounds were superficial and not serious.
Mo Ce lightheartedly mentioned her visit was partly to see the man who had captured her cousin's heart. Later, Yin Xinyue asked Zhang Qishan what weighed on his mind, to which he admitted his concern for Er Yue Hong. She offered to send Mo Ce to check on his "best friend." As Zhang Qishan finally took a bath to clean his wounds, the warm water activated his hidden tattoos.
Holding the bronze fragment Er Yue Hong had retrieved from the tomb, Zhang Qishan observed the intricate patterns, realizing they perfectly matched his own mysterious body art, hinting at a deeper connection to the secrets of the ancient tomb.
