The Mystic Nine Episode 28 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Lu Jianxun, having orchestrated the abduction of Tanaka Ryoko with Chen Pi, used her as leverage to force Jude Kau's cooperation. At a banquet, Lu Jianxun subtly warned his guests about the dangers of clinging to power, implying that failure to yield could be fatal. He offered Tanaka Ryoko tea, which her superior, Jude Kau, compelled her to drink as a sign of accepting Lu Jianxun's authority.
Although Jude Kau thanked Lu Jianxun and departed, Lu immediately instructed his men to maintain close surveillance on him. Later, Jude Kau chastised Tanaka Ryoko for a reckless attempt to extract information from Er Yuehong, reminding her that even Lu Jianxun had failed to break him. When informed that Lu Jianxun had placed spies around their residence, Jude Kau calmly stated that Lu Jianxun wouldn't dare a direct attack but merely wanted them to be cautious.
He declared his intention to subtly undermine Lu Jianxun's burgeoning influence. Separately, Lu Jianxun received a cautionary call from his superior, advising extreme care when dealing with Jude Kau due to his powerful connections. He promptly ordered the surveillance on Jude Kau lifted, choosing to maintain a facade of cooperation to avoid any missteps. Jude Kau and Tanaka Ryoko later discussed their progress, noting how smoothly their plans were unfolding with Zhang Qishan incapacitated and Er Yuehong imprisoned.
Jude Kau reassured Tanaka, emphasizing their shared objectives and his confidence in their next moves. Meanwhile, Huo Sanniang approached Lu Jianxun, requesting that the territories left unattended by Zhang Qishan and Er Yuehong be placed under the control of the Huo family. She reminded Lu Jianxun of their prior alliance and subtly warned him against betraying their agreement or becoming overly ambitious in Changsha, a city not entirely his own.
To sweeten the deal, she presented him with two boxes of gold bars. Lu Jianxun accepted her gold but stated he needed to consult another key figure. This other figure turned out to be Chen Pi, who had already taken over Er Yuehong's manor and declared his intention to claim both Er Yuehong and Zhang Qishan's territories. A heated confrontation erupted between Huo Sanniang and Chen Pi.
Huo Sanniang accused Chen Pi of ingratitude, reminding him that his rise was due to their collective support, and questioned his right to seize his master's possessions. Chen Pi, in turn, defiantly asserted his claim, threatening to annihilate the Huo family if she interfered. Lu Jianxun intervened, proposing a compromise: Chen Pi would keep Er Yuehong's territory, and Huo Sanniang would take Zhang Qishan's.
Though Huo Sanniang initially protested the disrespect to traditional seniority, Lu Jianxun managed to pacify them by painting a grand vision of controlling all Nine Families if they cooperated, urging them to focus on larger gains rather than internal strife. Both eventually agreed to the compromise. At a subsequent banquet, Lu Jianxun, after toasting their alliance, declared his terms for their shared venture into the mining mountain.
He demanded a 30% share of any treasures found, in exchange for lending them soldiers and ensuring their ultimate dominance over Changsha. Zhang Qishan's condition worsened, leaving him unconscious for five days. Yin Xinyue remained by his side, diligently caring for him and feeding him medicine. She vowed to protect him from harm and defend their home, which was now under strict siege by Lu Jianxun's forces.
Upon regaining consciousness, Zhang Qishan apologized for the trouble he had caused her and expressed concern for his loyal brothers outside. Yin Xinyue, deeply worried, insisted he focus on recovery, even threatening to take him back to Peking if his health didn't improve. Zhang Qishan, however, pointed out the dangers of such a move, including revealing their location, involving Xinyue Hotel, and his inability to protect her in his current weakened state.
Yin Xinyue promised to make alternative arrangements for their safe departure. A doctor, Mo Ce, confirmed Zhang Qishan had no fever or infection, yet remained in a mysterious unconscious state. Recognizing the imminent dangers from various factions, Yin Xinyue took decisive action. She informed Lieutenant Zhang that they could no longer remain in Changsha and that she had arranged for the Hearing Servants and Baton-holding Guards from Peking to provide escort.
She instructed Mo Ce to meet them and Lieutenant Zhang to secretly alert Zhang Qishan's most trusted men. Yin Xinyue was resolute in her decision to move Zhang Qishan to safety, despite anticipating his disapproval, knowing that Chen Pi's deep-seated hatred would soon lead him to seek revenge. Elsewhere, Lu Jianxun, still consolidating his power, paid another visit to Qi Tiezui’s incense altar, hoping to recruit him into his service while Zhang Qishan was vulnerable.
After an initial exchange of courtesies, Lu Jianxun asked for a fortune reading. Qi Tiezui, demonstrating uncanny accuracy, divined several personal details about Lu Jianxun's life. When Lu Jianxun offered him a lucrative position, Qi Tiezui, remaining loyal to Zhang Qishan and fully aware of Lu Jianxun's true nature, subtly rejected him. He used cryptic astrological terms to warn Lu Jianxun that he was ill-suited for power; the more authority he accumulated, the shorter his lifespan would become.
Qi Tiezui predicted a "fatal disaster" and advised Lu Jianxun to resign and return home to avoid it. Enraged by the direct affront, Lu Jianxun accused Qi Tiezui of fabricating nonsense and scheming against him, then stormed out. Fuelled by his undying hatred and Jude Kau's reminder of unfinished vengeance, Chen Pi, after diligently practicing his martial arts in the suburbs, led his men to storm Zhang Qishan's mansion.
He declared he was acting under Lu Jianxun's orders to arrest Zhang Qishan. Yin Xinyue bravely confronted him, demanding to know what crime her husband had committed. Chen Pi refused to provide a reason, stating he was merely following orders, and threatened the entire Zhang family if Zhang Qishan wasn't handed over. Yin Xinyue defiantly refused, asserting that she would fight him to the very end, even if it meant sacrificing both the Zhang and Yin families.
She also revealed Zhang Qishan's critical and potentially fatal illness, suggesting this might satisfy his desire for revenge. Despite attempts by his subordinates to dissuade him from making a grave mistake, Chen Pi was consumed by his rage and vowed to personally kill Zhang Qishan. He ordered his men to search every corner of the mansion. Unbeknownst to Chen Pi, however, Yin Xinyue had already successfully moved Zhang Qishan out of the mansion as part of her intricate plan to ensure his survival.
