The Mystic Nine Episode 3 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Zhang Qishan, Qi Tiezui, and Lieutenant Zhang arrived in a deserted town near the mines. Qi Tiezui commented that the place was too desolate, but ""Lieutenant Zhang"" noticed two lanterns in the distance. Zhang Qishan suggested that some young and strong men might have stayed behind despite the general exodus. They found a bunkhouse at Yong'an Inn and heard people cooking.
Qi Tiezui, eager for clues, insisted on going inside, dismissing ""Zhang Qishan's"" concerns about potential danger, confident that Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang would protect him. Inside, they found several men eating a dish called "Random Stew." Zhang Qishan attempted to pay for food, but the men were wary of money and initially reluctant to share their limited meal. After Qi Tiezui offered more, they agreed to share. While they ate, Zhang Qishan inquired if they were from the village.
The men denied it, calling the area a desolate place where birds wouldn't even land. They said they were just doing odd jobs and waiting for any notices from the mines. When Zhang Qishan asked about a train passing through, the men became noticeably evasive. They claimed to be uncultured villagers who had never seen a train and quickly left to sleep, telling Zhang Qishan and his companions to enjoy their meal.
Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang observed their suspicious behavior, and Qi Tiezui also believed there was something amiss with the men. Later that night, Qi Tiezui wondered if these individuals might be Japanese. Zhang Qishan noted how neatly the men had arranged their shoes by their beds, as if always ready for a quick departure, which further fueled his suspicions. He decided to remain vigilant, resting nearby with Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang.
At Taitong Dock, several merchants argued with the workers, demanding to inspect the antique goods they intended to resell. They complained that under Er Ye, the business rules were different. Chen Pi, who now served as the boss of Taitong Dock, intervened. He declared that he set the rules, and no inspection would be permitted, stating that he had already personally verified the goods.
The merchants, having consistently made substantial profits from the high-quality merchandise Chen Pi provided, reluctantly agreed to buy the goods unpacked. However, one merchant dared to question the authenticity of a bronze horse from the Wei-Jin era, remarking on its unusually bright color, which he suspected was a recent addition.
Chen Pi vehemently defended the item's authenticity, stating that a bronze horse sealed in a tomb for a thousand years was far superior to any goods passed through many hands, and he challenged the merchant to inspect it more closely. The other merchants quickly interceded, flattering Chen Pi by praising his high-quality goods and his formidable reputation, which they claimed surpassed Er Ye’s. They suggested Er Ye should have retired from the business, implying Chen Pi was more capable.
Chen Pi proudly stated that he was "the king of tombs," and all items from them were his, confirming that he was already operating independently and this was his own domain. Seeking to further ingratiate himself, one merchant went too far, not only denigrating Er Yue Hong but crassly suggesting Chen Pi should have taken over Er Yue Hong’s business and embraced his wife.
Enraged by this insult to his teacher and Madam, Chen Pi swiftly struck the merchant dead with an iron claw. The remaining merchants were terrified, begging for their lives. Chen Pi warned them that if they ever dared to speak ill of his teacher or Madam again, they would meet the same fate. He then confiscated all their money but allowed them to leave with only half of their purchased goods.
The following morning, Zhang Qishan, Qi Tiezui, and Lieutenant Zhang discovered that the three suspicious men had silently departed. They immediately tracked them into a dense fog. Qi Tiezui expressed concern about the increasing thickness of the fog. The men, using the fog to their advantage, ambushed Zhang Qishan’s group. Thanks to Zhang Qishan's exceptional martial arts, he quickly subdued all three attackers.
Qi Tiezui, proud of their success, explained that his earlier "agitation" was a deliberate tactic to create a distraction, allowing Zhang Qishan to capture them. He praised Zhang Qishan's extraordinary vision, which enabled him to see clearly even in the thick fog. Zhang Qishan confronted the captured men, who continued to insist they were mere villagers. He pointed out that their meticulously arranged shoes, positioned for a swift departure, revealed them to be more than ordinary villagers.
When Zhang Qishan demanded answers about the train, the men remained silent before suddenly biting down on hidden poison, instantly dying. Qi Tiezui lamented the loss of their hard-won lead. Zhang Qishan, however, believed the location of their attack was significant, suggesting something peculiar about the area. Qi Tiezui’s compass then malfunctioned, indicating an unusual interference. Searching the vicinity, they discovered newly laid railway tracks that led directly into the mountains.
Qi Tiezui speculated that the iron used for these tracks had been extracted directly from the mine and possessed magnetic properties, which was disrupting his compass. Zhang Qishan observed the surrounding landscape, noting its ideal geomantic features—a clear "front gate" and mountains forming a "back support"—suggesting the presence of a tomb, even though a historical stream mentioned in Changsha records had long dried up.
He concluded that the Japanese were likely conducting secret experiments in this remote and secluded area, using the new railway line to facilitate their activities. Tanaka Ryoko, a Japanese special agent, arrived in Changsha with a hidden agenda, seemingly connected to the mines. She had repeatedly attempted to meet Er Yue Hong, but he consistently refused. This time, she bribed a new servant at the opera house to gain access.
When the opera manager discovered the bribed servant, he quickly informed Er Yue Hong. Er Yue Hong, expressing his strong aversion to the Japanese, instructed the manager to dismiss the servant and inform Tanaka Ryoko that he had already returned to his mansion to rest and would not meet them. He wished to avoid further conflict during these turbulent times.
The manager relayed Er Yue Hong's message to Tanaka Ryoko and her companion, explicitly warning them against future attempts to bribe his staff or approach Er Yue Hong. Tanaka Ryoko's companion voiced concern about reporting their failure to ""Jude Kao"". Tanaka Ryoko acknowledged Er Yue Hong's deliberate avoidance but emphasized that they could not resort to force, as ""Jude Kao's"" goal was cooperation with Er Yue Hong, not enmity.
Realizing a direct approach to Er Yue Hong was futile, Tanaka Ryoko decided to target Chen Pi. She was aware of his deep concern for Ya Tou’s illness and his desperate search for a cure. She possessed what she claimed was "effective medicine from abroad" that could cure all diseases. Tanaka Ryoko met Chen Pi at Taitong Dock, offering her potent medicine in exchange for his help.
She clarified that she sought no tomb artifacts, only that Chen Pi facilitate an introduction and cooperation with Er Yue Hong. Chen Pi, angered by their manipulative tactics, initially threatened Tanaka Ryoko. However, her assertion that the medicine was the only way to save Madam gave him pause. He reluctantly agreed to relay their request to Er Yue Hong, warning them of dire consequences if the medicine proved ineffective for Madam.
Meanwhile, at Er Yue Hong's mansion, Ya Tou's health was visibly deteriorating. She decided to make noodles for Er Yue Hong, who spent much of his time in his secret chamber. In the kitchen, she accidentally dropped a bowl and was overcome by a severe, prolonged coughing fit. Chen Pi, entering the kitchen, was deeply distressed by Madam's worsening condition.
He helped her back to her room, reassuring her that he would clean the broken bowl and tell Er Yue Hong that he, Chen Pi, had broken it while looking for food. The urgency to acquire Tanaka Ryoko's medicine for Madam became paramount for him.
