The Mystic Nine Episode 30 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang learn from the fatty that the chieftain, Shi Huaichan, is at odds with her younger brother-in-law, the Clan-Protector, and that they almost came to blows before the funeral. They then observe the two engaged in a heated argument.
The Clan-Protector insists on using Han porters for the tree burial of Shi Huaichan's son in Death Valley, framing the son’s untimely death as a divine warning that necessitates this ritual to appease heaven and warning against harming tribal members. Shi Huaichan accuses her brother-in-law of ulterior motives and insulting her and her deceased son, but the Clan-Protector forcefully pushes for the ritual's immediate commencement.
Later, Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang identify several powerful Han porters as suspicious and question the fatty. The fatty admits these men are assassins, hired by their boss on the Clan-Protector's orders, with the explicit goal of ensuring Shi Huaichan never returns from Death Valley. The fatty reveals that the chieftain has already lost considerable prestige since her son’s death and is forced to go to Death Valley to retrieve sacred vines from the sacred tree to appease the people.
Even if the treacherous valley doesn’t claim her, the assassins are a fail-safe. Despite the dangers, Qi Tiezui believes this perilous journey is unavoidable. He suspects that people around Zhang Qishan have deliberately created a diversion, concealing his whereabouts, and that the chieftain’s current predicament is likely connected to Zhang Qishan. Lieutenant Zhang concurs, acknowledging this journey as their only opportunity to approach Shi Huaichan, and promises to ensure Qi Tiezui’s safety.
Meanwhile, concerned for Zhang Qishan, Er Yue Hong, despite his illness, attempts to leave Changsha to find him. Huo Sanniang, stating she was unwilling to let him venture alone, decides to accompany him. She assures Er Yue Hong that while she sought to challenge Zhang Qishan's position, she never intended to harm him. Trusting her, Er Yue Hong agrees to her assistance.
Utilizing her own means, Huo Sanniang deftly navigates them out of the city, which is under surveillance by Lu Jianxun. Their escape is soon reported to Chen Pi, who, frustrated, immediately sets out to pursue Er Yue Hong. However, Lu Jianxun intervenes, explaining that he was aware of Huo Sanniang’s departure, under the pretense that she was recruiting an expert to assist them in the tomb. Lu Jianxun advises against a reckless pursuit of Zhang Qishan.
Instead, he proposes a strategy of "waiting for the rabbit," confident that if they possess something Zhang Qishan desires from the ancient tomb, he will eventually appear. He also subtly warns that if Huo Sanniang has indeed colluded with Er Yue Hong, she, like the fourth family member, could be replaced. As the group, led by Shi Huaichan, proceeds towards Death Valley, the Han assassins position themselves at the rear, waiting for an opportunity.
Shi Huaichan, remarking on the treacherous path and the Clan-Protector's ill intent, urges everyone to press on. A heavy downpour begins, and Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang observe the assassins drawing their weapons, ready to strike. Just then, they spot Black Qiao people performing a ritual dance nearby. Knowing the animosity between the White Qiao and Black Qiao, Shi Huaichan orders a detour.
During the treacherous journey, a coffin bearer slips on the muddy path, but Lieutenant Zhang quickly intervenes, steadying the coffin and preventing an accident. Shi Huaichan, impressed by his agility, takes note of Lieutenant Zhang. Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang realize that the Black Qiao's presence, in addition to the assassins, complicates their mission further, making the White Qiao vulnerable to both internal and external threats.
After the rain ceases, the group resumes their journey, only to stumble upon the bodies of the Black Qiao people they had seen earlier, all dead in a marsh. Panic erupts among the fainthearted, convinced they have encountered ghosts. They swiftly decide to flee. Soon, they are engulfed in a dense fog, losing their way and feeling as if they are trapped in a "ghost-hit" illusion. While others panic, Qi Tiezui, after some thought, announces he has a solution.
He explains that the Black Qiao’s tactics are a form of black sorcery designed to manipulate perception, but being rooted in the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, it can be unraveled. He confidently guides the group, asserting that the escape route lies in the east. Despite initial skepticism from some, Shi Huaichan trusts his judgment, and the entire group follows him out of the treacherous marsh, solidifying his newfound authority.
Qi Tiezui leads the group out of the marsh to an abandoned village where they can rest. The Han porters, relieved to be safe, gather around Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang, expressing gratitude and calling them their saviors. As evening falls, Lieutenant Zhang and Qi Tiezui find a moment of peace to converse. Lieutenant Zhang asks how Qi Tiezui was so certain Shi Huaichan would follow him without explicit explanation.
Qi Tiezui explains that the chieftain, in her desperate situation, had no other choice but to trust him, and that silence conveyed more than words. Lieutenant Zhang playfully recounts Zhang Qishan’s past remarks, praising Qi Tiezui’s skill in "looking into a human heart," but adding that Zhang Qishan also said that sometimes, with Qi Tiezui, it was easier to resort to force than reason.
Qi Tiezui, despite feeling slightly criticized, admits he misses Zhang Qishan and expresses concern about his mysterious illness and unknown whereabouts, urging them to find him quickly to assess his true condition. During the night, the Black Qiao launch a surprise attack on their temporary shelter. Fortunately, Qi Tiezui had anticipated this, setting up traps around the abandoned house that alert them to the attackers’ arrival.
As the Black Qiao assault, Qi Tiezui employs a series of "small tricks," creating an illusion of ghostly figures. Believing they are being targeted by spirits, the Black Qiao panic and flee. Qi Tiezui then calms the terrified group, explaining that his "ghostly" display was merely a trick from his days in the jianghu, exploiting the Black Qiao's superstitious beliefs. He reassures them that there are no actual ghosts, only people creating illusions, once again demonstrating his ingenuity and solidifying his reputation among the group.
