The Mystic Nine Episode 31 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
After successfully using his tricks to scare away the Black Qiao people, Qi Tiezui explained that what seemed like ghosts and spirits were merely small illusions he employed while doing business in the Jianghu. He noted that the Black Qiao people's belief in ghosts and evil spirits caused their panic, making them susceptible to his deception. He warned everyone, however, that the Black Qiao would likely soon realize what had happened.
Given the frequent dangers they encountered, the group decided to travel overnight to conclude their perilous journey as quickly as possible. As they pressed on, Qi Tiezui complained about the rapid pace, feeling exhausted. Lieutenant Zhang urged him to keep up, noting that the chieftain, Shi Huaichan, was pulling ahead. They soon found themselves separated in a dense reed bed.
When Lieutenant Zhang got separated from Shi Huaichan, he found corpses along the way, realizing from the whistles clutched in their hands that Han assassins were using the White Qiao people's distinctive communication whistles to track and eliminate her escorts one by one. Lieutenant Zhang informed Shi Huaichan that most of her people were likely killed, but assured her he would protect her. Thinking quickly, Lieutenant Zhang decided to use the assassins' own methods against them.
He blew a whistle to lure an assassin, then swiftly attacked and killed him. He then faced a group of assassins who offered to spare him if he allowed them to kill Shi Huaichan. Lieutenant Zhang offered them a chance to leave unharmed if they ceased their pursuit of the chieftain. When they refused and attacked, Lieutenant Zhang single-handedly defeated them.
Believing Shi Huaichan was safe, he was surprised when a dying assassin revealed that the Clan-Protector's true "trump card" was a White Qiao servant accompanying Shi Huaichan, implying the chieftain was still in danger. Lieutenant Zhang quickly reunited with Qi Tiezui, who had also been trying to find the chieftain and who then complained about Lieutenant Zhang rushing ahead. Qi Tiezui then revealed he had secretly placed white powder on Shi Huaichan earlier, allowing them to track her.
They followed the trail and found Shi Huaichan, who was moments away from being attacked by her treacherous White Qiao servant. Just as Qi Tiezui shouted a warning, Er Yue Hong suddenly appeared and incapacitated the servant. Shi Huaichan, however, misunderstood the situation, believing Er Yue Hong and the others were Han assassins intent on killing her, declaring she would never die by their hands.
Huo Sanniang arrived shortly after, visibly concerned for Er Yue Hong, who had re-injured himself during the rescue. She explained that Er Yue Hong, despite his prior injuries, had been worried and had come looking for them after hearing they were chosen as funeral escorts to Death Valley. Qi Tiezui suggested Huo Sanniang take Er Yue Hong back to White Qiao Village to recover while he and Lieutenant Zhang continued with Shi Huaichan.
Shi Huaichan expressed her regret for misjudging them. Qi Tiezui then revealed that the Clan-Protector had hired the Han assassins and bribed her own White Qiao servant. The servant confessed, confirming he was sent by the Clan-Protector. Qi Tiezui calmed the enraged Shi Huaichan, advising that they reassemble the group and continue their journey. Shi Huaichan addressed her remaining followers, announced the elimination of the threats, and promised rewards upon their return to White Qiao Village.
They then rejoined the other ordinary footmen and continued their journey towards the sacred tree. As Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang continued their journey with Shi Huaichan, she inquired about Er Yue Hong. Qi Tiezui explained that Er Yue Hong's old injury had relapsed. Shi Huaichan mistakenly thought Huo Sanniang was Er Yue Hong's wife, but Qi Tiezui clarified that Er Yue Hong's wife had passed away long ago and Huo Sanniang was merely a friend.
Shi Huaichan was deeply impressed by Er Yue Hong's handsomeness, martial skills, and enduring devotion to his deceased wife, calling him an exceptional man. Qi Tiezui then asked if Shi Huaichan had heard of Zhang Qishan, also known as Fo Ye. Shi Huaichan confirmed that a "Madam Zhang" had once sought her permission for her sick husband to recuperate in White Qiao Village.
She agreed to tell them Fo Ye's location once they safely escorted her back to White Qiao Village, acknowledging that they were helping her for their own reasons. Qi Tiezui and Lieutenant Zhang agreed to depart for the sacred tree the following day.
That night, Lieutenant Zhang had a disturbing dream about Fo Ye, but Qi Tiezui reassured him, stating that dreams were often the opposite of reality and that Fo Ye, who feared nothing, was protected by his wife, who Qi Tiezui described as an incredible good luck charm. The group eventually reached the sacred tree of White Qiao Village, a place Shi Huaichan explained preserved corpses and served as the burial site for past heirs, a blessing from Heaven.
As they prepared for the burial, a hidden trap was triggered, unleashing a volley of poisoned arrows that killed many footmen. Lieutenant Zhang swiftly protected Shi Huaichan, while Qi Tiezui and the traitorous White Qiao servant narrowly avoided the arrows. Qi Tiezui expressed dismay at the Clan-Protector's cunning for tampering with the sacred tree, while Lieutenant Zhang remarked that he had a premonition the Clan-Protector would not give up.
The traitorous servant, feigning ignorance, insisted that the Clan-Protector would never defile the sacred tree. Qi Tiezui calmed Shi Huaichan and suggested Lieutenant Zhang perform the burial. Shi Huaichan instructed Lieutenant Zhang to place her son's coffin in the last of the three honorable tombs, noting that two ancient coffins were already present. She also asked him to retrieve a sacred vine bearing the White Qiao emblem as proof of the burial.
After completing the burial, Lieutenant Zhang reported that the two ancient coffins Shi Huaichan mentioned were missing, and he had found a bell owned by the Black Qiao people in their place. Shi Huaichan immediately recognized it as a Black Qiao item, realizing that the Black Qiao were not just after her, but were also targeting their sacred tree. Qi Tiezui advised them to return to White Qiao Village to deliberate on the new threat.
Shi Huaichan agreed, conceding that the internal conflicts of the White Qiao people were ultimately more dangerous than the external threat posed by the Black Qiao. Returning to the shabby temple that night, they overheard Er Yue Hong and Huo Sanniang arguing. Er Yue Hong, still unwell, asserted that he was fine but firmly told Huo Sanniang that since they had different paths and goals, he would not give her false hope.
Lieutenant Zhang approached Huo Sanniang, expressing gratitude for her care of Er Yue Hong on behalf of Ba Ye and Fo Ye. Huo Sanniang dismissed his gratitude and defiantly criticized Er Yue Hong's deceased wife, calling her useless. Lieutenant Zhang, despite her provocations, urged her to move on from Er Yue Hong for both their sakes, but she refused and left. Qi Tiezui commented on Huo Sanniang's deep affection for Er Yue Hong.
Then, Shi Huaichan offered Er Yue Hong a magical medicine from White Qiao to alleviate his pain, prompting Qi Tiezui to jokingly remark that Er Yue Hong had acquired another admirer in Shi Huaichan, right after Huo Sanniang's departure.
