The Mystic Nine Episode 35 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Yin Xinyue is temporarily residing in Zhang's mansion, helping her husband monitor the spies dispatched by Lu Jianxun. Zhang Qishan, meanwhile, is in seclusion at Huixin Mansion, preparing to negotiate the tomb expedition. Master Baylor arrives in Changsha at Zhang Qishan's invitation, not only for hospitality but also to seek his help in negotiating with Lu Jianxun and his allies. As Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong are currently wanted, they cannot appear publicly.
They aim to enter the mine before Lu Jianxun's group, but Chen Pi and Huo Sanniang have already positioned many people both inside and outside the mine. A direct confrontation would likely result in heavy losses for both sides. Therefore, the respected Master Baylor is deemed the most suitable person to lead the negotiations on Zhang Qishan's behalf.
Zhang Qishan explains to Master Baylor that the mine does not contain treasures but rather "things that cannot be revealed" that the Japanese, Lu Jianxun, and people from the Nine Families are all after. He emphasizes the urgency of securing these items before others. Master Baylor readily agrees to undertake the task, confident in his ability to overawe their opponents.
Qi Tiezui, who arrived earlier, advises Master Baylor to maintain his royal demeanor as those "boors" would not understand their customs. Zhang Qishan informs Master Baylor that Er Yue Hong is recovering and cannot participate, and that Qi Tiezui will accompany Master Baylor to the negotiations. For added support during the talks, Yin Xinyue has lent her hearing servants to Master Baylor. Lu Jianxun, Huo Sanniang, and Chen Pi arrive at the restaurant as invited by Master Baylor.
Master Baylor deliberately arrives late, making a grand entrance with much fanfare to intimidate them. At the dinner table, Master Baylor is openly disdainful towards Chen Pi, claiming people of his standing would not have been permitted to dine with a royal in the past. He criticizes the restaurant's wine and food, then serves his own exotic dishes, including "Horse Eyeball" and "Tofu Cream with Monkey Brain and Bamboo Shoots," boasting about his immense wealth and lifestyle in the Northeast.
Although Lu Jianxun, Huo Sanniang, and Chen Pi are displeased by his arrogance, they dare not speak up due to Master Baylor's high status. After several drinks, Master Baylor becomes chummy with Lu Jianxun and abruptly shifts the conversation to the tomb expedition. He suggests a "strong partnership," implying Lu Jianxun's allies, Chen Pi and Huo Sanniang, have been unable to access the tomb.
When Lu Jianxun expresses reservations about sharing the spoils due to national secrets, Master Baylor dismisses his concerns, reiterating that in turbulent times, wealth is best secured in hand. He then has one of his hearing servants demonstrate extraordinary hearing skills by accurately counting goose feathers dropped from above. Impressed by this display of formidable talent and resources, Lu Jianxun agrees to cooperate with Master Baylor, with their respective subordinates entering the tomb together while they wait above ground.
Chen Pi attempts to warn Lu Jianxun about a possible trick, but Master Baylor silences him with a sharp rebuke. Meanwhile, Yin Xinyue confronts Zhang Qishan, who is packing at Huixin Mansion. She expresses her boredom and concern for Zhang Qishan's safety, worried that Master Baylor might "take him away." She insists on accompanying him to the headquarters. Zhang Qishan reassures her, pointing out that she is effectively monitoring Lu Jianxun from his mansion.
He eventually relents and agrees to take her with him. Separately, Dr. Mo administers medicine to Er Yue Hong. She expresses her concern about his health and his decision to go down the tomb. Er Yue Hong assures her he has recovered and cannot let Zhang Qishan face the dangers alone. Dr. Mo then reveals her upcoming transfer to Changsha Hospital, where she will be closer to her cousin and can assist.
As the joint tomb expedition commences, Lu Jianxun, Chen Pi, and Huo Sanniang gather their teams. Huo Sanniang confidently asserts that the territory is still hers. At the mine entrance, Master Baylor and Lu Jianxun exchange boasts about their respective teams. Chen Pi, with his keen eyesight, spots Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong disguised among Master Baylor's subordinates. He immediately informs Lu Jianxun, who, however, advises against any rash actions.
Lu Jianxun explains that Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong's expertise is crucial for navigating the tomb. Chen Pi, after a moment of consideration, agrees, realizing that obtaining the item believed to revive Madam depends on them entering the tomb. Multiple teams descend into the tomb. Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong, having traversed the inner maze once before, lead their own people ahead, intending to use their familiarity with the labyrinth to shake off Chen Pi's group.
Zhang Qishan instructs his men to stay vigilant and close to him, knowing that the honeycomb-like maze is easy to get lost in. They successfully manage to elude Chen Pi and his team. Zhang Qishan's subordinate worries that Chen Pi's group might be trapped forever, but Zhang Qishan assures him they will merely be exhausted, confirming their strategic advantage. Back in the maze, Chen Pi's group finds themselves lost, repeatedly returning to the same spots.
A subordinate expresses fear of dying in the tomb. Chen Pi silences him, then deduces that since Er Yue Hong and his men navigated the complex paths so quickly, there must be an underlying pattern to the maze that they have mastered. Inspired, Chen Pi begins to search for this pattern. Meanwhile, Zhang Qishan's group presses on and opens a new door, leading them into an unfamiliar, vast, and mysterious tomb chamber. In the center, several stone tablets stand upright.
The central tablet is engraved with the Qingwu Scripture, which Qi Tiezui immediately recognizes and reverently kneels before, reciting passages about its author, Master Qingwu, and the secrets of fengshui contained within.
