The Mystic Nine Episode 39 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Consumed by grief after Ya Tou's recent disappearance, Er Yue Hong learned that the Copper Meteorite originated from outer space, splitting into three pieces upon impact. One piece was hidden in the ancestral building of the Zhang family, another in Master Qingwu's tomb, and the third remained lost. Desperate to resurrect Ya Tou, Er Yue Hong declared his intention to find this lost piece, believing its power would allow him to be with her in a world of their own.
Zhang Qishan and Shi Huaichan, deeply concerned by his distraught state, tried to calm him, explaining that the Copper Meteorite from the tomb had already been given to the Zhang family. To stabilize him, they promised to join him in the search the following morning. Zhang Qishan knew that Er Yue Hong was too deeply attached to Ya Tou and wouldn't listen to reason at that moment. However, the next morning, Er Yue Hong was nowhere to be found.
A servant confirmed that he had feigned returning to his room and sneaked out. Shi Huaichan offered to accompany Zhang Qishan, but he instructed her to stay behind to care for Xinyue and the others in White Qiao Village, promising to bring Er Yue Hong back safely. Zhang Qishan and his men set off, tracking Er Yue Hong towards the Swamp of Miao Village.
Lieutenant Zhang noted that by Er Yue Hong's pace, they should have encountered him already, leading Zhang Qishan to realize they might have underestimated Er Yue Hong's determination. While searching a unique canyon, Zhang Qishan discovered cliff paintings depicting the Copper Meteorite's descent, deducing that the meteorite's impact created the canyon. He found the natural formation awe-inspiring and continued his pursuit, calling out for Er Yue Hong.
Back at White Qiao Village that night, with Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong still not having returned, Qi Tiezui and Shi Huaichan sat waiting. Qi Tiezui observed that the moon was a waning crescent, just as it had been inside the Copper Meteorite. He then noticed Shi Huaichan had become rigid and unmoving, like a puppet.
When Lieutenant Zhang arrived, Qi Tiezui confirmed he was normal before sharing his chilling realization: they had never actually left the Copper Meteorite's influence. He explained that their supposed escape, return to Changsha, and subsequent journey to find Shi Huaichan were all part of an elaborate illusion. Meanwhile, Zhang Qishan also sensed that something was amiss. As he walked, he found words carved into the rock face: "Fo Ye, wake up."
He instantly understood that he was still trapped within the Copper Meteorite's illusion, and that Er Yue Hong, having realized the truth himself, had left the message not only to wake himself but also to guide Zhang Qishan. He immediately worried about the safety of Qi Tiezui and the others. Zhang Qishan, realizing that merely wandering in this illusory world was not the solution, understood that the key was to truly wake himself up.
He recalled the calm state of mind he cultivated during his military training, believing that only by achieving inner peace could he concentrate and break free from the mental control of this illusory realm. Separately, Hendry met with Lu Jianxun, using a shadow play to illustrate the legend of the Copper Meteorite—an ancient extraterrestrial object that split into three parts upon entering Earth's atmosphere.
One piece was in the ancestral building of the Zhang family, another was in Master Qingwu's tomb, and the third was lost. Hendry explained that the treasure Lu Jianxun sought in the ancient tomb was the Copper Meteorite, which possessed mysterious power, allowing entry into a magical world. He suggested Zhang Qishan and his men might be trapped within it, claiming only he possessed the means to capture them.
Hendry then showcased his new company, which dealt in the "free trade of goods," primarily "time-honored" artifacts, revealing his true intention to go down the tomb. He offered to help Lu Jianxun overcome his current crisis and capture Zhang Qishan, but in return, demanded control over the Mystic Nine. Initially, Lu Jianxun balked, accusing Hendry of setting a trap and attempting to seize the tomb's treasure for himself by drawing a gun.
However, Hendry remained undeterred, emphasizing that without his unique knowledge of advanced science and the Zhang family's secrets, Lu Jianxun stood no chance against Zhang Qishan. Hendry also unveiled a massive, secret laboratory filled with artifacts, further demonstrating his capabilities. Cornered, and with his superiors already suspicious, Lu Jianxun reluctantly agreed to Hendry's terms, despite his dissatisfaction with Hendry's manipulative tactics.
After some negotiation, Lu Jianxun secured a 50% share of Hendry's company's dividends and signed the authorization, entrusting Hendry with the power to manage the Mystic Nine. With Lu Jianxun's authorization, Hendry embarked on his journey into the tomb with a small team. Lu Jianxun offered additional men, but Hendry declined, stating that some tasks didn't rely on numbers.
He reminded Lu Jianxun to focus on governing Changsha to satisfy his superiors, while he, quoting the proverb "nothing ventured, nothing gained," ventured into the dangerous depths of the tomb. Inside, Hendry and his men navigated through countless corpses, and Hendry noted that these past victims had inadvertently cleared many of the traps. They soon encountered Chen Pi, who was also lost and helpless within the tomb.
Despite Chen Pi's initial distrust and dismissal of Hendry's small team as "useless," Hendry asserted his capabilities and offered to guide him. He used advanced scientific methods, including some sort of drug, to navigate the tomb, which he identified as the "Reverse World," where everything was inverted and illusions reigned. Hendry explained that one often walks into an illusion thinking they've escaped one.
Although he had initially believed Zhang Qishan would be able to discern and break free from such an illusion, he now realized he had overestimated him. Nonetheless, Hendry confidently declared that since they had entered "their world," finding Zhang Qishan would now be straightforward. Meanwhile, Xinyue, distraught by Zhang Qishan's prolonged absence, refused to eat despite her maid's pleas. She vented her anger, specifically targeting Lu Jianxun for sending a foreigner like Hendry into the tomb, vowing to teach him a lesson for underestimating her.
