The Mystic Nine Episode 44 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Chen Pi, after escaping Lu Jianxun's clutches, fell into a river and was fortunately rescued by a village girl named Xiao Meng. He had lost his memory, and Xiao Meng, whose childhood nickname was "Ya Tou," noticed he often murmured "Ya Tou" in his sleep. She then allowed him to call her by that name. They lived a simple life in the village, gradually growing fond of each other. However, their peaceful days were disturbed by Hendry's ambitions.
One day, while Chen Pi was out catching crabs, an elder named Li warned him that Japanese individuals had entered his home. Tanaka, acting on Hendry's orders, arrived at the village to take Chen Pi away. Chen Pi, still suffering from amnesia, was confused, but Tanaka threatened Xiao Meng, forcing him to surrender. Meanwhile, Zhang Qishan was engrossed in his official duties, often neglecting Yin Xinyue's feelings.
One day, Yin Xinyue, with an urgent matter, went to the military camp to find him but was turned away by Lieutenant Zhang. She had no choice but to return home and wait for her husband's return, which stretched late into the night. When Zhang Qishan finally arrived, he apologized profusely. Yin Xinyue, while playfully complaining, explained her predicament: her cousin, Mo Ce, had been scheduled to visit and help with her health, but never showed up.
Upon inquiring at the hospital, Yin Xinyue discovered that Mo Ce had not reported for work for two days, indicating she was missing. Zhang Qishan, understanding the gravity of the situation, decided to visit the hospital with Lieutenant Zhang to investigate. Yin Xinyue suggested he also involve Er Ye, hoping to subtly bring Er Ye and Mo Ce closer, but Zhang Qishan gently reminded her that Er Ye was still grieving for his late wife, also named Ya Tou.
Zhang Qishan eventually agreed to send Lieutenant Zhang to contact Er Ye, though Er Ye was found to be too drunk to assist. At the hospital, Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang found Mo Ce's office locked and covered in a thin layer of dust, suggesting she hadn't been there for days. Nurses confirmed they hadn't seen her recently and suggested asking Chief Li, believing Mo Ce might have taken leave.
When Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang met Chief Li in his office, he seemed overly friendly but also noticeably nervous. Chief Li initially feigned ignorance of Mo Ce's disappearance, then claimed they had argued over a patient's treatment plan, and Mo Ce, being hot-headed, had simply stopped coming to work. He expressed false guilt, wondering if she had done something reckless.
Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang also detected a burning smell and discovered Chief Li was burning photos in his office in broad daylight, which he vaguely attributed to "family troubles." Zhang Qishan found his behavior suspicious and left Lieutenant Zhang to monitor him while he returned home to reassure Yin Xinyue. Back home, Yin Xinyue had received an anonymous package containing a "Save me" note written in blood and a strange parasitic worm. She feared Mo Ce was in danger.
Zhang Qishan confirmed his suspicions about Chief Li and informed Yin Xinyue that Lieutenant Zhang, after further inquiry, had discovered the parasitic worm was unique to Black Qiao Village. He then recalled hearing from Old Ba about Japanese presence near Black Qiao Village, leading him to believe that Mo Ce's disappearance was linked to the Japanese. He assured Yin Xinyue that he would go to the village personally to investigate and rescue Mo Ce.
Meanwhile, at Hendry's compound, Chen Pi regained full consciousness, his memory completely restored, including his recent past with Xiao Meng. Hendry, speaking to one of his subordinates, explained that Chen Pi's amnesia was psychological, a self-imposed forgetting of painful memories—the death of his beloved wife (Ya Tou) and his master's loss of trust—and he needed to be reminded of these to be useful for their schemes.
Later, Tanaka tried to impress upon Chen Pi his obligation to Hendry for his personal treatment, but Chen Pi remained aloof, asserting his ability to discern true intentions. Later, as Chen Pi was being driven away by Tanaka, Xiao Meng bravely intercepted their car, calling out "Brother" and identifying herself as "Ya Tou," pleading for his return. Tanaka mocked her, revealing Chen Pi's past as a killer.
When Tanaka prepared to shoot Xiao Meng, Chen Pi swiftly intervened, shattering the car's windshield with a kick to save her. However, in a cruel turn, Chen Pi told Xiao Meng that he had repaid his life debt and that they were now irrevocably separated.
A heartbroken Xiao Meng reminded him of their shared life and his promise, but Chen Pi coldly stated that he had remembered his true love—his deceased Ya Tou—and admitted he had merely seen her as a substitute. He urged her to forget him and find a peaceful life. Xiao Meng, desperate, insisted she was "Ya Tou," but Chen Pi delivered the final blow, stating, "You are not my Ya Tou. My Ya Tou can never return."
As Xiao Meng wept, Chen Pi left with Tanaka, who noted Chen Pi's restored ruthless nature and eagerly anticipated his future contributions to their plans. Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang arrived at Kangjia Village. They questioned the village doctor, who reluctantly admitted a female doctor from Changsha had visited but insisted she had left the same day. He tried to dismiss them, speculating she might have encountered Japanese on the road, despite previously claiming the Japanese were far away.
Zhang Qishan noticed the doctor's excessive sweating and the general reclusiveness of the villagers, confirming his suspicions that something was amiss. Deciding against direct confrontation, they feigned departure and then hid, planning to observe the villagers for any revealing activity. As night approached, they watched the villagers gather for what appeared to be a ritual.
