The Mystic Nine Episode 46 Recap
> The Mystic Nine Recap
Zhang Qishan, Lieutenant Zhang, and Qi Tiezui discussed their investigation into the virus outbreak and the Copper Meteorite. Zhang Qishan deduced that the Japanese were behind it, explaining how they had previously blown up the mine and secured the Copper Meteorite, only for the Japanese to continue their search, possibly having found the third piece. He noted that the virus, while contagious, was not fatal, which was unlike the Japanese's usual methods, suggesting an accidental leak during an incomplete experiment.
Zhang Qishan further deduced that the Black Qiao Village people, fearing discovery of their virus manufacturing, had deliberately used a fortune teller to mislead the villagers about the virus's origins. Believing the Black Qiao were conducting experiments at Dongting Lake, Zhang Qishan decided he and Lieutenant Zhang would go there the next morning, leaving Qi Tiezui in Changsha to guard the city. Upon arriving near Dongting Lake, Lieutenant Zhang observed that the area seemed untouched by the virus.
They approached a fish vendor, where Zhang Qishan noticed the scarcity of fish. The vendor revealed that fishing was now impossible in Dongting Lake because a group of Japanese had taken control of the entire lake, preventing fishermen from earning a living. Recognizing they were on the right track, Zhang Qishan believed the Japanese's actions hinted at a hidden agenda.
They proceeded to an inn, where the innkeeper, after being generously tipped, revealed that the Japanese had recently salvaged a sunken ship from Dongting Lake. He confirmed the ship was heavily guarded and rumored to contain valuable items. Lieutenant Zhang speculated it could be the Copper Meteorite. The innkeeper added that the ship had been moved, its current whereabouts unknown, but suggested they check an ice bunker nearby where many had found treasures.
Meanwhile, back in Changsha, Dr. Mo was recovering under the care of Qi Tiezui. Er Yue Hong arrived and inquired about Zhang Qishan's whereabouts. Qi Tiezui informed him that Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang had gone to Dongting Lake to investigate the virus and its connection to the Japanese. Er Yue Hong grew concerned, especially when Qi Tiezui mentioned the possibility of the Japanese having acquired the third Copper Meteorite.
With Dr. Mo stable, Er Yue Hong decided to go to Dongting Lake, feeling uneasy about Zhang Qishan facing such dangers with only Lieutenant Zhang. Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang followed the innkeeper to the ice bunker. The innkeeper explained the cave's natural cooling properties, which fishermen used for storage and where some had discovered treasures. After the innkeeper left, Zhang Qishan dismissed Lieutenant Zhang’s concerns about the innkeeper's reliability, assuring him the man was only interested in money.
Zhang Qishan noted numerous footprints and fish scales, confirming recent activity. Inside, they encountered a lively young girl named Cui, who was playing. She asked Zhang Qishan for wine, but he offered her water instead, saying she was too young for alcohol. Cui, captivated by his water bottle, offered a pair of earrings in exchange. Lieutenant Zhang recognized the earrings as being of Black Qiao origin.
Zhang Qishan, noticing their value, asked Cui where she obtained them, and she, claiming to have many more, offered to lead them. Cui led them to a hidden market where vendors were selling items as "treasures from a sunken boat." Zhang Qishan questioned a vendor about the sunken ship, specifically if it was the one salvaged by the Japanese and how they managed to access it. The vendor grew agitated, refusing to answer and emphasizing a "buy, don't ask" policy.
Cui intervened, explaining the market's strict rules. Zhang Qishan, suspecting foul play due to the secrecy, decided to buy all the items, stating he would "rather buy a thousand wrong items than let one get away." After his generous purchase, he offered Cui money, but she refused, explaining her reluctance to disclose information due to the potential impact on her villagers' livelihood.
Moved by their sincerity, she reluctantly advised them that someone else might know more, though it would be dangerous, directing them to an inn at the eastern end of the village. At the eastern inn, Lieutenant Zhang initially doubted Cui's information, but Zhang Qishan remained patient. Soon, Hei Shi, the missing chieftain of the Black Qiao Village, arrived with his men, demanding rooms. Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang overheard him giving orders about a secret plan.
Hei Shi's subsequent arrival confirmed Zhang Qishan's suspicion that he had allied with the Japanese after his defeat. Later, Chen Pi arrived with Japanese followers. He and Hei Shi exchanged tense words, with Chen Pi implying Hei Shi's failure to protect "the Black Qiao's thing" and that Tanaka Ryouko had sent him to assist. A Japanese official intervened, urging them to focus on their mission.
Lieutenant Zhang realized Chen Pi was deeply involved and wondered if "the thing" was the Copper Meteorite. When the group prepared to depart, Zhang Qishan ordered Lieutenant Zhang to follow them discreetly. Following them, Zhang Qishan and Lieutenant Zhang reached a cave guarded by Japanese soldiers. Zhang Qishan recognized the area near Cui’s ice bunker.
He sent Lieutenant Zhang to scout, who returned with Cui, confirming that a large ice bunker behind the cave was where fishermen had found the sunken ship's treasures. Cui revealed the Japanese had hidden and frozen the ship, seemingly for storage. Zhang Qishan thanked Cui and offered her money again, but she refused. Zhang Qishan, saddened by her plight, vowed to drive out the Japanese.
Inside the cave, they overheard a conversation indicating that a potent virus had matured and was ready to be developed into the Black Qiao's most lethal weapon. Lieutenant Zhang realized it wasn't the Copper Meteorite but something else being refined. Zhang Qishan insisted they could not let the Japanese succeed, and despite Lieutenant Zhang's suggestion to seek reinforcements, Zhang Qishan decided to stay, believing they needed to understand Chen Pi's full intentions.
Their presence was discovered, and Zhang Qishan was forced to fight. He observed the artificially maintained cold environment, confirming its use for virus development. During the fierce battle, Zhang Qishan killed Hei Shi, but he was caught in a trap and fell unconscious. Lieutenant Zhang, after evading Chen Pi's pursuit, returned to find Zhang Qishan gravely injured under an ice cliff and quickly rescued him.
As Lieutenant Zhang struggled to carry the unconscious Zhang Qishan, Cui appeared, warning them of danger and revealing that their friends were outside. She led them to Er Yue Hong, who had arrived with reinforcements, worried about their safety. Er Yue Hong was shocked to see Zhang Qishan's condition. Lieutenant Zhang explained they had fallen into a Japanese trap and that Chen Pi had allied with the Japanese, who were refining a deadly virus.
Er Yue Hong was enraged by the Japanese's actions. After being introduced to Cui, Er Yue Hong thanked her. Cui then broke down, revealing her father was killed by the Japanese and returning the money Zhang Qishan had given her. Facing Zhang Qishan's unconscious state, Lieutenant Zhang asked Er Yue Hong for advice. Er Yue Hong offered to create a diversion for their escape, but Lieutenant Zhang deemed it too risky.
At that moment, Cui proposed a local folk method to revive Zhang Qishan, citing its past success with a frozen fisherman. The villagers' folk remedy worked, and Zhang Qishan regained consciousness. He expressed regret for falling into the trap but Er Yue Hong reassured him, crediting him for saving everyone and expressing admiration for the Zhang family. Zhang Qishan, in turn, apologized for any past rudeness.
Recognizing the difficult terrain ahead, Zhang Qishan noted they would have to proceed on foot, and Lieutenant Zhang, familiar with the local swamp, offered to lead. They soon found a group of Black Qiao people performing a Lantern Festival ritual, praying for a good harvest. Lieutenant Zhang subtly inquired about Chen Pi and learned his direction. As they continued cautiously through Black Qiao territory, they discovered a tree burial site.
Er Yue Hong questioned the strange custom, but Zhang Qishan explained that tree burial was traditional for the Qiao people. He observed the numerous corpses had died from a sudden illness, not injury. Lieutenant Zhang suspected poisoning, which Zhang Qishan confirmed, pointing to their darkened lips and foreheads. Lieutenant Zhang then theorized these individuals might be subjects of Japanese experiments. Zhang Qishan agreed, resolute in his determination to stop them.
As night fell, Lieutenant Zhang spotted another area, believing Chen Pi was inside. Er Yue Hong suggested waiting until dark to avoid exposing themselves, and Zhang Qishan agreed. Entering a nearby village, they found two unusually small coffins. Lieutenant Zhang recognized them as those stolen during Chief Tusi Shi Huaichan's son's tree burial. He pondered why the Black Qiao people wanted these particular coffins.
Zhang Qishan speculated they were crucial to the virus manufacturing process and wondered about their connection to the Copper Meteorite. Convinced that the virus posed a grave threat to Changsha, Zhang Qishan instructed Lieutenant Zhang to return to Changsha with a significant item for future use, while he and Er Yue Hong continued deeper into the area. However, they were ambushed by Black Qiao people, and both Zhang Qishan and Er Yue Hong were rendered unconscious.
It was clear that the third Copper Meteorite, now in the Black Qiao village, had caused long-term radiation effects on the coffins, and the Japanese were coercing the Black Qiao to use this radiation energy to create a parasitic virus for their secret experiments.
