Tientsin Mystic Episode 13 Recap
> Tientsin Mystic Recap
Ding Mao, having recovered from his injuries, returned home to a grand welcome orchestrated by Yu Si and the servants of the Chamber of Commerce for Grain Transportation. Inside, Xiao Lanlan and Gu Ying awaited him. Gu Ying expressed concern, asking about the wound from Lian Huaqing. Ding Mao assured them it was fully stitched and healed, joking that he narrowly avoided joining his father among the deceased. Xiao Lanlan offered her congratulations on his discharge.
Gu Ying then attempted to recite a hemostasis charm for him, but Ding Mao stopped her, appreciating the gesture while stating his bleeding had long ceased. When Ding Mao invited them to stay for dinner, Gu Ying declined, citing other engagements, though Xiao Lanlan noted that someone important was missing from their gathering: Guo Deyou. Meanwhile, at her godmother's home, Gu Ying angrily practiced her wooden sword.
Her godmother quickly perceived Gu Ying's underlying sadness, correctly deducing it was due to Guo Deyou. Gu Ying admitted she hadn't seen him in a very long time and was worried about him. Her godmother, in turn, expressed her own exasperation at Guo Deyou. Ding Mao was reviewing files related to the burnt zombie bodies in his office when Guo Deyou, having sneaked in through a skylight to avoid being seen by the staff, appeared before him.
Guo Deyou, true to form, exaggerated his role in saving Ding Mao, who then inquired about Guo Deyou's recent activities and Gu Ying's search for him. Ding Mao, now fully taking charge of the Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged he wouldn't be returning to the Dragon King Temple. Guo Deyou then asked to borrow three hundred silver dollars for an urgent matter. Ding Mao readily agreed.
Before Ding Mao could hand over the money, Yu Si interrupted, reporting a minor disturbance at the Chamber of Commerce wharf. Ding Mao insisted on going, wanting to check on the workers. The "disturbance" turned out to be a film crew, operating with permission from Secretary General Xiao, causing a standoff with the Chamber of Commerce workers whose operations were disrupted.
Captain Fu of the police arrived to mediate, but Ding Mao refused to back down, stating that the film shoot violated their rules and jeopardized his workers' livelihoods. Guo Deyou then stepped in, proposing a compromise: the film crew could finish, and in return, the Chamber of Commerce for Grain Transportation would receive prominent thanks on the movie posters. Ding Mao, after some consideration, agreed, clarifying it was a one-time exception, and instructed his workers to disperse.
As the dispute settled, Wang Meiren, the film's star, descended the steps and thanked Ding Mao for his generosity, especially acknowledging Junior Tientsin Mystic for his skillful mediation. She invited both Ding Mao and Guo Deyou to the film's promotion banquet at the Ju Hua Grand Hotel in a few days. Guo Deyou, ever eager for a free meal, immediately accepted. Gu Ying later confronted Ding Mao, complaining that Guo Deyou was still avoiding her.
She was surprised when Ding Mao mentioned lending Guo Deyou money, finding it unusual that Guo Deyou, who usually preferred to trick people out of money, would formally borrow it. Ding Mao also told her about Wang Meiren's invitation, adding to Gu Ying's confusion about Guo Deyou's recent behavior. Guo Deyou took the borrowed money to the ghost market to seek information about Lian Huaqing and the Demonic Cult.
He found an old fisherman who claimed Lian Huaqing had once deceived him, even pretending to be a beggar. The fisherman described Lian Huaqing's unsettling, snake-like eyes and stated that some people are born killers, mentioning rumors that Lian Huaqing had killed his own father. When Guo Deyou pressed for more details about the Demonic Cult, specifically about a secret known as "The Preacher," the fisherman was suddenly struck and killed by a hidden projectile.
A shadowy figure emerged, noting that it was too late to prevent the information from being partially revealed, but also commenting that this was the last time the fisherman would speak. The figure then instructed an accomplice to attend to their own business. Back home, Gu Ying's godmother noticed Gu Ying's frequent visits to the Chamber of Commerce, teasing her about having a crush on President Ding. Gu Ying denied it, quickly leaving for the Chamber of Commerce again.
Shortly after, Guo Deyou arrived, bribing the godmother with rare wine to inquire about the weapon that killed the fisherman. She described it as a rope with a metal weight, instantly recognizing it as the Huang family's Immortal Rope. She added that only masters, not ordinary disciples, could wield it, noting that the current head of the Huang family was a youngster named Huang Yisuo.
As Guo Deyou prepared to leave, his godmother stopped him, demanding to know why he was avoiding Gu Ying. Guo Deyou confessed that the Demonic Cult posed extreme danger, and with his master's fate unknown, he didn't want anyone else, especially Gu Ying, to get entangled in such a perilous situation. His godmother was touched by his sincerity. Later, Gu Ying, dressed in Xiao Lanlan's fashionable jumpsuit, felt awkward at the Ju Hua Grand Hotel banquet.
Ding Mao found her a plate of cake, teasing her when she expressed reluctance to eat anything, thinking it might cost money. Suddenly, Guo Deyou snatched the cake from her. Gu Ying immediately confronted him about his recent coldness and evasiveness, recalling her worries about Ding Mao's unhealed wound and Guo Deyou's missing master, asking if anyone cared about him if not for her.
She threatened to leave, but Guo Deyou stopped her with a long, rambling explanation about the consequences of her hasty departure, including her mother's wrath and her own unhappiness. He then revealed his true purpose for attending the banquet: to question Huang Yisuo, the head of the Huang family, about the Immortal Rope. He promised to take her for stinky tofu afterward and personally escort her home. Gu Ying, appeased, agreed.
At the banquet, Wang Meiren formally greeted Ding Mao and Guo Deyou, and Ding Mao introduced Xiao Lanlan as a Tianjin News journalist, and Gu Ying as a Taoism research specialist. Wang Meiren then gave a speech about the film and introduced Huang Yisuo, The Head of Huang, as a master of traditional Chinese magic and the film's technical adviser.
Huang Yisuo began his performance by having an audience member inspect his ropes, who confirmed it was indeed the Huang family's Immortal Rope. Huang Yisuo then had his arms tightly bound and stepped into a wooden cabinet. When the cabinet was reopened, it was filled with white roses, but Huang Yisuo was nowhere to be found. Moments later, his lifeless body, strangled, was discovered hanging from the stage's ceiling. The shocking discovery sent the guests into a panic, and Wang Meiren fainted from fright.