Episode 4 (The Mystic Nine)

**Episode 4 (The Mystic Nine)** is the fourth episode of the television series The Mystic Nine.

## Synopsis

Zhang Qishan, Lieutenant Zhang, and Qi Tiezui find an entrance into the mining mountain. Ya Tou becomes disappointed in Chen Pi while his temperament gets worse.

## Story

Chen Pi Ah Si and Ya Tou were discussing Ya Tou's illness. Chen Pi knew that she was getting worse and that she wanted to hide it from Er Ye. Chen Pi told her of a medicine that could save her and she became hopeful. He goes off to find Er Ye in his secret room. Chen Pi told Er Ye of the deal he made with the Japanese agent and Er Ye became furious. He told Chen Pi that they only had evil intentions and didn't really have the medicine to cure Ya Tou. Ya Tou overheard their conversation and talked to Er Ye once Chen Pi left. She assured Er Ye that he was making the right decision, while Er Ye told her that Xie Jiuye was looking for a cure. Chen Pi ran to the forest in a fit of rage and killed some birds.

Fo Ye, Lieutenant Zhang, and Ba Ye staked out the place where the old man dropped his ax. The old man finally returned and they followed him back to his place where he had an abundance of military supplies. They interrogated him, asking where he got all the supplies from. After some convincing, he led them to a house where rotting corpses were lying in the courtyard. The corpses died the same way as those on the trains. They had holes on their necks, were lying face down, and had an exposed tattoo on their backs. They were also wrapped in spider webs and were in a partially dehydrated state. However, these particular corpses' heads were shaved unlike those on the train. The three of them speculated that those who were on the train shaved the corpses' heads before they left.

Fo Ye asked the old man whether the Japanese had come to the mining mountain two months ago but the other refused to acknowledge that they were Japanese. The old man wasn't cooperating so they dragged him along to the old mining site. They arrived at a mine opening but it was blocked by debris. The old man said they blasted it before they left on the train. He wasn't being particularly helpful so Lt. Zhang led him away with his gun out. Meanwhile, Ba Ye told Fo Ye that he calculated that the mining site was very ominous and that they shouldn't stay long. Fo Ye was unfazed and said that he needed to stay to protect Changsha and figure out the Japanese's secret plans.

   They went to a nearby cemetery and discovered another entrance to the mine in one of the tombstones. Lt. Zhang entered first and after he confirmed that there was a path, the rest of them entered.

Chen Pi, Ya Tou, and Tao Hua went on a stroll in town to buy some supplies to fix one of Er Ye's costumes. A little kid bumped into Ya Tou, stealthily stole her money pouch, and ran off. Chen Pi caught up with the thief and almost punched him before Ya Tou intervened. Ya Tou scolded Chen Pi for resorting to violence thinking he had changed. She gave the child some food and her handkerchief then returned to the Hong Manor. Chen Pi went back to get Ya Tou's handkerchief from the kid.

   Fo Ye, Ba Ye, the old man, and Lt. Zhang went further into the passageway in the mountain where water had accumulated at the bottom. At the end of the passageway was a gate, and behind it was a statue of the Old Mother of the Respected Heaven from the Xuan Guan religion. The Old Mother was the most respected deity in that religion. Suddenly a loud noise erupted from somewhere deep within the mountain.

## Characters

* Fo Ye
* Lieutenant Zhang
* Ba Ye
* Chen Pi Ah Si
* Ya Tou
* Er Ye
* Xie Jiuye (mentioned)

## Locations

* Changsha Mountain
* Hong Manor