Zhang is sitting looking over the graves of his men. The last villager arrives to share what happened to them. The Japanese soldiers have test subject codes on them. Even after receiving a mortal blow they can rise up to continue fighting. This is how the villagers were defeated. A flare calling the soldiers saved the last villager. Qi has surmised the zhainiangniang or the golden flask the only means to Xumi realm. Quick flash to QianSui who used the latter means. He is by far the creepiest actor in this drama and deserves recognition for his portrayal of this character. ⭐️👏🏻 The villager’s dying request was to hear Wu’s story. This picks up from right before dog farm. After watching Chen ride by in his rickshaw ignoring the poor needing help, Wu made it a mission to help those mystic nine wouldn’t. This culminated in killing the cruel 5th master and taking over as 5th master mystic nine himself. He realized people were more concerned about appearances than character and started dressing the part. His first appearance for mystic nine meeting. 🤣😂 He figured out which seat was really his🤣 and he finally got to meet Zhang. The villager died at this point in story. This also explained the enmity Wu held for Zhang. The villagers are buried and shown same respect as Zhang’s men. Qi and Zhang debate over the baby as the continue. Qi doesn’t think it’s a baby at all but camouflaged grownup while Zhang holds the position it has special powers or controlled by another leading them. Cui finally makes it to Huo who has not taken the first step to find Wu tho he places all his hopes on her. She want to head to Xiangxi immediately but the clan is unstable and the Japanese a threat. She diverts her plan to Lunar Hotel in Beiping. The scene then cuts back to Zhang’s group. Qi likes to play devil’s advocate. He speculates on how Hatoyama can break throu miasma once his top soil spy network cut off. He would have to follow underground waterway. Zhang has his men painstakingly navigate the circumference of the miasma forest to determine the Japanese point of entry. While they are exploring the scene shifts to Beiping where Huo has just arrived. She meets with Xin wanting Zhang QiShan to return to Changsha. I’m curious along with XinXue why he needs to return when the info could go to him. Huo says she has a plan in place that will keep them safe. Wu has told her his escape plan and that she has to follow his directions exactly or he will die. It begins with a proposal to Xin Xue shop head auctioneer about quality mummies. There are checks as collateral or her clan gets 10x pay depending on outcome. Either way there is no loss to auction house so her offer is accepted. There is a two week time jump to Zhang’s group on mountain. Xin Xue has contacted him to return to ChangSha. Huo confirms Wu set up the plan and the two ancient chests integral to its success. The Japanese are blackmailing her with black plague cure. Zhang is making an intricate plan to win three day auctions and have a private seat for evening. If they can’t buy the chests….they will steal them. Tbh I was expecting Wu to be in one of the chests. Now waiting to see how the auction goes. I am really enjoying the message connection with Zhang and his wife. Their connection is fun and counters well the eyes of the spies around them. This series continues nicely with the intrigue and machinations of the chess players. It is also good news that Xiao Yu is still part of the team and healing nicely.