Original subtitles

♪The Upper Three hold the seals♪

♪A valiant general, an opera star, and a ruthless cripple♪

♪The Middle Three stir the clouds♪

♪A fiend, a wandering hero, and a master of the blade♪

♪The Lower Three deal in gold♪

♪A beauty, a seer, and a scholar♪

♪The Upper, Middle, and Lower Three♪

♪Represent the nine houses of old Changsha♪

♪Together, they are known♪

♪As the Mystic Nine♪

[Mystic Nine] [Adapted from the novel of Kennedy Xu]

[Episode 3] [This story is purely fictional]

[Changsha Military Hospital]

Master Zhang,

Wu Laogou is gone.

The men we sent reported

he wasn't at the Wu residence

or anywhere in Changsha City.

Could he have fled?

No.

He'll keep his word.

Where's Tiezui?

Don't worry, Master.

I'll make sure Master Qi comes.

He won't get away.

Wu Laogou is already here.

He is?

Let's go.

[Sealed by the Changsha Defense Headquarters]

[Please Keep Quiet] Must you spoil yourself like that?

You're such a glutton.

I'm still growing.

Here.

Have this.

Not bad.

It needs more flavor.

Master Zhang, you're certainly in no hurry.

I suppose whoever's missing isn't that important.

Master, look at that opening.

Looks like Laogou came well prepared.

This place is heavily guarded.

You really are resourceful, Fifth Master.

Of course.

Fifth Master Wu is bound to lead the Mystic Nine one day.

We're about to move. Why lay out a feast?

It's for the dogs.

Want some?

Dogs aren't like people.

They won't work unless they're fed.

Looks like Master Zhang doesn't know the Wu Clan's rules.

Go on. Explain them to him.

The Wu Clan built its fortune on dogs.

Their lives matter as much as ours.

Once we're below, please look after them.

Should anything happen...

Save the dogs before the men.

We're used to sharing a pot of food with our dogs.

We saved some choice cuts for you, Master Zhang.

Will you honor us with a few bites?

Care for some?

- Care for some? - Have some.

- Come on. - Join us.

All right.

Is everyone full?

It seems Master Zhang can't stomach sharing a pot with us.

He thinks our food is filthy.

No need to force yourself.

Let's get this over with.

Then the two of us

can part ways for good.

Fine.

Where is Tiezui?

Our intermediary isn't here.

Did you kill him to silence him

so that you could say whatever you wanted?

Master Zhang!

Master Zhang.

I finally made it.

Laogou,

you're all here too.

Good heavens.

That run nearly killed me.

But Master Zhang, I have to say...

Everyone,

prepare to move.

Yes!

Master Zhang,

the signs point to disaster again.

Could you tell me that you like bad omens

so that I can put my mind at ease?

It's so deep.

Come here, sweetheart.

Where are you going?

Come and get me, Master Qiansui.

Oh, you.

Master Qiansui.

Miss Huo followed Wu Laogou underground.

Good.

Take this letter

to the central government's special envoy to Changsha.

Tell him

if he wants to replace Zhang Qishan,

now is his best chance.

Yes.

Wait.

As usual,

take this letter

to that gentleman.

Tell him the show has begun

and that he'll soon get what he wants.

Master,

you were so quick.

Zhang Qishan and his men

must still be far behind.

Are you blind?

Didn't you see?

They came down before us.

Here. Take it.

Thanks.

You took your time.

I didn't want to draw attention.

Master.

Always spoiling for a fight,

Zhang Qishan?

Why rush down here?

A man shouldn't always try to prove himself.

What are you staring at?

Am I that handsome?

Why do you keep staring at me?

Gentlemen,

let's keep the peace.

Let's keep the peace.

Please.

Where's the mechanism?

Follow me.

[Sealed by the Changsha Defense Headquarters]

The bricks in this wall

were fitted together with mortise-and-tenon joints.

Now that we know

the mechanism is on the other side,

we'll need

a little dog to trigger it.

Fifth Master, please.

Come on, Runty.

You've had your fill. Now get to work.

Thank you, Fifth Master.

Have some more.

You're too skinny.

Runty found the mechanism.

It's triggered by weight.

By weight?

There's another one.

Fifth Master,

why are there so many mechanisms in here?

Dagger.

I see.

How

does it work?

You wouldn't understand.

This is going to be difficult.

Serves you right.

Now we'll see if you trust me, Zhang Qishan.

I want everything you have on you.

What exactly?

Every last bullet.

Fifth Master!

- Fifth Master! - Master Zhang!

No!

Please don't!

Will this do?

Master Zhang,

after you.

Move out.

Dogs have keen noses.

Disturbed earth qi can drive them mad.

Erlang, Sanlang, Xiaotian,

stay here with the dogs

and be ready to support us.

- Yes. - Yes.

Move out.

Why do I hear birds underground?

Runty.

Here.

Master Zhang,

these are all sacrifices.

Tiezui.

No,

these aren't sacrifices.

They're offerings to deities, Master Zhang.

In ancient times,

people worshipped deities here.

There must be

a shrine up ahead.

Xiaoyu.

Find anything?

The air here is stale.

I think I'm seeing things.

The sticky-rice mortar contains powdered oyster shell.

It was a special Ministry of Works formula from the Tongzhi era.

Whoever built this place was no ordinary person.

Look.

This building appears to have three stories,

but the number of upturned eaves doesn't add up.

It seems there's

more space inside than meets the eye.

Isn't that the same trick we use?

You can put him in a uniform,

but a thief's still a thief.

- What did you say? - Shut your filthy mouth.

Watch your mouth.

Once we're out,

they may arrest you for spreading rumors.

Say that again.

What are you doing?

You think I don't have a gun?

Enough!

Master.

Open it.

All right.

Lower your weapons.

Come on.

Let's go in.

Once we're inside,

stay close to me.

Master,

there's no trace of them.

Search every passage, now.

Yes.

Search.

- Yes. - Yes.

"Rejuvenation"?

What does that mean?

"No Way to Live."

Master, this door is sealed shut.

"No Way to Die."

This one is sealed too.

Every door here has a name.

These reliefs

depict someone

returning from the dead.

Returning from the dead?

Eighth Master.

Look at this one.

Doesn't it show day and night reversed?

Yes.

Every scene on these reliefs

has to do with shifts in time.

Then why

did they add the words?

The craftsmen weren't skilled enough.

To make sure visitors understood,

they simply added the words.

Was whoever built this place

poorly educated?

Well, at least they were literate.

[Otherworld Tower]

So that's what it says.

Laogou,

I thought you couldn't read.

That's right.

Fifth Master,

what does it say?

Otherworld Tower...

Otherworld Tower.

Could this place

be linked to the Otherworld Patriarch?

The Otherworld Patriarch?

Who's that supposed to be?

He's a figure from an old folk legend.

My grandfather told me about him when I was a boy.

A hundred years ago, in Changsha,

there lived a remarkable man

known as the Otherworld Patriarch.

"Karma will uncover itself.

The Patriarch awaits you."

Legend says

he could turn back time

and rewrite fate.

The emperor wanted him under his control,

so he sent 100,000 troops

[Changsha City]

to surround Changsha City.

But little did he know

the Otherworld Patriarch's spells

had all taken effect before they reached

the city gates of Changsha City.

Every face in Changsha City

was blurred beyond recognition.

The emperor couldn't tell which man was the Otherworld Patriarch.

Most terrifying of all,

that very night,

even the emperor's own face had blurred.

Tiezui.

Tell us as we walk.

So I'm not the only one who finds you annoying.

Xiaoyu, blow the door open.

Yes.

To escape the troops, the Otherworld Patriarch cast a spell

and led his followers

to an immortal realm called Xumi Realm.

There, they built a hidden paradise

filled with countless treasures.

This tower

may be the entrance to Xumi Realm.

Was Unit 401 trying to reach it too?

This belongs to Unit 401.

Found them.

Runty says

Unit 401 is less than 800 meters ahead,

and they're still moving forward.

Boys,

get those legs moving.

Once we catch them,

someone will have to leave the Mystic Nine.

Let's make sure

we don't waste

this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Go.

Move!

Are you leaving me behind?

Wait for me!

All this chasing, and still nothing.

Unit 401 has medical staff and patients.

They couldn't be moving that fast.

Runty says

they're still 800 meters ahead.

Still 800 meters?

How is that possible?

Did your dog pick up the wrong scent?

Then you sniff them out,

Puppy Zhang.

You...!

Drop any equipment you don't need

to lighten your load.

Get ready to continue the chase.

Yes.

Come on.

Master Zhang!

You left me behind, Master!

None of you waited for me, Master!

All right.

I nearly got lost.

That run nearly killed me.

I did a reading before I left.

It said we mustn't split up.

Things will go wrong if we do.

If we had to split up, which group would you join?

Master,

I'd follow you, of course.

The signs were clear:

The two of us must stay together.

I wasn't planning to split up.

I'm warning you now, just in case.

Ready?

Again?

Gentlemen,

is this really necessary?

What about me?

You...

Xiaoyu,

slow down!

Slow down!

Slow down, please!

Good heavens.

Master Zhang,

could you calm down?

I'm just a wandering fortune-teller.

Are you trying to kill me?

Well?

Still 800 meters ahead.

We have to keep chasing?

Still 800 meters?

Gentlemen,

why don't we head back?

- Master Zhang... - Keep moving!

Master Zhang...

Fifth Master!

Xiaoyu...

Put me down!

The men behind can't keep up.

Tell them to follow our tracks.

Actually, we could...

Pick up the pace.

Slow down.

Mark the way down

with morning glories

so I can follow later.

What is it?

We still haven't found them.

Your dog barked just now.

It said...

It said...

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

It said

they were still 800 meters ahead.

They can't be faster than me.

How are they still 800 meters away?

Master Zhang!

Master Zhang...

Master Zhang...

You didn't even run. Why are you retching?

I didn't run,

but all that bouncing...

Master Zhang,

if even you can't catch them,

we should stop wasting our strength.

Good grief.

Still 800 meters!

What do you mean?

We've been standing here this whole time,

yet they haven't moved at all.

It's as if they're waiting for us.

When we move,

they move.

When we stop,

they stop.

It's as if they're deliberately

keeping 800 meters between us.

How is that possible?

Even the finest soldiers

couldn't match Master Zhang's speed.

And they've got medics and patients with them.

It's impossible.

Unless

the Otherworld Patriarch really can control time.

Master Zhang, didn't I tell you?

This must have something to do with the Otherworld Patriarch.

We can't catch them.

That's a fact.

And their position hasn't changed.

Then we stay put.

Only the dog goes after them.

Can your dog still run?

Runty,

come here.

Look at me.

Listen.

Whatever happens,

stay alive.

Nothing else matters.

Go.

What happened?

Why did you fall so far behind?

Runty.

Runty.

Runty?

[Zhang Guiwei]

This belongs to Unit 401.

Why is there blood on it?

What happened to your unit?

We'll know

when we find them.

That's obvious.

But how are we supposed to find them?

They keep

800 meters ahead of us.

Eight hundred meters? Still?

When the dog approaches, they stay put.

But when we advance, so do they.

They're toying with us.

If they insist

on keeping their distance,

what if we back away?

You mean

they'll come back?

If they truly

want to maintain that distance,

they'll have to.

But even if they come back,

they'll still be 800 meters away.

Let me make this clear.

My dog is terrified.

It can't run anymore.

Your dog can rest.

If they do move backward,

I'll have a way.

If we all leave,

how will we know

if they've come back?

This trap we set

has a thread tied between the flame sticks.

If they come back

and tug the thread,

the flame sticks will fall and go out.

Master,

everything's ready.

Why is the mural changing?

It shows different images from different angles.

From the front, it welcomes guests.

From behind, demons come for your life.

Master Zhang,

the mural is warning us

not to turn back.

The mural has its warning.

I have my reasons.

If we don't turn back,

Unit 401 won't come back.

Keep backing away.

Master, we've backed up nearly 800 meters.

They really are coming back.

Zhang Qishan, what if one person stays put

while everyone else

backs away?

Let's find out.

Back up.

I see.

They keep 800 meters

from whoever is farthest ahead.

You're not planning to lead them

straight out of this building, are you?

That'd be quite a foolish plan.

Of course not.

Then what are you planning?

Do you remember

that on our way here,

we passed through a corridor

with upper and lower levels?

If they always stay

800 meters away from us,

then when we return to the upper corridor,

Unit 401 will still be below,

matching our movements

as they retreat toward the stairs.

That means

when both sides pass

through that overlapping section,

there'll be a brief moment

when they're

directly beneath us.

So,

once we hear their footsteps,

we can adjust our position

and blast

a hole through the floor.

Then we can drop straight into their ranks.

Master Zhang,

we've backed up nearly 800 meters.

Why can't we hear anything?

Didn't they come back?

Let's take five more steps back.

Xiaoyu.

Blow it!

Unit 401.

Unit 401!

Is that really Unit 401 ahead of Master Zhang?

It looks

like them.

But

why are they acting so strangely?

Unit 401,

attention.

About-face!

Tiezui.

Who walks with their head bowed the whole time?

The living look up. The dead bow their heads.

Could everyone

in Unit 401 be dead?

Good heavens...

They...

They...

They turned around.

Zhang Qishan wants us

to get a look at their faces.

Everyone, keep quiet.

Zhang Qishan,

they've turned around.

Keep walking.

What...

Master!

Don't move.

♪The past fades like smoke♪

♪A choice is made in silence♪

♪In this labyrinthine puzzle♪

♪Who can reach the shore?♪

♪Just an ordinary farewell♪

♪The sun seems to shine bright over our heads♪

♪But this could be our last trip together♪

♪The spring breeze continues outside♪

♪Who was it who left in such haste?♪

♪Caught in the game, the raging waves fall silent♪

♪Who believes in fate?♪

♪For my home and my country, the years pass like a dream♪

♪When the song ends, who will still be waiting?♪

♪With a nod, we bid farewell and set out again♪

♪Take care♪

♪We once raced♪

♪For the dawn♪

♪Ever-lasting bond, a satisfying vindication♪

♪In the web of fate♪

♪No one can escape♪

♪Life and death cut like a blade♪

♪We too were young once♪

♪Fortunate to brave the raging waves together♪

♪Keep the ember lit♪

♪To illuminate the journey ahead♪

♪The spring breeze continues outside♪

♪Who was it who left in such haste?♪

♪Caught in the game, the raging waves fall silent♪

♪Who believes in fate?♪

♪For my home and my country, the years pass like a dream♪

♪When the song ends, who will still be waiting?♪

♪With a nod, we bid farewell and set out again♪

♪Please, do take care of yourself♪