ESP8266 not working. No response
ESP8266 WiFi modules typically have a baud-rate of 115200. This not only won't work with a 9600 baud host but SoftwareSerial can't go that fast. Or, more precisely, it can generally push out characters at that speed but it can't keep up with incoming ones. See this answer for how to change the speed of your module to 9600 baud.

Short answer: You have to reconfigure your ESP module to 9600 baud to use it with SoftwareSerial. You can do it blind (transmit a baud-change command to it at 115200 baud, even though you won't be able to read the reply). Once done, it will remain at 9600 baud and successfully communicate in both directions.