Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Episode 18 Recap
> Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Recap
Wu Xie returned to Niles, understanding from Zhang Haike that acceptance by the local branch of the Zhang Family depended on retrieving specific tokens. Inside a hidden chamber, he found only unusual jars, realizing these were the tokens he needed. He also observed numerous marks left by many Zhang family members, indicating their frequent presence there, alongside scorch marks suggesting a past fire.
The walls bore complex and disordered markings, highlighting the extreme danger of the location, but Wu Xie felt compelled to proceed, having no alternative as people he needed to rescue were waiting. Upon touching one of the ancient jars, fierce flames erupted before him. Recognizing this as potentially a Zhang Family test or illusion, labeled "Fire God descends," Wu Xie reminded himself it was a hallucination and charged into the fire.
The intense heat caused a strong burning sensation on his face. The fire subsided, and he found himself back where he started, the jar gone. He vaguely felt as though someone had pulled him back by his foot. Determined to succeed and meet the Zhang Family, he grabbed another jar and rushed into the flames again. After this attempt, the jar was still gone. Trying a third time, he charged into the fire with desperate abandon.
In the midst of the illusion, he felt someone stop him and send him back once more, this time waking up in a different location. Through these trials, Wu Xie encountered the former acting patriarch of the Zhang Family. Wu Xie confronted him, accusing him of being responsible for Zhang Qiling's current situation. The patriarch defended his past decision, stating that Zhang Qiling's choice to inherit the patriarch position was his own, and he merely presented it as an opportunity.
He argued that sacrificing one person to secure the freedom of the entire Zhang Family was the best possible outcome for both Zhang Qiling and the family, as each obtained what they desired. The patriarch insisted he would make the same choice again and dismissed Wu Xie as an ordinary person whose understanding was not important.
Wu Xie introduced himself as Zhang Qiling's friend and stated his purpose: he needed the Zhang family's assistance to rescue his companions held by Zhang Nian. The patriarch agreed to provide the Cloud-piercing Beacon, an ancient signal to summon scattered Zhang family members in Niles. However, he cautioned that after many years, these individuals might no longer be involved in Zhang family affairs and might not respond to a call traditionally associated with Zhang Qiling's command.
He warned Wu Xie to be prepared for the possibility of no aid. Wu Xie declared he must still try. The patriarch reiterated that any response would be out of loyalty to Zhang Qiling, who was absent. Wu Xie then posed the question, "What if Zhang Qiling could appear here?" Accepting the implied challenge, Wu Xie resolved to proceed. He made preparations, including putting on Zhang Qiling's mask, and climbed to a mountain peak to release the Cloud-piercing Beacon.
After a tense wait, numerous fireworks soared into the sky, answered by a rapid and widespread barrage of responsive firecrackers echoing from across the region. The ancient signal had been received, and Zhang family members throughout Niles recognized the call and began mobilizing rapidly towards the designated location. Zhang Nian and Zhang Jiuri also heard the distinct signals of the Zhang Family mobilization. Zhang Nian immediately recognized its significance. Reviewing surveillance footage, he spotted a silhouette that caused him apprehension.
While it resembled Zhang Qiling, Zhang Nian found it difficult to believe Zhang Qiling would use the Cloud-piercing Beacon, a signal meant for mass family mobilization, as Zhang Qiling typically acted alone. However, the undeniable fact that the main Zhang family was responding made the figure's identity critical. Uncertain but suspicious, Zhang Nian decided he needed to verify the figure's identity and saw Zhang Jiuri as the perfect means to do so.
Zhang Jiuri, who had long awaited a chance to confront Zhang Qiling, was eager. Zhang Nian offered to provide him with means and arrange for him to face the figure alone. Zhang Jiuri agreed, carefully selecting a sword for the impending confrontation, while Zhang Nian watched with a faint, knowing smile. As Zhang family members initiated their infiltration of the base, quickly neutralizing foreign security personnel, Wu Xie managed to gain entry.
Zhang Nian deliberately led away the Zhang family members who had accompanied Wu Xie, creating an opportunity for Zhang Jiuri to confront him privately. Zhang Jiuri intercepted Wu Xie, addressing him as Zhang Qiling and stating he had waited a long time to settle things.
Before their fight progressed far, the effects of Hexagonal Bell powder, which Wu Xie had previously obtained from one of the jars and used, caused Zhang Jiuri to experience a powerful delusion, reinforcing his conviction that he was fighting Zhang Qiling. During the struggle, an observer remarked that Zhang Jiuri seemed intellectually impaired while under the delusion's influence and noted his high regard for Zhang Qiling's strength.
Wu Xie, recognizing Zhang Jiuri and aware of the powder, understood the delusion and that Jiuri was mistaken about his identity. As the fight continued, Wu Xie perceived Zhang Jiuri was losing ground and stepped forward. At that moment, Zhang Jiuri seemed to break free from the intense delusion or notice something critical, recognizing that the person he was fighting was not Zhang Qiling, stating his eyes looked wrong.
Simultaneously, he discovered that the sword given to him by Zhang Nian had been tampered with; explosives were hidden inside. Zhang Jiuri attempted to throw the weapon away, but it detonated immediately, inflicting severe injuries and causing him to collapse. Zhang Nian emerged from the shadows with a cruel smile, believing his cunning plan had perfectly resulted in the demise of both individuals. He saw Zhang Jiuri critically wounded and nearing death.
Wu Xie then used the Hexagonal Bell powder to induce hallucinations in Zhang Nian. Addressing Wu Xie, whom he now perceived as Zhang Qiling due to the hallucination, Zhang Nian acknowledged that anyone capable of defeating Zhang Jiuri must be him. Gloating, he declared that after all these years, Zhang Qiling had finally died by his hand. Wu Xie confronted Zhang Nian, accusing him of remaining unchanged, still willing to do anything to achieve his objectives.
Observing Zhang Jiuri's condition, Wu Xie, drawing upon his medical knowledge, stated that Jiuri was gravely injured and had approximately an hour left to live. As Zhang Nian continued to fixate on his perceived victory, repeating "Zhang Qiling!" under the influence of the hallucination, Wu Xie grimly advised Zhang Jiuri to make the most of his remaining moments.
