Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Episode 19 Recap
> Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Recap
Trapped in a hallucination fueled by the Hexagonal bell's powder, Zhang Nian saw only images of Zhang Qiling and fired his weapon wildly. Zhang Qiling remained still while Zhang Nian fled, pursued by the phantom shadow behind him. Zhang Nian reached the area where Zhang Haike was held captive and manipulated a bomb's switch, warning Zhang Qiling that any further step would detonate the explosives.
Zhang Nian, in a frenzy, heard Wu Xie mention the Zhang Family was outside and knew escape was impossible. He activated a toxic gas device. In the adjacent room, Zhang Haike struggled to untie the ropes binding his hands. From outside, Wu Xie desperately smashed a glass door with a chair, creating a large opening. Wu Xie managed to pull Zhang Haike out through the broken glass. Wu Xie, already severely injured, staggered as the toxic gas spread.
He collapsed, vaguely aware that Zhang Nian had followed him and thrown a bomb. Wu Xie scrambled to escape but was struck by the fiery blast wave. As his consciousness faded, Wu Xie saw Zhang Jiuri nearby. Concerned about the spreading gas and the danger of prolonged exposure, Zhang Jiuri painstakingly dragged Wu Xie to a slightly safer distance. Having found a better spot, a sudden collapse occurred.
Zhang Jiuri expressed his confusion to Wu Xie, asking why he insisted on saving everyone. He pointed out that Wu Xie could have achieved all his goals if he had abandoned the search for Zhang Haike and Fatty after the Hexagonal bell's powder took effect on Zhang Nian, as they could have escaped then, but Wu Xie had wasted valuable time. Zhang Jiuri noted that he now saw Zhang Haike had escaped safely.
He shared a message for his friends, telling them to play rock-paper-scissors to choose the next Night King killer. Both exhausted, they expressed their inability to continue. Zhang Jiuri wondered if Zhang Qiling would remember why they did these things if they died, but Wu Xie insisted he would remember him. Just then, a long stone slab crashed down.
To shield Wu Xie, Zhang Jiuri used his own body to hold up the stone with all his might until he perished. Wu Xie awoke to find the patriarch beside him. They were out of danger, but Zhang Jiuri was gone. Zhang Nian had escaped, and the patriarch remarked that once Zhang Nian hid, he would be hard to find.
Wu Xie looked at the small patch of blue sky above, his heart heavy, feeling the unfairness of Zhang Nian's escape while Zhang Jiuri died in the events caused by Zhang Nian, along with the many lives lost in the Zhang Family village. Feng, identified as part of the Denaxi people, proposed a collaboration for the expedition into the snowy mountain, offering resources, funds, equipment, and weapons.
Wu Xie immediately refused, holding Feng's group partly responsible for the deaths of many Zhang Family members. Feng denied this, claiming the Zhang Family base incident was Zhang Nian's independent action, stating he was only informed after the events concluded and that they were cooperating with the police investigation, which could be proven by recordings. Feng persisted, arguing that Wu Xie lacked the necessary manpower and would likely die before reaching the dangerous snowy mountain.
He mentioned their own costly research had resulted in many researchers dying, but they had obtained valuable data leading to a device capable of dealing with the Night King, which would make the expedition safer. Feng asked Wu Xie if he wanted his friends to risk their lives without such equipment.
Fatty advised Wu Xie to consider using Feng's offer, noting that they lacked resources and needed people and equipment, suggesting they use Feng to get into the snowy mountain and find the Night King. Zhang Haike cautioned Wu Xie, describing Feng as unpredictable and like a "ticking time bomb." Feng concluded that despite their differing goals, cooperation was the most practical choice to reach their destination, suggesting Wu Xie await the investigation results. Wu Xie and Fatty departed.
Before proceeding towards the snowy mountain, Wu Xie and Zhang Haike performed a cremation for Zhang Jiuri. Zhang Haike reflected that although Jiuri had been erratic, he never intended to kill and had in fact saved them previously in the underground. Zhang Haixing commented on the burden of the Zhang Family's long lifespan, suggesting that living too long could lead one to forget the purpose of life.
She believed Zhang Jiuri had been searching for a reason to live and perhaps also an opportunity to die, and that this outcome might be the best release for him. Zhang Haike agreed that if that were the case, death would be a relief. Wu Xie asked Zhang Haike for his thoughts, who replied that everyone has their persistence and choice, and he would not judge.
Wu Xie felt Zhang Haike had already made his judgment but chose not to voice it. Wu Xie took possession of the Heavenly Staff and examined it with Zhang Haike. Zhang Haike noted it did not appear to be a weapon and lacked any internal mechanisms. Zhang Haike questioned how the Zhang Family used it against the Night King.
Wu Xie stated he had only seen it used once during "the wilding" and its function was a mystery to him, undocumented despite its age. Zhang Haike wondered aloud what use it would be in the snowy mountain. Wu Xie believed Zhang Qiling's assertion that it could solve the Night King meant it had a purpose that would become clear in the right environment.
Wu Xie then discussed the task the patriarch had entrusted to him, stating he truly felt the patriarch needed his help and had chosen wisely. While not fully trusting, Wu Xie felt compelled to address the Night King issue regardless, both to prevent further harm from people like Zhang Nian and to uncover more of Zhang Qiling's memories. He acknowledged that having just cleared some obstacles, the real danger lay ahead, but was thankful for his companions' help.
Wu Xie decided to visit the site where the Heavenly Staff was placed, as Feng mentioned Zhang Qiling had left important information there, despite the location being destroyed. Wu Xie mused about Zhang Qiling's lost memories and what he might have wanted to communicate. A narrative explanation followed, detailing Zhang Qiling's path after becoming the patriarch. He was required to remain in the Zhang Family Ancient Tower for three years.
While this period would heal the Tianshou illness in others, the patriarch contracted a more severe, incurable form known as Jueshou. This disease would significantly worsen during his time in the tower and recur throughout his life. The condition was triggered upon inserting the Heavenly Staff and activating a mechanism, intensely stimulating senses but causing extreme mental confusion and a risk of immediate death. If he survived, the Jueshou would remain, recurring painfully.
Simultaneously, scattered Zhang Family Noses, long-term spies unaware of internal events, would continue to send reports requesting the family's intervention in various matters. These requests constituted the patriarch's mission, leaving Zhang Qiling to decide whether to abandon the Noses or undertake the tasks alone. The patriarch had warned Zhang Qiling that his personal quest for his background would take a long time, requiring him to survive, and that even a patriarch could die.
Zhang Qiling endured three years alone in the Ancient Tower with Jueshou, survived, and read all the records seeking clues about his birth. However, Jueshou severely jumbled his memory, mixing the mission requests from the Zhang Family Noses with fragmented clues about his own background. Unable to distinguish them, he was compelled to pursue each lead that randomly surfaced, completing the missions while hoping to uncover the truth of his origins.
The Tianshou mission relevant to the current events involved the "Night King Devours The Sky" and originated from a message sent from the snowy mountain by Dong Can. Dong Can was a Zhang Family spy sent to investigate "Night King Devours The Sky." After entering the depths of the snowy mountain, he found the decaying remains of spherical creatures in the snow before disappearing without a trace.
This mission led Zhang Qiling to head to the snowy mountain in search of Dong Can. On his journey towards the snowy mountain, Zhang Qiling encountered a group of Denaxi people. They hailed him, noting it was rare to see someone alone on this route and asking if he was going to Nilaisi. Zhang Qiling stated he wasn't a guide or translator.
The Denaxi explained they weren't seeking business but were conducting a site survey and looking for people familiar with the route. They offered salt for his horse, suggesting a chat so the horse could benefit, and commented that he seemed to prefer animals to people. Zhang Qiling asked if they traveled this route often; the Denaxi replied they didn't remember.
Observing Zhang Qiling's poor memory despite his age, they speculated if it was due to the environment or his "clan," suggesting it might be a hereditary condition. Zhang Qiling asked the distance to Nilaisi. The Denaxi estimated about seven days beyond the mountain, warning of a blizzard and inviting him to join their group as they needed over a dozen people to cross.
They explained their plan was to go to Nilaisi, then deeper into the snowy mountains for scientific research. They inquired if he knew any locals in Mosang who could assist with transporting items recovered from the mountains to a transfer hub, offering generous payment. Zhang Qiling confirmed they intended to venture deep into the snowy mountains, which they affirmed.
