Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Episode 5 Recap
> Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Recap
After being subjected to a terrifying illusion of execution, Wu Xie found himself disoriented, feeling the residue of warm liquid and a strange numbness around his neck. Believing he had been decapitated, he was surprised to hear someone call his name. As he looked up, touching the spot where he felt the blood, he saw the man who had posed as him sitting opposite, smiling and congratulating him on passing the test.
The man removed his disguise, revealing himself as Zhang Haike. He introduced the woman beside him, who had appeared to "cut his head," as his younger sister, Zhang Haixing, and another person present as Zhang Longban. Zhang Haike explained they were all members of the overseas Zhang family and the execution had been a psychological and intellectual test to verify he was the real Wu Xie.
He revealed they had simply used an anesthetic block and some pig's blood at the back of his neck to create the illusion of decapitation. He then shared Wu Xie's test results, noting low scores in most areas except intelligence, classifying him as an avoidant personality, and expressing surprise at the outcome. Zhang Haike stated that despite the unexpected results, they needed Wu Xie's help for a task given by their clan leader, Zhang Qiling.
Wu Xie was highly skeptical, questioning the test and how Qiling could issue a mission five years after entering the Bronze Door, sarcastically asking if it was via satellite phone. He also doubted his own capabilities given his low test score compared to the seemingly formidable Zhang family members, noting that such strange phenomena were typically handled by the Zhang family. Zhang Haike assured him they were merely there to assist him.
To convince Wu Xie, Zhang Haike showed him a video featuring Zhang Qiling from many years prior. In the recording, Zhang Qiling spoke about a matter he "must" attend to and stated that someone would complete the task in his stead. He specifically instructed that the video tape be given to a person who had worked with him for over three years, asserting this person could definitely accomplish the mission.
Zhang Haike identified Wu Xie as the person chosen by the clan leader due to having worked with him for more than three years. Zhang Haike then elaborated on the "Night King Devours The Sky," explaining it wasn't just a portrait but a real entity deep within the Mosang snowy mountain, part of a legend among the Yinsha Tribe.
He described the Night King as an evil god, similar to the King of Hell, with a thousand eyes, that awakens every eighty years to cause widespread destruction, dragging resisting tribes under the ice. The Night King was accompanied by the Night Lady, a mortal reborn from fire after being punished. They were described as a pair of twin gods whose appearance is marked by lightning and thunder, making it seem as if the sky is being devoured.
Zhang Haike revealed that Zhang Qiling had come eighty years ago, helped the Yinsha people, and sealed the Night King behind a giant door, as it couldn't be truly killed and would revive every eighty years. Now, with the cycle completing, Zhang Qiling needed Wu Xie to help resolve the situation and aid the Yinsha people.
He added that they had recently received a distress letter from the Yinsha Tribe, who called the phenomenon a biological disaster, but the tribe was now unreachable, suggesting a grim situation. Their plan was to enter the snow mountains before the disaster escalated. Wu Xie remained highly skeptical, openly dismissing their story as a fabricated lie by aliens to hide an assassination plot against him. He sarcastically stated his sensitive identity required him to eliminate them for humanity's safety.
When Zhang Haike told him to stop acting, Wu Xie insisted he was being truthful and questioned why they were treating him like a fool, reminding them he had shared adventures with Zhang Qiling and knew such strange phenomena existed. He adamantly refused to believe Zhang Qiling would enlist his help, stating that if they believed it, they were deceived, and if they didn't, they were lying to him. He declared he would not believe them under any circumstances.
Wu Xie attempted a quick escape while fabricating his story, but Zhang Haixing easily captured him. Zhang Haike changed tactics, presenting an ultimatum: if Wu Xie refused to help, he would sever his connection to Zhang Qiling and his memories.
When Wu Xie asked if they would kill him, Zhang Haike said they wouldn't kill the clan leader's friend, but they would burn down the spiritual retreat where they were, destroying the item Wu Xie was meant to find along with it. He offered Wu Xie time to consider. Wu Xie eventually agreed to hear what they wanted him to do.
They revealed the task was to find something Zhang Qiling had hidden with great secrecy in the capital of Nilaisi, something only Wu Xie could locate. Wu Xie claimed Qiling had never mentioned hiding anything from him. Zhang Haike explained the clue must be hidden within their shared experiences, thus the requirement of having worked together for over three years.
The item was the Zhang family heirloom, the Heavenly Staff, Zhang Qiling's personal artifact and the key to dealing with the Night King. Wu Xie humorously speculated if it was a single-shot rocket launcher, but they described it simply as a staff, approximately thirty centimeters long. Wu Xie, still skeptical, joked about the Zhang family poking the Night King with a stick like a wizard's staff.
They reiterated it was the staff the clan leader left "for" him, and their role was only to help him retrieve it. They admitted they didn't know what the staff truly was, how it worked, or how to use it against the Night King, trusting Zhang Qiling would reveal this to Wu Xie in his own way. They pressed Wu Xie to decide whether to join them.
Wu Xie expressed his hesitation, stating he didn't fully trust them as they had only just met, despite their claim of being Zhang family. He insisted on discussing it with the person he had brought with him. Zhang Haixing expressed surprise that he wasn't alone. Wu Xie retorted that he wasn't a defenseless target and could cause them trouble if he had more time.
Zhang Haike, acknowledging the friend's potential skill, proposed a test: if Wu Xie's friend could overcome Zhang Haixing, he could join; otherwise, he wasn't qualified. Wu Xie jokingly warned Zhang Haixing against using a "honey trap," to which she snapped back. After over four hours, an impatient Wu Xie checked on Zhang Haixing, wondering if his friend had bested her. When Wu Xie touched her, she exclaimed in pain. He asked if he could stop moving.
Zhang Haike inquired about the friend's ability. Zhang Haixing reported his skills were decent but his mind was slow, deeming him useless for the mission and advising Wu Xie to accept her assessment. Wu Xie refused, needing to speak with his friend himself. Zhang Haike agreed, but stated that unless the friend could escape on his own immediately, he was effectively "dead to them." Wu Xie reacted sharply to this, questioning what he meant.
The person Zhang Haixing had brought in was motionless, covered with a head covering. Wu Xie demanded they remove it before the person suffocated. Zhang Haike permitted removing the cover but insisted his hands remain tied. Upon removing the cover, the person began speaking loudly in a foreign language, cursing extensively. Wu Xie immediately stated this was not his friend, noting his friend was more devious.
He asked Zhang Haixing who she had captured, while the clearly disoriented man demanded to know who they were and why he was there, suspecting they were in league with a foreign big man who had gotten him drunk before kidnapping him and threatened them with over ten years in prison for abduction. Wu Xie asked him where his friend was, but the man didn't know.
Wu Xie then addressed the Zhang family, explaining that his friend, whom he called "ruthless," sets traps not for escape but to ensnare others. He described his friend's traps as crude but effective against the arrogant. He warned them not to underestimate him, stating that his friend, Fatty, was in Mosang, likely nearby and prepared, and if their opponent had a full force, the Zhangs would already be trapped. He advised them to be alert.
Zhang Haike responded that caution wasn't necessary as Wu Xie's friend was aware of them. Since they had captured the wrong person, he suggested letting him go. Suddenly, shouts of "Poison gas!" erupted from outside, and people scrambled to open windows. They checked for ambushes or missing members. Zhang Haike, seeing no immediate threat from within, told Wu Xie to have his friend come out, declaring their petty tricks wouldn't work.
Just then, a laser sight again fixed on Zhang Haixing. Wu Xie warned everyone not to move. Zhang Haike instructed his sister to listen to Wu Xie and stay still. Wu Xie pointed towards his friend (Fatty, presumably outside), explaining that Fatty needed to see the Zhangs weren't a threat, which required them all to remain still. He asked if he could move, presumably to signal Fatty.
Zhang Haike relented and told the friend (Fatty) to come in, acknowledging he had passed the test and was indeed capable. Fatty entered, complaining the fun was over too soon. Wu Xie affectionately greeted him, expressing worry. Fatty remarked on their chemistry and revealed they had teamed up to trick the Zhangs.
When Zhang Haike asked about the laser from outside the window, Fatty explained it was a toy belonging to the innkeeper's son, whom he had bribed with a lollipop. He joked that since the Zhangs bullied a child (referring to Wu Xie's perceived innocence), he used a child to bully them back. Fatty, taking what appeared to be a cigarette pack, revealed it was a baby monitor he'd prepared for Wu Xie ("our baby") and that he had heard everything.
He called Zhang Haixing "too green" and suggested she go home and drink more milk, provoking a sharp reaction from her. Fatty then introduced himself as "Naive's agent," specializing in dealing with people who target inexperienced youth. He declared the discussion needed to start over now that he was involved, stating anyone doubting his abilities would pay a heavy price. Fatty then told Wu Xie to check his phone for missed calls and make a call.
He announced that he had performed the "courtesy" part and now it was time for "force." Fatty added that Wu Xie didn't have to agree to the Zhangs' terms. A voice from another group asked Wu Xie who Fatty was. Fatty replied it didn't matter, only Wu Xie's choice did. Wu Xie highlighted their disadvantage, being only two against over a dozen skilled Zhang family members. Suddenly, sounds of gunfire erupted from outside.
Then, the other group arrived inside, and a voice addressed Wu Xie, asking if he was Mr. Wu and inviting him to sit, implying they should choose their side. Fatty greeted their timely arrival. Wu Xie asked what was happening, and Fatty replied it was complicated, starting to explain from their meeting in the restroom. Fatty noted the large number of people in this new group, joking about them having diarrhea or numb legs from squatting.
He repeatedly asked for their boss. Fatty was led to meet the boss, who introduced himself as Feng, from Denasi. Feng greeted Mr. Wang (Fatty) and Mr. Wu, saying they finally met. Fatty dismissed his formality, asking if he was trying to scare them and what he intended to do with them. Feng assured them he only valued the meeting.
Feng introduced himself as being in biological research, explaining his company acquired Qiu Dekao's company because they needed research species Qiu had brought back from ruins. He added that while sorting materials, they found information about Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang Qiling, expressing admiration for their adventures and a long-held desire to meet them. Fatty sarcastically called him a fan. Feng mentioned his latest research project, "Night King Devours The Sky," and the importance of the creature to his company.
He stated his purpose was to collaborate with them. Fatty immediately brought up money. Feng stated he had discussed the price with Mr. Wang (Fatty). He then presented Wu Xie with two options: go with the Zhangs, which offered uncertain information about Zhang Qiling, or cooperate with the Denasi, which guaranteed money, safety, and protection for the spiritual retreat. Wu Xie called them fools, reminding Feng that they had just been shot at "inside" the room.
Feng maintained that his team was professionally trained and confident, just as the fight outside had ended quickly (within three minutes). Wu Xie questioned their confidence and how they were sure they had won. Feng remained certain, stating he knew Wu Xie was cautious but their offer was the best option for a pleasant cooperation. Feng suggested Wu Xie and Mr. Wang (Fatty) discuss it while he checked on the situation outside, promising to return to finalize details.
Wu Xie protested that he hadn't agreed to cooperate. Fatty commented on Feng being a "big investor" and wondered if the Zhangs had been killed or perhaps offered a higher price, though he thought that unlikely given the Zhangs' apparent experience. Wu Xie questioned Fatty about the price that had convinced him to bring Wu Xie into this dangerous situation.
Fatty, offended, explained that Feng had come with a nail gun "and" a million dollars, calling himself a fan, leaving Fatty with no choice but to consider cooperation for a backup plan and an ally in case they couldn't escape the Zhangs. Wu Xie questioned if Fatty genuinely wanted to cooperate, calling him foolish and deeming both groups terrifying, leaving them vulnerable on the chopping block.
Fatty retorted that they still had a chance and told Wu Xie to be quiet. Wu Xie pointed out that the Denasi knew everything about them from their research, while they knew nothing about the Denasi. Fatty agreed this was the key: understanding their opponents. Fatty proposed using the conflict between the Zhangs and the Denasi to their advantage, stirring things up between them.
Wu Xie expressed concerns about things going wrong, Fatty making a secret deal with the Zhangs, and the Zhangs potentially using mysterious abilities or "sorcery." As Wu Xie repeatedly called for Fatty, expressing concern, Fatty briefly engaged with someone, possibly Zhang Haixing ("that practitioner"), confirming his skills were still sharp and that the dynamic from earlier was repeating itself.