Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Episode 8 Recap
> Adventure Behind the Bronze Door Recap
Despite Zhang Qiling's advice for them to turn back and avoid danger, several companions secretly followed him, concerned that he might claim any discoveries or credit alone. As the path grew increasingly narrow and dark, the group continued forward. When they observed Zhang Qiling apparently using a bone-shrinking technique to enter a small hole, they opted to take a different route nearby. Their chosen path led them into a vast, disorienting area resembling a maze with many branching passages.
Soon, some companions began experiencing dizziness and vomiting. They noticed black lines appearing on their wrists, which rapidly spread, turning their veins dark. Recognizing these as signs of poisoning, they suspected they had contracted parasitic infections from the water earlier, lamenting that they had not heeded Zhang Qiling's warning about poisonous creatures in the pool. As the dark veins spread up their arms and towards their necks, fear intensified among them.
They attempted to contact Zhang Qiling, but there was no response in the empty surroundings. Desperate, they consulted a map to plan an escape route. Amidst the panic, arguments arose about who should prioritize leaving. They decided they needed to get Zhang Qiling's attention and lure him back. Believing that threatening the potential collapse of the ancient city and the loss of the Heavenly Staff would compel him to intervene, they planted explosives to create a significant disturbance.
A massive explosion shook the area, causing walls to crack and collapse. Zhang Qiling, realizing his companions were in danger, immediately altered his path to find them. He soon located Haixing, who had been affected by collapsed debris and showed significant signs of the spreading poison on her neck. Understanding the severity, Zhang Qiling used a probe to pierce a vein and offered her his blood, which the companions had speculated was special and could repel the parasites.
After Haixing drank Zhang Qiling's blood, her poisoning symptoms quickly subsided, and she was healed. Together, they continued searching for the others. They found Jiuri trapped under heavy stone slabs, weakened by the poison and unable to free himself. Working together, they managed to lift the stones, and Zhang Qiling gave Jiuri some of his blood, which also healed him. With time of the essence, Zhang Qiling hurried ahead and found Zhang Nian in a critical situation.
He was trapped by rocks and suspended precariously over a deep pit, with the unstable structure posing a risk to anyone trying to move. Zhang Qiling carefully assessed the perilous setup. Despite the extreme danger and Zhang Nian's panicked reaction, Zhang Qiling calmly focused on the rescue. He managed to free Zhang Nian from his dangerous predicament. Once everyone was rescued, including Zhang Haike who was also safe, Zhang Qiling's blood cured their poisoning.
All four companions – Haixing, Jiuri, Zhang Haike, and Zhang Nian – were now safe and healed. They expressed gratitude towards Zhang Qiling, though Zhang Haike's lingering animosity was still apparent. Zhang Qiling pointed them toward an exit, instructing them to leave immediately and assuring them they could still complete their "wilding" task by successfully getting out.
Some companions openly speculated if Zhang Qiling's true motive for risking his life was to find the Heavenly Staff, which they had heard could allow the wielder to become the patriarch. Zhang Qiling offered no explanation and saw them off towards the exit. Reaching a point where a chain coated in fire oil served as the only way across a chasm, Zhang Qiling swiftly crossed it.
Seeing this, the companions decided to follow him, not wishing to remain indebted after he had saved them all and feeling it was right to stick together. Zhang Qiling silently accepted their decision but cautioned them to be extremely careful. As they proceeded, they encountered debris and jars partially buried in mud.
When Haixing started to examine one, Zhang Qiling quickly stopped her, explaining these were dangerous traps set by the Zhang family, possibly containing something sealed by the patriarch to defend against intruders. This moment seemed to mark a shift, with the companions, particularly Zhang Haike, showing signs of starting to heed Zhang Qiling's warnings. They eventually reached a derelict ship. Nearby, they discovered several ancient corpses identified as Zhang family members by their elongated fingers.
The bodies lacked obvious external injuries but showed signs of violent struggle, suggesting they might have died from poison or self-inflicted poisoning, seemingly in an act of protecting something. Wondering if the patriarch's body was among them, they attempted to investigate further. This action triggered a mechanism, and a poisonous needle shot out, which Zhang Qiling swiftly caught. They realized the entire ship area was part of a trap and that the Heavenly Staff was certainly not there.
Zhang Qiling quickly understood the ship's defense mechanism was weight-sensitive. He instructed everyone to maintain balance and find a way off the unstable vessel before the traps could fully activate. Haixing, Jiuri, and Zhang Haike managed to get to safety off the ship. However, Zhang Nian became ensnared by another part of the activated mechanism. Facing imminent danger, Zhang Nian began to panic and prioritize self-preservation. Zhang Qiling calmly instructed everyone to remain still. He then told Haixing, Jiuri, and Zhang Haike to evacuate, stating that he would remain behind alone to rescue Zhang Nian.
