Explore With the Note Episode 16 Recap
> Explore With the Note Recap
After Chen Pi, who had appeared lifeless, suddenly moved and began to strangle Wu Xie, the group was thrown into a panic. Wang Pangzi frantically called for a black donkey's hoof, believing it to be a sudden corpse movement. Despite their attempts to free Wu Xie, Chen Pi's grip was incredibly strong, and Wu Xie started to lose consciousness.
Unexpectedly, Chen Pi suddenly released him, opened his eyes, and seemed to return to normal, proclaiming that an "old man like him won't die so easily." Everyone was relieved, but later, Chen Pi closed his eyes again, prompting Wang Pangzi to joke that he was dying once more. Wu Xie then tried to persuade Chen Pi to leave and rest due to the harsh environment. Wu Xie and his group soon encountered Zhang Qiling, who joined them.
As they proceeded, the passageway, initially wide, began to narrow drastically, eventually becoming a mere crevice through which they had to squeeze sideways. Wu Xie theorized that this path utilized natural volcanic lava tubes, common in volcanic regions and often leading to extensive underground corridors, assuring the group that the path would soon widen. Wang Pangzi expressed concern about getting stuck, but Chen Pi supported Wu Xie's analysis, and the group decided to continue.
Soon, the sound of water led them to a hot spring waterfall. Despite the temptation to refresh themselves, Zhang Qiling warned them about the potential presence of leeches in such areas, noting that while the current low temperatures kept creatures dormant, strong stimuli could awaken them. Suddenly, a strange sound caught their attention. Upon closer inspection, the rocks around the hot spring were covered with countless massive centipedes, so densely packed they initially appeared to be volcanic patterns.
Zhang Qiling instructed everyone to remain quiet and turn off their flashlights. In the dim light, they realized the centipedes were large and their protective coloration made them almost invisible. They were cautioned against stepping on any, as a dead centipede would attract a swarm of its kind. While the group rested, Wu Xie asked Zhang Qiling about the situation outside, learning that Jason's and A Ning's groups had already entered Ling Palace.
Wu Xie expressed surprise at their speed and questioned whether they had been followed. Later, during a break, Wang Pangzi excused himself, claiming he needed to relieve himself. A suspicious Wu Xie secretly followed him, discovering Wang Pangzi meeting with "Wu Sanxing." Angry at their clandestine meeting, Wu Xie confronted his "uncle," demanding to know why he had abandoned the team previously. " Wu Sanxing" responded evasively, stating that in critical situations, one must "strike first" to avoid disadvantage.
When pressed about the secrets of Cloud Top Heavenly Palace, Lord of Slavery, and Wang Zanghai, "Wu Sanxing" offered only vague answers, dismissing it as a simple employer-employee relationship and telling Wu Xie to uncover the secrets himself. Growing increasingly agitated, Wu Xie pointed a gun at "Wu Sanxing," accusing him of being an imposter. Wu Xie asserted that his real uncle's head scar had long since flattened, unlike the prominent one on this man.
He revealed his suspicion that this person was Xie Lianhuan, who had faked his death and impersonated Wu Sanxing to conduct secret investigations, even suggesting that Wang Pangzi was in league with him, intentionally causing delays at the train station and informing the police. " Wu Sanxing" steadfastly denied all accusations, attempting to appeal to Wu Xie's loyalty and affection, reminding him of all the care and skills he had imparted.
Despite the emotional plea, Wu Xie, still unconvinced, threatened to shoot as "Wu Sanxing" walked away. Wang Pangzi, attempting to clear his name, was questioned by Wu Xie about his relationship with the imposter "Wu Sanxing." Wang Pangzi insisted that "Wu Sanxing" was only looking out for Wu Xie and that he was merely earning some "pocket money." Wu Xie then discovered a tracker disguised as an Iron Man badge that Wang Pangzi used to communicate.
He immediately activated it, connecting to Qiu Dekao. Hearing Wu Xie's voice, Qiu Dekao wisely remained silent, which, ironically, caused Wu Xie to momentarily drop his suspicions about Wang Pangzi. Moments after Wu Xie left, "Wu Sanxing" reappeared, cornered Wang Pangzi, and sternly warned him against harming Wu Xie, promising severe repercussions if he dared. Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen orchestrated a plan to intercept smuggled cultural relics.
Receiving intelligence about a batch of artifacts arriving at Macao Port via the Huo family's route, he decided to "beat them to it." Xie Yuchen, disguised as Dao, went to meet the buyers, while his associate Jia Sha and others apprehended the thugs and secured the warehouse, discovering dozens of boxes of cultural relics. Xie Yuchen deduced that the smugglers were also counterfeiting artifacts with professional methods to swap genuine items for fakes before shipping them abroad.
Huo Xiuxiu initially wanted to join Xie Yuchen, but he dissuaded her due to the danger and the flaws in her male disguise, promising to take her on a trip after the operation. News of the Macao incident reached Qiu Dekao, who remained unconcerned. Similarly, Huo Xiangu, after learning of Xie Yuchen's involvement, instructed her people to withdraw from Macao, deeming a direct confrontation unnecessary.
Wu Xie and his team eventually arrived at the volcano crater, finding themselves at an impasse with no clear path forward. They decided to set up camp. They attempted to enter the crater but were met with a suffocating, sulfurous gas that forced them to retreat. Wu Xie surmised that the main path, the Path of God, must be located within the crater, but the toxic fumes made it impassable during the day due to higher temperatures.
Later that night, Wu Xie ventured to the cliff edge and was captivated by a vast expanse of glowing purple trees below. He summoned the others, explaining that the low night temperatures and high humidity caused the sulfurous gas molecules to condense and fall with the water vapor, making the area temporarily safe. Convinced, the group resolved to make their descent into the crater under the cover of night.
