Explore With the Note Episode 21 Recap
> Explore With the Note Recap
Wu Xie firmly believed in the concept of space folding, recalling how Zhang Qiling had previously experienced a similar phenomenon where two identical Wang Pangzis appeared due to the short distance of the folded space. He explained to Wang Pangzi that the tomb passage itself was a paradox; if space folded, there must be a turning point, like a mirror, that reversed direction.
He further elaborated that if this reflective surface had no thickness, anyone passing through it would suffer fatal physical distortions. Since they were still alive, he deduced that the reflective surface must be much thicker than a human, acting as a transitional space. He then suggested that if this transitional space was only a few steps long, an observer might see two identical Wang Pangzis. Wang Pangzi found this analogy unsettling.
Wu Xie concluded that such an illogical passage shouldn't exist as Wang Zanghai was not a god capable of creating his own physical laws. He posited that the traps were unrelated to Wang Zanghai and the previously discovered bodies weren't trapped to their death by them. Instead, they were facing a new, unique problem, misled by the bodies.
When Wang Pangzi jokingly suggested ghosts, Wu Xie corrected him, stating it was hallucinations, reminding them of their past experience with the Bronze Tree in Qinling which could affect people and make them feel trapped. Seeking clues, Pan Zi and Wang Pangzi searched the archaeological team's belongings. Wang Pangzi found a diary containing an entry about selling an item found "underwater" and clearing a debt, suggesting the writer had been to the Underwater Tomb.
Pan Zi then discovered a photograph of the Xisha archaeological team hidden in a comic book. Wu Xie identified his uncle in the picture, but Pan Zi corrected him, identifying the person as Xie Lianhuan and stating that Wu Sanxing was the one who took the photo. The realization that his uncle and Zhang Qiling, along with the entire archaeological team, might have ended up in Empyrean Palace deeply disturbed Wu Xie.
Overwhelmed with questions, he impulsively suggested blasting the place, desperate to find his uncle and demand answers. Wang Pangzi and Pan Zi urged him to calm down, reminding him of his internal injuries and suggesting they strategize a way out first. Wu Xie, recalling the Bronze Tree's hallucinatory effects, proposed that the current situation was an illusion and instructed them to search for any bronze artifacts.
Despite Wang Pangzi's initial complaints about only finding gold and silver, he eventually found a small bronze object. They decided to burn it to dispel the illusion. As they burned the bronze object, a strange sound echoed through the chamber, and Shun Zi inexplicably vanished. Suddenly, he reappeared, clinging to a pillar, and violently attacked Wu Xie, seemingly losing his mind. Pan Zi quickly instructed everyone to stay back-to-back to prevent a rear attack.
Just as the situation grew dire, Xie Yuchen arrived, swiftly subduing Shun Zi with a short-acting tranquilizer. With Shun Zi neutralized, they realized they had successfully exited the confusing, looping passage. Wu Xie, surprised by Xie Yuchen's appearance, asked how he found them. Xie Yuchen mentioned hearing the sound of dynamite, speculating if Wu Sanxing's group was involved. Xie Yuchen then requested a private conversation with Wu Xie.
He expressed his curiosity about the secrets of Empyrean Palace and what drove people to seek it. He revealed he was also searching for someone. He then directly questioned Wu Xie, asking if he would unconditionally trust Wu Sanxing, to which Wu Xie affirmed his understanding of his uncle.
Next, Xie Yuchen pressed Wu Xie about what truly happened to Wu Sanxing and Xie Lianhuan at the Underwater Tomb, mentioning his years of fruitless investigation and asking what Wu Xie himself discovered during his visit. Wu Xie vaguely recounted encountering many strange things and finding many exhumed relics and destroyed archaeological traces. Finally, Xie Yuchen asked if Wu Xie considered him a true "blood brother" and "confidant."
Xie Yuchen revealed that he believed he had already uncovered the truth about the incident. He expressed profound disappointment and a sense of betrayal that Wu Xie had concealed information from him, especially since he had always been completely transparent with Wu Xie, just as Xie Lianhuan had been with Wu Sanxing. He accused Wu Xie of lying, even after being given a direct opportunity to reveal the truth.
Wu Xie admitted to lying, explaining he had initially intended to tell everything after a full investigation but then hesitated, fearing Xie Yuchen's reaction. Xie Yuchen dismissed this, asserting that Wu Xie would still hide the truth even if Wu Sanxing were revealed to be malevolent. Feeling that he had chosen the wrong brother, much like Xie Lianhuan, Xie Yuchen expressed his relief at shedding his last attachment to the Wu family.
He imparted a final, stark warning to Wu Xie: to abandon his pursuit, or risk never being able to leave the Ling Palace. After Xie Yuchen's departure, a recovered Shun Zi announced he would not be joining them further. He explained that he had fulfilled Wu Sanxing's request, earned his pay, and, more importantly, had found his father's remains, which he intended to take home. He also mentioned needing to find a hot spring due to his physical condition.
Despite their brief but intense shared experiences, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi bid him a heartfelt farewell. Before leaving, Shun Zi reminded Wu Xie of his deep-seated quest for answers and warned him about their dwindling food supplies for the long journey out. After a brief rest, Wu Xie's group resumed their journey, intending to rendezvous with Wu Sanxing. Meanwhile, in another part of the tomb, A Ning and Jason's team rendezvoused with a group sent by Qiu Dekao.
A medic from Qiu Dekao's team provided an antidote injection and re-bandaged Wu Sanxing's wounds, cautioning him against strenuous activity. A Ning, unable to contact Qiu Dekao, grew anxious, but Jason assured her that Qiu Dekao would only appear once they reached the ultimate answer. Driven by the desire for treasure, Jason and his men attempted to open a jade coffin. Upon opening it, a large house centipede lunged out, followed by a swarm of smaller ones.
Their gunfire proved ineffective against the onslaught. Wu Xie, emerging from an adjacent passage, accidentally stumbled and fell, spitting blood. To everyone's astonishment, his blood repelled the centipedes, bringing an abrupt calm to the chaotic scene. The groups then settled down to rest. Wang Pangzi learned about Wu Sanxing's terrible condition, with centipedes having burrowed deep into his flesh, necessitating painful surgical removal. During this time, a mysterious figure, Chen Pi, appeared.
He paused briefly near Wu Sanxing before sitting on a nearby stone. Wu Xie noticed Chen Pi gesturing to him and quickly approached. Unexpectedly, Chen Pi discreetly slipped a note into Wu Xie's hand. In a parallel event, an old lady, presumably Huo Xiangu, initially refused to meet a subordinate of Qiu Dekao.
However, she agreed when he mentioned "the truth about the agreement between you and Mr. Qiu" and Huo Ling's whereabouts, revealing that Qiu Dekao was likely at Empyrean Palace and would be unreachable for some time. The subordinate, aware of the Huo family's ambitions, warned that Qiu Dekao's desire for the contents of the Empyrean Palace was immense, and once obtained, nothing else would matter.
