Explore With the Note Episode 23 Recap
> Explore With the Note Recap
The group located a hidden doorway in the corridor. Chen Pi Ah Si examined it, noting that it was a double-layered tomb and that the true coffin likely lay beneath, accessible through this entrance. Wu Xie identified a symbol beside the door as a deliberate marker left by Zhang Qiling. Wang Pangzi remarked that Zhang Qiling had become incredibly skilled, like a seer, since entering the Empyrean Palace, and everyone decided to press forward into the passage.
They ventured through the hidden doorway, following a tomb path that grew progressively steeper and warmer. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi speculated they were descending deep into Changbai Mountain, possibly reaching the volcanic activity layer near Earth's core, which explained the rising temperature. Eventually, the path opened into a gallery built on a cliff overlooking a deep rift. This chasm was spanned by countless thick bronze chains, from which numerous objects hung.
A Ning showed them photos from the undersea tomb, revealing murals depicting Eastern Xia warriors climbing similar cliffs with identical chains, illustrating their exploration of this immense underground rift. Wu Xie wondered if these bronze chains were a defense mechanism against something ascending from below, such as the giant black creatures or Manlike Owls depicted in the murals. Just then, Qiu Dekao arrived with his team, impressing Jason by getting there ahead of everyone else.
Qiu Dekao claimed he had to bypass them to save time, declaring everyone present to be "favored by destiny" and urging cooperation. A Ning briefed Qiu Dekao on the situation, suggesting Wu Sanxing's men should take the lead. Meanwhile, Wu Xie discreetly approached Chen Pi Ah Si, acknowledging his real identity as Xie Lianhuan. Chen Pi Ah Si asked Wu Xie to continue calling him "Pop Si" to avoid arousing Qiu Dekao's suspicion by appearing too "full of spirit."
Wu Xie offered him some antibiotics, which Chen Pi Ah Si initially refused, stating Pan Zi had already provided him with some from Qiu Dekao's doctor. He then warned Wu Xie to be perceptive, stating that while Wu Sanxing might not be a good man, he was at least a human, unlike some others, referring to Qiu Dekao, who were "nothing but fiends."
He also cautioned Wu Xie about the traps ahead and advised him to seek help from Wu Sanxing if needed, not him. Wu Sanxing vehemently argued with Qiu Dekao, refusing to send his men to scout ahead, emphasizing his extensive experience and the "Mystic Nine's" superior knowledge of the Empyrean Palace. He warned that the "opening time" had not yet arrived, and premature entry would lead to certain death, unwilling to sacrifice his men in vain.
Qiu Dekao, who had earlier insisted on proceeding, accused Wu Sanxing of stalling and reminded him of his role as the guide for their joint operation. A Ning also advised Qiu Dekao to rest for the night, but he stubbornly ordered her to be tied up for her defiance. Wu Sanxing then laid down terms: should danger arise, everyone was on their own, and his men would not save Qiu Dekao's group.
As they prepared to move, Wu Xie noticed Chen Pi Ah Si was missing. Wu Sanxing sarcastically replied that Chen Pi Ah Si was greedy and had probably gone ahead alone to secure more treasure for himself. Suddenly, Wu Sanxing collapsed, unconscious. A doctor confirmed he had a severe infection from the house centipede toxin, which had entered his internal organs.
Moving him vigorously would worsen his condition, so they could only try to get him through the night with an antidote and oxygen. Qiu Dekao reluctantly agreed to halt for the night. Wu Xie stayed by his uncle's side, distressed by the persistent high fever. After being refused more medicine by Qiu Dekao's doctor, Wu Xie went with Wang Pangzi to find ice for cooling, and A Ning later provided them with additional antibiotics, fever pills, and vitamins.
During the night, Wu Sanxing regained consciousness, but appeared weak. He told Wu Xie that he might not survive this time, his old injuries flaring up and his body failing. He instructed Wu Xie to conceal his emotions after his death, then leave the group and go to the old mansion. Chen Pi Ah Si would be waiting there for him on the third day of the next month, ready to reveal everything.
If Chen Pi Ah Si wasn't there, Wu Sanxing directed Pan Zi to entrust all his assets to Wu Xie. Wu Xie, overwhelmed, protested, saying he knew nothing about business and would squander everything. Wu Sanxing playfully dismissed him as a "debauched heir." A brief flashback showed a younger Wu Xie promising his uncle he wouldn't get involved in business.
Back in the present, Pan Zi, believing Wu Sanxing had passed, broke down in tears, only for Wu Sanxing to surprisingly tell him he was still alive. Wu Sanxing then chastised Wu Xie for not crying and even smiling, calling him an "ingrate" before asking for more rest. Meanwhile, concerned for Xie Yuchen's safety, Huo Xiuxiu fled her home.
She initially planned to go to the airport but, after managing to shake off her pursuers, changed her mind and decided to take a high-speed train instead. Her grandmother, Madam Huo Xiangu, was informed that the flight records were fake and suspected Xie Yuchen might be helping Huo Xiuxiu. Reacting swiftly, Madam Huo Xiangu recalled all her men and redirected them to Dalian Harbor. Thanks to A Ning's medicine and a night's rest, Wu Sanxing's condition visibly improved.
Qiu Dekao, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed greed, was exceptionally enthusiastic about the next phase. A Ning, however, felt a growing sense of detachment, realizing she hardly knew the true nature of the man she worked for. The teams then began their slow descent down the ropes. Upon reaching the bottom, they soon found a monumental, two-sided bronze door, whose sheer scale and apparent single-piece casting defied ancient human capabilities, weighing tens of thousands of tons.
Wu Sanxing identified it as the "underground gate" mentioned by Wang Zanghai, wondering what lay beyond. Wu Xie felt a profound sense of insignificance before its grandeur. Wang Pangzi noted Qiu Dekao's absence, suspecting the "old scoundrel" was up to something, as he wouldn't miss such a critical discovery. Pan Zi's exclamation then drew everyone's attention to a large white stone sarcophagus on a central platform, encircled by nine coiling Hundred-legged Dragons in a lotus formation, all kneeling.
This perfectly matched Wang Zanghai's inscription of the Nine Dragons Tomb. Wu Xie pointed out that the seemingly decorative Hundred-legged Dragons coiling around the sarcophagus were, in fact, hibernating house centipedes. Their dormant state, due to the cold winter temperatures, made them appear like stone sculptures. Wang Pangzi, eager to proceed, suggested shooting them, but Wu Xie strongly advised against it.
He reminded everyone that the scent of dead house centipedes would attract more of their kind, and given the rift's vastness throughout Changbai Mountain, they couldn't risk waking an unknown number of potentially larger creatures. Wu Sanxing, still recovering, warned them to keep their distance from Qiu Dekao, fearing he might use them as "human shields." He also instructed Pan Zi to protect Wu Xie if chaos erupted.
Using his night vision binoculars, Wu Xie observed Jurchen script carved on the screen wall behind the sarcophagus, suspecting it held crucial information about the tomb owner. Suddenly, Wang Pangzi, believing he could gain an advantage, climbed a rope towards the coffin platform. While initially successful, a Manlike Owl unexpectedly appeared, snatched him up, and dropped him. Just as he plummeted towards the sarcophagus, Wang Pangzi managed to grab a rope, narrowly saving himself.
