Explore With the Note Episode 6 Recap
> Explore With the Note Recap
Wang Pangzi and Wu Xie found themselves in a perilous situation, dangling from a cliff, with Wang Pangzi declaring he could no longer hold on. Just as they were at their limit, Chen Pi appeared and effortlessly pulled them to safety. Wu Xie thanked Chen Pi, who then scoffed at their inexperience, questioning how "rookies" like them dared to target the Nine Dragons Coffin of the Eastern Xia Emperor.
He even jokingly suggested Wu Sanxing's mind must have been "kicked by a donkey" for sending them. Wang Pangzi, offended, defended Wu Sanxing while boasting about his own extensive tomb-raiding experience. Chen Pi then drew a comparison, noting that both Wu Sanxing and Wu Xie seemed to attract unwanted attention from the authorities. Wu Xie explained that the men pursuing them were sent by Jason, who intended to use Wu Xie as leverage against Wu Sanxing.
Wang Pangzi tried to smooth things over, asking Chen Pi for guidance. Chen Pi then revealed the true nature of their expedition, stating that the destination was an extraordinary place, far beyond the reach of anyone but himself. He explained that Wu Sanxing had brought him along precisely to offer guidance to the younger generation. Wang Pangzi and Wu Xie expressed confusion, only having heard of the Empyrean Palace.
Chen Pi clarified that he and Wu Sanxing were indeed targeting the mausoleum of the Eastern Xia Emperor, which contained the Nine Dragons Coffin. Their lack of knowledge about the Eastern Xia Emperor or the Nine Dragons Coffin further annoyed Chen Pi, who dismissed them as cowardly and suggested they go home if they lacked the courage, before walking away. Wang Pangzi continued to chide Wu Xie for his near-fall and for upsetting Chen Pi.
As they returned to the inn, Wang Pangzi and Wu Xie observed Chen Pi's extensive preparations, including bringing his apprentices and all their equipment. Wang Pangzi wondered if Chen Pi had secret dealings with "that red hat guy," presumably Qiu Dekao. Wu Xie speculated that the Eastern Xia royal tomb and the Empyrean Palace might be the same location, reasoning that it was highly improbable for two magnificent ancient tombs to exist simultaneously on Changbai Mountain.
He concluded that Chen Pi must possess critical information unknown to them. Wang Pangzi added that their original plan to acquire gear in Dunhua was now impossible, as Uncle Hai had defected to Qiu Dekao's side, leaving them without their contact. Faced with this, and the inability to reach Chestnut Village due to adverse weather, they decided their best course of action was to follow Chen Pi for now.
The Changbai Mountain inn buzzed with activity, hosting representatives from three distinct factions: Chen Pi's group, A Ning's team, and Jason's crew. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi tried to mingle with Chen Pi's apprentices, Ye Cheng, Hua Heshang, and Lang Feng, who politely but firmly sidestepped their attempts to join, citing orders from Chen Pi. Wang Pangzi, dismissing them as inexperienced, joked that they would surely panic in a real tomb.
The tension escalated dramatically with the arrival of Jason, who aggressively demanded Wu Xie hand over the Empyrean Palace map. Wang Pangzi retorted, questioning Jason's rude approach and informing him that even if they had the map, they wouldn't share it, advising him to wait for Wu Sanxing to return. A heated argument ensued, with Jason attempting to physically confront Wu Xie.
A Ning intervened, referencing a message from Mr. Hendry (Qiu Dekao) and stating her primary role was to protect Wu Xie and prevent anyone with ulterior motives from disrupting their plans. Jason, suspecting Qiu Dekao had sent A Ning to thwart him, was met with A Ning's reiterated claim of protecting Wu Xie due to his inexperience and her concerns about uncooperative individuals.
From inside, Chen Pi calmly observed, noting that they didn't need to get involved as all factions were ultimately pursuing the same goal, and wondered if Jason's group could handle the situation. Jason and his men then departed. Later, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi settled down to play cards.
A Ning then made a phone call to Qiu Dekao, reporting the chaotic situation at the train station, mentioning two of Jason's men were arrested for impersonating police, and the rest had arrived. Qiu Dekao instructed her to keep a close watch on Wu Xie, emphasizing that without Wu Sanxing, Wu Xie was their sole guide to the Empyrean Palace's location. A Ning voiced concerns about Chen Pi seizing control and Wu Xie's ability to handle him.
Qiu Dekao dismissed her worries, confident that Wu Sanxing would not put Wu Xie in harm's way by involving Chen Pi. However, A Ning sensed Wu Sanxing's actions were becoming inscrutable and that Wu Xie's trust in his uncle was wavering. Qiu Dekao acknowledged Wu Sanxing's enigmatic behavior but reassured A Ning, promising to send backup to Changbai Mountain and to join her after completing his current affairs.
A Ning, mindful of the harsh conditions, suggested he remain at the base of the mountain, but Qiu Dekao insisted he had his own arrangements. Meanwhile, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi sought out a local guide. Driver Dashan led them to Shun Zi, a Korean villager whose father was a renowned hunter and ginseng gatherer, making Shun Zi exceptionally familiar with the mountain.
Upon meeting Shun Zi, Wu Xie was struck by his uncanny resemblance to a portrait of his deceased father. Eager to set out, Wu Xie was cautioned by Shun Zi, who warned that the current period was when the "Goddess of Snow Mountain" was angered, making mountain travel forbidden. Zhang Qiling, who had quietly joined them, affirmed Shun Zi's warning, confirming a powerful blizzard was imminent and urging everyone to stay indoors.
Wang Pangzi joked about Zhang Qiling's sparse attire in such conditions. Wu Xie asked when the storm would pass, and Zhang Qiling redirected the question to Shun Zi, who could only say "not tonight" and that future travel depended on the weather, especially the absence of fog. As they returned to the inn, Wu Xie expressed concern about being stranded. Dashan confirmed the impending blizzard was the most severe of the year.
Shun Zi then shared the somber tale of his father and an archaeology team who vanished in a blizzard and subsequent avalanche years ago. He recalled how power outages and fog had preceded the disaster, interpreting them as warnings from the "Goddess of Snow Mountain." He vowed he would not risk their lives if conditions were unsafe. Back at the inn, the lights abruptly went out, a common occurrence during blizzards, as Shun Zi explained.
Despite the warnings and the worsening weather, Jason, driven by ambition, decided to press on. He dismissed Dashan's pleas to his subordinate, Li, calling Dashan an "old geezer" and stating Li was paid to "sell his life" for their mission. Jason ignored A Ning's counsel to heed local wisdom and not act recklessly. Shun Zi tried to assert his authority as a guide, outlining strict rules for mountain travel, including immediate retreat if conditions became unmanageable.
Jason scoffed, cut him off, and left with his team. Wang Pangzi ominously remarked that "fewer mouths" would likely be at the next meal. A Ning, having failed to dissuade Jason, contacted Qiu Dekao. She reported the blizzard and the locals' reluctance to venture out, citing "rumors of life-threatening conditions" and advising against rash actions. She informed him that Jason had insisted on leaving despite her attempts to stop him.
Qiu Dekao ordered her to find Jason and keep him within sight, assuring her this task should not be difficult. A Ning then gathered her gear and, after briefly being held up by Li who tried to offer advice on tents, departed to track Jason. As the night deepened and the blizzard intensified, the inn felt the eerie stillness, punctuated by the rising fog. Shun Zi reiterated his warning for everyone to stay indoors, fearing unforeseen dangers.
Uncle Hai announced his departure, stating that his boss needed him, and urged caution, specifically telling Zhang Qiling to be vigilant. A Ning, too, prepared to leave, ignoring Dashan's heartfelt pleas for her, a "young lady," not to venture into the dangerous, blizzard-swept Changbai Mountain. Wang Pangzi, playing cards with Wu Xie, scoffed at Wu Xie's obvious concern for A Ning, pointing out her combat skills and reminding Wu Xie that she had saved them before.
Wu Xie, however, worried about her lack of snow-climbing experience and unfamiliarity with the terrain. Wang Pangzi, wary of Wu Xie's "heroic" tendencies, warned him against acting altruistically, reminding him of their own important mission. Wu Xie reluctantly agreed. However, later, seeing Wang Pangzi asleep, Wu Xie quietly slipped out of the room, determined to find A Ning, muttering about being a "hero." He encountered Dashan, who was tidying up, and sought advice on tracking wildlife and navigating winter mountains.
Dashan advised him to look for animal tracks, footprints, and feces, and to pace himself carefully in the deep snow while marking his path. Wu Xie then set off into the deep snow, hoping to find her. Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Qiling was already awake and observant. Meanwhile, far away, Qiu Dekao contacted Huo Xiangu, offering her a crucial secret regarding Wu Sanxing as leverage for a partnership.
Despite her personal disdain for Qiu Dekao, Huo Xiangu agreed to his proposition, recognizing the strategic value. In another location, Xie Yuchen, who had been investigating Wu Sanxing, received a shocking photo of a wall bearing an inscription: "Wu Sanxing. No escape. He framed me. Xie Lianhuan. God be my witness." Jia Sha, Xie Yuchen's assistant, expressed concern about Xie Yuchen dedicating himself to Wu Xie's search for Wu Sanxing while the Xie family had numerous pressing issues.
Xie Yuchen firmly replied that if he didn't help Wu Xie, no one else would, and reassured Jia Sha he could handle the pressure. He then instructed Jia Sha to thoroughly investigate who was behind this provocative message, aiming to sow discord. Out in the treacherous mountain, Jason's team was abruptly attacked by unseen monsters. Panicked shouts of "Monsters!" filled the air as several of his men were killed.
Some, terrified, fled, refusing to go further, invoking the "Goddess of Snow Mountain" and begging for mercy. Jason frantically tried to rally his fleeing men, ordering the remaining members to bury the dead and erase any traces. From a distance, A Ning and her team witnessed the chaos. As strange noises began to surround their position, A Ning ordered her men to grab their rifles and quickly split up, acknowledging the danger.
