Explore With the Note Episode 7 Recap
> Explore With the Note Recap
The main group continued to face monster attacks, leaving only a few survivors. Wu Xie eventually found Ning, and they took refuge in an abandoned hut. Ning suggested they leave the dangerous area, but with no signal and the window of their shelter growing weaker, they decided to wait until daylight, taking turns to keep watch. Wu Xie offered Ning some chocolate.
As she looked at it, she remembered meeting Jude Kao as a child and how his adoption of her had cemented her loyalty to him. During their conversation, Wu Xie inquired about Ning's reasons for risking her life for Wu Sanxing, despite his past attempts to harm her. Ning retorted that it was none of his business, explaining that she had her own beliefs, just as he had his.
Wu Xie then expressed his desire to understand what had changed his uncle (Wu Sanxing) into the person he was now. Ning, however, countered that risking his life for such an answer wasn't worth it. Suddenly, Zhang Qiling arrived at the hut, revealing he had wounded a monster that appeared in a sudden gust of wind outside. Wu Xie chided him for going out alone, but Zhang Qiling only stated he was fine.
The three then quickly returned to the lodge. Back at the lodge, Uncle Hai voiced his frustration over the perilous nature of their current mission. Jason and his men then burst in, with Jason appearing somewhat flustered. His men were panicked about the woods being bewitched, causing people to disappear in the fog. Someone mentioned that Ning had gone looking for Wu Xie's group.
Jason, however, was indifferent to Ning's whereabouts, stating he couldn't afford to lose more men and that she had gone looking for them, not at his request. He ordered his remaining crew to set up tents close to the lodge and rest until dawn. When one of his men warned against returning to the woods, Jason dismissed him as a fool.
Wu Xie urged everyone to rest, and Shun Zi, convinced they had angered the Goddess of Snow Mountain, began praying, believing their path ahead would be fraught with difficulty. Meanwhile, a subordinate reported to Jude Kao over the phone, informing him that Jason's company had insisted on entering the mountain and suffered significant casualties from an unknown monster or mechanism, with no phone signal. Jude Kao, stating he had enough on his plate, prioritized Wu Xie's safety above all else.
Elsewhere, Huo Xiuxiu discussed a mysterious photo with her grandmother, Madam Huo. She suspected Jude Kao might have used the photo to blackmail Wu Sanxing into doing his bidding, especially given Jude Kao's past involvement in the Underwater Tomb incident. Huo Xiuxiu wanted to approach Jude Kao for information about her missing aunt.
Madam Huo revealed she had already sent the photo to Xie Yuchen (also known as Xiezi or Xiao Hua), on the strict condition that Huo Xiuxiu was not allowed to go to Changbai Mountain. Soon after, Jude Kao contacted someone via phone, confirming he had sent the location of the Empyrean Palace and urging them to leave quickly, as Wu Sanxing had already departed days ago, warning that there might not be much left to claim.
Following this, Xie Yuchen instructed Jia Sha to prepare all necessary equipment for their immediate journey to Changbai Mountain. The next morning, Wang Pangzi informed Wu Xie of Uncle Dashan's gruesome death. Wu Xie decided to investigate, but Zhang Qiling insisted on going alone. After Zhang Qiling's prolonged absence, Chen Pi decided to send his apprentice, Ye Cheng, tethered by a rope, to investigate. Shortly after, a scream echoed through the air, and the rope returned empty.
Zhang Qiling then reappeared, carrying Ye Cheng's body, explaining that a monster had attacked him, and he was already wounded when found. They discovered more bodies strewn around the tents. Mark was seen in distress, repeatedly exclaiming "I didn't do it!" Wu Xie suggested to Jason that Mark seemed suspicious, but Mark, adopting a military posture, explained that Uncle Dashan had chased him out of the kitchen the previous night when he sought food.
He heard strange noises but didn't re-enter, later realizing that by not going back, he might have contributed to Uncle Dashan's death. Mark blamed himself for not saving him. Wu Xie later buried Uncle Dashan under a tree. Chen Pi remained emotionless about his apprentice's death. Ning then realized Uncle Hai was missing.
Some speculated he could be the murderer, but Shun Zi dismissed their suspicions, reiterating that these were punishments from the Goddess of Snow Mountain that they must simply endure. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi discussed their growing unease, feeling that staying cooped up in the lodge would eventually lead to people losing their minds or turning on each other. Jason, having secured the location of the Empyrean Palace, decided to leave ahead with Mark.
Chen Pi subsequently ordered everyone to pack and prepare for departure. Wang Pangzi openly expressed his distrust of Chen Pi, believing him to be the mastermind behind the recent events, but Zhang Qiling, in contrast, stood by Chen Pi. As the group set out on the mountain trail, Wu Xie spotted a flashing object. Wang Pangzi pretended to relieve himself to investigate and discovered a newly installed, spring-loaded contraption that appeared to have been triggered recently.
Uncertain of its origin, they decided to observe it further. Wu Xie then noticed a fox in the nearby woods. As they prepared to investigate, Shun Zi intervened, warning them against straying from the group. Chen Pi swiftly threw an iron egg, striking the fox. Shun Zi picked up the injured animal, but it bit his wrist. Enraged, Shun Zi twisted the fox's neck and put it in his bag.
Shortly after, Ning called Wu Xie through his earpiece, stating that Chen Pi's decisive action implied he had sensed something unusual and was now suspicious. She informed Wu Xie that she would be leaving the team and hung up before he could dissuade her. Wang Pangzi asked about Ning's sudden departure, and Wu Xie explained that Ning never disclosed her plans to him. Wang Pangzi then inquired about Pan Zi, who had been gone for days, expressing concern.
Wu Xie cautioned him not to mention Pan Zi in front of Chen Pi, as Chen Pi suspected everyone. When Wang Pangzi suggested they make a fire to eat, Shun Zi quickly stopped him, explaining that this forest was known as "Hanging Wood" because many people had inexplicably hanged themselves there. He recounted local tales of poor individuals who, after taking shoes from the hanged bodies, were themselves found hanged in the same woods the very next day.
