Five Kings of Thieves Episode 2 Recap
> Five Kings of Thieves Recap
Boxes are being transported at the Zhang Residence when a disturbance breaks out, scattering the workers. A man intervenes, causing a whip to erupt in flames, and someone identifies the perpetrators as belonging to the Fire family of the five-element families. Amidst the chaos, the Water King arrives, confirming that a crucial item for the five-element families, the Goddess Jade, has appeared.
He states that this treasure, which can break the Three Fire Gate Tasks, is currently in the Treasure Tower in Fengtian. Huo Xiaoxie is outside Zhang Residence, assessing the security. He reports to his companions that the security appears lax on the outside but is tight within, manned by Zhang Si's own people, calling Zhang Si a cunning fox.
His companions express concern for their master, but Huo Xiaoxie assures them their master is safe as long as he completes his task. He gives his companions instructions regarding dynamite and tells them to find Zheng Zedao if anything happens to him. Meanwhile, inside the Zhang Residence grounds, members of the Fire family encounter Black Whipper, who mocks their cowardice, comparing them to their Fire King.
She declares her intent to take the treasure herself, challenging them to kill her and bring her body to the Fire King if they want it. Zhang Si is observed inspecting treasures in an underground area. He confirms arrangements are made and notes the arrival of many people, stating his goal is to use the Goddess Jade to lure out and capture the five-element families, thus achieving two goals, including finding the Holy Cauldron.
Oda, the president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, arrives and is formally introduced to Zhang Si. Police Captain Zheng Zedao arrives with his men and meets with Zhou, who manages security for Zhang Si. Zhou tells Captain Zheng that Oda's men will handle internal security under his command, while Captain Zheng's police force will patrol the perimeter. Despite Captain Zheng's concerns about accountability, Zhou insists he has already communicated with the police director.
Captain Zheng orders his men to scatter and patrol, hoping Huo Xiaoxie will be alright. Huo Xiaoxie enters the Zhang Residence complex. As he approaches the area where the Goddess Jade is said to be, he is intercepted by Shui Yao'er. She warns him that the residence is filled with traps that activate at night, explaining that anyone who enters recklessly could be shredded like a leaf by the arrays.
Seeing he is interested in the Goddess Jade, she offers to help him navigate the traps if he helps her retrieve something. She tells him they are in the same place. She leads him towards a secret chamber beneath a river. She explains the chamber's trap is intricate and requires two people to cooperate using a "Yin and Yang combination," where one stands at the "heaven position" and the other at the "earth position" to unlock it.
She warns him that stepping incorrectly means they will both die. Inside the secret chamber, they do not find the Goddess Jade. Instead, they find a bronze mirror. Huo Xiaoxie quickly grabs the mirror. Shui Yao'er tells him the mirror is her mother's legacy and not valuable, asking him to return it.
He initially refuses, pointing out the risk she took for something not valuable, but he soon realizes he stepped on a "death gate" within the array and cannot leave without her cooperation. He relents, promising to return the mirror once they retrieve the Goddess Jade and leave the array. They leave the secret chamber and proceed towards the Buddha hall.
Zhang Si is addressing the gathered people, explaining that the Goddess Jade, being a potent item, must be kept before the Bodhisattva and suppressed with spells until midnight. He reveals that the true treasure is the "Jade Pearl" hidden inside the Goddess Jade. As Zhang Si speaks, a hunchback figure silently enters the room and uses a piece of cloth (the Invisibility Cloth) from his back to cover the statue, causing it to vanish.
Zhou discovers the theft and immediately identifies the technique used as the Earth family's Invisibility Cloth. He recognizes the thief as the Skinner of the Earth family, using a borrowed body. Zhou confronts the Skinner, defeats him, and orders him taken away. Zhou then brings out the Goddess Jade, and Zhang Si extracts the luminous Jade Pearl from within. The bidding for the Jade Pearl begins. Oda bids 1000 taels of gold.
A young man (Huo Xiaoxie, who identifies himself as a student) encourages his countrymen to pool resources and bid higher, declaring the pearl a national treasure that must not fall into foreign hands. As bidding becomes heated, someone reports a disturbance in the secret chamber, creating a distraction. Amidst the confusion, Huo Xiaoxie steals the Jade Pearl and takes Oda hostage. Zhang Si orders the gates sealed and specifically instructs the Yufeng Detective to retrieve the Jade Pearl.
Fire family members intervene to cover Huo Xiaoxie's escape. Huo Xiaoxie and Black Whipper retreat towards a wall. His companions use dynamite to blow a hole in the wall, and Huo Xiaoxie and Black Whipper quickly escape through it. Zhou attempts to pursue, but is blocked by Captain Zheng Zedao, who demands an explanation for the security breach, citing his position responsible for the auction's safety. Zhou insists on being allowed through, and eventually passes.
Zhou and Goujian lead the pursuit teams. Huo Xiaoxie's companions covering his escape are captured by the Hook Troop. Huo Xiaoxie, urged by his companions, continues to flee, despite his desire to rescue them, realizing the Jade Pearl is their only bargaining chip.
