The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Recap, Plot, Synopsis
The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Synopsis
After escaping from the Warring States Tomb "Qi Xing Lord Lu's Palace", Wu Xie returns home but find that his third uncle, Wu Sanxing, has disappeared and is also involved in an archaeological team mystery from more than ten years ago.
He receives a letter from the mysterious A Ning. In order to find his uncle, he goes to the underwater tomb of a Ming Dynasty shipwreck in Xisha to look for clues. He encounters Wang Pangzi and finds a mysterious antique snake-browed bronze fish, as well as Zhang Qiling, who has lost his memory. It seems that Zhang Qiling has another reason for coming to the underwater tomb in Xisha.
In the process of diving into the mysterious Ming Dynasty ship tomb, he encounters "Hai Hou Zi", "Jin Po" and other monsters, and eventually breaks through the layers of strange organs to return to land.
However, the clues of the snake-browed bronze fish and the hexagonal bronze bell lead them to the Qinling Mountains to reveal the secret of the giant bronze tree.
The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Recap
Episode 1 Recap
Wu Xie awoke from a vivid nightmare in which his Uncle San Xing scolded him for reading his grandfather's notebook. In the dream, Uncle San Xing had transformed into a menacing monster. Startled, Wu Xie soon realized he was trapped in a series of layered dreams. After truly waking, his computer received an urgent message: "Come to Hainan if you want to save Uncle San Xing!" Wu Xie immediately rushed to Hainan.
A stranger handed him a car key and a business card, instructing him to go to the Clear Water Bay Private Dock. As he drove, Wu Xie reflected on past moments with his uncle, recalling a specific memory of Wu San Xing lamenting, "How could you let Xie Lian Huan down? How could you let Xie family down? Impudent child!" Wu Xie knew this journey would be incredibly difficult but was determined to find his uncle.
At the dock, Wu Xie was surprised to find A Ning waiting for him. He immediately questioned if she had sent the email and if Wu San Xing was truly missing, mentioning that his uncle's store staff also didn't know his whereabouts. Wu Xie, confident in his uncle's experience as a veteran tomb raider, initially refused to believe he could simply disappear.
A Ning explained that Wu San Xing had initiated a collaboration with her company, an international marine resources development company, which specialized in locating shipwrecks and salvaging resources. Wu Xie, understanding the lucrative nature of such ventures, remarked, "A ship is worth 10 tombs." A Ning clarified that their collaboration was "to protect the ocean ruins" and had undergone "legal formalities." Wu Xie was skeptical, recalling A Ning's less-than-kind demeanor in their previous encounters.
A Ning revealed that Wu San Xing and her boss were good friends, and the convincing clues provided by his uncle led the board of directors to lend him "extra equipment and staff with strata guarantee" for a scouting mission around the North Reef. The operation began smoothly, but two days prior, at 5 p. m. , Wu San Xing's ship vanished from satellite positioning. Wu Xie grew agitated, questioning why A Ning hadn't called maritime rescue.
A Ning calmly stated that Wu San Xing had specifically instructed them to find Wu Xie first if anything happened to him. Despite his doubts, as his uncle had never sought his help in his many years of tomb raiding, Wu Xie agreed to accompany A Ning. She warned him that the mid-month windy season was approaching, and the sea would soon become rough.
On board the ship, Wu Xie reunited with Wang Pangzi, who was also there at A Ning's invitation. Wang Pangzi excitedly talked about an underwater tomb, which he described as a shipwreck belonging to a wealthy Ming dynasty tycoon named Shen Wan San. Wu Xie sternly reminded Wang Pangzi that their priority was finding Uncle San Xing, not tomb raiding or reselling items from the ship.
Wu Xie privately wondered about A Ning's truthfulness, a sentiment Wang Pangzi echoed, describing her as sly, like a "pitcher plant" that "only tells a half truth" and "will rip you off behind your back." A Ning, listening in via intercom, retorted that Wang Pangzi was "definitely not on my list." She then summoned them to the deck. On deck, Wu Xie pressed A Ning about the discrepancy between a "shipwreck" and an "underwater tomb."
A Ning explained that Wu San Xing had come to them with information from Wu Xie's grandfather's notebook, which mentioned an underwater tomb. Wu San Xing's archaeological team had previously located the tomb, but an incident prevented its excavation, and the information was then sealed away.
Wu Xie deduced that A Ning had lied about the "legal formality" and was using an ordinary fishing boat as a rescue vessel because "border guards noticed" their activities, forcing them to disguise their operation. A Ning dismissed these as "trivial matters," emphasizing that finding Wu San Xing was paramount. As they spoke, Consultant Zhang Hao, accompanied by the captain, joined them. Zhang Hao immediately voiced his concern about the ship, declaring, "This boat won't work!"
and that it was "too old and too small," warning it might "overturn" in a storm. Wang Pangzi quickly shut him down, calling him a "foul mouth, Mister Jinx." A Ning introduced Zhang Hao as an "expert of ocean ruins," though Zhang Hao modestly downplayed his achievements. Zhang Hao, a bald man, was overly enthusiastic, praising Wu Xie as a "promising young man" and admiring his expensive watch. Soon, the weather turned, and a fierce storm engulfed the ship.
Crew members struggled to secure ropes and items. Zhang Hao's predictions came true as the boat was battered by waves, and one of its motors broke down. The captain ordered the radio to be fixed to send a distress signal. Wang Pangzi, in a fit of frustration, shouted at the ocean and was knocked unconscious by a massive wave. Wu Xie and A Ning rushed him to the cabin. Suddenly, a strange sound caught their attention.
Peeking outside, they saw a "ghost ship" looming in the stormy darkness. A Ning warned Wu Xie not to look directly at it or react if anything touched him, claiming there was no such thing as a ghost ship. Despite his skepticism, Wu Xie watched its reflection in the cabin glass, growing curious. As the two ships drew closer, a pair of strange, hand-like objects detached from the ghost ship and latched onto A Ning's shoulder.
Wang Pangzi, now somewhat coherent, tried to hit the hands, but inadvertently knocked A Ning overboard, onto the ghost ship. Ignoring the crew's attempts to restrain him and Wang Pangzi's desperate pleas, Wu Xie insisted, "We have to save her! We came together, we must go back together." He climbed across to the ghost ship using a rope, but the deck planks gave way, sending him and A Ning plunging into the ship's interior.
Inside the ghost ship's cabin, the strange hands that had gripped A Ning disappeared. Wu Xie noted the thick rust, deducing the ship had been floating on the sea for over a decade rather than sinking. He then discovered a "Notebook" titled "Archaeological Records of the Paracel Reefs," dated "July 1984, from Wu San Xing to Chen Wen Jin." Just then, the peculiar hands reappeared, grabbing A Ning again and forcing open a hatch.
A terrifying "sea monkey" emerged from the depths. Wu Xie desperately dragged the unconscious A Ning back as the monster advanced. In a critical moment, Consultant Zhang Hao arrived, identifying the creature and engaging it in a fierce battle, eventually driving the sea monkey away. Zhang Hao carried A Ning, and with Wu Xie, they returned to their original boat. The captain noticed the strange hands still clamped around Wu Xie's neck.
He swiftly removed them using a knife and a sprinkle of cow hair, identifying them as a "human-faced tumor." A Ning, though shaken, was deemed fine and taken to rest. Later, Wang Pangzi, recovering from his head injury, offered to take watch in two hours, but Wu Xie, still wired from the night's events, insisted he was too "hyper" to sleep and would watch.
Wu Xie mused that Consultant Zhang Hao was "very strange indeed," and A Ning was "hiding a lot of stuff." The next morning, Wu Xie sat on the deck, engrossed in the notebook he found on the ghost ship. He saw the names "Chen Wen Jin" and "Wu San Xing," and a list of members for the July 1984 expedition, including "Zhang Qiling" (Zhang Qiling) and "Xie Lian Huan."
He remembered a childhood incident where Wu San Xing left home, promising to bring back good food and explaining he was going to meet "Aunt Wen Jin," who would soon be his "aunt-to-be" and "bear many brothers and sisters" for Wu Xie to play with. Wu Xie found himself wondering if "Zhang Qiling" in the notebook was the mysterious Little Master, and whether Zhang Hao's fighting prowess against the sea monkey mirrored his.
A Ning approached, and Wu Xie quickly concealed the notebook. She thanked him for saving her, but Wu Xie credited Zhang Hao and pressed her for the full truth about why he was there. A Ning finally admitted that while Wu San Xing's ship was genuinely missing, they had discovered a crucial clue: three hours before its disappearance, he had successfully located the underwater tomb and was preparing to enter.
They suspected the research ship had either been hijacked by pirates or, more disturbingly, that Wu San Xing had orchestrated his own disappearance to "do it on his own." A Ning shared that Wu San Xing had once mentioned the tomb contained a "certain amount of oxygen" that could sustain life, leading her to believe he "knew this tomb too well" and "must've been there before."
Wu Xie vehemently rejected the idea of his uncle betraying their collaboration, but A Ning chillingly retorted with the same phrase Wu Xie had heard in his dreams: "How could you let Xie Lian Huan down? How could you let Xie family down? Impudent child!"
Episode 2 Recap
Wu Xie was plagued by frequent, vivid nightmares, feeling an impending sense of doom. In one dream, he wandered alone through a tomb with a flashlight until he heard a strange noise. Turning to investigate, he discovered his Uncle San Xing, whose face immediately changed. His uncle warned him not to meddle in his affairs and even tried to kill him before Wang Pangzi woke Wu Xie from the terrifying dream.
Wang Pangzi playfully chided Wu Xie for his nightmares, suggesting he was overthinking things and that mysteries would eventually unravel. Later, while they were eating, A Ning approached them. She mentioned that Uncle San Xing had located the sunken ship and the tomb, and they would be relying on Wu Xie once they were underwater.
Wu Xie downplayed his knowledge, claiming he had only done some research out of archaeological interest, but assured A Ning he would do his best for his uncle's sake. Wang Pangzi, in a jovial mood, even tried to offer "Baldy" (Zhang Qiling) some beer he'd "traded with meat," calling it a "beer culture exchange." A Ning then asked for their professional advice on the upcoming dive.
Wu Xie reassured them that any traps in an underwater tomb, being old and submerged, would likely be damaged and ineffective, as the very act of building a tomb underwater served as its primary defense in ancient times. While Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi prepared their gear for the dive, A Ning discreetly contacted her boss. She reported that everything was proceeding as planned and the crucial phase was approaching.
Her boss instructed her to monitor Wu Xie closely, as the Wu family was known to be cunning, and warned her not to let him get out of control. A Ning then mentioned her unease about "Consultant Zhang," finding him strange. Her boss decisively ordered her to eliminate Consultant Zhang if he posed any threat to their operation, reminding her that her safety was paramount as she was his most valuable asset.
The ship eventually reached its designated location, and the team prepared to dive. They successfully located the looters' hole, marked by Uncle San Xing, leading to the sunken ship's tomb. After a thorough equipment check, they entered the dark, deep tunnel. As they slowly advanced, they passed numerous large, grotesque statues. Wu Xie keenly observed that the statues' eyes were progressively opening. Further along, he discovered a wall covered in hair.
When he cautiously reached out to touch it, the hair surprisingly retracted, startling him. Suddenly, a hidden door in the wall opened to reveal a skull, and the group found themselves under attack from unseen forces, caught between an unknown assailant in front and behind. In a state of panic, they scrambled towards the entrance. A long-haired woman in white appeared behind them, escalating their fear. Amidst the chaos, Zhang Qiling activated a mechanism.
A massive whirlpool immediately engulfed them, dragging everyone into a submerged, ancient tomb built on land. To their surprise, the air inside was breathable, allowing them to remove their oxygen tanks. They found themselves in a side chamber filled with various artifacts. Zhang Qiling spotted a series of footprints on the ground.
Wang Pangzi speculated they might belong to Uncle San Xing, but Wu Xie noticed they were fresh and, upon closer inspection, smelled of corpse wax, indicating the presence of a zombie. He also pointed out that the footprints only led in one direction, with no returning prints. A large burial urn in a corner suddenly moved, drawing their attention. Upon inspection, it was empty. Next to it, they found an open infant's coffin, also empty.
Wang Pangzi excitedly deduced it was a child sacrifice and hoped for valuables like luminous pearls. Wu Xie, however, noted the coffin's unusual design and urged Wang Pangzi to leave it, while A Ning reminded them they were there to find the main chamber, not pilfer grave goods. Just as they considered leaving, the urn began to roll again.
Wang Pangzi, wanting to deal with it, was stopped by Wu Xie, who identified it as a Ming dynasty artifact and warned against damaging cultural relics. The urn continued to roll, seemingly guiding them through a passageway to a wider area. Wu Xie noted that such passages typically contained traps, but the doors ahead were already open. He reasoned that if Uncle San Xing had truly been there before, all the traps should have been triggered or disarmed.
He led the group, carefully avoiding potential traps. However, A Ning deliberately stepped on a mechanism, triggering a volley of arrows. As arrows rained down, Zhang Qiling chased the rolling urn into a newly opened door. A Ning, shockingly, grabbed Wu Xie and used him as a human shield against the arrows. Wang Pangzi yelled at her to release Wu Xie. A Ning then shoved the injured Wu Xie aside and slipped through the closing door.
Wang Pangzi, in an attempt to help Wu Xie, was also struck by several arrows. To their astonishment, neither Wu Xie nor Wang Pangzi felt any pain, despite being hit by many arrows, and they weren't bleeding. Wu Xie realized the arrows had lotus tips, designed to deter rather than kill, suggesting the tomb owner's intent was to scare intruders away, not murder them. Zhang Qiling then returned, informing them that A Ning had intentionally triggered the trap.
He then pulled off his disguise, revealing himself to be Zhang Qiling, whom Wang Pangzi had previously called "Dummy Zhang," expressing his disbelief at being deceived. Wu Xie pondered A Ning's motives: if she was capable enough to explore the tomb alone, why go to such lengths to involve them? He concluded she had abandoned them to pursue something she wanted to keep secret.
Wang Pangzi believed A Ning had learned a secret about the underwater tomb from Uncle San Xing and was now trying to monopolize a precious treasure. He wanted to chase her, but Zhang Qiling suggested they go to a chamber on the left. Wu Xie convinced Wang Pangzi to follow Zhang Qiling's lead. However, when they returned for their oxygen tanks, they realized they had entered a completely different room.
The infant's coffin and other burial objects were gone, and the layout had changed. Wu Xie found it highly unsettling, especially since there was supposedly only one way in and out. He questioned Zhang Qiling about it. Wang Pangzi then recounted A Ning's story: a group of tomb raiders had discovered the tomb while bombing shipwrecks near the Paracel Islands, but couldn't find an entry point.
An archaeological team later investigated, and Uncle San Xing joined a "second" archaeological expedition, believing a deceased member had entered the tomb, confirmed by the "Snake Eyebrow Bronze Fish" found with him. The team then discovered over forty enormous stone anchors nearby, the same ones they had seen on their way in.
Wu Xie recalled his grandfather's notes mentioning the "Snake Eyebrow Bronze Fish" and a period when his grandfather had confined and scolded Uncle San Xing after a long absence, making him more certain Uncle San Xing had been to this place. Yet, this still didn't explain the sudden change in the side chamber.
As Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi discussed, Zhang Qiling, who had been intently examining the room, confirmed with certainty that he had been to this tomb before, though he couldn't remember the details.
Episode 3 Recap
Zhang Qiling revealed that he had been to this place before, but he couldn't recall the details due to amnesia, stating that his name should be on the list of archaeologists. Wang Pangzi expressed skepticism, pointing out that the archaeology team was formed decades ago, which would make Zhang Qiling similar in age to Wu Xie's Uncle San Xing. Zhang Qiling also wanted to understand the reason behind this.
When Wu Xie asked about his memories of the underwater tomb, Zhang Qiling recounted past events. He recalled that he, Wu Sansheng, and others had ventured into the underwater tomb. During that expedition, a team member named Xie Lianhuan had gone missing. Later, his body was discovered on a rock.
As the body could not be preserved at sea, one person was tasked with taking it back to shore for the funeral, while the rest of the team stayed behind with their gear and food to continue exploring the tomb. They encountered a sea monkey as they entered the tomb. Inside, a strong, pleasant fragrance permeated the air, making everyone feel remarkably comfortable.
When Wu Xie asked what happened next, Zhang Qiling stated that he remembered nothing after smelling the pervasive aroma. Wang Pangzi interjected, suggesting they were likely hypnotized by the Bone Scent of the Forbidden Maiden. This reminded Wu Xie that Uncle San Xing had once warned him to stay away from the Forbidden Maiden's Bone Scent, as even a whiff could induce a death-like sleep.
Uncle San Xing had recounted how everyone in the tomb fell asleep, and when he awoke, he found himself alone, with all their belongings gone, except for a single coffin. Suddenly, a hand reached out from the coffin to grab him. He struggled free and swam with all his might back to shore, where he was rescued by a passing fishing boat. Uncle San Xing also told young Wu Xie not to follow his dangerous path.
Wu Xie wondered if his uncle's story referred to this very sea. As they discussed their current predicament, Wu Xie connected their situation to an "elevator" concept, inspired by Wang Pangzi's analogy of a moving stage. He theorized that their side chamber moved up and down, suggesting there might be identical chambers above or below it. This mechanism would explain why their oxygen cylinders were missing when they returned to what they thought was the same spot.
Wang Pangzi proposed waiting in the passage for the chamber to shift back so they could retrieve their oxygen tanks. However, Zhang Qiling pointed out a flaw in Wu Xie's Uncle San Xing's story: if Uncle San Xing had merely fallen asleep "inside" the side chamber and not exited into the passage, its movement shouldn't have changed his location. Wu Xie was concerned about the unpredictable cycle of the chamber's movement.
With oxygen levels dwindling, the trio decided to wait in the passage for the chamber to reset and retrieve their oxygen cylinders. They soon found themselves in a symmetrical side chamber containing an impressively grand coffin made of Phoebe Zhennan wood. Zhang Qiling believed this was the same coffin Uncle San Xing had seen upon waking. While Wang Pangzi admired its magnificence, Wu Xie noticed the peculiar feng shui of the tomb, describing the mechanisms and traps as mere "pranks."
Zhang Qiling, without hesitation, drew a small knife to pry open the coffin. Wang Pangzi, however, insisted on adhering to the old rules, which dictated lighting a candle before opening a coffin. As Wang Pangzi lit a candle, he spotted a cat's skeleton in a corner. Wu Xie cautioned them that the tomb's feng shui was reversed, meaning forbidden items were deliberately placed within.
Zhang Qiling then opened the coffin, revealing a grotesque female corpse with one head and twelve hands, emitting an unbearable stench. Zhang Qiling quickly discerned that it was a single, deformed human insect, not multiple bodies, due to the single head and the arrangement of the limbs. The coffin was filled with water, so Wang Pangzi and Wu Xie ventured into an adjacent room to find porcelain vessels to scoop it out.
In the adjacent room, Wu Xie became fascinated by the porcelain vessels, which depicted people working on a large construction project. He noted that the arrangement of the vases mirrored the construction's progress, but the architectural style was not from the Central Plain. When he turned to ask Wang Pangzi for his insights, he realized Wang Pangzi had already left.
Wu Xie, now alone and holding a porcelain vase, discovered that the door through which he entered had vanished, indicating another shift in the moving chambers. He tried to calm himself, rationalizing that the door moved frequently and would likely return. Meanwhile, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling had successfully scooped the water out of the coffin and moved the female corpse onto the floor. They heard a cat's meow and realized the cat skeleton they had seen earlier was gone.
Noticing Wu Xie's prolonged absence, they checked the door and found it sealed. As they struggled to move the coffin, which was inexplicably heavy because it was glued to the base with rosin, they observed the female corpse's belly begin to pulsate. After finally shifting the coffin, they discovered a looter's tunnel underneath it. When they looked back at the female corpse, it suddenly extended a hand and grabbed Zhang Qiling's arm.
Wang Pangzi quickly fired his air gun at it, and both men immediately retreated into the looter's tunnel. Back in his chamber, a tense Wu Xie, trying to calm himself with calculations and the theory of relativity, saw a monster—likely the reanimated cat or a sea monkey—crawling towards him. Terrified, he scrambled into another side chamber. Just as he caught his breath, the monster's hand reached up from beneath and grabbed his foot.
Wu Xie quickly pulled out his knife and stabbed it, forcing the creature to release him. In this new chamber, which he identified as the left hall, Wu Xie discovered a coffin shaped like a bathtub. Recognizing this "basin coffin" as a style from the Warring States period, he began to doubt that this was indeed a Ming Dynasty tomb, as initially believed. He pondered the purpose of such a design and the vast amount of water channeled into this deep, elevator-like tomb.
Episode 4 Recap
Wu Xie, having just discovered a basin-like coffin from the Warring States Period, questioned whether the tomb they were in belonged to the Ming Dynasty or the Warring States. He recalled the Seven Star Lu King Palace, another tomb from the Warring States Period, and noted that snake-browed copper fish were found in both, making him wonder about their connection. His confusion deepened when he found a porcelain jar depicting officials in Ming dynasty uniforms inspecting a construction project.
A strange sound from the water preceded Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling emerging from below. Wu Xie immediately noticed a black mark on Zhang Qiling's arm. Zhang Qiling explained it was from a white-haired Drought Demon that had pulled him. Wang Pangzi asked why he hadn't killed the creature. Zhang Qiling clarified that beheading it would release large amounts of ptomaine, and given their limited oxygen, it wasn't a practical course of action.
Wu Xie then acknowledged his previous analysis about an elevator-like mechanism being incorrect, a fact Wang Pangzi confirmed they had already deduced from the looting hole they had used. Wu Xie presented the porcelain jar, pointing out the Ming dynasty official uniform. He theorized that the tomb owner was either a noble or a highly respected architect from the early Ming Dynasty, skilled in feng shui and geomancy, capable of constructing such an elaborate underwater tomb.
He identified Wang Zang Hai, famous for designing the Ming Imperial Palace and several major cities, as the most probable architect. Wu Xie speculated that the pond served as an exit, noting that the looting hole connected to it and another under the coffin, suggesting the original tunnel driller was quite unlucky. As the water in the pond receded, the group saw a staircase and a monument in the distance.
Descending the dark and foggy stairs, Wang Pangzi spotted carvings on the wall, specifically English acronyms. Wu Xie speculated that they were carved urgently by an archeological team member 20 to 30 years ago, not a foreigner, as Chinese characters are more difficult to carve quickly. Wu Xie expressed concern about the water level rising again and suggested going back up due to the danger of being caught by a sudden surge, but Wang Pangzi dismissed his worries.
Zhang Qiling, after intently studying the English carvings, announced that he believed he had been there before. He then walked further into the water without explanation, ignoring Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi's calls. As they followed, Zhang Qiling warned them about hidden holes beneath the water after Wang Pangzi accidentally stepped into one. Zhang Qiling paused in front of a Sea-calming monkey statue. Wang Pangzi asked Wu Xie to translate the inscription on the accompanying monument.
Wu Xie read that the tomb owner had constructed a Heavenly Palace, and its entrance was concealed within the stone monument, accessible only to the "right person." Wu Xie interpreted this as an allegory, suggesting the palace and its door were metaphors, but confirming a hidden secret. Wang Pangzi discovered old diving equipment, prompting Wu Xie to question if previous explorers had genuinely entered the Heavenly Palace through the monument.
Concerned about rising water levels, Wu Xie urged them to go back up, especially after hearing another strange sound from the water. They realized Zhang Qiling had moved away and found him standing motionless in front of the monument. When asked what was wrong, Zhang Qiling simply repeated, "I think I had been here before."
Zhang Qiling's memories then vividly resurfaced, transporting him back to a previous expedition in the underwater tomb with Wu Sansheng and other archeological team members, including Wen Jin, Huo Ling, Zhou Yuan, and Xu Qiang. In a side chamber, Wu Sansheng was asleep, and Wen Jin ensured he remained undisturbed. The team discovered unique symbols on the bases of porcelain artifacts. Two team members debated their meaning—whether they were Ming porcelain markings or identity inscriptions.
Zhang Qiling was asked to examine them. Wu Xie, in the present, added that he too had noticed these symbols earlier, realizing they were not mere decorations but a systematic coding, and that the paintings on the porcelains, some depicting a "palace in the heaven" or a Taoist priest, must hold a significant purpose.
He recalled the legend of Zhu Yuanzhang commissioning Wang Zang Hai to build an extraordinary palace, which Wang Zang Hai allegedly accomplished by creating a magnificent illusion of a Heavenly Palace using a giant kite. Wu Xie then pressed Zhang Qiling to continue his recollection of events. Believing more clues lay within the coffin in the rear hall, Zhang Qiling proposed they continue their exploration.
Wen Jin initially resisted, arguing that they shouldn't proceed without Wu Sansheng, who was exhausted and sleeping. However, Zhang Qiling asserted his ability to manage, and with the rest of the team agreeing to follow, Wen Jin conceded. They collectively decided against waking Wu Sansheng, fearing he would argue with Zhang Qiling, and resolved to return as quickly as possible, leaving him behind to sleep. The group reached the Sea-calming monkey statue, a place Zhang Qiling seemed particularly drawn to.
While some of the team initially mistook illusions caused by metal particles in the fog for monsters, Wen Jin assured them that the tomb's good feng shui prevented such entities. As they prepared to leave, Zhang Qiling stood motionless atop the statue, staring intently. Wen Jin approached him, but he indicated for her to look ahead. To their shock, they saw Wu Sansheng, seemingly in a trance, combing his hair in a mirror.
Huo Ling attempted to intervene, but Wu Sansheng violently pushed her aside before fleeing into a hidden door. The stone door then abruptly closed behind him. Zhang Qiling observed that behind the closed door, another layer of wall was slowly rotating. Zhang Qiling elaborated that the entire pond was a massive trap, and behind the closed door, another wall was slowly rotating.
He theorized that the mechanism operated on the simplest principles, likely harnessing the movement of the tides to ensure its longevity. He then revealed he had found eight such trapdoors. Wu Xie identified this complex system as "Qimen Dunjia," also known as the "Eight Formations," a military strategy and numerology study with a long history.
He explained that Qimen Dunjia consisted of eight gates: prosperity, pleasure, life, death, fright, injury, shelter, and visionary, with only the "Life Gate" offering a safe passage, while the "Death Gates" led to demise or other cycles of eight gates. Wang Pangzi, frustrated, demanded to know which door was the exit, but Wu Xie admitted he couldn't tell, as the constant rotation of the walls made it impossible to discern the Life Gate from the Death Gates.
Wang Pangzi, seeking answers, turned to Zhang Qiling. Zhang Qiling recalled that Wen Jin had deduced the true meaning of Wu Sansheng's actions. He hadn't been combing his hair; instead, by touching his sideburns while looking in the mirror, he was subtly adjusting the angle and height of a hidden mechanism within the monument. This mechanism, which moved in sync with the rotating wall, would point to the "Life Gate," or the true exit.
Following this revelation, the group entered through the indicated Life Gate, leading them into a pathway towards what was described as the "Cloud-Top Heavenly Palace." During their journey through the channel, Wen Jin experienced a strange sensation of something touching her neck, though she saw nothing upon looking.
Finally, they arrived at the Cloud-Top Heavenly Palace, a magnificent and opulent sight that left the entire team in awe, captivated by its grandeur, the Phoebe Zhennan logs, and the luminous pearls adorning it.
Episode 5 Recap
The group entered the main tomb chamber, immediately struck by the dazzling sight of golden Phoebe Zhennan wood and dozens of massive luminous pearls embedded in a star chart of 50 stars. One team member exclaimed it was "paradise," and another added that the tomb owner must be "filthy rich," creating "endless new discoveries known to history." He eagerly anticipated the world being "shocked" when they found the "Sky Palace."
Soon after, a team member climbed onto a model of what appeared to be the Sky Palace, where he discovered a dry corpse. Zhang Qiling calmly approached the corpse and began examining it with practiced tomb raiding techniques. Wen Jin confronted him, demanding to know his true identity, how he was so familiar with such methods, and his motive for joining the archaeological team.
Zhang Qiling simply replied that "it doesn't matter who I am" and urged her to observe the anomaly within the corpse. Suddenly, the dry corpse's surface ruptured, and after a brief tremor, a complete mural appeared on a nearby wall. Zhang Qiling explained that it was a "shadow painting," formed by light shining on the wall from a specific angle, interacting with carvings.
It depicted the "situation before the Sky Palace was completed," showing a palace built on a "very steep mountain," enveloped in mist as if "floating on clouds," resembling a snow mountain. The mural further illustrated how a shadoof was used to pull a coffin up the mountain for a funeral procession, confirming that the "Sky Palace is actually a mausoleum."
The mausoleum guards were shown setting the boardwalk on fire after the ceremony, destroying the only way in and out, implying they "lived and died with the mausoleum." The mural concluded by depicting a massive avalanche burying the entire mountain, turning it into a "real graveyard." Another team member lamented the cruel twist of fate, but Wen Jin confidently declared that with future technological advancements, they would "one day" find the Sky Palace again.
While everyone was still processing these revelations, a female team member screamed, having spotted a man, whom she identified as Wu Sansheng, in the adjacent tomb door. Hesitantly, the group moved toward the door. As they walked, water began dripping from the ceiling. Zhang Qiling quickly covered his mouth and nose, but one by one, the other team members collapsed. As Zhang Qiling himself lost consciousness, he saw Wu Sansheng standing before them, smiling eerily.
He later awoke in a hospital, suffering from complete amnesia; he couldn't remember anything about the underwater tomb, nor even his own identity. Months passed before he recalled fragmented memories, and years later, he noticed something was wrong with his body. Three months prior, he encountered Wu Sansheng, who looked familiar. Seeking answers about himself, Zhang Qiling followed Wu Sansheng to King Lu's Seven Stars Palace, where he uncovered "something fishy" about Wu Xie's uncle.
Wu Xie expressed disbelief at Zhang Qiling's story, suggesting that the "traps and scent" in the tomb might have caused him to hallucinate, and the person he saw before passing out was likely not his uncle. Zhang Qiling calmly countered that the golden silk book Wu Xie had retrieved from the copper coffin was "fake," the real one having been "taken by your uncle."
He elaborated that Wu Sansheng and Da Kui had "dug a tunnel from behind a tree to the bottom of the coffin," a maneuver that was "also the reason why Da Kui had to die." Wu Xie recalled a dream of his uncle killing a companion, but dismissed it as "only a dream." Zhang Qiling pressed him to consider "how many things have your uncle hid from you or lied to you" and "how many suspicious things" he had noticed.
Wu Xie staunchly defended his uncle, stating, "He would never hurt me!" Zhang Qiling responded cryptically, "If he really was your uncle, for sure he won't hurt you. But. . ." His sentence was cut short by Wang Pangzi, who interjected, "What is the point of you guys talking about this now? It doesn't matter who's telling the truth. It only matters if we get out of here."
Wang Pangzi then declared his intention to "get dolled up," believing it might help them escape. As Wang Pangzi began comically posing in front of a mirror, mimicking the "Forbidden Maiden," A Ning appeared in the tomb door, searching with her flashlight. Zhang Qiling, ignoring Wang Pangzi, walked to a stone stele and performed a ritual, which soon caused another tomb door to open.
Wang Pangzi, still engrossed in his performance, mistakenly took credit for opening the door, exclaiming, "I've got it right!" He then shared his strategic thinking, outlining three potential escape routes: returning the way they came (risky due to shifting chambers), using a secret passage to the sea (too deep without oxygen tanks), or digging their way out, which he calculated was feasible given the ceiling height of the Sky Palace model room.
As they cautiously entered the newly opened tomb door, Wang Pangzi immediately complained about the "narrow" passage, lamenting that it felt like "an elephant passing through the eye of a needle." Wu Xie explained that such narrow spaces were typical for shipwreck tombs, designed to save space. However, as they proceeded, Wang Pangzi suddenly got stuck. Wu Xie quickly realized that the passage was "getting narrower!" With no way to turn back, Zhang Qiling urged everyone to "start climbing!"
Wu Xie and Zhang Qiling, agile, swiftly ascended, while Wang Pangzi, due to his size, barely made it to the top as the walls threatened to crush him. Reaching a narrow passage at the top, they discovered a chilling inscription on the wall: "Wu San Xing pushed me to the wall and I died unjustly. God is my witness. Xie Lian Huan." Wu Xie was stunned, asking, "Who is Xie Lian Huan? Why did Uncle San Xing hurt him?"
Zhang Qiling identified Xie Lianhuan as a member of the archaeological team who had "died on the beach." Zhang Qiling then recalled that Xie Lianhuan had wanted to join the team because he was "commissioned by a foreigner." In a flashback, Wu Sansheng confronted Xie Lianhuan about how he knew about the "blood zombie tomb," and Xie Lianhuan revealed that "Qiu Dekao took me there."
Xie Lianhuan explained that Qiu Dekao had asked him to do something in the sensitive Paracel Islands, and joining the archaeological team was the most convenient way to get there, promising that his presence "won't create any trouble for Wen Jin."
Admiring Xie Lianhuan's zigzag upward tunnel for its safety against landslides, Wu Xie concluded that the path they had taken earlier must have been the "gate of death," not the "gate of life," suggesting the monument's mark had been altered. Zhang Qiling hypothesized that Xie Lianhuan and Wu Sansheng, knowing each other and concealing their connection, had secretly "dived in the underwater tomb" after Xie Lianhuan discovered the entrance.
He further speculated that Wu Sansheng then abandoned Xie Lianhuan, leading to Xie Lianhuan writing the blood message. Xie Lianhuan, discovering the wall was hollow, then "used the tools he had to dig a tunnel here and saved his own life." However, Zhang Qiling concluded that Xie Lianhuan still "ended up dying on the beach" because, after his escape, he sought out Wu Sansheng, only to be killed by him.
Episode 6 Recap
Zhang Qiling speculated that after Xie Lian Huan escaped, he might have sought out Wu Sansheng, who then killed him, leading to Xie Lian Huan's body being found on the reef. He offered another possibility: Xie Lian Huan's death was accidental, especially since his oxygen tank was missing when he was discovered. Zhang Qiling further theorized that after Xie Lian Huan's body was retrieved, his archaeological team used rubber boats to continue their work on the reef.
However, a sudden storm forced them to seek refuge in the underwater tomb, which contained air, to wait out the bad weather. This unexpected turn of events altered Wu Sansheng's original plan, which explained why Wu Sansheng secretly led the team into the chamber with the Heavenly Palace model and later knocked them unconscious in the passage. Zhang Qiling believed that if any of those people were still alive, they would have lost their memories, just like him.
Wu Xie vehemently disagreed with Zhang Qiling's hypothesis, accusing him of portraying Wu Sansheng as a calculating and malicious monster. He firmly believed that his uncle was merely a young man with limited experience at the time, and given Chen Wen Jin was also with them, Wu Sansheng would never harm her. Wu Xie suspected that Zhang Qiling's memories were flawed. Zhang Qiling continued his reconstruction of past events, theorizing how Wu Sansheng and Xie Lian Huan explored the tomb.
They came across a strangely sculpted human figure on a coffin, looking as if it were screaming in agony from torture. Wu Sansheng identified it as a "Whistle Coffin," designed to deceive grave robbers. He explained that something terrible, possibly a zombie or demon, was sealed inside with molten iron, leaving only a small hole. Anyone reaching in for treasure would have their hand trapped and would have to sever it to survive.
Wu Sansheng warned Xie Lian Huan to only look and not touch. Defying the warning, Xie Lian Huan threw a burning kindling into the hole to get a better view, causing the contents inside to catch fire. Panicked, and without water, Xie Lian Huan urinated into the hole to extinguish the flames. Wu Sansheng chastised him, declaring that Xie Lian Huan had now made an enemy of whatever was inside.
Feeling through the hole, Wu Sansheng found a jade ring, which he speculated was a tongue-weight. He tried to retrieve it, only to realize it was a trap that activated something ominous. Wu Sansheng went to investigate another area, but upon his return, he found Xie Lian Huan unconscious with distinct marks on his neck. Suddenly, a black-clad figure attacked Wu Sansheng from behind. After a fierce struggle, Wu Sansheng managed to drive the attacker into the water.
He then discovered that both his and Xie Lian Huan's oxygen tanks had been opened and were nearly depleted. Recognizing that his own stamina was superior, Wu Sansheng made the difficult decision to take the remaining oxygen and leave to get help, vowing to return for Xie Lian Huan immediately. Wu Xie acknowledged that Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi might view his uncle as a villain, but for him, Wu Sansheng was a simpler man.
He felt relieved by Zhang Qiling's theories, interpreting them as proof that his uncle was a good person, despite Zhang Qiling's initial assumptions. Wu Xie admitted his uncle was boastful and somewhat unreliable in his youth, recounting a time when Wu Sansheng tied him to a tree to go out with a friend, resulting in Wu Xie suffering from heatstroke and his grandfather beating Wu Sansheng.
However, Wu Xie noted that at some point, his uncle became more reserved, spending less time at home and communicating less with family, yet in Wu Xie's heart, he remained the same young man. Wu Xie promised that once he found his uncle, he would get all the answers to clarify the truth for Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi. Suddenly, Wang Pangzi complained of an intense itch where the lotus arrows had struck him.
Wu Xie lifted his shirt to check, revealing a red, irritated patch. Zhang Qiling noted there was something peculiar about the lotus arrows. Wu Xie remarked that he too had been shot and felt itchy earlier in the side chamber, but the sensation had passed. Wu Xie then applied a "lotion" to Wang Pangzi's back, which surprisingly and immediately relieved the itching. Wang Pangzi excitedly asked for the brand of the lotion.
As the trio continued their journey, Wu Xie discovered his neck was wet and fragrant. He reached back and grabbed something black and hairy from his neck, which he quickly threw at the wall, only for it to suddenly expand. A strange woman then appeared, tightly wrapped him in her body, and tried to kiss him. Wang Pangzi dismissed it as Wu Xie having "wet dreams," but Zhang Qiling quickly shone his flashlight, snapping Wu Xie back to reality.
Wu Xie insisted it was not a dream, pointing to the dampness on his neck. Just as Wang Pangzi turned around, the woman reappeared, clinging to him. Zhang Qiling confirmed he saw her. The three of them fought the entity, eventually forcing her back with fire. Zhang Qiling identified the creature as a Forbidden Maiden, a poisonous jellyfish-like entity with hair-like tentacles that induces hallucinations upon contact.
Shaken by the encounter, the three men, still on edge, desperately searched for an exit. Wu Xie spotted an opening and, momentarily distracted, was suddenly pulled upwards. Zhang Qiling immediately pursued him. A large Sea Monkey then appeared, attacking them. Zhang Qiling, remaining calm, swiftly and decisively defeated the creature. Unbeknownst to them, A Ning had been observing their actions from a distance and quietly departed.
Relieved, the trio looked around, astonished to find themselves in a chamber containing a magnificent model of a Heavenly Palace, realizing they had reached the highest point of the underwater tomb. Wu Xie used his flashlight to examine the model, discovering a mummified body in the center.
Wang Pangzi speculated it might be the tomb owner, Wang Zang Hai, but Wu Xie pointed out Wang Zang Hai was a Taoist feng shui master, not a monk, and would not typically be mummified in such a way. Wang Pangzi countered that self-mummification was sometimes a man-made process, used by those fearing death and seeking eternal life, and perhaps Wang Zang Hai, like the Pharaohs, envisioned resurrection.
Wu Xie further observed that if this was indeed Wang Zang Hai, it was unusual for him to be hidden in an underwater tomb. Wang Pangzi dismissed this, stating that centuries-old bodies allowed for such speculation and their identity didn't matter. Meanwhile, A Ning entered another tomb chamber and made a video call to Qiu Dekao. Qiu Dekao was impressed that Wu Xie and his companions had reached the top level of the underwater tomb.
He instructed A Ning to continue leading Wu Xie down a dangerous path that would force Wu Sansheng's hand, believing Wu Sansheng would not risk Wu Xie's life and would eventually be compelled to cooperate, unless he was truly heartless. A Ning reported that she hadn't found the other two snake-browed copper fish. Qiu Dekao, unfazed, stated it was expected given Wang Zang Hai's cunning and the sheer number of tombs he built.
He told A Ning to focus solely on Wu Xie. As Qiu Dekao spoke, a shadow quickly moved behind A Ning on the video call, prompting him to shout a warning. Back in the main tomb chamber, Wu Xie, Zhang Qiling, and Wang Pangzi examined a mural on the wall, filled with rich information.
Wu Xie pointed out that the painting depicted Changbai Mountain, identifiable by its unique peaks, and suggested that by asking locals familiar with the area, they could pinpoint the exact location of the Heavenly Palace. However, he noted the formidable challenge of excavating it, as it was buried under centuries of snow, with soft frozen soil that could easily trigger an avalanche. Wang Pangzi confidently declared their "wild archaeology" would overcome such obstacles, asserting its practical superiority over theoretical studies.
Wu Xie retorted that tomb raiding was not archaeology. They then noticed that all the mourners in the mural were women, prompting them to ponder this unusual custom. Wu Xie expressed his desire to visit the Cloud Top Heavenly Palace. However, Zhang Qiling stated that for now, he had to set aside his curiosity about it because Uncle San Xing was still nowhere to be found.
Episode 7 Recap
Wu Xie, Zhang Qiling, and Wang Pangzi carefully examined a large mirror at the tomb's entrance, speculating on its purpose. Wang Pangzi, acting as a "wild archaeologist," proposed two possibilities. First, it could be a cover for hidden treasures, though Wu Xie found this method too simple. Second, it could be for feng shui, as mirrors are significant in the practice, possibly indicating a pathway for things to enter or exit, which Wu Xie sarcastically suggested meant ghosts.
Wang Pangzi quickly dismissed the idea of ghosts. Zhang Qiling then stated he needed to re-enter the tomb. Wu Xie strongly objected, reminding him of the danger he faced there previously. Zhang Qiling explained that for them, it might be an odd experience, but for him, it was a profound preoccupation. Wu Xie questioned if this preoccupation was more crucial than his life. Wang Pangzi interjected, noting Zhang Qiling's rare complete sentence indicated its importance.
Wu Xie, though hesitant, eventually agreed to go with Zhang Qiling, emphasizing that he wouldn't allow anything to happen to him. Wang Pangzi suggested they prepare food and oxygen before re-entering, but Wu Xie was determined to proceed. Soon after re-entering the passage, they encountered danger. Wu Xie suddenly seemed to be under an influence and ran ahead into the tunnel, leading Wang Pangzi to ask if he was possessed, forcing Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi to chase him.
Along the way, they discovered A Ning, trembling and hiding in a corner. Wu Xie initially suspected A Ning was faking, and having also felt dazed, he noticed a wound on her neck and realized she wasn't entirely coherent. Despite her usual cunning, Wu Xie proposed tying her up and sending her to the police.
Wang Pangzi immediately countered, pointing out that they lacked permits for the underwater tomb, while A Ning had them, making them the likely ones to be arrested. Zhang Qiling, observing A Ning's sluggish and slow reactions, confirmed that she was not pretending. Wang Pangzi then spotted a strange red "tree" through an open door, suggesting they investigate. Zhang Qiling led the way, with Wu Xie instructing Wang Pangzi to bring A Ning along.
Inside the chamber, a massive coral formation with numerous bells tied to it greeted them. Wang Pangzi's eyes lit up, believing he had found immense wealth, but Wu Xie quickly dampened his spirits, explaining that the coral itself was not valuable. Wang Pangzi then turned his attention to the bells, hoping they might be worth something.
Wu Xie observed the rusty bead lines, deducing they were brass, and recalled seeing similar bells on the king worm of the zombie turtle at King Lu's Palace. Those bells were known to delude people with their sound. Wu Xie noted that while the current bells resembled those, they emitted no scent.
He refuted Wang Pangzi's theory that Wang Zang Hai might have been a tomb raider or an architect who repurposed the bells, pointing out the absence of any tomb raiders' markings. He pondered where the source of the intoxicating scent Wu Xie had encountered in the tunnel might be, confirming it wasn't from these bells.
Wu Xie then asked Zhang Qiling about the fate of his archaeological team who had accompanied him on his previous mission, which visibly triggered painful memories for Zhang Qiling. Deciding there was nothing more of interest, the trio moved to the main hall to find an exit. Wu Xie confidently declared that due to the underwater setting, the tomb's ceiling must be arched to withstand pressure.
However, a quick scan with his flashlight revealed a flat ceiling, forcing him into a series of hasty, almost comedic, explanations about its sturdy, complex structure. Wu Xie then mused that if A Ning were conscious, she might have a hidden exit plan or stored oxygen cylinders. Wu Xie decided Wang Pangzi should lead the climb up a tall pillar to the ceiling to find an escape route.
Despite initial reluctance and concerns about the slippery surface, Wang Pangzi managed to ascend, followed by Wu Xie and Zhang Qiling. Upon reaching the top, Wu Xie realized the ceiling was an incredibly thick layer of reinforced concrete, almost impossible to break through with their current tools. He admitted his miscalculation, feeling responsible for their wasted effort. With only about 30 minutes until low tide, missing this window meant being trapped for another week, risking suffocation or starvation.
Wang Pangzi suggested retreating to their original entry point, hoping to find their oxygen tanks, but Wu Xie deemed it impossible to navigate the complex Qimen Dunjia formation and deal with the Forbidden Maiden in such a short time. Wu Xie then sincerely apologized to Zhang Qiling.
He confessed that his earlier skepticism about Zhang Qiling's memories in the looters' tunnel was a test, driven by a desire to protect his Uncle San Xing, and that he had neglected Zhang Qiling's feelings. He showed Zhang Qiling an old photograph from a broken ship, confirming Zhang Qiling's previous presence in the underwater tomb, and how everyone else had vanished except him. Wu Xie expressed his belief that Zhang Qiling, having survived before, could surely find a way out.
Seeing Zhang Qiling in pain from his surging memories, Wu Xie told him not to force himself. Suddenly, Zhang Qiling sprang into action, descending from the ceiling and making his way to the mummy they had previously discovered. Wu Xie realized Zhang Qiling had remembered a trap hidden within the mummy – an explosive device meant to deter disrespectful intruders. Wu Xie, however, suspected the mummy wasn't Wang Zang Hai's.
They worked together to secure the mummy, which contained the explosives, to a pillar on the reinforced ceiling. As Wang Pangzi prepared to ignite it with a throwing dagger, he made a lighthearted, yet respectful, apology to the "Mighty Tail Lord," asking for forgiveness. Just as he finished, Wang Pangzi noticed the mummy had grown a tail, a detail Zhang Qiling confirmed was not present earlier.
Before they could fully process this strange development, a sea monkey, which had seemingly inhabited the mummy, caused it to break free from its bindings. Zhang Qiling immediately moved to pursue the sea monkey, and in the process, accidentally triggered a mechanism that caused a loud explosion, blowing a hole in the ceiling during the low tide.
Wu Xie desperately pleaded with Zhang Qiling not to risk his life, but Zhang Qiling firmly stated that if the mummy exploded prematurely, everyone would die, and there was no time to lose. Water rapidly began to pour into the tomb. Wu Xie urged Wang Pangzi to take the unconscious A Ning and swim towards the newly created exit. As they made their escape, a Forbidden Maiden attacked A Ning.
Zhang Qiling swiftly intervened, touching the creature's head, which caused it to dissolve into a swarm of jellyfish. The three struggled against the rising water and swam to the surface. On reaching the shore, Wu Xie discovered Zhang Qiling was not with them. Overriding Wang Pangzi's pleas to stay safe, Wu Xie resolutely declared he could not leave Zhang Qiling behind and plunged back into the water to find him.
Wu Xie made his way back into the flooded tomb, only to find the escape route sealed once again by falling stones. As he frantically tried to clear the debris, a large hand from above hurled more stones at him. Wang Pangzi, having followed Wu Xie back into the water out of concern, intervened and pulled Wu Xie to safety. From a distance, Zhang Qiling observed the scene, then turned and swam away alone into the depths of the tomb.
Episode 8 Recap
Upon returning to shore, Wu Xie was determined to go back into the sea to rescue Zhang Qiling. Wang Pangzi, exasperated, urged him to prioritize his own safety. Soon after, Wu Xie realized A Ning was also missing and grew anxious, prompting Wang Pangzi to descend into the water to search for her. There, he discovered A Ning was fleeing alone on a boat.
Enraged, Wang Pangzi shouted at Wu Xie, highlighting that this was the person he had risked his life to save. Wu Xie was stunned by this revelation. Wu Xie gazed at the vast expanse of the ocean, realizing that Zhang Qiling might have also left on his own accord, just like A Ning. He then cried out, pleading with Zhang Qiling to stop playing games and to reveal himself if he had indeed surfaced.
Shortly after, a boat rumbled into view. Excited, the two men boarded it, only to find it deserted. A bowl of warm noodles on a table indicated that someone had been on board about half an hour earlier. In the helm station, Wu Xie found all the instruments and equipment functioning normally, ruling out a malfunction.
Wang Pangzi speculated that the people on board might have been apprehended by coast guards or attacked by pirates, but Wu Xie systematically dismissed both possibilities. A typhoon warning on the radio prompted them to immediately set sail to escape the approaching storm.
Wang Pangzi, despite not knowing how to sail, initially made a show of commanding Wu Xie, but eventually managed to navigate the ship to shore through trial and error, boasting about his supposed expertise as a "top rower" even as Wu Xie reminded him of treacherous submerged reefs. Once ashore, Wang Pangzi proudly produced a round stone, which Wu Xie initially mistook for a luminous pearl, much to Wang Pangzi's delight, as he dreamed of striking it rich.
However, upon closer inspection, Wu Xie scoffed, identifying it as a common apophyllite, worth no more than a meal, crushing Wang Pangzi's hopes. The two men checked into a hotel. Wang Pangzi continued to lament his worthless "luminous pearl" before asking Wu Xie what he had used to stop his itching earlier.
Wu Xie casually revealed it was his own blood, explaining that after accidentally ingesting "Kylin Jie" in King Lu's Seven Star Palace, his blood had changed and developed a unique anti-itch property. Seeing Wang Pangzi’s discomfort, he had applied his blood, which surprisingly proved effective. Wang Pangzi was deeply moved, recognizing their bond as "brothers for life," while Wu Xie acknowledged that both Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling had saved his life.
Meanwhile, A Ning, in a different hotel room, reflected on her past actions, from being rescued and then secretly fleeing. Feeling a pang of guilt, she had covertly purchased their original boat and sent it back for Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi. Later, A Ning communicated with her superior, Qiu Dekao, via a monitor. Qiu Dekao instructed her to return and delegate her tasks, but A Ning insisted on staying to fully understand the undersea tomb.
She shared her confusion about Wu Sansheng, whom she had seen departing for Hainan by boat twenty days prior, yet found no trace of him in the tomb. Qiu Dekao surmised that Wu Sansheng had likely already retrieved important artifacts. A Ning confirmed she possessed the crucial "snake-brow copper fish," but Qiu Dekao believed Wu Sansheng had obtained something even more significant.
A Ning expressed her admiration for Wu Xie, praising his kindness and willingness to selflessly rescue others, even at his own peril. Qiu Dekao, however, dismissed this as foolish, cautioning A Ning not to emulate him and to always prioritize her own safety. A Ning countered, maintaining that Wu Xie possessed a strong sense of righteousness and an unwavering kindness.
Qiu Dekao then noted Wu Xie's intense curiosity about his family's history, observing that the more things were hidden from him, the more determined he became to uncover them. Qiu Dekao concluded that they had successfully planted seeds of doubt in Wu Xie's mind, ensuring he would continue investigating Wu Sansheng and the undersea tomb, instructing A Ning to simply observe his progress.
While A Ning pondered Wu Xie's character, Wang Pangzi playfully teased Wu Xie, questioning if A Ning's deception meant there was a romantic history between them. Wu Xie dismissed the jests and instead, shared his suspicions about A Ning's intentions. He explained his family background, noting that his scholar grandfather and uncle, Wu Sansheng, were involved in the tomb-raiding industry, but his family always protected him as the only child.
He also reasoned that his uncle would never seek his help, preferring capable individuals like his businessman Uncle Er Bai. This led him to suspect that A Ning's claims about Wu Sansheng's disappearance in the undersea tomb were a trick. Ignoring the jests, Wu Xie then used his memory to meticulously draw a detailed map of the undersea tomb for Wang Pangzi.
He pointed out the mezzanine between the top floor and the tomb beneath, which he believed was where Wang Zang Hai kept his treasured beasts, from which the Forbidden Maiden and Sea Monkey must have escaped. He then expressed his bewilderment over Zhang Qiling's unchanging youthful appearance, contrasting it with the visible aging of the other members of the archaeology team.
He also brought up Huo Ling, who had claimed to have seen Wu Sansheng during the expedition, a claim Wu Xie now doubted. Wu Xie elaborated, recalling that Zhang Qiling and Chen Wen Jin had seen someone combing their hair by the monument, but only Huo Ling had approached and startled the individual, shouting Wu Sansheng's name. This led Wu Xie to suspect that the person Huo Ling saw might not have been Wu Sansheng at all.
They also discussed the archaeology team being comprised of successors of 'The Mystic Nine,' including Wu Sansheng, Xie Lian Huan, and potentially Huo Ling, questioning if it was an 'archeology team or a tomb raider team.' The two then pondered the mythical "Sky Palace," with Wang Pangzi questioning its reality and precise location on Changbai Mountain.
Wu Xie suggested that if murals they saw were real, the Sky Palace exists, but the identity of the person buried there was uncertain, noting their non-Ming Dynasty costumes suggesting a minority clan. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi eventually returned to Beijing, parting ways at the airport, unaware that Wu Sansheng was discreetly observing them from a distance. Wu Xie then went to Wu Sansheng’s shop, where he met Pan Zi.
Wu Xie inquired about Wu Sansheng's laptop, and as they searched, Pan Zi covertly sent a text message to Wu Sansheng, confirming that "Everything is done as ordered." They found a laptop, but it was not Wu Sansheng's old one. Pan Zi initially claimed Wu Sansheng had gone abroad for vacation over a month ago.
However, when Wu Xie mentioned that someone told him Wu Sansheng went missing in Hainan, Pan Zi then asserted that Wu Sansheng was definitely not in Hainan, despite being evasive about his actual whereabouts. Wu Xie pressed him further, asking if he could still get in touch with his uncle and if he had ever mentioned the Xisha undersea tomb, its sunken ship, Wang Zang Hai, or A Ning. Pan Zi feigned ignorance about the tomb, its sunken ship, or Wang Zang Hai, but confirmed he had heard of A Ning, revealing that her boss was named Qiu Dekao.
Episode 9 Recap
Wu Xie continued to be plagued by persistent nightmares, most recently encountering a terrifying "Forbidden Woman" that left him waking in a cold sweat. He reflected on his past adventures, recognizing that the thrilling experiences in ancient tombs had completely reshaped his understanding of archaic traps and geomancy. He realized that many of life's mysteries seemed inherently linked to these very tombs, solidifying his resolve to uncover their truths.
To aid his investigation, Wu Xie had asked a friend to gather information on an old photograph. His friend called to report results, noting that an online search for the image yielded only one entry, posted from Beijing. The photo depicted an archaeology team from decades ago, which included Wu Xie's uncle. The friend had found a surprisingly detailed list of team members, noting he had never seen such a comprehensive roster before.
This list was published by a user named "Island 701," whose last known activity was within the system of Taraxacum, an information technology headhunting company based in Hangzhou. Wu Xie summoned Wang Pangzi from Beijing to Hangzhou, where they embarked on a covert mission. Disguised as a business delegation, with Wang Pangzi posing as the boss of "Sunflower Turing Robot Development Company" and Wu Xie as its creative director, they sought out Xiao Yu at Taraxacum.
Wang Pangzi, perplexed, questioned the importance of "Island 701" compared to their previous focus on Wang Zang Hai and the Sky Palace. Wu Xie explained that "Island 701" was their only current lead. During their meeting, Xiao Yu was dismissive of their partnership proposal, stating that his company's business nature was misunderstood. Wu Xie then deliberately mentioned "Island 701," illustrating how such a unique term would be recorded in their big data and could be analyzed.
Xiao Yu's demeanor immediately hardened; he stated unequivocally that he could not provide what Wu Xie sought and that no cooperation was possible, then had them escorted out. Outside, Wang Pangzi expressed his frustration, questioning why Wu Xie had exposed their intentions by mentioning "Island 701." Wu Xie explained it was intentional, a test to observe Xiao Yu's reaction. He then showed Wang Pangzi the detailed name list provided by "Island 701," which included a name: Xiao Da.
Wu Xie deduced that Xiao Yu must be related to Xiao Da, and his strong reaction to "Island 701" confirmed this connection. Wu Xie believed Xiao Yu's reluctance to share information stemmed from deeply personal reasons, perhaps to protect his family. He dismissed Wang Pangzi, telling him he could return to Beijing, but Wang Pangzi, having just arrived that morning, protested being sent back so quickly.
Wu Xie then suggested Wang Pangzi stay in Hangzhou, offering to cover his expenses while he pursued another immediate plan. Later, Wu Xie secretly returned to Taraxacum and attempted to access Xiao Yu's computer. Xiao Yu, however, returned unexpectedly and caught him. Wu Xie then revealed his true identity, explaining he meant no harm but urgently needed the truth about the underwater tomb.
He disclosed that his uncle, Wu Sansheng, had been missing for over a month, last seen at the underwater tomb, and that Xiao Yu was his only remaining lead. Xiao Yu, while expressing sympathy for Wu Xie's plight, reiterated that he only possessed information about past events that would be of no help and requested to be left undisturbed. Undeterred, Wang Pangzi followed Xiao Yu to a nursing home where his mother resided.
A doctor there informed Xiao Yu that his mother's intermittent abnormality and amnesia were worsening and advised him to avoid sensitive topics. Unaware of the mother's delicate condition, Wang Pangzi approached her, attempting to gain information by mentioning "archeology" and "underwater tombs." This immediately agitated her, causing her to become emotionally distressed. Xiao Yu quickly intervened to calm his mother.
Wang Pangzi later returned to Wu Xie with a hard drive, explaining that he had managed to appeal to Xiao Yu's emotions. Xiao Yu had revealed that his father was Xiao Da, the only member of the archaeology team who never descended into the underwater tomb. Xiao Da had developed a high fever the day before the expedition and was left at sea by the team. He awoke three days later and returned to Beijing alone.
For the next two to three years, Xiao Da made at least three trips annually to the Paracel Islands. Eventually, Wu Sansheng sought him out, inquiring about the whereabouts of the other team members. In a recording on the hard drive, Wu Sansheng and Xiao Da were heard arguing. Wu Sansheng insisted they must find their lost teammates, believing they were alive and possessed a key, while Xiao Da countered that Xie Lian Huan was already dead.
Wu Sansheng expressed a strong desire to find the missing individuals, "dead or alive," and to "see the person or the body." On the hard drive, Wu Xie also discovered a drawing of a "Snake Eye Copper Fish." He asked Wang Pangzi to inquire with Xiao Yu about its origin. Xiao Yu confessed he didn't know who drew it but remembered his father and Wu Sansheng frequently arguing over it.
He suspected this "Snake Eye Copper Fish" was connected to his father's disappearance. Seeking further leads on the Snake Eye Copper Fish, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi arranged a meeting with Xiao Hua (Xie Yuchen), who also possessed one. The meeting was set aboard a boat, transformed into a lively party scene. While Wang Pangzi eagerly immersed himself in the festivities, Wu Xie was led to Xiao Hua. Wu Xie showed Xiao Hua the photo of the archaeology team.
Xiao Hua pointed to one of the figures, identifying him as his own uncle, Xie Lian Huan, who bore a striking resemblance to Wu Xie's Uncle Sansheng. Xiao Hua clarified that both men, being cousins from intermarried families, looked remarkably alike in their youth, so much so that they could be mistaken for twins. He recounted how his uncle's ship went missing and his body was never recovered, preventing his burial in the family tomb.
Xiao Hua revealed he had been investigating the "Snake Eye Copper Fish" to uncover the true cause of his uncle's accident. He implored Wu Xie to share any truths he might discover. Wu Xie offered to send Xiao Hua his own Snake Eye Copper Fish, believing that possessing two of the three known artifacts might aid in finding the third. Xiao Hua, however, stated he was not interested in the copper fish's secrets, only in solving his uncle's disappearance.
On their return journey, Wu Xie confided in Wang Pangzi that he had deliberately withheld information about the blood writings found in the underwater tomb. He feared that if Xiao Hua learned of them, he would immediately conclude that Wu Sansheng was responsible for Xie Lian Huan's death.
Wu Xie admitted he felt sorry for Xiao Hua and was determined to uncover the truth of the case, both to provide Xiao Hua with answers and to clear his uncle's name, ensuring Xie Lian Huan did not die in vain. Suddenly, Wu Xie received an unexpected message containing a photo of a "Snake Eye Copper Fish" and a location. Convinced he had found a new lead to help Xiao Hua, he excitedly instructed Wang Pangzi to book flights.
They traveled to Kokang, Myanmar, and, upon arrival, rented bicycles to race to the Hendry Museum. Wu Xie won the race, using his video recording as proof, and Wang Pangzi, accepting his loss, promised to grant Wu Xie one wish whenever he decided what it would be.
Episode 10 Recap
Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi arrived at the museum. Wu Xie noticed that the paintings were poorly displayed, directly exposed to light and dust, especially ultraviolet rays, which would significantly damage them. He deemed it unprofessional and insisted on speaking with the curator, Hendry. Wang Pangzi tried to dissuade him, pointing out it wasn't his responsibility. Wu Xie found Hendry and introduced himself.
Hendry, who was fluent in Chinese having lived in China for a long time, inquired how he could help. Wu Xie expressed his passion for artifacts and highlighted the issues with the paintings' preservation, suggesting improvements to the lighting. Hendry dismissed the paintings, calling them "waste paper" from the Ming and Qing dynasties by "nobodies" that "don't worth much." He considered them mere "embellishment" for his museum, which housed more valuable artifacts, rather than items to be protected.
Wu Xie argued that as a collector, Hendry had a duty to protect them, and better preservation would increase their value. Hendry, however, stated that unless he could live forever and the artifacts could belong to him eternally, their future held no value for him, caring only for "life and death." Realizing Hendry was just a businessman, Wu Xie left.
Wang Pangzi observed that Wu Xie had been arguing with Hendry and mentioned they hadn't found any "Snake Eye Copper Fish." Wu Xie then decided to inquire about the auction. When they asked a security guard about an auction and the "Chinese snake" (Snake Eye Copper Fish) in the museum, the guard denied any knowledge of either. Wang Pangzi concluded it must have been a scam message that brought them there.
Suddenly, Wu Xie spotted a figure resembling his Uncle Sansheng. Despite Wang Pangzi's skepticism, Wu Xie pursued him. He eventually saw Wu Sansheng speaking with a man whom Wu Xie had previously seen talking to Hendry in the museum. Wu Sansheng handed the man a box. As Wu Xie tried to approach, he was momentarily distracted by a passerby. When he looked back, both Wu Sansheng and the other man had vanished.
Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi decided to follow the foreigner instead. While following, Wu Xie pondered the connection between his Uncle Sansheng, Hendry, and the tall man, as well as the elusive auction and the "Snake Eye Copper Fish." He felt his life was a giant puzzle where every apparent exit led to a dead end.
Wang Pangzi urged him to control his emotions, reminding him that the messages and website that guided them to this foreign country had promised the "Snake Eye Copper Fish," but they found nothing. He reiterated his belief that they were ensnared in "schemes and tricks." Wu Xie dismissed the idea that his Uncle Sansheng would set him up.
Wang Pangzi then suggested A Ning's company might be responsible, theorizing she wanted to kill Wu Xie overseas since he had survived the underwater tomb. Wu Xie countered that A Ning wouldn't know about the "Snake Eye Copper Fish." However, Wang Pangzi reminded him of A Ning's previous deceptions and the fact that Xie Lian Huan was holding the "Snake Eye Copper Fish" when he died.
Wu Xie then concluded that A Ning likely possessed another "Snake Eye Copper Fish," leading him to realize she had been exposed. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi later arrived at the auction, but lacked invitation cards for entry. Wang Pangzi suggested they enter separately. Wu Xie, attempting to talk his way in as a VIP who forgot his invitation, was eventually helped by a woman named Tina.
She gave him her invitation, claiming she needed a "young and handsome date" for the evening. Unbeknownst to Wu Xie, Tina was working for A Ning. Meanwhile, Qiu Dekao showed A Ning a pattern extracted from a silk book, believing it contained deep secrets he had spent his life trying to solve. They discussed the possibility of living forever without hiding like vampires.
A Ning confirmed to Qiu Dekao that the auction was ready and Wu Xie had arrived, hoping he would not disappoint. Later, Xiao Hua also arrived at the auction. Wang Pangzi deliberately spilled a drink on a waiter, then quickly changed into the waiter's uniform to gain entry.
Wu Xie found Wang Pangzi and handed him a stack of photos, which made Wang Pangzi realize to his astonishment that a "Snake Eye Copper Fish" was indeed among the items to be auctioned. From a monitoring station, Xiao Yu closely followed the auction, giving instructions on camera angles. During the auction, after an Indian Buddha statue was sold, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi spotted the foreigner who had met Wu Sansheng earlier sneaking out.
They followed him to a temple, where they observed him meeting an artifact dealer and receiving a box. Wang Pangzi remarked on the hypocrisy of people engaging in dirty business then seeking blessings. He then recognized the artifact dealer as a Chinese culture expert and artifact seller from Panjiayuan, known for using his skills for illicit trade, selling artifacts overseas. Wang Pangzi speculated that this dealer and the auctioneer were behind the items being sold, deserving severe punishment.
At the temple, Wu Xie reflected on the magnificent golden pagoda, noting that such a structure could not be built without faith. He declared that faith was very important. Wang Pangzi jokingly stated his faith was in money, but Wu Xie asserted his own faith was "to do things that are meaningful." With this conviction, Wu Xie firmly stated that they "must win the bidding of Snake Eye Copper Fish" that night.
The pair then attempted to gather funds, but Wu Xie's calls to borrow money were met with rejections. As Wu Xie sat disheartened, Wang Pangzi brought him two coconuts. Wu Xie was initially unresponsive, but then noticed Wang Pangzi's bank card. Wang Pangzi revealed he had sold his house in Beijing, humorously stating it was to pay off his debt from a previous bicycle race bet. Wu Xie was elated and deeply touched by Wang Pangzi's loyalty.
The auction officially began. The first item was a porcelain vase, described as a valuable Chinese relic from Yuanmingyuan of the Qing dynasty. Driven by a desire to prevent Chinese cultural heritage from falling into foreign hands, Wu Xie began bidding aggressively, despite Wang Pangzi's urgent reminders that the money was for the "Snake Eye Copper Fish." He even bid against Tina. Wang Pangzi repeatedly tried to stop his impulsive bidding, emphasizing the true objective.
Ultimately, Wu Xie successfully acquired the porcelain vase. As Wu Xie clinched the bid, Wang Pangzi exclaimed, "That's my money there!" Simultaneously, Xiao Hua secretly called the police, informing them they would arrive in ten minutes, as part of a pre-arranged plan to disrupt the auction. The auctioneer then announced the police tip, giving everyone enough time to evacuate, a development A Ning observed with a knowing smile.
Episode 11 Recap
After Wu Xie successfully bid on a cultural relic, Xiao Yu, operating remotely, alerted the police, which immediately halted the auction and prevented the Snake Eye Copper Fish from being put up for sale. Qiu Dekao was furious, suspecting Wu Xie was behind the disruption. However, A Ning assured him, stating, "Not him. We have been watching him."
Qiu Dekao, observing A Ning's defense of Wu Xie, sternly reminded her that Wu Xie was merely a mission objective and that there was "no place for. . . the sentiments." He acknowledged that Wu Xie had saved her life at the ocean tomb but warned her that personal feelings could jeopardize their crucial mission. A Ning responded, "Father, he saved my life. I didn't. . . even thank him."
Qiu Dekao praised her as a good kid but pointed out that "softness is your weak link," emphasizing their "great cause" for "the fate of mankind" and its inherent "endless danger." He warned that any lapse in control could "ruin all of us." A Ning then pressed him, "Father. What exactly are we doing?"
Qiu Dekao revealed he had not intended to disclose the truth so soon but hinted at their pursuit of immortality, stating that after studying the silk book and the Snake Eye Copper Fish, he had "found a clue" that "maybe immortality. . . is not impossible after all." He reiterated their fight "for the destiny of human race," urging her not to be "distracted by. . .
the trivial matters" and to maintain a detached perspective, to which A Ning confirmed her understanding. Xiao Hua then contacted Xiao Yu via phone, expressing his surprise at Wu Xie's presence at the auction and wondering how Wu Xie obtained the information, though he was certain Wu Xie was there for the Snake Eye Copper Fish. Xiao Yu worried about Wu Xie disrupting their plan, but Xiao Hua believed he wouldn't, stating his primary concern was the auction organizer.
Xiao Yu also shared information he had gathered, noting that the organizer's venue was rented and the person behind it was an American. Xiao Hua expressed his reliance on Xiao Yu for the following day, and Xiao Yu reassured him. Meanwhile, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi observed A Ning directing her team in moving what appeared to be auction items.
Wang Pangzi noted the Hendry Museum sign, deducing they were relocating the collected items, which meant the Snake Eye Copper Fish was likely among them. Wu Xie initially proposed following them, leading Wang Pangzi to humorously question how they would snatch the artifact from the heavily guarded convoy, suggesting they might need rocket-propelled grenades and air support. Wu Xie considered carjacking.
A subordinate then informed A Ning by phone that a Maserati was following their convoy, but A Ning instructed them not to engage. Instead, Wu Xie decided to abandon the chase and return to their hotel to secure funds for bidding on the Snake Eye Copper Fish later that night, to which Wang Pangzi, concerned about potential debt, was reassured by Wu Xie's unwavering resolve.
However, A Ning’s convoy unexpectedly reappeared in front of them after taking a shortcut, seemingly intentionally leading them. Wu Xie realized A Ning might have wanted them to follow her all along. At a traffic light, Xiu Xiu deliberately caused a commotion with several dogs on a zebra crossing, obstructing A Ning's convoy. Capitalizing on the distraction, Xiao Hua, on a skateboard, stealthily positioned himself underneath the central cargo truck.
Using special tools, he cut an opening and entered the truck's compartment. Coordinated by Xiao Yu's remote guidance, Xiao Hua successfully located the box containing the Snake Eye Copper Fish. As Xiao Hua retrieved the artifact, an alarm on A Ning's person sounded. She quickly ordered her men to open the truck, only to discover the Snake Eye Copper Fish was gone.
She then spotted a fully armed Xiao Hua speeding away on a motorcycle and immediately commanded her team to pursue him. A thrilling high-speed chase ensued through the city streets. Xiao Yu, from a remote location, continuously provided directions to help Xiao Hua evade his pursuers. To further aid his escape, Xiao Yu deployed two other individuals on motorcycles, similarly dressed to Xiao Hua, to act as decoys.
Meanwhile, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi joined the pursuit, intentionally blocking A Ning's car to impede her. Wang Pangzi taunted A Ning about her car's condition and mockingly bid her farewell, calling her "Ning, see you back home!" Faced with these combined obstacles, A Ning was left frustrated and forced to abandon the chase. Returning to their hotel room, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi were astonished to find the Snake Eye Copper Fish already there. Moments later, Xiao Hua appeared.
Wang Pangzi exclaimed, "I knew it was you! I saw Xiu Xiu and you." Wu Xie then inquired about the two skilled motorcycle riders who assisted Xiao Hua during the escape. Xiao Hua revealed that one was "Little Master," confirming Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi's surprised recognition, and the other was "Black Blindman," describing him as a "fantastic man" known for his sunglasses and tomb-raiding experience.
Wu Xie confirmed that the object was indeed the Snake Eye Copper Fish they had previously lost. Wang Pangzi, expressing how they were "swindled by them here. . . through a text message," questioned how Xiao Hua knew about the auction. Xiao Hua explained that Wu Xie's Uncle San Xing had informed him. Meanwhile, A Ning called Qiu Dekao to report the incident.
She stated that while she had prepared for Wu Xie to carjack the artifact as instructed, there was "an accident," and "it was snatched by someone else." She admitted she couldn't identify the helmeted thief but was certain he knew Wu Xie, as Wu Xie had deliberately "intercepted" her during the chase. Qiu Dekao, acknowledging Wu Xie's unpredictable nature and ability to turn events to his advantage, declared, "I think it's time. . . to meet the third generation. .
. of the Wu Family," instructing A Ning to bring Wu Xie to him. Xiao Hua then elaborated on his presence, explaining that Uncle San Xing had called him, revealing that Qiu Dekao was planning to auction the Snake Eye Copper Fish, which is why he came. Wu Xie then understood A Ning's presence, realizing that the Hendry Museum curator was indeed Qiu Dekao, whose real name was Cox Hendry.
Wang Pangzi, perplexed by Qiu Dekao's apparent youth, questioned how he could be the same generation as Gou Wu Ye and Xie Jiu Ye. Xiao Hua recounted his grandfather's story of Gou Wu Ye suffering greatly at Qiu Dekao's hands. Wang Pangzi speculated that the current Hendry might be a son or grandson, given the common practice of inherited names among foreigners. However, Xiao Hua asserted that they were the same person.
He described how Qiu Dekao, proficient in both Mandarin and Changsha dialect, had forged strong relationships with local Chinese, including grave robbers. He then facilitated the sale of burial artifacts to foreigners, accumulating wealth through referral fees and price differences, eventually becoming deeply intertwined with the Old Nine Gates, especially Gou Wu Ye.
Xiao Hua detailed the "Warring States silk book case": in 1952, as churches withdrew from China, Qiu Dekao leveraged his long-standing credibility and low deposits to amass numerous antiques from grave robbers, including Gou Wu Ye's silk book. After boarding his ship, he telegraphed the Changsha Garrison, revealing the grave robbers' whereabouts, leading to their execution or imprisonment. Gou Wu Ye narrowly escaped by hiding among corpses in the mountains for weeks.
Wu Xie was aghast at Qiu Dekao's inhumane actions, questioning why his grandfather had never spoken of these events. Wang Pangzi noted it wasn't even in the books. Xiao Hua suggested it was a shameful matter of losing treasures to foreign dealers and almost being killed, which a grandfather wouldn't tell his grandson.
Concerned, Wu Xie urged Xiao Hua to leave, warning that Qiu Dekao and A Ning would not let him off easily for taking the Snake Eye Copper Fish. Xiao Hua, however, remained confident, believing that since they didn't know him, the Snake Eye Copper Fish was safe in his possession. He added that A Ning was not targeting him and did not know of their connection.
At that moment, A Ning and several burly men burst into the room, holding Wu Xie, Wang Pangzi, and Xiao Hua at gunpoint. As they were being driven away, Wang Pangzi expressed his disbelief, reminding A Ning that they had "been comrades who went through fire and rain together," questioning why she had now tied them up. A Ning warned them against any tricks, stating she would shoot them if they caused trouble or if anything happened to the others.
Wu Xie demanded to know their destination, to which A Ning vaguely replied, "You'll know once we get there," and advised them to "hand in Snake Eye Copper Fish," implying she understood their loyalty to each other. Wang Pangzi claimed the Snake Eye Copper Fish was not with them, saying it was with their partner and likely "on the plane by now."
Wu Xie accused A Ning of "illegal detention," but she retorted that he had stolen from her boss two hours prior. Wu Xie countered by pointing out the illicit nature of their underground antiques trade. While they argued, Wang Pangzi and Xiao Hua subtly managed to untie their ropes. Seeing their chance, Wu Xie bit A Ning's arm, forcing her to drop her gun and creating an opening for Xiao Hua and Wang Pangzi to escape.
A Ning shouted to her men to pursue Xiao Hua. During the escape, Xiao Hua was grazed by a bullet but assured Wang Pangzi it was "no big deal." Realizing Wu Xie had not managed to escape with them, Wang Pangzi and Xiao Hua decided to return to the hotel to strategize his rescue. Meanwhile, A Ning brought Wu Xie to Qiu Dekao.
Wu Xie, maintaining his defiance, asked if he should address him as "Mr. Hendry or Mr. Qiu Dekao," to which Qiu Dekao replied that "Qiu Dekao is fine," saying it made him "feel friendlier" when speaking Chinese. Qiu Dekao then asked if Wu Xie had "seen what you wished for? Snake Eye Copper Fish?" Wu Xie affirmed it.
Qiu Dekao then shared that his "many years of research" into the Snake Eye Copper Fish had only revealed that "it was cast in Ming dynasty." Wu Xie quickly surmised that Qiu Dekao's true intention was to investigate Wang Zang Hai, suggesting a deeper interest in the secrets behind the artifact.
Episode 12 Recap
Qiu Dekao revealed to Wu Xie that he was the one who sent the mysterious text message. He further admitted to knowing not only Wu Sansheng but also Xie Lianhuan, and claimed a long-standing friendship with Wu Xie's grandfather, Wu Lao Gou. Qiu Dekao recounted past events from before the liberation of China, a time marked by constant warfare, banditry, hunger, and disaster.
In such desperate times, some resorted to selling burial objects for food, and the Wu family was among them. He detailed how the Wu family once discovered a blood zombie tomb. Wu Lao Gou decided he would descend first, with his second son, Er Bai, following. His third son, San Xing, was initially assigned to bring up the rear with a spade, but Wu Lao Gou then decided to leave San Xing above ground, instructing him not to go down.
Young San Xing, however, insisted on going, believing he was as capable as Er Bai. Wu Lao Gou appeased him by promising him a golden knife later, explaining that if all four went down, retreat would be impossible. So, San Xing was left to guard the spade's rope, ready to pull up anything at a signal. When a shout came, San Xing quickly pulled the rope, only to find a gun at the end of it.
Curious, he peered into the hole, where he saw a monstrous creature. Terrified, he fled but was caught by the monster. Fortunately, someone fired a shot at the monster at a critical moment, saving San Xing. Wu Xie was stunned that his grandfather had confided so much in Qiu Dekao.
He bitterly realized that this supposed friend, whom his grandfather treated with such sincerity, had stolen the Warring States Silk Book – an artifact Wu Lao Gou and his kin risked their lives to obtain – and even nearly landed his grandfather in prison. Wu Xie's resentment intensified. Qiu Dekao then continued, stating that decades later, when he met Wu Sansheng, it was like encountering a younger, more ambitious Wu Lao Gou.
He and Wu Sansheng found a deep kinship and many common interests. At the time, Qiu Dekao served as the Far East Art Department consultant at the New York Metropolitan Museum, tasked with acquiring Chinese cultural artifacts. Wu Sansheng became his agent in China, proving to be a genius at tomb raiding. Based on mere fragments of Wu Lao Gou's words, Wu Sansheng deduced the location of the blood zombie tomb, successfully found and entered it.
However, they encountered strange occurrences inside and were forced to retreat, and the tomb collapsed, making re-entry impossible. Wu Xie vehemently denounced Qiu Dekao for speaking of such shameful acts with such self-righteousness. Qiu Dekao went on to describe how an archaeological team planned an expedition to the Xisha underwater tomb. He had Wu Sansheng infiltrate the team, but Xie Lianhuan discovered him and followed him into the tomb.
A conflict arose between Xie Lianhuan and Wu Sansheng, which tragically ended in Xie Lianhuan's death, with a Snake Eye Copper Fish found clutched in his hand. Wu Sansheng then presented the copper fish to the Xie family, hoping to gain their forgiveness. Later, using the pretense of seeking the true culprit to avenge Xie Lianhuan, he re-obtained the copper fish from Xie Jiu Ye and sold it to Qiu Dekao.
Wu Xie was skeptical of Qiu Dekao's story, but Qiu Dekao innocently claimed he had no reason to lie. Meanwhile, A Ning confined Wu Xie in a small cabin in the woods, telling him he would be released only if he handed over the Snake Eye Copper Fish. Wu Xie asserted that he didn't know its whereabouts, and even if he did, he wouldn't surrender it. Elsewhere, Xiu Xiu tended to Xiao Hua's wound.
Xiao Hua, more concerned for Wu Xie's safety, instructed Xiu Xiu to contact Xiao Yu using his computer to determine Wu Xie's location. With Xiao Yu's help, Xiao Hua learned of Wu Xie's heavily guarded captivity, noting that rescuing him by force would be exceedingly difficult. Wang Pangzi proposed a diversionary tactic, but acknowledged he would likely be caught in the process.
Xiao Hua then decided to infiltrate the area alone to rescue Wu Xie, but Xiu Xiu disagreed, worried about his existing injuries. Just as they debated, Little Master suddenly appeared, offering to undertake the rescue himself. Wang Pangzi, seeing Little Master, was immediately relieved, knowing that his presence meant all problems would be resolved. Little Master infiltrated the forest where Wu Xie was held, swiftly dispatching several guards. Upon seeing Little Master, Wu Xie was so relieved he nearly fainted.
After Little Master successfully rescued Wu Xie, Wu Xie asked him to join their group. However, when Wu Xie turned around, Little Master had already vanished. Xiu Xiu then received a message from Xiao Yu, informing them that A Ning's team had discovered them and was in pursuit, about two to three kilometers away. At this critical moment, Uncle San Xing sent a cryptic message to Xiao Hua – a riddle.
Wu Xie pondered the riddle and initially concluded they should head to the train station. Shortly after, Uncle San Xing sent another message, instructing them not to go to the train station due to a blockade, but instead to find "Snake" at the river dock. Wu Xie and his companions arrived at the dock, where "Snake" had arranged a boat to take them away.
A Ning, arriving at the first dock and finding it empty, decided to wait for Wu Xie at the next one. However, Wu Xie had anticipated A Ning's move and instructed the boat captain to let them off halfway. Unexpectedly, they encountered Uncle San Xing. Wu Xie, emotionally charged, confronted Wu Sansheng about his true relationship with Qiu Dekao and why he had concealed so much from him.
He also questioned if his uncle was truly collaborating with antique traffickers, expressing his desire for people not to brand Wu Sansheng as a villain. Wu Sansheng advised Wu Xie to ignore anyone who slandered him. He then shared that the underwater tomb remained an unforgettable trauma for him and he preferred not to discuss it.
Uncle San Xing revealed that the Warring States Silk Book, obtained at the cost of three lives from the Wu family, was swindled by Qiu Dekao, a man guilty of many evil deeds. Their feud began at Biaoziling. At that time, Uncle San Xing surmised the blood zombie tomb was near Mangshan's Guizizhai but unexpectedly encountered Xie Lianhuan and Qiu Dekao there. Because he and Xie Lianhuan bore a striking resemblance, everyone mistakenly believed he was the one collaborating with Qiu Dekao, leading to widespread misunderstanding.
Episode 13 Recap
Thirty years ago, Wu Sansheng clandestinely entered a blood zombie tomb. Inside, he found two bodies whose clothes were too tattered to distinguish, but he suspected they might be Wu Xie’s great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. He took all the bones out and buried them. After that, he discovered a hidden mechanism. Upon opening it, he threw a fire starter into the dark hole, but to his surprise, it floated back up.
A skeletal monster suddenly appeared, causing him to quickly cover the mechanism. The monster relentlessly pushed against the cover, and Wu Sansheng struggled to hold it down with his foot. Overwhelmed by its strength, he resorted to using a dagger, eventually decapitating the creature. Wu Sansheng told Wu Xie that many family members had either died or transformed into monsters due to the Warring States silk book.
He explained that these horrifying events were not thoroughly documented in the old man's notes, as he had hoped these stories would remain buried forever. Wu Xie speculated that Granduncle Er might have obtained the silk book, leading to unforeseen consequences where his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were implicated, dying by the coffin. He further theorized that Granduncle Er also perished in the tomb, his body manipulated with some sort of device.
Wu Sansheng, angered by Wu Xie's continued involvement, fiercely reprimanded him. He said that his efforts over the years were precisely so Wu Xie could escape this dangerous profession and live a clean life. Embracing Wu Xie tightly, Wu Sansheng urged him, as the sole heir of the Wu Family, to simply live a good and decent life.
Wu Xie, however, felt that his family's blood flowed through him, and he suspected that his uncle's past traumas were driving him further away. Meanwhile, Xiao Hua made a video call to Xiao Yu, thanking him for his help. Xiao Yu explained that he helped because Xiao Hua was different from other grave robbers who only cared about their gains. In return, Xiao Hua promised to help him find information about his father.
Xiao Yu, however, gently declined, stating that the person who missed his father the most could barely remember him now. Xiao Yu mentioned he had sold all his shares in Taraxacum and was taking his mother to Switzerland for treatment next month, as their medical facilities were better. He reassured Xiao Hua that their agreement included an information-sharing clause in the equity transfer contract.
At the airport, Wu Xie wanted to speak with Wu Sansheng, but his uncle feigned a nicotine craving and left. After Wu Sansheng believed Wu Xie had boarded his flight, he drove to an underground garage, letting out a sigh of relief. Unbeknownst to him, Wu Xie had not boarded his plane but had secretly entered Wu Sansheng's car. At home, Huo Xiuxiu knelt before her grandmother, Granny Huo, to plead on Xiao Hua’s behalf.
Granny Huo ignored her, reminding Xiao Hua, referred to as Xie Zi, that as the head of the Xie family, he was her equal and did not need to humble himself. She found his flattery tiresome, remarking that he had only learned to smart talk from his grandfather, Xie Jiu.
Xiuxiu intervened, asking Granny not to be so hard on Xiao Hua, admitting she insisted on following him abroad and that she had been kneeling all day and her knees hurt. Granny Huo, who spoiled her granddaughter, scolded them for going abroad to "steal and rob" in another country, asking if they were not embarrassed. When Xiuxiu mentioned Wu Xie, Fatty Wang, and Wu Sansheng had also helped, Granny Huo sternly warned her again to stop contacting the Wu family.
Xiuxiu questioned why Granny Huo was so cold to the Wu family descendants despite her old friendship with Gou Wu Ye, and brought up Xie Lianhuan. Granny Huo immediately stopped her from speaking further. Xiuxiu then admitted she wanted to investigate her aunt Huo Ling's disappearance because she couldn't bear to see Granny Huo constantly sighing in sadness.
Granny Huo noted that Xiuxiu was just like her aunt—coy and stubborn, never backing down until she hit a dead end, reminiscing about how she sent Huo Ling to a stable job in the Culture Department, only for her to join that archaeology team anyway. Wu Sansheng took Wu Xie to his private courtyard. Wu Xie was astonished by its size and his uncle's wealth.
He observed the numerous antique replicas inside, prompting him to intentionally break a Qing dynasty tea cup to spite him. Wu Sansheng, holding a "stone" that he warned Wu Xie not to break, revealed that he found it in the ancient tomb after he had cut off the monster's head. Inside the mechanism, he discovered a carving of the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens, which had four eye-beads, two of which were missing.
He suspected Wu Xie's great-grandfather had taken them. Wu Xie wondered if something had happened that prevented him from taking the remaining two. Wu Sansheng, believing the tomb's secret lay behind these stones, courageously pried off one eye-bead. However, when he attempted to remove the second, it fell and exploded, unleashing a red zombie beetle. Wu Sansheng, terrified, escaped the tunnel and sealed the mechanism, realizing the beetle was extremely poisonous, capable of causing imminent death.
He considered it a miracle to have survived. Later, a Taoist master informed him that the eye-beads were not stones but powerful pills, and it was the poison from such a zombie beetle that transformed Wu Xie's Granduncle Er into a monster. Wu Xie concluded that Granduncle Er must have suffered a similar fate. After his escape, Wu Sansheng hurriedly buried the ancestors' remains.
Soon after, he heard the shouts of Xie Lianhuan and Qiu Dekao, who had also entered the tunnel and were attacked by zombie beetles, with many of their companions dying from the poison. The beetles were eventually buried under the collapsed tunnel. Wu Sansheng then recounted the formation of the archaeological team for the Paracel Islands Underwater Tomb.
He explained that Qiu Dekao, who had long lived in Changsha and knew the secrets of the blood zombie tomb, commissioned Xie Lianhuan to join the team. Xie Lianhuan then asked Wu Sansheng to help convince Chen Wenjin to let him join.
Wu Sansheng initially tried to avoid Qiu Dekao's involvement, but recognizing that the country's marine archaeology was lagging, he joined one of the seven or eight assembled teams to monitor Xie Lianhuan and prevent him from doing anything suspicious. On the expedition, Wu Sansheng secretly followed Xie Lianhuan when he stealthily went diving one night. Underwater, they discovered a multitude of grotesquely posed corpses, reminiscent of the Dunhuang Murals, both beautiful and horribly creepy.
Wu Sansheng was enraged that Qiu Dekao had lured Xie Lianhuan into this situation and planned to confront him once they were back on shore. However, as they explored the underwater tomb, Wu Sansheng noticed that Xie Lianhuan, with his limited diving experience, had no control over his oxygen consumption, which was a terrifying and potentially fatal mistake.
Episode 14 Recap
Wu Sansheng continued his recollection, describing his dive into the underwater tomb with Xie Lian Huan. Due to Xie Lian Huan's inexperience, his oxygen was rapidly depleting. As Wu Sansheng explored, Xie Lian Huan suddenly shrieked, startled by a strangely shaped figurine on a coffin. Wu Sansheng, after observing the iron coffin, deduced it was a "Whistle Coffin," sealed with molten iron and only a small opening, designed to protect something terrible, perhaps a zombie or a demon.
He warned that anyone attempting to retrieve treasures from it risked having their arm bitten off, forcing self-mutilation to escape. Xie Lian Huan, however, dismissed his concerns as fear-mongering. Wu Sansheng suggested they return with proper preparations, but Xie Lian Huan, seizing an opportunity, tossed a burning kindling into the coffin. As dense smoke billowed out, Wu Sansheng frantically searched for water to extinguish the fire. To his shock, Xie Lian Huan simply urinated into the coffin.
After the fire was put out, Wu Sansheng, believing the coffin was harmless, reached his hand inside to explore and accidentally triggered a mechanism. He instructed Xie Lian Huan to stay put while he looked for a way to stop it. As he investigated a large tripod, a skeleton inside suddenly grabbed his arm. Wu Sansheng struggled free and urgently called for Xie Lian Huan to leave, but received no response.
Returning to the coffin, he found Xie Lian Huan collapsed. Before he could check on his companion, a dark figure suddenly attacked him. Wu Sansheng fought back, repelling the attacker, who then leaped into the tomb's entrance and vanished. Wu Sansheng pursued the attacker to the entrance, where he heard a strange sound. The person had opened their oxygen tanks. Wu Sansheng quickly shut them, but most of the oxygen was already gone.
With little oxygen left, Wu Sansheng could only swim back to the surface alone, vowing to return to rescue Xie Lian Huan after he was safe. As he ascended in the dark ocean, his oxygen ran out just as he exited the tomb. He believed his end was near, but then noticed many ancient corpses floating by. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were bamboo mannequins coated in plaster, containing air.
He poked a hole in one and inhaled, managing to survive. Wu Sansheng wondered who had wanted him dead, stating he trusted no one but Wen Jin from the archaeology team. He later found Xie Lian Huan's body on the reef. Wu Xie questioned his Uncle Sansheng, asking if Zhang Qiling could have been the attacker in the underwater tomb.
He showed Wu Sansheng a photo of Zhang Qiling, explaining that Zhang Qiling had also been in the tomb, fallen unconscious, and woke up in a hospital with amnesia, unable to recall how he escaped. Wu Sansheng vehemently denied it, claiming Zhang Qiling's fighting skills were far superior, and he wouldn't have been easily repelled. Wu Xie then mentioned Zhang Qiling's account of Wu Sansheng impersonating a woman combing her hair in front of a monument to unlock Qimen Dunjia.
Wu Sansheng vehemently denied this, stating it was too foggy to see anything and questioning how he could possibly impersonate a woman. He cautioned Wu Xie that human hearts are the worst, and Zhang Qiling held many secrets. Wu Xie insisted Zhang Qiling had no reason to lie and revealed that Zhang Qiling had heard this from Huo Ling, who had also called out Wu Sansheng's name.
Wu Xie then showed Wu Sansheng a photo, suggesting that due to the dim lighting, Huo Ling might have mistaken Xie Lian Huan, who resembled Wu Sansheng, for him. Wu Sansheng dismissed this possibility, stating that Xie Lian Huan was already dead when that incident supposedly occurred. Wu Xie then asked if Wu Sansheng still believed the problem lay with Huo Ling, pointing out that Huo Ling had also gone missing.
Wu Sansheng concluded that overthinking it would only lead to more confusion and advised Wu Xie not to trust others easily. Meanwhile, at the Huo family estate, Huo Granny praised Xiao Hua's leadership qualities. Xiu Xiu, trying to curry favor, eagerly presented the Snake Eye Copper Fish she had retrieved. Despite her initial displeasure with Xiu Xiu's impulsiveness, Huo Granny agreed to let her investigate Huo Ling's disappearance but urged Xiao Hua to ensure Xiu Xiu's safety.
Huo Granny expressed sadness that despite finding the copper fish, Huo Ling's whereabouts remained unknown. Xiu Xiu tried to console her, seeing the fish as a valuable clue and suggesting that with Wu Xie's knowledge of the underwater tomb, they could work together. Huo Granny, however, mused that not all mysteries have answers, nor are all answers the truth. She warned Xiu Xiu to maintain distance from the Wu family and avoid any danger.
Xiao Hua assured Huo Granny that he would do his best to protect Xiu Xiu. Wu Xie visited Wang Pangzi at Yibozhai, showing him the reward money he received for donating artifacts to the state. He shared the conflicting accounts from his Uncle Sansheng and Qiu Dekao, particularly regarding Xie Lian Huan's death. While Wu Xie emotionally leaned towards believing his uncle, he felt Qiu Dekao's version also had merit and sought Wang Pangzi's judgment.
Wang Pangzi, unable to decide, offered Wu Xie alcohol instead. As they drank, a stranger, Mr. Ma, entered the shop, seeking to sell an antique. Wang Pangzi's face showed surprise upon seeing the item. He invited Mr. Ma inside, who then began to recount his experience acquiring the bronze bell. Three years prior, he and a distant relative, Lao Yang, ventured into the Qinling Mountains.
After trekking for over ten days, lost and running low on supplies, they stumbled upon a towering cliff, a mysterious ancient altar, and a hundred-meter-tall bronze tree adorned with what looked like Tibetan flags. As they scoured the altar for treasures, Lao Yang accidentally disturbed the base of the bronze tree, causing dense smoke to erupt from the altar.
Lao Yang, eager for more wealth, wanted to enter the altar, but Mr. Ma, sensing the eerie nature of the situation, prioritized his safety and hastily fled the area with what they had already found.
Episode 15 Recap
Wu Xie found Mr. Ma's account of a hundred-meter-tall bronze tree incredibly fantastical, noting that even the bronze tree unearthed from Sanxingdui was merely four meters high and cast in sections. He couldn't fathom how such a massive tree could be manufactured, not only in sections but also in one entire piece. Mr. Ma insisted he was telling the truth, telling Wu Xie to just regard it as a story if he didn't believe him.
Wang Pangzi then asked if Mr. Ma had found anything else. Mr. Ma recounted finding some jade pieces and ancient ceramics. He explained that he was arrested and jailed for two years for reselling these things in his hometown after returning. He claimed he was now broke and dependent on the bell, which he had luckily hidden, to turn his fortune around.
When Wang Pangzi asked if he had finished his story, Mr. Ma mysteriously turned and spoke to the air before confirming he had. Similarly, when asked about payment, Mr. Ma again consulted the air before stating he preferred cash, unsettling both Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi. Mr. Ma explained he was talking to his "brothers from his hometown." Separately, A Ning and Guo Guo met at a coffee shop.
Guo Guo handed some cash to Mr. Ma, who was very pleased, expressing gratitude for the money and offering his help if Guo Guo ever needed it for future "good deals." Guo Guo then joined A Ning, explaining that prison had driven Mr. Ma to a state of mental instability, making him talk excitedly to the air, which Guo Guo found unsettling but beneficial as it wouldn't arouse suspicion from Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi.
Mr. Ma had also mentioned that the bronze tree was cast with human blood and the bell was sinister. Guo Guo expressed a desire to see if the bronze tree was real, to which A Ning cryptically replied he might soon have the opportunity. Back with Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi, they discussed Mr. Ma.
Wang Pangzi believed Mr. Ma was simply "mystifying things" and "boasting," particularly about the bronze tree, arguing that the limited manpower and resources of the Bronze Age, combined with the lack of historical records, made a hundred-meter tree impossible.
Wu Xie, however, felt Mr. Ma wasn't faking, pointing out that the bronze bell had appeared in various locations—the underwater tomb of the Paracel Islands, King Lu's Seven Stars Palace, and now Qinling—suggesting such a rare and "sinister" item couldn't possibly exist in so many places if it were a simple coincidence. Wang Pangzi dismissed Wu Xie's concerns and went to bed, telling him not to overthink it. To resolve his lingering doubts, Wu Xie sought help from Xie Yuchen.
Xie Yuchen, also mentioning that Xiu Xiu had asked him to view a house for her, told Wu Xie that Mr. Qi, a former antique dealer who was now a respected master in Chinese Studies specializing in ethnic minorities, was very interested in the photograph of the bronze bell Wu Xie had sent. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi then went with Xie Yuchen to the library to meet Mr. Qi.
After examining the bell for three hours, Mr. Qi, expressing embarrassment at encountering such an item for the first time despite his years of studying ancient history of minority groups, stated that based on its material, craftsmanship, and weathering, it was undoubtedly an artifact from the Pre-Tang Era, specifically between the Xia and Western Zhou dynasties. He explained that it likely originated from a vanished ancient kingdom called She Country (Serpent Kingdom), located in what is now Shaanxi and Hubei.
Mr. Qi elaborated that traces of this kingdom could be found in ancient classics like "The Classic of Mountains and Seas," where it was referred to as the Savanna Snake Kingdom, whose people worshipped a "two-bodied snake with a human face" and carved its image on various artifacts. He further posited that the Serpent Kingdom might have branched out from the ancient Kingdom of Huaxu, where Fuxi was depicted with a human face and snake body.
Mr. Qi acknowledged that the truth of such ancient history, especially without written records, could never be 100% accurate, but this inherent mystery was part of its charm. To help Wu Xie understand more, Mr. Qi gave him two books to read and then recounted an encounter with an archaeology fanatic who years ago had explored the ancient tomb of the Serpent Kingdom deep in Qinling.
The fanatic had even taken photos of rock paintings depicting sacrificial ceremonies of the Serpents. However, after the news spread and many experts tried to find it again, the tomb mysteriously vanished and was never rediscovered. Wang Pangzi, skeptical, believed Mr. Qi's information could simply be found online, but Wu Xie decided to first read the provided books to learn more about the Serpent Kingdom, and then embark on a field trip to Qinling.
Wang Pangzi was reluctant, calling it "just a huge pit" and fearing the fate of the "madman" archaeologist, preferring financial gain over such an adventure. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi then set off for Qinling. During a meal at a restaurant, Wang Pangzi was engrossed in playing a game, prompting Wu Xie to urge him to eat. Wang Pangzi, however, was unfazed, declaring there was no rush as "the tomb's not going anywhere."
Their conversation about tombs was overheard by Tai Shu and his group. One of Tai Shu's men approached them, asking if they were there to sell "local products" or "digging for some local product." Wang Pangzi, noticing Tai Shu, quickly claimed they were tourists and asked for recommendations for local specialties, such as walnuts, successfully deflecting suspicion.
Tai Shu's man later dismissed Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi as "two cubs" who "know nothing" and were likely "smuggling wild animals," assuring Tai Shu they wouldn't interfere with their own plans. Later, while staying at an inn on their way to the Serpent Kingdom, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi again encountered Tai Shu's group, deepening their suspicions that they were being followed.
Wang Pangzi found the old man with glasses in Tai Shu's group particularly unsettling, believing he might have "killed a few lives." Concerned about the larger group, Wang Pangzi decided to discreetly gather information from them. The next morning, seeing Tai Shu's group depart, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi followed them into the forest.
That night, as Tai Shu and his men set up tents to camp, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi stealthily listened in on their conversation from the shadows. Li Laoban began to share a story from his family archives. He recounted an incident during the Northern Wei dynasty, a period marked by constant warfare and chaos. His six-year-old ancestor, a shepherd, witnessed a dramatic event: the Grand Marshal pursuing a young prince.
Fortunately, his ancestor was far enough away to avoid being discovered. The prince, constantly ill, was deeply cared for by Qian Zhi, whom he trusted implicitly. The prince, in his fragility, expressed his weariness of life and power, questioning the point of striving for it when even powerful emperors like Qin Shi Huang and Hanwu Emperor couldn't achieve immortality.
He shared the locations of tombs he had found over the years with Qian Zhi, who, in turn, proposed using the burial objects to recruit an army and fight against the Grand Marshal. Qian Zhi, who also led a "Mute Army" and had been doing "unscrupulous things," assured the prince of protection and his help in finding more treasures. Qian Zhi also hinted at finding "clues about immortality" within the tombs' bamboo slips.
The prince, though initially hesitant about pursuing power, agreed to Qian Zhi's plan. However, an unexpected attack by a group of masked individuals ensued, overwhelming everyone. Both the young prince and Qian Zhi perished in the battle. Li Laoban's ancestor survived due to his young age and distance from the conflict. After everyone had left and the battle ended at dawn, the ancestor emerged from his hiding place to find the ground covered with dead bodies. To return home, he had to walk through this horrific landscape. As he was making his way, a soldier grabbed his leg, crying out for "water!"
Episode 16 Recap
Li Boss recounted an ancestral tale, explaining that his ancestor, at six years old during the chaotic Northern Wei period, was given a mysterious cloth by a dying soldier after offering him water. The ancestor, being illiterate, didn't understand its contents until much later. After joining the military, he gradually rose to the rank of officer and learned about a major battle near his childhood home.
It was a chase initiated by the Grand Marshal to eliminate a young prince, who was protected by an extraordinary force known as the Mute Riders. Li Boss clarified that the Mute Riders were a troop composed entirely of mute individuals, from general to soldier, ensuring no secrets could be divulged. Their duty involved raiding ancient tombs; they would first record the locations and seal them, returning to excavate the artifacts only when needed.
He then revealed that the cloth his ancestor possessed was, in fact, the legendary Tombs Collection, which contained the locations of these very tombs. The others questioned if his family had become incredibly wealthy from this discovery. Li Boss explained that his ancestor couldn't read the cloth, and his family fortunes declined, so he was buried with little more than worn clothes. However, during his great-grandfather's time, who was a wealthy landlord, they decided to move the family tomb.
In the process, they found the cloth perfectly preserved amidst other decaying items. Unable to decipher it himself, his great-grandfather consulted an antique merchant who identified the writing as a form of Braille understood only by mutes, and confirmed its identity as the Tombs Collection. Li Boss further elaborated that some locations on the map had been raided, marked with ink, while others remained untouched.
He implied that the treasures from these tombs were being used to recruit soldiers to fight against the Grand Marshal. He added that the cloth, though incomplete, listed 24 tombs, and they were now heading to the last one, which was expected to be the richest. He cautioned that while the treasures would be more than enough for ordinary people and of the highest quality, they also came with grave dangers, so vigilance was paramount.
During this discussion, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi, who were hiding nearby and eavesdropping, accidentally made a noise. Uncle Tai, alerted, ordered his men to investigate. Wu Xie, thinking quickly, created an illusion of an approaching mountain patrol, causing Uncle Tai's group to flee in a panic. Wu Xie then suggested to Wang Pangzi that pursuing them in the dark was unwise and they should rest, following their footsteps the next morning since the others would also need to stop.
The following day, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi continued their journey but soon found themselves lost. They encountered a woman, Da Shan's wife, who sternly reprimanded them, accusing them of being either tomb raiders or hunters. Wang Pangzi tried to mollify her with money, which her husband, Da Shan, readily accepted. Da Shan offered them directions but also suggested they stay with him overnight since it was getting late, and they might get lost in the mountains.
He promised to guide them the next day after he finished gathering pig feed. Wu Xie, concerned about their dwindling food supplies, agreed, believing that following Da Shan would also provide more information about the area. Da Shan led them to a shack, explaining it was a communal lodging built by villagers for those who couldn't return home from the mountains, complete with emergency rations. Da Shan's wife urged everyone to get an early rest.
Later that night, as Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi slept, Da Shan quietly rose, picked up a sickle, and walked out of the room seemingly in a trance. Sensing something amiss, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi followed him into the forest. Wu Xie's leg was suddenly grabbed from a hole. Wang Pangzi prepared to use his knife, but Wu Xie realized it was a person, not a corpse, and told him to stop.
Da Shan then reappeared, roused from his daze, and scolded them for wandering at night. Wu Xie pressed him about who was in the hole. Da Shan reluctantly confessed that it was his mentally ill son, locked inside. Wu Xie angrily criticized Da Shan's cruelty, insisting that his son needed medical treatment, not imprisonment. A distressed Da Shan explained that his son and his cousin had, against warnings, ventured deep into the forbidden parts of the mountains.
After more than ten days, they returned with a "bronze twig," claiming to have found a huge pit containing a massive bronze tree that promised longevity. They became obsessed with the twig, constantly staring at it. Da Shan noticed a disturbing change in their demeanor. One day, his son attacked and killed his cousin, insisting that the real cousin had died in the pit and the one who returned was a fake.
He even began to believe that Da Shan and his wife were fakes, claiming they had been killed by a wolf. His son became violent, once biting his wife's neck so severely that she nearly bled to death. Fearing for the safety of the other villagers, Da Shan had no choice but to lock his son in the cave, occasionally bringing him food.
The bronze twig, too, was buried inside the hole, as his son would go into uncontrollable fits if it was taken away. Wang Pangzi attempted to buy the bronze twig, but Da Shan refused, warning it was cursed and brought misfortune. Wu Xie, though believing Da Shan's story, found it hard to believe a mere bronze object could induce such madness. Wang Pangzi, however, speculated that it was greed that drove the son to kill his cousin for the treasure.
Despite the grim circumstances, Wu Xie felt immense pity for the son and expressed a desire to take him to an asylum in the city at his own expense. Wang Pangzi questioned his ability to help everyone, but Wu Xie felt compelled to act given what he knew. As they walked back, Wu Xie stumbled and saw what appeared to be Da Shan's blood-soaked clothes. But then, a perfectly unharmed Da Shan appeared behind them, terrifying them.
Later, Wang Pangzi assured Wu Xie that Da Shan seemed normal. Wu Xie, rationalizing the bizarre events, concluded that the strange phenomena were likely hallucinations caused by miasma—low oxygen levels and gases produced by respiring plants and decomposing organic matter in the dense, late-night jungle. The next morning, Da Shan, needing to address an urgent village matter, was unable to guide them. Instead, he introduced them to Mr. Liu.
Mr. Liu, upon learning their destination, immediately warned them against going to Jiazi Falls, claiming the mountain was in an "evil period," teeming with ghosts and intense "ghost fire" at night. Wu Xie tried to explain "ghost fire" as mere phosphorescence, but Mr. Liu dismissed scientific explanations, fearful of angering a "King of Ghosts." Mr. Liu then recounted an old village legend about a "spooky army" during the Northern Wei dynasty, whose members never spoke.
Since then, the sounds of galloping horses were often heard in the area, leading to Jiazi Falls, their destination. Wu Xie inquired about Da Shan's son, asking if his madness was linked to finding a bronze twig. Mr. Liu confirmed that Da Shan's son was not an isolated case. He explained that many villagers who ventured into the mountain had found bronze objects, ceramic shards, or jade pieces.
However, only those who found bronze objects and did not promptly discard them would go mad within days, often resorting to killing others or themselves. Mr. Liu further clarified that Da Shan couldn't dispose of the bronze twig because his son would become uncontrollable whenever it was taken away. To prevent the twig from harming others, Da Shan eventually moved out of the village with his son and the object.
Mr. Liu, however, declined to guide them due to his age and the dangers of the mountain, providing them with general directions instead. Continuing their journey towards the cliffs, Wu Xie pondered the connection between the Northern Wei dynasty and the mute army, convinced it was related to the Tombs Collection. As they prepared to move on, Wu Xie discovered his bag was missing.
Wang Pangzi immediately suspected monkeys and urged them to continue, assuring Wu Xie that his own equipment was sufficient for entering the tomb. Wu Xie reluctantly agreed, worried about the bronze bell inside his bag. Unbeknownst to them, their movements were being closely monitored. They soon arrived at a mysterious location and discovered eerie human head effigies. Wang Pangzi was perplexed by the skulls on the rocks, but Wu Xie explained that these were "Terracotta Sacrifices" from ancient warfare.
He elaborated that in those times, military success was measured by the number of enemies killed, and since transporting entire bodies was too cumbersome, heads were often taken. These heads, specifically, were mounted on terracotta effigies as part of a ritual where live war captives were sacrificed.
Episode 17 Recap
Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi entered a dark cave where numerous terracotta sacrifice figures were scattered. Wang Pangzi expressed his unease, asking Wu Xie about the creepy figures with human faces. Wu Xie explained that these were war trophies from ancient times; successful warriors would cut off enemy heads, which were then stuck onto terracotta figures and buried as sacrifices. Wang Pangzi found this practice unsettling, comparing it to Qin Shi Huang's Terracotta Army.
As they ventured deeper, Wu Xie noticed the increasing number of figures. Wang Pangzi then spotted some markings, wondering if "Lao Pao and his gang" had been there, and Wu Xie agreed, advising caution. With no dry path forward, they were forced to wade into deep water. The stone walls on both sides of the waterway were covered with strange carvings.
Wang Pangzi demonstrated to Wu Xie how to waterproof a phone with a plastic bag, citing survival shows, but Wu Xie told him to save his energy. Wang Pangzi quickly grew frustrated, complaining about the cold and the poorly constructed path, fearing they would find nothing. Wu Xie reassured him, explaining that this area was merely the outer perimeter of the mausoleum.
He pointed out the unfinished terracotta figures, indicating it was likely a quarry and carving site for the artisans, possibly the main burial chamber used for the altar that Mr. Ma had mentioned. As they swam, a large, fish-like monster suddenly emerged from the water and dragged Wang Pangzi away. Wu Xie immediately dove in, helping Wang Pangzi fight off the creature with their knives. After they managed to fend it off, they urged each other to escape.
However, the monster quickly returned, almost drowning Wu Xie. Wang Pangzi yelled at Wu Xie not to be reckless, insisting they still had a way out. They attempted to retreat, but the stone door they had entered through began to slowly close. In a desperate act, Wu Xie pushed Wang Pangzi through the narrowing gap, trapping himself inside. Wang Pangzi, in shock, tried in vain to open the heavy door.
Believing his death was imminent, Wu Xie urged Wang Pangzi to flee and survive, telling him not to visit such dangerous places again without him. He also instructed Wang Pangzi to tell Wu Sansheng to find a partner and live a peaceful life, but Wang Pangzi, distraught, demanded that Wu Xie tell his uncle himself.
With a final declaration that "of all human bonds, nothing beats a brotherly bond," Wu Xie dove back into the water to face the monster alone. He was quickly overpowered and knocked unconscious. As he slowly sank, he fleetingly saw Zhang Qiling swimming rapidly towards him, a vision that made him feel he had once again escaped death. When Wu Xie awoke, he was still calling out for "Little Master," convinced that Zhang Qiling had saved him.
However, it was Lao Yang who was by his side. Wu Xie, surprised to see his old childhood friend, asked if it was he who had rescued him. His immediate concern then turned to Wang Pangzi, asking if Lao Yang had seen him. Lao Yang assured Wu Xie that if Wang Pangzi were dead, his body would have floated to the surface, and since there was no body, he must be alive, likely swept away by the current.
Lao Yang identified the attacking creature as a Siberian Taimen, the "king of freshwater regions," describing it as very vicious and noting that the one they fought was "considered small." Wu Xie gave Lao Yang a knife, telling him to shave his beard. He expressed his disappointment that Lao Yang had been hiding in the mountains for three years without contacting him, despite their long friendship.
Wu Xie recalled Lao Yang having gone with Mr. Ma three years ago and asked if this was their destination. Lao Yang confirmed it, explaining that after Mr. Ma was caught, he panicked and hid in the mountains for three years.
Wu Xie expressed deep concern for Lao Yang's mother, who must be worried sick, suggesting it would have been better for Lao Yang to have gone to jail with Mr. Ma so his mother would at least know his whereabouts. Lao Yang appeared stunned by Wu Xie's words. Wu Xie then noticed a bell earring on Lao Yang's ear.
He became tense, urgently asking if the bell had ever rung, and was visibly relieved when Lao Yang said it had not. Lao Yang then suggested they eat the large fish, noting it could last them for days. Wu Xie refused, declaring he would rather starve, prompting Lao Yang to call him "picky." As Lao Yang cut open the fish's belly, a human head rolled out.
Wu Xie deduced that this indicated other people must have been in the vicinity recently. He also found a "small mud gun" and observed bullet shots on the fish's body, concluding that the person was an illegal hunter who had been injured before the fish attacked them.
Wu Xie theorized that the fish had entered the tomb through a natural waterway connected to the Jialing River, which was likely formed by an accidental breach in a dike, rather than being an intentional part of the tomb's construction. Wu Xie suggested he would re-enter the waterway alone to search for Wang Pangzi and an exit, instructing Lao Yang to wait. However, Lao Yang insisted on accompanying him, claiming he could protect Wu Xie.
Meanwhile, A Ning and her team were tracking footprints outside the cave. They identified traces left by Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi, along with a third, unknown male, whom they determined was a tall and heavy individual who had been stalking them from a distance. A Ning commented on Wu Xie's strong curiosity leading him away from their primary objective, the Bronze Tree, and decided to pursue them.
Her team later entered the tomb through the river, where they immediately sensed strange movements in the water. Alone, Wang Pangzi called out for Wu Xie, determined to find his friend. He eventually found a way back into the tomb and discovered the Siberian Taimen's corpse, but Wu Xie was nowhere in sight. Realizing that Wu Xie might still be alive, Wang Pangzi was greatly encouraged and continued his search through the winding passages.
As he navigated a channel, he passed a stone wall adorned with a human face carving. The eye of the carving suddenly moved, and a strange insect flew out, biting him. The bitten area quickly developed dense red spots, filling him with panic. Wu Xie and Lao Yang continued their search for an exit in the river. At a junction, Lao Yang suggested a path, but Wu Xie pointed out it would lead them back to where they started.
They decided their route with a game of "scissors, paper, stone," which Wu Xie lost, and they proceed in the direction chosen by Lao Yang. As they proceeded, Wu Xie noticed more stone figures. Suddenly, Lao Yang shouted that something was ahead and ran off, with Wu Xie following him into a hidden stone door.
Inside, Wu Xie confronted Lao Yang, recalling information from a villager about Mr. Ma and another young man who entered Jiazi Falls three years ago and were never heard from again, a story that contradicted Wu Xie having recently seen one of them alive. Wu Xie accused Lao Yang of hiding something and demanded to know his true intentions in leading him there.
He declared their brotherhood over, stating that despite always treating Lao Yang with absolute trust, he could not forgive the deception. Distraught, Lao Yang insisted he never meant to harm Wu Xie and considered him his best friend, a claim Wu Xie questioned given the lies. Lao Yang then confessed: Three years prior, he and Mr. Ma had discovered an entrance to a deep cave. Lao Yang, adventurous by nature, entered alone while Mr. Ma hesitated.
Inside, he joined a group of twenty men from Liaodong. The journey was perilous, resulting in many deaths. Eventually, a massive rockfall buried almost everyone, including Lao Yang. He survived when the ground beneath him gave way, dropping him into their current location. He managed to escape, only to discover that Mr. Ma had taken everything they had found, and was subsequently jailed.
After recovering from his injuries in a mountain village, Lao Yang found himself haunted by a persistent voice compelling him to return to the tomb. Unable to find the way back on his own, this became an obsession. He admitted that he had followed Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi, realizing they had discovered another entrance. Wu Xie questioned his sanity for returning to such a dangerous place, but Lao Yang insisted he was "crazy" with obsession.
He appealed to their shared goal of exploring the tomb and their long-standing friendship, promising he would never harm Wu Xie, and asked if Wu Xie would continue with him to uncover what lay deeper within. Wu Xie eventually agreed, and Lao Yang, relieved, stated he knew Wu Xie wouldn't abandon him, promising to send him home after they found the tomb.
Episode 18 Recap
A Ning and her team continued their journey along the river channel inside a cave. When the sound of surging water suddenly came from behind, A Ning realized the danger and quickly urged her subordinates to get ashore with her. However, it was too late, and one of her men was attacked by a Jero salmon before he could reach the bank. A Ning quickly pulled out her machine gun and fired at the fish monster.
Seeing the Jero salmon and her subordinate's body floating to the surface, A Ning was visibly shaken. Lao Yang and Wu Xie made their way to a deeper part of the tomb, where they discovered an unfinished stone coffin. Wu Xie surmised it was an empty burial chamber, but Lao Yang, observing closely, noticed something inside and urged Wu Xie to take a look. Lao Yang intended to open the coffin, but Wu Xie, fearing something sinister, stopped him.
At that moment, a shriveled hand suddenly reached out from the coffin and grabbed Wu Xie. Lao Yang stumbled backward in fright, while Wu Xie struggled to break free. After much effort, Wu Xie finally escaped the grasp of the strange hand, but before he could catch his breath, he was knocked unconscious from behind. When Wu Xie regained consciousness, he found himself and Lao Yang bound. Tai Uncle, accompanied by Teacher Liang and his men, stood before them.
Wu Xie noticed Tai Uncle's shriveled arm and realized he was afflicted with corpse poison; the strange hand that had grabbed him was Tai Uncle's. Wu Xie proposed cooperation to find a way out, but Tai Uncle ignored him. Following information provided by Mr. Li, they discovered a hidden entrance beneath the stone coffin. As the stone slab covering the entrance was pulled open, a foul, familiar smell emanated from within.
Wu Xie felt he had smelled it before but couldn't recall where. Fearing danger in the dark passage, Tai Uncle used Wu Xie as a shield, forcing him to descend. He gave Wu Xie a whistle, instructing him to blow it once he reached the bottom, threatening to kill Lao Yang if he didn't hear anything within half an hour. Wu Xie navigated the passage, looking for clues.
Above, Tai Uncle's group grew anxious when they heard no sound from Wu Xie. Just then, Wu Xie blew the whistle Tai Uncle had given him. Following a loud gushing sound, Wu Xie found a cave entrance and passed through a curtain of water into a vast cavern with a scalding underground river. Soon, Tai Uncle and his men joined him. Teacher Liang expressed disbelief at the underground river.
Tai Uncle sent a henchman into the water, who found an arm-thick iron chain but was wary of other large fish. Teacher Liang assured him no fish could survive the hot water. Tai Uncle then ordered Wu Xie to lead the way. As they swam forward, the last man in line was suddenly launched upward by a geyser and fell back into the water.
Tai Uncle forced Lao Yang to check on him, and they discovered he had been burned to death with blisters all over. Wu Xie identified it as an intermittent geyser and urged everyone to swim downstream with the current, certain there would be an exit. As they swam, Teacher Liang, old and exhausted, was swept away by the swift current.
Despite Lao Yang's warnings, Wu Xie bravely tried to save him, but the current was too strong, and Teacher Liang slipped away. Seeing Wu Xie in peril, Lao Yang also grabbed the iron chain to help, but both were quickly swept away by the raging water. Separately, Wang Pangzi, reeling from a venomous bug bite, stumbled into a tomb hall.
He saw the poison rapidly spreading up his arm, feared he wouldn't survive, and took a swig from his wine flask, silently bidding farewell to Wu Xie in his heart. In his fading moments, Zhang Qiling, sword on his back, strode in. When Wang Pangzi awoke, he was astonished to find the bug venom had been cleared from his body by Zhang Qiling. Zhang Qiling inquired about Wu Xie's whereabouts.
Wang Pangzi recounted how Wu Xie had saved him from the large fish. Zhang Qiling, believing Wu Xie would not stay put, suggested he was likely still within the tomb and led Wang Pangzi to continue their search. Meanwhile, A Ning and Guo Guo continued their search within the tomb. Guo Guo, concerned about their heavy losses, suggested that instead of a raise in pay, he would be content with a share of any burial objects they found.
A Ning simply gave him an unamused glance and continued onward. Back in Changsha, Huo Granny was enjoying a quiet moment with Xiu Xiu when her butler announced that Si Ye from Changsha was seeking her help. Si Ye had encountered problems developing a piece of land and lost a considerable sum, now hoping Huo Granny would use her connections to resolve the issue. Huo Granny, displeased with Si Ye's opportunistic nature, instructed Xiu Xiu to handle him.
The butler, however, felt it was inappropriate for young Xiu Xiu to deal with an elder of Si Ye's standing. Huo Granny explained that with the Huo family's talents dwindling, it was essential for Xiu Xiu to step up and ensure the family's continued prosperity. Wu Xie next awoke inside a stone coffin. Pushing the lid open with effort, he was surprised to find himself back in the underwater tomb.
He lit a torch, surveying his surroundings, and vaguely saw figures resembling Wang Pangzi and others. As he approached a stone door, he was shocked to see Chen Wenjin, along with the original team who had explored the underwater tomb, gathered around a stone coffin, deep in argument. After Chen Wenjin and the others departed, Wu Xie saw Wu Sansheng arrive alone. Wu Xie eagerly followed his uncle, but Wu Sansheng, who had been hiding, suddenly grabbed his neck.
Just as Wu Xie was about to suffocate, he jolted awake, realizing it had all been a dream. He was still in the underground tomb, recalling being swept down the cliff by the current. He quickly rose to search for Lao Yang. He then discovered grave markers of the Mute Warriors, the army that had once sought treasure here. As he pondered the inscriptions, Lao Yang appeared beside him, and Wu Xie was relieved to find him safe.
Wu Xie then recalled an old hunter's story about a "ghost army" and feng shui masters mentioning a "yellow spring" leading to hell. Wu Xie connected the hot, yellow water of the underground waterfall to the fabled "yellow spring" and the "underworld" spoken of by the feng shui masters. Lao Yang, unnerved by the talk of feudal superstition in such a place, asked Wu Xie to stop.
Episode 19 Recap
After being swept away by a torrent, Wu Xie and Lao Yang found themselves by a waterfall. Wu Xie explained that the "Yellow Spring Waterfall" was not literally the Underworld, but rather named for the yellow color of the water, caused by hot springs. He deduced that this area was designed by the Mute Army, an ancient treasure troop from the Northern Wei period, whose failure to return from this tomb led to the legend of ghost soldiers.
Wu Xie believed that following the path of this "Underworld" would lead them to an exit. Their primary concern was the lack of a flashlight for underwater navigation, as a fire torch wouldn't work. Lao Yang suggested making their current fire bigger to serve as a guide, allowing them to swim towards its light and return if needed. After stripping for easier movement, they entered the frigid water.
Lao Yang quickly struggled with the cold, but Wu Xie encouraged him, eventually pulling him ashore. Upon reaching land, Wu Xie noticed signs that others had been there and went to investigate, while Lao Yang urged caution. Lao Yang awoke to find Wu Xie holding a flashlight, which he had found while searching for an exit. Wu Xie informed him that despite his efforts, there was no apparent way out other than the waterfall itself.
Seeing no other option, Wu Xie tested the force of the waterfall and plunged in, with a reluctant Lao Yang quickly following. They emerged from the first waterfall only to encounter another, its color subtly different, then a third. Wu Xie deduced they were in a circular maze composed of three distinct waterfalls, a setup designed to disorient and trap those who weren't mentally strong.
He had been leaving discrete marks on the rocks with his knife as they passed through, confident they would eventually return to their starting point. When they re-emerged, the flashlight was nowhere to be found, greatly unsettling Lao Yang, who declared it a supernatural phenomenon. Overwhelmed with fear, Lao Yang began to pray, stuffing cotton into his nose and lighting three cigarettes like incense, bowing devoutly.
Wu Xie detected a strange scent and questioned him about the cigarettes, to which Lao Yang simply replied they were ordinary. Moments later, both men collapsed, succumbing to the mysterious fumes. Lao Yang woke first and tried to rouse Wu Xie, but received no response. He then drew a dagger, murmuring apologies to the unconscious Wu Xie as he cut his arm and collected some blood.
At that moment, Teacher Liang appeared, shouting to wake Wu Xie, but Lao Yang quickly grabbed him, threatening him into silence, asserting that only Wu Xie could lead them to their desired outcome. Wu Xie slowly regained consciousness, noticed the wound on his arm, and had a fleeting memory of Lao Yang holding a knife. He chose not to confront Lao Yang directly, instead asking Teacher Liang how he came to be there.
Teacher Liang explained that after being washed away by the waterfall, he had wandered for what felt like "tens of rounds" without finding an exit, eventually stumbling upon a flashlight. Wu Xie immediately recognized it as his own, confirming his theory that the entire area was a colossal mechanism, and their current position was its starting point.
As Teacher Liang mused about the difficulty of locating the mechanism's hidden trapdoor, Wu Xie spotted something in the water and, ignoring Lao Yang's threat to Teacher Liang, plunged in. The ground began to shake, and Wu Xie soon resurfaced, triumphantly exclaiming that he had found the mechanism. The waterfall ceased its flow, and a bridge materialized, allowing the three of them to cross to the other side.
As they cautiously proceeded along the bridge, Teacher Liang, exhausted and fearful of the precipice, suggested they rest. Wu Xie, however, emphasized the dire situation. He pointed out that they were the only three left, each with their own objectives, and the dangers ahead would only intensify. He stated that even with all their combined equipment, no single person could survive this tomb alone; their only hope was to cooperate.
Wu Xie looked to Lao Yang, who nodded guiltily in agreement. Teacher Liang, seizing the opportunity, praised Wu Xie's leadership, agreeing wholeheartedly and flattering his archeological knowledge. Wu Xie dryly called him an "opportunistic leech." Wu Xie then declared that he would lead, to avoid further squabbles. Teacher Liang, feeling empowered, subtly threatened Lao Yang that if he continued to bully him, he would expose Lao Yang's secrets.
Lao Yang retorted that such an action would only lead to all their deaths. They arrived at an area filled with hanging coffins, which Wu Xie explained was an ancient cliff burial method. He then asked Teacher Liang about his original team, specifically a Mr. Li, who was missing. Teacher Liang explained that Mr. Li had been tragically swallowed by a massive fish while washing his face.
He further elaborated that both Mr. Li (Li Pi Pa) and a Mr. Wang (Wang Qi) were renowned antique collectors from Guangdong. Mr. Li's reputation stemmed from an inherited text, the "Tombs Collection," which was actually a treasure-hunting record kept by the Mute Riders, detailing countless ancient tomb locations.
Mr. Wang's ancestor, Wang Xian Chu, was a famous appraiser who, in his later years, compiled a journal called "The Fantastic and The Magnificent," documenting all the rare and extraordinary items he had encountered. Wu Xie noted the journal's immense value for archaeology. Teacher Liang added that Mr. Wang, despite lacking formal education, possessed an incredible memory and had memorized the entire journal.
He recounted an instance where Mr. Wang, guided by his memory of the journal, placed a jade lion in tea water, causing it to open and reveal a golden leaf, cementing his widespread fame. Wu Xie concluded that the combined knowledge from Mr. Li's "Tombs Collection" and Mr. Wang's ancestral journal made them a formidable pair, noting that Teacher Liang had only recently joined them, but the two men had a history of successful collaboration.
Meanwhile, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling continued their search for Wu Xie. After a long trek, Wang Pangzi grew frustrated, noting that his compass was malfunctioning, suggesting an unusual magnetic field. He declared their current location a dead end and decided to rest, shouting "Mr. Naive!" to locate Wu Xie. Zhang Qiling scaled a cliff face to explore but returned to report he was also lost.
Without warning, he pushed Wang Pangzi down into the water below and jumped in after him, much to Wang Pangzi's furious protestations and threats of future vengeance. As they made their way through the new area, A Ning and Guo Guo suddenly appeared. Wang Pangzi immediately confronted A Ning, accusing her of deliberately luring him and Wu Xie to this dangerous place and questioning her intentions.
Guo Guo quickly drew a gun on Wang Pangzi, but Zhang Qiling swiftly disarmed him. A Ning proposed a collaboration, suggesting they split any findings, offering a 50-50 share. Wang Pangzi, however, insisted that Wu Xie's goal was to protect cultural artifacts, not loot, and then argued for a 60-40 split in their favor, including Wu Xie and two other missing members. A Ning dismissed his claims for the others.
She then turned to Zhang Qiling, who firmly rejected any partnership. When A Ning suggested they go their separate ways, Zhang Qiling issued a stern warning: they would all proceed together, and if A Ning's group attempted any deception or tricks, he would kill them.
Episode 20 Recap
Wang Pangzi, Zhang Qiling, A Ning, and Guoguo continued their descent. As they walked, Wang Pangzi probed A Ning about her knowledge of the tomb, noting her thorough preparation in the underwater tomb contrasted with her apparent lack of information now. A Ning claimed she was only there to survey the area, her initial plans disrupted by a large fish, and hinted that a larger team was still to arrive.
Wang Pangzi questioned if she was being truthful, while A Ning dodged the question. He also speculated that the path they were on was man-made, likely for transporting materials during the tomb's construction. Suddenly, a sound interrupted them. A procession of ancient guards and horsemen, dressed in Northern Wei attire, rode past. The masked general leading the group paused, seeming to recognize Zhang Qiling, and swung his blade at him, though it did not connect.
Another figure in the procession asked the general, "Qian Zhi, what's the matter?" after he stopped. Wang Pangzi, startled, wondered if they were human or ghosts. A Ning explained that it was an "image capturing" phenomenon, similar to the reported sightings of Qing dynasty maidservants and eunuchs at the Forbidden City. She attributed it to a messed-up magnetic field, which had recorded and projected images of people from the Northern Wei period.
Wang Pangzi acknowledged hearing of such phenomena but questioned the specific conditions required, to which A Ning retorted that the current magnetic field was sufficiently disrupted. Observing the daunting look in the soldiers' eyes, Wang Pangzi noted their seasoned combat experience. He then turned to Zhang Qiling, asking what was happening, but Zhang Qiling offered no response. Meanwhile, Wu Xie, Lao Yang, and Teacher Liang descended into a tomb area filled with graves.
Teacher Liang grew increasingly nervous when his torch inexplicably extinguished, and Wu Xie urged caution. They soon arrived at a three-way intersection. Lao Yang suggested taking the left path, while Teacher Liang favored the right. Ultimately, Teacher Liang conceded to Lao Yang's suggestion, and they proceeded left. Wu Xie meticulously left marks as they went, only to discover they had circled back to their starting point.
They then tried the right path with the same result, confirming Teacher Liang's suspicion that they were trapped in a formation, comparing it to the legendary Stone Sentinel Maze. Wu Xie decided to try the remaining path. As they walked, Teacher Liang’s torch again went out, and he cried out, insisting something was inside the wall. Wu Xie also sensed a presence. Lao Yang impulsively lunged towards the wall, with Wu Xie quickly following to pin whatever was there.
To their surprise, it was a massive, mutated rat. Teacher Liang speculated it might be a species bred by a virus, similar to those from Unit 731, or simply grown large from feeding on corpses. Looking up, they spotted a coffin with a hole, which, upon closer inspection, was teeming with more mutated rats. Feeling immense danger, the three quickly retreated from the area.
Continuing their search for an exit, Wu Xie persisted in leaving marks, but they remained trapped and grew increasingly fatigued. During a brief rest, Teacher Liang, examining some scattered bones, discovered a crucial detail: a human collarbone with a clean, sharp cut, indicating a fatal blow from the front, very close to the time of death.
He deduced that these individuals had died in battle, not through ritual sacrifice, as ancient sacrificial methods typically involved a throat-cutting from behind, which would not affect the collarbone. Further investigation revealed bronze armor, specifically a summer-style Post-Han dynasty armor without lining, and silk fragments. Teacher Liang concluded that the site was not a sacrificial tomb but an ancient battlefield where Han soldiers had fought.
He theorized that the tomb's guards had lured the Han army, likely the Mute Riders, into this complex maze to annihilate them. However, he admitted he still couldn't figure out how the Mute Riders had ultimately escaped the maze. Confident that he could find a way out if they could determine a straight-line direction, Wu Xie instructed Lao Yang to fire a signal flare.
Teacher Liang was skeptical, believing it impossible to maintain a straight path in such a disorienting environment. They followed the flare's trajectory, but soon encountered an advancing wall of fire, realizing the ground was soaked with corpse oil. They were forced to retreat. As they ran, Wu Xie noticed that one of the coffins in a corner was movable.
Together, they managed to push it, creating a passage to another section of the tomb, and then agreed to split up to search for other movable coffins near intersections. Despite their efforts, they soon found themselves in yet another dead end, leading Teacher Liang to grumble about their predicament.
Episode 21 Recap
Wu Xie, desperate to find a way out of the burning coffin array, carefully examined the numerous coffins. When Liang Shiye urged him to stop playing with them and find a solution before the fire consumed them, Wu Xie, with a kick, opened a distinctive coffin, revealing an unexpected exit. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "It's opened! We're saved!" Liang Shiye, calling Wu Xie his "little lifesaver," praised him as their great savior.
The three men quickly ran through the newly found passage, but their escape was short-lived as they all fell into a deep hole. Upon regaining consciousness, Wu Xie found his bag and flashlight. Soon, Liang Shiye and Lao Yang also woke up. Liang Shiye, after dramatically complaining about being left alone, lit a torch, illuminating their surroundings. They looked up to see a colossal bronze tree.
Liang Shiye marveled at its size, noting how it explained why they couldn't reach the top despite digging for so long. He described the tree as "a truly extraordinary craftsmanship" and "a heavenly creation." Wu Xie asked Lao Yang if this was the same bronze tree he and Mr. Ma had discovered years ago. Lao Yang speculated it grew from "hell."
Liang Shiye then called out to them, having spotted excavation traces down below, suggesting the Serpents had discovered the tree during the tomb's construction. Wu Xie noticed Lao Yang standing in a daze. Liang Shiye, sensing something amiss, warned them that the tree felt "not right" and urged caution. Lao Yang then suggested they climb the tree, but Liang Shiye dismissed the idea, questioning if Lao Yang thought he was a monkey.
Meanwhile, Wang Pangzi, A Ning, Zhang Qiling, and Guo Guo found their path blocked by a dead end. A Ning proposed using explosives, but Wang Pangzi stopped her, chastising her as an "amateur" for even considering such a dangerous method inside a tomb. He then challenged Zhang Qiling to find a way. After a moment of observation, Zhang Qiling located and activated a mechanism, causing the ground beneath them to give way.
They plummeted into a chamber adorned with countless bronze bells and scattered skulls. Guo Guo immediately felt the place was "evil" and "chilling." A Ning, observing the scene, asked Zhang Qiling if he had ever encountered such a sight, but he remained silent. She then theorized it might be a Serpents' ritual sacrifice site, though Wang Pangzi likened it more to a "museum of dead bodies."
Guo Guo, noticing the bells, wanted to collect them, but Wang Pangzi warned him that touching them could induce hallucinations and even lead to self-inflicted death. Zhang Qiling, looking at the bells, was reminded of similar ones found on a large zombie creature, recalling Wu Xie's explanation that these bells, dating back to before the Warring States period, were notorious for causing numerous deaths.
Guo Guo then spotted what looked like a treasure chest in the hand of a skeletal priest. Wang Pangzi, eager to inspect it himself, took the box despite Zhang Qiling's sharp command to "Don't touch it." Upon opening the box and finding nothing, Guo Guo complained about Wang Pangzi's hypocrisy. Immediately, all the bells in the chamber began to ring, and everyone except Zhang Qiling succumbed to powerful hallucinations. Wang Pangzi, disoriented, made strange movements and sounds.
In his delusion, he fired his gun. A Ning was knocked to the ground by unseen forces. Wang Pangzi, holding his pistol, bizarrely bowed towards a monstrous apparition, then, in a terrifying moment, pushed the gun barrel into his own mouth, ready to pull the trigger. Just as he was about to fire, Zhang Qiling, alerted to the danger, intervened with a swift projectile, breaking Wang Pangzi's trance. As Wang Pangzi regained his senses, he frantically looked for A Ning.
Guo Guo then fell to his death. Wang Pangzi, distraught, mourned the apparent deaths of A Ning and Guo Guo, lamenting that he never got to explain his true feelings to A Ning. He then asked Zhang Qiling if he, too, had experienced any hallucinations. Zhang Qiling, claiming he had just remembered, then turned a large cauldron, revealing a new entrance.
Wang Pangzi angrily questioned why he hadn't revealed it earlier, believing it could have saved A Ning and Guo Guo, but Zhang Qiling simply reiterated that he had "just recalled it." They then descended into the newly opened passage. Back with Wu Xie's group, Liang Shiye discovered a double-bodied snake totem engraved on the bronze tree.
He identified it as the Serpents' totem, surmising that they revered the tree as a "miracle being" and etched their symbol as a form of worship. Wu Xie asked Liang Shiye to pinpoint the tree's era. After some deliberation and examining the tree's blackish-grey color, Liang Shiye estimated it to be tin bronze, possibly dating back to the Western Zhou dynasty, though he admitted only 50% certainty.
Wu Xie then questioned if the technological capabilities of the Western Zhou period could have allowed for the construction of such a massive bronze tree. Liang Shiye explained that while they used pottery molds for bronze vessels, theoretically, if they could create such a mold, building a huge bronze tree wasn't impossible, especially during the "Age of Wonders" from 1000 BC to the Common Era, a time when many seemingly impossible structures were built.
Lao Yang, however, strongly doubted this, citing the Qin Dynasty's limited capacity to cast only Twelve Metal Colossi even after collecting all weapons. The two began a heated debate about the feasibility and the source of such a vast amount of bronze. Ignoring the ongoing debate between Liang Shiye and Lao Yang, Wu Xie mused about Mr. Li's claim that this tomb held treasures more precious than the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, yet they had found nothing.
Liang Shiye believed the bronze tree itself was the treasure, a notion Wu Xie and Lao Yang quickly dismissed, pointing out its impracticality for them. Wu Xie was convinced that the true treasure was not the tree. As Wu Xie continued forward with the torch, Lao Yang caught up, and Wu Xie pressed him, convinced that Lao Yang knew the secret of the bronze tree.
Their conversation was interrupted by a startled cry from Liang Shiye, who had discovered a body hanging from the tree. They realized the body belonged to Guo Guo, though they did not know him personally. Wu Xie, noting that the body was still soft and warm, deduced that Guo Guo had died recently, and wondered if there were other people in the tomb.
He then theorized that since they were deep within the tomb and had found nothing else, the tomb owner might have placed his coffin and treasures on the tree, close to what the Serpents considered divine. They decided to climb the tree. Lao Yang handed out gloves, enigmatically warning them not to let any exposed skin touch the tree, comparing it to "high voltage electricity," and promising to explain later.
As they began their ascent, Lao Yang again cautioned Wu Xie to be careful and not touch the branches. Liang Shiye, being an older man and scared of heights, struggled to climb, so Wu Xie and Lao Yang pulled him up with a rope, with Lao Yang reiterating the warning about exposed skin. Inside the newly opened passage, Wang Pangzi saw Zhang Qiling staring intently at a stone door.
Wang Pangzi recognized the spot, pointing out a signature mark he leaves in every tomb he visits, indicating he had been there before the underwater tomb of Paracel Islands. He then pressed Zhang Qiling for information about any valuables. Zhang Qiling observed that the Serpents' tomb differed from those in Zhongyuan and had been reconstructed with intricate traps, possibly the work of the Mute Riders.
Zhang Qiling then quickly opened the door by stabbing it with his knife, and they proceeded inside. Meanwhile, Wu Xie, Lao Yang, and Liang Shiye continued their arduous climb up the bronze tree. Liang Shiye, exhausted, requested a break, and Lao Yang offered them some food he had. Liang Shiye again inquired about Lao Yang's persistent warning not to touch the tree with bare skin. Lao Yang responded vaguely, "Just listen to my advice if you want to live."
Liang Shiye further probed Lao Yang's familiarity with the tomb, noting that Mr. Li's "Tombs Collection" didn't mention such a tree. Wu Xie, however, suddenly felt an unsettling presence, as if "something is looking at us," and wondered if other living beings inhabited the tree. Lao Yang tried to dismiss it as imagination, but the group then heard disturbing sounds from above.
Wu Xie and Liang Shiye speculated it couldn't be Uncle Tai's group, and more likely the companions of the recently discovered corpse. Fearing a disadvantageous conflict, they decided to hasten their climb, hoping to avoid an encounter, with Wu Xie suggesting they should attempt collaboration if they did meet anyone.
Episode 22 Recap
Wu Xie and Lao Yang climbed the gigantic bronze tree while Teacher Liang waited below. When Teacher Liang's torch went out, he frantically called for a rope. Wu Xie used the tree trunk to help pull him up. Suddenly, Wu Xie spotted a gorilla-like monster. Seeing that the creature seemed to mimic his actions without immediate malice, Wu Xie feigned a fall, which the monster copied, causing it to tumble.
Seizing the moment, Wu Xie urged everyone to run, but the monster's speed quickly allowed it to catch up. Meanwhile, Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi found themselves in a section filled with numerous stone figures, which Wang Pangzi remarked felt like a museum. Zhang Qiling sensed something behind them and quickly instructed Wang Pangzi to get down as they too were pursued by a monster. Zhang Qiling managed to scare the creature away using his torch.
Back with Wu Xie's group, Teacher Liang, overwhelmed by fear, fainted. As Wu Xie struggled with the monster, A Ning appeared, dispatching the creature with her machine gun. Wu Xie confronted A Ning, demanding to know her reason for being there. Lao Yang interjected, asking if Wu Xie was her friend, a claim A Ning immediately denied. Lao Yang then posited that ancient civilizations trained apes to guard mines, suggesting the Serpents might have done the same.
A Ning warned them of the danger and advised them to leave, but Wu Xie, seeing the unconscious Teacher Liang, proposed they rest. Teacher Liang startled awake, asking about the ape, and upon realizing it was gone, urged them to continue their journey. As they walked, Wu Xie thought he saw Zhang Qiling, but it turned out to be an illusion.
Concurrently, in another part of the tomb, Zhang Qiling also felt he saw Wu Xie, though he knew Wu Xie was not with them, prompting Wang Pangzi to suggest he was experiencing delusions. When Wu Xie's group paused to rest, Lao Yang suddenly insisted they move quickly, expressing fear that the "golden apes" might return. A sudden noise was heard, and blood mysteriously appeared on Wu Xie's face.
Wu Xie urged them to leave the spot, only to discover Uncle Tai's upper body impaled on a tree branch ahead, his eyes wide open. Wu Xie explained that while the tree branches appeared blunt, a person falling from a sufficient height and speed would find them as sharp as blades. Wu Xie directed his questions about the tree's dangers to Lao Yang, who feigned ignorance.
A Ning, exasperated, held a knife to Lao Yang's throat, demanding he tell the truth. Teacher Liang intervened, pleading for unity, which prompted A Ning to lower her knife. Wu Xie then pointed out bloodstains on the tree trunk, stating that the immense bronze tree must have a significant purpose. He connected it to an altar Lao Yang had found three years prior, the human-head stone figures they had seen, and the yet-undiscovered Serpents' coffins.
A Ning theorized that the Serpents, discovering the tree, developed a reverence for it and incorporated it into their rituals. Wu Xie, however, argued that while the bronze tree was from the Western Zhou dynasty and its rituals were not as cruel as the Shang's, the patterns on the tree suggested its original function was ritualistic.
He believed such a colossal tree was likely considered a sacred "Tree of Life" dedicated to a Tree Deity, with blood rituals performed by nailing humans to it and letting their blood drain into its grooves to flow to the roots, serving as a dedication to the deity. Wu Xie's glove tore. As he reached to touch the tree, Lao Yang stopped him. A Ning noted that the tree's branches were becoming increasingly divergent, making the path difficult.
Lao Yang countered that dense parts were easier to climb. Teacher Liang questioned Lao Yang's assessment, asking why Uncle Tai had fallen if climbing was so easy. Lao Yang hinted that Uncle Tai might have been pushed during an internal conflict, then blurted out that the treasure was definitely on the tree, drawing Wu Xie's attention.
Lao Yang proposed they split into groups and wanted to pair with Wu Xie, but A Ning swiftly drew a gun, asserting that Wu Xie would go with her, leaving Lao Yang to partner with Teacher Liang. Wu Xie took the opportunity to ask A Ning why she had vanished without a word after the underwater tomb and why she had sent an empty ship to rescue him.
A Ning simply stated they were "of different leagues" and denied sending any ship, prompting Wu Xie to question her reluctance to acknowledge their friendship. Lao Yang and Teacher Liang continued to search for a path. Lao Yang suddenly slipped, dangling precariously. He pleaded with Teacher Liang for help, but Teacher Liang seized the moment to demand the secrets of the bronze tree. Just as Lao Yang was about to fall, Wu Xie swiftly pulled him to safety.
Examining the ape's mask, Wu Xie noticed it was embedded in the creature's flesh and bore patterns identical to those on the bronze tree. Teacher Liang knocked the mask from Wu Xie's hand, explaining that the bronze tree's rituals originated from minority tribes, not the Han. He revealed that the attacking apes were "tamed" using parasitic insects, known as "Chi venom," which controlled their nervous systems. Elsewhere, Wang Pangzi wondered how the apes ate or breathed with their masks.
Zhang Qiling pulled off a mask, confirming it was Chi venom, a parasitic organism that coexists with and controls the host's nervous system. Wang Pangzi then spotted a large swarm of these Chi venom bugs. As Wu Xie's group listened to Teacher Liang's explanation, they were warned that Chi venom was nearly impossible to remove, and an infection would be disastrous.
Despite the warning, Lao Yang ignored their pleas and ventured ahead to scout, firing a signal flare under the pretext of darkness. The flare, however, illuminated a massive number of Chi venom bugs swarming the tree. Everyone grew concerned about how they would pass through this obstacle. Teacher Liang observed that the bugs seemed deterred by light and heat, but A Ning countered that the apes had not been truly afraid of their flares or torches.
The group realized they faced a dire situation: if they couldn't find a way through, they would be surrounded and perish, and they once again looked to Wu Xie for guidance.
Episode 23 Recap
Wu Xie carefully surveyed their surroundings, observing no Chi beetles on the cliff ahead. He declared that getting across to that cliff was their only escape route. While his companions expressed doubts about the distance, Wu Xie insisted the very distance was why the beetles hadn't crossed. He then retrieved a rope from his bag. A Ning immediately recognized it as one of her special ops ropes, explaining it belonged to her subordinate, Guo Guo.
Known for its exceptional strength and durability, it was capable of supporting all four of them. Wu Xie explained he found it in the bag of a body on a tree. Wu Xie pointed out that the rope, though strong, was too short. He proposed splitting the 16-millimeter double-stranded rope into a single, longer strand, assuring them that an 8-millimeter reinforced nylon rope was sufficient for mountaineering.
After preparing the rope, Wu Xie attempted to throw it across to the cliff but failed. A Ning then stepped forward and skillfully threw the rope, securing it on her first try. Lao Yang jokingly called A Ning Wu Xie's "girlfriend," prompting Wu Xie to scold him and remind him that it was no time for jokes. Wu Xie volunteered to cross first.
Lao Yang handed him a gun for protection, suggesting he might encounter "something" on the other side, which earned him strange looks from the others. Wu Xie successfully climbed across and, after confirming it was safe, called for the others to follow, one by one. Teacher Liang climbed next, testing the rope's stability.
Lao Yang then offered to let A Ning go first, citing "ladies first," but A Ning, not trusting him, insisted he go ahead while she took the rear. Lao Yang, conceding that she found him the "least trustworthy," climbed onto the rope. As A Ning prepared to cross, Wu Xie spotted Chi beetles appearing behind her and urgently warned her to get on the rope.
Lao Yang, already on the rope, protested that it was too thin to hold both of them, but with the situation so urgent, they had no choice. Just as A Ning got on the rope, more Chi beetles emerged along it. A Ning fired her gun at them, and in the chaos, the rope suddenly snapped. Both A Ning and Lao Yang were slammed against the cliffside.
Wu Xie desperately pulled on the rope, and Lao Yang managed to scramble to safety. However, Lao Yang initially refused to help rescue A Ning. Just as Wu Xie was about to lose his grip on A Ning, Lao Yang grabbed him, and together they managed to pull A Ning to safety. With Chi beetles rapidly approaching, Wu Xie cut his arm, letting his blood drip to repel them.
Teacher Liang expressed his surprise and awe at Wu Xie possessing "Dragon's blood." Wu Xie then noticed A Ning's arm was injured and, after examining it, determined it was a contusion and bandaged it securely. Seeing A Ning injured, Lao Yang and Teacher Liang began arguing about the feasibility of continuing, with Lao Yang wanting to retreat. Fed up with their bickering, Wu Xie told them to stop.
In another part of the tomb, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling also encountered a swarm of Chi beetles. Wang Pangzi's pistol proved useless against them. Zhang Qiling calmly cut his finger and used his blood to drive the creatures away, prompting Wang Pangzi to remark that Zhang Qiling's blood was indeed the "best insect repellent." Zhang Qiling then stated he saw Wu Xie, insisting it was not an illusion, but Wang Pangzi dismissed it.
Later, Wu Xie awoke to find A Ning and Lao Yang unconscious and injured. Teacher Liang emerged, holding a gun, accompanied by an armed Mr. Wang. Wu Xie angrily confronted Teacher Liang for his betrayal after being saved so many times. Mr. Wang pointed his gun at Wu Xie, forcing him to cooperate, revealing he wanted to use Wu Xie’s Qilin Jie-infused blood to deal with the Chi beetles.
Teacher Liang explained that according to ancient texts written in a mute script he could read, the Mute Army of the Northern Wei dynasty had explored the bronze tree, but the records stopped abruptly after they climbed it, written in an unknown language. Wu Xie agreed to climb up to investigate, leaving the injured Lao Yang in A Ning's care and warning Teacher Liang not to try anything.
Meanwhile, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling discovered a massive coffin adorned with dragon carvings. Wang Pangzi speculated it belonged to an important Serpent tribal leader and asked Zhang Qiling if he knew how to open it. Zhang Qiling approached the coffin and rotated a circular mechanism, causing the lid to open. The opening of the coffin caused tremors and falling rocks where Wu Xie and Mr. Wang were. They hurried across a precarious plank road.
Mr. Wang almost slipped while climbing a section, but Wu Xie quickly stabilized him. They soon reached a dead end on a walkway. Mr. Wang produced a rope, and both men began to argue over who should ascend first. Mr. Wang, impatient, pointed his gun at Wu Xie, demanding to go first. Just then, Wu Xie heard a faint, strange woman's laughter.
Episode 24 Recap
Wu Xie, whose mind was controlled by a hallucination, watched Mr. Wang climb a rope to the other side of the cliff, silently wishing for him to fall. Wu Xie fought to stay lucid and eventually followed, making his way across the rope. On the other side, Mr. Wang discovered an area with many statues and incredibly hard roots, which Wu Xie noted seemed to be a sacrificial platform.
A strange, rhythmic sound, like a mechanism, echoed consistently, convincing Mr. Wang that something important lay hidden within. Mr. Wang then asked Wu Xie to descend into a root system cave to scout ahead. Wu Xie initially eagerly volunteered but then cautiously rethought, explaining that the cave was complex, and the bronze tree might be hollow, making it too dangerous to go in hastily without proper gear.
He insisted Mr. Wang give him equipment, arguing that if he died, Mr. Wang would gain nothing. Mr. Wang provided him with a knife, a flashlight, and a walkie-talkie, setting the channel and instructing him to communicate from below. Wu Xie descended into the root system cave, soon reaching a crossroads with two entrances: one bright and one dark. He tried to communicate this to Mr. Wang, but the walkie-talkie signal was lost.
After a moment of hesitation, Wu Xie chose the dark entrance. Unable to reach Wu Xie, Mr. Wang grew concerned and followed, choosing the bright entrance when he reached the split. Wu Xie emerged from his chosen path, discovering a bridge and a coffin. His walkie-talkie signal returned, and he informed Mr. Wang that he had taken the dark entrance. Mr. Wang instructed him to stay there and wait, as he was coming. Wu Xie, however, proceeded across the bridge.
When Mr. Wang arrived and saw Wu Xie had already crossed, he rushed over. As he did, bells hanging on the bridge began to ring, causing Mr. Wang to suffer an intense, hallucination-induced headache, making him writhe on the ground. Wu Xie, concerned, tried to help him, telling him to snap out of it and that he was experiencing an illusion. Suddenly, Mr. Wang, still in a crazed state, grabbed Wu Xie's neck and began to strangle him.
Wu Xie struggled, but Mr. Wang showed no response until, after a moment, he recovered his senses and released Wu Xie, confused about what had happened. They both noticed the coffin ahead was glowing. Wu Xie pointed out that all the vines were creeping down from the coffin, suggesting that below was likely their true destination. Wu Xie decided to climb down an iron chain, warning Mr. Wang not to touch any of the vines or branches.
As they descended, Mr. Wang spotted a glowing object below and urged Wu Xie to go faster. Meanwhile, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling were in a burial chamber, standing before a large coffin. Wang Pangzi, eager to open it, asked if there were traps and if he could push it open. Zhang Qiling, however, told him to stop, as he could see Wu Xie.
Wu Xie, too, saw Zhang Qiling and expressed his surprise, asking how Zhang Qiling was and if Wang Pangzi was with him. Zhang Qiling confirmed Wang Pangzi's presence and told him to place his hand on a bronze object, but Wu Xie still couldn't see Wang Pangzi. Wang Pangzi then muttered to Zhang Qiling not to tell Wu Xie that A Ning was dead, mistakenly believing she was, and that Wu Xie would be upset.
Wu Xie asked if they had heard any strange bell sounds, which Zhang Qiling denied. Wu Xie then recounted his journey: after being separated from Wang Pangzi, he encountered his childhood friend, Lao Yang. They later joined a group of treasure hunters, and after various incidents, only Wu Xie, Lao Yang, and Teacher Liang remained. They climbed the bronze tree, were attacked by Chi venom, and A Ning had saved them, confirming to Zhang Qiling that A Ning was alive.
Following A Ning's injury, Teacher Liang and Mr. Wang coerced Wu Xie into scouting. He was currently with Mr. Wang, following a shining coffin. He explained that a tremor occurred, he touched the bronze tree, and then he could see Zhang Qiling. Zhang Qiling, seeing bronze branches around Wu Xie, concluded they were close and promised to find the quickest path to reunite. Wu Xie urged Zhang Qiling to be careful.
Wang Pangzi later wondered at the strange "video call" phenomenon, noting only Zhang Qiling could see and talk to Wu Xie. Mr. Wang, having reached the bottom, excitedly called out to Wu Xie, declaring he had found their target and that this was the place. Wu Xie bid farewell to Zhang Qiling, urging him to be careful.
Wang Pangzi then asked Zhang Qiling to relay a message to Wu Xie, telling him that "Fatty Wang will be right there for him" and not to worry. Elsewhere, A Ning, in a panicked state, cried out for Wu Xie. Her "father" appeared before her, noting her sadness and confirming that Wu Xie had been pushed down the tree and was dead.
He urged her to accept the reality of death, which he described as an ever-present shadow, and to continue fulfilling her mission, questioning if she could do so without him. A Ning, confused, asked who he was, to which he chillingly replied, "Who do you wish me to be?" He then proceeded to strangle her, leaving her defenseless. Zhang Qiling, having flipped open the large coffin, revealed an extraordinarily well-preserved corpse.
Wang Pangzi was astonished, remarking that while he had seen ancient embalmed bodies before, they were usually wrinkled. This one, however, appeared as if its time of death was no more than two hours prior. Zhang Qiling recognized the body, stating he had seen this person before in the recording of the Mute Riders army. Wu Xie, having fully descended, initially mistook the glowing object for amber. Mr. Wang quickly corrected him, identifying it as a "corpse cocoon."
Wu Xie asked if the Serpent tomb was inside, but Mr. Wang stated it was impossible to see without X-ray scanners. Mr. Wang explained that ancient texts described corpse cocoons as enhancers used by pre-Qin alchemists, formed by drowning pregnant women in herbs, burying them, and then, seventeen years later, the baby inside would become the corpse cocoon, with the petrified placenta forming the outer layer and solidified amniotic fluid creating the amber color.
Wu Xie acknowledged having heard of smaller corpse cocoons found in other regions, which contained children or animals, but had never seen one of this immense size. Mr. Wang offered an alternative theory: that it was a technique for preventing putrefaction, where a corpse was covered in a special resin and herbs. He recounted how his great-grandfather, a head appraiser in Hong Kong, once encountered an amber corpse cocoon.
The seller claimed it could be used to create an elixir of life or, if buried as a sacrifice, help the tomb owner achieve divinity. His great-grandfather, upon closer inspection, saw a living person inside, declared it a sin, and burned it. Mr. Wang then questioned Wu Xie if he felt anything standing so close to the corpse cocoon, pressing him to place his hand on it and to express any desires or dreams.
When Wu Xie reported feeling nothing, Mr. Wang grew agitated, muttering that the "Tombs Collection" couldn't be wrong, and frantically began flipping through the book himself. Wu Xie, picking up the discarded book, found Mr. Wang's behavior increasingly odd, especially his intense focus on the cocoon over other potential treasures, and his sudden detailed knowledge of it. He also questioned where Mr. Wang had gotten a cylinder of blood that he then proceeded to sprinkle onto the corpse cocoon.
Recalling that Teacher Liang had said Mr. Wang wasn't "into culture," Wu Xie confronted him, saying, "Perhaps. . . Mr. Wang. . . or should I call you Lao Yang?" Mr. Wang immediately froze. A Ning awoke from her hallucination, found a body on the ground and called out for Wu Xie and Lao Yang. A phantom Lao Yang appeared, asking what was wrong. A Ning then truly awoke, realizing it was all a dream.
She quickly roused Teacher Liang, demanding to know Lao Yang's whereabouts. Teacher Liang revealed that Lao Yang had killed Mr. Wang and then drugged them all with hallucinogens, causing their shared illusions. He also claimed Lao Yang had promised to lead him to treasure but was lying. Concerned for Wu Xie, A Ning immediately rushed out.
Episode 25 Recap
Upon hearing Wu Xie call him "Lao Yang," the man's appearance shifted, revealing his true identity. Lao Yang became frantic, pounding on the corpse cocoon and pleading with Wu Xie to help him revive his mother by "thinking of her." Wu Xie told him it was impossible. Devastated, Lao Yang collapsed, repeatedly murmuring "Mom."
Wu Xie comforted him, promising to bring him home and help him, but only if Lao Yang revealed everything he knew, including what happened to his mother. Lao Yang's demeanor softened, and he confessed that his mother had died three years ago and he missed her terribly, yearning to see her again. Lao Yang then recounted the tragic events of three years prior. He described coming home to his mother cooking, who told him to wash his hands before dinner.
After washing, he found her lifeless body in the room, her eyes wide open and half her face disfigured by scars. Overcome with grief, he gently closed her eyes. The memory of her last call for dinner continued to haunt him. As he spoke, Lao Yang experienced a vivid hallucination of his mother, and surprisingly, Wu Xie also perceived the phantom. The illusory mother even spoke to both of them, addressing Wu Xie by name.
Moments later, the vision dissipated, leaving Lao Yang distraught and pulling Wu Xie to search for her. Wu Xie firmly told him it was merely an illusion and he needed to accept his mother's death, stressing the urgency of leaving the dangerous location. However, Lao Yang, consumed by grief, declared he would sacrifice anything to resurrect his mother and was willing to die there if necessary.
As a massive snake-like creature began to move nearby, Wu Xie, seeing Lao Yang's unyielding obsession, forcefully knocked his head against the corpse cocoon. This act seemed to jolt Lao Yang back to reality, and Wu Xie immediately pulled him away. Meanwhile, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling stood by the opened coffin. Wang Pangzi questioned why a Mute Rider's body was inside what he believed to be a Serpent tomb.
Zhang Qiling, examining the coffin, noted that it had clearly been opened before. Wang Pangzi speculated that the Mute Riders had displaced the original occupant, likely because the coffin's preservation qualities were highly sought after, as evidenced by the remarkably intact corpse, which still felt warm. He also mentioned that the PM 2. 5 levels had significantly increased since they opened the coffin. Suddenly, the body reanimated, wielding a blade.
Zhang Qiling swiftly drew his Ancient Black Blade, intercepting the attack aimed at Wang Pangzi's back. Startled, Wang Pangzi shouted that it was alive and fired his gun. Zhang Qiling engaged the revived Mute Rider, who, despite having only one arm, displayed formidable combat skills. Eventually, Zhang Qiling overpowered the Mute Rider, who coughed up blood but was spared a killing blow. The Mute Rider then spoke, asking about "the King and General" and demanding, "Who art thou?"
Zhang Qiling asked about the Serpent leader's body, to which the Mute Rider replied it had been "burned." When asked who the current Emperor was, Zhang Qiling informed him that a millennium had passed. Shocked, the Mute Rider quickly fled. Wu Xie, dragging Lao Yang, fled back the way they came, but the colossal snake pursued them relentlessly, forcing them to leap from a hanging bridge and scramble for cover.
The revived Mute Rider returned to the coffin, where Wang Pangzi was astonished to see an identical body now lying within it, though Zhang Qiling asserted it was the same singular entity. The Mute Rider knelt before the coffin and confessed that he had been gravely wounded and unable to serve his Highness.
His benevolent King had desired to use this place to extend his life, despite his General's warning that the location was imbued with devilish essence and the plan was ill-advised. Driven by a greedy desire to live, he had disregarded the General's counsel. Moments later, he violently coughed up blood and collapsed, finally succumbing to death. Wang Pangzi expressed awe that even at death's door, the Mute Rider had managed to fight Zhang Qiling to a near-standstill.
After a moment of melancholy, he quickly collected items from the deceased. Zhang Qiling then remarked that the man's life should have ended a thousand years ago, implying the same for himself. Wang Pangzi vehemently interrupted him, warning that if "Mr. Naive" (Wu Xie) heard such words, he would be heartbroken, before closing the coffin lid. A Ning, accompanied by Liang Shiye, continued their journey.
Liang Shiye constantly complained about the arduous path until the giant snake's movements caused tremors and falling rocks. Caught off guard, Liang Shiye stumbled and fell from a cliff. Meanwhile, Wu Xie and Lao Yang had sought refuge in a small cave. Wu Xie reassured Lao Yang that the snake couldn't enter and went to scout the area, but the snake's attacks caused a rockfall that blocked the cave entrance, trapping Lao Yang inside.
Alone, Lao Yang discovered an opening in the wall through which he saw a tomb chamber containing a man identical to himself. This doppelganger claimed that Lao Yang was merely a copy he had created. Enraged, Lao Yang retrieved a bomb from his bag and placed it on the wall, intending to destroy the impostor.
Elsewhere, while searching for an alternate route, Wu Xie found a dropped bag, rope, and a notebook left behind by a previous visitor who had also been trapped by the giant snake. As Wu Xie began to read it, A Ning and her group heard strange sounds and saw the colossal black snake approaching, forcing them to flee.
Episode 26 Recap
While Lao Yang was clearing the rocks to enter the passage and find Wu Xie, Wu Xie, already deeper within the mountain, discovered a pile of bones and the belongings of a previous explorer. Among them, he found a diary. Wu Xie read aloud its grim contents to Lao Yang, recounting how the person had entered the mountain three years prior with a companion, only to be betrayed, sealed inside with dynamite, and left to starve to death.
Lao Yang's face hardened with a fierce expression as he listened. Wu Xie urged him to continue moving the rocks while Wu Xie searched for more clues inside. Wu Xie continued his search and soon found a wallet containing an identity card. The name on it was Xie Zi Yang. Wu Xie paused, asking Lao Yang if he remembered a classmate by that name. Lao Yang responded that he thought there was.
Just then, Lao Yang managed to move the last of the rocks and stepped into the chamber. Wu Xie, looking closely at the ID card, was stunned to realize the photo was of Lao Yang. Confused, he asked Lao Yang why his ID was with the dead man. Lao Yang took the card, his expression dark, and told Wu Xie that "certain things are best left unknown." He then chillingly confessed, "He was Xie Zi Yang. He was Lao Yang."
Wu Xie, bewildered, demanded to know who Lao Yang truly was. Lao Yang calmly stated, "I'm both Xie Zi Yang and Lao Yang. It was me who killed myself! I didn't want another 'me' to exist in this world, so I killed him." Wu Xie, horrified, questioned his sanity, but Lao Yang remained impassive. He then aimed a gun at Wu Xie, declaring that since Wu Xie now knew the truth, he could not be allowed to live.
Wu Xie, undeterred, pressed his forehead against the barrel of the gun. He reminded Lao Yang that he had come all this way for him and had promised to take him home. If Lao Yang truly wished to kill him, he should go ahead. As Lao Yang's finger tightened on the trigger, Wu Xie lunged, grappling with him. At that moment, a colossal serpent burst into the chamber.
Wu Xie quickly pushed Lao Yang out of the way of its attack, and they both fled for their lives. The gigantic snake relentlessly pursued them. Wu Xie ran ahead, clearing obstacles and constantly urging Lao Yang to hurry. Witnessing Wu Xie's unwavering efforts, Lao Yang seemed to regain some strength and joined him in moving a heavy tree trunk. They continued their desperate escape until they reached a dead end.
Seeing a vine, Lao Yang jumped, hoping to catch it, but missed and fell. Wu Xie immediately jumped after him, catching a vine and skillfully swinging down a narrow pathway, calling out Lao Yang's name. He soon found Lao Yang, who had sustained an abdominal injury. Wu Xie quickly applied bandages to stop the bleeding. Lao Yang, clutching Wu Xie's hand, insisted that he had something important to say.
He apologized profusely for all the wrong he had done, for constantly lying, and even for his recent attempt to harm Wu Xie. He acknowledged Wu Xie's inherent kindness and forgiving nature. Lao Yang confessed that he had brought Wu Xie to the Qinling sacred tree's end with the intention of using a kind person like him to harness the sacred tree's power to save his mother.
Wu Xie, despite the confession, tried to reassure Lao Yang, telling him that he knew everything and that he would definitely take him out of this place, insisting that everything would be okay. Lao Yang, however, expressed his deep despair, revealing that he had spent three years in the tomb, losing his sense of self and questioning his very existence, feeling like "the walking dead."
He admitted to doing many terrible things, including killing someone, in his desperate pursuit of his goal, and believed he belonged there. Wu Xie vehemently disagreed, arguing that Lao Yang was himself, that the "person" he killed was merely an illusion, and that the bronze tree was to blame. He reaffirmed his promise to take Lao Yang to safety. Lao Yang then expressed his profound gratitude to Wu Xie for his unwavering companionship and for never abandoning him.
Wu Xie had made him feel truly alive and had shown him the genuine meaning of brotherhood. Coughing blood, Lao Yang asked Wu Xie if he would still be his brother in their next life. Tearfully, Wu Xie nodded, confirming he would. With a final look, Lao Yang broke free and ran towards the giant snake. Wu Xie then saw the grenade pin on the ground, realizing Lao Yang's tragic plan.
Lao Yang detonated the grenade, sacrificing himself to destroy the monstrous serpent, leaving Wu Xie heartbroken. A Ning appeared shortly after, finding Wu Xie alone and grieving. She asked if he was okay, and Wu Xie, still distraught, lamented that he had promised Lao Yang he would save him but had ultimately failed. A Ning tried to comfort him, remarking that they had done all they could.
Just then, the giant snake, not dead but enraged, reappeared and attacked them with renewed ferocity. Wu Xie was violently thrown against a rock wall, sustaining injuries, and A Ning also fell. Seeing the snake target Wu Xie, she quickly grabbed her machine gun, opened fire, and bravely shielded Wu Xie from falling rocks. Despite the extreme danger, A Ning felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Together, they managed to lure the snake and use explosives to drive it away.
However, their respite was short-lived as a swarm of corpse beetles emerged. A Ning fought them off alone with her gun, but when Wu Xie saw her struggling, he waded through the water to join her. He once again used his unique blood to repel the creatures. A Ning, watching his selfless actions, was reminded of his past kindness despite her own past wrongdoings towards him.
As the giant snake prepared for another attack, Wu Xie gently placed his hand on A Ning's shoulder, reminding her that "friends don't owe each other anything." He then abruptly pushed A Ning out of the way and ran towards the attacking monster himself. A Ning cried out his name, realizing Wu Xie was sacrificing himself to save her. Wu Xie threw a bomb into the monster's gaping maw.
The creature exploded, but Wu Xie was engulfed by the blast and fell into the water. A Ning watched in anguish, tears streaming down her face. As Wu Xie began to lose consciousness underwater, Zhang Qiling suddenly appeared and pulled him to safety. Wu Xie later awoke in a hospital bed, excited to see Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi by his side. However, when he tried to speak, his voice was strangely shrill.
Wang Pangzi jokingly suggested he was possessed and offered him a urinal to drink from, to "force it out." A doctor soon entered and explained that Wu Xie's bizarre voice was an aftereffect of a severe concussion, causing a temporary disorder in his speech center, but assured them he would recover in a few days. Wang Pangzi teased Wu Xie, calling him a chatterbox, and the two began to playfully squabble. Zhang Qiling watched them with a fond smile.
Wu Xie then took out a watch and handed it to Zhang Qiling. A jealous Wang Pangzi demanded to know what he would receive, prompting Wu Xie to playfully chase him out of the room. After Wu Xie's voice returned to normal, the trio gathered to examine a piece of mute-script paper they had retrieved from the tomb. Wang Pangzi revealed that he had asked Xie Yu Chen to find an expert to translate the script.
While some ancient words remained undeciphered, they had gleaned much information. Wang Pangzi explained that the resurrected individual, whom he had nicknamed "Young Yang Guo" and later identified as the "Mute Rider General," was in fact a Lord's personal bodyguard. This Lord had become embroiled in a battle for the throne, with some factions supporting his claim to emperorship while powerful royal courtiers vehemently opposed him and sent troops to hunt him down. As the Mute Rider General (Young Yang Guo) bravely escorted the Lord in his escape, enduring fierce battles, he lost an arm while protecting his Lord.
Episode 27 Recap
Wang Pangzi concluded his research on the bronze tree, finding no definitive purpose for it. He found that according to the internet, its ancient name was "Hollow Pillar," and a smaller one was discovered in a mine at Panzhihua in 1984, but without scrolls describing its use. However, he recalled that an elder, Mr. Qi, had mentioned in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" and various ethnic poems that the bronze tree was linked to ancient Earth Dragons.
Wu Xie immediately connected this to the two giant snakes they encountered. One had a purple eye and the other a blood-red eye. The blood-red eye had caused him dizziness and nausea when he saw it, and A Ning had also fallen into a trance. He also recalled throwing a grenade into its mouth, and it melted like wax.
Zhang Qiling confirmed that the creature was a Candle Dragon, a legendary snake that lives in the deepest parts of the earth veins. Its eyes had mutated like a flounder's due to its habitat, and its thick layers of fat were historically used by ancient people as fuel for longevity lamps. Wu Xie wondered if the massive bronze tree was merely built to lure such a snake.
Wu Xie then pondered the inexplicable phenomenon of him and Zhang Qiling simultaneously touching the bronze tree's branches, yet perceiving and hearing each other despite being in different spaces. Wang Pangzi admitted he couldn't explain this, but shared news that Mr. Ma had been hospitalized for a mental illness, specifically schizophrenia. Wu Xie hypothesized that Mr. Ma, like Da Shan's son, might have developed the condition from contact with the bronze tree's branches and the bronze bells he carried.
He noted that some people's minds are more fragile and susceptible to such influences. Wu Xie sorrowfully recalled his childhood friend, Lao Yang, suggesting Lao Yang might have been mentally unstable even before touching the bronze tree three years prior, which led him to firmly believe the tree could revive his mother.
Wu Xie recounted his own vivid hallucinations, seeing Lao Yang's mother speaking to him, and the eerie experience of finding Lao Yang's corpse inside the cave while encountering a living Lao Yang outside. Wang Pangzi added to this, describing how they had fought a revived Young Yang Guo, only to find another Young Yang Guo as a disintegrated dry corpse in the coffin.
Zhang Qiling proposed that the strange occurrences might be due to disrupted time and space caused by magnetic fields. Wu Xie enthusiastically agreed, elaborating on the concept of parallel universes. He explained the concept using quantum physics and an analogy of playing a game where different choices lead to different scenarios, each creating a parallel universe.
He explained that the disturbed magnetic fields could cause these parallel spaces to coincide, thereby explaining the simultaneous appearance of two Lao Yangs—one dead, one alive—and two Young Yang Guos—one alive and fighting, one a thousand-year-old corpse. He acknowledged the theory was not perfect but was the most plausible explanation he could conceive.
Wang Pangzi, however, urged him not to get too caught up in scientific theories, expressing more interest in A Ning's true motives for going to the tomb and why she seemed to stick to Wu Xie like a tail. Wu Xie revealed that the person named Guo Guo, who was with A Ning, had been the one to introduce Mr. Ma to Wang Pangzi.
Both Wang Pangzi and Wu Xie suspected Qiu Dekao's manipulation, describing it as "digging holes" for them to fall into. Zhang Qiling prompted them to consider what valuable artifact Qiu Dekao was truly seeking in that tomb and why Wu Xie was consistently used as a scout. Meanwhile, at the Huo family mansion, Madam Huo, having selected a beautiful cheongsam for Xiu Xiu, was displeased to see Xiu Xiu return with a new dress she had bought herself from Vipshop.
Xiu Xiu, believing cheongsams didn't suit her, nonetheless agreed to have one tailored to please her grandmother, bringing a smile to Madam Huo's face. At that moment, the butler announced the arrival of Si Ye from Changsha. Si Ye, Madam Huo's nephew, was embroiled in a lawsuit for bribery and murder stemming from a land deal he pursued with a Mr. Lin. He defiantly rejected Xiu Xiu's advice to abandon the land.
Madam Huo, exasperated by her nephew's and Xiu Xiu's argument, simply dismissed Si Ye, who confidently believed his aunt would resolve the legal issues for him. Si Ye later discussed with his subordinate how Madam Huo would surely handle it, and criticized the idea of a woman like Xiu Xiu inheriting family leadership. Afterwards, a nervous Xiu Xiu offered tea to Madam Huo and apologized for her failure to manage Si Ye's situation, which caused her grandmother distress.
Madam Huo advised Xiu Xiu that a family leader must possess an imposing presence, be tough, and even heartless. She cited Xie Yu Hua (Xie Zi), who, despite being younger than Xiu Xiu when he took charge of the Xie Family after Xie Jiu's death, was fearless and capable. Madam Huo lamented Xiu Xiu's limited experience and declared her intention to give Xiu Xiu another important lesson.
Later, while Wu Xie, Wang Pangzi, and Zhang Qiling were eating, Wu Xie was still fixated on Qiu Dekao's true intentions, wondering why he was constantly being lured into dangerous situations. He speculated that Qiu Dekao aimed to influence his Uncle Wu Sansheng through him, while Wang Pangzi believed it was merely a transaction between Qiu Dekao and Wu Sansheng, with Qiu Dekao seeking resources.
Zhang Qiling, however, stated unequivocally that Qiu Dekao’s real target was Wu Xie himself, not his uncle. Wu Xie, bewildered, questioned what value he could possibly possess to warrant such elaborate schemes. Zhang Qiling suggested that Wu Xie’s true value might be something he himself had yet to recognize. Wang Pangzi worried about what further "traps" Qiu Dekao would set. Wu Xie, reflecting on their predicament, decided they could no longer remain passive.
He resolved to seize the initiative and set his own traps. Wu Xie admitted to his companions, when questioned about his bluff, that he truly had no clear plan, acknowledging that he lacked the wit and vision of his uncle or Qiu Dekao. However, he suggested that their unpredictability, even to themselves, could be their strength. If they took the lead, forcing others to follow, their opponents would inevitably expose their own tracks.
Wang Pangzi, as usual, found this idea unreliable, but Wu Xie insisted that reliability could be tested. Determined to act, Wu Xie tried to contact his Uncle Wu Sansheng, but his uncle was unresponsive and avoiding a meeting at his shop, as Pan Zi informed him while present.
Wu Xie then called Pan Zi on the phone, requesting him to convey an urgent message to his uncle: he had discovered a Chu dynasty tomb and planned to explore it in two days, inviting Wu Sansheng to join if interested. Wu Sansheng, aware of the ploy, saw through Wu Xie's bluff, telling Pan Zi (on the phone) that "some things are safer kept unknown" and Wu Xie didn't understand this.
Meanwhile, Xie Yu Hua attended a Kunqu opera, reflecting on the troupe's long heritage but lamenting the declining interest among younger generations. He instructed his subordinate to offer them support if they continued to preserve the art form. He also gave instructions regarding the "Little Jade Bamboo Troupe" and two traitors Zhai Xing Yao was looking for.
Xie Yu Hua then met with Kang Uncle, stating his visit was to provide an explanation to his men for the loss of six men during a recent tomb raid in Guizhou. Kang Uncle, initially dismissive and confrontational, received a phone call confirming that Xie Yu Hua had indeed disrupted his operations.
Enraged, Kang Uncle threatened Xie Yu Hua, reminding him that Xie Jiu Ye was dead and calling Xie Yu Hua an "opera singing sissy," warning that "Zhai Xing Yao is watching." Xie Yu Hua calmly dismissed Kang Uncle as a "muddlehead," asserting his authority as the Xie Family leader and nullifying any promises Zhai Xing Yao might have made. Kang Uncle eventually conceded, offering Xie Yu Hua his territory and all its contents.
When Kang Uncle tried to offer money as compensation for the six dead men, Xie Yu Hua rejected it, sternly telling him that he "should just go to jail." Later, Xie Yu Hua instructed his subordinate to liquidate Kang Uncle's assets and use the funds to distribute pensions to the families of the deceased men. His subordinate also reported on the contents of the "Yi" inventory, mostly items left by Granduncle Er.
Many packages were coded or unidentified, and one elm box contained personal effects like women's and children's clothing, shoes, a photo album, and a toy tiger. Xie Yu Hua, recognizing these as possibly the owner's most prized possessions, ordered them to be kept and the photo albums scanned to locate their families. He mused on Granduncle Er's and his generation's adventurous lives, regretting how little later generations knew, able only to piece together their stories through such left-behind mementos.
Episode 28 Recap
Zhai Xingyao returned from abroad several days ago but had not contacted Jie Yuchen. Jie Yuchen, being well-informed, sought Zhai Xingyao out. Zhai Xingyao, a computer expert, had almost been arrested by the FBI in the United States for hacking into the accounts of several local politicians. He confessed he had merely "snuck a peek" at some mailboxes and browsed internal webs, and was lucky to be quick on his feet, avoiding detection.
Jie Yuchen expressed his confusion about the enjoyment of hacking, to which Zhai Xingyao offered to enlighten him. He demonstrated his capabilities by showing how he could spy on others' whereabouts, monitor one of Jie Yuchen's confidants' phone conversations with a Xie family elder, or even cause a car's brakes to suddenly fail. As they walked together, a skateboarder with a knife suddenly attacked Jie Yuchen.
Jie Yuchen quickly subdued the assailant with a takedown, prompting Zhai Xingyao to mockingly remark, "Looks like you're not happy with this present." In the car, Wang Pangzi asked Wu Xie if there was anything to eat at home. Wu Xie replied that only the Snake Eye Copper Fish remained. Wang Pangzi suggested they have Zihai Hotpot, but Wu Xie countered that if they were to eat, it should be the "crazy, spicy pot."
Suddenly, Wang Pangzi warned Wu Xie to watch the road. Wu Xie slammed on the brakes, stopping the car abruptly. Two more vehicles then pulled up, and people opened their back door, beginning to rob them. After Wang Pangzi’s hand was bandaged at the hospital, Wu Xie drew him aside, stating he felt the attackers were searching for something specific.
Both of them had been body-searched, and their luggage, a sword, and a silk book had been taken from the car. Wang Pangzi believed the perpetrators were targeting the tomb. Huo Xiuxiu’s Fourth Uncle arrived at Huo Laotai’s residence with visible injuries, crying out for her help. Xiuxiu tried to stop him from going in, but he angrily questioned why Huo Laotai intended to pass the Huo family to a young girl like Xiuxiu. Huo Laotai then appeared, scolding him.
She asserted that the Huo family had historically been led by women, emphasizing their superior intelligence. She told him he must pay the price for his wrongdoings. Fourth Uncle, immediately intimidated, knelt before Huo Laotai and pleaded for leniency. Huo Laotai sternly told him to leave, refusing to clean up his mess. Angered by her refusal, Fourth Uncle threatened to expose Huo Laotai, claiming he knew about the "Mystic Nine" and that the Huo family was not clean.
Later, Huo Laotai explained to Xiuxiu that the Huo family was like an "Emperor Jadeite," and sometimes one needed to be ruthless, cutting off imperfections, for it to truly shine. Meanwhile, an aide informed Jie Yuchen that several Xie family elders and key associates were demanding a meeting to discuss changing the family head. They intended to nominate Zhai Xingyao for the position.
The aide expressed his dismay, believing Zhai Xingyao, though adopted by Jie Yuchen’s parents, was too ambitious and manipulating events from behind the scenes. Jie Yuchen calmly agreed to the meeting, scheduling it for 9 PM the following evening at the Xie family's old residence. He dismissed his aide's concerns about his sentimentality. Later, Jie Yuchen and his aide went to a theater to watch an opera.
Jie Yuchen observed one of the performers and secretly smiled, instructing his aide to "talk to him." After the performance, he went backstage, where a person in full costume suddenly appeared, asking, "Looking for me?" before pointing a handgun at Jie Yuchen. At the Xie family old residence, the elders grew impatient as Jie Yuchen failed to appear. Zhai Xingyao, disregarding their protests, confidently took the main seat.
He announced that Jie Yuchen would not be coming but that the meeting would proceed as planned. He then called for a vote to replace the current head. Most of the elders raised their hands in agreement, many having been coerced by Zhai Xingyao who held compromising information on them. Zhai Xingyao then proposed himself as the new head.
Fifth Brother vehemently objected, revealing that Zhai Xingyao’s parents had died in a car accident, and Jie Yuchen’s parents had adopted him out of pity. He denounced Zhai Xingyao as an ungrateful "beast" for betraying his own "brother" to climb the ranks, deeming him unfit to lead the Xie family. Some present then began to propose Fifth Brother as an alternative leader. Zhai Xingyao, noticing several people had not yet voted, asked if they intended to continue supporting Jie Yuchen.
Fifth Brother, with a sinister expression, declared that a dead man could not protect them. At that critical moment, someone announced, "Master Hua is here!" Fifth Brother’s face instantly dropped in dismay. Jie Yuchen entered the room and firmly declared that he remained the head of the Xie family. He proclaimed that attempting to assassinate the head of the house constituted an unforgivable act of betrayal.
Fifth Brother tried to deflect blame onto Zhai Xingyao, but Zhai Xingyao produced his phone and played a recording. The audio revealed Fifth Brother offering 10 million to an assassin to kill Jie Yuchen. It was then disclosed that Zhai Xingyao himself had been the one disguised as the opera performer.
Jie Yuchen then issued a warning: any elders who had doctored the family's account books were given one week to rectify them, or their cases would be handed over to the police. After the meeting, Jie Yuchen and Zhai Xingyao discussed the events. Zhai Xingyao suggested that Jie Yuchen had been too lenient, but Jie Yuchen countered that the Xie family had never been a place for saints and that some leniency was necessary.
Upon returning home, Wu Xie discovered his house ransacked. After inspecting the damage, he noted that his laptop, several small antique curios, and the archeology journals he had kept since childhood were missing. Wang Pangzi suspected that the same group who attacked them earlier was responsible, possibly searching for Wu Xie’s grandfather’s archeology notes. Fortunately, Wu Xie had already secured his grandfather's notes and the Snake Eye Copper Fish in a safe at his parents’ home.
Wang Pangzi concluded that Qiu Dekao was the most likely mastermind. At the same time, A Ning was on a phone call with Qiu Dekao. She reported that she had not yet found any leads on the individuals who had taken Wu Xie’s belongings and turned his house upside down. Qiu Dekao instructed A Ning to halt her current investigation and prioritize protecting Wu Xie, emphasizing that Wu Xie "cannot die yet."
A Ning implied that she believed Qiu Dekao knew who the perpetrators were, but he did not confirm her suspicion. Separately, Wu Sansheng’s subordinate informed him about Wu Xie’s incident. Wu Sansheng, believing Wu Xie to be capable of handling himself, decided to remain inactive for the time being, choosing to observe how events unfolded.
Episode 29 Recap
Wu Xie was deeply engrossed in research at the library, while Wang Pangzi, beside him, was loudly snoring, drawing curious glances from other patrons. Embarrassed, Wu Xie woke him and suggested he return home. Wang Pangzi, however, insisted on staying to protect Wu Xie, reminding him of his recently injured arm from an ambush.
Wu Xie had identified the location on the map from the silk book as likely being in Guizhou, a place also mentioned in his late grandpa's notebook. He noted that while his grandpa recorded many tombs, he often learned about them from others rather than visiting himself. Wu Xie decided they needed to retrieve his grandpa's notebook for further study. As they left the library, a person in a hat subtly took the book Wu Xie had just borrowed.
Prior to Xie Yu Chen's arrival, Pan Zi informed Wu Sansheng about recent troubles with the Xie family, where a man named Lao Kang had set them up, resulting in the deaths of six men.
Wu Sansheng expressed his dismay at Lao Kang's disrespect for the Xie family and, by extension, the Mystic Nine, but Pan Zi reassured him that Xie Yu Chen had decisively handled the situation, executing traitors and taking over Lao Kang's business, which Wu Sansheng acknowledged as clean work. Later, Xie Yu Chen arrived at Wu Sansheng's shop.
Wu Sansheng greeted him, remarking on how much he had grown, and then asked if Xie Jiu Ye had given away the Snake Eye Copper Fish before he passed. Xie Yu Chen firmly stated that his grandpa would never part with his uncle’s relic, especially without telling him. He pressed Wu Sansheng for details about what truly happened in the past.
Wu Sansheng maintained that if Xie Jiu Ye chose not to disclose the information, it was because he didn't want Xie Yu Chen to know, and therefore, he also would not reveal it. Xie Yu Chen recounted the story his grandpa told him: that Wu Sansheng found his uncle’s body on a rock at the Paracel Islands, holding the Snake Eye Copper Fish, suggesting his uncle snuck into the tomb the night before.
He urgently asked who or what caused his uncle's death. Wu Sansheng expressed his own confusion, stating the entire archaeology team went missing and his uncle was indeed dead, a fact that still caused him deep pain. He promised to notify Xie Yu Chen immediately if any clues surfaced. Skeptical, Xie Yu Chen declared he would uncover the truth before time erased all evidence.
Wu Sansheng, struck by his determination, remarked on how similar Xie Yu Chen had become to Wu Xie. An analysis report from the Wang family headquarters confirmed that the information gathered from Wu Xie's notes aligned perfectly with their own data, both pointing to a connection with the Northern Wei dynasty and a potential Mute Riders treasure troop located within a massive cave.
While impressed by Wu Xie's access to such secrets, the suggestion to "invite" him for information was dismissed due to increased police scrutiny following a recent car accident involving him. They decided to proceed cautiously, recognizing it as a race against time to get ahead. Meanwhile, at the Huo family estate, Uncle Si was caught by Grandaunt Huo as he rummaged for valuables. He defiantly demanded his share of the family inheritance and proposed splitting the family assets.
He claimed that despite being raised by her after his parents' death, she exerted little effort on him, and his parents' heirloom was never returned. Xiu Xiu intervened, explaining that Uncle Liu’s business fraud led to a large compensation paid by Grandaunt, leaving no heirloom. Uncle Si insisted on claiming his company and a portion of the ancestral antiques. Grandaunt Huo dismissed him as greedy and foolish.
When asked for her opinion, Xiu Xiu firmly stated that the Huo family must not be divided. Grandaunt Huo agreed, giving Uncle Si a final chance. Enraged, Uncle Si threatened her, declaring he was fearless due to his involvement in ongoing lawsuits, and warned her to consider the consequences. After he left, Grandaunt Huo instructed Xiu Xiu to investigate Uncle Si's associates, particularly those he dealt with when acquiring land, suspecting he was being manipulated.
Wu Xie, having located "Fog Village" in Guizhou on a map within his grandpa's notebook, resolved to explore it. He called Pan Zi, requesting supplies for a tomb expedition. When Pan Zi reminded him that Wu Sansheng would disapprove, Wu Xie jokingly retorted that Wu Sansheng never listened to his own father's advice to marry. He also asked Pan Zi to remind his uncle that he was not getting any younger.
Pan Zi, seemingly now speaking to Wu Sansheng, asked for instructions. Annoyed, Wu Sansheng agreed to prepare the necessary equipment but ordered Pan Zi to charge Wu Xie 20% above the standard price, demanding cash payment and stressing that even between an uncle and nephew, accounts must be kept clear. Xie Yu Chen meticulously prepared for his own expedition. His subordinate confirmed all necessary equipment, including satellite phones, headlamps, and weapons, were ready.
Xie Yu Chen assigned Cai Qing and Yao Chun to oversee family business in his absence and instructed them to use a satellite phone for urgent communication. He also ensured his team consisted of reliable individuals. He then received a call from Xiu Xiu, who initially discussed plans to view houses she'd scouted for him.
Sensing her hesitation, Xie Yu Chen asked if there was anything else she wanted to tell him, but Xiu Xiu deflected, claiming she just missed him. The call was cut short when a butler informed Xiu Xiu that her granny wanted to see her. Puzzled by Xiu Xiu's reticence, Xie Yu Chen immediately tasked his subordinate with investigating any recent major events within the Huo family, convinced Xiu Xiu was trying to convey something important.
Later, Xie Yu Chen received a report detailing the Huo family's troubles: Uncle Si's acquisition of land led to a fatal accident during demolition, resulting in his subordinate's arrest and Uncle Si himself facing lawsuits for bribery. The report suggested Grandaunt Huo was deliberately withholding help. Xie Yu Chen, recalling Xiu Xiu's earlier hesitation during their call, surmised she was trying to tell him about these events.
He concluded that Grandaunt Huo was strong-willed, and this challenge, if successfully navigated by Xiu Xiu, would greatly aid her development. Meanwhile, Grandaunt Huo confronted Xiu Xiu, stating she noticed her hesitation to speak with Xie Yu Chen. She sternly reminded Xiu Xiu that Xie Yu Chen was an outsider and must not meddle in Huo family matters, emphasizing Xiu Xiu's responsibility to uphold the family's reputation.
With Xie Yu Chen’s well-equipped convoy setting off, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi embarked on their own journey in a second-hand Jinbei, which Wu Xie acquired by selling his previous car. Wang Pangzi lamented Wu Xie's tendency to spend heavily on tomb explorations without ever taking any valuables, a habit he believed was the cause of Wu Xie's financial woes. He tried to persuade Wu Xie to consider taking smaller burial items, but Wu Xie firmly dismissed the idea.
They stopped at a mountain home for a meal and to inquire about Fog Village. An old man told them that Fog Village, which existed during Yuan Shikai’s era, had long since disappeared, its entire population vanished. He recounted a story about a villager named Zhang Da Zhu who once pawned a "Red Iron Pass," an item Wu Xie recognized as an honorary plate from the Han dynasty that did not offer death exemption.
The old man explained that an ancient tomb, reportedly filled with valuables, was later discovered in Zhang Da Zhu's village. However, the last peddler to visit found the village eerily deserted, with no people or even animals in sight.
Various rumors circulated: some believed the villagers were "engulfed" by the tomb, perhaps falling victim to its traps while attempting to loot it; others claimed they were killed by bandits; and some suggested they were conscripted into the army by General Zhang Gao Yuan.
The old man concluded that no one had ever found the supposed ancient tomb or surfaced with any of its treasures, leading him to believe the tomb was a myth and Fog Village itself remained an unsolved mystery, now likely reclaimed by dense woods. Later, as they reflected on the story, Wang Pangzi found the complete disappearance of over a hundred villagers unsettling. Wu Xie acknowledged that such events were tragically common during that chaotic period.
He expressed greater interest in the "Red Iron Pass," speculating that its presence would strongly suggest a Han dynasty tomb, and wondered about the identity of the powerful individual buried within.
Episode 30 Recap
Xiao Hua and his team set up camp for the night. Xiao Hua was absorbed in his phone, prompting one of his subordinates to jokingly suggest he was "flirting with girls." Later, they gathered around a bonfire, drinking and dancing to boost their spirits for the journey ahead. The next morning, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi trekked towards Fog Village.
Wu Xie used the coordinates to guide them, leading them to a lotus pond where he observed the lotuses appeared to have been deliberately planted. As they continued, Wang Pangzi noticed the strange magnetic field, expressing concern that there might be another bronze tree beneath them. He felt uneasy in the stuffy weather, which Wu Xie believed indicated a coming change.
Wu Xie then identified the area as a basin surrounded by mountains, filled with rivers, lakes, and swamps, remarking that they were like "pests" who would either be drowned or suffocated. Wang Pangzi complained about the abundance of mosquitoes, noting that Wu Xie, having consumed Dragon's Blood, seemed to act as a "walking repellant." Wu Xie offered to scratch his back and playfully tucked a wild flower behind Wang Pangzi's ear.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua's group, having moved into a forest, discovered numerous pits. They found these pits were roughly five meters wide and wondered if they were natural or man-made, or perhaps caused by falling rocks. At the same time, members of the Wang family also arrived in the area. They located several catapults, noting that some of their metal components dated back to the Republic era, suggesting they had been repaired decades ago.
This led them to deduce that the villagers of Fog Village were likely descendants of tomb guardians, given the advanced tomb-guarding traps and miasma-filled swamps in the area. They decided to test the traps. As Xiao Hua’s team continued their advance, they heard a loud thunder, initially thinking it signaled an impending rainstorm. Suddenly, large rocks rained down from the sky, forcing them to scatter and run for cover.
It was the Wang family who had activated the catapults to attack them. After the attack, Xiao Hua's team reported one casualty and several injuries. Xiao Hua instructed his subordinate, Xiao Zhu, to send the severely wounded back and to bury their fallen comrade, promising to return his body home later.
Xiao Hua realized the rocks had been "launched down from the mountains" in a designed pattern, leading him to conclude they had been "set up" by either tomb guardians or another group of explorers. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi finally reached Fog Village, finding it bleak and desolate with scarce, run-down houses. They found a relatively intact wooden house and decided to take a break.
Inside, Wu Xie found a small cloth doll on an infant's cradle, deducing that the family once had a baby. Wang Pangzi paid his respects to the unseen owners, asking for their permission to stay the night. Wang Pangzi, eager to avoid cleaning, announced he would go fetch water and hunt for some wild game, even taking his gun with him.
However, he admitted to Wu Xie that he had been suffering from diarrhea since the previous night due to a mushroom he had eaten. While relieving himself in the grass, he heard a strange sound and was suddenly knocked unconscious. After tidying the house, Wu Xie noticed Wang Pangzi had been gone for a long time. He tried to contact him via walkie-talkie but received no response.
Wu Xie went to the well but found no trace of him, then continued his search into the grassy area where Wang Pangzi had been. Unbeknownst to Wu Xie, he was being observed by members of the Wang family. They discussed the unknown party who had attacked Wang Pangzi, noting that it wasn't Xiao Hua’s group, and concluding that a third group was now involved, "protecting Wu Xie."
They decided to keep Wu Xie under close surveillance, believing that the protectors would eventually reveal themselves, and anyone protecting Wu Xie would be considered an enemy. As night fell, Wu Xie, still waiting for Wang Pangzi, grew worried. This was when the Wang family intended to use a robot to distract Wu Xie and steal their two bags. Outside, a strange, black-clad robot with a strange face appeared.
Wu Xie heard the commotion and looked out the window, then cautiously advanced with a flashlight. The robot suddenly confronted him, leading to a struggle. Wu Xie managed to evade it, realizing the robot was meant to distract him while his bags were stolen. He retreated to the second floor, but the robot pursued him. Wu Xie found a gun and fired a shot, causing the robot to fall. Upon inspection, Wu Xie discovered a countdown bomb on the robot.
A masked figure remotely activated the bomb. Wu Xie quickly jumped from the second floor just before the house exploded in a massive blast of fire. Injured, Wu Xie staggered out of the burning house and began searching for Wang Pangzi. He tripped over a wooden plank and discovered bloodstains. Following the trail into the forest, he carved a mark on a tree to keep track of his path, only to find himself back at the same spot after searching.
Continuing onward, he suddenly fell into a hidden trap. To his surprise, this pit turned out to be the entrance to an ancient tomb. He realized a masked figure had already entered and used tools to open the tomb door. Exploring the tomb, Wu Xie observed that the carving techniques on the sculptures appeared to be from the Warring States period, but a self-operating stone mechanism was clearly from the Ming dynasty.
He pondered whether this mechanism had existed much earlier or if the tomb had been modified over time. As he descended a staircase, a cold wind swept past, followed by a sharp, piercing sound. He entered a door and discovered a corpse, which he began to examine closely.
Episode 31 Recap
Wu Xie discovered a black-clad individual, who had entered before him, was dead from a trap. He then found Wang Pangzi lying unconscious in a coffin. Despite his calls, Wang Pangzi remained unresponsive. Remembering Wang Pangzi’s ever-present liquor bottle, Wu Xie took a swig and sprayed it on his face, immediately rousing him. Wu Xie asked how he ended up there.
Wang Pangzi recounted being struck from behind, and while falling, heard a familiar voice, which he believed was Pan Zi's, saying to "Master Wu" (Wu Sansheng), "should I end him?" Wu Xie, though believing Wang Pangzi, suspected it might have been a hallucination given he was knocked out. Wu Xie then revealed that he was attacked by a puppet and all their equipment was stolen.
Wang Pangzi, reflecting on the incident, recalled the "Puppeteer" in their field, an individual whose ancestors sent away the dead and who now uses unconventional methods to control corpses, even creating an army of puppets capable of stealthily stealing personal items. He speculated the Puppeteer was connected to a foreign antique dealer, which immediately brought Qiu Dekao to Wu Xie's mind, making Wu Xie lament his persistent influence.
Wang Pangzi, however, expressed unease, finding it too easy to enter a tomb they had put so much effort into finding. Observing their surroundings, Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi found the area suspiciously clean. Wang Pangzi rummaged through a bag taken from a dead person, retrieving a flashlight, energy bars, a pocketknife, and a lighter, though he expressed disdain for the previous owner's meager supplies. They then approached a tomb door.
Just as they were about to figure out how to open it, gunshots echoed. They quickly took cover. Wang Pangzi suggested they make bulletproof vests, noting the "point shots" indicated a human battle, possibly a crossfire between two treasure-hunting teams. He also questioned why Wu Xie, a "scaredy-cat," was even there. Outside the tomb, A Ning's black-clad operatives were caught in an ambush and killed. A Ning, noticing the familiar attack style, realized the attackers were not Wu Xie's allies.
Meanwhile, Wu Sansheng and Pan Zi observed the fierce battle from a distance through binoculars. Pan Zi commented on A Ning's fighting skills but disparaged her subordinates. Wu Sansheng, in turn, remarked that A Ning's death would be a significant loss for Qiu Dekao, effectively severing one of his "limbs," and that the more intense the conflict, the better for their own plans. Back inside the tomb, A Ning was carefully exploring when she suddenly heard a noise behind her.
She spun around to find a masked individual pointing a gun at her. A brutal struggle ensued, and both combatants eventually ran out of bullets. As the masked person frantically reloaded, A Ning, recognizing the immediate danger, threw a flying knife, fatally striking her assailant. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi entered the now open tomb door, finding several dead bodies. They began to scavenge for equipment, discovering useful items, including a satellite phone. Wu Xie also found a gun.
He spotted another body hanging above, suggesting an ambush had gone wrong. Wu Xie deduced this was likely the main chamber, but it felt too empty as the coffins were empty, indicating the attackers were still alive and there must be a secret chamber. He also noticed the arrangement of the ever-burning lamps and mirrors, believing they held a secret mechanism. He found an opening to a hidden room, marked with a symbol left by Xiao Hua.
Concurrently, Xiao Hua and his men were engaged in their own struggle with black-clad figures. They realized that the puppets used by their adversaries were carrying bombs. In a critical moment, Xiao Hua heard the distinct melody of "Woodcutter and His Fox Wife" and immediately led his group in that direction. Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi, hidden in a corner, observed a puppet scouting ahead.
Wang Pangzi, eager to deal with it, prepared his shovel, but Xiao Hua and his team suddenly emerged, stopping him and explaining that the puppet was rigged with explosives. Finding a temporary sanctuary, Xiao Hua wryly commented on Wu Xie's unique choice of a signal song. Wu Xie voiced his concern that the previous explosions might have destabilized the tomb, warning that further blasts could trap them inside even if they won the fight.
Wang Pangzi then directly asked Xiao Hua if he was the one who had thrown him into the coffin. Xiao Hua playfully retorted that there were many coffins around for the choosing. Wu Xie, recalling a peculiar coffin he had seen earlier – larger and painted unlike the plain wooden ones surrounding them – suggested it might contain valuable clues. Following Wu Xie's lead, Wang Pangzi opened the unique coffin. A black-clad figure suddenly rushed forward and leaped inside.
Wang Pangzi immediately jumped in after him, prompting Wu Xie, Xiao Hua, and the others to follow. They descended into an underground passage but soon lost sight of Wang Pangzi. The lights in the tomb chamber then began to flicker erratically. Upon entering a new room, they discovered a skeleton dressed in a military uniform, seated at a desk with foreign language documents.
Xiao Hua explained that among Granduncle Er's possessions was a map of this location, indicating the tomb was found during the Republican era. He added that the site had two levels and had been transformed into an underground command center by a Division Commander named Zhang, noting that the entire tomb had been "cleaned." Wu Xie found a diary in a drawer but, pressed for time to find Wang Pangzi, he refrained from examining its contents.
In a parallel development, Xiu Xiu informed Granny Huo that Fourth Master Huo’s verdict had been pronounced. Granny Huo dismissively told Xiu Xiu not to reveal the outcome, declaring that from then on, Fourth Master Huo was "as good as dead." Xiu Xiu expressed her surprise that Fourth Master Huo, who had previously threatened to expose the entire Huo family, had ultimately confessed without implicating anyone.
Granny Huo revealed she had sent someone to speak with him, outlining what he could do and what actions would cost him his life, thus ensuring his compliant confession. Xiu Xiu then brought up her discovery of her aunt's (Huo Ling's) work archives, which had clearly been tampered with. When Granny Huo admitted to doing it, Xiu Xiu angrily confronted her, accusing her of never truly wanting to uncover her aunt's whereabouts.
Episode 32 Recap
Wu Xie and his companions, including Xiao Hua, found themselves in a tomb chamber filled with mirrors. Wu Xie recognized it as a maze designed to prevent raiders from proceeding further. Xiao Hua observed that there was likely only one exit, meaning their previous attackers were still close by, and advised everyone to stay on high alert. He remarked that this mirrored maze would make an excellent ambush point, even saying he would choose such a location himself.
No sooner had he spoken than masked assailants emerged from all directions. A fierce struggle ensued, with the attackers proving elusive, almost like shadows, difficult to hit as bullets deflected off the mirrors. Tragically, one of Xiao Hua's men, Kai, was killed. Xiao Hua, focusing by listening to their movements, managed to shoot one of the masked figures, and with the combined effort of the group, they finally eliminated the assailants.
After the fight, Wu Xie expressed concern for Wang Pangzi, who was separated from them. Soon after, one of Xiao Hua's subordinates announced they had discovered a passage. Wu Xie and Xiao Hua followed the subordinate to a wooden door with a trap mechanism. After examining it, Xiao Hua explained that the door could only be locked from the outside and speculated that someone had previously tried to enter by breaking the lock, not realizing that would trigger the trap.
Impressed by the ingenious design, Wu Xie correctly identified it as a mortise and tenon joint system, leading Xiao Hua to praise Lieutenant Zhang's exceptional skill as a craftsman. After Wu Xie and Xiao Hua worked together to open the door, they entered to find Wang Pangzi asleep on a bed. Wu Xie immediately woke him up, asking if he was alright. Wang Pangzi, upon realizing he was on a "Simmons mattress," remarked on the unexpected comfort.
Based on the room's layout, the group deduced it was likely Lieutenant Zhang's former living quarters. Xiao Hua wondered about the location of his body, speculating there might be a secret chamber. Wu Xie noticed a dusty watch on a desk, remarking on its unusual placement in the center of the table, but Wang Pangzi scoffed at his observation. Xiao Hua and Wu Xie were drawn to a large stone wall.
After some searching, they found a switch that opened a hidden chamber. Inside, they discovered a coffin, which Xiao Hua identified as likely belonging to Lieutenant Zhang, given its carved wood and the era. Wang Pangzi, eager to proceed, urged them to open it, playfully claiming he needed to thank the Lieutenant for the bed. Wu Xie expressed hesitation, sensing something unusual, but Wang Pangzi and Xiao Hua insisted. Reluctantly, Wu Xie agreed.
As they opened the coffin, everyone was shocked to find a person who looked identical to Zhang Qiling. Wu Xie was stunned and about to rush forward but was stopped by his companions. Realizing the man was dead and wearing a Republic-era military uniform, Wu Xie rationalized that it couldn't be Zhang Qiling, despite the uncanny resemblance. Xiao Hua then suggested it might be Lieutenant Zhang himself.
This reminded Wu Xie of a diary he had found earlier, believing it might hold vital clues. Wu Xie began to meticulously read the diary, written by a man named Dou Cheng. The diary revealed that Dou Cheng was the adjutant to Lieutenant Zhang Bu Xun, the very person now lying in the coffin.
Dou Cheng had sworn to follow his Lieutenant, dead or alive, even taking his own life after Zhang Bu Xun's death, an act Wu Xie found both loyal and courageous. The diary detailed how Zhang Bu Xun, brother-in-law to General Zhang Gao Yuan, was tasked by the General to excavate ancient tombs to fund his army.
Zhang Bu Xun initially disliked the idea of tomb raiding, but Zhang Gao Yuan, a powerful warlord Wu Xie recalled hearing about, argued that without funds, his soldiers would starve. Zhang Gao Yuan had captured a tomb raider named Wang, who knew about a rich tomb, simplifying the process for Zhang Bu Xun. To motivate reluctant soldiers, Zhang Gao Yuan offered increasing rewards for entering the tombs, believing money would overcome their fears.
The diary then recounted an ambush on the street. Zhang Bu Xun and Dou Cheng fought off their attackers, and Zhang Bu Xun was shocked to find a child among the would-be assassins. Dou Cheng later explained the assailants were from the Wang family, seeking revenge because they believed Zhang Bu Xun had killed their relative—the very tomb raider General Zhang Gao Yuan had captured.
This particular Wang family member was a key figure who had betrayed many family secrets under duress. Despite Zhang Bu Xun's compassion for the young boy, General Zhang Gao Yuan ordered the child's execution, stating that any attempt on an officer's life must be severely punished.
Later, Zhang Bu Xun expressed his disdain for tomb raiding to Dou Cheng, but admitted he was indebted to General Zhang Gao Yuan for saving his life in the past, a debt he felt he could never fully repay. As a student, Zhang Bu Xun once found himself in a teahouse, disheartened by the unruly military officers he saw there. When a commander tried to bully him, Zhang Bu Xun bravely stood his ground.
Zhang Gao Yuan, who was also present, was impressed. He intervened, saving Zhang Bu Xun from further trouble. Zhang Gao Yuan recognized Zhang Bu Xun's potential, seeing him as different from other scholars who merely sought wealth and power. After reading Zhang Bu Xun's notebook, where he had written about justice and governing a country, Zhang Gao Yuan revealed his own name and invited Zhang Bu Xun to join his burgeoning army, stating he needed talent like him.
Zhang Gao Yuan also returned a watch to Zhang Bu Xun that he had used for entry. After much hesitation, Zhang Bu Xun finally accepted. Dressed in his new uniform, he cut an impressive figure, to which Zhang Gao Yuan remarked on his heroic look. It was during this period that Zhang Gao Yuan introduced his sister, Qing Ping, to Zhang Bu Xun, a meeting that would eventually lead to their marriage.
Episode 33 Recap
Zhang Gaoyuan introduced his sister, Zhang Qingping, to his close friend, Zhang Buxun. Zhang Qingping extended her hand in greeting, but Zhang Buxun unceremoniously turned and walked away, leaving her feeling deeply humiliated and displeased. Zhang Gaoyuan later comforted his sister, explaining that Zhang Buxun was so strong-willed that he wouldn't even save face for him when angry, promising to get her respect back later.
Zhang Gaoyuan then entrusted Zhang Buxun with guarding the armory, emphasizing the difficulty in acquiring the weapons. He even peeled an apple for Zhang Buxun. However, Zhang Qingping mischievously snatched the apple, complaining that her brother had never peeled one for her, and voiced her curiosity about Zhang Buxun's unique qualities that garnered such high regard from her brother.
Zhang Gaoyuan defended Zhang Buxun, asserting that his friend was not an outsider and would make great contributions, reminding Zhang Qingping that trust was paramount in friendship. Zhang Qingping remained skeptical, questioning what the two men could possibly achieve. Zhang Buxun's exceptional military talent soon became apparent. He uncovered a plan for bandits to enter the city, and with Zhang Gaoyuan, he set up a successful ambush, eliminating all the bandits.
After this victory, Zhang Qingping confronted Zhang Buxun in his quarters, expressing her confusion about his involvement in such dangerous work, especially as a scholar. She observed that her brother was striving for success, but wondered why Zhang Buxun, who lived under her brother's roof, would willingly kill for him. Zhang Buxun simply stated that without a country, no one could survive.
Zhang Qingping, finding his answers too simplistic, teased him for being a "blockhead" but also hinted that he might be more complex than he appeared. She then questioned if merely having guns and ammunition made them an official army, to which Zhang Buxun clarified that a true army required strategic planning, rigorous systematic training, and a broader mission beyond just capturing bandits, including fighting traitors and reactionary warlords.
Zhang Gaoyuan and Zhang Buxun continued to train their personal guards and strategize military campaigns, achieving many successes in suppressing bandits. Their operations led them to confront Cai Wenyuan, the Commander of Qianxi, and son of Cai Hengyuan. Zhang Buxun accused Cai Wenyuan of colluding with his father to sell raw opium and profit from national hardship. Zhang Gaoyuan threatened Cai Wenyuan, demanding to know the whereabouts of the opium. After Cai Wenyuan revealed the locations, Zhang Gaoyuan executed him.
Zhang Buxun was visibly troubled by this act. Later that night, as they explored Cai Manor, Zhang Gaoyuan acknowledged Zhang Buxun's unease but justified his actions by stating that revolution necessitated bloodshed and sacrifice, and he could not afford any mistakes that might jeopardize their army. He then confided in Zhang Buxun about his ambition to secure a high-ranking official post, which would bring greater power, influence, and the ability to enact more significant changes.
He revealed that the raw opium was crucial for achieving this goal. Despite Zhang Buxun's concerns about the opium's dubious origin, Zhang Gaoyuan reiterated his belief that taking risks was essential for success and envisioned a future where they, with power in hand, could teach others how to be good officials. Zhang Gaoyuan's ambition was realized as he successfully became a General. Zhang Buxun, believing in Zhang Gaoyuan's grand vision for the country, pledged his full support.
According to a diary entry, Zhang Gaoyuan learned that a death-exemption plate had been pawned by a villager from Fog Village. Filled with excitement, he personally led his troops to the village. He interrogated a villager, searching for an ancient tomb and a fabled treasure within it that promised immortality. After his soldiers found some funerary objects in the villager's home, Zhang Gaoyuan confronted the village chief.
Though the chief initially denied the existence of a tomb, he later admitted to it under duress. Zhang Gaoyuan pressed him about an immortality treasure, but the chief denied any knowledge. After confirming that the villagers had not revealed the tomb's existence to anyone else, Zhang Gaoyuan brutally massacred the entire village, deeming them "useless" once he had the information. Zhang Buxun arrived at Fog Village and was horrified by Zhang Gaoyuan's ruthlessness.
He questioned how Zhang Gaoyuan had become such a person, reminding him of their original ideals to change China and save its suffering people. Zhang Gaoyuan dismissed his concerns, stating that sacrifices were necessary for a greater cause and that those with power did not need to care about "a few ants." Zhang Buxun countered that they themselves were "ants," but Zhang Gaoyuan vehemently rejected the notion for himself, revealing a profound shift in his character and ambition.
Zhang Buxun realized that Zhang Gaoyuan was no longer the man he once knew. Upon reaching the ancient tomb, Zhang Gaoyuan ordered his men to search every inch for the secret of immortality, citing a captured individual named Wang who claimed Wang Zang Hai found the secret there. Zhang Buxun tried to reason with him, warning against the futility of seeking immortality like Emperor Qin Shi Huang and urging him to focus on resolving the nation's conflicts through warfare.
Zhang Gaoyuan remained resolute, believing that the more valuable a treasure, the more deeply it would be hidden. He attempted to persuade Zhang Buxun, promising that immortality would allow them to fulfill all their ambitions, with Zhang Gaoyuan as president and Zhang Buxun as general. Zhang Buxun, deeply troubled by Zhang Gaoyuan's obsession, appealed for a proper burial for the massacred villagers, a request Zhang Gaoyuan eventually granted.
Later, Dou Cheng reported to Zhang Buxun that they had discovered a second, lower level within the tomb, which seemed to be the main burial chamber, distinct from the sacrificial upper level. Zhang Buxun instructed Dou Cheng not to inform General Gaoyuan yet and ordered him to oversee the burial of the villagers while Zhang Buxun and a few men descended into the newly discovered chamber. Inside, they found a large stone coffin.
When a soldier opened it, it triggered a mechanism, causing everyone to experience hallucinations. The soldiers began to pick and eat what they perceived as "fruits" from "trees," which were, in reality, a thousand-year-old corpse, infecting them with a corpse poison that turned them into monstrous beings. Zhang Buxun bravely confronted the poisoned soldiers, instructing Dou Cheng to retrieve weapons and reinforcements while he held them off.
After a fierce struggle, Zhang Buxun managed to kill the infected soldiers, but he too was poisoned. Feeling himself losing control, he sought refuge inside the stone coffin, only for it to unexpectedly trigger another mechanism, dropping him into an even deeper, unknown chamber. When Dou Cheng returned with reinforcements, Zhang Buxun was nowhere to be found. Upon hearing Dou Cheng's report of Zhang Buxun's disappearance, Zhang Gaoyuan flew into a rage, striking Dou Cheng.
His anger quickly morphed into suspicion; he accused Dou Cheng and Zhang Buxun of conspiring to find the immortality secret for themselves. Dou Cheng vehemently denied this, emphasizing that he had witnessed the soldiers transforming into monsters and that immortality was a myth. Zhang Gaoyuan threatened everyone present if he discovered they were deceiving him. Just then, Zhang Buxun appeared.
He instructed Dou Cheng to leave before explaining to Zhang Gaoyuan that the "fruits" the soldiers consumed were, in fact, parts of a thousand-year-old corpse, and that the supposed immortality spell was a fraud. However, Zhang Gaoyuan, now consumed by his quest for immortality, refused to believe Zhang Buxun's account, even suggesting that Zhang Buxun had found the secret and was attempting to keep it for himself.
He questioned where Zhang Buxun had been hiding, even though Zhang Buxun claimed to remember nothing after waking up in his current location. Zhang Gaoyuan remained convinced that the immortality spell was a rare and irresistible find.
Episode 34 Recap
Zhang Bu Xun once again urged Zhang Gao Yuan to abandon his obsession with the immortality spell, but Zhang Gao Yuan, consumed by ambition, accused him of betrayal. Zhang Bu Xun reminded him of their fallen comrades and argued that true immortality was impossible for mortals, warning that Zhang Gao Yuan's relentless pursuit would only lead to more deaths and the destruction of their hard-built military force.
Zhang Gao Yuan, however, was fixated on the slim chance of success, believing it would lead him to unprecedented power, even the presidency. He felt betrayed by Zhang Bu Xun, who, seeing his brother's unshakeable delusion, resigned himself to the accusation and prepared to leave. Zhang Bu Xun and Dou Cheng moved their belongings into an ancient tomb, setting up a temporary camp.
Soon after, Zhang Gao Yuan received a report that Zhang Bu Xun and Dou Cheng had taken up residence in the tomb. His subordinate suggested using force to make Zhang Bu Xun reveal what he found. However, Zhang Gao Yuan dismissed this, explaining that Zhang Bu Xun was stubborn and could only be swayed by reason, not coercion. He then ordered his sister, Qing Ping, to be summoned.
Having settled into the ancient tomb with Dou Cheng, Zhang Bu Xun recalled a perplexing incident: after being exposed to corpse poison and falling into another level of the tomb during a previous visit, he had surprisingly emerged unharmed, unlike his soldiers who turned into walking dead. Following a passage, he had also discovered a row of ancient soldiers. Soon after, Dou Cheng brought Zhang Bu Xun a letter from Qing Ping, who urged him to return home.
Zhang Bu Xun instructed Dou Cheng to bring Qing Ping to the tomb, explaining that he would feel more at ease with her nearby. Dou Cheng voiced his suspicion that Qing Ping, being Zhang Gao Yuan's sister, might be a spy, but Zhang Bu Xun dismissed his concerns, stating that Qing Ping, Zhang Gao Yuan, and Dou Cheng were the most important people in his life.
He admitted he had no clear plan but felt he couldn't abandon Zhang Gao Yuan to his dangerous obsession, choosing to guard the tomb for now. Later, Zhang Bu Xun confronted Zhang Gao Yuan at gunpoint, insisting he would not kill him but would not allow him to pursue the "witchcraft" of immortality, which would lead to immense loss of life.
Zhang Gao Yuan continued to accuse him of trying to keep the spell for himself, but Zhang Bu Xun argued that it would only bring madness. Qing Ping tried to mediate, but Zhang Bu Xun was resolute in taking her with him. On their way to the tomb, Qing Ping asked Zhang Bu Xun about the conflict.
He explained that he had only found "leads" to immortality, not the spell itself, and that detonating the virus-filled bomb associated with it would cause unfathomable destruction, turning people into walking dead. Qing Ping recalled a previous conversation with Zhang Gao Yuan where he had appealed to her love for Zhang Bu Xun and family, asking her to persuade him to reveal the "immortality spell" so they could all achieve eternal life together.
Despite hearing Zhang Bu Xun's grim warnings, Qing Ping moved into the tomb, secretly intending to carry out her brother's wishes. Wu Xie, reading Zhang Bu Xun's diary, noted several puzzling details. He questioned why Zhang Bu Xun, despite knowing Qing Ping was sent to spy, kept her by his side. More perplexing was Zhang Bu Xun's claim of falling down a cliff after being exposed to corpse poison yet emerging unharmed, while others turned into zombies, suggesting a lie.
In the tomb, Dou Cheng expressed concern for Qing Ping's health, leading Zhang Bu Xun to confirm that she was indeed spying on them. Zhang Bu Xun then asked Dou Cheng if he believed in immortality, to which Dou Cheng replied negatively, calling it sorcery. Zhang Bu Xun reflected on life's fundamental truths, stating that gain comes with loss and there are no shortcuts, lamenting how many people chase immortality at the cost of their youth.
He encouraged Dou Cheng to live his own life, but Dou Cheng reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty. Zhang Bu Xun expressed his hope that people could eventually break free from the "nightmare of immortality," which Qing Ping overheard. Wu Xie concluded that Zhang Bu Xun had discovered the secret of immortality but chose to keep it hidden, even sacrificing his own life, to prevent the kind of corruption and chaos it had unleashed in Zhang Gao Yuan.
Suddenly, gunshots echoed, signaling approaching enemies. Xiaohua warned the group about the unpredictable "Puppeteer" and his explosives, reminding them they still didn't know who had knocked out Wang Pangzi earlier. Recalling a diary entry about a two-layered tomb, Wu Xie instructed everyone to take precautions against poison before moving Zhang Bu Xun's body from the coffin. Wang Pangzi noted Zhang Bu Xun's striking resemblance to "Little Master."
They located a switch, which opened a secret passage leading to another level of the tomb. There, they encountered Zhai Xingyao, Xiaohua's brother, who explained he had been directed to their location and had scanned the tomb, revealing a gate ahead. As they followed him through a passage, Wu Xie spotted Hei Jinyan, also known as Qi, who was panting and warned them of a "zombie." Wang Pangzi scoffed at Qi, but his gunfire proved useless against the green-glowing figure.
Zhai Xingyao quickly deployed a drone bomb to destroy it. Wu Xie identified the soldier's attire as belonging to the Mute Riders from the Northern Wei period, a treasure troop, and urged caution. Wang Pangzi's demeanor abruptly changed; he mumbled "Naughty!" and ran off, apparently under a hallucination, with Lao Qi following. As a swarm of glowing insects appeared, the group fled. They reached a door, which Lao Qi forced open, allowing them to enter and seal off their pursuers.
Xiaohua asked Lao Qi how he had encountered these "soldiers." Lao Qi explained that they were not phantom soldiers but legendary phosphorescent insects that cause hallucinations and generate light by flapping their wings, likely acting as tomb traps triggered by their entry. Wang Pangzi jokingly accused Lao Qi of knocking him out earlier, to which Lao Qi humorously replied he only found Wang Pangzi in a coffin without pants.
Wu Xie then asked Lao Qi why he was in the tomb, and Lao Qi stated he was searching for something he couldn't yet disclose. The group observed various sculptures and artifacts from different dynasties, including a Tang dynasty golden fan, a Northern Wei Buddha's head, and a Warring States Period bronze horse.
Lao Qi explained that the tomb comprised three levels, with the first being a deception and the third modified by Zhang Bu Xun, placing them on the second level. Wang Pangzi inadvertently stepped on a circular mechanism, causing a golden plate to rise. On these plates, Wu Xie identified carvings of the Paracel Underwater Tomb, and Wang Pangzi recognized King Lu's Seven Star Palace. They noted that the carvings accurately depicted actual locations.
Wu Xie speculated that these seemingly disparate tombs might be connected, suggesting Wang Zang Hai, who had raided many tombs, might have created decoy tombs for himself. Xiaohua pointed out another carving he believed depicted Wu City, Wang Zang Hai's hometown, and Wu Xie identified the Qinling Sacred Tree on another plate, exciting Wang Pangzi about potential treasures. Lao Qi urged the group to find an exit, and Zhai Xingyao's scan confirmed another room ahead.
Wu Xie pulled a reluctant Wang Pangzi away from the intriguing golden plates. They reached a door with no visible mechanism, which Wang Pangzi confidently declared was a push-pull door. With some effort, they managed to open it. Zhai Xingyao sent his drone ahead to scout the new chamber. They entered a remarkably well-preserved tomb chamber, showing no signs of modification. Lao Qi then revealed that a "Snake Eye Copper Fish" was hidden there, a statement that visibly startled Wu Xie.
Episode 35 Recap
Upon learning that a Snake Eye Copper Fish was hidden within the tomb, Wu Xie finally understood its mezzanine design. He realized that the illusion of an immortality spell on the third floor was orchestrated by the Mute Riders to protect the copper fish, demonstrating to those seeking eternal life that such a spell was nonexistent. Lieutenant Zhang (Zhang Buxun) was the first to comprehend this truth. Xiao Hua then asked Qi what he knew about Lieutenant Zhang.
Qi shared a rumor about how Lieutenant Zhang (Zhang Buxun) had devised a plan to make both Zhang Gaoyuan and Zhang Qingping give up their pursuit of immortality. One night, Zhang Qingping was secretly searching Zhang Buxun's study while he was asleep. Zhang Buxun, who was awake, confronted her, asking if she was looking for the immortality spell for Zhang Gaoyuan. After initially trying to deflect, Zhang Qingping admitted her purpose, stating she could not defy her brother.
Zhang Buxun then declared his intention to send Zhang Qingping back to the Marshal's mansion, end their relationship, and blast the tomb to make them both forget about the spell. In a desperate plea, Zhang Qingping cried out that blasting the tomb would be equivalent to destroying Zhang Gaoyuan. She then grabbed a gun from a drawer, threatening to take her own life if he proceeded. Faced with her desperate threat, Zhang Buxun reluctantly conceded.
Zhang Buxun opened a hidden switch in the stone wall, leading them into another tomb chamber. From a stone coffin, he retrieved an object, presenting it as the immortality spell Zhang Qingping and Zhang Gaoyuan desired. He then crushed it, and his body was consumed by a horrifying corpse poison that spread throughout him, turning him into a monstrous, decaying form.
He explained that this "immortality" was a disease that would transform anyone into a monster before ultimately leading to death. Horrified, Zhang Qingping cried that she would not let him die and ran off to find her brother, Zhang Gaoyuan, to save him. At that moment, Dou Cheng entered, witnessing Zhang Buxun's ghastly transformation, and questioned if his actions were worth the cost.
Zhang Buxun, his face contorted, instructed Dou Cheng to close the stone wall's mechanism once Zhang Gaoyuan arrived. Dou Cheng was unwilling to leave him, but Zhang Buxun insisted, revealing his true motive: to free Zhang Qingping and Zhang Gaoyuan and to reveal to the world that the so-called immortality spell was in fact a form of witchcraft.
He asserted that if this was not accomplished, his death would be in vain, reminding Dou Cheng that his life belonged to him and this was his final mission. Zhang Qingping soon returned with Zhang Gaoyuan, who witnessed Zhang Buxun collapsing from the poison. Dou Cheng intercepted Zhang Gaoyuan, loudly declaring that this was the immortality spell he sought. Despite Zhang Gaoyuan's desperate attempts to reach Zhang Buxun, Dou Cheng activated a mechanism, causing the stone wall to slowly descend.
He restrained Zhang Gaoyuan, explaining that this was Zhang Buxun's last wish – to sacrifice himself for their enlightenment. Zhang Gaoyuan watched in anguish as the stone wall sealed shut, then broke down in tears before it. After ensuring the tomb was sealed, Dou Cheng placed a watch on Zhang Buxun's desk.
He then re-entered the chamber through the opened mechanism, gently wiped the blood from Zhang Buxun's eyes, and carefully placed him in the stone coffin, adjusting his attire before closing the lid. Weeping, he caressed the coffin, then returned to the desk, wrote his final diary entry, and, donning his military cap, committed suicide with a gun to his forehead, following his general in death.
Back in the present, Wu Xie asked Qi how he knew such detailed accounts, to which Qi vaguely replied it was a secret. Wang Pangzi then inquired if Qi knew who had knocked him out earlier. Qi stated that the attackers were the same ones who assaulted Xiao Hua, but Pan Zi had eliminated them. Surprised, Wu Xie asked if Pan Zi was there, and consequently, if Uncle San Xing was also present.
Qi, however, did not answer questions about Uncle San Xing's whereabouts. Together, they struggled to open a coffin, revealing the Mute Rider General, a figure Wang Pangzi recognized from a recording they had seen in Qinling. To their disappointment, the Snake Eye Copper Fish was still missing. Carelessly, Wang Pangzi took a jade medallion from the General's corpse, which immediately triggered a mechanism. The Mute Rider General reanimated, glowing with a green light, and attacked.
Qi swiftly tackled Wang Pangzi, saving him from the initial onslaught. Wu Xie and the others opened fire, but after momentarily faltering, the General stomped his blade, re-energizing and rendering their gunfire ineffective. The General then gravely wounded Xiao Hua's subordinate, Jia Sha. An enraged Xiao Hua grabbed a machine gun and began to wildly fire at the General.
Wu Xie rushed to restrain him, explaining that the only way to stop the Mute Rider and deactivate the mechanism was to place the jade medallion back on him. Amidst the fierce battle, Wu Xie rushed back to the previous chamber to retrieve the medallion. There, he encountered Uncle San Xing, who was holding it. Wu Xie confronted his uncle with a barrage of questions about his presence and the hidden truths, but Uncle San Xing remained evasive.
He simply handed the medallion to Wu Xie, urging him to hurry back, warning that his friends were in grave danger. The Mute Rider General proved overwhelmingly powerful, and the group was faltering. Zhai Xingyao deployed his drone, causing an explosion, but it only managed to crack the General's helmet. Just in time, Wu Xie arrived and tossed the jade medallion to Xiao Hua.
With a decisive leap, Xiao Hua reattached the medallion to the General's chest, instantly deactivating the mechanism. The Mute Rider General released a massive burst of energy into the sky before finally collapsing. Wu Xie explained that the "lightning bugs" were responsible for creating the illusion. With the tomb's structure compromised by numerous explosions, Wu Xie urgently called for everyone to leave. They attempted to exit via their original path, only to find the door inexplicably sealed shut.
Wu Xie realized the door could only be opened from the outside and questioned who had closed it. Adding to their confusion, the Mute Rider General's body had vanished from the chamber. Meanwhile, outside the tomb, Wu Sansheng exited a vehicle. A member of the Wang family extended a hand, acknowledging a successful partnership, but Wu Sansheng ignored the gesture.
Episode 36 Recap
Wu Xie awoke in the snow, seeing a snake-browed copper fish. He was flooded with memories of the collapsing tomb, where he had confronted his Uncle San Xing, demanding to know why the truth had been kept from him. Uncle San Xing had urgently told him to save his friends, warning that they would surely die if he didn't act quickly. Wu Xie’s last words to his uncle were an emotional plea about the hidden truth.
Navigating the challenging snowy landscape, Wu Xie eventually tumbled down a steep slope. Using a makeshift stick for support, he managed to reach a secluded village, utterly exhausted. He attempted to ask some children playing outside for directions, but families quickly called their children indoors, closing their doors and leaving the streets eerily deserted. Overwhelmed, Wu Xie collapsed after being struck by a snowball from behind.
He regained consciousness surrounded by villagers, who, upon his attempt to question them, scattered in fear once more. Resting, Wu Xie found a watch in his backpack, and the lingering images of Uncle San Xing brought on a severe headache. Suddenly, a stranger snatched his backpack, but then another man, who introduced himself as Jin Yang, led Wu Xie to a dwelling.
Jin Yang explained that he was the only one in the village willing to offer shelter, as Wu Xie had arrived from "a place where you shouldn't have," and the villagers did not welcome outsiders from that area. Jin Yang returned the backpack, urging Wu Xie to check his belongings and then quickly leave. Wu Xie, his memory fragmented and his head throbbing whenever he tried to recall his arrival, admitted he was hungry. Jin Yang offered him some food.
Wu Xie asked where he was, and Jin Yang explained it was Changbai Mountain in Dongbei. He added that heavy snow had damaged the signal tower, making outside communication impossible. Jin Yang repeatedly questioned Wu Xie about his descent from "the Forbidden Land on the edge of the mountain," claiming that no one returned alive from there. Wu Xie, however, remembered nothing but snow.
Eager to depart, Wu Xie was told he would have to wait until the supply truck arrived the following Tuesday. Wu Xie admired a beautiful ox horn hanging on the wall, and Jin Yang proudly stated it was shot by his sister. He described her as the village's most skilled huntress in recent years, who defied village rules by secretly hunting a rare snow cattle and giving him the horn as a coming-of-age gift.
Jin Yang revealed his sister had ventured into the Forbidden Land, disbelieving its myths, and never returned. He believed that even if she were to return alive, the village would no longer accept her, as they considered the place "unclean," making those who returned "no longer themselves." Jin Yang had once attempted to find her but was forcibly brought back by other villagers before reaching the forbidden area.
Later that night, as Wu Xie sorted through his backpack, he discovered a wallet containing train tickets to Changsha and a precious silk book, which brought back memories of a fierce storm at sea he had experienced with A Ning. Jin Yang brought him a bowl of ginger soup to help him warm up, remarking on the valuable appearance of the silk book, which Wu Xie confirmed was his most prized possession.
Wu Xie then pressed Jin Yang for more details about the Forbidden Land. Jin Yang explained it was the source of the Dragon Vein beneath Changbai Mountain. He described the surrounding areas as extremely dangerous, where any creature entering would suffer magnetic interference, becoming feral, losing its senses, and eventually dying from madness. The same fate, he warned, befell humans, with any lucky survivors contracting a strange, contagious illness.
He recounted how, many years ago, a mountaineering team had offered a substantial reward for a guide, but no one had dared to accept. While looking at his diary and making a drawing, Wu Xie drank the ginger soup, unaware it had been drugged, and soon drifted into unconsciousness. A person in gloves then entered through the window, attempting to take Wu Xie, but Jin Yang appeared just in time, thwarting the abduction.
Meanwhile, A Ning and her team were exploring the snowy terrain. A Ning made a video call to her superior, Qiu Dekao, reporting that "the man" (Wu Xie) was active and inquiring if they should take any immediate action. Qiu Dekao reprimanded A Ning for being excessively concerned about Wu Xie, reminding her that Wu Xie had been injected with a new drug and had not fully recovered, meaning he wouldn't easily escape.
Qiu Dekao instructed A Ning to remain vigilant, keep a close watch on Shun Zi—whom he explicitly identified as a dubious character not to be trusted—and to report any new developments. Back in the village, Wu Xie saw Zhang Qiling. He excitedly called out to "Little Master," but Zhang Qiling walked past him as if he were a stranger. Wu Xie followed him into the forest, where Zhang Qiling was hunting with a rifle and narrowly avoided shooting Wu Xie.
Confused, Wu Xie asked if Zhang Qiling didn't recognize him, but Zhang Qiling remained silent and continued hunting. As Wu Xie persisted in following, a person named Shun Zi discreetly trailed him. Wu Xie accidentally stepped into a trap and was hoisted upside down into a tree, attracting a pack of wolves. Zhang Qiling confronted the wolves, skillfully dispatching them one by one. Wu Xie, hanging upside down, pointed out the wolves' positions.
When a wolf spotted Wu Xie and prepared to attack, Zhang Qiling quickly intervened to save him. After killing the last wolf, Zhang Qiling walked away without freeing Wu Xie. Jin Yang then arrived, cutting the rope and lowering him. Wu Xie told Jin Yang he had encountered an acquaintance, describing Zhang Qiling as a tall, skinny, quiet man in black, referring to him as "Zhang Qiling."
Jin Yang confirmed he knew of this man, calling him a "weirdo" who had arrived three months ago. At the same time, Wang Pangzi arrived in Dongbei by taxi. After realizing the driver had taken an unnecessarily long route, he paid a reduced fare. When the driver demanded more money, Wang Pangzi, familiar with the local area, accused him of overcharging by deliberately taking detours, proudly declaring that he had money but refused to pay for such dishonesty.
Episode 37 Recap
Jin Yang helped Wu Xie back to his house, instructing him to stay put until the supply truck arrived. Wu Xie asked if there was a doctor in the village, as he felt something was wrong; his memories were garbled, and his head ached the more he tried to recall. Jin Yang explained that Chief Shou Shan could diagnose him but would not help, believing that anyone returning from the Forbidden Land carried a curse.
He recounted how the Chief's own brother had suffered from a strange illness and died after visiting the Forbidden Land, and thus the Chief harbored immense hatred for anyone associated with it. Jin Yang then confessed that he had given Wu Xie sleeping pills to help him, causing Wu Xie to drop the water he was drinking.
Jin Yang also revealed that a previous person who returned from the Forbidden Land had committed suicide, exhibiting the same symptoms as Wu Xie, including large purple spots that later caused his skin to fester. His corpse had been brought back by a mountaineering team years ago. Jin Yang spoke at length before realizing he had said too much and abruptly stopped, urging Wu Xie to rest and warning him not to mention the Forbidden Land again.
Wu Xie, meanwhile, continued to be plagued by headaches, recalling a map shown to him by Yang, and a confusing encounter with Zhang Qiling, who seemed not to recognize him. Wang Pangzi arrived in the village, asking every local about Wu Xie, but they either avoided him or claimed ignorance. He described Wu Xie as a "delicate pretty boy," "extremely handsome." As he loudly called out for Wu Xie, he was suddenly ambushed, bagged, and tied up.
A Ning, who was monitoring Wang Pangzi from a distance, spoke to Qiu Dekao on the phone. Qiu Dekao instructed her to prevent Wang Pangzi from meeting Wu Xie for the time being. A Ning then confronted Wang Pangzi, releasing him. She clarified that she wasn't hiding Wu Xie and was also searching for him, urging Wang Pangzi to cooperate and cautioning him not to cause trouble in the strange village.
Wang Pangzi, however, remained skeptical, hinting that A Ning might be the real source of trouble. Wu Xie looked at a hand-drawn map on the wall. Jin Yang explained it depicted their Snow Village and the topography of the nearby mountains, a map passed down and updated by hunting families across generations. The empty area on it was what they called the Forbidden Land, marked to prevent trespassing.
Wu Xie, excited, then theorized to Jin Yang that the supposed mountaineering team from years ago was actually searching for treasures or ancient ruins. He pointed out the auspicious "turtle shell" topography, ideal for hiding treasures, which included the Forbidden Land. Jin Yang, though intrigued, dismissed the idea, stating their current hunting grounds were sufficient and he saw no need to take risks.
Wu Xie pressed on, reminding Jin Yang that their ancestors had settled there because of a gold mine, which he suspected lay within the Forbidden Land. He urged Jin Yang to explore it. Jin Yang reiterated his contentment and desire to avoid trouble; even when Wu Xie appealed to his desire to find his missing sister, Jin Yang remained unmoved. Before Jin Yang could respond, the Chief arrived with several villagers, demanding Wu Xie be taken away.
Despite Jin Yang's attempt to intervene, the Chief insisted it was the "seventh day" and they had to hand Wu Xie over, fearing the Mountain Deity's wrath. Wu Xie was forcibly taken. A Ning's team prepared their equipment. Shun Zi advised A Ning not to appear publicly to avoid a direct confrontation with the villagers, asserting he could handle rescuing Wu Xie. A Ning agreed to wait outside the village but warned Shun Zi against any tricks.
Shun Zi then walked alone into the snow, with Wang Pangzi secretly following him. Inside the Chief's house, villagers were debating Wu Xie's fate, with some suggesting release and others fearing another disease outbreak. Shun Zi entered, proposing that the fairest solution was to hand Wu Xie over to the Mountain Deity for judgment, as he had broken a taboo. At that moment, Wang Pangzi burst in, brandishing a knife, demanding Wu Xie's release and threatening to destroy the village.
The villagers responded by drawing guns, quickly overpowering and tying up Wang Pangzi, who was then locked in a woodshed. The Chief's daughter brought Wang Pangzi some water. He suspiciously asked if it was poisoned, which annoyed her. Meanwhile, in a place filled with animal organs and chemical reagents, Zhang Qiling seemed to be having a seizure, and two people entered to give him an injection, after which he passed out. A Ning contacted Qiu Dekao, who sounded unwell.
She reported on the general situation. Qiu Dekao, growing impatient, ordered A Ning to find Wu Xie immediately, regardless of what it took, as the situation was becoming increasingly volatile. Back in the village, the Chief, irritated by Wang Pangzi's persistent shouting from the woodshed, entered with a bucket of ice. He peeled open Wang Pangzi's clothes and stuffed ice chips inside, making Wang Pangzi scream in agony. Jin Yang, at his house, examined Wu Xie's belongings.
Discovering unfinished tracings in Wu Xie's notebook, he picked up a pencil and began to continue them. A Ning then received a report from her subordinate that Wang Pangzi's surveillance signal had disappeared at the Chief's house. Later, the Chief's daughter secretly came to bring Wang Pangzi some food. Wang Pangzi attempted to persuade her to release him, explaining that his friend Wu Xie was in grave danger in the mountains and that their actions constituted illegal detention.
He even fabricated a story about Wu Xie having a terminal illness, needing life-sustaining drugs, and rushing to meet his parents before he died, stressing his own promise to Wu Xie's parents. The girl, however, remained unmoved, stating her father had his reasons, and that her father had deemed Wang Pangzi not a good man, making her unable to help him. Frustrated, Wang Pangzi declared a hunger strike, threatening to starve himself to death. The girl, still unfazed, left.
Soon after, Zhang Qiling entered the woodshed, and the two exchanged smiles. A Ning and her team then stormed the Chief's house, demanding to know Wu Xie's whereabouts. A Ning offered to exchange coal for the information, reminding the Chief of their limited supplies due to heavy snow. The Chief, after some hesitation, revealed that Shun Zi had taken Wu Xie away overnight.
He further explained that Shun Zi had carried Wu Xie into the mountains to the site where the incident had originally happened. If Wu Xie could survive there for a full day and night, it would prove his innocence. A Ning reacted with outrage, pointing out the sub-zero temperatures, the presence of wild animals, and Wu Xie's injuries, calling the plan insane. Zhang Qiling, now accompanied by Wang Pangzi, stood near A Ning's surveillance post.
Zhang Qiling told Wang Pangzi he had been poisoned and couldn't remember past events. Wang Pangzi recounted that he had received an anonymous message warning him of Wu Xie's danger, prompting him to rush to the village. Zhang Qiling concluded they had been "tricked" and decided their best course of action was to follow A Ning's team to find Wu Xie. He revealed he had placed a tracker in A Ning's vehicle, and following its signal, they set off on foot into the snowy mountains.
Episode 38 Recap
A Ning's convoy reached a point where cars could no longer pass, so she ordered her team to proceed on foot. One of her men voiced concerns about the dark and dangerous snow mountain ahead, but A Ning insisted they execute the command immediately. Meanwhile, Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi were following A Ning's team. Wang Pangzi chattered, speculating if Wu Xie had been captured by A Ning or even worse, murdered.
Zhang Qiling responded that since they were spared, they must be useful. As they walked, Zhang Qiling remarked, "I seemed to have been here." Wang Pangzi was surprised, asking if he was there for treasure hunting. Zhang Qiling stated, "I seem to have recalled something." Wang Pangzi continued to press him for details about treasures, but Zhang Qiling eventually told him, "You should really talk less, save your energy."
A Ning's team, tied together with ropes for safety, continued their trek. The last person in the line slipped and fell off a cliff, but the team's combined strength pulled him back up. As the snow intensified, Wang Pangzi complained that he couldn't go on. Zhang Qiling observed that A Ning's team had abandoned their vehicles and were now on foot. He decided they had to take another route to avoid losing track of them due to the increasing distance.
Later, A Ning's team entered a forest and sensed an anomaly. They raised their weapons as a large bear charged at them. They opened fire, but the bear, though hit, continued its aggressive attack. A Ning quickly ordered, "Let's split up! I'll distract it!" She drew the bear's attention, dodged its attacks, and fired more shots, but the bear persisted.
In a desperate move, A Ning jumped off a cliff, managing to grab onto a tree trunk as the bear plunged to its death below. Her team members rushed to her aid and pulled her back up. Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi made their way into a mountain stream. Wang Pangzi slipped and fell, but Zhang Qiling quickly held onto the rope. As Zhang Qiling pulled him up, Wang Pangzi spotted a cave.
Zhang Qiling confirmed it was safe, explaining, "It heads straight to the other side of the mountain. I came here before." He admitted he hadn't recalled all the details but knew this was "the only way to the ruins" and that he had scouted inside before. He added that taking this route would allow them to catch up with A Ning's team quickly. A Ning received a report from her subordinate that they had found their target.
She led her team to the location, where they met Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi. Wang Pangzi excitedly rushed to a black bag on a tree, believing Wu Xie was inside, but discovered it contained only a dummy. Frustrated, Zhang Qiling hit the tree. As night fell, A Ning's subordinate pointed out that it was too cold and risky to return, so A Ning ordered them to set up tents.
Wang Pangzi approached A Ning to borrow equipment, and after she agreed to give them a tent, he pressed her to share information about the ruins, suggesting they cooperate. A Ning was dismissive, replying, "We have nothing to talk." Meanwhile, Jin Yang was using his phone to photograph the contents of Wu Xie's notebook when he was attacked by a masked assailant. In the struggle, as Wu Xie's bag was stolen, a black stone fell to the ground.
Back with Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi, Wang Pangzi urged Zhang Qiling to recall how he knew about the area and the ruins to help find Wu Xie. Suddenly, Zhang Qiling seemed to have an episode and violently attacked Wang Pangzi. Just then, A Ning arrived and injected Zhang Qiling with a drug, subduing him. She explained to Wang Pangzi, "In Mr. Zhang's blood sample, we found an unknown blood virus. Our drug can only suppress it for now.
When we found him, he had been poisoned." A Ning then made a phone call to Qiu Dekao, reporting that she couldn't locate Wu Xie, who Shun Zi had taken to an unknown place. Qiu Dekao advised her, "Shun Zi's father had an accident with the expedition years ago," and instructed her to search the yard where Shun Zi's father used to hunt. After the call, A Ning's team prepared to leave.
She told Wang Pangzi, "You can keep the tent. You're welcome," and departed. As her team moved out, Wang Pangzi shouted after her, asking her to leave more supplies. A Ning then led her team to the yard in the west of the forest, despite her team leader's hesitation about it being haunted. When their vehicle was blocked, they proceeded on foot.
Upon reaching the creepy house, A Ning was resolute, stating they had to find out if Wu Xie was inside. As they pushed open the door, a team member who had fallen was suddenly dragged away, and the house began to glow with a strange green light. A Ning immediately ordered a retreat. Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi arrived later, finding A Ning's abandoned vehicles. They continued toward the yard, where Wang Pangzi apprehensively asked Zhang Qiling to scout ahead.
Instead, Zhang Qiling, with an unusual look, rushed forward, and they both fell into a trap and were captured by masked individuals. They were brought into a room where they found Wu Xie. Wu Xie concernedly asked Zhang Qiling, "You remember me now?" to which Zhang Qiling responded with a warm smile. Shun Zi introduced a man named Chen Si Ye, a scout expert hired by Wu Sansheng.
Chen Si Ye explained that their objective was the ruins of Eastern Xia to find the Snake Eye Copper Fish. To find clues, they first needed to locate the Nine-Dragon Casket, which was detailed in Wu Xie's silk book. Zhang Qiling then asked Wu Xie if he had a black stone. He described it as a "unique magnet" carved from a massive magnet at their destination, which caused magnetic interference.
This stone, he explained, would prevent them from getting lost, but now it was missing. Wu Xie recalled that it might have dropped during a prior fight at Jin Yang's house. Chen Si Ye stated that reaching the location would be impossible due to a natural moat and alluded to one of them being of an advanced age, looking at Zhang Qiling, who simply replied, "I'll be fine."
Chen Si Ye then suggested that since the stone was difficult to retrieve, they should depart that night. Later, as they prepared, Zhang Qiling reassured a concerned Wang Pangzi that he could manage his condition, saying, "I'm fine. I know what to do. I can handle it for now." The next morning, A Ning's team returned to the yard. Inside the house, A Ning discovered white phosphorus, realizing they had been tricked.
Jin Yang then arrived with his gear, announcing he would join them. He claimed, "I know where they are," and revealed that Qiu Dekao had appointed him to lead the team, instructing everyone to obey his command.
Episode 39 Recap
Wu Xie's group, including Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi, trekked through the mountains. Wu Xie noticed a mountain that resembled the murals they had seen in the underwater tomb. Shun Zi explained that this was Mount Tri-Holy, with only a small portion lying within their borders, the rest being in North Korea and heavily guarded with military outposts, making it impossible to pass through.
Chen Sishu, observing the landscape through binoculars, then inquired about another mountain, which Shun Zi identified as Mount Mini Holy, located entirely within their territory and reachable in a day. Chen Sishu described the mountains as a rare "three-headed dragon" formation, which in feng shui is known as a "dragons' seat" and an ideal place for hidden treasures.
He theorized that if a grand treasure existed in Mount Tri-Holy's ancient Dongxia ruins, the other two "dragon heads" (Mount Mini Holy and Mount Major Holy, part of "The Five Holies") would likely contain royalty and courtiers' treasures. Wu Xie added that such a formation would likely have underground passages leading to the main chamber, allowing them to bypass the border guards and reach Mount Tri-Holy directly from underground.
As they continued their journey towards Mount Mini Holy, the deep snow made walking arduous, leaving everyone exhausted. Wang Pangzi complained about their fatigue, but Chen Sishu pointed out that this might be the only mountain they could ascend, and it was still better than facing the vast, cracked ice sheets of the Kunlun Mountains. Despite the hardships, Wang Pangzi tried to boost morale by reminding everyone of the "world's greatest treasure" awaiting them.
Later that night, as they set up tents, Wu Xie offered Chen Sishu some food. Wu Xie shared his theory that the Sky Palace, judging by the murals he had seen, was too magnificent to have been built by the Dongxia Kingdom, which was short-lived and had limited resources. He speculated that the Sky Palace might have existed long before King Wan Nu claimed it. Chen Sishu, however, simply told him he would understand once they reached their destination.
Wu Xie then asked about a serpent-eyed copper fish he heard Chen Sishu possessed, wondering about its origin and connection to the Sky Palace. Chen Sishu explained that he had stumbled upon a stone tower at Sleeping Buddha Ridge in Guangxi, where he found nothing of value except a Paragon Chest containing the serpent-eyed copper fish.
Wu Xie pressed for more details, curious about the process of obtaining it, but Chen Sishu was evasive, seemingly either withholding information or genuinely unsure of the specifics. Zhang Qiling remarked that all mysteries would unravel once they reached their destination. Unable to sleep, Wu Xie tried to relieve Shun Zi from his watch, but Shun Zi declined.
Wu Xie struck up a conversation, learning that Shun Zi had been in the military for seven years, serving in the same mountain area. Before that, he had collected herbs and hunted with his father, making him very familiar with the terrain. Shun Zi then revealed that his father had led a group of visitors on a similar route in winter, and tragically, none of them had ever returned.
Shun Zi admitted that he was accompanying Wu Xie's group in the hope of discovering what had happened to his father. Shun Zi then shared his pain, saying that Wu Xie would never understand the feeling of having a father "eternally asleep" in Changbai Mountain yet being unable to see him. Wu Xie, however, empathized, assuring Shun Zi that he indeed understood. The group eventually arrived at a perilous, steep section of the mountain.
Chen Sishu observed that it was a potent "dragon head treasure cave," exuding a royal aura. He noted its strategic location, stating that if it weren't a border area, it would surely be a place of contention between two countries, and undoubtedly a place where ancient royalty and aristocrats would have hidden their treasures.
Zhang Qiling, deep in thought, then knelt, clasped his hands, and closed his eyes in a moment of solemn reflection, as Wu Xie stood silently by his side. As night fell, everyone grew increasingly exhausted, still far from their destination. Wang Pangzi questioned Shun Zi, suspecting he had led them astray. Shun Zi recalled a nearby sentry post that must have been buried under the relentless snowfall.
He then remembered a hot spring in the vicinity, which offered a glimmer of hope. To prevent anyone from getting lost in the dark and snow, Shun Zi instructed everyone to tie themselves together with ropes before splitting up to search. Wu Xie called out for Zhang Qiling, fearing he had wandered off, but Zhang Qiling reassured him, promising to keep him alive even in the direst circumstances. Suddenly, Chen Sishu, weakened by age and the long journey, fainted.
They decided to continue the search for the hot spring in different directions while remaining tethered. Wu Xie, fighting extreme drowsiness, eventually succumbed to exhaustion and collapsed into the snow. A short while later, Chen Sishu regained consciousness, pulling out a black stone and examining it. Wu Xie abruptly awoke from a vivid hallucination. He had seen Wu Sansheng approaching him, urging him closer.
Recognizing the signs of hypoxia, Wu Xie realized it was an illusion, noting that his uncle would never appear in a dive suit on a snow mountain. The figure then morphed into a younger Wu Sansheng, still in a dive suit, whom Wu Xie identified as Xie Lianhuan. The illusion then declared that Wu Sansheng owed him a life. Terrified, Wu Xie recoiled, only to be pulled backward by the rope. Wang Pangzi had fallen, dragging the entire group down.
They tumbled into a new area, where they discovered a stone slab adorned with a centipede-like dragon carving. Recognizing it as a "hundred-limb dragon" typical of Dongxia, they called Chen Sishu to investigate further. Meanwhile, A Ning's team faced similar challenges. Their leader warned that proceeding in the heavy snow was too dangerous due to widespread avalanche risk. Jin Yang concurred, suggesting they rest for the night.
A Ning received a call from Qiu Dekao, who informed her that Jin Yang was likely carrying the crucial black stone, which provided immunity to magnetic field disturbances. Qiu Dekao instructed A Ning to follow Jin Yang, as he was their only guide to avoid getting lost.
Episode 40 (Ending) Recap
As Chen Sishu arrived, he instructed everyone to clear the snow from a large stone carving to allow for better examination. Wu Xie, noticing the damage, speculated it was a "Two Dragons Playing a Pearl" carving that had fallen from above due to an avalanche or earthquake. Chen Sishu dismissed his theory, calling it "rubbish" and stating that it was, in fact, the seal of an underground palace.
Just then, someone pulled a chain from the dragon's mouth, which Wu Xie quickly recognized as a mechanism to open the seal. He admitted his mistake but questioned why such a seal would be located there. After observing the scene for a moment, Zhang Qiling asked if anyone detected a particular scent. When everyone noticed a strong sulfur smell, Zhang Qiling concluded that someone had been to this place before.
Hua Laoge soon discovered tracks left by an archaeology team nearby. They also found texts from King Lu's silk book of the Warring States period on the stone walls, along with traces of daily life, which Wu Xie meticulously tried to decipher. Chen Sishu, however, showed little interest in these old findings, urging everyone instead to quickly find a way out.
Wang Pangzi found a notebook with the name "Zhao Yu Zheng" on it, but Zhang Qiling told him not to bother with it, explaining it was simply the archaeology team's record of their exploration. Zhang Qiling then suggested they needed to re-examine the stone dragon. Wang Pangzi briefly looked into the notebook, confirming it was empty. Returning to the stone dragon, the sulfur smell had intensified significantly.
Zhang Qiling sensed a hollow space beneath his feet, inferring the presence of a hot spring. Wang Pangzi lay down to feel the warmth and spotted some writings on a stone tablet below. Chen Sishu then instructed everyone to descend. They followed a narrow passage, where Hua Laoge excitedly identified Jurchen characters on the stone walls, taking photos for later study. As they ventured deeper, the temperature rose, and the sulfur smell grew stronger.
In a more open area, Wu Xie identified it as a volcanic vent, explaining that Changbai Mountain is a dormant volcano, with its last eruption occurring in the early 18th century. He also theorized that the loose stones outside were a quarry used for the underground palace and that the workers might have discovered and then sealed this crack.
Concerned about the narrow cracks ahead, Wu Xie suggested that Chen Sishu and the others rest there while he, Zhang Qiling, and Wang Pangzi scouted ahead. Despite his suspicions, Chen Sishu, acknowledging his age and physical limitations, agreed to wait. Shedding their heavy outer layers and armed with flashlights, the trio squeezed through the increasingly narrow and hot crack. Wang Pangzi struggled to breathe and worried about the air quality, suggesting they turn back.
Wu Xie insisted they had come too far to retreat. He then briefly lost sight of Zhang Qiling, calling out in alarm, only for Zhang Qiling's voice to respond, urging him to continue. Wu Xie, turning to Wang Pangzi, playfully asked if he could still see him, to which Wang Pangzi sarcastically replied that he couldn't. They continued until they found a hot spring with three distinct holes and a mural depicting fairies soaring into the sky.
Wu Xie wondered about the nature of this mysterious place, noting that the coiled dragon stone sealed the entrance and there seemed to be more murals inside. He then asked Zhang Qiling if he felt anything unusual during their crawl, mentioning his own experience of hallucinations, possibly due to lack of oxygen. Zhang Qiling expressed concern for Wu Xie, who then reassured him it was likely just fatigue.
Wang Pangzi also suggested Wu Xie get checked at a hospital once they were out. Meanwhile, A Ning asked Jin Yang when they could catch up to Wu Xie's team. Jin Yang replied that they were not far from their destination. The group rested and ate to replenish their energy. Wang Pangzi, intrigued by the mural in the hot spring, started scratching at it. His actions revealed that the mural had two layers.
Wang Pangzi explained that someone must have painted a new layer over the original mural, and the top layer began to peel after exposure to air, revealing the bottom layer, which was also fading. Hua Laoge suggested the mural might be unfinished and pre-Tang Dynasty, as later paintings would have had a clear protective coating. Wu Xie noticed a subtle shift in Shun Zi's demeanor.
Shun Zi then admitted that this was not the hot spring he had spoken of; the real one near the black stone carving was not this small. Upon hearing this, Chen Sishu immediately rose, insisting they leave to find the correct hot spring, convinced that what they were looking for was there. They exited the crack and followed Shun Zi through the snow until they reached the true hot spring pit.
There, Wang Pangzi once again scratched at a mural, confirming it also had two layers. Wu Xie observed that the floating clouds and attire in the mural were identical to those they had seen in the underwater tomb, prompting him to wonder if it was connected to the Sky Palace. Chen Sishu then asked Hua Laoge to elaborate.
Hua Laoge excitedly explained that the mural depicted the war between King Wan Nu of Dongxia and the Mongols, and he detailed the characteristics of Dongxia, including their young-looking soldiers and the short-lived nature of their country. Wu Xie expressed doubt that a country with low productivity could construct an underground palace in such a brief period, and pointed out the time gap between Dongxia's demise and Wang Zang Hai's creation of the Sky Palace.
Hua Laoge clarified that historical records indicated the Mongols did not entirely destroy Dongxia, and some survivors retreated to the mountains, with sightings even recorded during the Ming dynasty. Chen Sishu then produced a Snake Eye Copper Fish. Hua Laoge explained that the copper fish was a "mutation from dragons," that Chen Sishu had obtained it by chance, and that an ancient individual had ingeniously concealed "highly confidential information" within it.
Hua Laoge used a flashlight to project Jurchen characters from the fish's scales onto the stone wall, revealing 47 characters. He stated that, with incomplete data, he hadn't fully deciphered the message yet, which aimed to record Dongxia's secrets. He reiterated that records indicated Dongxia survivors retreated to the border of Jilin and Korea after the war, living in obscurity, and that the full truth would only be uncovered once all the data was found.
Wu Xie instinctively reached for his own copper fish in his pocket, but Wang Pangzi subtly stopped him. Chen Sishu then revealed he had recently obtained a copper fish from Xie Yuchen but had entrusted it to Wu San Xing, who promised two clues and deciphered data in return but had never delivered. Chen Sishu probed Wu Xie, suggesting that his uncle must have already cracked the message and sent him to find the Sky Palace.
Wu Xie, however, claimed he had lost his memory before coming there, couldn't contact his uncle, and was unaware of any connection between Dongxia and the Sky Palace. Chen Sishu seemed partially convinced but did not press further. As the group began to search the surroundings, Hua Laoge considered blasting open a crack. Wu Xie intervened, explaining that there was no passage behind it, merely a natural rock formation filled with thick snow.
Chen Sishu, still holding the Snake Eye Copper Fish, then asked if they weren't curious about its message. He revealed that the last sentence of the Jurchen inscription stated, "King Wan Nu is not human." Wang Pangzi, with his characteristic flippancy, suggested it was either a sign of a grudge or a metaphorical reference to the king being a dragon.
Chen Sishu clarified that it literally meant King Wan Nu was a "monster from the underground," emphasizing the need for more complete data to fully comprehend its meaning. Wang Pangzi retorted that they would find out the truth once they opened the casket and encountered the King. As they prepared to find a place to rest, Zhang Qiling suddenly alerted everyone to a loud noise and urged silence.
The group then heard a series of thunderous roars, realizing it was an avalanche. They immediately ran for their lives. Hua Laoge stumbled and fell, prompting Wu Xie to turn back and help him. Unfortunately, both were struck by falling rocks and collapsed to the ground. Seeing Wu Xie in peril, Wang Pangzi and Zhang Qiling quickly turned back to rescue him.
