The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Episode 15 Recap
> The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note 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!"
