The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Episode 19 Recap
> The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note 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.
