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