The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Episode 29 Recap
> The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note 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.
