The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note Episode 32 Recap
> The Lost Tomb 2 : Explore with the Note 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.
