Time Raiders Episode 5 Recap
> Time Raiders Recap
As the expedition continued, the guide, separated from the main group, heard his dog, Dandan, calling out in the dark, low-visibility environment. Despite the treacherous terrain and his fear of the Mountain God, he lit matches to find his dog, uttering, "Mountain God, sorry for disturbing you. I'm just here to find my dog. I'll leave once I find him." He continued to call for Dandan, promising, "Wait for me.
I'm coming to save you," before his cries suddenly turned into a chilling scream. Meanwhile, Wu Xie pointed out ancient carvings on a cliff face, asking about their connection to the kiln and Mount Shending, and if they mentioned the snake-like monster they encountered. He deciphered that the carvings spoke of a man from Lu who possessed Shao Weng's arts to command ghost soldiers, referring to the legend of King Shang of Lu.
The initial part of the story matched a silk manuscript, but here it was more detailed and bizarre. Wu Xie read aloud how King Shang of Lu, a vassal of the Lu State, was born with a Gui Seal that empowered his soldiers, making them fight without pain or hunger. Captured enemy soldiers, upon seeing the seal, would immediately pledge allegiance.
His conquests earned him the title of King of Lu, though his self-proclamation as King Shang of Lu was an overreach. One day, he sought an audience with the ruler of Lu State, claiming prolonged use of the Gui Seal had weakened him, necessitating feigned death to recuperate. The ruler granted his request, and King Shang entered suspended animation after a kowtow. Pan Zi interrupted, clarifying that King Shang had died, unable to endure.
Wu Xie continued that the ruler, believing King Shang would return, preserved his body at Mount Shending. Pan Zi realized they were at that very location and speculated that the ruler had constructed the site and appointed a guardian called "Seven" to guard it, questioning if the entity in the kiln was this "Seven."
Wu Xie found it illogical for a ruler to build a kiln to preserve a corpse, but Third Uncle explained that the ruler likely wanted King Shang to return quickly to serve him. The kiln, he posited, was used for firing bricks, tiles, and offerings for a large-scale construction, suggesting a ritual site was also built.
Da Kui and Pan Zi playfully accused Wu Xie of being too imaginative, to which Wu Xie countered that Third Uncle dismissed his ideas only because he hadn't found the truth himself. As they continued to explore, Pan Zi noticed a formation of seven points resembling the Big Dipper, which Wu Xie confirmed. Third Uncle then pointed out the North Star. Wu Xie noted the Big Dipper's handle was pointing the opposite way, suggesting a hidden meaning.
Pan Zi then discovered a dry corpse inside a hollow tree. They observed its modern equipment and considered if it belonged to the missing team from the tents, with Wu Xie noting that the four to five-year timeframe matched. He questioned why it was a foreigner and if it was from Ma's team. When Wu Xie attempted to get a closer look, Third Uncle stopped him, citing the unsafe environment and ordering them to find an exit.
Third Uncle took Da Kui to scout one of two chambers, while instructing Pan Zi to stay behind and monitor Zhang Qiling. While waiting, Wu Xie asked Pan Zi for water and shared a "wild theory": perhaps the "Seven" on the carvings referred not to a single entity but to seven different monsters guarding King Shang, corresponding to seven alchemy furnaces. Suddenly, Wu Xie exclaimed that the dry corpse moved, but Pan Zi, upon inspection, insisted it hadn't.
Pan Zi then spotted a bag hanging above, wondering if it belonged to Ma's team. Elsewhere, Da Kui triggered a trap and fell, but confirmed he was unharmed. Just as Pan Zi dismissed Wu Xie's observation, Zhang Qiling appeared and grabbed Pan Zi's arm, warning him not to touch the mummy. He stated that the "real deal" was behind it and cautioned them against rash actions.
Peering behind the corpse, Pan Zi saw another creature and questioned if it was the second monster, noting its unrecognizable dried state. Deciding to heed the warnings, he suggested a slow retreat, reiterating Wu Xie's theory about seven monsters. Suddenly, a root-like entity wrapped around Pan Zi's ankle, dragging him backward. He fought back, protecting his neck while using a dagger to cut the vine, which eventually released him.
Pan Zi realized this powerful vine was likely what had dragged them into the hollow earlier. Amidst the chaos, Wu Xie called out for his companions, frantically asking if all the monsters had been released before becoming separated. Elsewhere, the Fatty was being pursued by Zhang Qiling. He complained about objects being thrown at him and challenged Zhang Qiling to a fight, boasting he would turn him into "stone pot fish."
He taunted Zhang Qiling for "freezing up" before noticing more "backup" arriving for his pursuer. Meanwhile, Third Uncle and Da Kui became lost in a maze-like section where echoes distorted the direction of sound. Third Uncle, who had been pushed into the area by an unseen attacker, used his flashlight to guide Da Kui back to him. Separately, Wu Xie also navigated the maze, lamenting, "What is this place? A maze? We're going around in circles."
He found another corpse and, discovering a storage ticket (022, 00059), vowed to deliver it to the deceased's family. After regrouping, Wu Xie and Third Uncle found signs of Ma's team: a half-eaten biscuit and an uncapped bottle, indicating a hasty departure. They discovered gunpowder, a common item for amateurs like Ma, confirming they were on the right track. As they pressed on, Zhang Qiling appeared and warned Wu Xie, "Don't move! Put your hands down!"
A moment later, something grabbed Wu Xie's leg. Startled, he broke free from the grasp and ran in a panic, inadvertently stumbling into a tunnel. Thinking he was safe, he heard rustling noises and ran again, only to step on an empty space and plummet into a deep pit. Grotesque Corpse Beetles crawled out, biting at his neck. Wu Xie screamed for help, and Pan Zi, hearing his cries, tossed him a rope, allowing Wu Xie to climb out.
Just as they thought they were safe, the Fatty fell into the same pit. As the Corpse Beetles attacked him, he cried for help. Moved by compassion, Wu Xie reached out to pull him up but was dragged back into the pit with him.
