Tomb of the Sea Episode 29 Recap
> Tomb of the Sea Recap
In the underground palace, the Chen Clan members, seemingly enchanted, marched forward blankly. Zhang Rishan and Luo Que intervened swiftly, using kicks and shoves to snap them out of their trance. Zhang Rishan surmised that the stone statue was placed there to suppress something beneath. Chen Jinshui, now rescued, changed his tune, inviting Zhang Rishan for a drink as a welcoming gesture. However, the ground suddenly collapsed, crushing several of Chen Jinshui’s men and trapping the group.
Chen Jinshui was eager to dig their way out, but Zhang Rishan warned him against touching the unstable rocks, fearing further collapses that would reduce their living space. Zhang Rishan questioned Chen Jinshui, as the supposed master of the place, for having no clues. Chen Jinshui admitted that only Chen Pi A'si knew these matters.
He revealed that after becoming the chief, he learned of a secret deal between Grandpa Si (Chen Pi A'si) and Zhang Qishan (Fo Ye) many years ago, where Grandpa Si was to build an underground maze for Zhang Qishan. They had no idea the maze was located beneath these ancient trees. Grandpa Si remained tight-lipped and warned that even after his death, no one should touch these items or approach the trees.
Zhang Rishan scorned Chen Jinshui for immediately seeking the underground treasures after Chen Pi A'si's death, calling him an unfilial descendant. Chen Jinshui retorted, refusing to believe Chen Pi A'si left nothing behind after achieving so much, asserting the treasures must be inside. He admitted to sending many men down, all of whom perished. Growing impatient, Chen Jinshui challenged Zhang Rishan to a fight, only to be swiftly subdued by Zhang Rishan.
Realizing he was outmatched, Chen Jinshui relented, proposing that Zhang Rishan focus on finding a way out while his men searched for the treasures. Zhang Rishan agreed, stating he had no interest in their underground belongings. As time passed, Chen Jinshui grew agitated by Zhang Rishan's silence regarding an exit. Finally, Zhang Rishan declared the exit was on top of the statue, explaining that he had been listening for subtle sounds of air and temperature changes indicative of cracks.
Luo Que confirmed this by retrieving a candy wrapper he had dropped at the entrance, proving the top connected to the surface. However, mutated corpse beetles, affected by the tree-like jade, could bite through stone, making a direct climb impossible. Zhang Rishan devised a plan: he had Luo Que capture several corpse beetles, instructing Chen Jinshui's men to smear their juice on their bodies. Then, Luo Que extinguished all lights.
As they proceeded in darkness, the corpse beetles indeed ignored them. Zhang Rishan then guided Luo Que to attach a fishing line to the statue, using Chen Jinshui’s men as stepping stones for a boosted climb. Zhang Rishan and Chen Jinshui ascended successfully. When it was Luo Que's turn, the fishing line snapped, but he quickly secured himself to the wall with a backup line.
Meanwhile, the scent on the Chen Clan members faded, and the corpse beetles began to attack. Zhang Rishan, despite Chen Jinshui's callous indifference towards his own men, ordered Luo Que to use the fishing line to rescue the two remaining Chen Clan members. Though rescued, they ended up in different locations: Zhang Rishan and Chen Jinshui at their initial landing spot, while Luo Que and the two injured Chen Clan members were on another part of the statue.
Chen Jinshui dismissed his injured men as having "completed their mission," but Zhang Rishan insisted they would be treated once they were safely out. The underground palace then shook violently again, causing the two injured Chen Clan members to nearly fall, but Luo Que pulled them back up. Their wounds continued to bleed, and the draining condition persisted. Meanwhile, Li Cu, Su Wan, and Yang Hao arrived at Ashan Dong.
They were surprised to find Liang Wan was also heading to the same destination. Li Cu initially wanted to abandon her, citing how she almost made him a criminal, but Su Wan and Yang Hao playfully suggested Li Cu liked her, leading Li Cu to begrudgingly allow her to join. At the hotel, Liang Wan cunningly secured a king-size room at Li Cu's expense, then left him and his friends to share a smaller triple room.
Li Cu confirmed with the front desk that all hotel rooms were opened with key cards, not physical keys, deducing his original key and two copies were for a utility room or a safe. While Liang Wan pondered over a mysterious hotel map given to her, trying to decipher its meaning, Li Cu, Su Wan, and Yang Hao split up to search the vast hotel.
After much effort, Li Cu finally located a garage in the hotel courtyard that the key opened. Yang Hao and Su Wan quickly joined him. Inside, they discovered a rugged vehicle perfectly suited for desert travel, along with a hidden envelope containing car keys and expedition supplies. The supplies were notably in sets of four, indicating that Liang Wan was an anticipated member of their group.
Li Cu, suspicious of how they were being coerced, searched further and found a map wrapped around a photo of his family. He then played a video from Wu Xie on a DV, who half-threatened, half-guided Li Cu to Gu Tong Jing. Wu Xie admitted to orchestrating everything, stating it was the best way to protect Li Cu and that all his recent experiences had purpose.
He warned Li Cu not to doubt his innocent father, explaining their involvement was a matter of destiny. Wu Xie said he could protect Li Cu's father but only if Li Cu followed his instructions. He revealed that another map was in the driver's seat, and Li Cu would meet someone in the desert who would give him a second map, which, when combined, would lead to the true Gu Tong Jing.
Wu Xie concluded by saying he might be dead by the time Li Cu saw the video, but his plan would continue, and Li Cu must follow his clues to protect his father. Enraged by Wu Xie's manipulations and the threat to his father, Li Cu furiously smashed the DV. He quickly ordered Yang Hao to test the car and Su Wan to inventory the equipment, while he packed, determined to leave immediately and ditch Liang Wan.
However, as they gleefully sang while driving out of the garage, Liang Wan was waiting directly outside the door, offering them two choices: take her with them, or drive over her.
