Tomb of the Sea Episode 37 Recap
> Tomb of the Sea Recap
Master Black continued recounting his stories to Liang Wan, but she found his narratives suspiciously convenient, believing he had fabricated them for her. Master Black, however, remained firm, asserting he was simply that straightforward. He explained that although Wu Xie only absorbed the pheromones of the black hair snakes for a few seconds, the side effects were enormous, causing one to experience decades or even hundreds of years in mere moments.
Master Black said that when he later saw Wu Xie, he felt as if Wu Xie had lived for thousands of years, having reached his limit and being unable to interact with such substances again. He declared Li Cu their only hope, expressing concern that Li Cu was dying. Liang Wan vehemently disagreed, insisting that Li Cu would be fine, as would Yang Hao, who had bravely lured away the snakes to save her.
She believed in the children's loyalty and principles. Master Black had also mentioned Su Wan was severely injured by Li Cu's bomb, but Liang Wan, after examining him, confirmed his injuries were not life-threatening. Master Black then told Liang Wan to find Li Cu and instruct him to hold on for three more days, offering to guide her out of the tunnels using the map.
Liang Wan realized he did not intend to accompany them, and Master Black revealed he had been bitten by a black hair snake and feared he wouldn't survive the journey. Despite his protest that the last remaining dose would be more useful for the others, Liang Wan, a doctor, quickly administered the serum to him, refusing to let him die. Master Black, seeing her resolve, declared he would change his plan and fight to the end.
He then located their position on the map, noting that the path they came through was blocked by the explosion and suggested a connected tunnel to find Li Cu. When Liang Wan asked if he could walk, Master Black affirmed his newfound determination. Meanwhile, Li Cu, severely injured internally and with a badly hurt leg from his own bomb, found himself captured by Clan Wang members. They used a pink snake to bite his neck, forcing him to interpret pheromones.
In his vision, Li Cu saw Wu Xie's Third Uncle. Third Uncle, addressing Wu Xie through Li Cu's vision, apologized for the suffering Wu Xie would endure, stating that if Wu Xie was receiving this message, it meant Third Uncle was no longer alive. He began to explain the grand scheme, recounting how the old Jiu Men lived harmoniously, dedicating themselves to treasure appraisal and protection. This peace was shattered by the emergence of a tenth clan, Clan Wang.
Members of Clan Wang bore phoenix tattoos and systematically infiltrated Jiu Men, manipulating their plans and inciting conflicts that turned the families against each other. Wu Xie’s grandfather, Old Dog Wu, was the first to uncover Clan Wang’s conspiracy, marking the beginning of the Wu family’s multi-generational fight. Both Wu Xie's grandfather and Third Uncle failed to resolve the conflict, passing the heavy burden to Wu Xie.
Third Uncle and his team were undertaking a highly dangerous mission, venturing into a perilous cave where the water required special tablets for consumption, their dwindling supply signifying a point of no return. They were prepared to die to find the truth. Third Uncle emphasized the need for Wu Xie to abandon his experience and become unpredictable to escape Clan Wang's control. He also introduced Black Blind to Wu Xie, informing him that his payment had already been settled.
Black Blind, observing this, remarked that Third Uncle was the most formidable person amongst them, and that if Wu Xie understood the underlying meaning of these words, it would be enough. Li Cu's hallucinations continued, now featuring Wu Xie himself, who, anticipating Li Cu's predicament, addressed him as a stranger caught in his struggle.
Wu Xie foresaw Li Cu being taken to a sunless prison and forced to decode lost information for Clan Wang, a task that should have been Wu Xie's. Wu Xie outlined an escape plan: he would ensure his grandfather’s ashes were scattered on Li Cu, so all Wu family dogs, recognizing the scent, would treat Li Cu as family and rescue him.
Wu Xie gave Li Cu two choices before he woke up in half an hour: either reveal all the information to Clan Wang or execute their plan, which involved joining Clan Wang, gaining their complete trust, penetrating their core, and seizing control of their operations, though this would mean living perpetually among snakes. When Li Cu eventually awoke, Clan Wang pressed him for details.
Li Cu selectively reported that he saw a group entering a cave led by a middle-aged man, and that Wu Xie said Clan Wang was running out of time, withholding the full truth. Outside GuTongJing, Clan Wang had launched a three-pronged attack on Jiu Men. The first front was in GuTongJing. The second front involved infiltrating Jiu Men itself, stirring animosity between Clan Chen and Clan Xie.
Chief Chen (Chen Jinshui), driven by greed, sought to forcibly acquire a USB drive from Huo Xiuxiu, accusing her of being too young and unqualified to manage Xie Yuchen's vast assets. Huo Xiuxiu retorted that every family in Jiu Men coveted Xie family's wealth. Huo Xiuxiu then pointed out a Clan Wang member hiding among Chief Chen's associates, an accusation Chief Chen vehemently denied. Fortunately, Pang Wang was prepared.
Feigning drunkenness, he brandished a bundle of fake detonators and a lighter, threatening to ignite them. He deliberately highlighted the presence of a Clan Wang member, stating they would wait to see if anyone came to rescue him, thereby confirming his identity. Amidst the chaos, Pang Wang and his helper subdued the Clan Wang member.
Pang Wang then lit a "detonator" and tossed it into the crowd, causing widespread panic, allowing him and his helper to escape with the unconscious Clan Wang member. Once they were out of sight, the other families realized the detonator was fake. Pang Wang sped away in a car with his companions. He admitted his drunkenness was an act, and the detonators were indeed fake, much to Huo Xiuxiu's relief.
However, Clan Wang soon caught up, leading to a high-speed chase. When their vehicles drew parallel, Pang Wang again produced a bundle of fake detonators, lit them, and hurled them into the pursuing Clan Wang vehicle. Terrified, the Clan Wang members abandoned their car and dove for cover, only realizing the deception after Pang Wang had long disappeared. The third front of Clan Wang's attack targeted Wu Xie, led by Su Nan.
Her convoy had deliberately bypassed Wu Xie’s group earlier, waiting ahead to ambush them on the high plateau road. Upon seeing Su Nan's vehicles, Wu Xie drove directly through their encirclement without hesitation, with Su Nan and her people quickly giving chase. The old Jiu Men had once existed in harmony, a time when Huo Xiuxiu and Xie Yuchen shared a close and serene relationship. However, Clan Wang’s infiltration and conspiracies had shattered this peace, turning the once allied Jiu Men families into bitter enemies.
