Tomb of the Sea Episode 40 Recap
> Tomb of the Sea Recap
Wu Xie instructed Li Cu to discuss the events of GuTongJing only after seeing Bro Man. Li Cu was surprised to find that Bro Man was a dog, the same one he and Liang Wan had encountered at WuShanJu. When Chief Chen opened its cage, Bro Man displayed great affection for Li Cu, baffling onlookers who were unaware that Li Cu carried the ashes of Old Dog Wu, which explained Bro Man's recognition.
The Wu family immediately treated Li Cu with immense respect, offering him a seat and referring to him as "Master Wu." Huo Daofu, however, expressed his disdain, calling them crazy for treating a mere kid like a VIP. A Wu family member named Little Star explained Bro Man's loyalty, stating that Bro Man, having been raised by Old Dog Wu, recognized its true master and would perceive Li Cu as Old Dog Wu.
The Wu family prepared to take Li Cu back to WuShanJu, but Chief Chen intervened, asserting that no one would take Li Cu away. Master Yin, representing the Crescent Hotel, urged them to avoid conflict that would turn the Nine Clans into a laughingstock, suggesting Li Cu decide his own fate.
Chief Chen agreed to let Li Cu make his choice but reminded him that Yang Hao was still in their custody, implying they would harm Yang Hao if Li Cu did not cooperate. Li Cu, remembering Wu Xie's instructions, began to recount his entire story to Bro Man, starting with his personal struggles. However, he was quickly interrupted and told to focus on GuTongJing.
Li Cu then described his perceived "golden cave" underground, which he said was filled with gold and treasures, and drew a topographic map for them. Initially, some dismissed him as an "outer" who couldn't provide useful information, but Chief Chen's men later confirmed the map was accurate and even more detailed than one previously provided by Yang Hao.
Seeing their plans materialize, Li Cu requested to be sent home, but the Nine Clans intended to take him with them, fearing he might have lied. Master Yin reminded them that Li Cu was from his company and not subject to their orders, suggesting they take a different guide if Li Cu refused. Li Cu, however, declared he would lead the way to protect Yang Hao, taking responsibility for involving his friend.
Chief Chen mockingly asked why Li Cu hadn't thought of that sooner. Huo Ruxue then stated that if Yang Hao wasn't going down, keeping him here was a waste. Huo Daofu approached Yang Hao, cunningly claiming that Li Cu had recommended him to go underground with the group.
Li Cu tried to warn Yang Hao about a large snake he might encounter, but Yang Hao, fueled by anger and misinterpreting Li Cu's words as further deceit, snapped and violently kicked Li Cu to the ground. Members of the Nine Clans, already biased against Li Cu, further instigated Yang Hao, questioning Li Cu's trustworthiness and influence over them.
Huo Daofu then advised Chief Chen that Li Cu was too softhearted to be useful, suggesting he be harsh with Yang Hao and train him well, as Yang Hao's usefulness would depend on who controlled him. Chief Chen decided they would embark when it was dark. To provoke Yang Hao, Chief Chen’s men taunted him, questioning his courage and comparing him unfavorably to Li Cu, before handing him the heaviest bag and ordering him to join the expedition.
Despite his anger and the physical confrontation, Yang Hao secretly wished for Li Cu to survive. Meanwhile, Li Cu, confined to a tent, was startled by the appearance of Shen Qiong. Overjoyed to see her alive, Li Cu explained that he and Su Wan had ventured into the desert searching for her. Shen Qiong, however, revealed that she was now known as Huo Xiaoyuan, confirming his suspicion that she was part of the Huo family.
When Li Cu questioned her, she simply provided him with a walking stick for his injured leg and promised to explain everything when the time was right. Concerned for Yang Hao, Li Cu confronted Huo Xiaoyuan about her family taking him underground, fearing for his friend's life. Huo Xiaoyuan assured him she had asked her elder sister in the Huo family to look after Yang Hao, stating it was all she could do.
Li Cu, feeling betrayed and confused by her identity and secrecy, demanded she leave his tent, stating he no longer recognized her, just as Yang Hao no longer recognized him as a friend. Left alone, Li Cu lamented that Su Wan had not met the transformed Shen Qiong. Elsewhere, Master Black, Su Wan, and Liang Wan were still trapped at the bottom of the cliff, starving.
Master Black roasted corpse beetles for sustenance, but both Liang Wan and Su Wan refused to eat the insects. Master Black urged them to face reality, reminding them they were isolated and had no other food. Liang Wan vehemently refused, while Su Wan worried about Li Cu, wondering if he was looking for them. Su Wan then realized the medicine for his insect bites was gone, taken by their captors.
They were then alerted to the presence of snakes nearby, prompting a hasty escape. From above, they heard noises, recognizing them as the Nine Clans. Su Wan defiantly refused to call for help from these "enemies," preferring to die rather than be captured. Soon, the Nine Clans group emerged from underground, many injured and having suffered heavy casualties, furious at Li Cu.
They reported that the "treasure" cave Li Cu described was a trap, filled with collapses, rubble, and mechanisms, leading to a snake nest where more than half of their remaining men perished, with only a worthless stone tablet salvaged. Returning to the camp, they discovered Li Cu was missing from his tent and frantically searched for him. When they found him, Yang Hao, who had now formally joined the Chen family, tackled Li Cu.
Yang Hao confronted Li Cu, expressing his hatred and stating that he had returned alive solely to witness Li Cu's downfall. Li Cu, despite Yang Hao's aggression, expressed relief at seeing him alive and remorse for involving him, asking Yang Hao what they had truly encountered underground. Yang Hao dismissed his questions, declaring he had completely changed because of Li Cu and reiterated his desire to see Li Cu suffer.
Meanwhile, Wu Xie, pursued by the Wang family, decided to sever ties with Wang Meng. He gave Wang Meng all his accumulated salary and bonuses, firing him to prevent him from risking his life further. Wu Xie left his car for Wang Meng and proceeded on foot. Initially furious and feeling betrayed, Wang Meng quickly understood Wu Xie's intentions.
He accepted Wu Xie's old shop, promising to manage it diligently so Wu Xie would always have a place to return to, even joking that he would support Wu Xie. As Wang Meng drove off, he unknowingly passed Su Nan's vehicle. Su Nan, receiving a call confirming Wu Xie's location, quickly deduced he was ahead. Wu Xie soon reached the base of the snow mountain, where Su Nan and her men confronted him.
Su Nan brandished a knife, intending to kill him. However, Wu Xie had anticipated this and had planted explosives. He detonated them, sending everyone, including himself and Su Nan, plummeting down a cliff. At the bottom, Wu Xie and Su Nan regained consciousness, but Su Nan's men were all dead.
Su Nan still intended to complete her mission and kill Wu Xie, but he warned her that the treacherous cliff ahead could only be navigated by two people working together, a realization that temporarily stayed her hand.
