Tomb of the Sea Episode 9 Recap
> Tomb of the Sea Recap
The desert floor began to give way, turning into quicksand and collapsing rapidly, leaving Wu Xie’s team unable to retrieve any of their supplies. Panic spread as a crew member, Sis Dan, risked her life to retrieve vital footage. She quickly sank into the sand, but Wu Xie instructed Wang Meng to toss her a rope, and the team worked together to pull her to safety.
Realizing there was no turning back as the area behind them completely caved in, they had no choice but to push forward in search of the true GuTongJing. Their journey continued on foot, weary and parched. Wu Xie explained that the phenomenon was quicksand, a result of the underground palace's rotation the previous day. He warned that the entire area was empty beneath and would continue to collapse, making it suicide to return.
Despite Master Ma's initial skepticism, who called Wu Xie an alarmist and still wished to return for his supplies, the complete collapse of their former campsite confirmed Wu Xie's warning. Later, Master Ma, concerned about the "spoiled" city dwellers, pulled Wu Xie aside, lamenting the loss of all their food and drink.
Wu Xie, however, merely smiled and declared that he was counting on Master Ma, as he had brought him along to find the "seas," implying he would make good use of him. This irritated Master Ma, who cursed his bad luck for ever meeting Wu Xie. Wu Xie also handed Li Cu an empty bottle, telling him to save it for urine, as it might become a life-saving drink.
Along the difficult trek, Li Cu attempted to remove his jacket, but Wu Xie stopped him, explaining that direct sun exposure would lead to rapid dehydration and death. He advised Li Cu to imagine himself as a camel, control his breathing, and minimize sweating. The group eventually reached a campsite, but their food was scarce, barely enough to survive.
Su Nan, showing leadership, not only shared her own provisions but also commandeered Master Ma's treasured strong liquor to distribute among everyone, ensuring they at least had something to drink, much to Master Ma's dramatic dismay. The desert night offered no solace; exhausted, they were kept awake by strange crying sounds. Wu Xie, having heard sand whistles before, admitted this sound was new to him.
Later that night, Master Ma questioned Su Nan, asking if she truly believed GuTongJing could help her. When she affirmed it was her only hope, he expressed admiration for her patience. He observed that while she pretended to be ordinary, her eyes betrayed no common desires, distinguishing her from the rest.
At the Crescent Hotel, Zhang Rishan took notice of an employee named Luo Que, who possessed the extraordinary skill of using a fishing rod to place cups precisely on a table from a floor above without breaking them. Impressed, Zhang Rishan requested Luo Que from Master Yin. Though Luo Que was headstrong and only submitted to those stronger than him, Zhang Rishan quickly proved his superior ability, and Luo Que became his loyal subordinate.
Meanwhile, Su Wan and Yang Hao found themselves increasingly targeted by mysterious individuals. Su Wan nervously scanned his surroundings, then told Yang Hao, whose phone had died, to pretend his phone was still working. He whispered that two women had been watching them. When the women suddenly appeared, the boys decided to split up and meet at Yang Hao's family shop. Both were pursued, but help arrived unexpectedly.
Su Wan was rescued by a man with a fishing rod, while Yang Hao was saved by Zhang Rishan, who efficiently took down their pursuers with powerful kicks. Back at Yang Hao's shop, Shen Qiong listened intently as Su Wan excitedly recounted his escape from a "crazy woman" and the dramatic intervention of the "fishing man." Yang Hao then shared his own heroic rescue by Zhang Rishan.
Shen Qiong, appearing thoughtful, remarked that she would "believe their nonsense for now," and wondered who they had provoked. Su Wan speculated that the incident was related to the Crescent Hotel, explaining that their investigation into Li Cu had led them there. At the Crescent Hotel, Zhang Rishan interrogated the individuals captured after chasing Su Wan and Yang Hao. The people, identified as members of the Jiu Men, remained tight-lipped about their company affiliations.
Zhang Rishan, who had been a member of the Jiu Men Association for over 30 years compared to their 10, sternly reminded them of the rules. He noted that Huang Yan, Wu Xie's man, had died exploring the desert, a matter that should have been handled by the association president. He rebuked their companies for causing trouble despite their bosses claiming to uphold the rules.
Just as Zhang Rishan was about to resort to harsher methods, Luo Que received a call from Master Yin, who advised a milder approach, stating that times had changed and suggesting a "serious warning but a mild punishment." Zhang Rishan then ordered everyone to be brought forward, but Luo Que discovered one person was missing.
For their transgression, Zhang Rishan ordered the literate ones to copy the association rules five hundred times, and the illiterate ones to recite them five hundred times, instructing them to relay his message directly to their bosses. Later, as Zhang Rishan returned to his room, the missing woman, wearing a mask, ambushed him. During their struggle, Zhang Rishan sustained a cut on the back of his hand, but despite her impressive skills, she proved no match for him.
Identifying her as a member of the "tenth family," Zhang Rishan activated a hidden mechanism by moving his fish tank, causing the floor beneath her to open. As she fell, she detonated a bomb. When a subordinate offered to bandage his wound, Zhang Rishan refused, stating he intended to exacerbate the injury and strictly forbade anyone from revealing his condition.
Observing the sequence of events—Shen Qiong's prior monitoring of Su Wan and Yang Hao, her immediate inquiry about the Crescent Hotel and Li Cu's connection to it, and the subsequent attack on Zhang Rishan—it seemed that Shen Qiong was playing a far more significant and potentially antagonistic role.
