Ultimate Note Recap, Plot, Synopsis

> Ultimate Note

Ultimate Note Synopsis

Wu Xie, who is only interested in his third uncle's experiences, receives a mysterious videotape upon his return from an adventure and finds himself caught up in a conspiracy.

He explores the Geermu Sanatorium alone and meets Zhang Qiling and the others, forming a team of six.

They accidentally discover a mysterious meteorite jade in the Palace of Xi Wang Mu, but at the same time, his third uncle suddenly disappears and Zhang Qiling loses his memory.

In order to help Zhang Qiling recover his memory, the group explores the ancient building of the Zhang family and discovers that it is the key to the mysterious jade, but due to the intervention of Qiu De Kao's forces, they are unable to do so.

Huo Laotai suddenly joins forces with Wu Xie and the others to replicate the joint operation of the Mystic Nine to find out the truth again, but unexpectedly an accident occurs during the operation and the group is plunged into a crisis.

The mystery is still unsolved and the forces are out of balance. Wu Xie is forced to wear a mask and disguise himself as the third uncle.

Ultimate Note Recap

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• 31
• 32
• 33
• 34
• 35
• 36

Episode 1 Recap

The story opens with a voice-over from Wu Xie, who introduces himself and his companions, the talkative Wang Pangzi and the stoic Zhang Qiling. He recounts their perilous adventures, from the tomb of the Lu Kingdom's emperor, where they battled insects and illusions, to the Paracel Islands seabed, where they uncovered secrets of immortality and a blood message from Xie Lianhuan accusing Wu Xie's third uncle, Wu Sansheng, of treachery.

Their journey continued to the Cloud Top Palace on Mount Changbai, culminating at the immense Bronze Gate, where Zhang Qiling entered to fulfill a mysterious duty, leaving Wu Xie behind. The scene shifts to a hospital, where Wang Pangzi awakens Wu Xie to find that his uncle, Wu Sansheng, has vanished from his bed. Wu Xie intercepts his uncle in the lobby and knocks him out.

Upon waking, Wu Xie confronts him with an old photograph of the archaeological team from before their Paracel Islands expedition, demanding to know if he killed Xie Lianhuan. As they argue, Wang Pangzi arrives with two videotapes sent by Zhang Qiling from Golmud. Wu Sansheng feigns surprise and tries to dissuade Wu Xie from watching, but they play the first tape, which is mostly static. Suddenly, an image appears of a woman combing her hair.

Wu Sansheng is stunned, identifying her as Huo Ling, a member of the lost archaeological team. He points out that the tape is from 1997, yet she hasn't aged a day since their team photo in 1985. Deeply unsettled, Wu Sansheng urges Wu Xie to drop the investigation for his "own good," but Wu Xie refuses.

The argument is interrupted by a phone call from a stranger who claims to have another tape related to Wu Xie and asks to meet in Hangzhou. Wu Xie, distrusting his uncle, agrees to sell him the videotapes but cleverly swaps them for fakes. Meanwhile, a mysterious man in black, who bears a striking resemblance to Zhang Qiling, arrives at Wu Xie's shop, Wushanju. He is being followed, but he expertly ambushes and disarms his pursuer in an alley.

Inside Wushanju, Wu Xie explains his ruse with the fake tapes to Pangzi just as A Ning arrives. She reveals someone sent her a videotape using Wu Xie's name to ensure she would receive it. They watch her tape, which shows a disheveled figure crawling on the floor. As the person's face comes into view, Wu Xie is horrified to see it is his own, but looking much younger, as if from years ago.

Realizing the tapes couldn't have come from Zhang Qiling, Wu Xie inspects the blank tape he received and discovers a hidden key and a slip of paper with an address for a sanatorium in Golmud. Determined to find answers, he immediately has his employee, Wang Meng, book him the arduous journey there. Arriving at the dilapidated sanatorium in Golmud, Wu Xie explores the dusty, cobweb-filled building, recording his findings.

He recognizes one of the rooms as the same location where he saw his younger self crawling in the video. His search leads him down a long staircase deep underground, where the air grows cold and carries a strange fragrance. There, he discovers a very old coffin and a locked, hidden room beyond it. As Wu Xie cautiously enters the room, a pale hand silently reaches out from the coffin behind him.

Inside the room, after a brief, strange dream-like encounter with Xie Yuchen, Wu Xie discovers a notebook written by Huo Ling. It details the lost archaeological team's secrets and struggles over more than a decade. The notes reveal a shocking truth: all the ancient sites Wu Xie has visited—the Seven Star Palace, Cloud Top Palace, and the others—are connected, forming a "dragon vein" map that was part of a quest for immortality.

He is stunned to learn that Chen Wenjin, another team member, had been to the Bronze Gate and that the tapes were intentionally sent to three specific people. Elsewhere, Wu Sansheng enjoys an opera with Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu. After the performance, Yuchen and Xiuxiu press him for answers about the previous generation's secrets and the fate of their missing family members, Huo Ling and Xie Lianhuan.

As always, Sansheng is evasive, claiming their generation's actions were meant to protect the younger one. Unbeknownst to him, Wu Xie is already piecing the puzzle together with Huo Ling's notebook. He studies the "dragon vein" map, wondering about the significance of the one location that lies outside the path: Tamutuo.

Episode 2 Recap

Unfazed by their third uncle's warnings, Wu Xie's unwavering determination to uncover the truth about the past led him down a path that would astonish the cunning old man. As Wu Xie delved deeper into Huo Ling's journal, he discovered intricate patterns and notes detailing the arduous journey of Chen Wen Jin's archaeological team.

He read about their entry into Changbai Mountain in May 1993 amidst unforgiving weather, the loss of contact with their team by June 15, and their arrival at the base of the Heavenly Palace on June 17, facing dire circumstances. The journal recounted their decision to brave the Bronze Gate on June 17, concluding chillingly on June 18, 1993, with the phrase, "I think, I'm seeing the Ultimate."

Frustrated by the abrupt end of the crucial entry, Wu Xie continued reading, finding that by February 1995, the team was already planning to find Tamutuo. He questioned why every mention pointed to Tamutuo, a place described as having "the mire full of ravenous snakes." Suddenly, the disheveled figure of Huo Ling, her mind clearly broken, lunged at Wu Xie. Before she could grab him, Zhang swiftly intervened, pulling Wu Xie to safety.

Together, they managed to secure Huo Ling in a nearby casket. As Wu Xie recovered from the shock, a figure emerged from another coffin. It was Hei Yan Jing, the man Wu Xie had seen following Zhang in Hangzhou. Ah Ning then revealed that she was also present in Golmud and that both Hei Yan Jing and Zhang were consultants for their current expedition.

Soon after, Wu Xie found himself in a vehicle with Ah Ning, questioning her earlier deception in Hangzhou. Ah Ning, in turn, remarked that Wu Xie was no longer the "innocent and naive" person she once knew, acknowledging his growing cunning. She confirmed that Zhang and Hei Yan Jing were indeed their consultants. Their current objective was Tamutuo, a fact Wu Xie learned from Hei Yan Jing.

Lao Gao, another team member, later explained that Tamutuo was believed to be the capital of the Land of the Heavenly Queen Mother and the location of the fabled Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother. Ah Ning's team had also located Madam Dolma (Dingzhu Zhuoma), the elderly guide from Chen Wen Jin's original archaeological team. Later, Wu Xie was roused from his sleep by Madam Dolma's grandson, Tashi, and found Zhang already in Madam Dolma's tent.

Madam Dolma delivered an urgent message from Chen Wen Jin: she would be waiting for them at the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, but if they failed to arrive within ten days, she would enter alone. She also relayed Chen Wen Jin's cryptic warning: "The object is in your midst. Be wary." Wu Xie, still perplexed by Zhang's sudden reappearance and his silence about the Bronze Gate, pressed him for answers.

Zhang, however, remained tight-lipped, asserting it was his personal affair and that Wu Xie should not get involved. Wu Xie expressed his profound frustration at being kept in the dark, the "pain of not knowing." Zhang admitted he understood that pain even better. When Wu Xie finally asked what Zhang saw beyond the Bronze Gate, Zhang simply replied, "The Ultimate. The end of everything." Despite his evasiveness, Zhang concluded by saying, "I'm on your side.

Actually, your problem is already my problem. If the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother has all the answers, then I must continue the journey with you." Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu had traveled to a small shop, attempting to purchase a painting that the shop owner's father had left behind. Their efforts were thwarted when Hei Yan Jing appeared, having already acquired the painting.

Xie Yuchen was astonished to discover that Hei Yan Jing possessed a crucial piece of the porcelain plate, an artifact he had been searching for that served as a map to Tamutuo. The two parties, each seeking something the other held, eventually sat down to negotiate. Wu Xie's timely arrival, as a childhood acquaintance of Xie Yuchen, helped facilitate discussions.

Ah Ning explained that the porcelain pieces Xie Yuchen possessed, when combined with her existing plate, would form the complete map to Tamutuo. Wu Xie asserted that he and his companions also intended to go to Tamutuo. Ah Ning, recognizing their shared lineage within the Mystic Nine and their possession of the essential map pieces, agreed to allow them to join the expedition on the condition that they would follow her lead once inside Tamutuo and pay their own expenses.

Huo Xiuxiu, however, decided to split from the group. She revealed that the videotape Wu Xie had received was merely a distraction, and the real clues lay within its case. She believed there were more important clues in the videotape she had seen at her grandmother's and decided to investigate those separately for a better chance of success. She also warned Wu Xie to be wary of Hei Yan Jing. The group embarked on their desert journey in off-road vehicles.

As they ventured deeper into the desert, a severe sandstorm erupted, drastically reducing visibility and severing communication between their vehicles. Forced to stop and don their protective gear, they exited their cars. Ah Ning's signal flare caught the attention of Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen. As they struggled to reach her location, they encountered a treacherous patch of quicksand.

Thinking quickly, Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen discarded their heavy gear, narrowly escaping the mire, but the ordeal left them utterly exhausted and they collapsed in the vast desert. Back at a makeshift shelter, Zhang expressed his determination to find Wu Xie. Ah Ning, concerned for Madam Dolma, entrusted Hei Yan Jing with the task of locating her while she stayed behind, tying a signal gun to the car for the others to find if they returned.

Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen, meanwhile, were on the verge of hypothermia from the biting desert cold and their grueling trek. Xie Yuchen noticed a large, sheltered area, realizing it was the edge of a quicksand pit, but a potential refuge. He tried to rouse Wu Xie, who was struggling against sleep and despair, desperate for water and longing to go home. Xie Yuchen urged him to stay awake, providing what little water he had left as Wu Xie drifted into unconsciousness.

Episode 3 Recap

Wu Xie slowly regained consciousness, finding himself on Zhang Qiling's back. Zhang Qiling, who stated he was late, gently put him down at Wu Xie's request. Xie Yuchen, also found, had a concerningly low temperature of 35 degrees. The group had already regrouped at A Ning's current location. Wu Xie expressed concern for their missing team members: Lao Gao, Ah K, King, and Century Egg, noting the significant losses so early in their journey.

A disagreement arose when someone implied Madam Dolma had intentionally led them into the desert during a sandstorm. Tashi, Madam Dolma's grandson, vehemently defended his grandmother, explaining that their route was essential and the terrain, with ancient riverbeds shifting into desert, was unpredictable. Wu Lao Si apologized to Tashi at Wu Xie's insistence. Wu Xie intervened, confirming the path was indeed an old river course, suggesting it might lead them to ancient city ruins.

Tashi then introduced them to Devil City, located about 20 kilometers away. He described it as a place cursed by a deity who, enraged by the city dwellers' corruption, burned it down. Tashi claimed that the agonizing cries of the damned could still be heard at night. They decided to rest there for the night and depart for Devil City the next morning. As night fell, they set up camp near Devil City, opting not to enter it.

A Ning, concerned about the weak handheld radio signals, decided to find a vehicle with a stronger car radio to contact Lao Gao and the others. Wu Xie chose to accompany her, noting A Ning's surprising willingness to seek out comrades, a departure from her past pragmatic approach. Wu Xie continued to try contacting the missing team members over the radio, even playfully teasing the sick Xie Yuchen.

A Ning eventually told him to stop, asserting that maintaining composure was more crucial for team morale than finding the others immediately. The following morning, they gathered all available vehicles, packed their gear, and set off towards Devil City. This area was characterized by unique Yadan landforms, shaped over millennia by strong winds, and the constant sandstorms and strange winds added to its mysterious aura. They found a sheltered spot to establish their main camp.

Wu Xie jokingly offered a tent-setup service to Xie Yuchen for a fee. Suddenly, they discovered one of the missing, Lao Gao, partially buried in the sand. He was alive but injured. Lao Gao explained he had stumbled there while evading the sandstorm and had seen the other missing team members (Ah K, King, and Century Egg) venture deeper into Devil City.

A Ning decided to lead a search party—consisting of Tashi, Lao Jia, Ah Hu, and Dao Zai—into Devil City to find the remaining missing members. She assigned Zhang Qiling, Hei Yan Jing, and Wu Lao Si to search the immediate outer area. Tashi, however, adamantly refused to enter Devil City, warning that no one had ever returned alive.

He recounted a chilling story of a geological expedition in 1997 where the entire team vanished, with only two air-dried corpses found two years later. A Ning, leveraging logical arguments about their satellite compasses and appealing to his filial duty to his grandmother, eventually convinced Tashi to guide them. Tashi agreed on the condition that he would place piles of stones at every junction; if they encountered a pile, it meant they were going in circles and had to retreat.

Wu Xie found this unusual, but A Ning accepted. As they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine Devil City, eerie, non-human sounds carried by the wind increased Tashi's fear, and he repeatedly begged to turn back. A Ning insisted they press on. They soon encountered multiple stone piles Tashi had laid, confirming they were indeed moving in circles within the vast terrain. Suddenly, Tashi screamed "Devil's Child!"

upon seeing an ancient ship, half-buried on a cliff with the other half suspended over the edge. Terrified, he claimed the "Devil's Child" resided within and would claim their lives if they proceeded. A Ning, displeased by his panic, left Tashi with Lao Jia at the cliff base and, accompanied by Wu Xie and Ah Hu, boarded the ship.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to A Ning, Wu Sansheng, who had been secretly trailing them, had also orchestrated Zhang Qiling and Hei Yan Jing's participation in A Ning's team. Wang Pangzi and Pan Zi, hired by Wu Sansheng, arrived at Devil City in one of the team's vehicles. Pan Zi expressed his concern for Wu Xie, knowing he wouldn't want Wu Xie in such danger.

Pan Zi and Wang Pangzi discussed their mission: Wu Sansheng had changed routes but left markers for them. Their priority was to retrieve Zhang Qiling and Wu Xie before rejoining Master San. Wang Pangzi joked about Wu Xie's potential fury if he discovered Wang Pangzi's involvement. Separately, Xie Yuchen confronted Hei Yan Jing, calling Wu Sansheng a "sly old fox" who had undoubtedly manipulated many. Xie Yuchen suspected Wu Sansheng was nearby and intended to confront him.

Hei Yan Jing offered to facilitate contact with Wu Sansheng, for a price. Inside the damaged ancient ship, A Ning, Wu Xie, and Ah Hu used their flashlights to navigate its dark interior. Wu Xie, following the walkie-talkie signals, identified a hole leading to a lower deck. Descending deeper, they located Lao Gao, still alive, and Ah Hu, who was pinned beneath a heavy clay coffin.

As they worked to free Ah Hu, Wu Xie identified the "clay box" as a coffin, concluding the ship was not a mere shipwreck but a "ship burial." He explained that unlike Han Dynasty mortar tombs, this coffin utilized a unique "mixture of three different components" and appeared far older. Wu Xie then found a way to open the coffin by pouring water. They successfully removed the lid, freeing Ah Hu, who gasped for air.

Inside the coffin, they discovered intricate Sanqing Bird patterns carved on the inner wall, along with inscriptions detailing the tomb owner's life and mentioning a "pill." The rest of the inscriptions were unreadable due to severe oxidation. Wu Xie explained that the Sanqing Bird was a divine, auspicious symbol and messenger of the Queen Mother of West, used exclusively by royalty, suggesting the tomb owner's extraordinary status.

A Ning then observed that the garments in the coffin were significantly oversized for the skeleton, which appeared to be that of a child. Wu Xie concurred that something was very wrong with the corpse. Back at the camp, Zhang Qiling, growing impatient, decided to search for Wu Xie himself. Wu Lao Si attempted to stop him, reminding him of A Ning's strict instructions that Zhang Qiling was not to leave.

Just then, Pan Zi and Wang Pangzi drove into the camp, immediately clashing with Wu Lao Si and his men. Pan Zi and Wang Pangzi quickly overpowered them. Pan Zi informed Zhang Qiling that Wu Sansheng had found a new path and sent them to retrieve him and Wu Xie. Zhang Qiling took some useful gear, including a carabiner and a flashlight, which he gave to Pan Zi.

Realizing Wu Xie was in Devil City, Pan Zi and Wang Pangzi prepared to leave to find him. Wu Lao Si's men tried to prevent their departure, but Wang Pangzi threw a lantern, setting their tent ablaze, forcing Wu Lao Si and his men to extinguish the fire as Pan Zi and Wang Pangzi drove off.

Episode 4 Recap

Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing continued their search for Wu Sansheng. Xie Yuchen initially noted Wu Sansheng's scarcity of trail markers, finding it difficult to follow. Hei Yan Jing clarified that this deliberate lack of visible markers, especially the hidden one at their camp, indicated Wu Sansheng's distrust of his own recruited crew, making it inconvenient for him to leave clear signs.

Xie Yuchen complained about their dwindling water supply, and Hei Yan Jing admitted his boxed meals were also running low. Soon after, they unexpectedly fell into a deep underground pit. Hei Yan Jing identified it as an abandoned oil pipeline from the Republic of China era, noting its subtle scent, which Xie Yuchen initially couldn't detect. Xie Yuchen then recalled a historical mystery about an entire team vanishing while mining oil there.

They discovered that despite its sturdy construction, the pipeline was severely damaged. Hei Yan Jing speculated it was impacted by a powerful external force, either a massive living creature or the result of a very distant, forceful collision, then pointed out a sticky, non-oily fluid on his hand, questioning if it might be saliva from the creature responsible. Hei Yan Jing, complaining about Xie Yuchen’s digging efficiency and his own dwindling food supply, urged him to dig faster.

Xie Yuchen then began digging through a collapsed section of the pipe, identifying it as a landslide. After clearing the path, they found numerous suffocated bodies of animals, including lizards, gerbils, and snakes, alongside human remains, all covered in fungal filaments. Meanwhile, inside the ancient ship burial, A Ning cautioned Wu Xie about potential traps indicated by a silk thread. Examining the coffin, Wu Xie identified the female corpse as a close relative of the Queen Mother of the West.

He deduced she had consumed a life-extending pill that instead caused her body to experience reversed growth and mutation after death, making her physical structure impossibly small for an 18-year-old of royalty. A Ning then confronted Wu Xie, asserting that while she allowed him to accompany her, she did not permit him to pry into her trade secrets. They soon encountered unsettling shadows, which others cried out were the "Devil's Child."

Wu Xie, intending to investigate the phenomenon, calmly explained it as an ancient trick involving white phosphorus ignited behind human skin, creating menacing shadows through hollow bulkheads. He then rushed to assist Ah Hu, who was suffering from Crush Syndrome and risked kidney failure, using a flying claw to pull people to safety from the confined space. A Ning used a radio to call Lao Jia at the bow, reporting casualties and requesting that local police be informed.

Afterward, as dawn broke, Wu Xie and A Ning sat on the ground, grateful for making it through the night and awaiting the arrival of a rescue team. Wu Xie later awoke to A Ning informing him that Wang Pangzi had arrived and left with Zhang. A Ning then directed Wu Xie to examine some artifacts her team had retrieved. They discovered dozens of pottery jars from the shipwreck, adorned with Three-Green Bird patterns, and scattered human skulls.

Wu Xie revealed this was a gruesome ancient torture: victorious tribes sealed the heads of defeated children in jars, feeding them through small gaps until their heads were too large to remove, then decapitated them and sealed the jars as a warning to other tribes. He added that rulers used such cruel, mystical rituals to project supernatural power and maintain control. As they discussed this, someone accidentally touched a skull, causing a Corpse Bug King to emerge, triggering chaos.

The team panicked, scattering in fear as Wu Xie recognized the creatures from Qixinglu Palace. In the ensuing panic, A Ning and Wu Xie fled, falling into a pre-existing hole. Trapped and surrounded, A Ning quickly devised a plan, using a piece of clothing to distract the bloodthirsty Corpse Bugs, allowing them to escape.

Afterward, A Ning, offering Wu Xie her hand, acknowledged he had saved her life earlier at the camp but asserted that in emergencies, self-preservation was paramount, arguing that saving partners without certainty only increased casualties. Wu Xie, however, maintained he would never abandon his companions. As they continued their journey, they encountered another tight passage.

A Ning, realizing her body could contort to fit through more easily, suggested she go first and wait for Wu Xie on the other side, leaving him to finish widening the path. Wu Xie complained about having to dig alone, but A Ning provided him with a useful tool. Elsewhere, Wang Pangzi's car ran out of gas, forcing him, Pan Zi, and Zhang to abandon it and proceed on foot.

Along the way, they found stone piles left by Wu Xie’s team, which Wang Pangzi recognized as crucial markers in the confusing terrain of Devil City. They eventually lost the trail of stone piles and realized they were lost, leading to a heated argument between the short-tempered Wang Pangzi and Pan Zi. Zhang intervened, explaining that the Devil City's unchanging environment affected their psyche, making them irritable, akin to the "highway effect."

After Wang Pangzi temporarily stormed off declaring he was cutting ties, Pan Zi and Zhang followed, and they later reconciled around a campfire lit by Wang Pangzi, where he offered Pan Zi grilled scorpions, which Pan Zi surprisingly ate. They decided to return to the last known stone pile.

The next morning, Wang Pangzi used the photos he had taken of the stone piles to decipher their meaning, realizing they were not simple markers but "Mani stone piles" used for blessings and warding off evil. He discerned that different layer counts (six vs. seven) indicated correct or incorrect paths. Zhang confirmed their theory, concluding that the person who stacked the stones had ill intentions.

They eventually found an abandoned campsite near the ancient ship, recognized Wu Xie’s jacket, and encountered the same Corpse Bug Kings from Qixinglu Palace. Witnessing Zhang’s intense and destructive attack on the bugs, Wang Pangzi remarked on Zhang’s apparent fear for Wu Xie's safety, though Zhang denied it. Pan Zi expressed profound relief that Master Xiao San seemed unharmed, fearing the devastating consequences if he had been hurt. They then searched the entire campsite, noting the signs of a sudden attack.

Episode 5 Recap

Upon arriving at A Ning's camp, Zhang, Wang Pangzi, and Pan Zi were met with a grim scene, prompting Wang Pangzi to note Wu Xie must have fled without any supplies, stressing the urgency of finding him. As they ventured into the Devil City, led by Zhang, they found themselves ensnared in a perplexing illusion. Despite walking for nearly four hours, covering over twenty kilometers, they realized they were trapped in an elaborate labyrinth, unable to find their way out.

Pan Zi, recalling their occasional attempts to choose paths with more stones, acknowledged they were consistently rerouted to paths with fewer stones. As darkness approached and temperatures began to drop, Zhang suggested they set up camp for the night and continue their search in the morning. Meanwhile, Wu Xie, reflecting on the terrifying Corpse Grub King he encountered at the Seven Star Palace, was horrified to confront similar creatures in the vast desert.

He learned from A Ning that these creatures, perhaps cultivated in "ghost jars," might serve as biological weapons for the Heavenly Queen Mother. Despite their narrow escape, they were now lost in the treacherous Devil City. Lacking water and food, Wu Xie worried about succumbing to either the freezing night or dehydration from the scorching day. A Ning, initially dismissive, urged him to focus on survival, suggesting they build a stone barrier for warmth.

The next morning, Wu Xie awoke to find A Ning holding a dagger, contemplating using him for sustenance. Although she hesitated, remembering his role in saving her from the Corpse Grub King, she ultimately spared him. Weakened, they continued their journey, A Ning meticulously leaving Dangshi Copper Coins as markers, hoping for eventual discovery even if only their remains. As dehydration set in, Wu Xie struggled to remain conscious, continuously speaking to A Ning.

She revealed that her earlier aggressive actions were merely to stimulate his muscles to prevent heatstroke spasms, admitting she had considered killing him for survival but had changed. Despite their desperate efforts, both eventually collapsed from exhaustion. Concurrently, Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing, trapped in an underground pit, encountered an extensive network of hyphae.

Hei Yan Jing, using his acute hearing, detected movement and identified a giant fungus, explaining it fed on petroleum and secreted silk-like filaments, clinging to everything in its path. Xie Yuchen proposed using sandrat holes to escape, though Hei Yan Jing admitted he lacked the contortion skills for such a feat. Realizing they were in an old Republic-era petroleum pipeline with a connection point, they decided to use explosives to create an exit.

Hei Yan Jing meticulously planned their escape, explaining he would detonate the charge, creating a crack that would release quicksand, which he would then use to climb out and pull Xie Yuchen to safety. The operation was fraught with danger due to the flammable petroleum. Despite a slight snag when the expected quicksand didn't appear immediately, Hei Yan Jing pushed Xie Yuchen up first, promising him a capsicum-free fried rice if they survived.

As Xie Yuchen ascended, the intense flames from the subsequent explosion engulfed Hei Yan Jing, his face illuminated by the inferno. Back in the Devil City, Wang Pangzi, Zhang, and Pan Zi discovered A Ning's valuable Dangshi Copper Coins. Wang Pangzi, initially elated by the find, quickly realized these were A Ning's personal and precious coins, signaling a desperate situation that would force her to use them as markers.

Following the trail, they found a semiconscious Wu Xie and A Ning. Upon waking, Wu Xie, having overheard their conversation, confronted Wang Pangzi about his involvement with Third Uncle, realizing that Zhang, Wang Pangzi, and even Hei Yan Jing were working for him or a similar client like Cox Hendry, A Ning’s boss.

Wu Xie lamented being the only one without monetary compensation, questioning the overarching purpose of their perilous journey from the Seven Star Palace to the Paracel Islands and the Cloud Top Palace, as well as the identity of the person sharing his face in the videotape. A Ning seized the opportunity to propose a collaboration, asserting that everyone sought the same ultimate secret.

She disclosed that her boss, Cox Hendry, had ordered her to find the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother using the videotape to locate a specific porcelain plate. Madam Dolma was the sole key to entry, but she was separated from them, and time was of the essence, as missing their chance meant waiting another five years. Wu Xie revealed he too had received a videotape and, possessing Chen Wen Jin's notes, knew there were three such tapes.

Wang Pangzi then shared his insight into the Devil City, explaining it was not a single entity but a massive system of yardangs, a chain of interconnected smaller "Devil Cities." He clarified that the seemingly random rock formations were meticulously arranged using Qimen Dunjia, an ancient art of strategic placement. This invisible design subconsciously guided people toward paths with fewer stones, perpetually leading them astray and back to their starting point, effectively creating a giant, unseen maze.

Wang Pangzi speculated that the area was an ancient battlefield, suggesting the Heavenly Queen Mother, an expert in Qimen Dunjia, used these formations for defense, creating an "invisible wall" around her kingdom, which was likely once a vast body of water, acting as a moat. He deduced that the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother must lie within this circle, or in the very center of the Devil City.

Madam Dolma's information further pinpointed the location: two days west along the ancient riverbed, they would reach the rocky mountain pass where Chen Wen Jin's team vanished. While they pondered whether to wait for Wu San Xing's team or risk venturing downstream along the now-indistinct riverbed, the sky suddenly grew dark, and intermittent rain began to fall across the vast Devil City.

This unusual and scattered rainfall hinted at the immense scale of the area and potentially signified the precise "window" Madam Dolma had warned them about, the very opportunity they could not afford to miss for another five years. With no news from Wu San Xing, concern grew. As they pressed on, the group stumbled upon what appeared to be a fossil, which Wang Pangzi, with a wry grimace, declared "too good" to be true, hinting at an unforeseen complication.

Episode 6 Recap

While journeying, Wang Pangzi's attention was drawn to a mountain wall. Upon closer inspection, the group discovered it was covered in legendary fish-with-a-face fossils, confirming their location as an ancient paleochannel. Wu Xie recalled that if the ancient ship they encountered earlier was the funeral boat of a Heavenly Queen Mother's close relative, it would have departed from the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, implying a river connection to this site.

Wang Pangzi, curious about why the fish had human faces, was told by Wu Xie that they devoured too many humans. Despite the significant discovery, the group decided to press forward. Further along, they found scattered equipment and a vehicle, clearly from their lost team members, blown there by strong winds. Suddenly, a large swarm of Corpse Bugs pursued them, forcing them to a cliff edge.

With no other option, Wu Xie, Zhang, and A Ning used safety ropes and vines to descend into the dense rainforest below. Wang Pangzi, left stranded when the ropes were cut, eventually slid down himself, amazed by the forest hidden within the desert. Pan Zi observed that the Corpse Bugs feared something in the rainforest and dared not follow, suggesting an even greater danger lay within.

No sooner had Wang Pangzi landed than he was affected by a poisonous substance resembling eggs, rendering him unconscious. Pan Zi quickly revived him by spitting water onto his face. Pan Zi and Zhang observed similar egg-like growths on Wang Pangzi's back, which A Ning identified as a type of fungus. Meanwhile, Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen, having escaped their previous predicament, trekked on. Though they hadn't found their companions, they unexpectedly discovered ancient totems.

Xie Yuchen, despite the weathered and eroded state of the carvings, was able to restore the intricate patterns, identifying them as Birdman figures. Hei Yan Jing explained that these Birdman totems, an upgraded version of the Blue Bird (a traditional totem of the Land of the Heavenly Queen Mother), linked their current location to the Heavenly Palace on the Cloud in Mount Changbai, suggesting they were now in the core area of the Heavenly Queen Mother's influence.

They began digging and soon unearthed a passage. Pushing open two stone doors that had been sealed for millennia, they entered an underground palace, finding Blue Bird statues and, as anticipated, dangerous mechanisms. Hei Yan Jing activated a mechanism, causing multiple boomerangs, resembling blue birds, to fly out. After dodging them, they found two bodies inside, intentionally propped against the door.

Hei Yan Jing discovered a hidden Qian symbol on one of the bodies, a secret mark left by Wu Sansheng, indicating his distrust of his companions. Back with Wu Xie's group, they prepared to move, distributing supplies and food. Pan Zi warned everyone to tighten their cuffs and trouser bottoms, as the humid, sun-deprived environment beneath the broadleaf canopy was a haven for mosquitoes, leeches, and other poisonous insects.

He cautioned against using mosquito repellent, as its scent might attract other creatures, and emphasized avoiding the swamp water due to unseen dangers. As they pressed on, Wu Xie grew increasingly weak and eventually collapsed. Wang Pangzi discovered the parasitic fungus on Wu Xie's abdomen had spread. Wu Xie was in agony, prompting Pan Zi to administer a tranquilizer. Zhang observed that the fungus was malevolent and advised against immediate intervention, suggesting they wait for it to grow larger.

They continued their trek, and after two hours, found a stream and decided to rest. While resting by the stream, Zhang theorized that Chen Wen Jin had chosen the rainy season for their journey because the abundant water flow would lead them directly to the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother.

Soon after, Wang Pangzi found Wu Xie in the stream, his stomach moving, covered in a large, transparent film, confirming the presence of the same fungus that had infected Wang Pangzi earlier. Zhang explained that Wu Xie must have accidentally come into contact with the fungus and it had since spread. Wu Xie's body temperature dropped to 35 degrees Celsius, yet he complained of feeling extremely hot.

Zhang realized that this fungus, which preferred low temperatures, was disrupting Wu Xie's senses. Pan Zi held Wu Xie down while Zhang used a lighter to heat the infected area, then cut open the film with a dagger to extract several large "mushroom eggs." After half an hour, Wu Xie slowly regained consciousness, his temperature returning to normal.

Zhang explained that unlike snails infected by parasites that seek sunlight, this fungus preferred cold and caused its host to feel hot and crave colder places. Wu Xie was disgusted by the ordeal and forbade anyone from touching his belly. Despite Wu Xie's weakened state and the fresh wounds, Zhang insisted they continue immediately to find a drier place for Wu Xie to recover, fearing infection in the humid environment.

Wu Xie, though wobbly, insisted he was fine and could walk on his own. Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen discovered their path blocked by neatly cut rocks, indicating a man-made obstruction. Xie Yuchen suggested blasting it open, but Hei Yan Jing expressed concern about a potential landslide, though he believed the mountain was stable.

As they continued, they encountered a formidable new trap: dense, magnetic spikes that nearly pierced their throats, forcing them to shed their bags as the magnetic force pulled them towards the sharp spikes.

Episode 7 Recap

Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing found themselves in a chamber filled with magnetic swords, which posed a threat to their metal equipment. Hei Yan Jing suggested using fire to demagnetize the swords. As they heated them with lighters, Xie Yuchen noticed burn marks, indicating someone else had used the same method. Hei Yan Jing concluded it must have been Wu Sansheng. After rendering the swords harmless, they moved to the next chamber, which contained an even more dangerous trap.

The room was filled with zircon stones that emitted a blinding light, while flying darts assailed them. Hei Yan Jing, accustomed to wearing shades, was largely unaffected, but Xie Yuchen had to wrap cloth around his eyes to navigate. Hei Yan Jing playfully offered to sell his shades to Xie Yuchen. The subsequent traps, consisting of flying arrows, were no match for the agile duo.

Hei Yan Jing, using his stick, playfully announced he was using his "Dog Beating Technique" to effortlessly activate a mechanism and clear the way. Xie Yuchen urged him to use his "expertise" to find a way to open the door. They eventually reached the core of the underground palace, where Hei Yan Jing marveled at the immense effort the Queen Mother expended to hollow out the entire mountain for her palace.

They discovered a prominent mural depicting a meeting between the Queen Mother and a robed, crowned individual. Xie Yuchen deduced this person was Emperor Mu of Zhou, given his equal size to the Queen Mother in the mural, and noted the Western Zhou style lamps, suggesting the Queen Mother had adopted his culture.

He also recounted the legend of Emperor Mu and the Queen Mother's shared quest for immortality, concluding that the palace's intricate and deadly design underscored the Queen Mother's ruthless and territorial nature, intended to deter disobedient visitors. Meanwhile, Wu Xie's group proceeded by using explosives to clear their path.

They discovered a colossal statue of a Birdman, which Fatty recognized from their previous perilous encounter at Cloud Top Palace, prompting questions about its presence here and the Queen Mother's connection to Cloud Top Palace. Wu Xie also pondered why Chen Wen Jin's notes marked Tamutuo, seemingly unrelated to the dragon vein, among sites closely linked to the Queen Mother.

Zhang, examining the statue, found four distinct holes on its base, abdomen, and shoulders, and a carving depicting an ancient ritualistic procession towards the statue, where drummers played at the entrance. Despite A Ning photographing the statue and their initial tests revealing no immediate dangers, an unsettling silence hung in the air, a stark contrast to the usual sounds of a rainforest. Fatty and Pan Zi volunteered to scout ahead.

Wu Xie, however, was drawn to the sight of strangely dead animals. He observed birds falling from the sky without any visible injuries. As they speculated on the cause, massive rocks fell, sealing their exit. The group hastened their pace, but Pan Zi soon began experiencing headaches and heart palpitations, collapsing, followed by A Ning with similar symptoms.

Wu Xie noted that the recurring statues seemed to function like sequential images, depicting more members of the Queen Mother's procession falling as they progressed. Realizing the gravity of their situation, Wu Xie suggested they return to the dead bird to find answers. An autopsy revealed that its internal organs had exploded, even though there were no external injuries.

Before they could fully understand, Zhang and Wu Xie also succumbed, leaving only Fatty unaffected, desperately trying to figure out what was happening. From his military experience, Pan Zi deduced that their symptoms were caused by infrasound waves, a silent frequency that could cause internal organ disorientation and even death. He realized the statue's four holes were likely outlets for these waves, explaining the sudden deaths of the birds and the group's rapid decline.

He theorized that the statues could convert normal sounds, such as the drums in the carvings or the explosion they caused earlier, into potent infrasound waves. With renewed urgency, they struggled to their feet and quickly plugged the holes with tree branches and leaves. This action immediately alleviated their symptoms, confirming Pan Zi's theory and terrifying them at how close they came to dying from internal damage.

Zhang explained that infrasound waves primarily target the heart by causing internal organ resonance, meaning healthier individuals are more susceptible to severe symptoms. Fatty, who was unaffected, was surprised by this, while Wu Xie found it amusing. Concerned for their safety, Pan Zi lit a distress smoke signal hoping to contact Wu Sansheng, explaining that he and Fatty had initially set out to meet Wu Xie and Zhang.

Wu Xie inquired about the yellow smoke, and Pan Zi explained that it signified "danger ahead," and that they needed to be careful. However, A Ning, observing the rainforest's unpredictable climate, urged them to keep moving, asserting that waiting for Wu Sansheng was no longer an option and they needed to find a safe place to camp before nightfall.

As they struggled through the deep swamp, using daggers to cut through dense vines, Pan Zi reminded them of the dangers, including snakes. A Ning recalled a chilling passage from Chen Wen Jin's notebook: "The mire is infested with many ravenous snakes, unafraid of people." They knew the consequences would be dire if they couldn't find shelter by dusk.

Episode 8 Recap

A heavy downpour began, bringing with it a swarm of ticks that stung Wu Xie's group, leaving them with itchy wounds all over their bodies. With the rain showing no signs of stopping, they sought shelter. A Ning, observing Wu Xie and Wang Pangzi, wryly advised them to remove their pants to check for bites in sensitive areas, warning them of severe consequences if the ticks went unchecked.

Wang Pangzi, whose pants had ripped earlier when they first entered the mountains, complained of intense itching. Wu Xie confirmed that both he and Wang Pangzi were covered in parasitic ticks, far worse than A Ning. They painfully extracted the ticks using a heated knife tip, their screams echoing through the shelter.

Meanwhile, Zhang ventured out to find medicinal herbs, and A Ning recounted a terrifying experience in Africa where she witnessed a giraffe succumb to a tick infestation, its body covered in blood tumors, emphasizing the danger of these tiny creatures. In a separate part of the treacherous underground, Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen continued their journey, their usual banter and sarcastic remarks serving as a coping mechanism.

Hei Yan Jing commented on the sheer number of stairs, noting the stamina required to be considered a guest of the Heavenly Queen Mother. Master Hua’er (Xie Yuchen) scoffed, claiming he was not superstitious and only believed in himself, a remark that prompted Hei Yan Jing to caution him against speaking too soon about returning home, as such talk often preceded misfortune. They mused about the unusual absence of traps, a thought that immediately jinxed them.

Hei Yan Jing stepped on a hidden mechanism, causing the stone staircase behind them to explode. They desperately scrambled upwards, barely escaping. Master Hua’er quickly grabbed Hei Yan Jing, preventing him from falling to his death. Exhausted, they collapsed, realizing the destroyed staircase had become a sheer cliff, cutting off any retreat. However, Wu San Xing's trail markers indicated he had continued forward, suggesting an unnoticeable exit. They meticulously searched for clues, but after a long time, found nothing.

Master Hua’er grew increasingly agitated, concluding that the entire palace was merely a ruse, a deceptive facade to deter intruders. His suspicion was confirmed when he inadvertently triggered a final trap: kerosene began dripping, followed by fire, effectively burning all their escape routes. With no other option, they leapt off the cliff, fortunately catching onto vines that broke their fall, landing them in a dense rainforest. Back with Wu Xie's group, Zhang returned with herbs to repel the ticks.

Wang Pangzi, impressed, remarked that despite Zhang's reserved nature, he was incredibly thoughtful. As the rain subsided and evening approached, Pan Zi pointed out the unique geography of their location—the lowest point of the desert basin, where all rainwater and groundwater converged, nourishing the rainforest and creating a fertile "fengshui treasure land." They decided to make camp there for the night. By morning, only Zhang remained energetic.

He and Wu Xie then discovered the skeletal remains of a gigantic snake, its massive body surprisingly filled with thousands of ticks. Zhang then took out his dagger, cut his palm, and smeared his blood on Wu Xie's clothes, explaining that his blood repelled dangerous creatures. Wu Xie, startled by Zhang's unexpected action and the sight of his blood, screamed, attracting Pan Zi and A Ning. Upon inspecting the snake's carcass, they realized the ticks had completely drained its blood.

Further investigation inside the snake's remains revealed human bones, identified as belonging to a woman. Among her belongings, they found a large flashlight and a metal belt buckle dating back to the 1980s or 90s. A Ning was visibly shocked, recognizing the buckle as identical to those customized by her company for employees before 1997. She insisted no one from her company had ever been to Tamutuo.

The discovery became even more perplexing when they found seven Dangshi Copper Coins near the skeleton, eerily similar to A Ning's own unique collection. The possibility that the dead woman was A Ning herself crossed Wu Xie's mind, a thought instantly dismissed as A Ning stood alive before them. As Wu Xie pondered this perplexing mystery, a gigantic snake, precisely like the one in his dream, appeared before him in the nightmare.

Wu Xie abruptly woke up, gasping, realizing the entire terrifying sequence had been a nightmare. He stared intently at A Ning, who was resting nearby, until she, unnerved, sharply asked him what he was looking at, finally bringing him back to reality. In the waking world, Zhang, Pan Zi, and A Ning were indeed examining the discovered skeleton.

They found not only the human remains but also a grenade and a fully functional pistol, an item Pan Zi excitedly declared a "treasure." Wu Xie asked Pan Zi about his past military experiences, to which Pan Zi proudly stated he was a war veteran who always survived.

Their conversation was suddenly cut short as Zhang and A Ning motioned for silence, their gazes fixed on a massive snake in a nearby tree—the very same giant python from Wu Xie's nightmare. Recognizing the immense danger, the group bolted, running for their lives. During their panicked escape, Zhang valiantly fought the giant python but inadvertently lost his Black Gold Sword. The group eventually found refuge in a narrow cave.

Wang Pangzi lamented the loss of Zhang’s invaluable Black Gold Sword, blaming the giant python and vowing to kill it later for soup. Wu Xie quickly retorted that Zhang lost his sword while saving Wang Pangzi. Wang Pangzi, ever the opportunist, then took Zhang’s sword sheath for safekeeping. Inside the seemingly safe cave, they heard a distinct sound. Zhang identified it as a "tiger keelback," explaining it was the most venomous type of snake and highly territorial.

He revealed that the giant python had been scared away by the tiger keelback’s presence. Realizing the extreme danger of staying, they cautiously exited the cave, relieved they hadn't provoked the deadly creature. They concluded that while the area was a dangerous "snake den," it also indicated they were drawing closer to Wu San Xing.

Episode 9 Recap

After escaping from a giant python, Wu Xie and his companions found themselves in a difficult situation with diminishing supplies and Zhang's Black Golden Ancient Sword missing. While discussing their next steps, including going back to retrieve lost equipment by following the python's trail, A Ning knelt by the water to wash her hands. Wu Xie, realizing a tiger keelback was silently approaching her, desperately shouted a warning.

However, it was too late; the snake swiftly bit her, and she quickly succumbed to the venom. The group was in shock. Despite Pan Zi's questioning, Wu Xie was resolute. He placed his belt and a Dangshi Copper Coin on A Ning's body and began to carry her, determined to take her to the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, the destination she had died seeking.

As they continued their journey, Wu Xie's group began to run low on food and water. Wu Xie kept his promise, carrying A Ning all the way to the ruins of the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother. The group was awestruck by the massive, ancient structure, now mostly submerged underwater, which Wu Xie theorized sank after its drainage system failed when the Queen Mother's kingdom collapsed.

With night falling, they decided to set up camp nearby and devise a plan for entry the next day. Meanwhile, Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen, also low on provisions and trying to rendezvous with Wu San Xing, encountered a dense, poisonous miasma. Hei Yan Jing swiftly pulled Xie Yuchen into the deeper parts of the rainforest to escape. Despite their efforts, Hei Yan Jing stumbled and fell into a deep pit filled with snake corpses.

As a more potent form of miasma, known as the Miasma Mother, approached, Xie Yuchen desperately tried to pull Hei Yan Jing out. Hei Yan Jing, believing they were doomed, urged Xie Yuchen to cut the rope and abandon him, but Xie Yuchen refused. After a tense struggle, he managed to pull Hei Yan Jing to safety.

Later that night, back at Wu Xie's camp, Wu Xie awoke to find A Ning's sleeping bag unzipped and human footprints on the ground. He roused his companions, and Zhang immediately set off in pursuit of the mysterious figure. Shortly after, Fatty and Pan Zi discovered that A Ning's body was missing, likely taken by tiger keelbacks.

Enraged, Wu Xie attempted to follow them, but Fatty and Pan Zi restrained him, emphasizing the overwhelming danger posed by hundreds of snakes and the necessity of waiting for Zhang's return. They reflected on the harsh realities of their profession, accepting A Ning's grim fate, and decided to move to a safer location. Zhang, having followed the mysterious figure, found that it was a masked woman.

She confirmed that everything was proceeding according to plan and reiterated that Wu Xie must enter the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother. She also warned Zhang to be vigilant against an unknown entity hiding among their team. Concerned for Wu Xie and his friends' lack of experience, Zhang decided to discreetly follow and protect them, choosing a longer, safer route for himself, anticipating that Wu Xie's group would take a more direct but perilous shortcut.

Back with Wu Xie, Fatty, and Pan Zi, they sent a signal flare hoping to contact Wu San Xing. After a period of anxious waiting, a red smoke signal appeared in the distance, indicating that Wu San Xing's group was in grave danger. Elsewhere, Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen also spotted the red smoke and immediately headed towards it, understanding it as a distress signal from Wu San Xing.

They arrived just in time to help Wu San Xing's group, who were surrounded by a large number of tiger keelbacks. After the harrowing escape, the combined group continued their journey. Wu San Xing's men complained about the difficult conditions and lack of proper food. They noticed the tiger keelbacks had mysteriously disappeared, which heightened their suspicion that a more formidable danger lurked nearby. They soon encountered ancient stone statues that appeared to move on their own.

Xie Yuchen bravely volunteered to descend into a newly discovered deep hole to investigate further, carefully tying himself to a rope. Meanwhile, Zhang discovered a note and some food left for him by Wu Xie, which indicated that Wu Xie's group had gone ahead to look for Wu San Xing. Concerned about their safety, Zhang immediately set off to catch up.

After narrowly escaping an encounter with venomous moths, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Pan Zi stumbled into what they identified as an ancient sacrificial altar within the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother. They examined murals depicting ancient rituals of offering living humans and animals to the Heavenly Queen Mother. As they observed the ancient carvings, they realized the altar was a deadly trap, and the walls began to shift, threatening to crush them inside.

Episode 10 Recap

Wu Xie, Fatty, and Pan Zi found themselves trapped by a mechanism, forcing them to scale a stone wall. Just as they caught their breath, they realized the altar below was a sacrifice site for tiger keelbacks, with clusters of snakes writhing beneath them. The wall began to retract, threatening to push them down into the snake pit or onto hidden blades.

Pan Zi first suggested rigging a rope to a statue on the opposite side, but they quickly realized there wasn't enough time or a stable anchor point. Pan Zi then proposed jumping across to the statue, which was at the same height, as their only option. Wu Xie and Fatty attempted the jump. Fatty landed successfully, but Wu Xie slipped, nearly falling. In a flash, Zhang appeared, pulling him to safety before vanishing again.

Fatty, frustrated by Zhang's mysterious disappearances, urged them to find Wu Sansheng. However, the red smoke signal had dissipated, leaving them disoriented. With night falling and the terrain complex, Wu Xie suggested they rest and continue their journey in the morning. Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen emerged from an underground passage, identifying it as a large sewer system that likely led to the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother.

The discovery excited the group, but a significant problem arose: all their diving equipment was back at their original camp, which was now a dangerous snake den. Wu Sansheng's hired men expressed reluctance to return to the perilous site, citing concerns about more deaths. Xie Yuchen and Shades volunteered to accompany Wu Sansheng to retrieve the gear, while the less reliable men were told to rest, with a cynical remark from Shades about potentially needing "human shields" later.

Mop and his men, increasingly impatient, overheard Wu Sansheng's earlier conversation and grew suspicious that he planned to abandon them after they'd served their purpose. Mop devised a "luring the tiger out of the mountain" strategy to steal Wu Sansheng's equipment and proceed to the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother on their own. However, as Mop prepared to enact his plan, Shades emerged, revealing he had anticipated Mop's move and had already secured all their equipment.

Shades then intimidated Mop's crying men into submission, forcing them to cooperate. As Xie Yuchen and Wu Sansheng journeyed, Xie Yuchen pressed Wu Sansheng for answers about their predicament, sensing they were being manipulated into a larger scheme. Wu Sansheng remained tight-lipped, asserting that he wished to spare Xie Yuchen's generation from the same fate as his own.

Xie Yuchen, however, countered that their actions seemed predetermined, as if they were being lured step by step into a trap, and declared his intention to break free from this arrangement. Wu Sansheng, in turn, questioned whether Xie Yuchen's very decision to participate wasn't also part of the grand design. Back with Wu Xie's group, Pan Zi climbed a tree to scout after hearing a disturbance.

He soon discovered A Ning's body had been moved by the tiger keelbacks to a tree several hundred meters away, suggesting they were near a Snake Mother's nest. Despite the extreme danger, Wu Xie stubbornly insisted on retrieving A Ning's body. As they discussed how to approach, a faint voice calling "Master Xiao San" emanated from A Ning's direction, leading them to believe it was her walkie-talkie.

Just as they felt a glimmer of hope, swarms of tiger keelbacks descended upon them. Pan Zi, thinking quickly, wrapped himself, Wu Xie, and Fatty in military blankets, doused them with alcohol, set them ablaze, and charged through the snakes. Though initially successful, the alcohol quickly ran out, and the snakes, now seemingly herding them, began to surround them. Wu Xie realized the snakes were acting like "herding dogs," driving them towards an unknown destination.

Trapped between the snakes' relentless pursuit and an inability to turn back, they decided to gamble and fight their way out using fire. Amidst the chaos, the mysterious voice repeated, "Who is it?" Meanwhile, Wu Sansheng's group encountered numerous tiger keelbacks, but surprisingly, they were all dead or dying. One barely alive snake managed to bite Shades' foot, but his durable imported combat boots protected him.

Wu Sansheng quickly administered a serum to Shades, who then joked about getting new shoes or cash. Back in the jungle, Pan Zi, still on his reconnaissance mission, went silent. Wu Xie and Fatty, worried, investigated and discovered blood, realizing Pan Zi was no longer in the tree and they were in a full-blown snake nest. As they fought off attacking snakes, a signal flare scared them away, but then a giant, golden python appeared.

Pan Zi, wielding a dagger, re-emerged and heroically stabbed the massive snake in its vital point before collapsing from exhaustion and injury. Realizing Pan Zi needed immediate medical attention, Wu Xie and Fatty desperately carried him, navigating through the dense, unfamiliar forest. Despite losing their map, they pressed on, hoping to stumble upon Wu Sansheng's camp. After a grueling journey, Fatty miraculously spotted Wu Sansheng's campsite.

Wu Sansheng quickly took charge of Pan Zi, disinfecting and stitching his wound without anesthesia, while Wu Xie stood guard outside. Pan Zi, ever the tough guy, endured the painful procedure with a sip of alcohol and a piece of cloth to bite on.

Episode 11 Recap

After being rescued and brought to Wu Sansheng's camp, Pan Zi, though gravely injured from the earlier python encounter, bravely endured as Fatty clumsily stitched up his back, using a "shoe repairing technique." Pan Zi's unwavering loyalty to Wu Sansheng was evident as he spoke of needing to survive to honor their pact to live together in a nursing home when they got old. Meanwhile, Wu Xie stumbled upon Zhang, who had disappeared after saving him.

Zhang was ravenously eating, seemingly famished. When Wu Xie questioned him about his sudden disappearance, Zhang, without a word, led him outside the tent and pushed him into a mud pit, explaining it was "for snake prevention." Wu Xie, realizing the method's potential, tricked a skeptical Fatty into the mud pit as well, claiming Zhang had endorsed it. Wu Xie then carefully applied mud to Pan Zi, who was still recovering from his injuries.

Suddenly, Fatty called out, announcing that Wu Sansheng had left a message on a stone wall. On a stone wall, they indeed found a chilling message from Wu Sansheng: "We've found the entrance to the Ultimate. Once you enter, there is no return. Farewell. My wish is fulfilled. I have no regrets. Forget about me. It's dangerous here. Leave now." Fatty remarked that Wu Sansheng clearly didn't intend to return alive, trying to comfort a somber Wu Xie.

Wu Xie, however, was furious, believing his uncle was using desperate measures to force him to turn back. After a moment of silence, Wu Xie explained his resolve to Pan Zi, stating he couldn't abandon his uncle, especially since the old man had spent his entire life chasing this secret. Wu Xie acknowledged that the old version of himself would have broken down crying, but he had matured, understanding that the mysteries surrounding them were far beyond his uncle's control.

He was determined to follow and assist his uncle. Meanwhile, Wu Sansheng's group had reached the "mouth of the water channel," the entrance to the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, as night fell. They decided to set up camp and proceed at dawn. Unbeknownst to them, the traitorous group led by The Mop was already formulating a plan.

The Mop intended to separate Wu Sansheng and his allies, specifically targeting Shades and Xie Yuchen, to eliminate them one by one. Despite a subordinate's doubts about their past failures, The Mop believed they had lulled their targets into a false sense of security and that tonight was the opportune moment to strike. True to their plan, they managed to send Shades away to scout the path ahead, leaving Wu Sansheng and Xie Yuchen vulnerable.

Wu Sansheng and Xie Yuchen, unaware of the impending danger, settled down for the night. They chatted about Wu Sansheng's knowledge of Xie Yuchen's habit of covering his windows. Their conversation then turned to Wu Xie's childhood, recalling a fortune teller who predicted a life of constant worry for him. Wu Sansheng recounted how he was displeased by the prediction but eventually accepted the concept of individual destinies, choosing not to take Wu Xie to another fortune teller.

Xie Yuchen then expressed his own family's mysterious deaths, dismissing the idea of him being a "lucky star" for others. Meanwhile, The Mop discreetly added a substance to their drinks, anticipating their incapacitation. Shades, who had been sent to scout, was ambushed and tied to a tree by The Mop's men, intended as snake fodder. Unfazed, Shades engaged his captors, revealing that he wore shades because he was going blind.

He then provocatively offered to demonstrate why he was called "Mr Black," daring them to look into his eyes. Ignoring the rumors that those who saw his eyes died, the men looked, and inexplicably, went blind. Shades, no longer needing to conceal his abilities, easily freed himself from the ropes, leaving the now-blind traitors to their panic. Back at Wu Sansheng's camp, The Mop's men, believing their ploy had succeeded, moved to eliminate the sleeping Wu Sansheng and Xie Yuchen.

However, as they prepared to strike, they inexplicably lost their eyesight, plunging into disarray. At that moment, Shades returned. It was revealed that Wu Sansheng, Xie Yuchen, and Shades had long been aware of the poisonous mist permeating the area. They had meticulously planned their counterattack, using Shades's dark glasses as a ruse to protect their eyes, while Shades's unique ability had genuinely blinded their assailants.

Meanwhile, outside Wu Sansheng's main camp, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Pan Zi had started a fire. They were horrified to discover numerous snake tracks around the perimeter, confirming the presence of a "snake wave." They decided to leave the dangerous area immediately the next morning. Wu Xie's eyes began to itch, which he initially dismissed as fatigue. However, upon waking, he found himself completely blind. Pan Zi, too, was suffering from a high fever.

Fortunately, Fatty, navigating in the dark, managed to find some masks. Donning one, Wu Xie's eyesight miraculously returned. Fatty also administered a fever-reducing injection to Pan Zi. Soon after, both Fatty and Zhang were bitten by snakes. After quickly injecting themselves with serum, their tent collapsed under the sheer weight of countless snakes. Trapped and unable to move for fear of provoking the venomous creatures, they waited through the long night until the "tiger keelback" snakes finally receded at dawn.

The next morning, as they ate a sparse breakfast, the four survivors lamented their string of misfortunes—the snake attacks, the mysterious blinding mist, and the uncertainty surrounding Wu Sansheng. They decided to seek higher ground and move towards a temple Zhang had spotted through his binoculars. As soon as they found water, they eagerly washed off the layers of mud.

During this, Fatty recounted a strange experience from the previous night: while blind, he sensed something with a distinct muddy smell enter their tent. He speculated it might have been the "mud man." Wu Xie, pressed by Fatty to recall all the women he knew, eventually mentioned Chen Wen Jin, realizing she might be the "mud man."

He then revealed Chen Wen Jin had left a message with Madam Dolma, stating she would wait for ten days at their destination before entering alone. This led them to conclude that the "mud man" was indeed Chen Wen Jin, who was likely avoiding them because one of them might be working for "it," the mysterious entity Chen Wen Jin feared, which was mentioned in her diary.

Fatty, to lighten the mood, comically insisted on verifying everyone's identity, especially Zhang and even Wu Xie, to ensure no one was an imposter in disguise. As they moved on, they came across a relief sculpture, signaling their continued progress into the unknown.

Episode 12 Recap

Wu Xie, Fatty, Zhang, and Pan Zi departed from Wu Sansheng's camp and headed towards the temple. Along their path, they discovered a peculiar stone tablet featuring ancient carvings. The first carving depicted the early inhabitants worshipping snakes with rooster crowns, identified as tiger keelbacks. It showed the Heavenly Queen Mother, on the brink of defeat in a war, unleashing these tiger keelbacks as a decisive weapon, which turned the tide of battle in her favor.

The relief also revealed the city's entire underground network was interconnected, allowing these snakes to roam freely, implying they were bred by the people as a sophisticated defense mechanism. The second carving portrayed a figure of high status, presumably Emperor Mu of Zhou, arriving at the Land of the Heavenly Queen Mother in a chariot pulled by eight horses, seeking the Law of Longevity. As they studied the intricate details, Zhang observed that the tiger keelbacks were a social species.

The carving also depicted a colossal double-scaled python engaged in a mating ritual with an even larger, tree-trunk thick snake, which Zhang deduced was likely the Snake Mother, the central figure of this social snake colony. The tiger keelbacks were shown assisting the double-scaled python. While they were engrossed in their discovery, Pan Zi suddenly cried out, having spotted the mysterious woman, Aunt Wen Jin.

Wu Xie and Fatty immediately gave chase, but she eluded them, leading them to fall into a body of water. Submerged, Wu Xie and Fatty stumbled upon the lifeless body of a member of Wu Sansheng's team. Fatty, momentarily disoriented, mistook the deceased for Wu Sansheng, causing a brief panic before Wu Xie clarified the identity.

Just as they recovered from the shock, a tiger keelback slithered towards them, but Wu Xie swiftly reacted, cleaving it in half with his knife. Upon closer inspection, they noted the corpse had only a single wound on its carotid artery, indicating a stealthy attack without a struggle.

The location was also a considerable distance from Wu Sansheng's camp, leading Wu Xie to conclude that the tiger keelbacks had transported the body there, suggesting the area served as a large food storage. Their grim hypothesis was tragically confirmed when they discovered A Ning's body, bearing similar signs. The wounded snake that Wu Xie had cleaved in half cried out, alerting its companions, and soon, a horde of tiger keelbacks swarmed towards them, encircling the duo.

Fatty, overwhelmed with regret for his earlier ill-fated comments, found himself in a frantic struggle against the attacking snakes. Wu Xie, also in a desperate state, managed to escape the immediate danger. To his horror, he saw a tiger keelback dragging Fatty away. Thinking quickly, Wu Xie lured the snake away and then painstakingly carried the poisoned Fatty, hoping to reach their camp for an antidote. However, their path was fraught with peril.

Wu Xie soon made a shocking discovery: the snakes had laid eggs inside Fatty's abdomen, transforming his body into a living incubator. This realization explained the true nature of the "storage" area—it was a nursery for the tiger keelbacks. Despite his terror, Wu Xie's immediate priority was to get Fatty to safety and medical attention. As they ascended a cliff, Wu Xie, accustomed to a pampered life, gritted his teeth and endured the immense struggle.

But an unforeseen accident caused them both to plummet into an underground river below. Meanwhile, Zhang had left the camp and rendezvoused with the mysterious woman, Aunt Wen Jin. She informed Zhang that she had successfully lured Wu Xie to the vicinity, and his ability to enter the location now depended entirely on his own capabilities. Separately, Wu Sansheng and his group, including Xie Yuchen and Mr. Black, had returned to the entrance of the underground river cave.

After preparations, they entered the water. To their surprise, the water was shallow and calm, completely contrary to Xie Yuchen's previous description of rapid and unfathomably deep currents, leading to some lighthearted banter among the team members. Mr. Black, who was recovering from an eye injury and forbidden from contact with water for six months, expressed his dismay at the situation.

Xie Yuchen, however, sarcastically dismissed his complaints, suggesting it was "better to be blind anyway" and that his injury made him "dirty". Wu Sansheng, taking charge, instructed everyone to be cautious, as the water contained debris from the surface that might harbor snakes, and he urged them to spread out to scout ahead. Down in the river, Wu Xie assessed the water flow direction, believing it would lead them to an exit. He continued to carry Fatty.

Suddenly, a familiar voice, which had previously addressed him as "Master Xiao San," echoed from the darkness. To Wu Xie's shock, the voice emanated not from a person, but from a tiger keelback that had crawled out of a dead body, mimicking human speech. Just as the snake lunged, Xie Yuchen arrived, swiftly repelling it. Wu Xie, relieved, then saw Wu Sansheng's hired men attending to Fatty, administering an antidote.

Led by Xie Yuchen, Wu Xie was finally reunited with his Uncle San. Overwhelmed by relief and exhaustion, Wu Xie fainted. When he regained consciousness, a healer was meticulously removing tiger keelback hatchlings from wounds on his back. Wu Sansheng, furious, chastised Wu Xie for his disobedience, reminding him of the inherent dangers of the place and his repeated warnings to leave quickly.

Wu Xie countered by explaining his fear of losing his uncle, having encountered numerous snake-bitten bodies along the way. Wu Sansheng revealed that his own team had also faced a "snake tide" and recounted Pan Zi's earlier injuries and subsequent placement under Zhang's care at the temple. Wu Xie then explained how he and Fatty ended up in the underground river, recounting their encounter with the "mud man" who, despite her elusive nature, did not seem to intend them harm. As they continued their conversation, Wu Sansheng abruptly warned everyone to pack up and prepare to leave, asserting that their current location was unsafe.

Episode 13 Recap

As the group presses onward, the peculiar ability of the tiger keelback to imitate human voices, a predatory instinct to lure its prey, makes everyone uneasy, urging them to leave the area. They soon discover what appears to be a large, soft, well-like passageway, which Wu Xie recognizes as a colossal snake skin. This confirms his previous theory about the existence of a Snake Mother, a creature whose sculpture he had once seen in a temple.

Hei Yan Jing notes the monster-like size of the snake but also observes that the ancient skin, unlike the surrounding area, is surprisingly clean, suggesting other snakes fear this place. Deciding it's the safest spot, they settle down to rest despite Mop's vocal protests and fear. Wu Sansheng then approaches Wu Xie, attempting to persuade him to leave with Hei Yan Jing to find Zhang at the temple and escape.

However, Wu Xie firmly refuses, asserting his deep involvement, citing the videotapes that brought them there, the unsettling resemblance of someone in A Ning's tape to himself, and his exploration of all the locations mentioned in Chen Wen Jin's diary. Wu Xie then presses Wu Sansheng about a third videotape, which Wu Sansheng admits he possesses.

He explains that nineteen years ago, Chen Wen Jin entrusted three videotapes to his grandmother, and three months prior, Chen Wen Jin contacted his grandmother via a secret sign to arrange for their mailing, though they did not meet in person. Wu Sansheng believes this was likely his last opportunity to connect with Chen Wen Jin, compelling him to come to the desert. He reveals that the tapes were meant for Wu Xie, Zhang, and himself.

Wu Sansheng admits he used Zhang to deliver a tape to A Ning, thereby drawing her into the expedition to gain access to her resources and manpower. He reflects on A Ning's death, likening their perilous journey to free solo climbing where death is an expected outcome. Wu Xie questions why he, unlike Zhang and Wu Sansheng, was chosen for this dangerous endeavor.

Wu Xie also asks Wu Sansheng about "It," a mysterious concept Chen Wen Jin referred to in her diary. Wu Sansheng explains that the mailing of the tapes signified Chen Wen Jin could no longer be contacted, either having died or been discovered by "It" and forced to flee the city. He speculates that Wen Jin’s additional path, intended to separate Wu Xie’s team from A Ning’s, might have been born out of fear for "It."

Wu Xie insists on seeing Wu Sansheng’s tape, which, to his surprise, contains only darkness, punctuated by panicked screams of "Those things are back!" and a distinct horn sound—the same one Wu Xie heard at the Bronze Gate in Cloud Top Palace. This leads Wu Xie to wonder if the archaeological team had entered the fabled gate.

Wu Sansheng claims ignorance, a response that frustrates Wu Xie, who then, in turn, withholds Chen Wen Jin's diary, which he had with him, as a form of leverage. Meanwhile, Mop's cowardly nature is exposed when Hei Yan Jing teases him with a small snake, sending Mop into a terrified fit. Mop pleads to be released, expressing his desperate desire to go home and his fear of death.

Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen mock his cowardice, joking about how quickly he would perish if he encountered actual tiger keelbacks, even making a bet on his survival distance. Hei Yan Jing ultimately dismisses Mop's pleas, stating they still need to carry the unconscious Fatty. As they continue their descent, they realize they're at the very end of the massive snake skin, reaching a dead end caused by a past earthquake. Wu Sansheng deduces it's a collapsed sand layer.

Wu Sansheng, along with Hei Yan Jing and a reluctant Wu Xie, goes ahead to explore, secured by a rope. They discover numerous mud cocoons. Wu Xie's attempt to touch one is sharply stopped by Wu Sansheng, who reveals they contain the bodies of ancient construction workers, buried in mud after perishing during large-scale projects. Amidst these grim findings, they discover an old mark left by Zhang, confirming his prior presence in the area, likely before his memory loss.

Satisfied the path is safe, they call for the rest of the group to join them. Fatty eventually regains consciousness, relieved to be alive and reunited with the team. Wu Xie recounts to Fatty what happened, including being bitten by a snake and dragged to its den before Wu Sansheng's team rescued them. Wu Xie, who had been carrying the unconscious Fatty, complains about the burden and jokes about Fatty's weight.

As they continue, they encounter a path completely blocked by branches and vines. Wu Sansheng orders them cleared, warning against damaging any relics or triggers. Suddenly, a large group of tiger keelbacks attacks, scattering the team. In the chaos, Wu Xie encounters Zhang, who leads him away to a hidden alcove. There, Wu Xie comes face-to-face with a woman who looks strikingly similar to the Chen Wen Jin in old photographs, yet appears remarkably youthful.

Stunned, Wu Xie asks if she is indeed Chen Wen Jin. Chen Wen Jin acknowledges her identity and Wu Xie's surprise at her ageless appearance, which she dismisses as a curse, recalling changing his diapers as a child. Wu Xie, connecting the dots, realizes she was the "daughter-in-law" at Madam Dolma's and the "mud man" who had been cautiously following their group due to an unknown mole within their team. Wu Xie then presses her on her unchanging age.

She shows him an old photograph from the Paracel Islands expedition nineteen years ago. To Wu Xie’s shock, Chen Wen Jin reveals that the person he believed to be his young Uncle San in the photo is actually Xie Lian Huan, who swapped identities with the real Wu Sansheng during the expedition. Wu Xie vehemently denies this, but Chen Wen Jin insists that the truth is evident in the many flaws of his "uncle's" ongoing deception.

She further explains that the infamous blood message found by Xie Lian Huan’s body at the seabed, which read "Wu Sansheng harmed me," was misunderstood by Wu Xie. She clarifies that because it was a stone rubbing, the text was reversed, meaning the original message conveyed the opposite sentiment. Chen Wen Jin continues her revelations, stating that after the Paracel Islands expedition, the archaeological team was drugged and awakened a week later in the Golmud Sanatorium.

They discovered they were under surveillance by a mysterious, undefined force they called "It," a logical entity distinct from Cox Hendry and Xie Lian Huan, and noted it existed purely in a logical sense, having never physically appeared. She explains that something was done to their bodies during their coma, granting them agelessness, which she considers a curse.

She confirms that the grotesque creature Wu Xie encountered in the Golmud basement was indeed Huo Ling, and reveals that after returning from Tamutuo, Huo Ling began a transformation. Chen Wen Jin now smells the same ominous scent on herself, signifying that she too will soon skip death and transform into a monster, just like Huo Ling. She knows her ultimate fate is imminent. Suddenly, Zhang appears, calling for Wu Xie and informing him that "Uncle San" is injured.

Wu Xie rushes to the side of his "uncle," who is lying on the ground, wounded. " Uncle San," seeing Chen Wen Jin, expresses his distress, muttering, "Wen Jin, you. . . Wu Xie has learnt everything. You no longer have to hide it. You knew everything?" He then apologizes to Wu Xie. Chen Wen Jin responds to the injured man, "Don't worry, Wu San Xing is alive," then addresses him directly by his true name, "Lian Huan.

This is not your fault. You've now returned." Wu Xie is stunned, the words confirming Chen Wen Jin's earlier revelation that the man he had believed to be his Uncle San is, in fact, Xie Lian Huan. Xie Yuchen then steps forward, acknowledging the group’s overarching quest to find the path to the Queen Mother’s Palace, but declares his immediate priority is to resolve the affairs of the Xie family.

Episode 14 Recap

Chen Wen Jin's shocking revelation left everyone, especially Xie Yuchen, stunned. The man they had long known as Wu Sansheng was, in fact, Xie Lian Huan, who had faked his death and assumed Wu Sansheng's identity, while the real Wu Sansheng remained in hiding. Xie Yuchen, grappling with this profound deception, questioned why Xie Lian Huan, posing as Wu Sansheng, would constantly instruct him to manage the Xie family while operating within the Wu family, never revealing the truth.

Chen Wen Jin elucidated that the archaeological team required a "transparent" identity—someone capable of operating discreetly—to fulfill a task beyond the living, particularly to evade "It." The choice of Wu Sansheng's identity was paramount, enabling a crucial mission. She further unveiled that the real Wu Sansheng had deliberately foregone marriage and business expansion, instead embarking on perilous expeditions, with Wu Xie consistently by his side.

He had subtly guided Wu Xie through pivotal locations such as the Seven Star Palace of the Emperor of Lu, the Paracel Islands, the Qin Mountains, Cloud Top Palace, and ultimately to the Bronze Gate. Among their generation in the Mystic Nine, only Wu Xie had undergone such extensive exposure. It became evident that the real Wu Sansheng's overarching purpose was to meticulously groom Wu Xie as the Mystic Nine's ultimate successor, even while outwardly feigning obstruction.

Wu Xie pressed Chen Wen Jin about the videotapes. She clarified that she had not personally given any tape to Wu Xie. The first tape was given to Cox Hendry, and the second to Zhang. However, Zhang's tape inexplicably fell into Ah Ning's hands, likely orchestrated by "It." As for the tape Wu Xie received, Zhang was listed as the sender, strongly suggesting "It's" deliberate intervention, a manipulation that had occurred before.

Chen Wen Jin asserted that Cox Hendry, Ah Ning's employer, posed no threat to the Mystic Nine, as their objectives aligned, and his involvement merely expanded possibilities. She elaborated that "It" was not a single entity but a pervasive force. Driven by the need for survival and to leave behind vital clues, the archaeological team had filmed videos and stored tapes in the sanatorium. " It" had ensured the tape reached Wu Xie, desiring his presence here.

This implied that Wu Xie was not only the Mystic Nine's chosen one but also "It's," potentially making him the sole individual capable of uncovering the Mystic Nine's deepest secrets. Chen Wen Jin continued her account, revealing that after being rendered unconscious, the archaeological team awoke in a sanatorium, where they spent several years. During this period, they meticulously analyzed the data from the Paracel Islands, which led them to clues for Mount Changbai.

It was then they made a chilling discovery: they had ceased to age. Their subsequent journey to Cloud Top Palace brought them face-to-face with "the Ultimate," described as the absolute culmination of all existence, something that could only be comprehended through direct experience. However, this seemingly eternal youth carried dire consequences. Their ultimate fate, foreshadowed by Huo Ling's current state, was to transform into a non-human entity. Huo Ling was presently in Golmud Sanatorium, her metamorphosis already underway.

Chen Wen Jin disclosed that the antidote to this grim transformation lay hidden behind the Bronze Gate. Meanwhile, the rest of the group was also actively exploring. Fatty stumbled upon an underground chamber, instinctively believing it concealed the Queen Mother's treasures. Zhang descended to investigate, and upon receiving his signal, Wu Xie and Fatty eagerly followed.

Later, one of Mop's subordinates returned from scouting to inform Xie Yuchen that they had located a stone door and that Wu Xie's group had already proceeded through it. Xie Yuchen decided to remain behind to tend to the injured Xie Lian Huan. While caring for him, Xie Yuchen poured out his long-held resentment and the heavy burden he had carried since childhood.

His father and uncles had successively passed away, forcing him, at a tender age, to assume leadership of the Mystic Nine. He expressed his profound frustration that Xie Lian Huan, now known to be alive, had silently observed his struggles for years without divulging any secrets, merely instructing him to protect the Xie family without even identifying the true enemy.

To divert Xie Yuchen's troubled thoughts, Black Glasses introduced the topic of Shibie Pills, a fabled elixir of immortality associated with the Heavenly Queen Mother, said to grant longevity and perpetual youth by containing Shibie. Xie Yuchen surprisingly revealed he had encountered these rare pills himself. Among Xie Lian Huan's possessions, he had found a Yellow Silk book detailing various locations, one of which he had visited at great peril. This perilous location was a repository for Shibie Pills.

Black Glasses then cautioned him that these pills were, in fact, lethal. They pondered whether the pills depicted in the fake palace's murals were these very Shibie Pills and if they bore any connection to Chen Wen Jin's condition. Black Glasses also noted that the Yellow Silk book pointed to Tamutuo as another significant site.

Given that both Chen Wen Jin and the real Wu Sansheng had reached Tamutuo, they mused that the mysteries of "the Ultimate" and the Queen Mother's Palace might soon be unveiled. Wu Xie's team finally arrived at the true Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, a majestic structure guarded by countless jade servants. Fatty admired them as ancient Chinese artworks, while Wu Xie recalled Zhang's earlier caution that these jade servants were not as they seemed.

Within the palace, they discovered the Floating Furnace, the Queen Mother's alchemy crucible, hovering above the ground to draw energy from the Dragon Vein. Mop, overcome by avarice, ignored warnings and touched the pills meticulously arranged on a celestial disk near the furnace. These pills were configured according to star signs, and their disturbance triggered a mechanism that sealed their escape route. The jade servants animated, wielding long swords and assaulting the intruders.

Despite the team's fierce resistance, the jade servants appeared invulnerable. Wu Xie quickly discerned that black-haired snakes controlled the jade servants, noticing them emerging from broken armor, and realized that destroying the snakes was the only way to neutralize the threats. Chen Wen Jin observed that the jade servants exclusively attacked men, deducing that her own scent, a result of a pill she had previously consumed, was protecting her by confusing the controlling snakes.

Facing overwhelming odds, Fatty, in a desperate gamble, decided to use his dynamite to blast open the sealed entrance. However, the door, revealed to be an unyielding bronze gate, remained unscathed by the explosions. The sheer force of the blasts, nevertheless, dislodged the suspended Floating Furnace, which crashed down and miraculously created a new passage. The group swiftly descended into this newly revealed area.

Although it initially appeared modest compared to the blinding opulence of the fake palace, this newly revealed area, constructed from the finest materials, boasted ancient murals remarkably preserved over three millennia, a testament to the Queen Mother's ingenious concealment of her true palace. There, Wu Xie immediately recognized a familiar symbol—a mark Zhang had left many years prior in a different passageway.

He implored Zhang to recall how he had escaped or why he had left the mark, acutely aware of Zhang's persistent memory loss. Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen and Black Glasses, having waited patiently for some time, grew restless. Xie Yuchen entrusted an employee with watching over Xie Lian Huan and set off to find Wu Xie and the others.

Their search, however, led them unexpectedly into what appeared to be the Queen Mother's biological laboratory, where she had delved into the secrets of eternal life. Inside, they observed peculiar crystal cases containing preserved specimens, including what appeared to be human-animal hybrids. Wall paintings adorned the laboratory, depicting various creatures.

They speculated that the Queen Mother was experimenting with ancient immortality techniques, such as those attributed to Fu Xi, who was said to possess a serpent-human form and live for centuries. It seemed the Queen Mother had established this snake-rearing laboratory based on Tamutuo's climate, but she appeared not to have ultimately utilized this specific method for her own longevity, as her human form was depicted interacting with Emperor Wu in the fake palace's murals.

Episode 15 Recap

Ancient murals within the laboratory detailed the Queen Mother of the West’s human trials involving the Shibie Pill. Observing these, Wu Xie concluded that Chen Wen Jin and her team were likely exploited in experiments to uncover the secret to longevity. He further theorized that his Master San, the one who orchestrated his own fake death, had unearthed this intricate truth, leading to the complex and often adversarial relationship between him and Xie Lian Huan.

The murals consistently featured Emperor Mu of Zhou in both the fake and current palaces. The group pondered if the Queen Mother of the West’s profound affection for Emperor Mu might have prompted her to share her immortality secrets with him, lamenting his eventual failure to return.

Separately, Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen, exploring a different section of the palace, discovered a massive stone-like object depicted in murals, which Hei Yan Jing believed to be the Queen Mother’s ultimate secret and his personal quest, anticipating Wu Xie and Chen Wen Jin shared this objective. Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing navigated an intricate twelve-tile puzzle guarding their path.

As both dealt with attacking Jade Servants—Hei Yan Jing noting they were indestructible unless the snakes inside were killed—Xie Yuchen focused on the puzzle's human and animal figures. Hei Yan Jing patiently explained the Queen Mother’s achievement of human-animal symbiosis, theorizing the puzzle required arranging tiles to depict this concept, with the female figure having a human upper body and snake lower, and the male a human upper body and centipede lower, an evolution he linked to the dragon totem.

He also deduced the mechanism relied on weight. With Hei Yan Jing's guidance, Xie Yuchen swiftly solved the puzzle, opening a new route. Meanwhile, Wu Xie's group, following Zhang’s increasingly obscure markings, found themselves in a tunnel guarded by Birdman statues, a sign they were nearing the palace’s core. Wu Xie expressed frustration that Zhang’s amnesia prevented him from recalling the markings’ meaning, though Zhang assured him they were on the right path.

Wu Xie, Fatty, and Chen Wen Jin decided to scout ahead, soon discovering a vast artificial lake, the palace’s central water supply. After lighting the area, they noticed countless clay pot fragments and a horrifying sight: the water was turning red, filled with blood-sucking worms draining their blood. A coffin, weighed down by these creatures and surrounded by tiger keelbacks, sat in the center. As the worms gorged themselves, their increased weight triggered a mechanism that opened hidden traps above.

While Wu Xie and Fatty desperately fought the overwhelming worms, Zhang battled a tiger keelback. The sheer number of worms forced them to retreat to a nearby ledge. Suddenly, the ground vibrated, startling even the tiger keelbacks. A massive bronze door opened, revealing a woman on a throne, remarkably preserved after millennia. Fatty initially thought it was the Queen Mother, but Zhang identified her as a substitute, noting her odd complexion and a mask that also served as a preservative.

Wu Xie reasoned the Queen Mother likely used this replacement to conceal her own departure. Nearby, Wu Xie found an inscription, which Zhang translated as a message from Xuan Nv to the Queen Mother. Chen Wen Jin and Wu Xie then realized the coffin in the pool belonged to Xuan Nv. Zhang explained that Xuan Nv, the Queen Mother's loyal general, had turned her tomb into a trap to protect the Queen Mother's territory even after her own death.

Wu Xie activated the mechanism, causing the blood-sucking worms to vanish, making the pool safe. Chen Wen Jin understood Xuan Nv's clever design was meant to ensure the Queen Mother’s safe passage, hinting at the deeper secrets of her immortality quest. After securing the area, Zhang retrieved a piece of jade from the substitute’s body, giving it to Wu Xie as a life-saving charm.

Chen Wen Jin, however, showed no interest in the throne, stating her true objective was elsewhere and that her time was short. She pointed to a colossal stone structure, proclaiming it the Queen Mother’s ultimate secret and her own final destination. Fatty, initially mistaking it for an ordinary meteorite, marveled at its size. Zhang corrected them, identifying it as a legendary jade meteorite. Chen Wen Jin, confirming her long-held belief, declared that what she sought was inside it.

Despite Wu Xie’s pleas for her to take a safety rope, Chen Wen Jin resolutely entered a narrow passage within the meteorite without it, a clear sign of her unwavering determination for a journey of no return. Seeing her disappear, Zhang immediately followed. Fatty tried to follow, but the passage was too small. Just then, Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing arrived, having taken a different route that led them directly to the now worm-free water storage pool.

Seeing the massive jade meteorite, Xie Yuchen recognized it from ancient accounts, though he had doubted its existence. Learning that Chen Wen Jin and Zhang had entered, Xie Yuchen theorized, based on the murals they had observed, that the Queen Mother herself had entered the meteorite in pursuit of immortality, explaining the substitute.

Wu Xie then revealed Chen Wen Jin's desperate state, explaining her belief that the meteorite could stop her body’s mysterious deterioration, likely caused by the Shibie Pill she received after the Paracel Islands incident. Wu Xie questioned if Zhang had also been given the pill, noting his agelessness, and asked if he and Chen Wen Jin would return. Xie Yuchen stated Chen Wen Jin likely would not, but Zhang most probably would.

Hei Yan Jing cautioned Fatty against entering, emphasizing the dangers of the unknown. Fatty, lamenting his losses, eventually conceded. Recalling his failure to wait for Zhang at Cloud Top Palace, Wu Xie vowed to stay by the meteorite’s entrance this time, determined to wait for him and resolve his many questions about Zhang’s secrets. Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen, having left the injured Xie Lian Huan with an employee, returned to care for him, leaving supplies for Wu Xie and Fatty.

Xie Yuchen expressed profound skepticism about immortality, viewing it as a meaningless delusion, especially considering the tragic pursuits of the Mystic Nine generations. Hei Yan Jing, however, advised against premature conclusions about the unknown, suggesting one might encounter an immortal without realizing it. Xie Yuchen asserted that while the jade meteorite was Chen Wen Jin’s end, it was not his, and he would continue his investigations.

After departing, Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing returned to find Xie Lian Huan gone. With no signs of struggle or snake activity, they concluded he had left on his own and immediately set off in pursuit, leaving subtle signs for Wu Xie to follow later.

Episode 16 Recap

Hei Yan Jing, Xie Yuchen, and Mop endured a grueling journey through the vast desert after exiting the underground palace. Mop, feeling extremely weak, was dragged along by the other two. To keep him from succumbing to thirst and hunger, Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen jokingly discussed ways to consume Mop as their emergency "food supply," a conversation that shocked Mop into a moment of lucidity.

After much hardship, the trio finally returned to civilization, enjoying a meal of hotpot and beer. Mop expressed his profound gratitude to Hei Yan Jing and Xie Yuchen for not abandoning him in the desert. Over drinks, Xie Yuchen invited Hei Yan Jing to join him in investigating the Yellow Silk. However, Hei Yan Jing reluctantly informed him that he had already taken on another job.

Their parting was filled with an unexpected reluctance, hinting at the deep bond they had formed. Meanwhile, Wu Xie remained steadfastly at the jade meteorite, showing no intention of leaving, much to Fatty's silent concern. Facing the harsh reality of dwindling provisions, with only one packet of hard tack remaining, Wu Xie calmly declared that if Zhang did not reappear after they finished that last bit of food, they would leave. Fatty suggested sleeping to alleviate their hunger.

Just as they were drifting in and out of consciousness from hunger, Fatty awoke to find Zhang lying on the ground, having seemingly collapsed. Zhang was muttering urgently, "We're running out of time! We're running out of time!" Alarmed and wondering what could have so profoundly affected the fearless Zhang, Wu Xie shone his flashlight towards the entrance.

To his horror, a woman cautiously peered out from the jade meteorite, her face disturbingly identical to the Queen Mother of the West. Terrified, Wu Xie quickly pulled Fatty and helped Zhang, attempting to flee. Their escape was immediately blocked by the revived Snake Mother, who had emerged from a relief sculpture. Faced with no way out, Wu Xie suddenly remembered the jade pendant Zhang had given him, claiming it could save his life.

Braving his fear, he approached the Snake Mother, holding the pendant. True to Zhang's word, the Snake Mother retreated, allowing them to pass. They then discovered marks left by Xie Yuchen, which guided them out of the perilous area. Although the outside rainforest and desert were not safe, their recent experiences allowed them to navigate without further danger, eventually locating Pan Zi, who was recovering from injuries.

Pan Zi revealed that Madam Dolma had rescued him when he was on the brink of death in the rainforest and had been waiting for them there. Recognizing Madam Dolma's spiritual abilities, Fatty implored her to help Zhang, who seemed to have lost his soul or memory. Madam Dolma, however, explained that Zhang had not lost his soul but rather "hid" it himself, and only he could retrieve it, making outside intervention impossible.

Despite Fatty's persistence in asking for traditional remedies, Madam Dolma confirmed her position. The following day, Madam Dolma's grandchild drove the trio to the main highway. After some waiting, a friendly driver from the Northeast gave them a ride. As they sat in the car, Wu Xie was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face as he recalled Uncle San's past advice.

Fatty, on the other hand, lamented their arduous and unrewarding expedition, highlighting their injuries and lack of tangible gains. Upon returning to Beijing, Wu Xie immediately admitted Zhang to a specialist hospital. For half a month, Zhang's high fever persisted without any signs of waking. His unusual symptoms, including the appearance of his tattoo, and his only utterance of "we're running out of time," deeply worried Wu Xie. It was during this anxious waiting period that Xie Yuchen called.

Wu Xie met Xie Yuchen, where they discussed Uncle San's whereabouts. Xie Yuchen confirmed that Uncle San had not exited the tomb with him and Hei Yan Jing and was now completely untraceable.

Xie Yuchen speculated that Uncle San, possibly in conjunction with Xie Lian Huan, had been subtly guiding Wu Xie all along, making him the only one among their generation to explore all the secret locations of the Mystic Nine as part of a grander plan initiated after the Xisha archaeological expedition. Both Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen resolved to uncover the truth, not for the Mystic Nine, but for the sake of their loved ones.

Later, Wu Xie sent a detailed email about his recent adventures and discoveries to his Second Uncle. Just as he hit send, Pan Zi, still nursing his back injury, approached, inquiring about Uncle San. Upon learning that Uncle San had not been found, Pan Zi decided to return to Changsha to manage Uncle San's business, promising Wu Xie that they would meet again someday, stating "The green mountains remain, the green waters flow, we will meet again in the future."

No sooner had Pan Zi departed than Second Uncle called. Second Uncle insisted that Wu Xie refrain from further involvement, stating he would handle everything. Frustrated by Second Uncle's secrecy and feeling like a pawn in larger schemes, Wu Xie demanded either to be fully involved in the investigation or to be told the complete truth. Second Uncle then instructed Wu Xie to come to Hangzhou, promising to reveal everything in person.

Episode 17 Recap

Wu Xie, having just had a phone conversation with his Uncle Er, quickly decided to depart for Hangzhou immediately, believing that if he waited until the next day, his cunning uncle would already be gone. However, upon arriving in Hangzhou, he found that all numbers for his Uncle Er were unreachable. Frustrated by the unreliability of his elders, he returned to Wushanju.

He then resumed his leisurely life at Wushanju, poring over his grandfather's notes and lamenting the lack of information about the Mystic Nine within them. His routine was interrupted by a guest named Jin Wan Tang, who presented a promissory note from Wu Sansheng.

Jin Wan Tang claimed that Wu Sansheng owed him a "large vase with pastel bird picture," valued at 120,000 RMB, and had instructed him to collect it from Wu Xie if it wasn't delivered within two weeks. Wu Xie was confused, as Wushanju hadn't received any new stock in a year. He then remembered Wang Meng mentioning he had won a box of instant noodles. Upon inspection, the "instant noodles" turned out to be the vase.

Noting its suspiciously new appearance, Wu Xie deliberately smashed it, revealing a video recorder hidden inside. Jin Wan Tang then confessed that Wu Sansheng had paid him 20,000 RMB to approach Wu Xie for the vase. Wu Sansheng had also added a condition: if Jin Wan Tang broke the vase, he would owe Wu Xie its value. Since Wu Xie himself broke it, Jin Wan Tang ended up profiting.

The video, recorded before the speaker's expedition to the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, showed a man eating noodles. He stated that if Wu Xie was watching this, it meant he was likely missing or dead. He admitted that his entire identity, including his pretense as Wu Sansheng, had been a deception.

He expressed that he was unsure whether he was Wu Sansheng or Xie Lianhuan, having worn the disguise for too long, but insisted he always viewed Wu Xie as his nephew and never intended to harm him. He revealed that an accident at the bottom of the sea near the Paracel Islands forced him and Wu Sansheng to switch identities, a choice they could not reverse.

He explained that he and the real Wu Sansheng were determined to uncover the truth behind the incident, particularly after discovering that several members of the archaeological team had untraceable backgrounds, indicating a deeper conspiracy. He implored Wu Xie to stop investigating and live his own life, acknowledging that Wu Xie would likely not heed his advice, concluding with his grandfather's adage: "What's more terrifying than a ghost is human."

Suddenly, Fatty and Zhang arrived at Wushanju, having sneaked out of the hospital because Zhang's condition hadn't improved despite medication. Zhang's memories were fragmented, and doctors suggested mental stimulation. When asked where he wished to go, Zhang simply said, "To places with my memories." Fatty expressed concern about Zhang's situation, fearing he might end up homeless given his memory loss and lack of family.

Wu Xie, worried that Zhang would repeat his cycle of memory loss and searching, then recalled Bald-headed Chu, a man who had colluded with others against "Master San" during their Cloud Top Palace expedition and was subsequently imprisoned by "Master San." He believed Bald-headed Chu, now released, might possess useful information. Wu Xie paid Bald-headed Chu 100,000 RMB, and the man readily shared what he knew.

He recounted that "Master San" (Xie Lianhuan, impersonating Wu Sansheng) had urgently sought a skilled helper for Cloud Top Palace and found Zhang, who had previously worked for Grandpa Si, also known as Chen Pi Ah Si. Bald-headed Chu elaborated that Chen Pi Ah Si's group had found Zhang in a village in Guangxi. Believing him to be a disoriented "fool," they initially used him as bait but soon discovered his extraordinary abilities.

Chen Pi Ah Si then took Zhang on as a subordinate. Years later, "Master San" borrowed Zhang from Chen Pi Ah Si and became particularly concerned about Zhang's true identity, tasking Bald-headed Chu with investigating his past. After two months of searching numerous villages in Guangxi, Bald-headed Chu finally found clues in Banai, a small village where Zhang had previously lived in a stilt house. Inside, under the glass top of a table, were many photos.

One photo taken from there depicted a person with noticeably sloped shoulders standing at a doorway, with "Golmud Sanatorium" written on the back. Wu Xie observed that the furnishings in this photo appeared older than those seen in the video from Xie Lianhuan. Recognizing the potential connection between Banai village and Zhang's past, Wu Xie decided an immediate trip to Guangxi was essential. He instructed Wang Meng to book three tickets.

After an arduous journey involving flights, trains, buses, and even an ox cart, the trio finally arrived at Banai village. They were warmly greeted by the elder, Uncle Gui, who became enthusiastic upon hearing of Fatty's interest in investment. When Wu Xie showed him the photo of the stilt house where Zhang had once lived, Uncle Gui agreed to guide them there the following day.

While Fatty, captivated by Uncle Gui's daughter Yun Cai, began boasting about his wealth after a few drinks, Wu Xie noticed a photo of Chen Wen Jin on the wall. He realized that Banai, rather than the Paracel Islands, was Chen Wen Jin's initial point of operation. Upon seeing the photo, Uncle Gui recalled an expedition team that had visited the village decades ago, led by the woman in the picture.

He recounted how the team stayed for six or seven months, with his father acting as a liaison. He vividly remembered the team leader's peculiar instructions to the local guide: deliver supplies to their mountain camp every three days, "not a day earlier, not a day later." On one occasion, the guide went a day early to tend to a relative, only to find the camp completely deserted and eerily silent.

Believing it to be the work of the mountain god, he kept quiet. However, the next day, the team had returned, bustling as if nothing had happened. The guide only revealed the incident to the villagers after the team had left. Before their departure, the expedition team also took away a dozen crates containing items reportedly found in the surrounding area. Later, Wu Xie reviewed the video tapes given to him by Bald-headed Chu. Most of them were just static, but one contained a thirty-second clip of a woman crawling on the floor.

Episode 18 Recap

Huo Xiuxiu and Xie Yuchen arrived in Changsha and broke into Xie Lian Huan's empty residence. Huo Xiuxiu noticed that a flowerpot had been recently watered, and Xie Yuchen deduced that Xie Lian Huan himself had been there. Xie Yuchen found hidden files on an old computer, created just three hours prior and then deleted, suggesting someone had recently been there to erase information.

Huo Xiuxiu discovered signs of recent disturbance on a bookshelf, revealing newly painted section behind where books had once been stacked. Wu Xie then sent Xie Yuchen a picture of the Qiongqi tattoo. Xie Yuchen recognized it and promised to investigate, while Huo Xiuxiu deciphered partial characters from the bookshelf's indentation suggesting "Xiangxi," a large region.

They decided to seek out "Mop," who could directly contact Xie Lian Huan and questioned Mop how Wu Sansheng had found him when recruiting for the Tamutuo expedition. Mop offered to call the friend who had introduced them. Meanwhile, Wu Xie, Zhang Qiling, and Fatty arrived at Zhang Qiling’s old stilt house. Inside, they found old photos, confirming Bald-headed Chu's information. Zhang Qiling tore apart the bed, revealing a hidden iron box underneath.

A masked figure in black burst from the shadows, snatched the box, and fled. During a brief fight, Zhang Qiling managed to rip off a piece of the assailant's clothing, revealing a tattoo that resembled his own Qilin mark. The mysterious person dropped the iron box, which Wu Xie recovered. Fatty speculated that the agile figure was the "Sloped-shoulder" from the old photos and that Sloped-shoulder might have also mutated.

Fatty began to pry the iron box open, but Zhang Qiling warned him of danger. The box sprang open, revealing only some straw and a palm-sized metal object. Zhang Qiling noted that only the outer layer was metallic and that it felt surprisingly light. Wu Xie deduced that Zhang Qiling must have hidden this object away for a significant reason and that Sloped-shoulder was after those who would come looking for it.

The stilt house was then engulfed in flames, and Zhang Qiling dashed into the burning structure to retrieve the photographs he had hidden there but the fire had consumed everything. As night fell, Wu Xie inquired about Zhang Qiling's condition to Yun Cai. He then asked if she had ever seen anyone with "sloped shoulders" in the village, but she denied it. Wu Xie observed that the stilt house fire seemed intentional.

Zhang Qiling then produced a half-burnt photograph he had salvaged from the blaze, showing Chen Wen Jin alongside a man. The Village Chief, Uncle Gui, identified the man as Uncle Panma, who was currently in the mountains. A woman arrived, inquiring about Uncle Panma and a "thing," implying a transaction. Wu Xie's intuition told him that this woman was working for Cox Hendry. The woman instructed her subordinate to keep an eye on Wu Xie's group.

After the woman departed, Fatty approached Uncle Panma's son and advised him not to hastily sell any potential treasures. The son confessed that his father possessed a "useless metal piece" he had found in the mountains. Wu Xie speculated that Uncle Panma might have hidden the "iron block" in the mountains. Fatty, still fixated on the object, decided to travel to the county town to acquire sulfuric acid, hoping it would melt the metal.

Back at the Village Chief's house, Zhang Qiling sketched the unique tattoo he had briefly seen on Sloped-shoulder. Wu Xie noted its resemblance to Zhang Qiling's own Qilin tattoo, although not identical. Fatty hypothesized that Zhang Qiling and Sloped-shoulder could be relatives, perhaps sharing a common family emblem. Wu Xie, unable to recall any details about the Qiongqi tattoo from his knowledge of the Mystic Nine, lamented that if his Uncle San were here, he might have answers.

Episode 19 Recap

Wu Xie and Fatty waited in Bainai Village for Uncle Panma's return. Uncle Gui arrived and reassured them, explaining that it was normal for hunters in their village to spend two or three days, or even up to two weeks, in the mountains looking for prey and setting traps. He advised them to be patient and offered to prepare some wild game to help Fatty recuperate from his injury.

Fatty joked that he needed to strengthen his brain, not his body, a sentiment Wu Xie echoed. Uncle Gui then left to notify Panma's son to alert them when his father returned. Fatty, having retrieved the sulfuric acid, suggested to Wu Xie that they try it on the strange metal slab they had found earlier. When Zhang joined them, they poured the acid onto the metal slab.

The acid melted a saw blade but had no effect on the slab itself, confirming its unusual nature. Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu met with a contact, Mop, who typically communicated with Master San. Xie Yuchen, also known as Master Hua, sought information on how to contact Master San. The man claimed that Master San usually initiated contact and tried to leave. Xie Yuchen, also addressed as Master Xiao Jiu by the contact, stopped him and pressed for answers.

Under duress, Mop revealed that his boss, the infamous Liu Li Sun, had instructed him to send anyone inquiring about Master San to the "Chun Teng Pavilion" at "Chu Yun Tea House" to be dealt with. Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu proceeded to the tea house. A waiter directed them to the Chun Teng Pavilion. However, upon reviewing the menu, Xie Yuchen noticed it was for "Zi Wei Pavilion" and realized they had walked into a trap.

Thugs immediately ambushed them. Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu fought their way out, with Huo Xiuxiu calling the police as they made their escape. Later, Xie Yuchen met with Mop again. Mop expressed his guilt for failing them and his disbelief that Master San might be dead. He recalled Master San's promise to take him to the mysterious Gu Zhang Yicheng Waterway in Xiangxi if their current expedition yielded no results.

Back in the village, Fatty, eager to impress Yun Cai, took on the task of cooking for her. Yun Cai offered to help, but Fatty insisted, stating that it was the older brother's duty to cook for his younger sister and boasting about his culinary skills. Yun Cai complimented Fatty on his swift recovery, then inquired about Uncle Panma, noting his prolonged absence.

Fatty asked if villagers always stayed so long in the mountains, to which Yun Cai reiterated the normal timeframes for hunters to locate prey and set traps. Suddenly, a distressed villager informed Uncle Gui that something had happened at Panma's house. Panma's son rushed in, distraught, holding a blood-stained shirt, declaring his intent to go find his father in the mountains.

Uncle Gui quickly calmed him, explaining that he had already sent other villagers to search, and someone needed to stay behind to care for Panma if he returned. He then directed Panma’s son to go upstairs to rest. Uncle Gui explained to Wu Xie, Zhang, and Fatty that the bloody shirt was found near Buffalo Trench, a dangerous and forbidden area in their village, rumored to be home to man-eating monsters, a place of no return.

He refused to go further himself. Wu Xie, however, confidently stated that they had ventured into many such "one-way" places before. Uncle Gui, though worried, could not stop them and simply urged them to be careful. Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang ventured into the mountains towards Buffalo Trench. Zhang spotted a trail of blood, and soon they found a blood-stained shirt hanging on a tree.

Wu Xie and Fatty deduced that Uncle Panma must have deliberately left these markers to guide them deeper into the mountains. As they followed the trail, they encountered numerous unusually sticky spiderwebs. Zhang observed that the spiders here were peculiar, producing incredibly strong silk capable of trapping even large animals like wild boars or lynxes. Wu Xie recalled Uncle Gui's warning about Buffalo Trench being a place of no return.

They realized the spiders were likely hiding, waiting for them to get stuck before attacking. As they proceeded cautiously, Fatty suspected Uncle Panma was leading them into a larger scheme, even believing he was behind the fire at Zhang's stilt house. Soon, a horde of spiders attacked. The trio ran, but disoriented by something, they found themselves running in circles and returning to the same spots. Fatty got bitten by a poisonous spider.

Fatty, despite his injury, fought bravely until he could no longer move. Just as Fatty weakened, Uncle Panma appeared. He explained that there was no natural antidote for the venom of these particular spiders, known as "Sacred Spiders" in his village, and a bite was usually fatal. He added that the spiderwebs also emitted a colorless, odorless gas that caused disorientation, making people walk in circles.

He mentioned a legend that individuals with a special type of blood might be immune to the venom, but he had never witnessed it. He then revealed the antidote: ash from the spiderweb mixed with broad bean root and curcuma powder. Wu Xie confronted Uncle Panma, accusing him of luring them into a death trap. Uncle Panma admitted he only intended to scare them away, not expecting them to be so persistent.

Wu Xie demanded to know the full truth of what happened decades ago. Uncle Panma agreed to tell the story but insisted that Zhang could not hear it, warning Wu Xie that his continued association with Zhang would inevitably lead to one of their demises. Wu Xie, refusing to believe him, followed Uncle Panma to his house. Uncle Panma sent his son out, then reiterated his warning, claiming that Zhang carried the "smell of the dead."

Wu Xie vehemently defended Zhang, stating he knew his friend better than anyone. Uncle Panma insisted he had said all he could and then agreed to recount the events of the expedition. Uncle Panma recalled the events from decades past, when he was a young man. A geological expedition team from Guangxi Shangsi, led by Chen Wen Jin, arrived in his village seeking a barrier lake located in the dangerous northwestern reaches of Yang Jiao Mountain.

Because of his extensive knowledge of the mountain, the village assigned him as their guide. Chen Wen Jin offered him a fee and a supplement of five catty of rice. They trekked for two days before finally reaching the lake, where the team set up a camp. For two months, they conducted unknown activities by the lake. Uncle Panma, whose role was only to guide, did not know what they were doing and did not dare ask.

One day, while delivering food supplies, he saw them moving many black boxes. Curious, he approached, believing them to contain treasures, but Chen Wen Jin warned him that the contents were dangerous and he should not touch them. Uncle Panma distinctly remembered a strong, unpleasant smell emanating from the boxes, though it was not a foul odor. As Uncle Panma began to describe the smell, a figure, "sloped shoulders," briefly appeared outside the window.

Uncle Panma immediately stopped his narrative, claiming he had told everything he knew, and abruptly rushed Wu Xie out of his house. Outside, Wu Xie met Fatty and Zhang, who had also seen "sloped shoulders" lurking by the window. Fatty realized that "sloped shoulders" must have been the one who coerced Uncle Panma into leading them into the Buffalo Trench trap.

Fatty also pointed out the logical connection Uncle Panma had made between the metal slab, the "smell of the dead," and danger, suggesting that Panma had experienced more than he let on, and "sloped shoulders'" appearance had cut his story short. Moments later, Uncle Panma rushed out of his house and was confronted by "sloped shoulders," who was furious that Panma had nearly revealed the full truth to Wu Xie. "

Sloped shoulders" prepared to attack Panma, but Zhang, Wu Xie, and Fatty arrived, having used spider deterrents to navigate the area. Panma revealed that "sloped shoulders" was also unaffected by the spider's venom, just like the trio.

Panma then offered a deal: if Wu Xie, Zhang, and Fatty helped him get rid of "sloped shoulders," he would tell them everything he knew about the past events and turn himself in, provided they could guarantee the safety of his son and grandson from further involvement. They agreed to his terms.

Episode 20 Recap

Panma, with a complex expression, began to recount the events of that year. He described how the village of Bayao had been desperately poor, with families struggling to get even a jin of rice a month, making the expedition team's abundant food an irresistible temptation. One night, Panma led several young men, including Cai Wang, Er Fu, and Ding Fu, to the expedition team's supply tent.

Their intention was to steal just enough rice and lard to feed their families, but they were caught. In the ensuing struggle, they accidentally smothered the expedition member who had discovered them. As they tried to move the body, another team member stumbled upon them, forcing them to silence that witness as well.

With two lives already taken, the young men, consumed by panic and bloodlust, convinced Panma to eliminate the entire expedition team while they slept, rationalizing that the outside world would attribute the massacre to foreign enemies. Driven to a frenzy, they acted like wild beasts, killing almost everyone and throwing the bodies into the lake. However, the most terrifying event of Panma's life occurred the very next morning.

When he returned to the expedition camp, he found everyone he thought he had killed alive, moving about, and even speaking to him casually. Panma, in a state of shock, stammered that he was just hunting. What unsettled him further was a strange, pungent odor on their bodies, like the stench of death. He was convinced they were demons from the lake. Later, his companions who had been with him that night at the lake also died under mysterious circumstances.

Er Fu and Cai Wang were found hanged, while Ding Fu died from drinking pesticide. Panma firmly believed they were killed by the lake demons, not by suicide, and, terrified, he fled into the mountains, hiding for three years. Upon his return, he cautiously revisited the lake and discovered an old shirt containing several metal ingots, which also carried that same peculiar, unpleasant smell, though it gradually dissipated over time.

Panma then revealed that the slope-shouldered man had threatened him with the truth of that night, ordering him to lure anyone investigating the old expedition team to Buffalo Trench. Panma confessed he didn't know the slope-shouldered man's identity but was baffled by how the man knew every detail of the incident. Fatty, meanwhile, tried to ascertain if Zhang was a human or a demon, causing Wu Xie to dismiss his superstitious notions.

After leaving Panma's home, Wu Xie speculated that the expedition team that entered the mountains and the one that emerged were not the same group of people. He argued that no one could genuinely return from the dead, suggesting it was a long-planned conspiracy. He believed the second group had simply disguised themselves to deceive Panma, and that they were initially meant to replace the first team.

Panma's unexpected intervention and the killings merely prompted the second group to directly assume their identities. Wu Xie further theorized that the "demons in the lake" were likely Chen Wen Jin, Huo Ling, and their team, who happened to be exploring the lake that night and thus escaped the massacre, only to be mistaken for monsters by Panma's companions.

The second team, unaware of Chen Wen Jin's group, simply feared their accomplices (Panma and his friends) would expose the truth, so they mentally broke them to ensure their silence. Wu Xie asserted that the only way to prove his theory was to search the lake bottom for the remains of the first expedition team, reasoning that while flesh might decay, bones would remain.

Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen had followed clues to the Yi City Waterway in Guzhang, Xiangxi, Uncle San's next suspected destination. There, he and his accompanying staff discovered an opened casket. The staff mentioned someone had been there decades ago. Xie Yuchen identified it as a Shaozi Casket, noting that it had been opened without any signs of chiseling or explosive damage, and all three layers of its mechanisms had been expertly bypassed.

He concluded that only a Zhang family member, using their unique Two Finger Technique, could have accomplished such a feat. Later, Wu Xie, realizing the crucial importance of the slope-shouldered man's identity, called Xie Yuchen to press for information. Xie Yuchen explained that he wanted to avoid involving the elder generation of the Mystic Nine in their investigation of past events, so he had sent Huo Xiuxiu to inquire with Zhang Ri Shan at the Xin Yue Restaurant.

However, Zhang Ri Shan, according to Yin Nan Feng, refused to provide any information, simply stating "I don't know." Both Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu were frustrated, with Huo Xiuxiu questioning why they couldn't just ask her grandmother about the Qiongqi tattoo. Xie Yuchen reiterated his desire to keep the Mystic Nine elders out of it, asserting that Yin Nan Feng, though not a Mystic Nine member, possessed extensive knowledge of its secrets.

Despite Zhang Ri Shan's unhelpful response, Xie Yuchen realized that his "I don't know" was itself a piece of information, signifying that Zhang Ri Shan knew something specific but chose not to disclose it, likely the location of Master Buddha's secret room, which would now be extremely difficult to find after decades. Xie Yuchen concluded they would need to find older maps containing hidden locations to pinpoint the room. Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu later visited Mr. He.

During a performance, Xie Yuchen used the opportunity to ask Mr. He about the Yi City Waterway in Xiangxi, inquiring if Master Er and Master Buddha had ever been there. Mr. He confirmed their visit but claimed ignorance about any items they might have retrieved. Xie Yuchen then asked where Master Buddha typically stored his valuables.

Mr. He explained that most of Master Buddha's prized possessions were handed over to the government, while his personal items were usually kept at the Xin Yue Restaurant. Mr. He then revealed that Master Buddha also had a secret room for "ominous items," implying that any retrieved artifacts not given to the state would likely be there.

Xie Yuchen revealed that his investigation of government manifests had yielded no records of artifacts from the Yi City Waterway, reinforcing his belief that the items might indeed be in the secret room. Huo Xiuxiu wondered if the secret room still existed, given that Master Buddha's mansion had been demolished. Mr. He assured her that given Master Buddha's meticulous nature, such a private space would not be easily destroyed or vanish without a trace.

The conversation then turned to the slope-shouldered man's tattoo. Mr. He instantly recognized it as Master Buddha's Qiongqi tattoo. He explained that Master Buddha belonged to a collateral branch of the Zhang family, whose members bore the Qiongqi tattoo, distinct from the main Northeastern Zhang line, who were known for their Qilin tattoos. Huo Xiuxiu realized that Zhang Ri Shan, having been Master Buddha's personal guard, must surely recognize the tattoo, deepening their frustration with his non-answer.

Back at the lake, Wu Xie inquired about local knowledge of the "Yang Jiao Mountain" lake from Uncle Gui, who had heard of it from elders but never visited. Wu Xie, Zhang, and Fatty decided to proceed there, securing two old tents from Uncle Gui, along with requests for machetes, hemp rope, and local guides. Uncle Gui, finding the usual hunters unavailable, volunteered himself and his daughter, Yun Cai, to guide them.

Despite Wu Xie's concerns about Yun Cai's safety, she insisted on her experience in the mountains, having trekked with her grandfather since childhood. Fatty attempted to tease Yun Cai into a kiss, but she skillfully turned the tables on him. Upon reaching the lake, they noticed the ground was wet and the water level was dropping, leading Wu Xie to identify it as a "siphon effect."

He explained that this meant the lake was not a closed body of water but was connected to a larger underground river system, implying that anything they sought in the lake's depths might have already been drawn away. Realizing the need for specialized equipment, Wu Xie asked Uncle Gui about scuba diving gear, but Uncle Gui confirmed their mountain village had none. Wu Xie resolved to go acquire the necessary gear, while Fatty volunteered to stay behind and "keep watch."

Zhang then entered the lake and retrieved a pair of decades-old diving goggles that were still in perfect condition, belonging to the original expedition team. Wu Xie asked Uncle Gui to try to find an inflatable raft for them to use. Although Uncle Gui prepared to leave, Yun Cai expressed her desire to stay and help, convincing her father, with assurances from Wu Xie and Zhang about her safety.

Back in their own investigation, Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu were studying a map of Master Buddha's former residence. Huo Xiuxiu noted that the layout resembled a "Dragon Vein," with the mansion at the "Dragon's Eye," in line with Master Buddha's reputed interest in feng shui.

Xie Yuchen corrected her, identifying it as a rare "Fuxi Vein," which, though similar to a Dragon Vein, possessed a crucial distinction: Fuxi, the eighth son of the Dragon Emperor, was said to be poor at concealing his tail, which was his most vital part. Xie Yuchen theorized that if the "dragon's head" was the mansion, then the "tail" might very well be the hidden location of Master Buddha's secret room.

Meanwhile, having left the lake to acquire diving equipment, Wu Xie called Fatty to complain about the difficulty of finding such gear in a small, landlocked town, also mentioning that Uncle Gui had found a bamboo raft which Fatty was going to help bring up the mountain.

Episode 21 Recap

Wu Xie, currently in Guangxi, received a call from Xie Yuchen who urged him to come to Changsha to discuss a photo Wu Xie had inquired about. Xie Yuchen also promised to provide diving equipment. Wu Xie, intrigued and needing the gear, agreed to travel to Changsha, where he met Huo Xiuxiu and then Xie Yuchen at a restaurant owned by Mop. Xie Yuchen presented Wu Xie with high-quality diving equipment.

Pressed for information about the mysterious photo, Xie Yuchen revealed that Huo Xiuxiu's team had found something Wu Xie had mentioned, but it was spread across a vast area, requiring more guidance. He then explained that the Qiongqi pattern in the photo was a tattoo of Master Buddha's tribe, suggesting that the individual with "sloped shoulders" might be Master Buddha's man, potentially guarding a secret in Banai related to Master Buddha and the Mystic Nine.

Wu Xie, realizing the significance, expressed his desire to return to Guangxi. Wu Xie then questioned why Xie Yuchen had made him travel all the way to Changsha, suspecting he had discovered something more. Xie Yuchen admitted he was investigating Wu Sansheng, having learned from Mop that Wu Sansheng planned to visit Xiangxi after his return from Tamutuo, specifically to the Yi City Waterway.

Xie Yuchen revealed he had already explored the waterway, finding it had been excavated decades ago using the Zhang family's "Two Finger Technique," likely by Master Buddha and Xie Yuchen's own master. He deduced that Xie Lian Huan was also likely pursuing the same hidden object. Xie Yuchen believed Master Buddha had brought something out of the waterway and hidden it in a secret chamber in Changsha, which was their current objective.

At Mop's restaurant, Mop, recognizing Wu Xie as "Master Xiao San" and acknowledging Xie Yuchen as his savior, eagerly offered his assistance in finding Wu Sansheng. Xie Yuchen disclosed that their current clues originated from Zhang Ri Shan, implying Zhang Ri Shan was aware of their investigation. He further explained that Master Buddha's secret chamber had been under continuous surveillance for many years, and they had located the grandson of the original keeper.

The grandson, an aspiring musician more interested in votes for his music than information, eventually revealed that his grandfather and father had tasked him with taking photos every three months at a specific location, for which he received 100,000 yuan annually. The photos, dating back to the 1960s, documented changes in the area around the secret chamber, showing a progression from a department store to a factory, and finally a commercial street.

The photos were sent to Beijing, and the payments originated from Xin Yue Restaurant, confirming Zhang Ri Shan's involvement. Through their investigation, they discovered that Master Buddha had overseen the factory's construction in the 1970s to conceal his secret chamber. During the commercial street's demolition in 1999, a screen had been discovered underground. Master Buddha had ensured its safety by donating it to a museum. This "Mr. Zhang" who donated it was identified as Zhang Ri Shan.

The screen itself displayed peculiar, uniformly sized holes, suggesting a hidden message or code. Xie Yuchen, recognizing the screen from a photo at Xin Yue Restaurant, arranged for a replica to be made for study. Meanwhile, at the lake, Zhang Qiling had already retrieved a pile of human bones from the water.

Fatty and Zhang Qiling began piecing them together, confirming Wu Xie's earlier theory: the first expedition team had been killed by Uncle Panma and subsequently replaced by a second group. As they worked, Uncle Gui observed the deteriorating weather, warning of potential mudslides in the mountains. Despite his pleas for them to leave, Zhang Qiling and Fatty, confident in their wilderness experience, refused to abandon their post.

They instructed Uncle Gui to take Yun Cai back to the village and return with supplies once the rain subsided. Later, while Fatty was fishing on a bamboo raft, a powerful underwater current dragged him into the lake. Zhang Qiling, without hesitation, plunged into the water after him. Back in Changsha, Xie Yuchen received the photograph of the screen from Xin Yue Restaurant, confirming its identity.

He noticed a globe in the photo and realized it strongly resembled the one in Wu Sansheng's room. Wu Xie, Huo Xiuxiu, and Xie Yuchen promptly went to Wu Sansheng's house. There, they found the globe, which also had several holes. By shining light through the replica screen onto the globe, they aligned the holes, revealing several key locations, including the Paracel Islands, the Queen Mother's Palace, Tamutuo, Changbai Mountain's Cloud Top Palace, and, surprisingly, Banai.

This confirmed that these locations were directly related to the information Master Buddha had deciphered from the Yellow Silk. Xie Yuchen immediately decided to return to Guangxi with Wu Xie. Wu Xie attempted to call Fatty, but his phone was unreachable. He then called Uncle Gui, who confirmed the heavy rain in the mountains and that Zhang Qiling and Fatty had refused to leave the lake.

Feeling a deep sense of unease, Wu Xie resolved to rush back to Banai that very night and asked Mop to book flight tickets. Just as Xie Yuchen was preparing to leave with Wu Xie, Hei Yan Jing called, insisting on an urgent, face-to-face meeting in Changsha the following day. This compelled Xie Yuchen to delay his departure, while Wu Xie proceeded to Banai alone.

Concurrently, in Cox Hendry's office, a woman reported that Zhang Qiling and Fatty had not resurfaced from the lake, and their diving equipment had arrived in Banai. Cox Hendry implied his rivals might have found something before him. Hei Yan Jing eventually met Xie Yuchen, revealing his true purpose: he had been hired by Master Wu Er to prevent Xie Yuchen and Huo Xiuxiu from accompanying Wu Xie to Guangxi, instead wanting them to wander around irrelevant places.

Hei Yan Jing further explained that Master Wu Er had long suspected the identity of Wu Sansheng since his return from the Xisha underwater tomb. The returned Wu Sansheng, unlike the real one, could drink alcohol without consequence, though he perfectly mimicked the real Wu Sansheng's mannerisms and even knew childhood secrets only the brothers shared.

Master Wu Er had concluded that the current Wu Sansheng and Xie Lian Huan were collaborating and had chosen to play along, even helping them conceal certain matters. Hei Yan Jing characterized Master Wu Er's actions as a way to protect his family. Despite Master Wu Er's instructions, Xie Yuchen, having learned the full story and providing payment, convinced Hei Yan Jing to accompany him to Guangxi.

Back in the village, Wu Xie was frantic with worry as Zhang Qiling and Fatty remained unaccounted for after days of continuous rain. Uncle Gui reiterated the dangers of mudslides in the mountains and urged Wu Xie to wait until the rain stopped. Yun Cai attempted to persuade Uncle Panma, a seasoned local, to guide Wu Xie into the mountains, emphasizing the dire situation of Wu Xie's friends.

However, Uncle Panma steadfastly refused, citing the extreme danger and the need to wait for safer conditions. Frustrated by Uncle Panma's stubbornness, Wu Xie formulated a new plan, requesting old work overalls and a female wig. Meanwhile, Hei Yan Jing, in a car with Xie Yuchen, attempted to lead him astray by circling a canola field, claiming it held an important clue related to the Yellow Silk that Master Buddha had painstakingly discovered.

Xie Yuchen, seeing through the ruse, confronted Hei Yan Jing, who then admitted his true purpose was to divert them from going with Wu Xie, as instructed by Master Wu Er. Xie Yuchen then presented Hei Yan Jing with a map marked with red dots, asking for their meaning. Hei Yan Jing revealed that these points, marked in the Yellow Silk, all fundamentally represented the same thing: the Zhang family's ancient buildings. He confessed he did not know what secrets the buildings held, as even Master Buddha had spent a lifetime trying to uncover them.

Episode 22 Recap

As the quiet night fell, Uncle Panma ate his meal when a chilling voice echoed from behind him: "Comrade Panma, bring him to me." A familiar scent accompanied the words, deeply unsettling him and making him wonder if Chen Wen Jin was calling for Wu Xie. The next morning, Uncle Panma, equipped with a large pack, led Wu Xie into the mountains. He lamented that the rain had stopped too soon, preventing a mudslide.

He then turned to Wu Xie, his gaze cold, revealing he knew Wu Xie had mimicked the voice last night. Wu Xie attempted to apologize, explaining the urgency of rescuing his friends and his need for Panma's guidance. However, having been tormented by "Sloped-shoulder" using past events against him, Uncle Panma was enraged by such threats and felt that Wu Xie was using the same coercive tactics.

He pulled a sharp blade, intending to kill Wu Xie right there in the mountains. During their chase, they stumbled upon the scattered skeletal remains of the original survey team, which Fatty and Zhang had pieced together. The sight deeply disturbed Uncle Panma, intensifying his resolve to eliminate Wu Xie, as he now believed Wu Xie was also involved in the events he was trying to escape from.

Fortunately, Hei Yan Jing arrived just in time, causing Uncle Panma to flee upon seeing the overwhelming odds. Wu Xie was delighted to find that Xie Yuchen had also come, expressing relief that his trail markings had led them there and saved him from a perilous situation. Hei Yan Jing then revealed that Xie Yuchen had specifically sent him ahead to leave those markings for Wu Xie.

He clarified that while he was initially hired to prevent Wu Xie from joining the expedition, he was now hired by Xie Yuchen to assist them. In parallel, Hei Yan Jing was also overseeing the safe escort of Sister Xiu Xiu, who Xie Yuchen was sending to the airport for her safety, away from the dangers of the mountain expedition.

Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen then concluded that Uncle Panma was indeed responsible for the demise of the initial expedition team, and that despite his escape, "Sloped-shoulder" would likely still pose a threat to him. The trio reached the lakeside, discovering Cox Hendry had set up a large camp there. Cox Hendry’s associate approached them, stating that his boss wished to speak with them.

Cox Hendry then showed them a video of Fatty and Zhang being swept away by a powerful underwater current, confirming he had been monitoring their activities. Wu Xie explained his prior deduction that a siphon passage existed at the lake's bottom, suggesting Zhang and Fatty were likely carried through an underwater tunnel to another location. Xie Yuchen concurred, reinforcing Wu Xie's theory.

Cox Hendry acknowledged he was also searching for their current whereabouts, hinting at a hidden location beneath the lake. Introducing himself as Cox Hendry, he proposed a partnership, offering professional diving equipment essential for descending into the lake. Wu Xie questioned his motives, pointing out Cox Hendry’s extensive resources. Cox Hendry explained that while his men had located the Zhang family's Old Pavilion at the lake's bottom, they could not gain entry.

He believed that Zhang, and possibly Wu Xie, possessed the unique ability to enter. He candidly admitted to seeking the secret of immortality within the pavilion, a pursuit he had been engaged in for a long time, and claimed it was a secret that could be shared. Despite his initial skepticism, Wu Xie, Xie Yuchen, and Hei Yan Jing deliberated, realizing this was their only viable option to continue their search.

Wu Xie decided to descend alone, leaving Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing on the shore to monitor the situation, ensuring there would be someone to watch Cox Hendry and provide assistance if needed. After receiving specialized gear from Cox Hendry, Wu Xie communicated with the surface as he began his descent. At sixty meters, he finally saw the Zhang family's Old Pavilion, which appeared as a submerged Yao village with a distinct Han-style building at its center.

He swam towards the Han structure, pushed open its wooden door, and found an empty room. Inside, he encountered a standing "wall of water." As he passed through the water wall, he discovered he was in an air-filled chamber. He excitedly removed his mask and discovered markings left by Zhang.

He attempted to relay his findings to Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing through his earpiece, but unbeknownst to him, he had lost all contact with the surface after entering the water wall. On the surface, Xie Yuchen and Hei Yan Jing noted the loss of his location signal and communication. Within this strange, dry world, Wu Xie observed Birdman totems on the walls, similar to those seen at the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother.

He noticed a peculiar pattern in the gaze of seven Birdmen on a stone door, deducing it was a hint to unlock the mechanism. Taking a calculated risk, he followed the pattern and successfully opened the door. Beyond the door, he finally reunited with Zhang and Fatty. Fatty explained that they had been sucked into this very space by the siphon passage. Together, they explored their surroundings.

They learned that the Yao village was originally constructed to protect the Zhang family's Old Pavilion. A great flood later submerged both the village and the pavilion, creating the current lake. They deduced that the siphon was originally the village's drainage system, which became blocked by a landslide, leading to the flood. They also discovered the unusual physics of the area: there was no effective gravity, allowing them to stand and walk on the surface of the water.

Wu Xie further observed a "dual-linearized gravity" effect upon entering the pavilion, indicating complex protective measures established by the Zhang family to guard an important secret. As they ventured deeper into the pavilion, a terrifying witch suddenly emerged from a dripping water source, startling them.

Episode 23 Recap

Deep below, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang were frantically fleeing a pursuing witch. They struggled to barricade themselves in a room, desperately trying to block the door. Amidst their struggle, Fatty, catching his breath, swore that the witch resembled Chen Wen Jin, a claim Wu Xie found hard to believe, given Chen Wen Jin’s known location in Tamutuo.

As Wu Xie looked around, he was startled to realize the room was an exact replica of a section of the Golmud Sanatorium, complete with identical passages. He grappled with the impossible notion that the Zhang family’s ancient buildings in Guangxi could be the Golmud Sanatorium, questioning where the mysterious videotapes he received had been filmed. Before he could make sense of it, the witch burst through the door.

Zhang quickly subdued her, confirming that it was indeed Chen Wen Jin. Wu Xie noted the familiar smell, akin to the scent from Huo Ling, understanding that Chen Wen Jin had mutated, transforming directly into a monster before arriving here, skipping the step of death. Meanwhile, on the shore, Xie Yuchen grew increasingly frantic, expressing deep concern for Wu Xie, who had no deep-diving experience.

He pressed Cox Hendry, stating his intent to go down himself if Cox Hendry's men wouldn't, insisting his friend’s life was at stake. Cox Hendry, however, remained calm, asserting that Wu Xie hadn't run out of oxygen and was likely in the correct place, searching for the correct item. Shades also calmly advised Xie Yuchen to not be impulsive, reminding him of Cox Hendry's numerous men and the danger of clashing with them. The trio continued deeper.

They soon came upon a black coffin and another witch, this one unsettlingly bearing Wu Xie's own face. The witch spoke in a chilling voice, asserting that Wu Xie did not exist and was already dead, before vanishing in an instant. Wu Xie was left profoundly questioning his own identity and reality. As they pressed on, Wu Xie discovered a notebook, recognizing it as Chen Wen Jin’s notes, which he had found in an identical room previously.

He was bewildered by the precise similarity of the handwriting and content, doubting how Chen Wen Jin could have written two identical notebooks. The note itself stated, "I don't know who you are among the three of you. No matter who you are, when you found the notes here, I believe you're already involved." Suddenly, Shades and Xie Yuchen appeared, claiming they had followed Wu Xie’s signal and Zhang’s marks to find them.

Wu Xie’s mind raced; he knew that Shades and Xie Yuchen could not possibly know Zhang’s unique marks. This incongruity triggered a profound realization. Shades then mentioned that Cox Hendry had finally admitted the item he was seeking was in the black coffin. They opened the coffin, and Wu Xie correctly guessed its contents: the Bronze Fox Mask, the same one Zhang had worn in the Seven Star Palace, which had induced potent hallucinations.

Zhang recounted how the mask had nearly made them kill each other. Xiao Hua briefly donned the mask, confirming its power, before Zhang quickly removed it. Wu Xie now fully understood: the second identical Chen Wen Jin notebook was impossible, and Chen Wen Jin, having entered the Jade Meteorite, could not have become a witch and appeared here. The appearance of Shades and Xiao Hua, and even Zhang and Fatty earlier, had all been part of an elaborate illusion.

He recalled earlier inconsistencies: the presence of gravity, the impossibility of dual gravity in one space, humans walking on water, artifacts from the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother in the Zhang family’s ancient buildings, the vertical water surface, and the distinct sound of Hexagon Bells he heard upon entering. He concluded that he had entered this illusion the moment Zhang and Fatty first appeared to him.

Back on the shore, Cox Hendry's team detected Wu Xie's life signs, but his oxygen levels were dangerously low. Shades urgently called out to Wu Xie, telling him to surface immediately. However, Wu Xie responded that he had found Zhang and Fatty and refused to ascend without them, insisting on bringing them home. Defying the warnings, Wu Xie plunged into a siphon passage, causing his location signal to vanish completely.

Shades was visibly shocked, exclaiming that Wu Xie had gone "crazy." Enraged, Xie Yuchen, who had been restrained by Shades on Cox Hendry's orders, demanded to be untied and allowed to go down. He passionately appealed to Shades, reminding him of their brotherhood and their shared duty as members of the Mystic Nine.

Shades, after feigning concern about his potential financial losses, reluctantly "agreed" to help Xie Yuchen, but asserted he would demand compensation from Wu Xie or Master Wu Er. Shades then proposed a fake struggle, allowing Xie Yuchen to "overpower" him and steal equipment, so Shades could still get paid while ensuring Xie Yuchen's safety and helping Wu Xie. They then discussed the perilous task of stealing diving equipment from Cox Hendry’s heavily guarded camp, acknowledging the significant challenge.

Wu Xie abruptly awoke in a different, stark environment, with Zhang and Fatty by his side, both looking disheveled. With a sudden clarity, Wu Xie declared that this was the real entrance to the Zhang family’s ancient buildings. However, Fatty remained bewildered by Wu Xie's description of an ancient building, insisting he had seen no such thing.

He explained that he had simply been fishing when he was caught by a siphon passage and woke up here, describing their surroundings as merely a narrow water entry surrounded by solid granite, not an ancient structure. He did, however, point out large pieces of what he believed to be valuable jade.

Wu Xie tried to explain his illusion, describing a Han-style ancient building with a "Head of Zhang Family" sign, filled with bronze bells that induced hallucinations, believing it to be Zhang’s family home. Fatty, however, maintained his story of merely being swept in by the siphon passage while fishing. Wu Xie then theorized that anyone entering the illusionary ancient building, including Cox Hendry’s men, would fall victim to the Hexagon Bell Formation.

He elaborated on the actual location of the Zhang family's ancient buildings: only the top two floors were in the lake, implying the main structure was buried deep within the mountain, accessible only via a siphon passage. Fatty remained unconvinced, asserting that the siphon passage was a dead end, merely a narrow "water entry" where he had released his salamanders.

Wu Xie then noticed a familiar metal ingot, which Fatty explained was found in Zhang's old residence and used to block traps in the tunnel walls that sprayed corrosive gas, meaning even an escape from the bell formation and siphon would lead to more deadly mechanisms. They discussed attempting to force open the water entry, but Fatty explained it was impossible to breach the solid granite without a hydraulic machine.

They then moved into what Fatty enthusiastically called the "living room." Fatty showed Wu Xie the large chunks of "jade" he had found, fantasizing about immense wealth. However, Wu Xie spotted a "danger" sign carved into the rock nearby. They investigated a crack, from which agile "Stone Men" began to emerge. Wu Xie quickly realized these were not jade but solidified resin, similar to amber, which accounted for their surprising agility and toughness.

These Stone Men were guardians, continuously emerging like an endless "vending machine," making it an overwhelming and seemingly unwinnable battle. As more emerged, Fatty panicked, shouting for help amidst the chaos.

Episode 24 Recap

Jade servants, an upgraded version from the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, emerged increasingly from the stone wall, each containing a snake. These snakes could sense human body temperature, awakening and controlling the jade servants to attack. The more Wu Xie, Zhang, and Fatty fought, the higher their body temperature rose, causing the jade servants to move even faster. Realizing this was unsustainable, Wu Xie decided to go against the current.

He led Zhang and Fatty into the mezzanines where the jade servants were appearing, hoping to find an exit. Fatty complained about the endless layers and Zhang family's unusual design, which seemed to trap themselves. As they pressed on, Zhang, who had been leading the charge, showed signs of exhaustion and was injured by a jade servant. This, however, led Wu Xie to a crucial discovery: Zhang's Qilin tattoo was a living map.

Wu Xie quickly studied the tattoo, noticing its resemblance to the jade cave they had just been in. He realized that if they solved the puzzle presented by the tattoo, they would find a way out. Wu Xie instructed Fatty to fend off the jade servants while he deciphered the path, calling out directions based on Zhang's tattoo. They eventually found an exit, a breakable amber-like surface.

Fatty, severely injured while covering their escape, urged Wu Xie to take Zhang and leave him behind. Wu Xie refused, vowing to bring both of them back alive. After they barely made it to safety, Wu Xie fired a signal flare given to him by Cox Hendry before collapsing from exhaustion. Meanwhile, Cox Hendry had been closely monitoring Xie Yuchen and Black Glasses.

He had already had his men capture them, stating that only Wu Xie and Zhang could find the Zhang family's ancient buildings, and he couldn't risk others interfering with his plans. Despite Wu Xie's signal disappearing, Cox Hendry was confident he was safe, deducing that Wu Xie had entered an area where signal transmission was impossible—precisely the place Cox Hendry was searching for. He even provocatively invited Wu Erbai, who had just arrived with a large contingent, for tea.

Wu Erbai, Wu Xie's Second Uncle, strode in, revealing his men had already taken out Cox Hendry's perimeter guards. Wu Erbai, while seemingly gentle, was known for his ruthless resolve. He plainly stated that while he generally ignored Mystic Nine affairs, Wu Xie was an exception, and if Cox Hendry dared to obstruct his search for his nephew, he would sink Cox Hendry's entire team into the lake, granting them "immortality."

Cox Hendry's subordinate questioned Wu Erbai's authority, only to be met with a chilling threat to have his lips sewn shut. As the tension escalated, Wu Xie's signal flare was spotted by both teams, alerting everyone to his location. Back at the camp, a weakened Wu Xie confronted Cox Hendry, questioning if the intention behind sending him into the illusion was to lead him to his death.

Cox Hendry remained evasive, suggesting that because Wu Xie had been deliberately cultivated by the Mystic Nine, he was uniquely capable of entering the Zhang family's ancient buildings. Wu Xie dismissed this, asserting he had not truly entered the ancient buildings and was not the person Cox Hendry sought. He recounted seeing the top of the ancient buildings underwater, protected by a bell formation that created illusions, and confirmed that Cox Hendry's previous teams had failed there.

Later, discussing their harrowing experience, the group recognized the sophisticated defense mechanisms of the Zhang family's ancient buildings. The jade servants, though similar to those from the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother, were different: green, amber-like, and contained Black-Haired Snakes that hibernated in cold and awakened with heat. Wu Erbai confirmed he had heard of the "Mi Luo Tuo" and "Black-Haired Snakes" from his grandfather, acknowledging that their awakening inadvertently created the escape passage.

They concluded that the underwater village's bell formation led to illusions, and the siphon passage subjected them to Mi Luo Tuo attacks. It became clear that the path they had taken, even with Zhang's Qilin tattoo, was merely a defensive mechanism and not the true entrance to the Zhang family's ancient buildings. Wu Xie noted that fragments of the Mi Luo Tuo found on them melted with strong bases, indicating they were not invincible, but finding the entrance remained elusive.

Wu Xie pressed Wu Erbai for the truth, suspecting he knew more about the real entrance. Wu Erbai initially feigned ignorance but was soon cornered when Wu Xie pointed out that Third Uncle's valuable research materials, long thought missing, were now in Wu Erbai's possession. Wu Erbai admitted to hiding them to protect them from theft.

Wu Xie then theorized that since he saw the top of the Zhang family's ancient buildings underwater, its main structure must be submerged, connected to the mountains by a network of maze-like, man-made tunnels. He concluded these elaborate structures were all defensive, designed to protect the true Zhang family's ancient buildings. Wu Erbai sighed, acknowledging that Wu Xie had uncovered the truth.

He revealed that generations of the Wu family, from his grandfather (who died at Biaoziling) to his father (who insisted on an iron coffin for burial to prevent future complications), had been deeply entangled in this secret, often meeting tragic ends. He expressed profound concern for Wu Xie, who, despite being the "purest" child the Wu family had produced in years, was now the most deeply involved.

Black Glasses then asked why Wu Erbai had paid him to protect Xie Yuchen. Wu Erbai revealed that Xie Lianhuan, Xie Yuchen's adoptive father, had requested it, as he cared for Xie Yuchen deeply. Wu Erbai even mentioned a flower pot stolen by Xie Lianhuan, inscribed with a line of poetry, hinting at Xie Lianhuan's continued concern for Xie Yuchen. Wu Xie then brought up a photograph from the stilt house, suspecting Wu Erbai had burned it.

Wu Xie argued that neither Sloped-shoulder (who had protected the area for years) nor Cox Hendry (who sought to enter the ancient buildings) would have burned it, leaving Wu Erbai as the most likely culprit. Wu Erbai confessed, stating that while Third Uncle wanted them to continue the investigation, he feared they would repeat the mistakes of their predecessors. Wu Xie accepted this, assuring Wu Erbai he would not be forced to reveal anything he wasn't ready to share.

Wu Erbai, in turn, accepted their determination to continue, but imposed one condition: they must report any danger they encounter. Finally, Wu Xie asked what lay within the Zhang family's ancient buildings that drove so many, including the Mystic Nine and Cox Hendry, to seek it.

Wu Erbai confirmed it was related to immortality, explaining that ancient emperors had sought such secrets in tombs, and clues found during those investigations led to a hidden truth that no one wanted outsiders to discover.

Episode 25 Recap

During the expedition, as clues were uncovered and thoughts formed about the secret of longevity, a mysterious entity known as "It" appeared, simultaneously causing roadblocks for the excavation. Wu Erbai had known about this village and its unspeakable secrets for a long time. Upon learning from Hei Yan Jing that Cox Hendry's team had arrived, Wu Erbai immediately brought his own men to the area, convinced that their destination would be incredibly perilous.

After receiving treatment, Fatty and Zhang Qiling began to recover. Fatty, still in bed, complained that his inability to defeat the jade servants was due to days of starvation. He then jokingly blamed Zhang Qiling for his injuries, finally understanding that the metal ingots Zhang Qiling kept under his bed were not treasures but reminders of danger, meant to warn against returning to perilous places like the Mi Luo Tuo cave.

Wu Xie defended Zhang Qiling, reminding Fatty of his amnesia. Despite his injuries, Fatty insisted on getting discharged immediately to resume the search for the ancient building's entrance in the mountains. He was eager to help Zhang Qiling regain his memory, which he believed was tied to the ancient building, and was also concerned that Yun Cai would be worried about him.

Yun Cai, who was tending to his wounds, gently scolded him for returning before fully recovering, but Fatty assured her he was strong and had rushed back because he missed her. Soon after, Cox Hendry's men arrived and led Wu Xie's group to the lakeside. Cox Hendry presented Wu Xie with a silk text. Wu Xie immediately recognized it as a reproduction, to which Cox Hendry admitted, explaining that its true value lay not in its authenticity but its origin.

He revealed that his piece of the Yellow Silk came from Madam Huo, a respected elder of the Mystic Nine. Wu Xie was surprised to learn that Madam Huo had discovered clues about the Yellow Silk even earlier than they had. Cox Hendry commented that the longer one lives, the more secrets they accumulate, especially considering she was one of the last surviving members of the old Mystic Nine generation.

He then asked Wu Xie if his sincerity was sufficient for collaboration. Seeing Cox Hendry's apparent sincerity, Wu Xie agreed to collaborate, but on the condition that Cox Hendry's subordinates would cooperate with his planned actions, which was to search the mountain for the Zhang family's ancient building entrance. Cox Hendry, though hesitant, agreed. After leaving the tent, Wu Xie immediately called Xie Yuchen and informed him about Madam Huo.

Xie Yuchen recalled that Huo Xiuxiu had previously mentioned video tapes from the Golmud Sanatorium were at Madam Huo's house. He reasoned that Madam Huo, having lived so long and with her own daughter having disappeared in the Paracel Islands, must possess more information than they had painstakingly uncovered. Xie Yuchen decided to enlist Huo Xiuxiu's help to extract clues from her grandmother.

He then stated that after sending Wu Xie back to Beijing, he would return to his massage business in Hangzhou. Wu Xie, along with Cox Hendry's team, commenced their search in Yang Jiao Mountain near the jade servant cave, using axes and chisels to locate the ancient building's entrance. Cox Hendry's men grew impatient as days passed without success. During a break, Wu Xie showed Fatty a map he had drawn of the underwater Yao Village.

Fatty was astonished to see that its layout was identical to the surface village of Banai. Fatty suggested a natural disaster had flooded the original village, leading the forefathers to rebuild an exact replica. However, Wu Xie dismissed this, explaining that such a precise replication would require advanced technology unavailable at the time, and no local legends supported it.

He theorized that the lake was a closed body of water connected to the mountain, and the original village was likely built within the mountain itself. Someone then deliberately siphoned water to create the lake, submerging and hiding the entire settlement. This led Wu Xie to a bold hypothesis, connecting it to Panma's story about demons and the replacement of the old expedition team. He called it a "mirror conspiracy."

He speculated that Uncle Gui's village was a deliberate, identical replica built to conceal the disappearance of the true village. The original villagers were gone, replaced by another group impersonating them to carry out their own hidden agenda. However, their ultimate purpose remained a mystery, lost to time. As Wu Xie mused on his theory, Fatty suddenly noticed a striking resemblance between the Yao Village map and Zhang Qiling's Qilin tattoo.

Upon closer inspection, Wu Xie confirmed that the location of the ancient building on the map perfectly aligned with the Qilin's eye on Zhang Qiling's body. This strongly suggested a profound connection between Zhang Qiling and the Zhang family's ancient buildings, despite his amnesia. Their focus was broken when they discovered Yun Cai was missing. A note, signed by the "sloped-shoulder man," was left behind, instructing them to go to Buffalo Trench if they wished to save her.

Fatty was furious, but Wu Xie deduced that if the "sloped-shoulder man" intervened now, just as they were close to finding the ancient building's entrance, it confirmed their strategy to search the mountain was correct. Despite the clear trap, they resolved to go together to rescue Yun Cai. As they ventured further, they discovered several blood-stained clothes, presumably Yun Cai's. However, Wu Xie immediately detected that it was fake blood, confirming the "sloped-shoulder man" was setting a simple trap.

They found more such clothes as they approached Buffalo Trench, a clear attempt to lure them. Wu Xie, anticipating poisonous spiders, reminded them to apply protective herbs. Upon entering Buffalo Trench, they heard Yun Cai's desperate cries for help. Fatty, overcome with urgency, lunged forward. Before Wu Xie could caution him further, the "sloped-shoulder man" ambushed them from the shadows. Zhang Qiling immediately engaged the attacker, allowing Fatty to reach Yun Cai.

In his haste to protect her, Fatty gave Yun Cai his jacket, which was coated with repellent herbs, but in doing so, he was accidentally bitten by a poisonous spider. Wu Xie instructed Yun Cai to stay with the unconscious Fatty while he went to find an antidote for the spider venom. Once Wu Xie was out of sight, Yun Cai slowly drew a knife and aimed it at Fatty, but hesitated, seemingly moved by her past affection for him.

Just then, Wu Xie unexpectedly returned. He revealed that he had long suspected Yun Cai, realizing she, like Panma, was working for the "sloped-shoulder man." He explained that the "sloped-shoulder man" had patiently observed them but became anxious and acted only when they started searching for the ancient building's entrance. Wu Xie offered Yun Cai a chance at freedom if she revealed her employer's identity, promising to forgive her actions and keep her betrayal from Fatty.

Coerced and helpless, Yun Cai finally confessed that the man's name was Zhang Qiling. This revelation stunned both Wu Xie and Zhang Qiling. Before they could fully grasp the implications, Yun Cai suddenly began to vomit blood and collapsed. It became clear that the "sloped-shoulder man" had given her a fast-acting poison, and it was now too late to save her. With her last breath, Yun Cai managed to utter an apology to Fatty.

When Fatty regained consciousness, he found Yun Cai dying in his arms and was devastated, unable to comprehend the tragedy. Wu Xie, consumed by guilt for failing to protect her, offered only apologies, choosing not to disclose Yun Cai's betrayal. Heartbroken, Fatty silently carried Yun Cai's body away, walking slowly into Yang Jiao Mountain in the dead of night. Zhang Qiling, burdened by guilt over the "sloped-shoulder man" sharing his name, wondered if he was somehow responsible.

Wu Xie consoled him, acknowledging Zhang Qiling's own complex and mysterious past. Wu Xie then proposed a new extension to his "mirror conspiracy" theory: just as the current Banai village replaced the underwater one, and a new expedition team replaced an older one, could Zhang Qiling himself be a replacement for another "Zhang Qiling"? He pointed out their identical names, long fingers, and prolonged presence in the area.

The only distinguishing feature was Zhang Qiling's Qilin tattoo versus the "sloped-shoulder man"'s Qiongqi tattoo. Wu Xie mused on the possibility that combining these tattoos, or other mythical beast tattoos from the Zhang family, might form a map to the ancient building. However, he concluded that their immediate priority was to help Fatty overcome his immense grief. The following day, Wu Xie and Zhang Qiling discovered Fatty was missing and immediately suspected he had gone to confront the "sloped-shoulder man."

They tracked him to Buffalo Trench, where they found him attempting to set the entire mountain ablaze in a desperate act of vengeance for Yun Cai. Wu Xie and Zhang Qiling intervened, with Wu Xie explaining that even burning all the spiders wouldn't make the "sloped-shoulder man" appear. Despite being stopped, Fatty, still consumed by grief, vowed to turn the mountain upside down until he found the Zhang family's ancient building. Meanwhile, Xie Yuchen met Huo Xiuxiu in Beijing.

He informed her about the Yellow Silk piece Cox Hendry had and its connection to Madam Huo. Huo Xiuxiu expressed her frustration, convinced she couldn't extract any information from her grandmother. Xie Yuchen, however, calmly assured her not to worry, stating he had a plan to get the necessary clues.

Episode 26 Recap

Fatty was deeply resentful that Sloped-shoulder had harmed his beloved, and he was convinced that finding the entrance to the Zhang family's ancient buildings would, to some extent, avenge her. Meanwhile, Cox Hendry's subordinate was busy taking photos, claiming that manual excavation was too slow and that the images would be sent back to headquarters for technological analysis to locate the entrance. Fatty sarcastically remarked that the photos made him look exactly like Sloped-shoulder.

Wu Xie, hearing this, immediately took the camera and confirmed Fatty's observation. Wu Xie realized they had been followed since arriving in Banai. As soon as they found the tin box near Zhang's bamboo house, Sloped-shoulder had appeared to seize it. This individual seemed to be guarding the secrets of Banai, constantly hindering their efforts. However, Wu Xie pondered why Bald-headed Chu's associate had obtained the photos so easily.

It suggested either the photos themselves were meaningless, or Bald-headed Chu was complicit. Wu Xie decided to visit Bald-headed Chu again, while Zhang remained behind to look after Fatty, as Wu Xie was concerned about Fatty's emotional state and his potential to confront Sloped-shoulder. Meanwhile, Huo Xiuxiu and Xie Yuchen collaborated on a plan. They drafted several letters, imitating Huo Xiangu's tone, and sent them out under her name, pretending to be old friends catching up.

Xie Yuchen assured Huo Xiuxiu that anyone privy to the old secrets would understand the implicit message. Wu Xie found Bald-headed Chu, who readily admitted that Uncle San had indeed arranged for him to give Wu Xie the Banai photo. He also revealed that Uncle San had predicted Wu Xie's second visit and instructed him to hand over another item: a 1976 expedition team subsidy list. Upon seeing this, Wu Xie immediately summoned his associate, Wang Meng, to Changsha.

He deduced that in 1976, during the planned economy, all purchases and salaries were meticulously recorded. This implied Uncle San might be trying to tell him that records of the expedition team members still existed. Wu Xie believed the first team members had died, and the second team members were living under their identities. If he could find the list of the first team, he could identify those "who are dead but still alive."

Their immediate goal was to find these individuals. Without delay, Wu Xie and Wang Meng went to the relevant department to inquire about the 1976 Guangxi Banai expedition team's member profiles. However, their search for names like Chen Wen Jin and Xie Lian Huan yielded no results; they were informed that such information was not publicly accessible. Undeterred, they proceeded to the old address of the Changsha Archaeological Research Institute. Upon arrival, they noticed a security guard discreetly following them.

To avoid suspicion and create an alibi for being there, Wu Xie feigned being an alumnus and even took a photo with a sealed door. Later, he realized the writing on the sealed door, dated 1990, precisely matched his own distinct Shou Jin calligraphic style, reminding him of the person identical to him in the videotape.

As they left, they were asked to sign an entry/exit log, and Wu Xie's signature again, in Shou Jin style, drew the attention of someone reviewing the records. The persistent questions in Wu Xie's mind led him to secretly return to the institute with Wang Meng. Inside the archives, most of the files were moldy due to dampness, yet a large painting leaning against the wall appeared untouched. Sensing something amiss, they moved the painting, revealing a hidden room.

Inside, they found a 1976 archive bag. To Wu Xie's disappointment, it contained only the entry/exit record they had signed earlier that day. It became clear that the other party did not want them to investigate further. Wu Xie sat down in frustration, but Wang Meng discovered a stack of seemingly discarded documents on the floor.

He noticed that the arrangement of these materials—books, notes, periodicals on the right, less useful items further left, and the most crucial ones placed face down—perfectly matched Wu Xie's personal organizational habits. Wu Xie realized that only he, Wang Meng, and his Uncle San knew these specific habits. He then understood: Uncle San's objective was not to find the 1976 expedition data, but to lead him to this particular room.

Following this realization, Wu Xie found another clue left by Uncle San: among solar terms like "Lixia" and "Mangzhong," the term "Xiaoman" was missing. He traced this to "Xiao Man," a wolfhound whose kennel contained the next item. Hidden inside was a drawing of Lei style architecture. Wu Xie explained that Lei style architecture refers to the Lei family, a prominent Qing Dynasty architectural clan responsible for designing most imperial buildings.

Despite their unparalleled brilliance, they had mysteriously abandoned their official positions overnight. The drawing appeared to be a partial blueprint of a private residence. Wu Xie questioned its connection to the Banai expedition, believing a complete set of drawings might provide more clues. Meanwhile, Huo Xiuxiu received a reply to their letters, simply stating, "Let bygones be bygones." Pleased with this response, she arranged to meet Xie Yuchen at a shop on Liulichang East Street.

They suspected the shop owner, Jin Wan Tang, was the one who had sold Cox Hendry the stone rubbing of the silk manuscript. Xie Yuchen, knowing Jin Wan Tang's slippery nature, took an aggressive approach. Under pressure, Jin Wan Tang quickly confessed. He recounted meeting a young Huo Xiangu (Fairy Huo) in early 1963. At the time, Jin Wan Tang was renowned in Beijing's antique circles for his sharp eye.

Huo Xiangu had approached him to be an evaluator for an operation, offering generous compensation, which he promptly accepted. He described the immense scale of the expedition that departed for Mount Four Ladies in Sichuan. The core team consisted of nine individuals, but the overall contingent exceeded two hundred people, possibly thousands including support staff, all equipped with Soviet-era gear.

Jin Wan Tang's task was to remain at the camp and analyze the ancient manuscripts and books brought back by the team. The extensive content suggested the existence of a massive ancient ruins complex in the mountain. He also noted that injured members were frequently returned to camp, indicating a high number of casualties and a perilous operation. Throughout this lengthy and dangerous expedition, he and Huo Xiangu spent three years together.

Episode 27 Recap

Jin Wantang recounted his three years spent working with Fairy Huo, restoring and identifying ancient texts. The work was mind-numbingly tedious and time-consuming, carried out under immense pressure with little interaction among the team. He admitted he would have broken down had Fairy Huo not been constantly by his side. By the Dragon Boat Festival of the third year, the delivery of ancient books abruptly ceased. Curious, Jin Wantang secretly followed a team led by Fairy Huo to the mountainside.

He was astounded to find the cliff riddled with caves, extensively rigged with ropes and cable systems, which he deduced were used to transport the ancient texts. The partial dismantling of these cables suggested the operation was nearing its end. However, on the third day after the festival, disaster struck: over a dozen stretchers, bearing individuals soaked in blood, were carried out of the mountain. Shortly after, a large roll of blood-drenched silk manuscripts was delivered to his tent.

He instantly recognized them as the invaluable Yellow Silk, for which many lives had clearly been sacrificed. Fairy Huo’s intense focus and continuous presence throughout the deciphering process confirmed to him that this was indeed the object of their prolonged search. Jin Wantang explained that the specific Yellow Silk discovered was exceedingly rare and notoriously difficult to decipher.

He successfully translated the texts into modern Chinese characters, but could only grasp the surface meaning, unable to unlock the deeper, coded message within. Ten days after completing the restoration of the Yellow Silk, he was overwhelmed by greed. The documents were priceless, and even clear rubbings held immense value. Despite the potential for severe repercussions if caught, he couldn't pass up what seemed like a unique opportunity.

He secretly took some fragments of the Yellow Silk, rationalizing that the original documents were already incomplete, and a few missing pieces would go unnoticed. He then informed the team that all the Yellow Silk had been fully restored, believing his deception was foolproof. However, his actions were discovered the very next day. Jin Wantang was escorted to a tent where approximately ten individuals, led by an imposing stranger he had never encountered before, awaited him.

The leader immediately demanded the whereabouts of the hidden silk manuscripts. Jin Wantang vehemently denied any knowledge, but the man applied a light pressure to his head with his finger, causing a skull-splitting pain that terrified him. Convinced he was on the verge of death, Jin Wantang confessed everything. To his profound relief, Fairy Huo intervened and saved him, an act he attributed to the bond they had developed over three years and her gratitude for his deciphering work.

After this harrowing experience, Jin Wantang left the operation. He later realized, however, that Fairy Huo never visited his shop again after his departure. Upon his return from Sichuan, Jin Wantang found himself struggling financially, often going hungry. One day, a foreigner approached him, inquiring about the Yellow Silk. Despite having sworn to Fairy Huo to keep the information secret, the foreigner’s offer was so exorbitant that Jin Wantang, desperate for money to sustain his business, couldn't refuse.

He described this as the second major risk he had taken in his life. He meticulously recreated the Yellow Silk from memory and sold it to the foreigner, but swore he remained silent about the events that had transpired on the mountain, as he himself had been discovered mid-operation and never witnessed its conclusion. He noted the extreme secrecy surrounding the entire affair, which meant no rumors ever circulated in their circle.

He advised Wu Xie that to uncover more details, he would have to speak directly with Fairy Huo, and jokingly asked Wu Xie to pass on his regards, mentioning he was still single. Wu Xie sought out Mr Zheng, an architectural expert, to examine the Lei style architecture drawing.

Mr Zheng observed that while the structure appeared to be a Ming or Qing dynasty residential house, the windows were designed poorly, placed too close to the eaves to provide adequate light. He concluded that such deliberate avoidance of light suggested the building was uninhabitable for the living, as proper lighting is crucial for residential homes. Mr Zheng then recognized the design, stating it closely resembled a "mortuary," a place specifically for storing dead bodies.

Wu Xie explained he had found the rare drawing by chance while cleaning his house, noting that most Lei style architecture designs were for royal palaces, gardens, or grand mausoleums, making a private mortuary design highly unusual. Intrigued, Mr Zheng offered to acquire the drawing for research.

Wu Xie, more interested in the story behind the drawing than the drawing itself, proposed that if Mr Zheng could use his professional connections to uncover more information, Wu Xie would gladly give him the drawing. Mr Zheng readily agreed. After their encounter with Jin Wantang, Huo Xiuxiu and Xie Yuchen discussed the Mystic Nine's past operations.

Huo Xiuxiu noted that her grandmother had not participated in any operations after 1965, suggesting either the Mystic Nine had found what they sought or their collaboration had ceased. Xie Yuchen believed the latter was true, pointing out that second-generation members, including Huo Ling and Chen Wen Jin, continued their investigations, even venturing to the Paracel Islands, implying the Mystic Nine's mission persisted.

He marveled at the mysterious leader capable of organizing such large-scale, secretive operations without a trace, something Huo Xiuxiu's grandmother had never mentioned. Xie Yuchen then pondered "It," a phenomenon Chen Wen Jin frequently referenced in her diary without fully identifying it. He theorized that "It" had continuously influenced the Mystic Nine's operations, predating even the expeditions to the Paracel Islands and Banai.

He suggested that from the very inception of the Mystic Nine, regardless of their chosen path, all members' destinies had been shaped by "It," with generations of their families meeting strange ends. He questioned what the older generation, including his master Er Yue Hong and Wu Xie's grandfather Wu Lao Gou, were truly doing, and whether it was now their turn to unravel the mystery.

Reflecting on Wu Sansheng's past words about breaking the cycle, Xie Yuchen wondered if their current investigation was merely part of a pre-arranged scheme. He concluded that "It" might not be a physical force, but a constant, pervasive psychological or spiritual influence. He then requested to meet Huo Xiuxiu's grandmother, learning she would be visiting the Xin Yue Restaurant, where he decided to await her.

Mr Zheng arranged a meeting with Wu Xie at his friend's modest but secure shop, introducing him to Mr Ruan, who expressed interest in purchasing the Lei style architecture drawing. Wu Xie, reminding Mr Zheng of their earlier agreement, reiterated that he sought information about the drawing's background, not to sell it. Mr Ruan, using subtle hand gestures common in antiquarian circles to negotiate, offered a substantial sum, enough to sustain Wu Xie's business for three years.

Wu Xie, however, clearly signaled his refusal by holding his teacup firmly. Wang Meng, always keen for an easy profit, interjected with playful remarks about Wu Xie's salary and his own desire to join the seemingly lucrative business, earning him a threat of a salary cut from Wu Xie. Wu Xie pressed Mr Ruan to reveal why his "master" desired the drawing, stating his interest in the motive outweighed any price.

Mr Ruan stated his master was a powerful individual who rarely met outsiders. Wu Xie, leveraging the Wu family's status as part of the Mystic Nine—a renowned force in Changsha's antiquarian world during the Republican era—asked if Mr Ruan's master would extend them some courtesy. Mr Ruan agreed to convey Wu Xie's request to his master, promising a reply before noon the next day.

Before leaving, Mr Zheng advised Wu Xie to bring more people if a meeting was granted, emphasizing the importance of not appearing vulnerable in front of powerful figures. Back in Guangxi Banai, Cox Hendry's advanced scanning drone and equipment, imported from abroad, finally arrived. These instruments could map the entire mountain, detecting solid and hollow sections, and identifying mineral compositions, far superior to manual digging. With this, Fatty was told he could stop digging.

Restless and grieving for Yun Cai, Fatty struggled with inactivity. Just then, Wu Xie called, informing him that he had a lead that required a visit to the Xin Yue Restaurant in three days. Recognizing the dangers of the Xin Yue Restaurant, Fatty decided he and Zhang would return to Beijing the next day to accompany Wu Xie. Before their departure, Fatty resolved to honor Yun Cai.

Despite the intense pain, he got her name tattooed on his back, a local tradition where men tattoo the names of their beloved as a symbol of eternal devotion. Wu Xie's assistant, Wang Meng, initially offered to accompany him to Xin Yue Restaurant, but Wu Xie reassured him that Fatty and Zhang, whom he considered his sworn brothers, were dependable and would be there. He sent Wang Meng back to Hangzhou.

The next day, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang reunited in Beijing. During a meal, Wu Xie discovered Fatty's new tattoo and couldn't help but laugh at its diminutive size, comparing it to a green bean. Fatty, explaining the tattoo was a local custom signifying eternal devotion to his beloved, insisted on acquiring new attire for their visit to the prestigious Xin Yue Restaurant.

He elaborated that Xin Yue was an exclusive, member-only auction house, far grander than ordinary antique markets, dealing only in high-value, meticulously screened items. Upon arrival, they were initially barred from entry by security for lacking an invitation or proof of assets. Zhang, however, produced a black card he had been "keeping" for Xiao Hua, which Fatty had "found" in Guangxi. This card, bearing Xiao Hua's name, granted them entry.

The use of Xiao Hua's black card at Xin Yue Restaurant immediately sent an authorization alert to him, letting him know Wu Xie and his companions were there and anticipating some excitement. Inside the lavish Xin Yue Restaurant, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang settled in the lobby, observing the crowd but unable to pinpoint the buyer of the Lei style architecture drawing.

Fatty expressed shock at the exorbitant prices, particularly a 7000 yuan pot of tea, prompting a waiter to offer a more "affordable" 1800 yuan option with free snacks. Soon after, Xie Yuchen arrived, having been alerted by the card usage. While they were conversing, a pompous man named Liu Li Sun swaggered in, openly asking if Wu Sansheng was dead, which instantly enraged Wu Xie.

Before a confrontation could escalate, a waiter discreetly informed them that a VIP wished to see them upstairs. Prioritizing their mission, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang ascended to a private room. To Wu Xie's astonishment, the buyer of the Lei style architecture drawing was Granny Huo. The meeting was tense; Granny Huo immediately brought up Wu Xie's grandfather, Wu Laogou, with bitterness, hinting at a past grievance.

She demanded to know if Wu Xie would sell the drawing and stated that if he truly wanted to uncover the secrets of the Lei style architecture, his grandmother should come to her directly. As the atmosphere thickened with unresolved history, an announcement for the start of the auction was made.

Episode 28 Recap

Upon arriving at Xin Yue Restaurant, Wu Xie confronts Mrs. Huo about the Yangshi Lei Archives. Mrs. Huo insists that if Wu Xie wants information, his grandmother, her childhood friend, must come to Beijing. Wu Xie protests, explaining his grandmother has not left their home since his grandfather's passing. Mrs. Huo dismisses this, insulting Wu Xie's deceased grandfather, and demanding his grandmother's presence.

Refusing to leave without answers, Wu Xie declares that he, Fatty, and Zhang will follow Mrs. Huo until she yields. He then defiantly sits in a historically significant seat next to her, a spot previously occupied only by Zhang Dafo Ye. Mrs. Huo, amused, challenges Wu Xie: if he can remain seated there until 4:30 PM, she will reveal everything about the Yangshi Lei Archives. Wu Xie accepts, even offering to be slapped if his grandfather had ever wronged her.

The auction at Xin Yue Restaurant promptly begins. Xiao Hua attempts to subtly signal Wu Xie, but Wu Xie stays put as Mrs. Huo recounts the seat's unique history, noting that Zhang Dafo Ye once sat there to win Mrs. Yin's hand in marriage. The main item up for bid is the Dragon Fish Ghost Seal, which Wu Xie and Fatty recognize as identical to the one Zhang saw at the Bronze Gate in Mount Changbai.

Everyone is awestruck by the rare treasure. The auctioneer explains the seal's legendary origins with King Shang of Lu, its ability to command a ghost army, and its power to open the Bronze Gate to reveal "the Ultimate." To Wu Xie's horror, a "heavenly lantern" is lit in his name, a symbolic act that obligates him to outbid all others and pay for every item sold, regardless of price.

Mrs. Huo taunts him, predicting ruin for the Wu family, and when Wu Xie warns that the Yangshi Lei Archives will be destroyed if he fails, she coolly states she deals with both the living and the dead, implying his death would make her acquisition easier. Despite the escalating situation, Mrs. Yin, the restaurant owner, allows the auction to continue. The bidding for the Ghost Seal skyrockets from RMB 50 million to RMB 100 million, financially devastating Wu Xie.

During an intermission, Mrs. Huo sarcastically requests a "Mu Ke Zhai" performance for Wu Xie. Fatty, realizing that their discreet conversations about escaping have been overheard by the auctioneer's assistant, urges Wu Xie to prepare to flee. As security guards move in, Zhang and Fatty bravely engage them in a brawl, desperately buying time for Wu Xie to remain in his seat until 4:30 PM.

Despite the violent struggle around him, Wu Xie endures the final moments, declaring victory precisely as the clock strikes the agreed time. Meanwhile, Zhang Ri Shan remains unperturbed in his room, listening to music, oblivious to the chaos outside and ignoring his secretary's frantic knocking. Mrs. Yin, the restaurant owner, confronts Zhang and Fatty for disrupting the auction and smashing her restaurant, but also offers them a way out if they wish to sell the Ghost Seal later.

During this commotion, Xie Yuchen arrives to speak with Mrs. Huo. He directly addresses the Yellow Silk, which he knows Mystic Nine retrieved from Mount Four Ladies with Mrs. Huo's involvement. He also reveals his awareness of her long-standing interest in the Yangshi Lei Archives, deducing she was Wu Xie's buyer.

Xie Yuchen presses Mrs. Huo, noting her family's migration while she remained, and proposes an alliance, arguing that the Xie family is her best partner given the Huo family's diminished influence. He emphasizes that their generation is now entangled in the same deep-seated issues that plagued previous Mystic Nine generations, and that by helping them, she helps herself.

Mrs. Huo agrees to the partnership, but dismisses Xie Yuchen's plea to assist Wu Xie, stating Wu Xie must handle his own problems. Fatty and Zhang continue their fight, creating a diversion that allows Wu Xie to escape with the Ghost Seal. However, just outside the restaurant, they are immediately ambushed by Liu Li Sun and his men.

Liu Li Sun declares his intention to reclaim the Ghost Seal and teach Wu Xie "gang rules" for disrupting the auction and pointlessly lighting the heavenly lantern. As a fight breaks out, Xiao Hua arrives in his car, rescuing Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang.

He takes them to the Xie family residence, but deeming it unsafe from Xin Yue Restaurant's retaliation, he quickly moves them to the Huo family's old shop, a secluded location known for its hidden treasures, where Huo Xiu Xiu assures them of their safety. At the old shop, Fatty reflects on the uncanny series of events: the Yangshi Lei Archives from Wu Xie's Uncle San, the buyer at Xin Yue Restaurant, and the Ghost Seal auction all converging.

He suggests that Wu Xie wasn't merely caught in circumstances but was deliberately "chosen" by the Mystic Nine, his curiosity guided to lead him deeper into their mysteries. Wu Xie then examines the Ghost Seal, initially thinking it is defective due to missing sections. However, Fatty explains that these are deliberately designed grooves meant to perfectly fit three rings, implying the original owner constantly wore them, securing the seal's components in place.

Episode 29 Recap

The old Huo family shop was far from peaceful, as Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang inadvertently fell into quicksand beneath the bathroom. Fatty, complaining that Wu Xie and Zhang’s actions nearly got him killed, was instructed by Wu Xie to lie down and slowly extract his legs.

They realized the quicksand, a part of a training ground in Huo Xiuxiu’s family's abandoned shop, was designed to be lethal; if it reached their chests, every breath would draw sand in, leading to suffocation. After a struggle, they finally managed to escape, only to find the wall entrance behind them had closed. Before them now stood a new door, with the word 'Entrance' written on it, prompting them to venture inside.

Upon entering, they found themselves on the first floor of an octagonal structure. They deduced it was likely a simulated tower or building used by the Huo family. A countdown appeared on a wall display, causing panic, especially when a fine powder, identified as lye, began to disperse from openings, raising fears of inhalation. Wu Xie quickly recognized that the window's position matched a design on his Yangshi Lei drawing, suggesting the structure was a replica of a morgue.

Realizing they were being observed, Wu Xie attempted to negotiate with the "head of the Huo family" through a hidden speaker, threatening to tear the drawing if the timer wasn't stopped. However, he soon speculated that Mrs. Huo might not even know her granddaughter had brought them there. As the countdown dwindled, Zhang approached a Qilin statue, murmuring "Final destination… my final destination," making Wu Xie wonder if he had been there before.

They noticed four identical pillars, but the Qilin was specifically facing one. Upon closer inspection, they identified it as a gilded bronze Qilin head, and the pattern on the Yangshi Lei drawing matched rivets on the pillar, numbered one to seven, possibly corresponding to different floors. As the countdown ended, more lye streamed out. Wu Xie quickly identified and pressed the correct rivet, opening the door to the second level.

As they moved to the safety of the next section, Wu Xie realized that their presence in the old shop was no coincidence. He concluded that Mrs. Huo must have known they were there and had orchestrated their fall into the quicksand, as well as their entry into this architectural simulation. It became clear that they had been deliberately set up. Meanwhile, Mrs. Huo was indeed watching them on a surveillance monitor, clearly amused by their progress.

Wu Xie explained to Fatty that the Yangshi Lei drawing depicted a morgue, a place where coffins of those who died away from home were temporarily stored, considered highly ominous in ancient fengshui. He elaborated that traditional morgues rarely had visible stairs or exits to avoid disturbing the fengshui, but they always included hidden passageways for workers and funeral attendants, which the Yangshi Lei drawing likely revealed.

Fatty commended Wu Xie and Zhang for their quick thinking in deciphering the drawing. Wu Xie further illustrated how the drawing's varied label sizes and the Qilin statue's perspective, combined with the rolled drawing, perfectly matched the pillar's rivets, resembling a complex escape room. Fatty suspected they were being spied on and suggested provoking Mrs. Huo, but Wu Xie dismissed the idea, knowing she wouldn't be easily swayed.

Following the Qilin's direction, they discovered it pointed towards a sliding door, indicating a moving maze designed in the style of Qimen Dunjia. They decided to follow the Qilin’s lead towards what was traditionally the "Living Door," a concept Wu Xie had encountered in the Land of the Heavenly Queen Mother. However, once they entered, the doors behind them automatically closed, turning their path into a one-way progression. Despite their efforts, they found themselves going in circles.

Zhang swiftly saved them from a closing trap, prompting Wu Xie to realize that the "Living Door" was leading them to a dead end. He suddenly understood: since this was a morgue, the deceased would not take the Living Door; instead, they should seek the "Death Door" in the southwest. However, they had lost their sense of direction within the bewildering octagonal labyrinth.

Fatty suggested they return to the Qilin sculpture for reorientation, but Zhang stated it was unnecessary, revealing that the sculpture itself was turning. Wu Xie grasped that the external elements of the maze were constantly shifting. Despite the disorienting movements of metal cages and spinning sculptures, Wu Xie realized the four cardinal directions remained constant, unaffected by the internal shifts.

Fortuitously, the weak soundproofing allowed them to hear the mechanism of the previous room's lye spray, which they could use as a fixed point of reference to determine their true southwest direction. He noted the lye would spray for three minutes, offering a temporary guide. Following the new orientation, they successfully located the pillar corresponding to the Death Door. Wu Xie mused, "Life means death, death means life," acknowledging the paradox.

Near the pillar, they discovered a bookshelf filled with documents. Among them, Wu Xie found a photograph of a young man and Xiao Hua. He clarified to Fatty that the man was Xie Lian Huan, noting the photo was from 1983, before his "Uncle San" went to Xisha. He puzzled over why the Huo family possessed Xie family photos. He then found another photo, this one from 1989, showing Xie Lian Huan celebrating young Wu Xie’s birthday.

Most strikingly, he found a photo of someone who looked exactly like him, prompting Fatty to jokingly suggest he might have "retrograde amnesia" and immortality like Zhang. Wu Xie dismissed this, observing the person in the photo was much older, implying he would be the one replacing the other, not vice versa. Fatty declared Wu Xie the "real Master Xiao San," deeming others "forgeries," and Wu Xie labeled the doppelganger an "old forgery."

While Wu Xie and his companions explored, Huo Xiuxiu returned to the old shop, calling for Wu Xie, but found it empty. She discovered old photos of the Mystic Nine, but one particular photo seemed deliberately placed, making her suspect Mrs. Huo's malicious intent. She then encountered Mrs. Huo's agents, who were there to take her home.

Realizing her grandmother had orchestrated everything, Huo Xiuxiu angrily confronted Mrs. Huo, questioning why she had to lure Wu Xie for the Yangshi Lei drawing when they could have simply discussed it. Mrs. Huo downplayed the situation, calling it merely a "training ground" or "escape room" with no real danger, stating it was preparation for future expeditions.

Huo Xiuxiu insisted on her friends' release, threatening to go back herself, but Mrs. Huo fiercely threatened to break her legs, emphasizing that she was handling important matters and would not be indulged. Despite the threat, Huo Xiuxiu defiantly sat down, refusing to leave until she received answers, forcing Mrs. Huo to order her back to her room. Back in the simulated building, Wu Xie and his friends moved into the third room.

They noted the absence of traps, which struck them as unusual given the elaborate mechanisms of the previous two rooms. The only object present was a large statue of a human-faced tortoise. Wu Xie immediately recognized its rarity and immense value, explaining its significance as a totem of Shennong’s descendants, mentioned in the "Imperial Readings of Taiping Era". He pondered its meaning within the replica structure.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Huo, still observing them, received a report from her assistant that they couldn't get a clear image of the Yangshi Lei drawing from Wu Xie's hands. Mrs. Huo remained unconcerned, asserting that Wu Xie's step-by-step progression through the challenges was effectively the same as him handing the drawing directly to her. Her assistant confirmed that they had successfully reconstructed the floor plans from Wu Xie's actions on the previous levels.

Fatty, sensing a "dangerous smell" from Zhang and Wu Xie but not perceiving it himself, suggested retreating. Wu Xie, however, reasoned that the danger wasn't severe, given that Mrs. Huo was his senior and they operated within a lawful society. He emphasized that they couldn't leave empty-handed, reiterating that despite the room's apparent lack of riddles, the human-faced tortoise statue held significant information.

When Fatty admitted that Wu Xie’s complex theories were beyond his understanding, Wu Xie offered to explain the tortoise's divination at a later time, asking for a pen to draw out his explanations for better clarity.

Episode 30 Recap

Upon finding themselves trapped within the abandoned Huo family's old store, Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang discovered it was a training ground for Mrs Huo. They barely escaped a simulated quicksand pit before encountering a stone door labeled "Entrance." Inside, they found an octagonal room, clearly a replica of a significant building. A countdown timer on the wall spurred Wu Xie to consult the Yangshi Lei Archives he possessed, confirming the layout was identical to the blueprint.

He deduced Mrs Huo was replicating an ancestral mortuary and that they were being monitored. As the countdown dwindled, alkali powder filled the room, making breathing difficult. Wu Xie quickly pressed the corresponding rivets on a pillar, opening the door to the second level. Mrs Huo, indeed, was watching them from her monitors, having orchestrated their fall into the quicksand and subsequent entry into the replica building.

She knew she couldn't simply take the Yangshi Lei Archives from Wu Xie, so she intended to force him to navigate the simulated building, effectively extracting the blueprint details from his actions. On the third floor, they encountered only a human-faced tortoise sculpture. Wu Xie began to sketch on the floor, drawing the Gen hexagram, followed by Kun and Kan.

He explained that Gen represents mountains, Kun represents earth, and Kan represents water, suggesting the human-faced tortoise, though an earth deity, is intrinsically linked to water and lives by it in deep mountains. Fatty, claiming to have also read "Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era," comically interjected with his own misinterpretations of other hexagrams, which Wu Xie sarcastically confirmed.

Proceeding to the fourth level, which was designed to house precious collections, Fatty commented on the Huo family's dedication, using such valuable items as props. Wu Xie observed that the building was a 1:1 replica, a testament to Mrs Huo's meticulous preparation to minimize risks for a future personal visit to the actual location. Fatty jokingly suggested Wu Xie should simply hand over the Yangshi Lei Archives to Mrs Huo.

Wu Xie, however, noticed that all the pillars were covered in oilcloth. Upon removing them, they discovered the pillars collectively formed a "backbone," signifying strong reinforcement measures. Realizing the depth of the situation, Wu Xie decided they needed to analyze their surroundings. With brush and ink, they deliberated, noting the simulated quicksand pool's moisture-resistant properties and the extra layer of waterproofing on the fourth floor, indicating the actual building's highly humid location.

They also observed the prevalence of Qilin and human-faced tortoise sculptures, suggesting the mortuary's owning family was ancient and practiced totem worship. Considering the large structural supports, they concluded the building was in an unstable area, likely an earthquake or landslide-prone zone, narrowing the location to the southwest mountainous regions. Wu Xie then reminded Fatty about Cox Hendry's previous statement that the Yellow Silk rubbing was inextricably linked to Mrs Huo, inferring that both individuals sought the same item.

They further deduced that the alkali powder on the first floor wasn't merely for theft prevention or animal deterrence, but specifically to ward off Mi Luo Tuo. This led to the significant realization that the replicated building was none other than Zhang family's ancient buildings. Wu Xie acknowledged that his Yangshi Lei Archives was a crucial part of this larger structure. Fatty, recognizing Mrs Huo's manipulation, gloated that she had failed to acquire the archives and had even divulged information.

Confidently, they decided to leave, only to discover they were trapped, the remote control for the exits remaining with Mrs Huo. Suddenly, a wall was smashed, and Huo Xiuxiu appeared, having tracked them down. She urged them to follow her, admitting her grandmother had also deceived her. Wu Xie, realizing her action of destroying the wall meant she wasn't fully complicit, agreed to go but insisted on picking their hiding place.

They ended up at a foot massage parlor, which Huo Xiuxiu insisted was the "safest" and "most comfortable." Huo Xiuxiu confessed her grandmother had indeed set up Wu Xie, and Xiao Hua had instructed her to bring them to the old store, now making her suspect Xiao Hua's intentions. She apologized for the trouble they had endured. Wu Xie mentioned the two videotapes he had received.

Huo Xiuxiu then revealed that Mrs Huo had received similar videotapes ten years prior, showing her aunt, Huo Ling, crawling. Wu Xie admitted Xiao Hua had told him he, too, had been seen crawling in that place, but Wu Xie believed it wasn't truly him. This led Huo Xiuxiu to suspect the person in the video might not be her aunt either.

To confirm, she used an old photo of her aunt taken at Wangfujing Street at 18, measuring a mailbox to calculate her aunt's height (1. 67m-1. 69m). She then compared this to a photo from the Paracel Islands archaeological team, calculating the person's height based on a camera model (at most 1. 6m), proving an 8cm difference. She realized the person in the group photo was not her aunt.

Huo Xiuxiu further discovered that after 1976, when her aunt participated in an expedition, all photos of her ceased, leading her to believe someone else had returned in her aunt's place. Wu Xie confirmed her fears, revealing that the 1976 Banai expedition team had been completely replaced, a fact confirmed by their guide. Huo Xiuxiu was heartbroken, realizing her grandmother must have known her daughter was replaced but had to pretend otherwise.

She revealed that Mrs Huo herself had organized the Banai expedition, implying that the force behind the swapped team was "It." She added that Xiao Hua suspected "It" was not a physical force but a "psychological influence," explaining its pervasive nature. She also mentioned that "It" had influenced the Mystic Nine for at least three generations, starting from her grandmother's generation.

This connection between Chen Wenjin's expedition, Xiao Hua's Yellow Silk, Mrs Huo, and Zhang family's ancient buildings in Banai led Wu Xie to speculate that the actual Zhang family's ancient buildings might be a mortuary, aligning with Zhang's cryptic comment about that place being his "end." Later, as Wu Xie, Fatty, and Zhang were enjoying their foot baths, Huo Xiuxiu received a text message.

She abruptly returned to the parlor and, without explanation, forced the three men out, driving them to Xin Yue Restaurant. She provided them with masks for discretion, though Fatty refused to wear his, deeming it ugly. Soon after, Xiao Hua sent a text, confirming their location had been compromised. Huo Xiuxiu then suggested Wu Xie hand over the Yangshi Lei Archives to her for safekeeping.

However, Fatty, who claimed to never forget a woman's figure, immediately recognized her true identity as Xie Yu Chen (Xiao Hua). Xiao Hua removed his disguise, admitting he was caught quickly. He explained that his goal aligned with theirs: to uncover the truth, which required Mrs Huo's cooperation. He argued that Mrs Huo prioritized the archives over people, and to gain her trust, he had to appear to betray them.

He reassured Wu Xie that cooperating with Mrs Huo was necessary and would not bring harm. He then led them directly to Mrs Huo, who greeted Wu Xie, calling him as "slick as your grandfather." She immediately corrected Wu Xie's earlier analysis of the hexagrams and the "password" they had deduced, indicating she had been aware of their actions from the beginning.

Episode 31 Recap

Mrs Huo confronted Wu Xie, asserting that he had begun manipulating her with false information from the moment he encountered the human-faced tortoise, giving her incorrect passwords. Wu Xie acknowledged the exquisite craftsmanship of her model but clarified that he had inadvertently stumbled upon the truth due to a minor error. He explained that the rivets on the blueprint were oval, not circular, and should have been pressed on the side of the pillars from his perspective.

However, he had pressed the rivet directly in front of him. When the passage opened automatically despite his mistake, he deduced that someone was secretly controlling the mechanisms. To confirm his suspicion, he intentionally pressed the wrong rivet, and, as expected, the passage still opened. He then revealed that his subsequent discussions about the "Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era," the "Eight Trigrams," and "Five Elements" were merely a ruse.

He clarified that his seemingly random drawings of trigrams were actually Morse code, which, when deciphered, conveyed the message "we are spied" and "the Huo family is trying to get the drawing from me." He admitted it was a "cheap trick" but credited Mrs Huo's elaborate setup for ultimately leading him to the discovery that the secret behind the Yangshi Lei Archives was Zhang family's ancient buildings.

Mrs Huo concurred with his findings and proposed cooperation, recognizing his possession of the Yangshi Lei and his desire to enter the ancient buildings. Wu Xie, suspicious of Mrs Huo's sudden offer, retorted that she had never intended to cooperate since their encounter at Xin Yue Restaurant, making her current proposal seem belated. He knew she only sought the Yangshi Lei drawing from him. When Mrs Huo warned she would act mercilessly if he refused, Wu Xie produced the drawing.

To everyone's astonishment, he tore it and began to eat it, declaring that while he might not bring glory to the Wu family, he still possessed his integrity. He calmly stated that he had already memorized the contents, so she could "rip him open" if she wished. Enraged, Mrs Huo commanded her bodyguards to attack. Before they could reach Wu Xie, Zhang Qiling intervened, blocking them. During the confrontation, Mrs Huo noticed Zhang Qiling's unusually long fingers.

She immediately ordered her guards to stop, questioning if he was indeed the person with the Qilin tattoo Xiao Hua had mentioned. Upon confirming Zhang Qiling's identity, Mrs Huo, typically a proud and aloof elder of the Mystic Nine, astonishingly knelt before him. Wu Xie and his companions quickly helped her up, preventing her from completing such a profound bow. Standing, Mrs Huo carefully observed Zhang Qiling and asked if he remembered her.

She added that if he did, he would not have come to the Huo family. She then confidently declared that if he joined them, they would undoubtedly succeed this time. With Zhang Qiling present, Mrs Huo deemed further concealment unnecessary. She summoned an aide and presented seven Yangshi Lei blueprints, explaining they were designed by Lei Si Qi in the 25th year of Daoguang's reign.

She revealed that she had built her model based on these blueprints but realized one vital piece was missing, preventing her from fully deciphering the hidden passage's secret. Wu Xie inquired about her specific need for the drawing. Mrs Huo vaguely replied that her "master" desired it. Her subordinate then reported their inability to obtain a clear photograph of Wu Xie's drawing.

Mrs Huo dismissed this, asserting that Wu Xie's gradual discovery was no different from him handing the information directly to her. Wu Xie claimed to be aware of most of what she had said. Mrs Huo then divulged that she had acquired her seven blueprints from the hidden layers of the seven videotapes that Xiu Xiu had found. She confirmed she had seen the distressing content of the tapes.

She defiantly stated that despite her age, she was not muddle-headed and recognized that someone was threatening her daughter's life to force her into Zhang family's ancient buildings. She vowed to retrieve what they sought before her unseen adversaries, thereby compelling them to reveal themselves. She proclaimed her ignorance of their identities or whereabouts, only knowing they were malevolent, having endangered her daughter and manipulated her for years.

She vowed to enter Zhang family's ancient buildings to settle these scores, as the Huo family always seeks revenge. Mrs Huo then brought up the Ghost Seal, noting that it had found its way back to its original owners, the Wu family, after being stolen from Xin Yue Restaurant. She stated that with the Yangshi Lei, the Ghost Seal, and Zhang Qiling’s presence, Wu Xie was clearly already deeply involved in the larger scheme.

Wu Xie questioned her meaning, and also took the opportunity to ask about a decades-old photo from the Huo family's old shop, which showed someone identical to him at the Golmud Sanatorium. Mrs Huo cryptically replied that all the answers were in Zhang family's ancient buildings, urging him to see for himself, adding that he was just "one step away from the truth."

However, Zhang Qiling stated that he did not trust Mrs Huo and, pulling Wu Xie along, immediately turned and left. Mrs Huo, undeterred, told her subordinate not to pursue them and announced that they would depart in three days, confident that Zhang Qiling and Wu Xie would eventually join them.

She then subtly accused her subordinate, Xiao Hua, of pretending to cooperate with her while actually trying to help Wu Xie by arranging for him to be part of the expedition. Xiao Hua simply retorted that Wu Xie was already "deeply involved," as Mrs Huo herself had noted. A colossal bill from Xin Yue Restaurant arrived, totaling 260 million, which shocked Wang Pangzi. Xiao Hua revealed he had acted as their guarantor, saving them from immediate trouble.

Wu Xie attempted to settle a past trick by Xiao Hua, but Xiao Hua countered that he had only feigned loyalty to Mrs Huo to extract information to aid them. Wang Pangzi then audaciously asked Xiao Hua to clear their Xin Yue Restaurant debt. Xiao Hua firmly declined, clarifying his role as only a guarantor, and insisted they must repay the money themselves.

He offered to reconsider helping with the debt or extending the guarantee only if Wu Xie agreed to cooperate with the Huo family, otherwise, he would not intervene if Xin Yue Restaurant pursued them. Wu Xie argued against cooperation, citing Zhang Qiling's accurate sixth sense and his distrust of Mrs Huo. Faced with the daunting debt, Wang Pangzi reluctantly concluded that despite their distrust, they had no choice but to go. Xiao Hua, satisfied, confirmed their reluctant agreement.

Xiao Hua then relayed Mrs Huo's expedition plan: two teams, one heading to Banai, the other to Sichuan's Mount Four Ladies. Wang Pangzi, confused, pointed out that Zhang family's ancient buildings was supposedly in Banai. Xiao Hua clarified that the mission was interconnected, and further details would come from Mrs Huo. He then announced that the Huo and Xie families would cover all equipment, expenses, and necessary permits.

Relieved, Wu Xie asked Wang Pangzi to accompany him on an errand to Jin Wan Tang's shop. Wu Xie sought a replacement for Zhang Qiling's Black Gold Sword, lost in Buffalo Trench. Jin Wan Tang displayed various weapons, but Wu Xie found them unsatisfactory, calling them "toys" and unsuitable for his needs, despite having provided a specific drawing. Jin Wan Tang, however, deemed the design impractical and refused to deal in "controlled weapons."

Recalling Xiao Hua's statement about covered expenses and equipment, Wu Xie realized the sword could be considered equipment. They then approached Xiao Hua, who readily provided a fine sword. Wang Pangzi marveled at Xiao Hua's generosity. Wu Xie began carving a mark on the new sword for Zhang Qiling, explaining that "Dragon's Back" was a term his Third Uncle used to refer to Zhang Qiling, implying the Black Gold Sword, and was also a general term for precious items.

Wang Pangzi commented on the sword's quality but noted the carving was rough. As the two teams embarked, Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen endured several days of arduous travel before reaching Mount Four Ladies. Their guide led them to the place where Mrs Huo's contact was supposed to be. Upon arrival, they found the house seemingly empty but for a continuously burning fire.

Wu Xie warned Xie Yuchen to stay away from the fire, explaining it was no ordinary flame; locals called it "Ximi," a sacred fire believed to have been left by the Fire God millennia ago, perpetually burning and demanding reverence lest one face severe consequences. Just then, shouts were heard from outside. Hei Yan Jing, attempting to escape from people he had apparently swindled, was intercepted.

He tried to charm his way out by offering massages, even diagnosing his pursuers with various ailments, while noting their wealth. His pursuers, upon seeing Xiao Hua, seemed to recognize him as influential and, calling him 'rich,' allowed Hei Yan Jing to make his escape. Seizing the opportunity, Hei Yan Jing made his escape, gleefully thanking "kind Master Hua'er" for the implicit rescue.

Xiao Hua, however, quickly reminded Hei Yan Jing to repay the debt of a thousand goats he owed, which Hei Yan Jing admitted he couldn't afford, hence his prior attempts to pay through massage. However, one of Hei Yan Jing's pursuers then announced that the money for the "thousand goats" debt had been transferred, leading Hei Yan Jing to joyfully thank "kind Master Hua'er" for settling his account.

Wu Xie inquired about the large debt, and Hei Yan Jing cryptically blamed "that damned sacred fire." Xie Yuchen then confirmed that Hei Yan Jing was indeed the person Mrs Huo had arranged for them to meet. Hei Yan Jing lamented his losses but cheekily suggested that the payment for this trip should go towards his goat debt, prompting Xiao Hua to retort that he should continue "selling himself" to repay it.

Meanwhile, Zhang Qiling and Wang Pangzi arrived at Uncle Gui's home in Banai, accompanied by Mrs Huo and her granddaughter, Huo Xiuxiu. Huo Xiuxiu asked when they would enter the mountain, and Mrs Huo replied they would rest that day and scout the next. A local warned against entering the mountain due to heavy rains and the risk of mudslides, especially with "young kids" in their group, advising them to wait.

Mrs Huo, however, retorted that some debts had to be settled, even at the cost of lives. Soon after, Cox Hendry's people arrived to visit. Mrs Huo, already annoyed that Cox Hendry had used information about her to gain favor, refused to see him. Cox Hendry's subordinate returned, bringing an intricate gift: a calligraphy piece by Zhao Mengfu titled "The long-lived tortoise."

Mrs Huo's subordinate recognized the piece and noted Cox Hendry's ambition, interpreting the gift's message as an insinuation that even a thousand-year-old tortoise doesn't live long enough for Cox Hendry's desires. Huo Xiuxiu asked her grandmother if she had a relationship with Cox Hendry, to which Mrs Huo replied that the Huo family had some dealings with him when her "Third Mistress" was in charge, though she was young then.

Huo Xiuxiu also mentioned that Wu Xie had told her Cox Hendry was working with him to search the mountain, surprised that he was now seeking Mrs Huo's cooperation. Despite the lavish gift, Mrs Huo declared she didn't trust him and ordered the item returned immediately. Cox Hendry's subordinate reported the refusal. Cox Hendry, undeterred, ordered a "second gift" to be sent, confident she would eventually accept it.

When his subordinate questioned his persistence, Cox Hendry explained his desperate need to cooperate with Mrs Huo. He recounted their arduous journey from Tamutuo to the West Empress Palace, where they suffered significant losses, including Ah Ning's death, without gaining anything. After arriving in Banai, his attempts to cooperate with Wu Xie had been fruitless, as Wu Xie failed to locate Zhang family's ancient buildings and nearly drowned.

Realizing Mrs Huo was his only viable option, Cox Hendry admitted he had deliberately leaked information to Wu Xie to lure Mrs Huo to Banai. He then instructed his subordinate to continue presenting gifts to her.

Episode 32 Recap

Following their prior arrangements, Mrs Huo had tasked Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen with a crucial mission to Mount Four Ladies, where they were to rendezvous with Hei Yan Jing. Without delay, the trio set off. As they reached the designated cliff, described by Mrs Huo as treacherous and riddled with numerous cave openings, they were taken aback by its sheer height and steepness.

Wu Xie wondered how they would find the specific cave marked on their map among the countless openings. Hei Yan Jing offered to climb, even mentioning his debt to Xie Yuchen, but Xie Yuchen, known for his agility from childhood training, effortlessly ascended the cliff without any climbing equipment. Once at the summit, he secured a rope, allowing Wu Xie and Hei Yan Jing to follow.

However, their initial relief was short-lived, as they realized the sheer number of caves, questioning how they would locate the specific one marked on their map. Back in Banai, Cox Hendry's second gift was delivered to Mrs Huo. Upon opening the box, her serene expression immediately turned cold. After a moment, she announced that she would leave marks along the way for Hendry's people to follow.

The gift was a story from the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars, "Lying on Ice to Catch Carp," depicting Wang Xiang's dedication to his mother. Mrs Huo recognized Hendry's cynical move; he knew about her deep concern for her daughter and deliberately sought to provoke her emotions. She realized that Hendry had been planning this for a long time, anticipating her arrival in Banai, even before he informed Wu Xie about her connection to the Yellow Silk.

Given that Hendry had already provided them with the Yangjiao Mountain scans and other tools, Mrs Huo decided there was no reason to delay their expedition. As Mrs Huo's team prepared to enter the mountain, Zhang meticulously checked the area and identified the main entrance.

Mrs Huo remained at the base camp, awaiting news from Mount Four Ladies, while Huo Xiuxiu was included in the expedition team at Wang Fatty's insistence, as he believed the team needed a representative from the Huo family for their "stake" in the venture. Cox Hendry, having provided the Yangjiao Mountain scans, decided to hold back, believing he had already offered significant assistance and would wait for Mrs Huo's team to make a discovery before proceeding further.

Meanwhile, Wu Xie's team at Mount Four Ladies established several "nests" on the cliff face for temporary lodging, deciding to stay there for a few days to observe. Xie Yuchen explained that these unique structures, invented by a Finnish photographer, were incredibly sturdy, capable of withstanding many times a human's weight, making them safe even against strong winds or earthquakes, provided the anchor points were secured to stable rock formations.

However, while Xie Yuchen was confidently explaining the nest's resilience, his sharp eyes noticed that one of the ropes supporting Wu Xie's nest had come loose. Before Wu Xie could react, he nearly plummeted from the cliff. Fortunately, Hei Yan Jing, with lightning-fast reflexes, managed to grab Wu Xie's hand, averting disaster. After the close call, Xie Yuchen was furious, vowing to severely punish the crew responsible for constructing the nests if such an incident occurred again.

Inside the mountain, Zhang and Wang Fatty led the Huo family's personnel. To protect against the Mi Luo Tuo, they donned clothes treated with strong alkali. They soon discovered the bodies of Cox Hendry's men, explaining his willingness to hand over the maps—his operation had already met with setbacks. As they advanced, they encountered signs of the Mi Luo Tuo. According to their plan, they sprayed large amounts of alkali onto the cave walls.

To their dismay, someone had tampered with the alkali, adding a significant amount of sulfuric acid. The two men responsible for spraying the mixture tragically died, caught in the unexpected violent reaction that generated immense heat. Worse still, the Mi Luo Tuo noticed the expedition team and launched an attack. With no time to spare, Wang Fatty grabbed an alkali tank and sprayed, fighting back the creatures.

In the aftermath, his arm was severely burned by the sulfuric acid, leaving him in excruciating pain. After enduring the perilous ordeal, Wang Fatty woke up to find Huo Xiuxiu informing him that the Mi Luo Tuo, as expected, were afraid of alkali and many had been neutralized. They had entered their current location through a fissure created by the alkali, which had since sealed itself, with Zhang Qiling now guarding its entrance.

To avoid detection by any remaining Mi Luo Tuo, Wang Fatty, despite his injuries and fatigue, urged the team to press on, also noting the dwindling alkali supply and the rising temperature. However, they soon encountered another dead end, finding themselves in what appeared to be a vast labyrinth. Zhang carefully examined the nearby cave walls and identified a specific spot. Huo family members used alkali spray, and moments later, two paths emerged.

For safety, Wang Fatty and Zhang decided to scout ahead. Huo Xiuxiu, concerned about Wang Fatty's injury, joined them. As they cautiously proceeded, they encountered Cox Hendry's team members. These foreign explorers explained that they had been attacked while mapping the mountain and were forced to retreat. Based on their description of the attacker—a single individual, as skilled as Zhang—Wang Fatty identified him as "sloped shoulders."

With the latest survey map obtained from these foreign explorers, Zhang decided to follow its guidance and explore the paths it indicated. Meanwhile, back at the cliff, after their narrow escape, Wu Xie, Xie Yuchen, and Hei Yan Jing stumbled into a peculiar cave. Inside, they found a piece of ancient armor that had clearly been worn before.

Xie Yuchen noted that the cave walls, surprisingly constructed from stone and what appeared to be cement, could be dug open, suggesting this might be their target location. Begrudgingly, Hei Yan Jing began to dig at Xie Yuchen's insistence, after some negotiation about his substantial debt to Xie Yuchen for such physical labor. As he dug, he noticed the "cement" was red.

He realized it wasn't cement at all, but a bizarre mixture of blood, continuously seeping from within the wall. He explained that the blood was unoxidized due to a lack of oxygen inside the sealed space, indicating that its color hadn't faded. As they dug deeper, they uncovered piles of corpses, their poses suggesting they had been desperately trying to claw their way out before being sealed within.

Xie Yuchen theorized that many people had been alive when they were sealed by the cement poured from the outside, a method he knew was severe, something he would only use as a last resort. He also noted that this method of cement pouring only became common after the 1970s, suggesting that someone came here after the Nine Gates era, and that the traps inside would likely be non-disposable and extremely dangerous.

Episode 33 Recap

Zhang's group, including Fatty, cautiously navigated a dark mountain cave using their flashlights. However, an unseen "Sloping Shoulder" was watching them from the darkness. Zhang suggested taking a break to study the map, and they paused for thirty minutes, urging everyone to stay clear of the rock face due to the known presence of Mi Luo Tuo. Suddenly, numerous Mi Luo Tuo appeared, overwhelming them.

Despite their efforts to fend off the creatures with alkali, they realized the situation was dire. With quick thinking and seamless teamwork, Zhang and Fatty led the group in a swift retreat, narrowly escaping the attacking swarm. On Mount Four Ladies, Wu Xie's team successfully breached a section of the mountain wall, revealing a narrow passage ahead. The path was densely packed with clay pots, eerily similar to those found in Tamutuo.

Within recesses along the passage walls, they discovered scattered bamboo slips, which Xie Yuchen identified as a "cultural corridor" and the probable source of ancient texts once translated by Jin Wan Tang. Wu Xie observed that very few of the pots were broken, prompting him to wonder aloud how the skilled members of the Mystic Nine had managed to pass through such an intricate obstacle.

Hei Yan Jing, exhibiting his usual confident and playful demeanor, volunteered to "check out the situation" and scout ahead, dismissing Wu Xie's concerns about his debt. Although Xie Yuchen expressed concern, given the potential presence of corpse bug kings within the pots, Hei Yan Jing insisted on going alone. A team member then suggested they all go together, but the idea was dismissed.

Hei Yan Jing swiftly traversed the tunnel, reporting back that it was surprisingly shallow and easy to navigate. He playfully demanded a price from Wu Xie to guide him through, before abruptly falling silent. Concerned, Xie Yuchen, worried for Hei Yan Jing's safety, decided to go investigate himself. Xie Yuchen soon reported reaching the end of the passage but found no trace of Hei Yan Jing.

He then described encountering a colossal iron plate, resembling a cymbal, that was mysteriously spinning on its own. Moments later, Xie Yuchen's communication also ceased. Frantic, Wu Xie desperately called out for both Hei Yan Jing and Xiao Hua, before immediately broadcasting an alert via radio, requesting urgent assistance for their missing companions. Unwilling to remain idle, Wu Xie began to carefully traverse the cave wall.

As he moved, he spotted a shadowy figure on the cliff face ahead, moving erratically. Uncertain of its nature, but initially believing it might be Xiao Hua, Wu Xie cautiously attempted to communicate, proposing a non-aggression pact, but the figure remained silent. Upon reaching the massive iron plate that Xie Yuchen had described, Wu Xie knocked on its surface while calling out for Hei Yan Jing and Xiao Hua.

To his surprise, he heard a muffled response from beneath, leading him to believe his companions might be trapped under the rotating structure. Wu Xie, his voice now hoarse from shouting, struggled to pry open the heavy iron plate. Although he found nothing directly beneath it, a figure emerged from the shadowy depths, almost entirely covered in dense, dark hair-like substances. Wu Xie recognized the figure as Xie Yuchen after spotting Xie Yuchen's knife.

Xie Yuchen, despite his bizarre appearance, was able to speak. He immediately warned Wu Xie about the inherent danger of disturbing such mechanisms, explaining that the knocker clearly signaled a trap, and tampering with it could be fatal. Supporting each other, Wu Xie and Xie Yuchen slowly made their way back to the tunnel entrance.

Xie Yuchen explained that when he first entered, the iron plate had been open, and he had descended into a hidden space beneath it, believing Hei Yan Jing was there. However, he abruptly lost his voice before he could warn Wu Xie, forcing him to resurface and close the plate. Xie Yuchen reassured Wu Xie that Hei Yan Jing was safe, but revealed a perplexing message from him that ambiguously asked them both to "find me" and "don't find me."

Xie Yuchen then reasoned that if he could manage the situation below, Hei Yan Jing could too, and their current injured state would render them unhelpful anyway. Explaining his unusual appearance, Xie Yuchen clarified that the hair-like substances were hyphae, which had attached to him upon entering and became highly active when exposed to his blood, completely enveloping him.

He also mentioned discovering an iron suit, which had Hei Yan Jing’s name engraved on it, and was about to put it on when Wu Xie arrived. Xie Yuchen further warned that the air beneath the iron plate was hazardous and would require a ventilator. He then revealed a striking discovery: Wu Xie's blood possessed a unique property, causing the hyphae to recoil and not take root on his body.

Xie Yuchen attributed this to Wu Xie having consumed Qilin Blood, making his blood similar to Zhang's, which repels dangerous creatures. He concluded that Old Mrs Huo had made a remarkably insightful decision in assigning Wu Xie to their team. As Xie Yuchen continued to remove the remaining hyphae from Wu Xie’s minor wounds, he playfully chided Wu Xie for his low pain tolerance. Meanwhile, Zhang and Fatty's group arrived at a cliff with a rope bridge.

Lao Gao, consulting their map, assured them a passage lay behind a large wall on the opposite side. Faced with an ancient, unstable rope bridge, the group debated how to cross. Huo Xiuxiu proposed that each sub-team send one member, on the condition that the chosen person must be from the Huo family and obey her instructions. Fatty Huo, declaring himself suitable, readily volunteered. Despite Lao Gao's assurances about the rope's fire resistance, the crossing proved treacherous.

Midway across, they spotted a stone gate. Fatty inadvertently triggered a mechanism, causing the bridge to erupt in flames, severing their retreat. Simultaneously, Mi Luo Tuo emerged from the stone gate, quickly killing a team member named Jack. Trapped between the inferno and the attacking creatures, Fatty made a desperate leap, saved only by Zhang, who skillfully pulled his safety rope and secured him.

On the other side, Huo Xiuxiu's group battled an increasing number of Mi Luo Tuo, their alkali supplies rapidly dwindling. Just as their situation became dire, Zhang's group successfully crossed the chasm using ropes and joined them. Witnessing the peril, Huo Qi bravely sacrificed himself to cover Huo Xiuxiu's escape. Once everyone was safe, Fatty angrily confronted Lao Gao about his "lousy map."

He pointed out the map's critical flaw: it was two-dimensional, failing to accurately represent the mountain's three-dimensional structure. This meant the stone gate they had encountered earlier was not the true path, leading them into extreme danger. Fatty vehemently stated that had they blindly relied on Lao Gao's "reliable" claims, they would have perished multiple times over. Having found a new route, Zhang and Fatty's group continued their descent, arriving at a chilling and eerie section of Yang Jiao Mountain.

Zhang recognized a symbol on the wall—a circular shape enclosing a square, which he identified as an ancient copper coin, as well as a similar symbol of a square enclosing a circle. A brief argument arose when a member of the Huo family questioned Zhang about a "brother" who had fallen, leading to a quick clarification from Fatty that Zhang had saved him during earlier dangers.

Observing a spiral staircase ahead, Zhang noted its resemblance to the symbols they had just deciphered, interpreting it as the "spiral shape" on the map. Confident that the staircase would lead them to a chamber, possibly the "square" indicated on the map, they began their descent into the cold depths.

Episode 34 Recap

In a frigid underground chamber, large iron chains hung from a slowly rotating device, suspending sacrificial animals such as pigs and cattle upside down. Below, a massive metal plate lay on the ground, filled with strange grooves that were stained with dried blood. Its hollow sound indicated a hidden mechanism underneath, suggesting it could only be opened by a blood sacrifice.

Huo San, a Huo family member with Fatty's group, proposed they draw straws to decide who would provide the blood. However, Fatty vehemently refused, stating that a thick, dense fluid should suffice, and human blood wasn't necessary. Deciding against using their own blood, Fatty’s group opted for an alternative. They sprayed the large metal plate with alkali, then Fatty instructed his team to smash open a section of the mountain wall. This action successfully lured out a Mi Luo Tuo.

Working together, they subdued the creature onto the plate, drenching it with more alkali. As the mechanism engaged, the metal plate slowly opened, revealing a passage leading downwards. Below, they found themselves surrounded by solid rock walls, offering a welcome sense of relief that no strange creatures would emerge from within. Meanwhile, at Mount Four Ladies, Wu Xie’s team received photos from Banai.

Wu Xie examined them closely, noting a striking resemblance between the patterns on the metal plate in the photos and the one before them – they were identical. The photos depicted ancient scenes: a mythical beast called Hou, said to be the ancestor of Qilin and a dragon-eater, being hunted while bound. Other images showed figures without right hands fleeing and a group of people, clearly not Han Chinese, with long swords and distinct headwear, seemingly in ambush.

Wu Xie deduced that one group acted as bait while another hunted the Hou, concluding these images, though potentially misleading if viewed separately, likely depicted a coordinated ritual. Inspired, Wu Xie acquired two sheep and used their blood to seal and open the sacrificial plate at their location. This activated the mechanism, slowly revealing relief carvings on the surrounding walls, which were identical to the patterns seen in the photos.

This confirmed a connection between the two locations, suggesting a "Thousand-Li Lock." While resting in the passage beneath the opened metal plate, Fatty initiated a headcount, only to be alarmed when he counted eleven members, one more than he expected. He then remembered that during the earlier straw-drawing for blood, there were indeed eleven sticks. Suspecting a mole, he decided to test Zhang Qiling with a question only the true Zhang Qiling would know.

Confirmed that Zhang Qiling was real, Fatty turned his attention to Huo Xiuxiu, asking her about their first meeting. When she claimed it was in Tamutuo, Fatty immediately knew she was an impostor, as he had never seen her there. He then tore off her mask, revealing Huo Xiao Yao.

A flashback showed the real Huo Xiuxiu arguing with her Grandma Huo, who had tied her up to prevent her from joining the expedition to the Zhang family's Old Pavilion, asserting it was her fate, not Huo Xiuxiu's. Huo Xiao Yao, now unmasked, explained that Grandma Huo had forced her to impersonate Huo Xiuxiu. This confirmed that Huo Xiao Yao was not the extra person. Suddenly, someone pointed out another unfamiliar figure lurking in a corner—the person with "sloped shoulders."

Before anyone could react, the mysterious figure quickly vanished. Fatty, amused by Huo Xiao Yao's disguise, even admitted it was better than Xiao Hua's. The so-called "Thousand-Li Lock" was deceptively complex, involving using information from one location to unlock mechanisms in the other. Zhang Qiling cautioned that the Zhang family’s Thousand-Li Lock was far from simple.

The photo from Banai showed a metal plate with three holes, which they believed corresponded to three walls in their current location, likely signifying three distinct locks. They considered two methods for solving it: first, aligning their metal plate’s position with the one in Banai, which Zhang Qiling dismissed as unreliable given the absence of real-time communication in ancient times; and second, solving the puzzle from within the mechanism itself.

While trying to decipher the Thousand-Li Lock, Fatty's group discovered what appeared to be a door covered in horse dung, which Zhang Qiling identified as the true gate to the Zhang family’s structure. Huo Xiao Yao took a photo of this discovery and sent it to Wu Xie's team at Mount Four Ladies for their insights.

Wu Xie's team concluded that correctly rotating their iron plate would cause a section of their wall to change, revealing the next answer, which might correspond to the second method of solving the puzzle from within the mechanism itself. Armed with this new information, Wu Xie immediately set about cleaning the sacrificial plate they had at Mount Four Ladies, systematically washing away the old blood with water until the plate reset.

Fully armored, he descended into the mechanism with Xiao Hua. Inside, they found three iron chains, each extending into a separate tunnel and corresponding to one of the three walls, confirming their theory of three distinct mechanisms. The lowest chain, connected to a tunnel behind them, appeared to be the first mechanism. They also observed water wheels, indicating they provided power for the plate's rotation.

Xiao Hua noted that the many fragile pottery jars in their path were identical to those found in the sunken ship in Devil City, implying they contained something dangerous. He also pointed out the heavy stone slabs above, weighing thousands of pounds, which could crush them if they fell. The jars themselves were too thin to step on and seemed glued to the floor.

With no other option, Xiao Hua, known for his agility, carefully moved across the jars by lying on his back. As he painstakingly maneuvered, Wu Xie was horrified to see a tiger keelback slithering out of one of the jars. Before he could react, an unseen assailant, whose identity remained unknown, suddenly attacked Wu Xie.

Episode 35 Recap

Wu Xie desperately restrained the mysterious assailant, dousing him with gasoline before throwing a lit lighter, setting the person ablaze. The figure became a fireball and rolled under the mechanism. Just as this threat was dealt with, a tiger keelback lunged at Wu Xie, and he blacked out. He awoke to Xiao Hua's presence, who informed him of his fortunate escape, as the venomous fang had only grazed his finger, preventing much venom from entering his body.

Wu Xie had been unconscious for about two hours. Xiao Hua remarked on Wu Xie's surprising fighting prowess, while Wu Xie attributed his survival to his good fortune. Xiao Hua then revealed that Wu Xie, in his delirious state, had written down a string of numbers, which Wu Xie initially struggled to recall, guessing things like warning of danger or telling Zhang and Fatty to seek revenge, and even his bank account password.

Xiao Hua then showed him the numbers: "189652802200059." This sequence not only matched a previously uncracked Yellow Silk in Xiao Hua's possession but was also the registration number for Jude Kao's company. Wu Xie expressed confusion, feeling as if another person resided in his mind. Xiao Hua advised him to remember the numbers, believing they might prove significant later. After confirming Wu Xie's ability to move, they prepared to proceed.

Soon after, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua reached what appeared to be the control room for the upper-level mechanism. There, Wu Xie immediately recognized a crypto module made of bronze. He marveled at how only bronze could maintain such integrity and stability over extended periods, recalling a millennia-old bronze tree he had encountered in Qinling that still functioned for rituals.

Wu Xie initially found the module's design peculiar, as it didn't align with the Lei style architecture he was familiar with. He quickly concluded that it was, in fact, a Zhang family design. Xiao Hua confirmed this, explaining that this unique design was the very reason the Zhang family's ancient buildings remained secure despite numerous relocations; he likened it to owning a key that opens the same lock, regardless of how many times one moves.

Wu Xie connected this explanation to the current Zhang family's ancient buildings in Banai. Xiao Hua, noticing Wu Xie's sharp intellect post-recovery, urged him to carefully decipher the password, emphasizing the need for understanding before action. Wu Xie observed numerous thin chains within the control room. He deduced the mechanism operated like an ATM, featuring a reward and punishment system. There were only two outcomes: success led to a reward, while failure resulted in a penalty.

Xiao Hua elaborated that these five chains represented a five-digit password, a permutation of numbers from one to five, resulting in 120 possible combinations, with only one being correct. To decipher it, they devised a plan: number the thin chains, disconnect them from the hidden reward and punishment mechanism, mark the severed ends, and systematically test combinations while recording the sequence of the thin chains' movements.

Wu Xie began by pulling the thick chain in various sequences, and Xiao Hua diligently noted the corresponding movements of the thin chains. After a series of trials, they identified the correct five-digit password: "35421." This sequence was confirmed when it caused the thin chains to move in a distinct pattern: "2, 3, 8, 9, 11." Wu Xie then reconnected the thin chains using carabiners and re-entered the "35421" sequence.

The mechanism successfully engaged, and outside, the relief sculpture transformed, displaying several new, protruding sections that perfectly matched the photographs they held. Wu Xie mused on the Zhang family's elaborate and seemingly overcomplicated security measures for such a straightforward task. Xiao Hua, however, explained that this complexity served to guard against the unpredictability of human nature, echoing his grandfather's timeless adage that the human heart is more fearsome than ghosts or gods.

In Banai, Fatty received the photographs, noting that the new protrusions on the relief sculpture perfectly matched what they had seen. He playfully lamented how Zhang's ancestors had made such simple tasks incredibly complicated. Zhang then soberly informed him that outsiders could not enter the Zhang family's ancient buildings alive, startling Fatty. Despite Fatty's apprehension, Zhang reassured him, stating, "You won't die as I am here." With that, Fatty pressed the protruding sections on the sculpture, and the door opened.

The group proceeded into the corridor, which struck Fatty as unusually quiet. Ahead, they spotted several statues, unmistakably the Hou creatures depicted on the relief. Before they could examine them closely, knee-high flames erupted from the stone slabs in front of the statues, and countless hidden arrows shot forth from the mouths of the Hou. Zhang immediately stepped forward, instructing the others to stay put. Fatty grumbled about Zhang's "watchdogs" attacking them.

Zhang observed that every stone tile in the area seemed to conceal a trap. Zhang, the sole Zhang family member present, quickly deduced that there was a specific path that would not trigger the traps. He took off his shirt, revealing his Qilin tattoo, and drew his black gold blade, confirming that the secret lay in his unique movement technique. He began to move, seemingly guided by the very attacks from the Hou statues.

Fatty observed that the mechanism seemed designed specifically for individuals with Zhang's extraordinary abilities, jokingly suggesting it was merely a way for Zhang family members to display their prowess. Zhang then declared, "I am the real Zhang Qi Ling," as he effortlessly navigated the treacherous path. During this perilous passage, the mysterious individual with "sloped shoulders," who had persistently shadowed them throughout their journey, briefly appeared before disappearing once more.

Back at Mount Four Ladies, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua had reached a corridor leading to the second mechanism, noting that its layout was identical to the first, suggesting they could apply the same password-solving method. They swiftly obtained the new password, which was then sent to Banai. Simultaneously, Fatty's group in Banai received the password and, following the established procedure, pressed the corresponding stones on their relief sculpture, opening the second door.

However, upon entering, they were met with an extremely low temperature and the presence of a large piece of ice jade, prompting them to wonder if they had stumbled into a morgue. Observing the ice jade, Zhang in Banai confirmed it was capable of slowing decomposition, reinforcing their suspicion that the area functioned as a morgue.

He then scattered cinnabar powder into a groove on the ice jade, which astonishingly revealed a Qilin stepping on ghosts — the precise floor plan of the Ghost Seal. Zhang pointed out that the Ghost Seal featured three small, headless ghost figures, and they discovered corresponding gaps on the ice jade. With his unusually long fingers, Zhang inserted them into these gaps, causing the ice jade to open.

What greeted them was a stone slab, used by Zhang family members for transporting bodies, and a newly revealed passage. Zhang, intent on exploring ahead, swiftly entered the passage. Moments later, the passage sealed shut, trapping him within a translucent, amber-like stone. Fatty, terrified, exerted immense effort to smash through the stone, finally succeeding in freeing Zhang.

Having survived the ordeal, Fatty urged his companions to quickly photograph their surroundings and send a message to Wu Xie, emphasizing their dire, freezing conditions. While Zhang's group was dealing with their icy ordeal, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua were waiting at the cave entrance in Mount Four Ladies, enjoying the sunlight. Wu Xie, growing restless, proposed they go search for Hei Yan Jing.

Xiao Hua immediately objected, reminding Wu Xie that Hei Yan Jing had explicitly stated he had his own plans and that Xiao Hua trusted his capabilities, confident he would not encounter trouble. Furthermore, Xiao Hua emphasized Hei Yan Jing's deep and intricate connections with the Mystic Nine, suggesting he possessed as much knowledge of their predicament as they did, if not more.

Noticing Wu Xie's persistent curiosity, Xiao Hua decided to share details from another Yellow Silk he had recently acquired. This one was entirely different from the previous ones; it contained no maps, but rather served as a prologue to an ancient legend. The narrative described how, of all those who sought the secret of longevity, only the Heavenly Queen Mother succeeded.

Emperor Mu of Zhou then sought her out, and the two found themselves drawn to each other, eventually vowing to pursue immortality together. However, Emperor Mu of Zhou ultimately deceived her. While the Heavenly Queen Mother entered the jade meteorite to achieve her eternal state, Emperor Mu of Zhou did not follow. Instead, he devised an alternative method: he fashioned two jade servants, one to encase himself and another for an infant.

His plan was to consume a longevity pill and then, under specific conditions years later, have the jade servants opened, allowing him to be reborn as an infant and thus achieve immortality. Wu Xie found the story outlandish. Xiao Hua elaborated on Emperor Mu of Zhou's character, portraying him as not only terrible but also despicable, as he purposefully spread rumors of longevity to ensure people would find his jade servant at the predetermined time.

This, Xiao Hua deduced, was the reason why the skilled members of the Mystic Nine had been consistently coerced and exploited across generations, becoming tools in the pursuit of longevity. Even when the Mystic Nine attempted to refuse, they were ensnared through temptation or threats, ensuring their families remained entangled. Wu Xie remarked on the irony of these historical figures, given Emperor Mu of Zhou's ultimate failure.

Zhang then added that he had once visited Emperor Lu's Seven Star Palace, where King Shang of Lu attempted to steal Emperor Mu of Zhou's jade servant but was thwarted by Tie Mian Sheng, whom Zhang described as "the oriole behind the mantis stalking the cicada." However, even Tie Mian Sheng ultimately failed. Thus, Zhang concluded, the concept of longevity was, in the end, nothing more than a wishful legend.

Immediately, Fatty's group sent photographs of the new relief to Wu Xie. In Mount Four Ladies, Wu Xie and Xiao Hua, receiving the urgent message, wasted no time and swiftly returned to the mechanism. They noticed the floor tiles of the third mechanism were unusually loose, which Wu Xie found perplexing for ancient Chinese architecture, renowned for its enduring quality due to stringent "Work Accountability" systems. Wu Xie suspected a trap, and his intuition proved correct.

Before they could deliberate further, a deluge of Corpse Bug Kings swarmed out. Despite the sudden onslaught, Wu Xie was determined to acquire the password for Zhang. While fighting the Corpse Bug Kings, he questioned how they emerged since the ceramic pots were intact and the stone strips hadn't fallen. After battling the creatures, they attempted to retrace their steps, only to discover that the passage had inexplicably changed; it was not the way they had just come from.

Confused and disoriented, they were suddenly joined by Hei Yan Jing, who revealed he had arrived through a different passage. He explained that the complex extended beyond the assumed three passages, with each entrance offering three distinct paths, only one of which was correct, the others being decoys that separated like a revolver's cylinder. Hei Yan Jing surmised that their current predicament—being in the wrong passage—was likely due to exceeding an unstated time limit.

Despite the uncertainty, they decided to gamble, reasoning they had at least a fifty percent chance of success. Hei Yan Jing downplayed the risk of encountering more Corpse Bug Kings, casually referring to them as "small animals" he had handled with "gentleness." With a shared resolve, they prepared to confront whatever lay ahead.

Episode 36 Recap

A large number of Corpse Bug Kings rapidly approached, forcing Wu Xie and Xiao Hua to act quickly. At the third mechanism, they frantically deciphered the complex chain sequence, with Wu Xie finally cracking it by trying the reverse order. Just as they secured the necessary information, the mysterious black-haired monster attacked. Hei Yan Jing bravely tackled the creature, dragging it down and jumping with it under the sacrificial plate.

He urged Wu Xie and Xiao Hua to seal the plate, assuring them he would find a way out. Though heartbroken, they complied, sealing the plate and trapping Hei Yan Jing and the monster beneath. With the third photo—capturing the newly deciphered mechanism—transmitted, Mrs. Huo, now at Banai, prepared her team to enter Zhang family's ancient buildings. Her granddaughter, Huo Xiuxiu, having secretly untied herself, confronted Mrs. Huo, demanding to join the perilous expedition.

Huo Xiuxiu even threatened to burn the crucial photo if denied. Mrs. Huo feigned agreement, allowing Huo Xiuxiu to try on an outfit, but then drugged her and had her confined to a wooden house. Huo Xiuxiu later awoke to find a letter from her grandmother, explaining that the path ahead was extremely dangerous and that as the heir to the Huo family, she must remain safe and take care of the family legacy.

Meanwhile, deep within Banai's Yang Jiao Mountain, Fatty's group was shivering from the extreme cold, impatiently awaiting the arrival of Mrs. Huo and the crucial photo. Mrs. Huo soon arrived, personally delivering the photo to Wu Xie. Fatty remarked that the mechanism captured in the photo was cleverly designed and worth studying. With the photo in hand, Zhang's and Fatty's group proceeded into the ancient buildings.

However, back at Four Maidens Mountain, Xie Yuchen, examining the corresponding mechanism, discovered a critical flaw: a stone fragment was stuck, meaning the third mechanism had not fully opened as intended. He immediately sent an urgent message to Banai, warning them that the third photo's information was flawed. Despite his warning, Mrs. Huo's team and Zhang's group, unaware of the error, had already entered the Zhang family's ancient buildings.

Outside, the mysterious "sloped shoulders" figure watched them go in, but did not follow. Seven days passed with no word from Zhang or Fatty. Emerging from the mountain cave, Wu Xie was distraught, blaming himself for potentially sending them flawed information. He worried that if the highly skilled ones could barely escape, those less capable might perish inside.

Xie Yuchen, equally concerned, revealed that Mrs. Huo had gone missing after personally delivering the photo to Banai, and despite police involvement and extensive searches of the mountain, Hei Yan Jing also remained untraceable. Unable to sit idly by, Wu Xie declared his intention to go to Guangxi to search for his friends. Xie Yuchen tried to dissuade him, reminding him that even Zhang couldn't handle such triggers and that they were merely ordinary men against extraordinary forces.

Yet, Wu Xie remained resolute. Accepting Wu Xie's determination, Xie Yuchen agreed to assist, advising him to gather equipment and promising to meet him in Changsha. Upon arriving in Changsha, Wu Xie met Pan Zi, who appeared older and revealed he had sold his car to pay off debts, preventing anyone from speaking ill of Master San.

Pan Zi explained that since Master San's disappearance, many of his former subordinates had abandoned the family business, leaving Pan Zi struggling to maintain the Changsha operations. He had managed to arrange a meeting with a few of the old associates, including a man named Wang Ba Qiu. At the meeting, Wu Xie presented his intention to form a team for the expedition to Guangxi.

However, the associates, including Wang Ba Qiu, were dismissive, questioning Wu Xie's authority and demanding collateral—specifically, the deeds to Master San's house and the Wushanju shops in Hangzhou—before they would consider helping. Pan Zi, enraged by their audacious demands and their disrespect for Master San, fiercely defended the family's assets. A violent altercation ensued, and despite Wu Xie's attempts to mediate, both he and Pan Zi were overpowered, realizing the extent to which Master San's network had deteriorated.

Realizing he couldn't rely on the fragmented former network, Wu Xie decided to seek help from his Uncle Er. He discreetly left a letter for Pan Zi, explaining his departure to Hangzhou to meet Uncle Er, who had agreed to help. Wu Xie expressed his deep concern for Pan Zi, whose body bore the scars of countless past dangers, and decreed that Pan Zi's duty was over, as he could not bear to put him in harm's way again.

In Hangzhou, Xie Yuchen was already waiting for Wu Xie. He reflected on Wu Sansheng's cunning, suggesting that his disappearance was a deliberate "golden cicada escaping its shell" tactic to evade "It," the mysterious entity. Xie Yuchen theorized that as long as either Wu Sansheng or Xie Lian Huan remained alive, the identity of "Uncle San" would persist, keeping them all entangled in the grand scheme.

Wu Xie confessed his feelings of helplessness, believing himself to be an ordinary man who was an easy target for "It." Xie Yuchen then revealed his solution: a meticulously crafted human skin mask that bore a striking resemblance to Wu Sansheng. He explained that "It" was not a single person or organization, but rather the collective embodiment of all those who had pursued immortality throughout history, an omnipresent force that controlled the Mystic Nine.

To combat this entity, Xie Yuchen proposed that Wu Xie must become "Uncle San," taking on his identity to distract "It" and execute the next phase of the plan. Wu Xie reflected on his own life, realizing that his childhood had been carefully orchestrated, from learning specific calligraphy to accompanying Master San on dangerous expeditions, all seemingly to groom him as a replacement. He understood that being a replacement might be another form of immortality—the immortality of an new identity.

Accepting this daunting new mission, Wu Xie put on the mask, aware that it could only be worn for a maximum of four weeks before becoming permanently affixed. He knew that the secrets of immortality, of Zhang, and of the entire Mystic Nine lay hidden within Zhang family's ancient buildings. Despite the profound loneliness he felt, with Zhang, Fatty, and Mrs. Huo missing, and Master San and Hei Yan Jing's fates unknown, Wu Xie resolved that he could not stop. He committed to continue his chosen path, determined to bring everyone home.