Ultimate Note Episode 16 Recap
> Ultimate Note 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.
