Ultimate Note Episode 18 Recap
> Ultimate Note 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.
