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Ultimate Note

Episode 5

What's the origin of the King Shibie?

I've only seen them twice.

The first time was at the Seven Star Palace.

At that time,

it also flew out from a skull.

It only took one

to jeopardise all our lives.

Though we finally managed to kill it,

we didn't expect

more Shibie insects to show up.

We escaped the palace by the skins of our teeth.

I've never seen such a big swarm

until today.

Is there any connection between the King Shibie

and the Heavenly Queen Mother?

I think so.

I think the ghost jar is used

to breed the King Shibie.

The Queen Mother uses it as a biological weapon

to rule the western region.

I don't think these bugs

are only used as weapons.

What do you mean?

Everything is still just a guess.

We can only find the answers at the Palace of the Heavenly Queen Mother.

We took the wrong way just now.

I don't remember this path.

But I noticed the direction of the sun as we walked.

We're probably heading

north-north-east.

We don't know our current location.

So we can only head this way.

If we're lucky, we might just make it out of here.

If we're not...

We'll leave it to fate.

Who knows what else lurks

in the Devil City.

Luckily it's cloudy.

We're not even properly equipped.

We'd definitely be dehydrated if the sun is out.

The temperature here is extreme.

The weather is also unpredictable.

It's best to leave this place before night falls.

Otherwise,

we'll die here.

We only have six hours.

I think we're on the right track.

Let's go on.

Hyphae?

That's a type of fungus.

which means we have something to eat later.

Stop joking around.

Do you hear anything?

Of course.

I'm a blind man.

This thing has been following us all day.

Not human?

Definitely not.

Humans don't glide.

What is it then?

A huge mushroom.

I heard there's a type of fungus

that feeds on petroleum.

It also discharges

silk-like filaments.

Theoretically, it shouldn't be too big.

But think about it,

it has been here for 70 to 80 years.

Who knows how big it is now.

Does it attack people?

No, it doesn't.

But it's instinctively clingy.

Isn't that even more terrifying?

Yes, indeed.

With these hyphae,

we're pretty much doomed.

So many people died here.

They must have disturbed the Shibie nest.

I think Wu Xie went out.

He left so suddenly.

He must have not brought any supplies.

We must find him quick.

Where should we search?

Nobody leaves marks nowadays.

Back then, the guide said

the Devil City is about 80 square kilometres wide.

We must find Wu Xie

no matter what.

-Okay. -Let's go.

Look at this guy.

I thought he's not worried about Wu Xie.

Apparently, it was all talk.

How long have we been walking?

Almost four hours.

Assuming we walk five kilometres an hour,

We would've walked about 20 kilometres.

We must have walked more than 20 kilometres.

Tashi mentioned before

that this Devil City

is about 80 square kilometres.

Even if we're unlucky,

we should get out in three days

if we just walk in one direction.

We "should?"

That's the kind of thinking

that gets you killed.

My vitals are declining.

Please don't scare me.

I'm not scaring you.

Without physical activity,

a person can survive for three days without water.

But now, we're too exhausted.

We won't make it through the night.

I can do without water.

I can drink urine.

But in your case...

I'll live long after you're dead.

Because I can eat you.

I told you not to scare me!

I'm not scaring you.

If push comes to shove,

I won't hesitate to do so.

Blood can replenish water

and meat can replenish energy.

Also, I'm warning you.

The Devil City has a unique geological structure.

If you go around digging for plants

just to fill your empty stomach,

it can cause a huge landslide.

Then, we'll be dead.

I don't want to die with you.

Let's get going.

I hope we're not lost.

Do you think I want to follow you?

You're more terrifying than the Devil City!

What's that?

Gerbil.

That's good news.

Yes.

If a gerbil can come in through a gap,

it means we can also get out.

That's right.

Wait,

you mean you can squeeze through the gerbil hole?

After you get out,

you should learn contortion.

Only kids can do that.

It's too late for me.

The path of the gerbil hole looks irregular.

It's a desert above us.

There's no place that is wet here.

How are we supposed to dig?

Are you crazy? Why are you messing with it?

I just want to study it.

You're too quick. I can't even get a glimpse of it.

Hurry up.

If we don't leave,

we'll be hung and air-dried by these things.

How?

With your help.

It's almost dark.

It's dark.

It's getting chilly.

You're out of sweat.

Here,

take this.

You still have water?

Why are you giving me this when there's no water?

While you're alive,

I should collect your sweat

for later use.

Are you even human?

If we don't think of something,

neither of us would be human for much longer.

You want to kill me, right?

Fine,

pass my message

to Zhang,

Fatty

and my uncle.

Your hands were shaking just now.

The convulsion is obviously due to heatstroke.

I hit you to stimulate your muscles

so you won't die from seizures.

Leave your last words for another time

to avoid the embarrassment.

We've been walking for ages.

These rocks

and this fork

look familiar.

Did you leave marks along the way?

We can't turn back.

It's the same.

The picture.

We've been bamboozled by this city.

What do you mean?

Pan Zi, look.

Both paths at the fork

have rocks.

One path has more rocks than the other.

The path with less rocks

looks easier to traverse.

So people tend to choose it.

It's the same everywhere.

Subconsciously,

one will take the path with lesser rocks.

It may seem we're the ones who choose the path,

but the direction

has already been decided by others.

I remember

we took three paths with more rocks.

Master Pan has a really good memory.

But here's the strange thing.

Even though we sometimes chose the path with more rocks,

we still ended up on the path with less rocks.

As if guided by the city itself.

Here on out,

we'll stick to paths with more rocks.

Wait,

it looks like

it's going to be dark soon.

And cold.

Let's set up a camp here.

We'll move out when it's light.

Okay.

I didn't expect the temperature difference to be this huge.

Take it off.

No way.

My clothes have been wet since day time.

And now it's cold.

If I take them off, I'll freeze to death.

Wearing wet clothes at night

is practically suicide.

What are you thinking about?

I was thinking

we could get out of here

if we continue walking.

And if we fail,

we'll die from dehydration.

I don't even know

if I'll live to see tomorrow.

We'll probably die tomorrow.

Are you ready to give up?

Can you not ask such difficult questions?

Survival and death

is a philosophical question.

Can't I think about it occasionally?

Other than wasting

time on these questions,

think about how to get through the night.

We should conserve our energy.

Let's hide from the wind in this hollow.

Let's use these rocks

to build a barrier.

Good.

A little exercise will keep me warm.

The rocks you carry

shouldn't be more than half of your body weight.

Otherwise, you'll strain yourself.

It's not worth it.

Half my body weight?

You think too highly of me.

Are you sure this method works?

There's no other way.

I know my hearing is good,

but are you sure you want me

to listen to the wind?

That's better than

being wrapped by hyphae alive.

That's true.

But

this concerns both our...

-Both our what? -Quiet.

Listen.

What is it?

Come over this side.

Can you hear it?

Come over a little if you can't hear it.

So? Can you hear it?

-No. -Then move over here a little.

Come, it's here.

Come over and listen.

You can hear the wind.

Here it is.

All pipes have a connection point,

let alone those from the Republic.

The gerbil must have come in through it.

Alright,

let's blast it.

By the way,

I will throw the detonator into the pipe over there.

Once it explodes,

the cracks in the pipe should open up,

and the quicksand will flow in.

I'll climb up the slope towards where the sand is falling

and pull you up.

The only problem is,

we must hurry

because this is a petroleum pipeline.

Before the explosion hits this side,

you must climb up.

You've already planned it so well,

what else can I say?

Then hurry up.

Since I'm a kind person,

I'll definitely make you

a plate of capsicum meat strips fried rice

without the capsicum if we get out of here safely.

Hurry up.

It feels much warmer now.

Why did you build it so far apart?

Don't we need a big space for two people to sleep in?

The rock barrier is to keep the heat in.

What's the difference between having such a large space

and the open air?

I see. Give me a few minutes.

I'll do it over again.

Hurry up.

Your hearing is pretty good.

It can really crack a hole.

There's no quicksand. Now what?

Hurry!

I'll give you a boost.

Hurry!

What's wrong?

What kind of method are you using to stop spasm this time?

You want to kill me, right?

May as well do it.

But you must live

for both of us.

I really wanted

to kill you just now.

Without water and food,

we can't survive for two days.

Then, why didn't you make your move?

If it was in the past,

I wouldn't show any mercy

in order to survive.

You've changed.

Stop your nonsense.

Let's get going.

It's as if the Devil City is cursed.

What are you doing?

If someone is searching for us,

this may be our hope.

At least

they can find our bodies.

This mark

is pretty expensive.

It's as if you're putting a gold brick here.

This is worth our lives,

which are priceless.

Hopefully,

it doesn't point

to the direction of our resting place.

What are you doing?

Since last night,

everything before my eyes is spinning.

Even my hand

is spinning now.

I just want to see

whether it's my hand

or the ground that's spinning.

You're just

dizzy.

Not necessarily.

No one knows what lurks

in the Devil City.

Are you starting to confuse

the possible

with the impossible?

Yes.

Was I flying?

I really felt

as if I was flying.

That's because you're exhausted

and you can't feel your legs.

I'll enjoy the scenery then.

Look.

The sun sure is big today.

I hope it'll rain.

Did you know every culture

has a rain-making dance?

Why not give it a try?

Why didn't you defend yourself

when I tried to kill you just now?

After bickering with you,

I've grown attached.

But you,

why are you always so rational?

This is a normal response from the computer program.

That's right.

You're a robot.

That makes sense.

Why do you have the energy

to talk so much

but none for walking?

I'd pass out if I don't talk.

You'd better

use another way to stay conscious.

You'll only

tire yourself out this way.

If we can see the Gobi Desert

after that rocky mountain,

I'll immediately...

Ah Ning?

Ah Ning?

We must hurry.

Jeez,

stop rushing.

I'm fed up with these rocks.

These lousy rocks.

Wait a minute.

A Dangshi Copper Coin?

People have been here since the Qing Dynasty?

Nonsense.

It looks so clean.

How could it be from the Qing Dynasty?

You have a point.

I should take a good look at it.

Interesting,

you know that this coin is valuable too?

It's going to rain.

We must hurry then.

Another Dangshi Copper Coin.

I'm going to be rich.

Could this be used

by somebody for marking?

Who would use something valuable for marking?

In all my years of adventuring...

It's Ah Ning.

Over here.

These coins belonged to Ah Ning's collection.

Wu Xie must be with Ah Ning.

Unless she's desperate,

she wouldn't use such a valuable item for marking.

We must find them quickly.

It's too cold.

Are you a person or something else?

I'm a person.

A live or dead person?

I'm a live person.

Then, why did you

lie on the sand for no reason?

I just want to dig

some cactus for us to eat.

Why didn't you move when I kicked you?

I saw you walking over

and wanted to scare you.

I think

you're trying to run off with the money.

Otherwise, those things won't be there.

I was being kind.

I was afraid you won't be able to find me when you wake up.

So I came here.

Is this okay?

Should we squeeze together

like real pals?

Zhang,

come closer.

Fatty, this won't do.

It's obviously fake if Wu Xie's head is placed that way.

You're so troublesome.

Zhang, make a sign.

Your fingers.

Two of them.

That's it.

Ready.

Three,

two,

one.

Am I dead?

Yes, you're dead.

We're reunited in hell.

Hit yourself if you don't believe me.

Why didn't you hit him?

I'm no match for him.

He was awake the whole time.

Pan Zi.

Wu Xie.

You don't have to say anything.

It's my uncle's doing.

So, you've heard what we said.

I've been awake for some time.

I was just too lazy to move.

Wu Xie isn't as innocent as he used to be.

He's being naughty now.

Do you know where your uncle is heading?

He's going to Tamutuo in search of the Queen Mother's Palace.

It's because of Chen Wen Jin, right?

The things they're seeking

are the same.

This kid knows quite a lot.

I know a certain fatty

who received a phone call

after I finished watching a video.

A big job, he said.

Turns out the job

was to run away with my uncle.

Look,

chill out.

Your uncle made me an offer

I couldn't refuse.

Of course I was tempted.

Besides you,

even Zhang

and Mr Black

went over to Ah Ning's side.

Everybody has a cut

or two.

I'm the only one

who comes here

without any monetary gains!

I feel ripped off.

Calm down.

Don't be mad.

Okay,

since we've found Wu Xie,

we should head back.

I'm not going back

until we set things straight.

I'm not going back to be fooled by my sly uncle again.

Besides,

I'm sure Zhang has some questions.

Throughout our journey,

from the Seven Star Palace

to the Paracel Island

to the Cloud Top Palace,

aren't we searching for the same things?

Including the Mystic Nine.

All these years,

we had the same goal.

We're searching for the same things

as our elders.

Third Uncle,

Huo Ling, Chen Wen Jin.

Didn't their archaeological team

walk down this path too?

We're getting close to the truth.

I must know the truth.

The Mystic Nine is in the past,

it has nothing to do with you.

Why not?

I saw my doppelganger

in the Paracel Islands.

There's even a footage of me crawling on the floor.

How do you explain that?

She's also searching

for something, isn't she?

It's my boss,

Cox Hendry, who's searching.

He has to find it.

Or else he'll die of old age.

I saved you.

But no need to thank me.

I've already received my commission.

String them together

and don't lose them.

Buy seven free one.

There's even a free gift.

Not bad.

Since everyone is searching for the same thing,

do you want to split up

or join forces?

Ms Ah Ning,

are you telling us

you want to search with us?

Don't worry,

I understand.

We can divide the spoils

once we find it.

It's a team effort, after all.

Since we're going to search together,

why not share information?

Information?

The tape.

Didn't you give the tape to Wu Xie?

Since we're working together,

don't pretend to be ignorant.

You've seen

what we've been through

since Paracel Island.

I only have fragments of the clues.

To be precise,

those aren't clues

but orders.

My boss told me

the tape would lead me to the porcelain plate

and the Queen Mother's Palace.

Madam Dolma is our only clue.

Only she knows how to enter.

Then where is she?

We got separated.

But time is of the essence.

We're running out of time.

If we miss it,

we'll have to wait five years.

So we must enter the Devil City

to find the Queen Mother's Palace.

Ah Ning,

you received a tape

and so did I.

But there's three of them.

Who has the third one?

How did you know there are three tapes?

That's because I have Chen Wen Jin's notes.

Notebook

Wait a minute.

The situation has changed.

The information we have is more useful than yours.

The coins

aren't enough.

Wu Xie, you...

You know nothing about business.

I've gone through the whole thing.

There's just one thing I don't get.

What is it?

"It."

Here, have this.

We're out of packed lunch?

You bet.

You demolished the last one.

Just think of it

as fried rice.

By the way,

what's your name?

Just call me Black.

Come on, you expect me

to call you Black?

What's your real name?

It's an ugly name.

I can't say it.

Then write it down.

I guess I'll just call you Shades

or Black next time.

The tapes were their last

security measure.

When the tapes are sent out,

it means the person who safeguards the tapes

has lost contact with me.

Either

I'm already dead

or "it" has

already found me.

Or maybe

"it" has already found her.

They?

"It?"

Wu Xie,

I'm confused.

It's complicated.

But there seems to be a huge secret

associated with "it".

Not even Chen Wen Jin and his team could figure it out

after so many years.

Let alone us, in such a short time.

We should take one step at a time.

The problem now is,

how do we get out?

I noticed something a long time ago.

Do you realise,

this is no longer the original Devil City?

It's not the original one?

We're in an elaborate system of yardangs.

It's made up of over ten little Devil Cities.

Smack in the middle is the Gobi.

This Devil City connects

through the rocky mountains

to other Devil Cities,

forming a huge chain

of Devil Cities.

You're saying

we've been following this chain...

Or,

we've been misled all along.

Wu Xie is indeed clever.

There are many rocks in Devil City.

They may look messy.

But they're meticulously placed.

For example,

after climbing over a mountain,

there will be a path with more rocks

and a path with less rocks.

I get it now.

When you don't know

where to go,

your subconscious mind

will tell you

to take the path with less rocks.

Correct.

Besides,

almost every path looks the same.

If you take a wrong path,

the odds are you'll end up where you started.

This phenomena is nothing new.

Some obscure guy from ancient times

even gave it a name,

which is

Qimen Dunjia.

These rocks seem very old.

This must've been a battlefield.

The Heavenly Queen Mother, adept in divination,

must've used the rock formation for defence.

Chen Wen Jin's note mentioned

that the Queen Mother's kingdom

was protected by an invisible wall.

You may not see it,

but when you approach it,

you'll be deterred.

This place must be flooded

thousands of years ago,

which means a water belt

encircled the area

like a moat.

If this water belt

is the invisible wall,

then the Queen Mother's Palace should be inside.

In other words,

the centre of the Devil City.

According to Madam Dolma,

if we walk westward

along the riverbed for two days,

we'll reach the rocky mountain pass where she lost

Chen Wen Jin and his team.

Madam Dolma doesn't know

what lies beyond that.

We should wait for Master San's team

and walk downstream.

The ancient city must be nearby the river channel.

That was the route taken by the team back then.

We can try our luck the same way.

But if the ancient river reaches this area,

it's basically connected to the Gobi Desert.

We can't even see it up close.

There's no need for you...

Is it going to rain?

But this is the Gobi Desert.

It hardly rains here.

It's almost time.

Madam Dolma said

if we miss this chance,

we'll have to wait five years.

She was probably referring to the rain.

It's raining intermittently

all over the place.

It can only mean one bad thing.

-The Devil City covers a huge area. -Yes.

Besides, we haven't heard from Wu San Xing

for quite some time.

This is not a good sign.

We fell down the oil pipeline

by accident.

Wu San Xing's directions

can't be wrong.

What if he changed his mind

and went home?

And here we are going after him like a fool.

No.

Wu San Xing has to find the Queen Mother's Palace.

Look around us.

The rocky paths look mighty strange.

Must be the Qimen Dunjia.

There are different kinds of Qimen Dunjia.

We must first identify which one it is.

Okay.

We can take the opposite way.

This place looks a little different.

Why do I feel there's something

in this rock?

There's a sheen to it.

It's a fossil!

This is going to be worth it.

Even if we can't find the Palace,

a fossil is still worth it.

It's a good idea to excavate and study it.

It might help us get out of here.

-What's wrong? -What rotten luck.

What's wrong, Fatty?

Is the fossil in bad shape?

It's too good actually.

See for yourself.

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