I Am Nobody Episode 3 Recap
> I Am Nobody Recap
Zhang Chulan found himself inside what was described as the world's foremost scientific research institution, filled with exceptional researchers who were now leading global innovation after years of development, with many countries beginning to learn from them. Xu Xiang, the head of NDT's Lubei Region, introduced himself and explained that NDT was far more than just a courier service, which was merely a side hustle; the research facility was their true form.
Their work involved extensive research into areas such as the universe, time-space, energy, and life, with their core focus being the origin of Outsiders. He revealed that Outsiders could manipulate a unique energy called qi, which allows them to perform abilities beyond normal human capabilities, known as Innate Skills. He explained that their research into qi linked to traditional culture and concepts similar to dark energy, suggesting an interaction between the Observable Universe and the Dark Universe.
The person speaking to Zhang Chulan then told him that he, too, was an Outsider, a fact Zhang Chulan denied, insisting he was just a regular college student with classes to attend. As Zhang Chulan attempted to leave, the person stopped him by saying he knew his grandfather. Hearing this prompted a memory for Zhang Chulan, flashing back several years prior to when he lived with his elderly grandfather in a desolate mountain village.
The Village Director visited, concerned about young Zhang Chulan living alone with his grandfather and suggesting he be sent to a boarding school with teachers and companions. His grandfather, despite being close to ninety, staunchly refused, asserting his strength and ability to care for his only grandson.
Before leaving for a trip, the grandfather taught Zhang Chulan basic survival skills like making fire and cooking, and stressed two crucial rules: never use his martial arts easily, and only employ them for self-preservation. He prepared three pork knuckles, promising to return after Zhang Chulan had finished them. On the third day, having eaten the last knuckle, young Zhang Chulan discovered his grandfather's lifeless body by the door.
Back in the present, emotionally distraught, Zhang Chulan pressed the person he was speaking to (likely Xu Xiang) for details about how his grandfather died, but he stated he couldn't answer that directly, though he could explain how his grandfather acquired his abilities. The narrative shifted to Mount Longhu, where Zhang Lingyu consulted with his Master, Zhang Zhiwei (the Chief Celestial Taoist), about a guest list for an upcoming 2000th-anniversary celebration.
They reviewed an eighty-year-old list, noting many individuals were deceased but confirming two still-living seniors would attend. Zhang Lingyu inquired about a crossed-off name, Zhang Huaiyi, whom he couldn't find information on, but his Master dismissed it. The scene then moved to Mount Wudang, where Wang Ye discussed his experience of being involuntarily drawn into the Inner View with Master Hong.
Wang Ye described seeing a train from the Year of Jiashen carrying a bloodied young man he did not recognize. Master Hong reacted with alarm, referencing the "Jiashen Calamity" and forcefully ordering Wang Ye away. Meanwhile, at NDT, Xu Si interrogated Liu Yanyan, the sole successor of the Liu family in Xiangxi, renowned for Thrall Sorcery, who had joined Sinister Pleasure after her father reported her missing.
Liu Yanyan was defiant, expressing disdain for NDT and claiming she found freedom with Sinister Pleasure. She recounted her upbringing where she was confined to train with only puppets for company until age 15, only to be told to live a normal life without using her abilities afterward, making her feel like a controlled puppet. She criticized organizations like NDT for setting arbitrary rules and warned Xu Si that she would complain about him.
Xu Si countered that arresting her was for her own safety, as Sinister Pleasure operates without rules or principles, leaving its members vulnerable to countless enemies who also operate without restraint against them. Zhang Chulan interrupted the interrogation, confronting Liu Yanyan about her complaints by sharing his own experience of losing family at age ten and living alone without feeling pathetic.
He declared that her association with Sinister Pleasure, the group responsible for stealing his grandfather's body, had ruined his simple wish for an ordinary life. He demanded to know why Sinister Pleasure wanted the body. Xu Si revealed they sought the memory of Zhang Xilin.
He explained that over a decade ago, a large number of elite Outsiders had confronted an individual at Mount Siguniang, resulting in the death of over a dozen experts, including members of Sinister Pleasure, while the individual suffered only severe injuries. Before dying, one of the Sinister Pleasure members identified the individual's power as Qi Apotheosis, one of the Eight Supremes linked to the Jiashen Calamity. Sinister Pleasure's interest was not revenge but coveting this immense power.
Xu Si confirmed that the individual was indeed Zhang Chulan's grandfather, Zhang Xilin. Sometime later, NDT received confirmation that Zhang Xilin's coffin had been found and retrieved. After the body was recovered, Zhang Chulan had a vivid memory of his grandfather urging him to endure and be patient. Distraught, Zhang Chulan was advised by Director Xu not to harm himself but to focus on finding those responsible for hurting him. Zhang Chulan then stated his intention to join NDT.
He began working at NDT Express, learning routine tasks and confirming with a colleague that their jobs were a cover for their roles as Outsider agents between missions. He learned a universal gesture used by Outsiders to recognize one another.
Xu Si later informed him that while his grandfather's body had been returned a few days prior, Sinister Pleasure had just publicly revealed Zhang Chulan's identity online, labeling him a suspected inheritor of Qi Apotheosis and providing his personal details, including his university and workplace. Xu Si reiterated that Qi Apotheosis was one of the Eight Supremes and belonged to his grandfather, warning that Zhang Chulan's exposure would now attract the attention of the entire Outsider world.
Meanwhile, at Mount Longhu, the Chief Celestial Taoist Zhang Zhiwei and Tian Jinzhong drank together. Tian Jinzhong, in delicate health, spoke of their adherence to their Master's teachings and toasted Zhang Huaiyi, revealing that Zhang Huaiyi had gone into hiding for many years under the alias Zhang Xilin and had a grandson named Zhang Chulan. Zhang Zhiwei instructed Zhang Lingyu to travel to Xinpu City to find someone and test their qualification to inherit the Tianshidu.
While working at NDT, Zhang Chulan was approached by Liao Zhong, the head of the Lunan Region, who directly asked if he possessed the Qi Apotheosis. Zhang Chulan denied it, arguing that if he did, he wouldn't have been captured by Sinister Pleasure, nor would his grandfather have spent years hiding.
Liao Zhong insisted Zhang Xilin was extremely powerful and presented investigation details of the Mount Siguniang incident, accusing Zhang Xilin of being the murderer responsible for over a dozen deaths and calling him a scoundrel who had been hiding from his enemies and NDT. Zhang Chulan countered by pointing out the significant geographical distance and time gap between the incident and his grandfather's death, arguing his grandfather couldn't have been involved.
Liao Zhong dismissed his arguments, presenting investigation copies and stating that regardless of Zhang Chulan's personal view, his grandfather was viewed in the Outsider world as a violent criminal. Elsewhere, Xu Si discussed findings regarding Zhang Xilin. He confirmed Zhang Xilin was a fake identity and, based on clues found on puppets Zhang Chulan had recently defeated, confirmed Zhang Xilin had taught Zhang Chulan the Gold Brilliance Spell, a secret technique of the Celestial Master Mansion of Mount Longhu.
Xu Si concluded that Zhang Xilin must have deep ties to Mount Longhu and was likely considered a traitor for externalizing the skill. He noted that with Sinister Pleasure publicly identifying Zhang Chulan as the suspected inheritor of Qi Apotheosis, he had become a target sought after by various Outsider powers, including the Celestial Master Mansion and The All-Encompassing Guild.
The confrontation escalated at NDT when a group of Outsiders seeking Zhang Chulan were interrupted by three Taoists from Mount Longhu—Jiyun, Yexing, and their Martial Uncle, Zhang Lingyu—who arrived to take Zhang Chulan on their Master's orders. The initial group of Outsiders yielded to the Taoists. The Taoists initially underestimated Zhang Chulan, but after Jiyun and Yexing's attempts to provoke him failed, Zhang Lingyu stepped forward.
Zhang Lingyu, expressing confusion as to why his Master would be interested in Zhang Chulan, engaged him. Zhang Lingyu used the Gold Brilliance Spell. To his astonishment, Zhang Chulan defended himself using the same technique.
Recognizing the skill, Zhang Lingyu identified it as the Gold Brilliance Spell of Mount Longhu and demanded to know Zhang Chulan's identity and his grandfather's, ordering them to come to Mount Longhu to apologize for his grandfather's betrayal in teaching the sacred art outside the sect. He insultingly called Zhang Chulan despicable like his grandfather, implying a shared vileness.
This accusation against his grandfather deeply angered Zhang Chulan, who furiously denied the charge, shouting that Zhang Lingyu's family were the traitors, and retaliated. Zhang Lingyu struck back forcefully, leading his disciples to express concern that he had hit Zhang Chulan too hard.
