The Untamed Episode 28 Recap
> The Untamed Recap
Jiang Cheng confronted Wei Wuxian in the Burial Mounds, questioning his attempt to restore Wen Ning, whom he saw as no different from a puppet. Sensing Jiang Cheng’s unasked question about the Yin Iron, Wei Wuxian asked if he too suspected him of using it to forge the Stygian Tiger Amulet.
Wei Wuxian then admitted the difficulty of restoring Wen Ning's consciousness but explained with grim humor that he had already bragged to Wen Qing that he could save her brother, so he had to see it through to save face. Jiang Cheng, frustrated, revealed he was under immense pressure from the other clans at Jinlin Tower, who were all demanding an explanation for Wei Wuxian's actions.
Wei Wuxian dismissed their demands, asserting that the matter was settled: the overseers had killed Wen Ning, and Wen Ning, in turn, had killed them. As the world believed Wen Ning to be dead, the issue should be closed. Jiang Cheng retorted that it was impossible for the matter to be over, highlighting the many eyes watching Wei Wuxian and his Stygian Tiger Amulet. He warned that even Wei Wuxian’s justified actions would be twisted and used against him.
Jiang Cheng urged that the only way to resolve the situation was to hand over the Wen remnants. Wei Wuxian was aghast, stating that turning them in would be a death sentence. Jiang Cheng desperately argued he could no longer care about their fate. Enraged, Wei Wuxian reminded Jiang Cheng that it was Wen Qing and Wen Ning who had sheltered them when they were hunted by Wen Chao and who had recovered the ashes of their parents.
Jiang Cheng acknowledged their help but insisted the Wen survivors were now public enemies. He warned that no one would defend Wei Wuxian if he protected them. When Wei Wuxian declared he needed no one to speak for him, Jiang Cheng offered to be the villain and drew his sword to kill Wen Ning. Wei Wuxian immediately grabbed the blade with his bare hand, bleeding but refusing to let go. Relenting, Jiang Cheng withdrew his sword.
He painfully explained that to the great clans, Wei Wuxian was an exceptional talent, but if he voiced an opinion different from theirs, he would be branded a heretic. Jiang Cheng confessed that if Wei Wuxian insisted on protecting the Wen remnants, he would be unable to protect him. Resigned, Wei Wuxian told Jiang Cheng to abandon him and declare to the world that he had defected from the Yunmeng Jiang Clan, severing all ties.
In despair, Jiang Cheng accused Wei Wuxian of having a "hero complex" and being a magnet for trouble, just as his mother had always claimed, before challenging him to a formal duel to settle matters and then departing. Afterward, Wei Wuxian settled into a routine with the Wen survivors, cultivating the barren land and caring for everyone, including a young child named Yuan.
Wen Qing, feeling guilty, urged Wei Wuxian to leave them and return to the Jiang Clan, but he firmly refused, vowing to restore Wen Ning's consciousness. That night, a sleepless Jiang Cheng reflected on a comb Wen Qing had returned to him, wondering if he would have been as selfless as Wei Wuxian had she come to him for help first. Meanwhile, in the Burial Mounds, Wen Ning showed signs of consciousness, crying out "It hurts!" to his sister.
As Wen Qing tearfully comforted him, Wei Wuxian played a somber tune on his flute, Chenqing. The next day, Jiang Cheng returned and fiercely dueled Wei Wuxian. Despite lacking his golden core, Wei Wuxian fought back with Chenqing, and the battle ended with both injured. Following the fight, Jiang Cheng publicly announced to all cultivation clans that Wei Wuxian had defected and was formally expelled from the Yunmeng Jiang Clan.
At Jinlin Tower, Jiang Yanli had a haunting dream of Wei Wuxian sailing away on a small boat, never to return. Later, Jin Zixuan found her in a garden and, confessing his deep feelings, promised he would build a new Lotus Cove for her in Lanling. Wei Wuxian eventually returned to the Burial Mounds, injured but smiling as he presented Wen Qing with potatoes and meat, joking that she could finally cook something other than turnips.
He playfully shrugged off her attempts to treat his wounds, insisting he was fine. A month later, rumors about the Yiling Patriarch ran rampant. He was depicted as a terrifying figure who dug up graves, made puppets from corpses, and created the "Ghost General" at Qiongqi Road—a sentient puppet that had killed dozens. He was accused of betraying his clan and injuring Clan Leader Jiang. Hearing these baseless tales in a teahouse, Lan Wangji was visibly angered and left.
Around the same time in Yiling, Wei Wuxian was at a market with Wen Yuan. While haggling over potatoes, he briefly lost sight of the boy and found him clinging to Lan Wangji’s leg, crying. A crowd had gathered, speculating that the stoic Lan Wangji was the boy’s neglectful father. Wei Wuxian happily greeted Lan Wangji and jokingly claimed Wen Yuan as his own son.
After Lan Wangji bought the boy a toy to soothe him, Wei Wuxian explained that Wen Yuan tended to cling to people he liked and had clearly taken a shine to him. He then invited a surprised Lan Wangji to share a meal, insisting it was his treat.
