The Untamed Episode 3 Recap
> The Untamed Recap
Sixteen years ago, Wei Wuxian, along with Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng, embarked on a journey to the Cloud Recesses of the Gusu Lan clan for their studies. Along the way, they stopped in Caiyi town, hoping to rest at an inn. To their dismay, the entire inn had been booked by the Jin clan of Lanling. With Wei Wuxian's clever persuasion of a servant girl named Mianmian, they managed to secure a few rooms.
Soon after, Jin Zixuan, the youngest Childe of the Jin clan, arrived with a large retinue. Flaunting his wealth and status, his attendants rudely demanded that Wei Wuxian and his companions vacate their rooms, declaring that Jin Zixuan did not wish to share the space with "random folks." Wei Wuxian retorted by sarcastically questioning Jin Zixuan's ability to withstand the austere rules of the Lan clan given his excessive display.
Jiang Yanli, ever gentle, decided to avoid conflict and opted to leave. In their hasty departure, they inadvertently left their Gusu Lan clan invitation behind. Without the invitation, entry to the Lan clan's mountain gate was denied. The gatekeeper, adhering strictly to the rules, informed them that without proper identification, they could not enter, suggesting they wait until his shift change later that evening. As the sun began to set, Lan Wangji, the Second Childe of the Lan clan, returned.
His attendants carried in a strange, lifeless body covered in eerie red cracks. Jiang Cheng, recognizing Lan Wangji as one of the Twin Jades of Lan, introduced his party and requested an exception due to their lost invitation. However, Lan Wangji remained unyielding, reiterating, "No invitation, no entry." When Wei Wuxian persisted, complaining about the rigidity, Lan Wangji silenced him with a charm.
Despite Jiang Cheng’s frustration, Jiang Yanli calmed him, expressing her faith that Wei Wuxian would succeed, affirming his seriousness in important matters. Later that night, Wei Wuxian, having retrieved the invitation and acquired two jars of Emperor’s Smile wine, returned to find Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng gone. Unaware that Lan Wangji had already escorted them in, he broke through the Lan clan’s wards and scaled a roof, wine jars in hand. Before he could settle, Lan Wangji appeared.
Wei Wuxian proudly presented the retrieved invitation, but Lan Wangji, unamused, promptly listed Wei Wuxian’s violations: breaking wards, returning after curfew, and bringing forbidden alcohol onto the premises. Wei Wuxian attempted to bribe him with a jar of wine, but Lan Wangji declared that was an even greater offense. A skirmish ensued, during which one of Wei Wuxian's jars of Emperor's Smile shattered.
After being shown a stone tablet covered in thousands of Lan clan rules, Wei Wuxian defiantly sat on the roof's edge, proclaiming that drinking outside the property could not be a violation. Lan Wangji, calling him "recalcitrant," silenced him once more. Lan Wangji brought the silenced Wei Wuxian before his uncle, Lan Qiren, and elder brother, Lan Xichen, who were examining the bizarre corpse.
The body, covered in red, spiderweb-like cracks, showed no signs of life yet reacted to spiritual energy. Lan Xichen removed the silencing charm, and Wei Wuxian immediately launched into a verbose complaint about Lan Wangji, whom he playfully called a "fuddy-duddy." Lan Xichen explained that Wei Wuxian had indeed violated their rules, but then revealed that Lan Wangji had earlier explained their predicament at the gate, which is why Jiang Yanli and Jiang Cheng were granted entry.
Surprised and remorseful, Wei Wuxian quickly apologized to Lan Wangji. Wei Wuxian’s attention then turned to the strange corpse. He observed that while it appeared and felt dead, it still responded to spiritual energy, concluding it was not truly deceased but rather a "puppet" that had lost its spiritual cognition and could be manipulated. The Lan clan elders suspected wicked sorcery but were unaware of its direct connection to the Wen clan.
Meanwhile, at the Wen clan's stronghold in Nevernight, the clan leader, Wen Ruohan, ordered the physician Wen Qing to infiltrate the Cloud Recesses to locate a shard of Yin Iron. Wen Qing requested to bring her frail younger brother, Wen Ning, along, arguing his unique constitution might aid their investigation, a request Wen Ruohan granted. Elsewhere, Wen Ruohan’s subordinate, Xue Yang, was seen manipulating numerous puppets controlled by another Yin Iron shard.
He reminded Wen Ruohan of his personal wish, stating his disinterest in worldly domination and only desiring the fulfillment of a specific request. Wen Ruohan promised to grant it once all four Yin Iron shards were collected. Xue Yang then playfully withheld the location of the final shard, vowing to reveal it only when permitted to retrieve the one from the Chang clan of Yueyang.
Back at the Cloud Recesses, Lan Xichen discussed the puppet with Lan Wangji, speculating it was the result of someone experimenting with wicked sorcery and that the recent disappearances of cultivators might only be the beginning. He tasked Lan Wangji with investigating further, cautioning him against acting rashly.
Lan Xichen also advised his brother to make friends, suggesting that despite his mischievousness, the intelligent and lively Wei Wuxian would be a suitable companion, subtly noting that their fight had ended in a tie.
