The Untamed Episode 42 Recap
> The Untamed Recap
The situation at the Fragrance Hall escalated as Su She, who had defected from the Lan clan, brazenly questioned Gusu Lan's etiquette, accusing them of disrespect by forcing entry into Jin Guangyao's private chambers. Wei Wuxian immediately countered, exposing Su She's hypocrisy, reminding him of his past defection and his current imitation of Lan Wangji's methods while daring to criticize the Lan clan.
Jin Guangyao, attempting to appear cooperative, calmly declared there was nothing to hide and opened the doors to his private treasure vault for everyone to inspect. Inside, to Wei Wuxian's quiet surprise, Qin Su stood motionless. He wondered why Jin Guangyao hadn't moved or eliminated her, fearing what she might reveal. Jin Guangyao explained Qin Su's presence by stating she often visited the vault as all their possessions were shared.
As Wei Wuxian investigated further, he lifted a curtain, expecting to find Nie Mingjue's head as he had seen during Empathy, but instead discovered a peculiar dagger. Jin Guangyao then presented the dagger, describing it as an exceptionally sharp weapon that had claimed countless lives. He explained its blade reflected the spirits of those killed by assassins—sometimes men, women, or elders—and its strong resentful energy was why it was kept sealed behind a curtain.
He further revealed it was once Wen Ruohan's, later passed to Wen Qing. Suddenly, Qin Su cried out and, in a trance-like state, snatched the dagger and plunged it into her own abdomen, collapsing lifelessly. Jin Guangyao rushed to her side, cradling her body and weeping uncontrollably, expressing his profound sorrow. Lan Xichen offered his condolences.
Jin Guangyao then turned his anguish on the gathered cultivators, demanding to know what had truly happened and why they had forced him to open his treasure vault, implying Lan Xichen might be withholding information. Lan Xichen then recounted the series of events: Gusu Lan disciples, on a night hunt near Mo's Manor, encountered a malevolent blade spirit. Lan Wangji, pursuing the trail, discovered its owner's headless body in Yicheng.
The blade spirit, in its visible form, strikingly resembled Baxia, Nie Mingjue's saber, leading them to conclude the body belonged to the revered Red Blade Master himself. Just then, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang arrived. Upon hearing Lan Xichen's confirmation of his brother's demise, Nie Huaisang immediately fainted from shock. Jin Guangyao, feigning deep sorrow and disbelief, lamented the heinous act of dismembering Nie Mingjue's body. Lan Xichen admitted that the trail for the head had gone cold.
Jin Guangyao then cunningly pressed the cultivators, suggesting their demand to open his vault implied they already suspected him of possessing Nie Mingjue's head. He then shifted his focus, demanding to know how Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji had discovered the existence of his hidden vault and presumed the head was there. Internally, Wei Wuxian struggled with how to explain what he had seen and learned during Empathy, especially with Qin Su, his only witness to the letter, now dead.
Jin Guangyao seized this opportunity, turning his accusatory gaze directly onto "Mo Xuanyu." He dredged up Mo Xuanyu's past expulsion from Jinlintai for alleged harassment of Qin Su, then questioned why the righteous Hanguang Jun would associate with such a disreputable individual, and finally, outright accused "Mo Xuanyu" of being responsible for Qin Su's sudden death. Jin Guangyao, having effectively shifted the blame, continued his relentless attack on "Mo Xuanyu," accusing him of direct involvement in Qin Su's death.
Lan Wangji immediately stepped forward to shield Wei Wuxian, but Wei Wuxian urged him to step aside. At that moment, someone in the crowd recognized him, exclaiming that he was the Yiling Patriarch. Jin Ling, bewildered, asked if he wasn't Mo Xuanyu. Jin Guangyao, seizing the opportunity, confirmed the identity, declaring him to be Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriarch, and warning everyone to be cautious, implying Wei Wuxian had just drawn his sword.
Jin Ling, still confused, questioned if merely pulling a sword confirmed one's identity and wondered if there was a misunderstanding between Jin Guangyao and Lan Wangji. Jin Guangyao swiftly dismissed any misunderstanding, asserting that "he" was definitively Wei Wuxian, and challenged him to remove his mask as proof. Jin Ling then turned to Jiang Cheng, recalling that Purple Lightning had no effect on "Mo Xuanyu" at Dafan Mountain, which should have exposed any possession.
Jin Guangyao, however, masterfully countered this argument by reminding everyone that "Mo Xuanyu" did summon the Ghost General Wen Ning at Dafan Mountain. He then revealed that Mo Xuanyu had accessed a forbidden manuscript at Jinlintai, containing a "Sacrifice Summon" spell, a technique where one sacrifices their own spiritual cognition to revive another, rendering Purple Lightning ineffective for detection.
As a final, irrefutable proof, Jin Guangyao pointed to Suibian, Wei Wuxian's famed sword, which had sealed itself after his supposed death sixteen years prior, refusing to be drawn by anyone else. Since "Mo Xuanyu" had effortlessly drawn the sword, he declared, it could only mean he was the true Yiling Patriarch. With Wei Wuxian's identity exposed, Jin Guangyao immediately commanded his disciples to pursue them.
Jin Ling, enraged and heartbroken, expressed his fury, believing Wei Wuxian had cunningly deceived him into befriending the murderer of his parents. As the Jin disciples swarmed in pursuit, Wei Wuxian told Lan Wangji to stay back, but Lan Wangji ignored him, remaining steadfastly by his side. Jin Guangyao, closing in, mockingly urged Wei Wuxian to shed his disguise. Wei Wuxian, with no path left, removed his mask, revealing his true face to everyone present.
Jin Guangyao sneered, acknowledging Wei Wuxian's return after sixteen years and crediting him with causing immense turmoil, claiming he had not only misled Jin Ling but also tricked Lan Wangji. However, Lan Wangji firmly corrected him, stating that he had known Wei Wuxian's true identity as Wei Ying all along. Wei Wuxian, unwilling to tarnish Lan Wangji's esteemed reputation, urged him to simply claim he had been deceived, assuring him that he was accustomed to public hatred.
But Lan Wangji reminded Wei Wuxian of their past conversation at Cloud Recesses, reiterating his unwavering commitment to follow Wei Wuxian down "a single-log bridge till it's dark," regardless of the consequences. Wei Wuxian gave him one last chance to reconsider, warning that his reputation would be irrevocably ruined if he left with him. Lan Wangji, with a resolute look, simply dismissed his words as "too much talk" and declared they would fight their way out.
The two then bravely engaged the overwhelming numbers of Jin disciples. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji fought fiercely, cutting a path through the throng of Jin disciples. Amidst the chaos, Jin Ling appeared, confronting Wei Wuxian with a pained question: "You're Wei Ying? You really are Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian?"
Wei Wuxian tried to reassure him, promising to explain everything later, but Jin Ling, overwhelmed by emotions and the weight of his parents' deaths, cruelly thrust his sword into Wei Wuxian's abdomen. Wei Wuxian gasped, blood trickling from his lips, but affirmed he could still hold on. Lan Wangji immediately took charge, helping him escape the melee.
Behind them, a horrified Jin Ling dropped his sword, while Jiang Cheng watched from a distance, his face etched with a complex mix of emotions. Under a torrential downpour, Lan Wangji steadfastly supported the gravely wounded Wei Wuxian as they stumbled forward. Lan Wangji continuously channeled his spiritual power into Wei Wuxian, aiding his rapid recovery.
Wei Wuxian, deeply moved, reflected on the profound loyalty: once, when he was at the height of his power, Lan Wangji was the only one who dared to scold him; now, with everyone else wishing him dead, Lan Wangji was the sole person standing by his side. Despite his abdominal wound, Wei Wuxian affirmed he was fine. Lan Wangji brought him back to the Cloud Recesses, leading him into the Quiet Room.
Here, Wei Wuxian revealed that the final unhealed scar on his arm, a remnant of the Sacrifice Summon, would only vanish once Mo Xuanyu's last enemy was defeated. He declared this enemy to be Jin Guangyao. Wei Wuxian now firmly believed that Mo Xuanyu was not expelled from Jinlintai for harassing Qin Su, but rather because he had uncovered one of Jin Guangyao's profound secrets and intended to reveal it to Qin Su, only for Jin Guangyao to act preemptively.
Wei Wuxian further speculated that the individual who supplied Mo Xuanyu with this secret was likely the same person who had sent the cryptic letter and had orchestrated events to guide him and Lan Wangji in uncovering the truth behind Nie Mingjue's death. This mysterious person, he mused, harbored a deep hatred for Jin Guangyao, possibly even a scorned lover.
Lan Wangji then returned Suibian to Wei Wuxian, who thanked him, noting the sword had indeed sealed itself all these years. Wei Wuxian then asked if they were in the Quiet Room, and Lan Wangji confirmed it. He then worried about Lan Xichen discovering their presence, only for Lan Wangji to reveal that his brother was already aware. Lan Xichen entered the Quiet Room, explaining that he had personally instructed Lan Wangji to bring Wei Wuxian back.
He offered Wei Wuxian refuge there until the truth was fully uncovered, assuring him that the Jin clan would not dare to demand his surrender from Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji immediately asserted to his brother that Nie Mingjue's head was indeed in Jin Guangyao's possession, confirming that Wei Wuxian had seen it directly. When Lan Xichen asked if he believed Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji affirmed his trust.
Conversely, when asked about Jin Guangyao's trustworthiness, Lan Wangji stated he was not credible. Lan Xichen then articulated his own enduring faith in Jin Guangyao, drawing a parallel to Lan Wangji's trust in Wei Wuxian. He argued that since neither of them had personally witnessed the head, their judgments were based solely on their respective understandings of the individuals involved.
Nevertheless, Lan Xichen promised impartiality and secrecy, emphasizing that he would not have offered refuge and healing if he intended otherwise. Wei Wuxian expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to clear his name. He then reiterated with certainty that Nie Mingjue's head was in Jin Guangyao's secret chamber, claiming to have seen other things that might serve as proof, though Lan Xichen noted mere sight didn't prove the location.
Wei Wuxian pivoted, acknowledging Nie Mingjue's qi deviation as the direct cause of death but questioning if Lan Xichen found the timing suspiciously coincidental, suggesting other underlying "inducements." When pressed, Wei Wuxian named "Cleansing Music." Lan Xichen was taken aback, as he had personally taught Jin Guangyao that very piece. Wei Wuxian then played a portion of the Cleansing Music, replicating the version he heard during his Empathy with Nie Mingjue.
He confirmed it was the obscure and difficult tune Jin Guangyao had specifically requested from Lan Xichen due to its potent effects. Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji both discerned a subtle, incorrect passage within Wei Wuxian's rendition. Wei Wuxian then realized his "mistake" was actually Jin Guangyao's deliberate alteration. He re-played the altered segment, inviting them to listen closely.
Lan Wangji confirmed the specific passage, and Lan Xichen, while agreeing it sounded harmonious, confirmed it was not part of the original Cleansing Music. Convinced, Lan Xichen led them to a forbidden chamber within the Library Pavilion, a section dedicated to strange musical scores.
There, he revealed "The Collection of Turmoil," an ancient music collection from Dongying, explaining it contained malevolent melodies that, when infused with spiritual power, could induce various detrimental effects, from physical weakening to mental agitation, and even instant death for powerful cultivators. Wei Wuxian then inquired if the collection contained tunes that could subtly disturb one's temperament, making them irritable and violent. Lan Xichen confirmed their existence.
Wei Wuxian then posited that Jin Guangyao, rather than using a quickly fatal tune, could have cunningly interwoven a slow-acting, insidious melody from this collection into the Cleansing Music he played for Nie Mingjue for months, thereby acting as a "slow poison" to catalyze Nie Mingjue's qi deviation and eventual madness.
