The Untamed Episode 5 Recap
> The Untamed Recap
Wei Wuxian, confined to transcribe the Lan clan's rules, found himself under Lan Wangji's watchful eye. Bored and restless, Wei Wuxian put down his brush and began to tease the stoic Lan Wangji, attempting to initiate conversation by suggesting that strange noises he heard in the back mountain might be related to the recent spirit-snatching incidents. Despite Lan Wangji's silence, Wei Wuxian persisted, getting close enough to mock his calligraphy before offering a disingenuous apology for his past misdeeds.
He flippantly claimed he would have simply hidden the Emperor's Smile in his room to drink secretly had he known the rules, and even tried to shift blame onto Lan Wangji for starting their fight. Unmoved, Lan Wangji instructed him to transcribe the rules once more. When Wei Wuxian continued to apologize insincerely, Lan Wangji, having lost his patience, silenced him with a spell.
Meanwhile, Wen Ning expressed concern to his sister, Wen Qing, noting her frequent disappearances and her constant search for something since their arrival in Gusu. Troubled, Wen Qing recalled Wen Ruohan's stern command to locate the Yin Iron fragments. Noticing her distress, Wen Ning assured her he would no longer press the matter.
Wen Qing, in turn, lamented that despite her family's long lineage of healers, she remained unable to cure her brother's mysterious condition, vowing to one day take him away from the influence of Nevernight. Days later, Wei Wuxian proudly announced he had completed his transcription and presented Lan Wangji with a mischievous portrait he had drawn, complete with a flower tucked behind Lan Wangji's ear. As expected, Lan Wangji uttered a single word: "Boring."
Wei Wuxian then revealed his main prank: he had swapped one of Lan Wangji's books with an erotic art book. Upon discovering the switch, a furious and mortified Lan Wangji condemned Wei Wuxian as shameless and challenged him to a duel. Wei Wuxian cheekily refused, citing the Cloud Recesses' prohibition on fighting. Enraged, Lan Wangji tore the book to shreds and, breaking his composure completely, yelled at Wei Wuxian to get lost.
Wei Wuxian, far from offended, smugly celebrated his victory, later recounting the entire incident with glee to Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang. Nie Huaisang was delighted by Wei Wuxian’s audacity, while Jiang Cheng scolded him for disgracing their sect. Unfazed, Wei Wuxian justified his actions as retaliation for being silenced.
The trio then spotted a Dire Owl, which Nie Huaisang identified as a surveillance bird from the Wen clan of Qishan, leaving them to wonder about its purpose in the Cloud Recesses. At the same time, Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji discussed recent disturbances in the back mountain's ward. Lan Xichen noted that the barrier, established by their ancestors, would not break unless "she" entered it, a cryptic comment he quickly dismissed.
Their conversation was interrupted by a disciple reporting that Caiyi Town was plagued by water ghosts. Finding it strange that a town of skilled swimmers would have such a problem, Lan Xichen decided the matter was more complex than it seemed and resolved to investigate personally with Lan Wangji the next morning. Elsewhere, Wen Qing tended to Jiang Yanli, who felt unwell. Seeing the affectionate bond between Jiang Yanli and her brothers, Wen Qing was reminded of Wen Ning.
When Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng learned of the night hunt, they eagerly volunteered to join, with Wei Wuxian leveraging their Yunmeng upbringing and expertise with water to persuade a hesitant Lan Xichen. Wen Qing also requested to join, offering her medical skills. Lan Xichen agreed. Unexpectedly, Wen Ning appeared, also wishing to go. Though Wen Qing was concerned for his safety, Lan Xichen, noting Wen Ning's archery talent, assented and promised to protect him.
As they embarked, Lan Wangji questioned his brother's decision to allow everyone to join. Lan Xichen explained that he had sensed Lan Wangji himself wished for Wei Wuxian to come along. In Caiyi Town, an innkeeper informed them that Biling Lake, once peaceful, had become treacherous two months prior, with numerous boats sinking and their occupants vanishing without a trace. The group proceeded to Biling Lake, shrouded in a thick mist.
On their boats, Wei Wuxian observed the unusually deep draft of Lan Wangji's vessel and deduced a water ghost was clinging to its underside. He abruptly splashed water at Lan Wangji, forcing him to dodge and flip the boat, exposing the creature. Wei Wuxian explained he had to act without warning to prevent the cunning ghosts from escaping.
When Lan Wangji asked for the name of his sword, Wei Wuxian nonchalantly replied, "Suibian" (Whatever), irritating Lan Wangji, who felt such a casual name was disrespectful to a spiritual weapon. Suddenly, a horde of water ghosts swarmed their boats. During the fierce battle, Jiang Cheng sustained a leg injury, which Wen Qing quickly treated. Wen Ning then noticed the water in the lake's center had turned black.
Realizing they had been lured into a trap, Lan Wangji urged a retreat, but their boats were ensnared as the ghosts converged into a monstrous Aqua Demon. Forced to take to their swords, they flew into the air, but Wen Ning struggled to keep up. Wei Wuxian descended to rescue him, only to be shocked by Wen Ning’s vacant, pupil-less eyes. As Wei Wuxian faltered, Lan Wangji swiftly secured them both.
Lan Xichen then played his flute, its melody scattering the Aqua Demon, which retreated into the depths. Back on shore, Wen Ning remained unconscious. Wei Wuxian visited him, though Wen Qing was unreceptive. He found Wen Ning’s condition peculiar for a cultivator and suggested that a past trauma might have made him susceptible to evil influences, offering Wen Qing a protective talisman for him. After Wen Ning recovered, the group returned to Caiyi Town.
Wei Wuxian bought loquats and playfully tossed one to Lan Wangji, who immediately threw it back. On their boat, Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen discussed the Aqua Demon, considering its connection to the spirit-snatching incidents. Lan Xichen confessed he had no clear answers, but feared a grave truth he hoped was not real. As they passed through the town, Wei Wuxian’s eyes lit up at the sight of a vendor selling his favorite wine, Emperor’s Smile.
