The Untamed Episode 9 Recap
> The Untamed Recap
As puppet-like villagers crash through the doors of Tiannv Temple, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji struggle to hold them back. Lan Wangji suggests charging out, but a terrified Nie Huaisang argues it would be a suicide mission. Annoyed by his rambling, Lan Wangji silences him with a spell. Amidst their disagreement, a haunting flute melody drifts from afar.
The villagers instantly quiet, and, drawn by the sound, they walk out of the temple into an open area where Wen Qing is playing the flute. Wen Qing uses a bonfire to keep the approaching villagers at bay, but she grows alarmed when a Dire Owl appears in the sky. As Wei Wuxian's group prepares to investigate, Jiang Cheng reveals himself, having followed them. He playfully scolds Wei Wuxian for leaving without a word and worrying his sister.
Wen Qing explains that the villagers are being controlled by the power of Yin Iron, which Wen Ruohan sealed within the Dire Owl. The only way to save them is to destroy the bird. Wei Wuxian immediately acts, creating a Golden Silk Barrier to shield Wen Qing, Jiang Cheng, and Nie Huaisang, instructing a skeptical Jiang Cheng to reinforce the barrier if it weakens. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji rush into the forest to hunt the Dire Owl.
A magical mist created by the owl disorients them, obscuring their vision. Lan Wangji advises closing their five senses to focus, prompting Wei Wuxian to joke that the illusion preys on those with overactive minds like his. Back at the temple, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang struggle to hold the barrier while Wen Qing assists them. In the forest, the Dire Owl ensnares Wei Wuxian, but he feigns defeat to lure it closer.
With Lan Wangji's timely intervention, they destroy the creature. Lan Wangji notes that the manipulator only sent a fragment of their spiritual consciousness. As the villagers' minds are restored, a furious Wen Chao appears nearby, cursing the owl for its failure. Wen Qing leads the group to her clan's burial ground and reveals the Tiannv Temple was their ancestral hall. She recounts that twenty years ago, the "Dancing Peri" statue suddenly came to life and attacked her people.
She escaped, but her younger brother, Wen Ning, had his spiritual consciousness damaged, leaving him simple-minded. Afterwards, she and Wen Ning were taken in by Wen Ruohan. Wen Qing claims not to know why the statue went berserk. Elsewhere, Wen Ruohan berates Wen Chao for disobeying orders to help Xue Yang and instead misusing the Dire Owl's Yin Iron on Wen Qing's kinsmen. He commands Wen Chao to find the other Yin Iron fragment without fail.
Later, while Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng playfully chase a wild chicken, Lan Wangji questions Wen Qing about the statue. She maintains her ignorance. Wei Wuxian intervenes, revealing his theory: the statue was powered by a piece of Yin Iron. He deduces that about ten years ago, Wen Ruohan removed the iron, causing the statue to begin absorbing human spiritual consciousness for sustenance.
He also posits they were lured to the mountain and that the statue targeted Lan Wangji because of the Yin Iron he carries. Wen Qing's troubled silence suggests Wei Wuxian is correct, but she refuses to help, citing her debt to Wen Ruohan for taking her and Wen Ning in. Stating that her brother is in Nevernight and Wen Ruohan still requires her medical skills, she departs alone.
Jiang Cheng expresses concern, but Wei Wuxian is confident they will meet again. Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, Jiang Cheng, and Nie Huaisang arrive at a bustling market in Yueyang. To gather information, Wei Wuxian buys wine at an inn and asks the waiter about local oddities. The waiter tells them of the Chang clan, a local cultivator family whose members recently vanished. Though their mansion appears empty by day, loud knocking and crying can be heard from within every night.
As he speaks, the Yin Iron in Lan Wangji's possession vibrates, flooding his mind with disturbing visions. He immediately resolves to investigate the Chang residence. Nie Huaisang, too frightened, refuses to go and opts to wait for Meng Yao's arrival. Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng arrive at the silent Chang mansion. Lan Wangji senses the lingering presence of Yin Iron.
They force the gates open to a horrific sight: two corpses in red hang at the entrance, and inside, the entire clan has been massacred. A closer look at the bodies reveals ashen skin, discolored pupils, and red cracks on their necks—telltale signs that they were turned into puppets before being killed.
