This Tart is an Untamed Fan

Part 20: Wangxian Under the Microscope: Part 15

By Wolfen Moondaughter
March 8, 2021

Links to other installments of this article series: https://untamed-wolfenm.tumblr.com/sequentialtart

HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!!!

Note: Unless otherwise stated, this article series refers to the subtitles of the Netflix version of The Untamed; as such, the spellings of Chinese names presented here are based on those subtitles. Names of characters and actors both are based on the Chinese convention of placing the familial name first, followed by the personal name (last name then first name).

Reminder: Lan Zhan is Lan Wangji's formal name, and Wei Ying is Wei Wuxian's. Formal names are generally for use only between people who are close to you, like family or dear friends, or by authority figures, like clan leaders -- or by people meaning to disrespect you. Once Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji started using their formal names for one another, they almost never use one another's courtesy names -- even well before Lan Wangji really starts to act like he cares for Wei Wuxian! Also, Hanguang Jun is Lan Wangji's title, meaning "light-bearer" or "light-bringer".

Wei Wuxian Falling for Lan Wangji, Part 3

While Wen Chao and his people ride on horseback, the indoctrinees are forced to walk on the mission to Muxi Mountain, with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng in the lead, and everyone who is on foot looking wary. Wen Qing walks as well, although I'm uncertain if she's being forced to or simply chooses to; there's no sign of Wen Ning. Wen Chao's girlfriend, Wang Lingjjao, sits in front of him, the pair giggling and being playful together. A limping Lan Wangji brings up the rear of the column. After a bit, the group leaves the trail, dispersing some through the woods, looking for threats. One of the Jin people mutters that they are being used as a suicide squad, reminding us in his ranting that the indoctrinees don't have their swords, and are therefore helpless.

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian complain to each other about Wen Chao and his girlfriend, Wei Wuxian being jocular about them, when Wei Wuxian suddenly spots Lan Wangji limping. Wei Wuxian instantly looks worried, all humour forgotten. Jiang Cheng, behind him, notices where his brother is staring, and gasps in pity when he sees Lan Wangji -- but when Wei Wuxian starts to move towards Lan Wangji, Jiang Chang grabs his arm, warning him that helping Lan Wangji again would be reckless. Wei Wuxian reminds his brother of what happened to the Lan clan, saying that running around like this must have aggravated Lan Zhan's leg; Wei Wuxian worries Lan Zhan might lose his leg if he (Wei Wuxian) doesn't help him. It's a great example of how Wei Wuxian's demeanor has matured in regards to Lan Wangji, going from joking, to being serious and protective of the man.

Jiang Cheng insists that Wei Wuxian has helped enough already, pointing out that Lan Wangji probably wouldn't let Wei Wuxian close, much less carry him. Wei Wuxian counters that what Lan Zhan thinks is his own business, while what Wei Wuxian does, is his; he adds with a grin that Lan Zhan won't strangle him if Wei Wuxian grabs him and puts him on his back. (Uh, I'd think that would be a perfect position for Lan Wangji to strangle him ....) Jiang Cheng complains that it's hard enough to deal with their own trouble without taking on someone else's. Prying himself free of his brother, Wei Wuxian states gently but firmly that this isn't trivial, and someone needs to deal with it. He leaves to do just that, ignoring his brother's further protest. Jiang Cheng pouts.

And so here's another great example of Jiang Cheng's jealousy towards Lan Wangji -- as well as how Jiang Cheng's focus is inwards, towards his clan (making him and his crush, Wen Qing, tragically, two of a kind), while Wei Wuxian is focused all around, on anyone in need. I've seen several good arguments about how Wei Wuxian's ability to help anyone is a luxury Jiang Cheng, as a future sect leader, doesn't have -- but since Wei Wuxian is Head Disciple of the Jiang Clan, and intended to be Jiang Cheng's right-hand man, one could argue that it's not really a luxury Wei Wuxian has either! Perhaps that's part of why Jiang Cheng gets irritated with him -- not just because Wei Wuxian might cause problems for Jiang Cheng, but because he feels Wei Wuxian is shirking his duty to the clan. (To be fair, I suspect that another part of it really is just Jiang Cheng being concerned for his brother.) Thing is, would Jiang Fengmian, who praised Wei Wuxian's understanding of their clan's motto, feel the same way as his son? Or would he feel that Wei Wuxian is doing the right thing? The whole situation makes me want to recite to Jiang Cheng that Martin Niemöller quote about the Nazis coming for each group until there was no one left to speak for him; it's not only good morally speaking to stand up for others, but also arguably in one's own best interest to do so!

For that matter, despite Jiang Cheng's mother Yu Ziyuan's disdain of Wei Wuxian, and how she considers him to be a troublemaker, I suspect that, after her talk of how the Jiang clan should defy the Wens, she would want her own son to help Lan Wangji too, in open defiance of Wen Chao, and in a show of support to their allies, rather than keep his head down. In fact, she might want him to be even more helpful, so as to show up Wei Wuxian! She might even berate him for being cowardly, otherwise.

But for Wei Wuxian, no politics of any kind are involved in his decision; someone needs help, so he helps. As much as he worries for Lan Zhan personally, and so that probably is a conscious part of why he wants to help, I feel certain he would help anyone in Lan Zhan's situation, even a perfect stranger -- and he would do it even if he were a sect leader. Maybe that would make him a bad sect leader, I don't know, but I think it makes him a better human being. Not that Jiang Cheng is evil for looking after his own people, but to Wei Wuxian, everyone is his people. He lives in a broader world, and seems to feel that his own life is worth nothing if he would let someone else be harmed just because they weren't part of his family (a sentiment I appreciate).

Wei Wuxian hurries over to Lan Zhan, worriedly asking how his leg is. Visibly shaking and not meeting Wei Ying's eyes, Lan Wangji replies that he's fine. Is it because he refuses to show weakness, or, like Jiang Cheng, he's worried about attracting the attention of Wen Chao? Probably both; I doubt it's because he wants nothing to do with Wei Ying. If anything, he's probably extra worried what might happen to Wei Ying if they associate, considering how Wei Ying looked after a night in the Wen dungeon. Wei Wuxian asks chidingly if, after all they've been through a lot together, there's anything Lan Zhan can't share with him. He then asks if Lan Zhan is sure his leg is okay. Meeting his eyes and insisting it's fine, Lan Wangji moves to leave, but Wei Ying blocks his way. Lan Wangji looks ... exasperated? Pleading? Panicked? Wei Wuxian tells him not to pretend it's fine all the time, and offers to carry him on his back, giving him an earnest, tight-lipped smile of encouragement. It's such a soft, caring, earnest look, epitomising Wei Wuxian's growing love for Lan Zhan (however oblivious he remains to his own feelings) -- it makes my heart swell!

Unfortunately, it seems Lan Wangji takes it as teasing, whispering "Wuliao!" (translated as "boring", but I would say he means it more like "tiresome"), and stalking off. Does he whisper so as to not attract attention, or is it that he's so deeply hurt, he can't speak any louder? Or is there some chance he's only trying to get Wei Wuxian to stay away for his own good? In any case, Wei Wuxian looks like he's been slapped in the face. He stutters as he tries to explain, following for a step or two, but gives up, thinking to himself that Lan Zhan is a stubborn fool, and worrying that the man's leg will get worse. I don't mean "gives up" as in he gives up entirely, though, just giving up on a tactic doomed to failure -- Wei Wuxian is the type to work smarter, not harder.

Case in point, as everyone falls back into line, he gets the idea to send a paperman to Wen Qing, first thanking her for her help with the dungeon, then asking her to please find a way to let Lan Zhan rest. As she listens, we see Wei Wuxian walking beside Lan Zahn, who throws him a bit of an exasperated look, but doesn't shoo him away. For his part, Wei Wuxian is smiling when he looks at Wen Qing, but his smile falls as he watched Lan Zhan limp. A moment later, Wen Qing calls for a halt, ordering that they get some water. Wen Chao looks suspicious, but says nothing.

As everyone else heads for a nearby lake, Lan Wangji settles on a rock on the shore, looking bone-tired. Wei Wuxian meets eyes with Wen Qing, and bows to her in gratitude; to his disappointment, she ignores him, walking away. Jiang Cheng witnesses it and, annoyed, asking him what he wants. (I wonder if he's worried at all that Wei Wuxian might be interested in Wen Qing, or just exasperated that his brother can't leave people alone.) Wei Wuxian replies, a little bit snottily, "Nothing special", then turns a concerned look to Lan Zhan, promising to get him some water. He gives his brother a companionable pat and a nod before he goes, his irritation already forgotten; is he telling Jiang Cheng to keep an eye on Lan Zhan? For his part, Lan Wangji watches Wei Ying with a thoughtful expression -- and then, is that a smile we see, after he sighs and looks away?

As Wei Wuxian gets some water (by cupping his hands -- and no, we don't get to see Lan Wangji drink it), Wei Wuxian throws a look at Wen Qing, who is kneeling by the water. She ignores him, and he leaves, morose. Wen Chao silently notes the moment with suspicion in his eyes. When Wei Wuxian is out of earshot, he remarks to Wen Qing that she doesn't seem to want certain people to get tired. She tries to suggest he thinks too much; he says he'd better be, warning her to think of her brother. He then orders everyone to get moving.

A little later, his girlfriend, Wang Lingjiao, warns everyone that they'd better find the cave they're looking for before nightfall. As everyone starts to look, Wei Wuxian asks Jiang Cheng who this bossy woman is. His brother reveals that she was a handmaiden to Wen Chao's principal wife, until he began an affair with her. Jiang Cheng doesn't think much of her. Wei Wuxian realizes this is why she carries a poker instead of a sword; Jiang Cheng confirms that she has very little spiritual power. Besides this conversation being a nicely organic way to inform us of details that prove important later, it also suggests to us that Jiang Yanli, who does carry a sword, isn't as frail as she seems. Wang Lingjiao notes them taking, and yells at them for being secretive. Wen Qing interrupts (intentionally, I suspect, which further shows that she's not being successful in her resolve to stay uninvolved), revealing that the search for the cave has proved fruitless. Wang Lingjiao rails about how useless they all are.

Wei Wuxian gets a thoughtful look, which makes Jiang Cheng worry, but Wei Wuxian shrugs him off, walking towards a section of mountainside. He casts a talisman, and while everyone (including Lan Wangji) watches with interest, the talisman reveals a cave. Wang Lingjiao congratulates an ecstatic Wen Chao, while Wei Wuxian looks unsettled, probably wondering if finding the cave was the best move after all. He glances at Lan Zhan, who gives him a look that could be sympathetic or encouraging. Steeling himself, Wei Wuxian hurries to Lan Zhan, taking his arm and following after everyone.

Inside the cave, no longer linking arms but instead carrying torches, Wei Wuxian and a still-hobbling Lan Wangji lead the group, Wen Chao being impatient behind them. The path is narrow, with a steep and gravelly downward slope to their left. Mianmian slips -- and Wen Chao tries to whip her, but a furious Jin Zixuan blocks the strike, demanding to know what the man is doing. Wen Chao points out that they might attract the monster with the noise. Jin Zixuan goes on a rant about how Wen Chao has both taken their swords and told them nothing about their quarry, making them ill-equipped. Wen Chao counters with a reminder that he's the one in command, and they are just his dogs.

Wei Wuxian looks disgusted by the man, but also still worried. And then he notes Lan Wangji, a ways off, staring into the abyss to their left, and goes to look with him; Wen Chao notices, and orders everyone to follow. At the edge, Wen Chao grows excited, certain that they've reached their destination, and gives the order go down. Wei Wuxian protests that the place seems bottomless, and they still don't know what monster they will find. When he asks how they're supposed to get down there, Wen Chao shoves him, and he goes flying. Lan Wangji calls out Wei Ying's name, with everyone else (even Jin Zixuan) watching the fall in horror. Lan Wangji then gives Wen Chao a look that either says he thinks the man's insane, or that, if he had Bichen, the man would already be dead.

The fall here, interestingly, both parallels and is in opposition to the fatal fall Wei Wuxian later makes. In both cases, Lan Wangji calls Wei Ying's name, but in this case, he's too late to actually grab Wei Ying. He also finds Wei Wuxian at the bottom here, whereas in the future, after the fall in Nightless City (which we saw a glimpse of at the start of the series), he doesn't find Wei Wuxian at the base of the cliff. Here, everyone, including Jiang Cheng, watches and worries for him, whereas in Nightless City, no one but Jiang Cheng watches, but pretty much everyone (aside from Lan Wangji but sort of including Jiang Cheng) wants Wei Wuxian dead. And, of course, the biggest difference of all: here, Wei Wuxian doesn't want to die!

As Wei Wuxian struggles in pain to rise, ropes land near him, the indoctrinees making their way down the semi-gradual slope with them. Lan Wangji is the first to reach Wei Ying, helping him to his feet. When Jiang Cheng arrives, Wei Wuxian asks with a grin if they were all kicked down; Jiang Cheng crankily replies that they were just afraid he'd been eaten, which would have brought shame to their clan. (I'm not sure if, by "they", this means there are other Jiang clan members there too, or if that should have been "clans"). Wei Wuxian remarks to Jin Zixuan that, aside from "these two" (I assume he means Jiang Cheng and Lan Wangji, or maybe one of those two and Wen Qing), Jin Zixuan couldn't have been worried Wei Wuxian was eaten, could he? Jin Zixuan replies, without annoyance, that he'd rather be eaten than insulted by "that mean couple". Wei Wuxian gets it. I continue to enjoy Jin Zixuan and Wei Wuxian warming up to each other -- and appreciate that the clans are all starting to support one another against the Wens here.

Wen Chao calls down, asking if they found anything. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji share a look, like they're silently confirming with one another (as they are prone to) what they should do. They then start to walk away without answering, everyone else moving too (though I'm not sure if they are following the pair's lead, or all just deciding individually to move on). Wen Chao continues to call out, but everyone ignores him. They come upon an underground body of water, and can still hear Wen Chao demanding a reply. Wei Wuxian notes that there's an echo, saying that they're hundreds of meters from them, and something's wrong. (I'm honestly not sure what he means -- is he telling the distance by the echoes, and that distance seems wrong, or is it that he doesn't think they should hear an echo from so far away?) He lights a Glitter Talisman, sending it over the water so they can see better.

The Wens come down, Lan Wangji seeming unhappy as he hears them. When they arrive, Wang Lingjiao noting that it seems to be a dead end. Wen Chao refuses to believe it, demanding that they keep looking. Wei Wuxian cocks a brow at Jiang Cheng, and the pair glance disgustedly at the Wens. They grow outraged when Wen Chao suggests they hand someone up bleeding as bait, but it's Jin Zixuan who speaks up, pointing out that doing so will leave them to die. Wen Chao asks if he wants to do it himself. Mianmian cuts off Jin Zixuan's angry reply -- and then Wang Lingjiao suggests they use Mianmian. When Wen Chao suggests they use someone else, Wang Jiao asks petulantly if he's reluctant because Mianmian is pretty. Wen Chao is miffed at the suggestion, but tells Wang Lingjiao that they'll use whomever she wants. As Wen soldiers move in, Lan Wangji glides in front of Mianmian; during his glide, we see Wei Wuxian, being of a similar mindset to Lan Wangji, try to do the same, but he's stopped by Jiang Cheng. Note that, as Second-Brother, Lan Wangji is basically another heir, so like Wei Wuxian, he might have a little more freedom than a first-heir like Jiang Cheng, but he still has some responsibility -- and yet, he doesn't hesitate to protect Mianmian. I'm not saying Jiang Cheng is a bad person -- again, I think he even fears for Wei Wuxian's well-being -- but I think this scene suggests that he could, at least at this point, make more compassionate choices than he actually does, and that it's something of a failing on his part (as his father seemed to suggest) that he doesn't at least allow Wei Wuxian to help others. At least he looks unhappy about the situation, I guess.

Wen Chao wonders if Jin Zixuan is stupid or playing hero; Jin Zixuan continues to rail against Wen Chao regarding how they're all (not just himself!) being treated. Wei Wuxian is impressed at the man's bravery, commenting on it to Jiang Cheng. Wen Chao replies that, if Jin Zixuan won't tie "the girl" up herself, none of their clan -- whomever they are -- will be able to return home. A Jin man subversively moves to do as ordered; Lan Wangji hits him with a torch. Alerted, Jin Zixuan strikes the man too, then expresses disgust with the traitor, while Lan Wangji glares at Wen Chao. Wei Wuxian remarks to a rather upset-looking Jiang Cheng that it doesn't look like they're be able to stay out of this. Well, duh, you're all in the same boat, really! Case in point, Wen Chao declares them all rebels, and orders his men to attack.

In two weeks, I'll talk about the ensuing fight.

The Untamed @ Netflix
The Untamed @ Tencent's YouTube Channel
WolfenM, Untamed — Wolfen's Untamed-centric side-Tumblr.