Episode Summary
He Yan and her loyal friends race to the besieged city of Rundu after realizing it's a trap set by her brother. Using her knowledge as the former General Feihong, she gains entry via a secret passage and convinces the city's commander of the betrayal.Through clever strategies, including tricking the enemy into wasting arrows and leading a night raid on their camp, she turns the tide of the battle.By donning her old mask, she terrifies the Wutuo forces, who believe the legendary General Feihong has returned. The episode concludes with He Yan clashing with the commander over his cruel treatment of rescued captive women.
Spoiler Alert
After leaving a note for Xiao Jue, He Yan departs from the Yezhou garrison, only to be met by her loyal friends Wang Ba, Jiang Jiao, Huang Xiong, and Xiao Mai. They had already discovered her secret when they saw her in women's clothing on the way to Jiyang with Xiao Jue. Instead of exposing her, they kept her secret and now insist on accompanying her to the besieged city of Rundu, refusing to let her face the danger alone. They are soon joined by Chu Zhao, an official from the Ministry of War, who asserts that it is his duty to be present.
Traveling through the night, the group arrives to find the city of Rundu completely surrounded by the dense, intimidating forces of the Wutuo army.He Yan's worst fears are confirmed: He Rufei has deliberately withheld reinforcements, using General Li Kuang and his army as bait to lure her into a trap, hoping the Wutuo will eliminate her for him.
With the main gates blocked, He Yan leads her companions through a secret passage into the city, a passage that only the legendary General Feihong would know about. Inside, a desperate Li Kuang is overjoyed to see what he initially believes is the silhouette of General Feihong. When he sees He Yan's unfamiliar face, he becomes suspicious. Chu Zhao steps forward to announce his official capacity, but Li Kuang only allows him and He Yan to enter his chambers.
Once inside, Li Kuang immediately draws his sword on He Yan. She effortlessly disarms him using a distinctive grappling move known to be a signature of General Feihong, leaving Li Kuang stunned. To protect her identity, He Yan quickly invents a story, claiming she was taught the move and told of the passage by a "General Wang Qi." When pressed, He Yan delivers the grim news: General Wang Qi and the other six Tiger Generals have all been killed in battle, and He Rufei has no intention of sending aid.
Shattered but convinced, Li Kuang agrees to follow He Yan's lead. Realizing their own supply of arrows is dwindling while the enemy's is plentiful, He Yan devises a clever plan. Under the cover of darkness, they lower straw dummies over the city walls. The Wutuo army falls for the ruse and wastes a significant number of arrows shooting at the decoys. By the time the Wutuo commander realizes their mistake, He Yan's forces have collected a fresh supply of ammunition.
Taking advantage of the enemy's subsequent carelessness, He Yan leads a team of soldiers dressed in black down the walls. They infiltrate the Wutuo camp, setting fire to their granary and causing chaos.During the turmoil, they manage to rescue a group of captive women from the Great Wei. To strike fear into the enemy, He Yan dons the mask of General Feihong.
The Wutuo commander, Naguer, sees the masked figure and recognizes the fighting style, believing the legendary general has returned. The sight causes panic and fear among the Wutuo soldiers. Convinced he has been betrayed by He Rufei, Naguer is filled with rage. Meanwhile, having learned of Rundu's dire situation, Xiao Jue orders Fei Nu to mobilize the Jiuqi Camp and ride to their aid. A note left by He Yan informs him that she has "borrowed" his Qinglang Sword, not stolen it.
Upon their safe return to the city, He Yan urges Li Kuang to prepare for a counter-attack and to provide proper care for the rescued women. However, Li Kuang looks down on them, viewing them as a disgrace for having "served the enemy," and refuses to give them food. He Yan, angered by his prejudice and lack of compassion, harshly reprimands him for his callousness.
