Episode Summary
In short, He Yan's true identity as the real General Feihong is becoming more apparent to key people like Chu Zhao. While she and Xiao Jue plan to expose the conspiracy in the capital, the villains, He Rufei and Xu Jingfu, plot to stop them. Chu Zhao, now in a powerful position, finds himself caught between his loyalty to his teacher and his duty to the empire.
Spoiler Alert
Legend of the Female General Episode 27: The Walls Are Closing In
Alright, let's talk about what went down. The main takeaway is that everyone is starting to figure things out, and the real players are making their moves.
He Yan and Xiao Jue are pretty much a team now. They know that Xu Jingfu and the fake General Feihong, He Rufei, are in cahoots, and they're convinced the proof is back in the capital, Yaojing. So, their goal is simple: get back to the city and expose them.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhao is connecting the dots. After the battle at Rundu, he's looking at He Yan and then at He Rufei, who is currently holding the title of General Feihong, and the math isn't mathing. He starts to suspect that He Yan is the real legendary General Feihong, the one known for being a genius on the battlefield.His whole trip to Rundu was basically to confirm this suspicion.
Even though Chu Zhao is Xu Jingfu's student, he's not blind. He knows his teacher is committing treason by working with the Wutuo, and he can't just let that slide for the sake of the Great Wei empire. He decides to head back to the capital. He Yan and Xiao Jue suggest they all travel together, but Chu Zhao makes an excuse about disobeying his master and needing to get back early. During their farewell, He Yan gives him a little pep talk, reminding him that loyalty has its limits and he needs to choose right from wrong.
On the villains' side, things are getting messy. He Rufei is freaking out because his trap in Rundu failed to kill He Yan. To make matters worse, the Wutuo are angry about their loss and are demanding answers from Xu Jingfu, with He Rufei as the unfortunate messenger. Scared, He Rufei runs to Xu Jingfu for help, only to get yelled at for not telling him that He Yan (the masked general) was still alive. Now, they're both determined to stop He Yan and Xiao Jue from ever reaching the capital.
Before leaving Rundu, He Yan has a sweet moment with Qiluo and the other women she rescued. They see her off and tell her they're starting a weaving workshop to sell their crafts across the Great Wei. It's a nice reminder of the positive impact she has on people. Even Li Kuang, a military officer, mentions how much He Yan reminds him of the original General Feihong.
Back in the capital, Chu Zhao reports to the Emperor. He gives full credit to He Yan and Xiao Jue for their success and sings He Yan's praises. He also subtly throws shade at He Rufei, suggesting his victory at Huayuan wasn't all that impressive and that he doesn't live up to the General Feihong name. The Emperor is pleased with Chu Zhao's honesty and performance, promoting him to a high-ranking position in the Ministry of War.
After his promotion, Chu Zhao's life gets a bit complicated. He visits his teacher, Xu Jingfu, who surprisingly doesn't punish him for his actions. He also has to dodge the advances of Xu Jingfu's daughter, Xu Pinting. With his newfound status, Chu Zhao finally has the leverage to demand that his deceased mother be properly honored in his family's ancestral hall, a long-overdue sign of respect. In a private moment, he vows to his mother's spirit that he'll one day bring the woman he truly loves to meet her.
