Episode Summary
Following a tense encounter in a hot spring, Xiao Jue's suspicion of He Yan's true identity and skills intensifies. He sets a trap by dangling a spot in the elite Jiuqi Camp, which she knowingly walks into with her own agenda. To prove her mettle, He Yan challenges two soldiers, Wang Ba and Jiang Jiao, to public duels. Through a ruse, she convinces Xiao Jue to train her and later has a close call when she discovers her old sword in his tent. Ultimately, she wins her duels, solidifying her reputation but also confirming to Xiao Jue that she is a much more complex and dangerous adversary than she appears.
Spoiler Alert
The tension between Xiao Jue and He Yan escalates dramatically, starting with a confrontation in a hot spring. While the water hinders both of their movements, the completely undressed He Yan cleverly uses her skills to prevent Xiao Jue from seeing her true form. It's only after she gets ashore and puts on her clothes that he finally recognizes her.
The next day, Xiao Jue's eyes are glued on He Yan during training. Their previous fight confirmed his suspicion: despite her poor stamina, her fighting style is fluid and professional. He knows she's no amateur. However, he decides to bide his time, certain that she won't confess anything without irrefutable proof.
Determined to expose her, Xiao Jue devises a plan. He instructs Shen Han to spread rumors throughout the barracks about the legendary Jiuqi Camp (Nine Banner Camp), an elite unit founded by the old Marshal Xiao. The rumor mill churns out tales of their impressive black armor and claims that the camp selects the single most outstanding new recruit each year to fill its ranks. He Yan immediately sees through the ruse, recognizing it as bait from Xiao Jue. She decides to play his game, planning to enter the Jiuqi Camp on her own terms and turn the tables, making it unclear who is the hunter and who is the prey.
To prove her worth, He Yan accepts two public challenges. After being bullied by Wang Ba, who steals her flatbread, she challenges him to an archery contest in ten days. If she wins, he must call her "Boss." She also agrees to a spear-fighting match with Jiang Jiao. Everyone in the camp believes she is all talk and no action.
He Yan begins a grueling training regimen, practicing long after others have gone to sleep and starting before anyone else is awake. Xiao Jue watches her every move. One night, he ambushes her to test her skills, but she deliberately fakes defeat. When he confronts her about her suspicious motives, she cleverly claims that her only goal is to become his disciple. Xiao Jue agrees, but on one condition: she must withstand ten of his moves without stepping outside a designated circle.
During their sparring match, He Yan appears to be completely overpowered, yet she masterfully manages to stay within the circle just as she's about to be pushed out. True to his word, Xiao Jue accepts her as his student, agreeing to train her every evening.
After she masters the spear techniques, however, Xiao Jue seems to lose interest. He Yan seeks him out in his tent and is stunned to see the Qinglang Sword. This sword holds deep meaning for her; years ago, Xiao Zhongwu had two swords forged. He gave one, the Yinqiu, to Xiao Jue, and the other, the Qinglang, to He Yan herself. As she instinctively reaches out and begins to draw the familiar blade from its sheath, Xiao Jue appears behind her, pressing a cold blade to her neck. She manages to come up with a plausible excuse, and he lets the matter drop, his suspicions momentarily quelled.
On the day of the challenges, nearly everyone bets against He Yan. Her friend, Cheng Lisu, shows his faith by betting ten dried flatbreads on her victory. He's surprised to find that someone had already placed a single flatbread bet on her, though the identity of this mysterious gambler remains unknown.
Against all odds, He Yan wins both the archery and spear-fighting contests. During her match with Jiang Jiao, Xiao Jue throws a small stone at her to test her reflexes. She instinctively moves to dodge it but, realizing it's another test, deliberately allows it to hit her. Both Wang Ba and Jiang Jiao honor their bets and begrudgingly call her "Boss." While her allies celebrate with the flatbreads Cheng Lisu won, Xiao Jue's doubts about He Yan only deepen. He now sees her not just as suspicious, but as a formidable and cunning opponent who must not be underestimated.
