Original subtitles

♪Shrugging off past burdens♪

♪Beneath the mask, who am I?♪

♪Release and find wider shores♪

♪Love's a riddle, and rain pours heavy♪

♪Crossed paths, now downward fall♪

♪From dust arises starlight's spark♪

♪Tearing through the night's dense blockade♪

♪Heart's flame illuminates all solitude♪

♪Let time's sails drift endlessly♪

♪Through wandering exile♪

♪Breaking free from the cocoon, I start anew♪

♪Moon as song, life as flame♪

♪Nameless heart clings fiercely♪

♪Let me♪

♪Charge toward the next raging river♪

♪Moon darts, snow falls♪

♪We tread rugged paths to reunite♪

♪Hands held tight♪

♪We forever live for love's sake♪

♪Shadow's spear burns fiercely♪

=Legend of The Female General=

(Healing ointment?)

(Who sent this?)

=Episode 4=

He's not only persistent,

but also intelligent.

What a formidable opponent.

Anyway,

He Yan is definitely no good.

Shall I arrest him first?

No rush.

So you already have a plan?

These recruits

have trained for a full month.

It's time for their banner competition.

Then

we'll see how it goes.

Let me tell you a secret.

Actually, besides me,

someone anonymous also bet on your victory.

He got many flatbreads too.

I bet it's either

Huang Xiong or Mai.

So you see,

besides your best buddies,

I'm your biggest supporter.

So doesn't that

make me your buddy, too?

Yeah.

It does.

Of course.

Mr. Cheng,

may I ask you something?

Go ahead.

What are my chances

of joining the Nine Banners Battalion,

in your opinion?

Given your talents,

the chances are high.

Really?

Of course.

But is it really necessary?

Why not?

You'll follow Xiao Jue

into deadly missions.

Didn't you know?

Everybody knows

that Xiao Jue may seem

perfectly composed,

but he loses it

during battles.

He Yan is still young.

Why should he risk his life with Xiao Jue?

Totally.

With his talents,

I think

he should follow a safer path...

Where are you going?

Be careful, it's hot.

Dig in.

He Yan, the recruit,

is here to pay respect.

You may enter.

You need something?

My buddies and I

were celebrating my success...

So?

So I came here

to thank you, Commander...

No,

Master.

Thanks to your guidance and teachings,

- I managed... - Didn't you

already express your gratitude?

Commander,

I won all thanks to you.

I sincerely came to thank you.

So please

have this cup of tea.

You don't like tea?

How about

some night snacks first?

Stop.

(Let me tell you a secret).

(Actually, besides me,)

(someone anonymous also bet on your victory.)

(He got many flatbreads too.)

Mr. Cheng said

that apart from him,

someone anonymous also bet on me.

So that person

was you, Commander?

You bet on me, too?

So you have faith in me?

Makes sense.

After all, I was trained by you.

Don't push it.

Commander,

look,

since I won you so many flatbreads,

shouldn't you give me some reward?

Reward?

What kind of reward?

Commander.

Am I qualified for the Nine Banners Battalion?

You only managed to beat two recruits.

And now you dare ask

to join the Nine Banners Battalion?

Feel free

to evaluate my performance.

I won't let you down.

Very well.

Since you've said that,

I'll make sure to evaluate you properly.

A month has passed in your training.

It's time for you

to prove yourselves

at the Flag Contest before

the Mid-Autumn Festival.

What does it mean?

We'll place

15 flags across Mount Baiyue

for this contest.

You'll be divided into different teams.

Within the set timeframe,

the team obtaining the most flags

wins.

The winning team will receive

double this month's pay

and double

military merits.

That's great.

Awesome.

But before the contest,

you must patrol the mountains.

Next,

I'll assign you to different teams.

- Zheng Xuan. - Here!

- Jiang Jiao. - Here!

- Wang Ba. - Here!

- He Yan. - Here!

- Mai. - Here!

You guys form one team.

He Yan.

You'll be the captain.

Me?

Starting tomorrow,

patrol the mountains.

Understood.

(I've dug my own grave here.)

(Xiao Jue is really)

(putting me to the test.)

(Captain)

Horses get to rest and drink,

while we keep patrolling.

The flatbread is awful.

Wang Ba.

Want something tasty?

What do you mean?

Let's check ahead.

There might be

some rare fruits.

I'll pick some.

Or we can hunt for something.

- Alright. - Let's go.

That's the mountain ridge ahead.

The instructor

forbids us to cross.

Stay here if you're scared.

We'll be right back.

We're a team.

We shouldn't split up.

Also, do you know the terrain ahead?

I...

Wang Ba.

Are we going?

We'll be right back.

We need something to eat. The flatbread is tasteless.

Here, take this.

Let's go.

He,

let them be.

Wang Ba lost to you.

He feels humiliated

to stay here.

Let them be.

He.

What's taking them so long?

They

might've been taken by wild beasts.

Bad news.

We're in trouble!

What happened?

Where's Wang Ba?

Hurry.

Wang Ba was bitten

by the wolves.

Go rescue him.

Look what you've done.

Enough.

Stop.

Stop.

He.

Where are you going?

Go back and get help.

I'll find Wang Ba.

It's too dangerous for you.

He.

It's easier like this. Hurry.

Zheng Xuan.

You brat!

I...

You...

Don't let go.

Wang Ba, are you okay?

Why are you here?

Forget it. Inform the instructor.

- Go. - You'll be alone...

Stop nagging.

Hurry up. I have a plan.

Get up there.

Hurry.

You're courting death.

Don't...

I was once so much like you,

blinded by false perceptions

and ended up a puppet.

Looking back now,

my former self

was just a trapped beast fighting in vain.

What did you say?

He Yan ran away?

I never expected

that He Yan

had planned to run away.

He even urged us to run with him,

saying that no one

could reach us once we crossed the mountain.

As a loyal patriot,

I naturally refused.

Mr. Shen.

Mr. Shen.

Mai, Jiang Jiao, and Wang Ba are back.

Zheng Xuan.

How dare you lie?

Have you no shame?

I didn't...

This petty loser

set free all the horses before leaving.

He meant for us to die.

I'm telling the truth.

Please do me justice.

Mr. Shen.

None of you dares

to take the risk

and rescue him.

I'll go myself.

I grew up in the mountains.

I'm not afraid of wild beasts.

I'll go alone.

- Commander. - Commander.

Shen Han.

Discipline them.

Understood.

Commander, should I search...

No need.

The terrain is treacherous.

It's too risky.

I'll go myself.

This place isn't so bad.

Maidens gaze at autumn's moon, pleading for dexterity,

threading countless crimson silks till none remain.

It's the Qixi Festival.

But it's not all bad.

After all,

I have a dead wolf for company.

What?

Are you dreaming of sailing a boat

with your sweetheart

to celebrate Qixi?

Commander?

Com...

Commander.

How did you find me?

Can you climb up?

Commander.

I can't.

Commander.

Commander.

♪Constant yearning♪

♪Still vivid as our first meeting♪

♪Endless gazing♪

♪Step by step, falling deeper♪

Hold tight.

♪How to untangle this love♪

♪Buried deep within dreams♪

♪My heart, unyielding as stone, remains true♪

♪Awaiting the crescent moon's reflection in your heart♪

♪Splendor fades from your eyes♪

♪Crimson threads entwine like rings, binding our first vow♪

♪Time lingers as you and I share overlapping palm lines♪

♪Zither and harp accompany our dancing dreams♪

♪The brocade moon writes our vow, keeping this promise♪

Commander.

You killed a wolf with your bare hands.

Not only that,

you helped others retreat

in critical moments.

Among all the recruits,

none has shown such courage as you.

Our lives were at stake.

Commander.

How could you bear to watch

a promising warrior

in his prime years

meet the God of Death?

Isn't it

what you've taught us, Commander?

So I've been

pushing you to meet the God of Death?

I wouldn't meet him.

He is nowhere

near as handsome as you.

Commander.

Are we heading back now?

Want to spend the night here?

No, no.

I mean,

there's no one else

and only one horse.

So?

So,

are you making me

walk back, Commander?

Oh my.

What did I do wrong?

What cruel fate is this?

Get on the horse.

Me?

If you prefer walking back,

I don't mind it.

No, no.

I can use a ride.

I'm thrilled.

Doesn't it hurt?

It's just a minor injury.

Wait.

What now?

Commander.

Look at that wolf.

I went through great effort to kill it.

Isn't it a shame

to leave it here?

What do you propose?

How about

taking it with us?

Approved.

Really?

Commander, you're such a kind soul.

Put it on the horse.

And you get off.

Forget it.

Commander.

I just wanted to feel your sword.

I didn't get the chance last time.

Nice sword.

What a great sword.

You could be silent.

But Commander,

I'll die of boredom if I don't talk.

Commander.

You don't need to be so serious.

Think about it.

I killed a wolf

but didn't take it.

Wouldn't that just benefit the foxes?

Let alone the meat,

even the fur is top quality.

It makes excellent cloaks.

Of course,

you'd consider it beneath you.

Which means I get the advantage.

If I had a wolf-fur cloak,

I could

roll around in the snow in winter.

You sound obsessed.

No wonder you clung to that dead wolf

in the pit earlier.

That's not it.

I was just freezing.

I know

you value hygiene

and detest filth.

You'd never let an animal's blood

taint your robes.

But I'm different.

Let alone dead wolves,

I've even lain among corpses.

When?

Well...

That was a long time ago.

My hometown suffered poor harvests

back in the day.

People were starving.

And so many died.

As for the details,

I can't recall clearly.

This Qixi Festival

is truly unforgettable.

(A woman?)

(Why did a woman)

(come all the way to Yezhou)

(to join)

(the army?)

(Yezhou Garrison)

(Yezhou Garrison)

Commander.

Commander.

He Yan.

He Yan.

Well...

Commander, I...

Get off now.

Shen Han, get him down.

Have Cheng Lisu tend to his wounds.

Understood.

That sharp tongue with a tender heart...

You haven't changed one bit.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Nothing.

Come on, He Yan.

Come on.

So badly injured?

You got this?

- Yeah. - Take it easy.

Commander, you're back.

How is He Yan doing?

Still breathing.

He had killed the wolf

by the time I found him.

He killed a wolf on his own?

We can't underestimate this kid.

Indeed,

we can't.

He Yan risked his life

to save the others.

A spy wouldn't have done that.

Does this mean

he's off the hook?

Not just yet.

Commander.

What about Zheng Xuan?

Soldiers may fall by enemy blades,

but never to friendly fire.

Zheng Xuan

shall be executed.

Understood.

What?

Zheng Xuan was executed?

(Xiao Jue is truly strict with his troops.)

Put up with it.

Here we go.

What about

the others?

Wang Ba crossed the ridge.

Twenty lashes are inevitable.

Jiang Jiao and Mai didn't commit

major offenses,

but Huaijin said

that they must be punished

with ten lashes each

as a warning for abandoning

a fellow soldier.

Do you also think

that Huaijin

is a bit too cruel?

I'm not defending him.

But I believe

he actually...

The army has inviolable rules.

Zheng Xuan broke

military discipline

and violated brotherhood.

If we ever go to war,

who'd trust him to guard their back?

Yezhou Garrison needs reconstruction.

The Commander aims to make an example

to restore discipline.

Although

the execution is brutal,

it's a necessary deterrent.

The Commander

must have decided that

after careful consideration.

For a recruit, you surprisingly

grasp military principles

like a commander does.

I intend to become a general.

Naturally, I know more.

That makes sense.

Take off your shirt.

What?

Why are you so surprised?

As if you're a girl.

If it weren't for our friendship

and Huaijin's request,

as a gynecology expert,

why would I treat a man?

I don't need your help.

I can dress

my wounds.

Why are you suddenly shy?

Are you hiding

something unspeakable?

Don't be ashamed.

Let me examine you.

Actually, I

have a fiancée.

I'm only intimate with her.

Mr. He.

You're so conservative.

But you need medical treatment.

Your fiancée won't mind.

Come on.

I thought you were only intimate

with your fiancée.

Mr. He.

Why did you hit me on my face?

You'd ruin my looks.

My apologies.

Let him preserve his virtue

for his fiancée.

Don't expose anything

and let your fiancée down.

Mr. He,

you've earned Huaijin's recognition.

How so?

This healing ointment is precious.

Huaijin hardly uses it himself.

For years,

he's only given it to two people.

One is you.

The other was...

An ungrateful wretch.

Ungrateful wretch?

Never mind.

Don't be like him.

Who is he?

None other than He Rufei.

You're talking about me...

He Rufei?

That's right.

The current He Rufei

is an ungrateful wretch.

But the former He Rufei

wasn't.

It's him.

Could he be...

False of heart?

Men's thoughts are inscrutable.

I still don't know him

well enough.

(What exactly did Xiao Jue go through)

(to employ such brutal military discipline?)

Master.

I came today

to light a perpetual lamp

for my stepsister He Yan.

Amitabha.

But this lamp

is rather different

from the others.

What kind of lamp do you want, General?

(This lamp)

(must suppress her spirit.)

They say Xiao Huaijin

is thriving in Yezhou.

The recruits he trained

are showing great promise.

Yezhou Garrison's supplies

are controlled by the Yezhou County Office.

If I recall correctly,

Yezhou Magistrate Sun Xiangfu

is also your disciple.

Though he works for me,

distance breeds

delusions of local kingship.

He's developed improper ambitions.

Do you have concerns?

I once helped him,

and he repaid favors,

leading to

financial exchanges.

But being petty-minded,

he likely kept secret records.

Chancellor, Mr. Chu.

General Feihong is here.

He Rufei?

He's always stayed neutral,

away from trouble.

But he suddenly visits today...

Zilan.

I am rather weary today.

Entertain our guest.

Understood.

General Feihong.

I truly admire you.

It's such an honor

for me

to witness your noble bearing.

You flatter me, Mr. Chu.

I'm just lucky

to have cured the scars on my face

and stopped wearing the mask.

General, please.

Mr. Chu.

Where is the Chancellor?

Occupied with official matters,

he asked me to host you on his behalf.

I hope you won't

take offense.

The Chancellor handles myriad affairs. Of course, he is busy.

But you seem quite at leisure, Mr. Chu.

You're serving tea in the Chancellor's mansion

and learning to be a host.

The art of tea

nurtures the spirit

and honors guests.

Didn't you come

to visit the Chancellor

for this very cup of tea?

As sharp-tongued as you are,

I suppose

you also make excellent tea.

That's why the Chancellor values you so.

Ding Yi.

I recently acquired a rare hydraulics manuscript

and brought it to Mr. Xu.

(Hydraulics book) Since he is occupied,

may I trouble you to deliver it to him?

My pleasure.

Farewell.

(He Rufei's guard)

(seems remarkably skilled.)

Zilan.

Sit.

Understood.

What do you think

of He Rufei?

I'm not sure if he's being fake

or just overrated,

but he's not exactly

how people described him.

You strike true to the core.

However,

he does possess merits.

Aren't you

concerned about Yezhou Garrison?

I think

his arrival proves timely.

He has

an exceptional guard.

If we get them to join us,

we can take down Xiao Jue

and get rid of

the Sun family.

Very well.

Since you've devised a plan,

I'll entrust

this matter to you.

Understood.

(Hydraulics book)

(Chu Mansion)

Father.

(Lord Shijin, Chu Linfeng)

How is the Chancellor?

Why didn't he ask you to stay for dinner?

He is well,

just busy with work.

I dare not

disrupt him.

Oh, you...

How many times have I told you?

Stay by the Chancellor's side.

Strengthen your bond.

That's how

he'll value you in the future.

Forget it.

I must attend a banquet.

Dine with your mother

in the inner chambers.

Understood.

(Sunlight bears auspiciousness) Greetings, Mother.

Father sent me to dine with you.

(Wife of Lord Shijin) I have no appetite.

I'll retire early.

Dine alone.

Understood.

Stop acting like you are

Lingfeng's biological son.

Your mother

might have been Miss Chu,

but nobody knows

who your father is.

Your uncle adopted you, who was born

to an unknown father

for the family's reputation.

Don't you want

your shameless mother,

who bore a child out of wedlock,

to enter the ancestral hall?

Then you'd better work harder to elevate your status.

Draw.

Turn.

Uppercut.

Thrust.

Stab.

Commander.

You dug so much

into his past,

but to no avail?

That's right.

Everything matches his military records.

Perhaps He Yan

has nothing to do

with He Rufei and Xu Jingfu.

This only proves

those covering for him are remarkably capable.

Covering for him?

Did you discover something?

An unexpected lead.

Keep looking.

Understood.

♪Light shines upon my heart♪

♪Unveiling scars, I choose to swim upstream♪

♪The resonance of courage rings loud and clear♪

♪It's the boldness that defines existence♪

♪I've seen the mountains♪

♪And trodden through ice♪

♪Day after day, I venture alone♪

♪Destiny is my creed♪

♪Ideals surge beneath the surface♪

♪Igniting the flame against the winds♪

♪A restless yearning in my soul♪

♪Gazing through the mire♪

♪Who cares about this boundless void♪

♪Charge ahead with blazing fervor♪

♪Stubbornly fighting with my life♪

♪Soaring across the world's expanse♪

♪There must always be a longing♪

♪Disregard the wounds to seek the light♪

♪Light shines upon my heart♪

♪Unveiling scars, I choose to swim upstream♪

♪The resonance of courage rings loud and clear♪

♪It's the boldness that defines existence♪

♪Chasing the light within my heart♪

♪Burying frailty, embracing life through death♪

♪You'll meet gazes where storms brew♪

♪With our unwavering true love, brave the world with me♪

♪Soaring across the world's expanse♪

♪There must always be a longing♪

♪Disregard the wounds to seek the light♪

♪Light shines upon my heart♪

♪Unveiling scars, I choose to swim upstream♪

♪The resonance of courage rings loud and clear♪

♪It's the boldness that defines existence♪

♪Chasing the light within my heart♪

♪Burying frailty, embracing life through death♪

♪You'll meet gazes where storms brew♪

♪With our unwavering true love, brave the world with me♪