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=

They're crossing the line,

putting loaches in my shoes.

I'm sorry.

It was an accident.

These candies got dirty.

Put them back.

Don't eat those.

Should I buy you new ones?

No need. Go to class.

=Episode 5=

You dug so much into his past, but to no avail?

That's right.

Everything matches his military records.

Maybe He Yan really has nothing to do with He Rufei and Xu Jingfu.

This only proves

those covering for him are remarkably capable.

Covering for him?

Commander, have you discovered something?

An unexpected lead.

Have people keep looking.

Yes.

And what's going on with the delay in provisions?

Yezhou Magistrate Sun Xiangfu

claims the harvest is poor,

the farmers are owed payments,

and the grain reserves are critically low.

So he can't spare us any grain.

Absolute nonsense.

It's not like there were

any natural disasters.

There were none.

But man-made troubles exist.

I bet Xu Jingfu told him to oppose you.

Xu Jingfu got me transferred to Yezhou,

away from the capital,

without any chance to turn the tide.

He never imagined

that you had already chosen to bide your time here.

But now that

you've trained these misfits

into capable soldiers,

he's rushing

to tamper with our provisions.

That's right.

The new recruits lack cohesion.

If provisions run short

in times of good harvests

and rumors of embezzlement surface,

the new recruits will

lose their trust in me.

What should we do?

The remaining provisions can last a bit longer.

After the contest of capturing flags, I'll visit Sun Xiangfu in person

and find out

what kind of pawn

Xu Jingfu had planted in Yezhou.

(He Yan,)

(those closest to you)

(despised you,)

(abandoned you,)

(and killed you.)

(Since you've come back with a new identity,)

(from now on,)

(your life)

(will be solely in your hands.)

Mr. He.

Your lanterns are hideous.

What matters is the sincerity.

Mr. Cheng.

Isn't your lantern

way too huge?

This lantern

is not just for my ancestors.

It's also for Huaijin.

So I made it bigger than usual.

With both families together,

it's livelier

and less lonely.

My grand-aunt

feared loneliness most.

Madam Xiao

also passed away?

Yeah.

She and my great-uncle were a loving couple.

After my great-uncle died,

my great-aunt was devastated.

After Huaijin

escorted my great-uncle's coffin home,

she took her own life.

Huaijin is also quite lonely.

My family,

including my mother,

and friends acquainted with the Xiao family

don't really like him.

They prefer my eldest uncle,

Huaijin's older brother,

Xiao Jing.

Why?

Aren't they both members of The Xiao family?

The Xiao family comes from a long military lineage.

One child must join the army.

Xiao Jing is more of a scholar

than a military man.

So Huaijin joined the army

for his elder brother

and the entire family.

He left at an early age and rarely visited home.

So, he's become quite aloof.

He's distant even with his own family,

let alone relatives like us.

Even his mother

doesn't feel bonded with him.

Makes sense.

They're like strangers after years apart.

It leads to prejudice.

Mr. He, it's late.

I should head back.

Rest early.

In times of hardship,

take a piece of candy.

Let its sweetness

comfort you.

Such little sweetness

can attenuate the bitterness of life.

Premium Osmanthus wine.

I hear noblewomen in the capital adore this.

May the deceased

witness my devotion

in folding these lanterns

and bless my wishes.

Disturbing the deceased

doesn't make you ashamed at all.

Leave mortal affairs

to be handled by the living.

How do you know

I'm not speaking

the wishes of the deceased?

The regrets of the dead

must be redeemed by the living.

This is my promise to them.

Want to fold some?

I'll share some with you

to repay you for saving me back then.

No need.

This one

carries blessings to those heroes who died

defending our land and people,

and their loved ones.

Though I don't know your names,

these blessings

come from my heart.

Not bad.

Hideous.

This is called free-form one.

Perhaps

the heroes prefer it this way.

You mock my lanterns,

but you won't make one.

All talk, no action.

So picky.

What's the fuss?

I touched your hand, so what?

(This woman has no sense of propriety.)

♪Constant yearning♪

♪Still vivid as our first meeting♪

♪Endless gazing♪

♪Step by step, falling deeper♪

♪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♪

Done.

It's ready.

♪In the vast world♪

♪I searched for years♪

♪Shadows hustle♪

♪Scenes reappear♪

Hurry up.

♪What is there to fear♪

♪We'll weather storms together♪

♪Through endless dawns and dusks, to eternity♪

♪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♪

Done.

♪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♪

Under the bright moon, I long for my kin.

I wonder if the deceased

shares this moonlight

with us, the living?

Yes, they do.

New recruits, listen up!

Red flags are placed

throughout Mount Baiyue.

There are 15 in total.

This competition

lasts until sunset.

The team returning with the most red flags

shall be the winner.

Remember. Don't cross the mountains.

Don't take lives.

Violators will face

military discipline.

- Yes. - Yes.

After the competition,

the most outstanding recruit

will join the Nine Banners Battalion.

- Really? - Really?

Soldiers!

Set out.

- Yes. - Yes.

This is the map of Mount Baiyue?

Where did you get it?

I memorized the paths while patrolling

and drew this map after I came back.

You memorized the paths

while being chased by wolves?

I checked the routes

while fleeing,

and then reviewed them later.

So I know this place well.

Trust your boss.

Those flags

are usually placed in visible areas

near foothills and water sources.

So the nearest flag

should be

on this open mountainside.

Come on, let's go for it.

No.

We're not going there.

Those flags in the open

are easy targets.

Many teams will notice them.

If we go there,

we'll be caught in chaos.

So,

we'll head

here.

It's among dense woods,

behind a cliff.

It will be a challenge.

Classic carrot-and-stick tactic.

They lure us with rewards and then slap us down.

Of course, it's challenging.

Or they can just hold

a martial arts contest.

Let's go.

Cliffs on Mount Baiyue are dangerous.

I doubt anyone

can take this flag.

New recruits can't.

But veterans might

have realized the purpose of the patrol

and completed a thorough mapping.

Do we have

such a talent here?

Yeah.

He Yan.

It's in such a precarious position.

Only you could get that flag, He.

Piece of cake.

He, you're amazing.

With only one patrol,

He Yan

has learned Mount Baiyue by heart.

Impressive new talent.

But I bet on Lei Hou's team.

Everyone

in that team is a top martial artist.

It takes teamwork to capture flags,

not individual heroism.

Therefore, deployment matters

more than muscle.

So I still bet on

He Yan.

H-Hand over your flags.

(The members of He Yan's team are)

(of mixed quality,)

(but each has talents.)

(If he can harness their talents)

(through deployment,)

(they should)

(make quite a team.)

Take action.

Do you surrender?

Y-Yeah.

W-Where are your flags?

Commander.

He Yan's team set up ambushes and snatched

many flags from the other teams.

"Hold the ground,"

"stay fresh, and strike"

"when the enemy is weak."

Those new recruits

are being thoroughly outplayed.

What a surprise.

You also captured seven flags.

That's impressive.

You flatter me.

Now we each hold seven flags.

Whoever claims the last one in the valley

becomes the winner.

That terrain is treacherous.

Why don't you retreat

with your team to secure second place?

That may be good,

but I crave first place.

Very well. We'll meet in the valley.

Mr. Lei, this isn't much fun.

Why don't we spice things up?

I'm listening.

What do you want?

A duel.

The loser

surrenders all his flags.

Those guys? Are they up to it?

No way, He.

We worked so hard for these.

It's okay, don't worry.

If we come to duels,

I won't hold back.

You may lose even second place.

I don't like fighting.

But no one can take what I desire

from me.

Therefore,

I'll have to beat you.

He Yan trusts us with his back.

Naturally, we'll eliminate all threats.

You agreed to duel.

But you resorted to tricks?

E-Even bandits...

Bandits keep their word better.

(Odd moves.)

- Nice! - Well done!

Remarkable, Mr. He.

I concede.

You honor me.

Commander.

He Yan has claimed all 15 flags.

His team has returned.

You've lost.

Commander,

you're a great chess player and talent scout.

I humbly

admit defeat.

(If she were truly a planted spy here,)

(she wouldn't eagerly draw my attention)

(by flaunting this conquest.)

(But she is no ordinary recruit.)

(He Yan, what's your intention?)

Commander.

The contest concludes.

Shall we proceed with rewards?

No rush.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is in five days. Wait until then.

Have you decided the one to be

enrolled in the Nine Banners Battalion?

We took first place.

But there's no celebration?

This is lame.

There will be a feast.

It's just postponed.

Rest assured.

You'll get your banquet.

Don't mock me.

Aren't you craving meat?

- Of course, we are. - Of course, we are.

He,

after you join

the Nine Banners Battalion,

don't forget us.

Never would I.

(Let me ask Xiao Jue about this.)

Morning, Master.

Master.

I lived up to your expectations

and won first place in the competition.

Thanks to your guidance,

I can join the Nine Banners Battalion.

(Great Master and Talented Disciple) This is a flower basket I made.

These 15 flags

represent my newly earned honors.

Please accept it

as a token of gratitude.

"Talented disciple"?

You really know how to toot your own horn.

How am I tooting my own horn?

Look, it says "Great Master" right here.

With our bond,

once I join the battalion,

I'll surely

stand by you

through thick and thin

forever.

So eloquent.

It's a pity you're not teaching literacy

to the troops.

Master,

how can you value my silver tongue

over my true capabilities?

With abilities like mine,

I'll become your right-hand man

once I join the Nine Banners Battalion.

Are you really

so eager to join the battalion?

Of course.

I'm a real talent.

It would be your loss if I didn't join

the Nine Banners Battalion.

I won't let you

suffer such a great loss

in your life, Commander.

Commander.

All instructors are waiting for you

at the main tent.

Military affairs take priority.

Go ahead.

We can talk anytime.

Wait.

Take the pastries from the table.

Thank you, Commander.

(General Feihong's Mansion)

General.

There is

no conflict of interest

between us.

Wouldn't it be nice if we both

served the Master?

He wasn't

avoiding you that day.

He's just been burdened with worries

and has become short-tempered.

I wonder what troubles

the Chancellor.

It's Xiao Jue.

He's causing trouble even in Yezhou.

He is drawing attention with the training

and making outrageous demands

to Yezhou Magistrate Sun Xiangfu

for provisions and funds.

Sun Xiangfu is running short on those,

but Xiao Jue refuses to back down.

They're at an impasse.

As the Chancellor's disciple,

I'm obligated to go to Yezhou Garrison

for mediation.

It's just that

I've never been there.

Besides, I'm merely a scholar.

Unlike you,

who commands numerous talents,

I only have one maid working for me.

My guard here knows some martial arts.

Once you arrive in Yezhou,

you can ask him to run your errands

if you need anything.

That would be most helpful.

But

I can't travel fast.

Perhaps, I'll meet

your guard in Yezhou

so as not to make Magistrate Sun wait.

Alright.

Then I'll take my leave.

Once you reach Yezhou,

go straight to Sun Xiangfu

for cooperation.

General,

won't you

be implicated?

What's the problem?

Yezhou is Sun Xiangfu's territory.

Even if things go south,

Sun Xiangfu is to blame for his incompetence.

What does it have to do with me?

Chu Zhao wants

to claim credit from Chancellor.

We can't let him steal the spotlight.

So, Ding Yi,

make sure you succeed.

No mistakes are allowed.

Yes.

(Chu Mansion)

(Late Mother, Chu Mingfang)

Mother,

I'm going to Yezhou.

I won't be able to speak

with you for a while.

Young Master.

He Rufei envies that you're valued by Mr. Xu

and is eager to impress Mr. Xu.

If his men reach Yezhou,

they might ruin everything.

You're mistaken.

They'll help us.

He Rufei's guard is

as skilled as you

in martial arts.

It'll save me much effort

if he takes on Xiao Jue first.

Besides, once he steps in,

whatever happens

won't trace back to Master.

And I can stay in the shadows,

watch them stir things up in Yezhou,

and find a chance

to obtain what Sun Xiangfu holds.

Alright. Thanks.

Try it.

Another veggie dish?

The meat dishes will come.

Here we go.

Let's all eat and drink heartily today.

Happy Mid-Autumn!

- Happy Mid-Autumn! - Happy Mid-Autumn!

Come on, try this.

He Yan.

He Yan.

Why are you zoning out?

What's out there?

Isn't it the Mid-Autumn banquet?

Where is the Commander?

Huaijin won't come.

Why not?

Since when do you care so much about him?

Wasn't he supposed to announce the enrollment

into the Nine Banners Battalion?

If he came,

would you dare

to eat and drink so casually?

That's what I mean.

You're awkward around him.

He's uneasy in such lively places, too.

Why make everyone

uncomfortable?

Come on.

Top performer.

You go first.

Pass them around, guys.

Alright.

(What's mine is mine.)

(I can wait a bit longer.)

(Joining the battalion)

(brings me one step closer to reclaiming my position.)

Mr. Shen.

Go on.

Dig in.

Don't hold back.

- Sit down. - Yes.

Come on, dig in.

This is

a Mid-Autumn feast

as well as your celebration banquet.

We're usually not allowed to drink,

but you won first place.

So I

brought this reward for you.

Easy.

Don't be late

for the morning training.

Or you'll face military discipline.

- Yes. - Yes.

Yes.

Get bowls.

Get bowls. Hurry.

Come on.

Look at you.

Mr. Shen.

Need something?

Mr. Shen.

Are you here to announce the enrollment?

Mr. Shen,

do you have good news

for us?

Yeah, Mr. Shen.

Stop keeping us in suspense.

Yeah.

Yeah.

After I'm done here,

I'll offer Lei Hou

my congratulations.

Lei Hou?

Lei Hou?

Not He Yan?

Wait, Mr. Shen.

But He took first place...

So what?

Get back to it.

Don't make a scene.

Listen up.

Commander selected soldiers

based on a comprehensive evaluation.

The contest was just one aspect.

He Yan.

Stay sharp.

You've got real potential.

You'll have many more chances.

♪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♪