Legend of the Female General Episode 26 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
He Yan observed the rescued women, feeling profound sadness. Their ordeal was merely a glimpse into the suffering of many more, yet when their families were notified to retrieve them, none came forward. She learned from Qi Luo that their families believed the women had shamed them by consorting with the enemy and thus refused to accept them back.
He Yan found this antiquated mindset deplorable, noting that if men had faced similar circumstances, their families would have proudly welcomed them home, perhaps even lauding them as heroes. She also harbored no illusions about Li Kuang being a hero. Qi Luo, however, staunchly defended Li Kuang, her deeply ingrained beliefs leaving He Yan helpless. Li Kuang then intended to have Qi Luo lead the rescued women as vanguards to confuse the Wutuo forces.
Qi Luo was consumed by fear, knowing this was a death mission, and desperately pleaded with Li Kuang. Yet, his resolve was unshaken, leaving Qi Luo no choice but to accept the cruel order. Upon learning of Li Kuang's plan, He Yan frantically galloped, arriving just in time to prevent the city gate from opening. She then openly confronted Li Kuang before the rescued women, denouncing him as a weakling.
She declared that a true general's sword should be wielded against external enemies, not used to oppress the vulnerable. At that moment, Xiao Jue appeared, his words echoing He Yan's sentiments and affirming her stance. Gazing at He Yan, he recognized the unwavering spirit of the woman who had always believed that warriors should protect the land and its people.
Inspired by He Yan and Xiao Jue, the morale of Rundu's garrison soared, and they resolved to fight the Wutuo to the death. They meticulously planned their strategy: first, they launched fireballs, using the wind to blow dense smoke towards the Wutuo forces, creating a blinding screen. Then, they unleashed a rain of arrows, allowing Wei soldiers to advance and catch the Wutuo off guard. Swords clashed and clanged across the battlefield, leaving countless dead on both sides.
He Yan and Xiao Jue worked in perfect sync, pushing directly towards the Wutuo's central command. Seeing this, Nagur heartlessly sacrificed his own subordinates to block He Yan's sword. After her initial strike missed, He Yan vanished into the smoke and launched a sudden, unexpected attack on Nagur while Xiao Jue engaged the bulk of the Wutuo forces, providing a crucial distraction.
Failing to kill Nagur in her assault and suddenly fearing Xiao Jue was injured, He Yan's focus shattered as she frantically searched for him. When she couldn't find him, she believed him dead, her mind completely consumed by anguish. Unbeknownst to her, Nagur was creeping up from behind, intending to kill her. In a critical moment, Xiao Jue appeared as if from nowhere, striking down Nagur and saving He Yan's life.
Overwhelmed by relief and joy, He Yan rushed to embrace Xiao Jue tightly. With the death of their commander, Nagur, the Wutuo army descended into chaos. Just then, Yan He arrived with his army, securing victory in the battle for Rundu. It was revealed that Xiao Jue had, in fact, already dispatched Feinu from Yezhou Garrison to request Yan He's support for Rundu.
Chu Zhao had also arranged for Yingxiang to gather provisions, though the supplies only reached the city after the battle concluded. Li Kuang observed He Yan, noting her resemblance to the former He Rufei, completely unaware that she was indeed the true He Rufei. Xiao Jue then took He Yan to a tree, holding up the pouch and letter she had left for him before her departure and asking for their meaning.
He Yan explained her reasons for leaving the letter, stating she was still a soldier of Yezhou Garrison and needed to account for her unauthorized leave. The pouch, she added, was an apology for taking the Qinglang Sword without permission. Xiao Jue seized the opportunity to express his innermost thoughts. He admitted he had been "clouded by illusion," mistakenly equating her with the scheming He Rufei.
He realized that she was, and always had been, his "indomitable classmate" and the "general who defended the land and feared no sacrifice." He shared that after returning from Peidu, he had wanted to apologize, clarify everything, and accompany her to Rundu, but she had already left Yezhou Garrison. He then asserted that no matter the future turmoil, he would trust her implicitly and face the challenges alongside her.
He Yan accepted his words, feeling the long-standing estrangement between them dissipate. Later, Feinu apologized to He Yan for his previous misunderstanding, explaining that Xiao Jue's investigation into He Rufei in the capital had revealed the truth. He Yan graciously accepted his apology, acknowledging that anyone in his position would have assumed she was being deceitful.
He Yan then elaborated on He Rufei's schemes, explaining that he had orchestrated ambushes that killed the Seven Tiger Generals, then used Li Kuang and Rundu as bait. He suspected she was still alive and expected her to fall into his trap. She decided to come anyway, for the sake of her former comrades and the people of Rundu. He Rufei, despite his intricate calculations, had never foreseen that Xiao Jue would once again risk being charged to reinforce Rundu.
He Yan declared she was not afraid of He Rufei knowing her true identity. She vowed that upon her return to the capital, she would stand proudly before him, exposing him as an impostor and ensuring everyone recognized who the true General Feihong was. She also suspected that evidence of He Rufei and Xu Jingfu's long-standing collusion must exist in the capital, prompting her desire for a swift return to investigate. Xiao Jue affirmed that he would accompany her.
