Legend of the Female General Episode 3 Recap
> Legend of the Female General Recap
During a covert confrontation in a hot spring, Xiao Jue and He Yan engaged in a struggle. The water, reducing their strength, revealed He Yan's adeptness at avoiding full exposure, maintaining her disguise even without clothing. Only after He Yan had exited the water and donned her attire did Xiao Jue recognize her. The following day, during daily training, Xiao Jue intently observed He Yan.
He noted He Yan’s moves flowed effortlessly despite a perceived physical weakness, a clear sign that He Yan was no amateur and had been feigning clumsiness. Xiao Jue was determined to make He Yan reveal her true colors openly. He then instructed his subordinate, Shen Han, to assist him with something. Soon, discussions about the formidable Jiuqi Camp, founded by Marshal Xiao, filled the military barracks.
Recruits spoke of the camp's elite warriors, clad in black armor, renowned for their invincibility as the core of the Xiao Army. Hearing these conversations, He Yan shrewdly suspected that Xiao Jue, having learned something from their encounter in the hot spring, had deliberately set this up as a bait to lure her. However, He Yan resolved to turn the tables, planning to join the Jiuqi Camp honorably and flawlessly, believing that the true prey remained to be seen.
Shen Han later informed He Yan that the Jiuqi Camp annually selected only the most outstanding new recruit to replenish its ranks. Without hesitation, He Yan boldly declared that she was that exceptional candidate, assuring them they wouldn't need to search further. Subsequently, a recruit named Wang Ba brazenly snatched He Yan's flatbread, taunting her to take it back.
Refusing to be intimidated, He Yan challenged Wang Ba to an archery contest in ten days at the training field, vowing victory and stating that if she won, Wang Ba would have to call her "boss." Shortly after, another recruit, Jiang Jiao, challenged He Yan to a spear duel on the same day. Many recruits found He Yan's challenges audacious, but Xiao Jue, intrigued, permitted the contests to proceed, eager to assess He Yan's qualifications for the Jiuqi Camp.
From that day forward, He Yan dedicated herself to rigorous training, continuing her practice long after others had retired for the night and resuming before dawn. Xiao Jue keenly observed her relentless efforts. One night, he confronted He Yan, directly accusing her of being the clandestine individual from the hot spring. He Yan, feigning distress and panic, concocted a story about being startled and fleeing recklessly that night.
Despite her elaborate excuses, Xiao Jue maintained his suspicion, perceiving her as evasive and untruthful. He Yan then boldly proposed that Xiao Jue become her trainer, arguing that practicing alone was inefficient. Amused by her cheekiness, Xiao Jue agreed to teach her, but only if she could withstand ten of his strikes without leaving a designated circle. He Yan readily accepted the challenge.
During their sparring session, she appeared to be at Xiao Jue's mercy, yet she deftly maintained her position within the circle, never crossing its boundary. After the tenth strike, He Yan remained within the circle, prompting Xiao Jue to honor his promise. He agreed to train her every night at Xu hour, warning her that if she failed to win her challenges, she would be expelled from Yezhou Garrison.
He Yan, however, saw this as an opportunity to leverage Xiao Jue's power for her own advancement. Despite having quickly mastered the spear techniques he taught, He Yan noticed Xiao Jue’s lack of interest in her progress. Driven to showcase her achievements, she sought him out in his tent. There, her eyes fell upon a familiar weapon: the Qinglang Sword.
She recalled a time when Marshal Xiao Zhongwu, Xiao Jue’s father, commissioned two swords: Yinqiu, which he bestowed upon Xiao Jue (whose given name was Huaijin) when he came of age, and Qinglang, which he presented to He Yan. In Xiao Jue’s presence, He Yan had initially felt unworthy of such a precious gift, while the young Xiao Jue expressed his disdain, deeming her undeserving of it.
As He Yan reached for the Qinglang Sword and began to draw it from its scabbard, Xiao Jue appeared behind her, pressing a cold blade against her neck. He Yan quickly fabricated an excuse, claiming she was merely captivated by the sword’s sharpness and couldn’t resist touching it, and Xiao Jue, seemingly satisfied, did not press the matter further. On the day of the competition, most recruits placed their bets on Wang Ba and Jiang Jiao.
However, Mr. Cheng confidently wagered ten flatbreads on He Yan, though he learned that someone else had placed a bet on He Yan even earlier. To everyone's astonishment, He Yan emerged victorious against both opponents. During her spear duel with Jiang Jiao, Xiao Jue surreptitiously threw a stone at her, testing her reflexes. He Yan instinctively dodged, but then deliberately allowed herself to be hit, discerning Xiao Jue's true intention.
True to their word, both Jiang Jiao and Wang Ba acknowledged He Yan as their "boss." Celebrating her triumph, Mr. Cheng, having won his wager, generously treated everyone to the flatbreads he had secured. Despite He Yan’s impressive performance, Xiao Jue’s suspicions deepened.
He recognized her not only as resilient and clever but also as a formidable and challenging opponent, resolving not to underestimate her as the truth about her identity was sure to reveal itself in the upcoming competition phase.
