Shadow Love Episode 1 Recap
> Shadow Love Recap
General Li Shuang of Taijin, a valiant warrior, once shared a profound bond with a man. Neither remembered their own birthday, so they declared that day as their shared birth anniversary, vowing not to be born on the same day but to die on the same day, sharing the same grave in death. This cherished memory, however, became an enduring sorrow for Li Shuang, as she often wished time could have frozen at that beautiful moment.
Border conflicts between Taijin and Yao State were frequent, causing instability in the imperial court. Consort Qin of Yao State manipulated Emperor Duan Aoze, intending to implant the legendary Jade Linglong, an ancient and powerful evil artifact, into his body. This artifact, once inside, could transform a living person into an obedient shadow puppet, loyal to its blood master for eternity, with its memories erased. On that very night, General Li Shuang led her Changfeng Army in a surprise attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Prince Annan, Duan Aodeng, launched his own assault on Lucheng. Receiving a distress signal from Lucheng, Li Shuang decided to retreat immediately to prevent the Yao Army from encircling her forces on their return route. Duan Aodeng, meanwhile, learned that Consort Qin had taken the Emperor out of the palace. He resolved to go after them alone, determined to keep the Emperor's absence a secret, while his army was ordered to capture Li Shuang alive.
Consort Qin used cruel methods to perform a forbidden technique on Duan Aoze. Just as she was about to complete her ritual, Duan Aodeng arrived to intervene. Duan Aoze, though under Consort Qin’s influence, pleaded for Duan Aodeng's life, stating that the grudge between Consort Qin and himself had nothing to do with Duan Aodeng. Consort Qin, however, was protected by a powerful, high-level practitioner named Jin Wujian, whose vicious magic was too potent for Duan Aodeng to overcome.
Duan Aodeng was severely wounded and fell unconscious. Believing Duan Aodeng was the reason Duan Aoze did not reciprocate her love, Consort Qin ordered Jin Wujian to implant the Jade Linglong into Duan Aodeng instead. However, the Jade Linglong had not yet formed a blood contract, causing it to lose control after entering Duan Aodeng's body. The chaotic power of the artifact eliminated Jin Wujian and Consort Qin's guards.
Duan Aodeng's body was wracked with excruciating pain, and he tumbled off a cliff. As the Yao Army pursued Li Shuang, aiming to capture her alive, she found herself cornered at a cliff's edge. At that moment, the dormant Duan Aodeng, influenced by Jade Linglong, sensed Li Shuang's blood. Jade Linglong then formed a blood contract with Li Shuang, surged out, and saved her from the fall. At this point, Duan Aodeng's body was that of a child.
Li Shuang observed the unconscious child, perplexed by his rapid heartbeat. Upon returning, Li Shuang's father, Grand General Li Wei, expressed concern about a spy within the military, as their flawless night raid plan had been countered, suggesting the enemy was prepared. He instructed Li Shuang to investigate thoroughly. Duan Aodeng, now in Li Shuang's care, refused to speak to anyone else but seemed to calm down in her presence.
Li Shuang questioned why Duan Aodeng, a small child, had such immense strength and why he had saved her. Duan Aodeng, equally bewildered, confessed he remembered nothing from that day, only that he felt a profound sense of calm and relief whenever she was near. Recognizing his memory loss, Duan Aodeng decided to remain by Li Shuang's side under the guise of a young boy, believing it safer for him given the unclear situation.
Li Shuang speculated that Duan Aodeng might have lost his memory due to trauma from the ongoing war, perhaps suffering hardships like many others. Later, Duan Aodeng sensed Li Shuang's approach and eagerly emerged from the tent. He had altered the oversized clothes Li Shuang provided, making them fit better. He tried to lift Li Shuang's sword, finding it incredibly heavy, which surprised Li Shuang, given his earlier display of strength.
Duan Aodeng insisted he truly had no memory of how he acquired such power or why he was in the forest. Li Shuang, suspecting his feigned weakness and calculating manner, questioned his true intentions for being at the Changfeng Army camp, noting that his thoughts and actions seemed meticulously trained for a child. Duan Aodeng, feeling accused, argued that if he had ulterior motives, he would have simply left her to die in the forest.
He then asked Li Shuang if she had heard of any methods to turn old into young. Li Shuang, dismissing his question by saying she was a general, not a charlatan, offered him a piece of candy, discreetly, as she had issued a military order prohibiting him from eating due to his prior mischief. As rain began to fall, Li Shuang expressed hope for a bountiful harvest and lasting peace, wishing an end to suffering for the common people.
Duan Aodeng, moved by her words, held an umbrella over her and gently took her hand. That night, while Li Shuang was on patrol, Duan Aodeng grew restless and distressed. Catching his reflection in a puddle, he saw his body had returned to its adult form. Only after smelling the candy Li Shuang had given him did he fall into a deep sleep, transforming back into a child by morning.
He then returned to the Changfeng Army camp, determined to see Li Shuang. He explained that he had no home to return to since his memory was gone, and he felt safe only when he was with her. He offered to become her soldier. Other soldiers scoffed at the idea of such a small child joining the ranks, reminding him that his "lucky" save in the forest was merely a fluke and his skills were amateur.
Duan Aodeng challenged them, claiming his "amateur skills" were enough to defeat them. After a quick skirmish, Li Shuang accepted his offer, emphasizing that he must abide by military rules and would face military law for any transgressions. When asked for his name, Duan Aodeng admitted he didn't know it. One soldier joked about calling him "Cow Dung," but Li Shuang named him Jin'an, wishing for Taijin's lasting peace and prosperity.
She explained that despite the many mysteries surrounding him, his remarkable strength and intelligence made him an asset, and keeping him close would allow her to uncover his identity and potentially harness his abilities for the Changfeng Army, which would be like adding wings to a tiger.
