Glory of Special Forces Episode 18 Recap
> Glory of Special Forces Recap
At three in the morning, a whistle for emergency assembly pierced the night. Trainees grumbled, suspecting the instructors were intentionally pushing them. Zhou Zi Jian (Number 29) was the last to arrive, explaining he was too tired to hear the call. Qin Feng sternly declared that tiredness was no excuse, as their enemies would show no mercy. He explained that from now on, they would train for unconventional warfare, transforming from mere tools into "sharp blades" and "sharp knives."
He then called out Yan Poyue (Number 27) for looking at Xiao Yun Jie (Number 28), dismissing their squad bond and questioning if they were "eager to help your comrade." Qin Feng announced that all future training would be done in two-person teams, assigned by instructors, not freely chosen. Both team members had to pass each course; if one failed, both would restart.
He pointed to a "farewell platform" where anyone who couldn't endure could place their helmet and number plate, but only after loudly shouting, "I give up!" He concluded by stating that the team with the worst performance would be eliminated. The instructor's pairings were strategic, intentionally grouping individuals with existing conflicts. Xiao Yun Jie was paired with Bai Long (Number 30), and Yan Poyue with Guo Xiaoxiao (Number 31), whom he internally referred to as "Lone Wolf."
The first task was combat training, requiring them to knock out their opponent. Yan Poyue and Guo Xiaoxiao stood motionless. Qin Feng questioned if they were "doing breathing exercise," to which Yan Poyue declared he would not hit a woman. Guo Xiaoxiao responded fiercely, declaring she was his enemy, then attacked him. Yan Poyue finally fought back, with Qin Feng urging them to continue with that spirit.
After the mud pit combat, Bai Long suddenly challenged instructor Cao Ben to a fight. Cao Ben initially refused, reminding Bai Long that reserve members had no right to make demands of instructors. Bai Long clarified it was a challenge, not a request. Lv Tu tried to intervene, telling Bai Long to quit and reminding him it was a training ground, but Bai Long pushed him aside. Bai Long then dared Cao Ben to refuse in front of everyone.
Cao Ben reluctantly accepted, viewing it as a demonstration for the other trainees. Trainees murmured that Bai Long, being a re-enlistment, likely had a history with Cao Ben. The two fought aggressively, using deadly force. Qin Feng quickly stopped the fight, reprimanding them that despite their roles, they shared another title: "comrade."
He explained that most of them hadn't faced desperate situations or "unconventional warfare," and in such times, beyond faith and determination, their "comrades are the only ones you can rely on! Your life is yours, but also each other's!" For the next task, to "understand more deeply about the meaning of the word comrade," Qin Feng instructed them to carry a teammate back to Base 125, emphasizing that "comradeship is forged through blood and sweat."
He made Bai Long carry Cao Ben, to Cao Ben's dismay. Guo Xiaoxiao moved to carry Yan Poyue, but he quickly hoisted her onto his shoulder instead, stating there was "no way I'll let you carry me." Finding himself without a partner, Xiao Yun Jie was instructed to carry Lv Tu. As they ran, Yan Poyue reflected that this journey was neither heaven nor hell, but a long road where falling behind meant being lost forever.
He was determined not to fall behind, for "at the end of the road, there are my dream and dignity." Back at the base, Bai Long and Cao Ben remained defiantly at odds. Lv Tu announced the next challenge: scaling the Lazy Man's Ladder in pairs. He demonstrated the climb, then increased the difficulty by pouring detergent on the ladder, mockingly saying he prepared it because they were all so "dirty" and needed to "clean yourself up."
Yan Poyue and Guo Xiaoxiao navigated the slippery ladder, helping each other as they climbed. At the end of the day, Qin Feng deemed their training "passable." When a soldier complained about not having eaten since morning, Qin Feng declared that they would only receive an extra bucket of water and if they were hungry, they should "just drink water."
He explained that "love from company commander or care from squad leader" did not exist here, and anyone who couldn't endure the hunger could quit. When no one volunteered to leave, Qin Feng announced the elimination of the team with the worst performance: numbers 36 and 41. They protested, claiming their poor performance was due to hunger and asking for another chance. Qin Feng refused, stating that on the battlefield, the enemy would not grant second chances.
He explained that different individuals performed differently under extreme conditions and sent them back to "the post that is more suitable for you," instructing Cao Ben to feed them and send them away the next day. In their dorm, the remaining trainees lamented their hunger. Yan Poyue and Xiao Yun Jie discussed their old unit, Regiment 247, which had been "reorganized and moved," leaving them with "no way back."
Another trainee from Detachment 29 revealed that if he didn't make the cut, he would retire. The soldiers were too restless to sleep soundly, fearing another emergency assembly, emphasizing the need to "stay alert." Later, Qin Feng discussed the training with Leng Jing. He mentioned Guo Xiaoxiao's excellent performance but expressed concern over Bai Long's emotional state, describing his challenge against Cao Ben as "resenting" a "loss."
Leng Jing, appearing agitated, challenged Qin Feng, asking if he was talking about Bai Long or her, and reiterated that "what is lost is lost. It's forever gone." Qin Feng then referenced the "Cobra Operation" three years prior, after which Bai Long was discharged. He admitted he "always thought his wound was healed," implying a shared past trauma related to a person named Xiang Fei, whose name Leng Jing wanted him not to mention.
Unwilling to continue the conversation, Leng Jing abruptly left. That night, Cao Ben had released gas into the barracks, and the dorm doors were locked, threatening suffocation. With no water left to wet their towels, Yan Poyue urgently suggested using urine. Yan Poyue and Xiao Yun Jie broke through windows to escape. Qin Feng questioned them about "destruction of public property." Yan Poyue claimed there was "no other way out."
In contrast, Guo Xiaoxiao revealed she found the key hidden in a window crevice and opened her door. Zhou Zi Jian also reported that Bai Long had found a key, allowing their team to exit normally. Qin Feng ordered those who damaged property to repair the doors and windows at the green warehouse by 6:30 AM, or face elimination. A new set of numbers had appeared on the "farewell platform," indicating more trainees had quit.
After a full day and night without food, a food truck finally arrived with buns, milk, and soy milk. Qin Feng announced they could "eat as much as you can" with "no tricks," but imposed a strict three-minute time limit. The trainees swarmed the truck, frantically grabbing food. Yan Poyue noticed that Bai Long and Guo Xiaoxiao ate very little, sensing a "trick."
Qin Feng then declared that the next training item would be "gentle" and guaranteed they wouldn't sweat – because it was in water. He gave another opportunity to quit. When questioned about her endurance, Guo Xiaoxiao asserted she was "doing fine." When Qin Feng hinted Yan Poyue was not like the "ace units" trainees and could quit, Yan Poyue retorted, "I'm stronger than them!"
Qin Feng then ordered Yan Poyue and Guo Xiaoxiao to demonstrate the next task: "water self-rescue," where they would jump into the pool with hands and feet tied, as a two-person team, with a two-minute limit. Underwater, Yan Poyue and Guo Xiaoxiao worked together, successfully saving themselves. After the exercise, Qin Feng eliminated trainees 17 and 8 for exceeding the time limit. Trainee 8 protested, claiming he made it out on time and only 17 should be eliminated.
Qin Feng clarified that the rule for two-person teams meant they were expected to help each other, stating, "Those who only care about their own interests and not about the lives of others, get out of Cheetah!" He commended trainee 17, acknowledging his efforts but concluding his "physical conditions may not be suitable for special forces," suggesting he could thrive in other roles.
Yan Poyue observed that while he was accustomed to trainees leaving daily, he found Guo Xiaoxiao's calm assistance unsettling, as if she were inherently strong and helping the weak. Yet, he firmly believed, "But I'm never weak." The next task involved groups of four carrying a heavy wooden log and sprinting 100 meters, with the slowest group being "rewarded" with 200 push-ups.
Yan Poyue and Xiao Yun Jie took the front of the log, while Guo Xiaoxiao and Bai Long were at the back. Bai Long attempted to shift some of the log's weight to ease Guo Xiaoxiao's burden, but she sharply refused his help, telling him to "mind your own business."
