Glory of Special Forces Episode 22 Recap
> Glory of Special Forces Recap
Yan Poyue, Xiao Yunjie, Guo Xiaoxiao, Zhou Zijian, and Bai Long returned to the instructors. To avenge the humiliation they had just endured, Yan Poyue challenged Yue Kong to a one-on-one fight. During the intense match, Yue Kong taunted Yan Poyue, reminding him of his inexperience. Despite Yan Poyue struggling initially, he managed to turn the tide and win. Xiao Yunjie cheered, celebrating Yan Poyue's victory.
Qin Feng watched with a satisfied smile, then congratulated all five for passing the most brutal, cruel, and inhumane torture training. He stressed that this experience would stay with them forever and reminded them that loyalty is the baseline of every military operation, which they must defend with their lives in any predicament. Afterward, they were taken to the infirmary.
The doctor explained that the torture training is conducted annually, thoroughly tested, and primarily designed to inflict psychological, not significant physical, harm. Hearing this, Xiao Yunjie remarked that he felt much better. Leng Jing visited Guo Xiaoxiao in the infirmary, reminding her that female soldiers must work harder and endure more hardships than men to secure their place in the Cheetah Special Forces, especially in border area combat.
Guo Xiaoxiao confidently affirmed she was not afraid and believed she could overcome any obstacle, stating that while men are strong, women possess both strength and delicacy. Leng Jing then noticed Guo Xiaoxiao knitting something, which Guo Xiaoxiao dismissed as merely a pastime. Meanwhile, Zhou Zijian informed Yan Poyue that he was leaving the unit. He confessed that he had considered leaving when Gao Zhun was eliminated but stayed to prove his worth.
However, the torture training made him realize that in the brutal world of special operations, he would likely be a liability to his teammates, leading to his disillusionment. He expressed a desire to simply make good friends for future support and believed that someone more suitable, like Yan Poyue, should become a special forces soldier. Yan Poyue put a hand on his shoulder, acknowledging their past differences as insignificant now.
Zhou Zijian admitted he envied Yan Poyue's talent, luck, and unstoppable drive, predicting he would become the strongest soldier. He also cautioned Yan Poyue that, no matter how strong, he would still only be a soldier. Yan Poyue replied that he just wanted to be a soldier and manage himself. Zhou Zijian then said goodbye, telling Yan Poyue that he would face many more rivals in the future.
In another part of the world, Kun Sheng, accompanied by Xing Tian and Miya, met with Boss Chuan. After some initial pleasantries, Kun Sheng confronted Boss Chuan, accusing him of encroaching on his business in the mainland. Boss Chuan tried to defuse the situation, claiming there was no conflict as he operated around the border while Kun Sheng sold to the mainland. However, Kun Sheng revealed his true intention to seize Boss Chuan’s operation.
Xing Tian then presented the man responsible for developing a new type of meth. Kun Sheng declared the man useless, then ruthlessly killed him and Boss Chuan’s men. Miya, witnessing such violence for the first time, was visibly terrified. Xing Tian, seemingly annoyed by her reaction, handed her a gun and ordered her to "tie up the loose ends" by killing the remaining young girls.
Yan Poyue, Xiao Yunjie, Guo Xiaoxiao, and Bai Long officially became members of the Cheetah Commando. During the induction ceremony, Qin Feng congratulated them, emphasizing that as special forces, they must be brave, but their primary goal on the battlefield is to complete missions and return alive, not self-sacrifice. He explained that years of training make them strong, but true experience and veteran status are earned through surviving real battles.
He urged them to transform their ferocity into cunning and ruthlessness, stating that while they can fight alone for thousands of miles, together they are undefeatable. He envisioned them bringing honor and military merits home, calling them the "true Cheetah" and the kind of soldiers he desired. The new members then took a solemn pledge, declaring themselves the most elite unit of the armed forces, with the badges on their chests representing their honor.
A reflective narration highlighted their silent dedication to honing lethal skills in remote mountains, emphasizing that their existence deters conflict, ensuring peace and supporting the nation's backbone. Despite their recent confrontation, Yue Kong began teaching the new members, starting by addressing his rivalry with Yan Poyue. Yan Poyue expressed lingering pain from their previous "life-and-death struggle," to which Yue Kong retorted that he hadn't given his all and challenged Yan Poyue to a rematch if he desired.
However, he first demanded that Yan Poyue become an "intelligent commander" and abandon his "gentleness" to avoid getting his team killed. Yue Kong then posed a critical question to the new recruits, asking how they would handle encountering suspicious individuals while on a mission in enemy territory. He then delved into the disastrous Operation Red Wings of the Navy SEALs in June 2005, which he revealed was the inspiration for their own recent retreat mission.
He recounted how a four-man SEAL squad, tasked with reconnaissance, encountered three shepherds and chose to release them. This act of "gentleness" led to their location being compromised, resulting in their encirclement by over 150 terrorists and the loss of nineteen SEALs. Several members offered their insights. A member emphasized the necessity of meticulous planning, accounting for all variables like weather and potential emergencies, and conducting thorough simulations.
Guo Xiaoxiao highlighted the critical importance of reliable communication in mountain warfare, stressing the need for appropriate equipment to maintain smooth contact. An older member spoke about the dire consequences of lagging combat support, criticizing the initial rescue attempt for its lack of reconnaissance and air cover, and underscoring the often-neglected importance of well-planned retreat operations.
Qin Feng, in turn, stressed the "deciding factor of being human," attributing Red Wings' failure to a flawed plan, poor understanding of the enemy, and the soldiers' overconfidence. Yan Poyue then asked Qin Feng about the perceived strength gap between the Cheetah Commando and the Navy SEALs, and without a direct comparison, how they define their targets.
Qin Feng stated that only a direct confrontation could truly determine who was stronger, but reminded them they lived in a peaceful nation, though global situations could change, bringing sudden conflicts. Bai Long provided the definitive answer, declaring, "Our strongest rivals are always the past us!" Since Bai Long's return, Cao Ben's training performance has suffered significantly, with his scores nearly at the bottom among the cadres.
Lv Tu expressed his concern, noting that Cao Ben seemed completely distracted by Bai Long, who, in turn, appeared to constantly provoke him. Cao Ben, however, insisted that Bai Long was not the problem, but rather his own weariness. Lv Tu, frustrated by Cao Ben’s evasiveness, compared his state to a "tree with a hole," trapped between the pain of revealing the wound and the sorrow of concealing it, feeling helpless to intervene.
Curious about Bai Long’s extraordinary skill, Yan Poyue asked him how he achieved his current level, stating he needed an answer. Bai Long advised him to "train as if every day is your last," but warned that seeking a definitive answer would lead to "a tragedy." He cryptically added that Cao Ben was not the "answer" but the "cause" of something profound.
Troubled by the unresolved conflict between Bai Long and Cao Ben, Qin Feng sought out Cao Ben for a heart-to-heart talk, recalling the exact duration of their acquaintance. Qin Feng observed that Cao Ben, once a simple person, had become complicated, expressing a wish for him to find genuine joy rather than a smile of resignation. He then confronted Cao Ben about his recent training report, which showed excellent performance in most areas but suspicious "careless" mistakes at critical junctures.
Qin Feng presented video evidence, revealing that Cao Ben's mistakes were made "without any hesitations" and that he suspected they were intentional, contrasting this with Cao Ben’s meticulousness in a previous real operation. Qin Feng admitted his fear of losing Cao Ben now that Bai Long was back, asserting that it wasn't worth it. Cao Ben maintained that his struggles had nothing to do with Bai Long, simply reiterating that he was "tired."
Qin Feng offered him a vacation, but Cao Ben mused that perhaps Qin Feng and others had been "too nice" to him, suggesting that Bai Long’s harsh approach might be "the right thing to do." Qin Feng, understanding Cao Ben's complex emotions, concluded that no one could truly comprehend his perspective and left him to rest.
Lv Tu announced the official formation of a new squad: five new members, including Yan Poyue, Xiao Yunjie, Guo Xiaoxiao, and Bai Long, were designated as the core of the Cheetah Commando's First Corps, Ninth Combat Squad. To complete the standard eight-person squad, Lv Tu introduced three veteran members: Ma Liang, a skilled demolition expert; Mu Qing, a high-achieving medical master; and Yue Kong, as the unit's most senior sniper.
The squad positions were then assigned: Bai Long as the Squad Leader, Yue Kong as the Vice Squad Leader and primary sniper, and Guo Xiaoxiao as the sniper spotter, tasked with cooperating with Yue Kong. Guo Xiaoxiao's discomfort with this role was evident, but she quickly affirmed her compliance when Lv Tu pressed her, sternly reminding her that in a combat unit, personal emotions could lead to unimaginable consequences, and all positions were assigned based on rigorous evaluation.
Xiao Yunjie was appointed as the machine gunner, and Yan Poyue as a shock troop. An additional member, Xu Yang, was assigned to reconnaissance and communication. Lv Tu reiterated the importance of professional instructors for new members and mandatory tactical drills for all squad members to rapidly enhance their teamwork and combat strength. During a subsequent urban counter-terrorism training exercise, Yan Poyue acted on his own initiative.
Lv Tu sharply reprimanded him, stating that his unauthorized action resulted in the simulated deaths of half his teammates. Yan Poyue defended his actions, arguing that an eight-man squad lacked flexibility, making their advance too slow and compromising the effectiveness of a raid. He believed that overcautiousness only hindered their speed.
