Glory of Special Forces Episode 36 Recap
> Glory of Special Forces Recap
Yan Poyue engaged in a sparring match with Sun Jiacheng. Despite Sun Jiacheng's taunts about his skills, Yan Poyue quickly admitted defeat, a stark contrast to his usual defiant nature. Bai Long observed that this was simply a necessary period of adjustment, much like his own experience in the past. Guo Xiaoxiao and Xiao Yun Jie were worried about Yan Poyue, especially after he seemed to give up an opportunity to prove himself.
However, Xiao Yun Jie assured her that he understood Yan Poyue, and if Yan Poyue did not want to assert himself, no amount of persuasion would help. Guo Xiaoxiao, still distracted by her concerns for Yan Poyue, performed poorly during training. When confronted by Leng Jing, Guo Xiaoxiao pleaded for her to speak to Qin Feng about letting Yan Poyue join the contest as a reserve player, emphasizing it was out of "comrade-like concern."
Leng Jing, however, sternly warned Guo Xiaoxiao that distractions, including emotional ones, were unacceptable during training, or she would be the next one eliminated. Later, Leng Jing and Lu Tu met with Qin Feng, reporting Yan Poyue’s recent steady performance and suggesting that keeping him in logistics was a waste of talent.
Leng Jing urged Qin Feng to consider letting Yan Poyue gain experience as a reserve player, but Qin Feng maintained that Yan Poyue was still young and he would make arrangements once his personal issues were resolved.
Qin Feng announced that Leng Jing and Lu Tu would lead the team for the International Special Unit Contest, and Lu Tu then announced the official roster: Bai Long (designated as team leader), Yue Kong, Guo Xiaoxiao, Xiao Yun Jie, Gao Liqiang, Wang Yi, Liu Yu, and Gao Tengfei. Sun Jiacheng, named as a reserve player, openly challenged Qin Feng's decision, citing his strong individual scores.
Qin Feng immediately engaged Sun Jiacheng in a fierce sparring session, swiftly defeating him to underscore his philosophy: the "Cheetah Commando" values the strongest team, not the strongest individual. He stressed that a powerful individual who lacks teamwork could jeopardize the entire squad, emphasizing the motto: "Be fearless and fight side by side!" Xiao Yun Jie approached Yan Poyue, frustrated that even Sun Jiacheng was a reserve while Yan Poyue was left out.
Yan Poyue, however, calmly explained that he had grown more peaceful, finding contentment in supporting his comrades through logistics. He felt he now truly understood what it meant to be a comrade, ready to do anything for his teammates. He urged Xiao Yun Jie to focus on his own preparation, as he was the least experienced contestant, and offered his detailed notes on foreign special forces.
Xiao Yun Jie, though saddened by Yan Poyue's lack of fight, eventually agreed to focus on the competition. That night, as the team prepared for departure, Yue Kong called home, promising to return for Chinese New Year; Bai Long gazed at old photos of himself and Xiang Fei; Guo Xiaoxiao continued her extra training; and Xiao Yun Jie penned a letter to Xia Li.
Despite numerous appeals to Qin Feng on Yan Poyue's behalf, Yan Poyue himself showed no outward desire to compete. When Qin Feng questioned him, Yan Poyue presented extensive research he had compiled on the competition area, detailing weather, local customs, and even medical conditions—information he translated word-by-word using Baidu. Qin Feng tested his resolve by offering him the final spot in the overseas logistics team.
Yan Poyue's immediate and emotionless response, "I obey the command," led Qin Feng to decide against sending him, instructing him instead to await their victorious return. Leng Jing and Lu Tu once again confronted Qin Feng, but he explained that Yan Poyue, despite his immense individual potential, needed more rigorous tempering and to understand that missed opportunities cannot be reclaimed, just like life itself. Only by facing such a loss would Yan Poyue truly cherish future chances.
Later, news arrived that Yue Kong and Guo Xiaoxiao had secured first place in the sniping event at the International Special Unit Contest, though the team had missed the overall championship. Qin Feng called Yan Poyue, who was in the armory, to discuss the results. Reviewing the battle terrain map, Yan Poyue swiftly analyzed the tactical blunders, accurately describing the opposing teams, Country A (swift, frontal assault but poor stamina) and Country B (nicknamed "Hyena," sneaky, opportunistic).
His insights led Qin Feng to express regret for not having sent him to compete. Yan Poyue, in an uncharacteristic display of humility, attributed his analysis to prior research and emphasized his belief in his comrades, affirming his commitment to "unity of action." Soon after, the public security department requested Cheetah Commando's assistance in apprehending Shu Hai, a major drug lord in Southern Yunnan. Qin Feng specifically called Yan Poyue to the briefing.
Yan Poyue's subsequent analysis of Shu Hai was insightful: identifying him as a cunning individual, a wolf in sheep's clothing who appeared innocent but had a violent past as a blaster, accustomed to firearms and explosives. Shu Hai operated a vast criminal network, dealing in both drugs and firearms, and was known for using adopted underage girls as human shields.
Qin Feng announced that he would lead Squad Seven on this dangerous mission and instructed Yan Poyue to join the squad. When Yan Poyue asked why he was being brought along, Qin Feng joked that he didn't want Yan Poyue to "get mouldy" in the armory. Qin Feng authorized lethal force against armed resistance. Qin Feng and Yan Poyue, dressed in plain clothes, embarked on a reconnaissance mission in the border village of Southern Yunnan.
At a local restaurant, the owner engaged them in conversation, subtly probing their identities and purpose. Qin Feng skillfully deflected, claiming to be tourists from Chengdu, while Yan Poyue feigned illness to avoid speaking. As they walked through the village, they noticed the locals were wary and unfriendly, often closing doors as they passed.
Stopping for tea, Yan Poyue shared his observations: the villagers' cautious behavior, the contrast between the village's poverty and its burgeoning commercial street, and the idle youth contributing to a pervasive sense of restlessness. Qin Feng pointed to a heavily fortified three-story building in the distance—Shu Hai’s residence. He elaborated on its defenses: double iron fences topped with razor wire, visibly electrified by solar panels and a wind generator, and surrounded by intersecting CCTV cameras, leaving no blind spots.
Qin Feng explained that Shu Hai deliberately flaunted wealth, like his pristine Porsche, to entice local youths into his illicit trade, turning the indebted villagers into his protective shield. This elaborate human network was why Squad Seven remained hidden in the mountains. Qin Feng revealed Shu Hai's one predictable pattern: a monthly visit to a mountain temple on the first day of the lunar month, which was the following day.
He concluded that his day's reconnaissance was to assess the villagers' allegiance, as they could only target Shu Hai, not the civilians, and needed to avoid an "unexpected incident" if the full force entered the village.
