Under the Power Episode 40 Recap, Plot

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After deciding to head to the military camp, Lu Yi departs. Yuan Jinxia and Min'er see him off at the courier station. Before Yuan Jinxia can say much, Lu Yi walks away, then suddenly turns back, embraces her, and whispers for her to "wait for me." As Lu Yi rides off, Yuan Jinxia is filled with reluctance, while Min'er watches on, consumed by jealousy.

Prior to Lu Yi's arrival at the military camp, General Qi is informed of a recent military loss at Cen Harbor. He notes that despite superior numbers, their army failed to defeat Mao Haifeng's forces, which numbered less than a thousand men besieged in the harbor. The terrain of Cen Harbor is described as dangerous, with winding ridges, rough roads, and numerous cols, making it easy to defend but hard to conquer.

All entrances are blocked by pirates except for one perilous route. General Qi questions why General Yu Dayong, familiar with such terrain, risked attacking, learning that General Yu initially underestimated Mao Haifeng but was repeatedly repelled in both land and naval battles. Upon arriving at the military camp, Lu Yi and Cen Fu are initially stopped by a young soldier, who states no outsiders are allowed.

Lu Yi identifies himself as an assistant of the Embroidered Uniform Guards with urgent matters for General Yu. General Qi intervenes, confirming Mr. Wu Shouxu's order for Lu Yi and Cen Fu to be brought there, overriding the soldier's resistance. Cen Fu grumbles about the difference between army life and official circles, which Lu Yi advises him to get used to. They wait about two hours before General Yu Dayong receives them.

General Yu, upon hearing Lu Yi's name and lineage, expresses disdain for the "troublemakers" from the capital. However, upon Lu Yi presenting a letter, General Yu's attitude immediately changes. He instructs Xiang to take Lu Yi to get a meal and settle in, promising to meet after he finishes his military duties. At their meal, Cen Fu finds the simple military fare unpalatable, expressing concern that Lu Yi, accustomed to a luxurious life, cannot possibly eat such food.

Lu Yi, however, readily accepts the meal, pointing out it is similar to what common soldiers eat. Xiang, the soldier assigned to them, shares his pride in being valued by General Yu, despite being only fourteen, and expresses his desire to follow the General in fighting pirates, rejecting suggestions of joining the Firearms Division. Lu Yi comments to Cen Fu that General Yu's bluntness with them indicates he treats everyone similarly.

He suggests that if Yu Dayong were a more tactful person, he wouldn't have faced so many setbacks in official circles, concluding that his continued leadership must stem from genuine skill. Meanwhile, Yang Yue travels under the scorching sun, determined to find Shangguan Xi. He inquires about Cen Harbor's location from passing villagers and learns that Shangguan Xi has indeed gone there with monks from the Southern Shaolin Temple.

Gai Shu, Lin Ling, and Yang Chengwan are traveling towards the military camp when they are ambushed by pirates. Yang Chengwan, prioritizing Lin Ling's safety due to her lack of martial arts skills, instructs Gai Shu to protect her while he confronts the pirates alone. During the skirmish, Yang Chengwan sustains a sword wound to his abdomen. Coincidentally, Yang Yue, who has made his way to Cen Harbor, arrives and helps to drive back the pirates.

At the same time, Xie Xiao, Shangguan Xi, and their fellow monks from the Southern Shaolin Temple, hearing the sounds of battle, also rush to assist, quickly dispatching the remaining pirates. Following the skirmish, Shangguan Xi diligently tends to the wounded monks, while Lin Ling examines Yang Chengwan's injury, thankfully confirming that no internal organs were harmed.

Given Yang Chengwan's injury, Lin Ling and Gai Shu insist that Yang Yue return home with his father to recuperate, advising him against going to the battlefield. Reluctant to leave, Yang Yue pulls Shangguan Xi aside and confesses his regret for his past behavior, admitting he regretted saying he would never see her, refusing her care, and being cold to her.

As Shangguan Xi attempts to leave his stammering, he embraces her, declaring his intention to protect her and never be separated from her again. Lin Ling later assures Yang Yue that the scar on his face will disappear after a few more treatments, restoring his former appearance. Overjoyed, Yang Yue immediately asks Yang Chengwan for permission to propose marriage to Shangguan Xi once the current conflict is resolved, a request Yang Chengwan happily grants.

As Xie Xiao prepares his group to continue their journey, instructing the seriously injured monks to stay behind, Yang Chengwan remarks on Xie Xiao's growing resemblance to a sect leader, just like his father. Yang Yue bids a heartfelt farewell to Shangguan Xi, asking her to be careful and wait for their wedding.

Back at the camp, Lu Yi reviews military files, noting the complex terrain of Cen Harbor and how it favors the pirates, making the ongoing battle exceptionally difficult. He stays up all night analyzing the situation, observing that Mao Haifeng's seemingly desperate stand actually puts Mao Haifeng at a disadvantage.

Lu Yi speculates that while General Yu, being skilled, must realize frontal assaults are costly, there seem to be no other options, and even sea attacks are difficult against the cunning pirates who refuse to leave the port. Meanwhile, Yuan Jinxia thinks of Lu Yi, wondering if he is well and if anyone is troubling him. She remembers his parting words to "wait for me" and realizes she hasn't explicitly responded. She decides to write him a letter.

Lu Yi continues his nocturnal study. In the morning, General Yu, seeing Lu Yi still at work, expresses his belief that Lu Yi is there to investigate rumors of collusion between officials and pirates, warning that the presence of the Embroidered Uniform Guards could undermine morale. Lu Yi clarifies that he is there merely to offer his assistance.

Their discussion is interrupted by the arrival of an imperial edict, ordering General Yu to conquer Cen Harbor within a month or face dismissal and investigation. Lu Yi uses this opportunity to explain his true purpose: to prove that the failure to capture Cen Harbor is due to objective reasons, not collusion, and to caution General Yu that Mr. Wu Shouxu may be setting him up to take the blame.

Though skeptical, General Yu agrees to Lu Yi's request to inspect the armory, arranging for Xiang to guide him. Elsewhere, Mr. Mao pressures Yan Shifan to eliminate Lu Yi, whose interference is disrupting their business. Mr. Mao then urges Yan Shifan to use his influence in court to remove General Yu, which would allow Mr. Mao to seize full control of Cen Harbor for their marine trade with Japan.

Yan Shifan, however, refuses to be directly involved in treason or to act as the primary aggressor against the government, preferring to manipulate from behind the scenes, explaining his ambition to control others rather than lead. After much negotiation, Yan Shifan promises to ensure General Yu has no chance of a comeback in court, provided Mr. Mao can defeat him militarily. Mr. Mao agrees, adding Mr. Wu Shouxu to the list of targets.

Before leaving, Yan Shifan presents Di Lanye as a "gift" to Mr. Mao, instructing her to serve him well and warning her of severe consequences if Mr. Mao loses the battle. Yan Shifan's servant later observes that Di Lanye's transfer to Mr. Mao is punishment for her past failure to capture Lin Ling. Lu Yi receives a letter from Yuan Jinxia containing only three words: "I'll be waiting." He smiles softly and puts it away.

Accompanied by Xiang, Lu Yi inspects the armory, which Xiang proudly calls General Yu's "treasures," noting that Lu Yi is being treated as an honored guest. Xiang explains the army's rigorous maintenance of firearms and the heavy guarding of the powder magazine. Lu Yi inquires about General Yu's naval attacks, learning of several failed attempts where ships were trapped and sunk due to Cen Harbor's deep but narrow ports.

Xiang describes the limited effectiveness of their long-range ejectors, which can only burn sails but not defeat enemy ships. He explains that the pirates are too cunning to be drawn out of the port, forcing General Yu to resort to land attacks despite heavy losses and meager government allowances that prevent rebuilding warships or acquiring more artillery. Xiang laments General Yu's heavy burden, facing dismissal from the Emperor without resources for either sea or land warfare.

Late that night, Min'er secretly enters Yuan Jinxia's room intending to kill her. Yuan Jinxia confronts her, expressing her disappointment that despite her past kindness, Min'er seeks her life. Min'er bitterly blames Yuan Jinxia for ruining her entire life, convinced that if Yuan Jinxia had not disguised herself as a man and saved her, she would not have developed feelings for her, and if Yuan Jinxia and Lu Yi had not fallen in love, she would not have been envious.

Min'er further laments that if she had not married Sima Chang'an, her life would have been different. Yuan Jinxia, speechless at Min'er's distorted reasoning, questions if Min'er truly loved Lu Yi or if her hatred for Yuan Jinxia simply drove her to prevent Yuan Jinxia's happiness. Yuan Jinxia points out Min'er's past attempts to frame her, and now trying to kill her.

Yuan Jinxia then picks up Min'er's knife, immediately recognizing it as a weapon typically carried by martial artists for emergencies, not something Min'er would possess. She urgently demands to know who gave it to Min'er.

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