The Long Ballad Episode 24 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Changge’s refusal to return to the Eagle Division deeply hurt Asher Sun. On the spot, he asked the Khan for century-old liquor. The strong liquor burned his throat, but not as much as Changge’s words burned his heart. The next day was the grassland hunt, but Asher Sun had no intention of participating. He requested to stay behind and recover. Sheer also didn’t want to go alone and asked to remain with Asher Sun to recover as well.
Since Changge refused to leave with Asher Sun, Sheer was suspicious and wanted to know what exactly was going on between the two. Changge only said that her staying had nothing to do with Asher Sun. That night, Asher Sun drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Changge came to apologize. Now that she had given up her chance to leave, she had trapped herself here.
Asher Sun wanted to know how she planned to rescue Luo Yi—someone not even she or Yicheng could save. He hoped she wouldn’t overestimate herself. Changge only asked that he not interfere with her plan. Even as Asher Sun begged her not to risk herself, Changge ruthlessly pushed him away, telling him to stay out of it. Although he didn’t know what Changge’s exact plan was, Asher Sun still cared deeply for her.
He decided to have people watch over her and deliberately made a scene so Sheer would believe he had returned to the Eagle Division. The next day, the Khan set off for the hunt. Right after, the Khan’s precious horse panicked and escaped, drawing everyone’s attention. Sheer found it too coincidental and took Turuk to inspect Luo Yi’s prison cell. As expected, Luo Yi and Changge were gone. He realized it was all Changge’s doing.
Meanwhile, Changge had hidden Luo Yi in the water wagon with Ayi’er’s help and was trying to get out. The guards stopped them for inspection, but Yicheng arrived just in time to help them. Yicheng had always been kind to the soldiers, so they respected her and didn’t insist on checking the wagon. Luo Yi and Changge escaped the royal court. Sheer led his men in pursuit. Asher Sun, upon learning of the situation, also mobilized his troops.
Though he could have stayed out of it, since it involved Changge, he could never stand by. Luo Shiba came to assist them, but the three had no place to hide. With Sheer’s troops closing in, Luo Yi realized his time had come. After a lifetime on the battlefield, dying in combat would be a fitting end. Changge was still young, so he had Luo Shiba bow to Changge and acknowledge her as his new master and take her away.
Changge refused to abandon him, but Luo Yi forced Luo Shiba to take her and died at the hands of Asher’s Tribe. Luo Yi couldn’t be saved, and both Changge and Luo Shiba were captured by Sheer. Before Sheer could harm Changge, Asher Sun arrived with the Eagle Division in time. Asher Sun and Sheer clashed. He was determined to protect Changge, while Sheer refused to let her go. As they argued, Sheer’s trusted aide arrived.
Knowing Sheer wasn’t Asher Sun’s match, he pulled Sheer back and apologized to Asher Sun. Asher Sun coldly told Sheer that he was just a coward who refused to grow up, and didn’t understand what it meant to fight for protection. Sheer hated Asher Sun deeply. He knew Asher Sun cared for Changge, and the more he cared, the more Sheer wanted to destroy her. Though Sheer was unwilling to concede, Asher Sun was resolute.
Sheer’s men stepped back and let Asher Sun take Changge. Now that Changge was considered a spy for Asher’s Tribe, Asher Sun rescuing her gave the Wolf Division a chance to severely damage the Eagle Division. Sheer didn’t understand the deeper meaning, but those around him, entrusted by Yicheng, were determined to weaken the Eagle Division so Sheer could gain royal power. Asher Sun rescued Changge.
Mu Jin arrived to meet him and delivered a letter received by the Eagle Division. Inside was only a single earring. Asher Sun frowned deeply but did not tell Changge about it. He only told her to return first. Changge knew she would drag him down and didn’t want to leave. She asked how he planned to eliminate his troubles, but Asher Sun coldly told her to return to the Central Plains.
He had warned her before not to overestimate herself, and now she was suffering the consequences of her arrogance. His harsh words hurt Changge deeply, and he even said he would tie her up and send her to the border. Devastated, Changge told Asher Sun that she would return to the Central Plains on her own. Fearing she would stay in the grasslands, Asher Sun ordered Mu Jin to follow her and make sure she went back.
Halfway through the journey, Changge stopped. She told Luo Shiba to go back alone and forget about the master-servant bond—they were done. From now on, Shiba would be free. But Luo Shiba refused to leave and insisted on following her. Mu Jin was following along and offered to escort Changge to the border. But Changge asked about the earring and then found out that Ayi’er was Asher Sun’s adoptive mother.
Over the years, the Khan had kept Ayi’er in the royal tent to control Asher Sun. Changge’s heart sank, and she immediately asked Mu Jin to take some of the Eagle Division and follow her back to the royal court to rescue Ayi’er and Asher Sun. Earlier, Ayi’er had followed Yicheng’s orders to help Luo Yi and Changge escape. Upon her return, the blood on her carriage was discovered, and Sheer’s men immediately arrested her.
Now Sheer was using Ayi’er to threaten Asher Sun, demanding he kneel. To Asher Sun, Ayi’er was like his mother. Despite the humiliation, he chose to kneel. But Sheer pushed further, ordering Asher Sun to kowtow and entertain him.
