The Long Ballad Episode 26 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Asher Sun requested to leave the Eagle Division. The Great Khan tried to keep him, believing him to be the best commander for the Eagle Division. But Ayi'er had been Asher Sun’s only attachment. Now that she was gone, he was determined to leave. The Great Khan had no choice but to agree, reminding him that no matter where he went, he would always care for him sincerely. After Asher Sun left, the Great Khan furiously scolded Sheer.
Because of Sheer’s actions, Asher Sun had lost all attachments. The Great Khan had hoped to keep Asher Sun, knowing his charisma could unite people. With Asher gone, the Eagle Division could no longer be his support. Li Changge lay weakly on a donkey cart, devoid of will to live. She said farewell to Master Sun and Situ Langlang, wanting to leave alone. Master Sun asked Situ to stop her, and they fought.
Her desire to survive was sparked, but she was no match for Situ and was beaten until she coughed blood and fainted. Watching her faint, Situ had an idea—he planned to take her as his disciple. Sheer sent a signal; Asher Sun came to see him. Asher knew he was spared by the Great Khan thanks to Sheer, but he felt no gratitude.
Sheer had never intended to kill Asher Sun and had always seen him as a worthy rival, hoping he would stay. But Asher Sun, now with Ayi'er gone, was determined to find Li Changge after settling the Eagle Division. Seeing his resolve, Sheer understood why he had lost to him. Just then, Mimi and Mu Jin arrived. Mimi begged Sheer for Li Changge’s whereabouts.
Sheer told them she had been rescued in the south by Central Plains people and gave Asher Sun a wooden hairpin she dropped—his only way of making amends. Yicheng missed the Central Plains while recovering in camp. The Great Khan stormed in, tearing up her Central Plains map and scolding Sheer’s incompetence. Yicheng pleaded for Sheer to have another chance. But the Great Khan told her clearly—the title of Khan belonged to the capable, and Sheer was unworthy.
As punishment, he put Yicheng in confinement for a month. Yicheng was in agony but had no choice but to endure. Asher Sun received news that a donkey cart heading toward the Central Plains carried two men and a woman. He was sure it was Li Changge. Knowing she was alive, he immediately prepared to go find her, leaving Mu Jin to care for the Eagle Division. Seeing his concern, Mu Jin asked if he had fallen for her.
Asher Sun admitted he had and believed Li Changge would come to understand his feelings in time. Elsewhere, Luo Shiba was also searching for Li Changge with a portrait in hand. She met Xu Feng, who, learning that she meant no harm to Li Changge, took her to see Elder Qin. Elder Qin gave her a secret code and agreed to help her search. Situ sparred with Li Changge daily. Though she had trained since childhood, she wasn’t his match.
Situ wanted to take her as a disciple. She was reluctant at first, but when she learned his swordsmanship could help her seek revenge, she knelt and accepted him as her master. The three of them then set off for Luoyang. Meanwhile, Luo Shiba continued her search and happened to cross paths with Asher Sun—they had both come for the same reason: to find Li Changge. Xiao Wu and Li Leyan headed for Luoyang.
Xiao Wu sincerely treated Li Leyan as his sister. On the road, they encountered refugees who had killed government officers and taken all the food. When Li Leyan condemned their behavior, the refugees turned on her. Gao Dou reported to Li Shimin that Li Leyan was heading for Luoyang. Li Shimin was relieved but also worried—refugees were everywhere in Luoyang.
He planned to send the Crown Prince to comfort the people, but knowing the prince’s immaturity, he sent Wei Shuyu along. Du Ruhui also proposed to travel to Luoyang and invite the former Sui talent Li Jing to take on an important post. Wei Shuyu accompanied the Crown Prince to Luoyang. The pampered prince couldn’t adapt to Shuyu’s humble travel attire and complained the whole way. Meanwhile, Li Leyan carried Xiao Wu on her back toward Luoyang.
As they neared the city, Xiao Wu grew weaker—he couldn’t hold on much longer. His only wish was to eat white rice. Li Leyan encouraged him, saying they would get past the checkpoint and have white rice. But before they could enter the city, Xiao Wu closed his eyes for the last time. Li Leyan, still carrying him, tried to enter the gate but was stopped by soldiers unwilling to let a corpse in. Crying, she denied Xiao Wu’s death.
Just as the soldiers were about to act, Gao Dou arrived in time to save her. Seeing her sobbing over Xiao Wu, Gao Dou was filled with pain and held the unconscious Li Leyan tightly.
