The Long Ballad Episode 38 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Mobei sent envoys with jewels to propose peace. One envoy privately gave Asher Sun a brocade box. Inside was a note from Li Changge, who had gone to great lengths to arrange a secret meeting. Asher Sun initially responded indifferently, but Mu Jin, looking at him like he was a fool, urged him to write a real reply with all his thoughts.
Though awkward, Asher Sun followed Mu Jin’s advice and wrote a heartfelt letter for Mu Jin to pass on to the envoy. When Li Changge opened the box, she found only a letter inside, with three words: “I miss you. ” That night, Li Changge met Asher Sun as promised. He held her tightly. Li Changge analyzed the Eagle Division’s situation for him. Asher Sun didn’t want to betray the court, but he also couldn’t watch the Eagle Division die.
Torn, Li Changge offered a solution: the Eagle Division must fake their deaths. That way, Asher Sun could save his people without betraying the court. Sheer returned to the Khan’s Court, wishing to see the Great Khan, but Yi Cheng blocked him. She claimed the Great Khan was gravely ill and had given her the Khan's seal, meaning she now led the Asher Tribe. She and Sheer no longer needed to be apart.
Yi Cheng planned to relocate the Khan’s Court and had seized power. Eventually, she would hand leadership to Sheer and help him unify the grasslands. Asher Sun pondered Li Changge’s fake death plan. Mimi hesitated but ultimately came to inform Asher Sun and Mu Jin that the Eagle Division should not fight alongside the Xiong Division. Her knowledge surprised them. Asher Sun didn’t press further and sent them out.
Mimi left the tent with Mu Jin and confessed she was a spy for the Khan’s Court. Her brother Buzhen was in Yi Cheng’s hands, and she had no choice. Mu Jin had seen all that Mimi did for the Eagle Division and didn’t mind her past. He held her tightly and promised to help rescue her brother. Soon after, Asher Sun resolved to move forward. He and Mu Jin met with Tukashe to discuss the expedition.
Tukashe clearly wanted to destroy the Eagle Division, so Asher Sun decided to turn the tables. He told Tukashe they would attack the city that night and asked for his help. Seeing this as his chance to eliminate the Eagle Division, Tukashe agreed without hesitation. Asher Sun sent Mimi to tell Li Changge that the desert should help the Eagle Division fake their deaths, giving the desert a major victory in return. The two armies clashed on the battlefield.
As planned, the Eagle Division launched the first strike, while Tukashe, harboring ulterior motives, held back. When the Xiong Division charged in to reap the spoils, they fell into the Northern Desert’s ambush. The Eagle Division then retreated unscathed. This battle had been directed by Li Changge. Asher Sun recognized the strategy as one from the Central Plains. Later, Asher Sun learned that Tukashe had broken out and personally intercepted and killed him with Mu Jin.
The Eagle Division successfully faked their deaths. Mimi revealed her identity to Li Changge, who understood her plight and promised to help rescue Buzhen. From then on, Mimi would be a new person, no longer controlled by anyone. Meanwhile, Asher Sun and Mu Jin finished off Tukashe. Mu Jin, carrying Asher Sun’s helmet, headed for the Khan’s Court to report his death and look for a way to save Mimi’s brother.
On the road, Mimi caught up with him, knowing Mu Jin had taken the risk for her. She embraced him tightly, wanting to go with him. Mu Jin refused to put her in danger and told her to wait. Mimi kissed him and said from now on, he was her man—he had to come back safely and take responsibility. Asher Sun came to see Li Changge. They embraced tightly.
From now on, there would be no more Eagle Division Special Forces—Asher Sun was just Asher Sun. He reminded Li Changge that she still owed him three promises. The first: he hoped she could be more like a woman, no longer risking her life so recklessly. From now on, he would face every storm for her. Before Li Changge could respond, a hidden arrow suddenly struck Asher Sun, and he collapsed.
Mu Jin returned to the Asher Tribe to report Asher Sun’s death. Sheer didn’t believe him, but the facts were in front of him. Mu Jin prepared to bury two desert cities along with Asher Sun. Yi Cheng then told Mu Jin the Great Khan was gravely ill. She stopped Mu Jin outside the tent and asked how Asher Sun had died. Learning he had been assassinated by Mimi, she finally relaxed, placed the bloodstained helmet beside the Great Khan, and told him to take a good look at his son.
