Episode Summary
Lao Ba Tou dies after being betrayed by the Mute Man, who can actually speak and is part of a bandit group. Lao Shan Dong and Tian Xiao Gui recover the stolen ginseng, only to lose it again to the Mute Man's boss, Cong Shan Xiao Bai Ma. They decide to follow the bandits. Meanwhile, Hua'er is rescued from Japanese soldiers by Xiao Bai Ma and taken to his fortress, where Lao Shan Dong arrives, claiming she is his daughter. In the labor camp, the Japanese force Korean laborers to fight to the death.
Spoiler Alert
The Long Way Back: Episode 4 Recap
Things are getting messy. This episode juggles a whole lot of betrayal, a new threat, and some unexpected reunions. Let's get into it.
The Ginseng and the Betrayal
The Mute Man's Deception
Lao Ba Tou is still hanging on, but he's sure of one thing. He believes the Mute Man stole the hundred-year-old ginseng. He remembers the Mute Man was the only one who didn't help fight the mountain fire. When everyone returned, the guy was gone. Lao Ba Tou tells Lao Shan Dong his theory. He gives Lao Shan Dong a list of their fallen friends. He wants him to sell the ginseng, use the money to buy guns, and then tell the families what happened.
The Mute Man shows up again, pretending he's caught in a trap. Lao Ba Tou, being a good guy, helps him down. Big mistake. The Mute Man uses the opportunity to actually steal the ginseng and runs for it. Karma hits fast, though. He immediately falls into a different, real trap. He manages to get out and cleverly covers the hole with leaves.
A Trap and a Rescue
Lao Ba Tou's injuries are too severe. He dies, leaving Tian Xiao Gui heartbroken. Meanwhile, Lao Shan Dong is waiting by a small pond. He figures the Mute Man will need water eventually. He's right. The Mute Man appears, sees Lao Shan Dong, and bolts. Lao Shan Dong gives chase. The Mute Man leads him directly to the covered trap. Lao Shan Dong falls right in.
Then comes the shocker. The Mute Man starts talking. He brags about stealing the ginseng and leaves Lao Shan Dong for dead. But Tian Xiao Gui finds the talking "Mute Man" on the road. He fights him, gets the ginseng back, and then rescues Lao Shan Dong from the pit. After hearing about Lao Ba Tou's death, he and Tian Xiao Gui bury their leader and the other men. Then, they continue their journey to Songlin Town.
Trouble in the Camp
A Brutal Night
Things are just as grim back at the labor camp. In the middle of the night, two laborers murder another one. Fu Qing Gang almost gets up, but Tang De Yuan pulls him back down, saving him from being seen. The Japanese camp leader immediately blames the Korean laborers. He drags them all out. When they all stand up and take responsibility, the commander forces them into a horrifying deathmatch. They have to kill each other until only one person is left standing. Later, the Japanese kill many more laborers, dumping their bodies into a mass grave.
A New Player Enters
The Bandit King
Lao Shan Dong and Tian Xiao Gui wake up to a new problem. The Mute Man is back, and he brought his boss. The boss is a man called Cong Shan Xiao Bai Ma, the "Little White Horse of Congshan." His men pop out of the woods, surrounding them. Xiao Bai Ma demands the ginseng, and Lao Shan Dong has no choice but to hand it over. The bandit leader shows a little mercy. He leaves them with some food before taking off.
Lao Shan Dong has heard of Xiao Bai Ma. He says the man used to be in the volunteer army but somehow became a bandit. Lao Shan Dong can't let it go. He decides to follow them to their mountain fortress to figure out what's going on.
An Unlikely Rescue
Hua'er is also trying to get to Songlin Town by herself. She's spotted by two Japanese soldiers who chase her down. She fights back hard and even kills one of them, but she gets shot in the process. Just in time, Xiao Bai Ma shows up. He kills the other soldier and saves Hua'er.
Paths Cross at the Fortress
A Father's Search
Lao Shan Dong and Tian Xiao Gui trail the bandits. They are surprised to see Hua'er on one of the carts loaded with supplies. They follow the group all the way to their mountain stronghold. Worried for Hua'er, Lao Shan Dong decides he has to get inside.
Inside the fortress, Xiao Bai Ma gets Hua'er settled and brings someone to treat her wound. She insists on dressing the wound herself. This impresses Xiao Bai Ma. He tells her she can rest and recover there safely. Just then, Lao Shan Dong arrives at the gate. He tells the second-in-command that he's looking for his daughter, Hua'er.
