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| Hu Jun and Li Nai Wen Deliver a Stirring Send-Off in Tencent’s War Epic |
Quick Recap of The Long Way Back Final Episode
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Episode 34 wastes no time throwing us into the showdown. Tang Deyuan sets up a clever trap in Black Pine Forest, using Tian Xiaogui’s betrayal as bait.
Kawano struts in, smug about having an inside man, only to find he’s walked into a master plan.
The big twist? Tian Xiaogui thought he was shooting Tang’s captive, but it turns out he executed his own handler.
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Cornered, he finally flips, shooting Kawano dead before being gunned down himself — a redemptive exit for one of the most complicated characters of the series.
The resistance army storms in with backup from Da Kuo Zhi and villagers, sending the Japanese forces into retreat.
Xiao Tielin, once a loyal collaborator, is forced to confront the devastation he caused, eventually giving up critical intel on Japanese positions.
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The finale then fast-forwards to August 1945: Japan surrenders, cheers erupt, and each survivor finds a path forward.
Tang Deyuan reunites with Tie Liang, son of his fallen brother-in-arms Lu Changshan.
Xiao Lüzi returns home in a tearful reunion.
And in the closing scene, Tang, Gao Yunhu and Wan Fuqing stand at Eight Pine Trees, saluting the names of their lost comrades carved into the trunk.
Characters Wrapped
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Tang Deyuan (Li Nai Wen): The strategist and moral core, finishing the war as a survivor and mentor figure. His bond with Lu Changshan’s son ties past sacrifices to future hope.
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Tian Xiaogui (Chen Jing Ke): The traitor-turned-redeemer. His final act kills Kawano and redeems his earlier betrayal, giving him one of the most memorable exits.
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Wan Fuqing (Song Jia Teng): Badly wounded but alive, embodying the quiet resilience of the ordinary soldier.
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Gao Yunhu (Ren Bin): Loyal to the end, acting as the bridge between comrades old and new.
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Xiao Lüzi (Zhang Xiao Yang): The “everyman” who finally makes it home, representing closure for the audience.
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Instructor Wang (support role): Symbol of order and continuity, leading the squad into a new era of military service.
What the Ending Means & Explained
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At its core, The Long Way Back isn’t about victory in battle — it’s about what comes after.
By ending with reunions, remembrance, and the symbolic Eight Pine Trees, the drama tells us survival isn’t the same as triumph. Every carved number in the bark is a reminder of sacrifice.
Tian Xiaogui’s arc underlines the theme of redemption. Even in betrayal, the show argues, there’s space for choice and honour at the last moment.
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Meanwhile, Tang’s embrace with Tie Liang signals a generational handover: the fallen live on through the living.
The war’s end, announced via a radio broadcast, feels deliberately understated.
Instead of a grand finale, the drama opts for personal closure, stressing that history is lived in small gestures — tears, salutes, reunions.
TLDR + Short Review
The Long Way Back ends with a moving, bittersweet finale. Betrayal is turned into strategy, redemption is earned in blood, and survival comes with scars.
The drama doesn’t glamorise war — instead it focuses on friendship, duty, and memory.
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Verdict: 3.7/5 Stars.
Strong performances (especially Li Nai Wen and Chen Jing Ke), a clever final twist, and a poignant closing montage make this a worthy send-off. It occasionally drags in the mid-episodes, but the finale ties it together in a satisfying way.
FAQs
Q: Does Tian Xiaogui really die?
Yes. After killing Kawano, he’s immediately shot by Japanese soldiers. His redemption is tragic but decisive.
Q: What happens to Xiao Tielin?
He’s forced to reveal Japanese positions and likely spends the rest of his life in prison, stripped of power and reputation.
Q: Is this based on true events?
While fictionalised, the drama draws heavily on the final months of WWII in Northeast China and the Soviet offensive against Japan.
Q: Could there be a Season 2?
Unlikely. The story is self-contained, ending neatly with the surrender of Japan and reunification of the resistance unit into the new army. However, Tencent could spin off another war-era drama within the same universe, focusing on different battles or characters.
✨ The Long Way Back closes not with fireworks, but with salutes under an old pine tree — reminding us that war stories are ultimately about the people who carry memory forward.