Seo Hwa is heart broken because she can’t remember what Wol Ryung looks like. So Jung shows her the hawthorn dagger and tells her that Wol Ryung could have saved himself if he had killed her. The knowledge of this drives the emotional dagger of her betrayal into her heart. For the first time in 1,000 years, he loved someone so much that he wanted to be human and he couldn’t bear to be without her, so he let himself die instead. So Jung gives her the dagger, saying it was a symbol of Wol Ryung’s love and trust in her. Way to give her a physical dagger to go with her emotional one.
Seo Hwa has come to hate humanity and, dagger in hand, has come to Kwan Woong’s estate to try and kill him. “I have lost that which is most dear. I ask no forgiveness.” Attacking, she slices Kwan Woong across the face. He stares at her with horror, partially that she is alive and partially because she is trying to kill him. She truly has a mad, murderous look in her eyes. “I pushed true love away. I wished his child dead. I ask no forgiveness. I will answer for my sins.” Screaming, she goes to strike the death blow but is stopped by Kwan Woong’s captain, Ninja Soh.
Seo Hwa has left their baby in the care of So Jung. “Have mercy on this child. Spare him the loneliness of his father. Give him a normal life, surrounded by decent and loving people.”
As she dies, you hear her final words, “This is a mother’s last request.”
Kwan Woong does nothing but clutch his cheek and stare at her. Those around him stand motionless as she falls.
Riverbank. Some men and giseangs are enjoying an outing. Park Moo Sol has taken them on the excursion in the hopes of currying their continued favorable salt prices. He hates doing things like this, but it is a necessary evil. Moo Sol hears a baby’s cry. Although his servant does not hear it, Moo Sol quiets the music and they find a basket floating in the river. Seo Hwa’s baby is inside. Moo Sol brings the baby from the river as the monk, So Jung arrives. He tells them that if Moo Sol raises the child as his own, he will be blessed. Things haven’t been quite going Moo Sol’s way and the child will bring luck. The crowd is impressed at his knowledge.
When Moo Sol hesitates, So Jung ties a bracelet around his wrist. It looks like the one tied on Wol Ryung that stopped his supernatural abilities. Moo Sol is to keep the talisman on Kang Chi until he is twenty and all his endeavors will burn bright. As Moo Sol decides, a strong unnatural wind blows. His friends are eager for Lord Park to get those blessings and name the child, Kang (river) Chi (found). They give him Park’s unmarried servant’s last name, Choi. Moo Sol’s heart is moved and he decides to keep Choi Kang Chi.
His parents’ tale ends but a new tale begins: that of Choi Kang Chi.
Almost 20 years later, in the village square, Moo Sol’s success is recounted to an eager crowd. Moo Sol and his household, Century House, were indeed blessed with prosperity: over 100 servants, 10 houses with over 50 rooms each, dozens of storehouses filled to the brim. Traders came from all over to ply their wares. Any thief that tried to steal from Moo Sol was caught. He would give them seed and flour so that they could live if they worked hard, and repayment was only that the spared would live well.
In the square, Moo Sol is praised by all. A girl asks the speaker about the baby. (Two episodes later we finally find out that she is Dam Yeo Wool.)
Kang Chi has grown to be something of a loose cannon. A group of men bust into Century House, demanding to see Kang Chi. Apparently he beat up the leader’s 2 brothers. Moo Sol’s son, Park Tae Seo, hears their demands. He just sighs at what his brother has done and will not be bullied.
We meet Kang Chi. He slowly sneaks up on two girls, who are discussing the chancellor that one of them is supposed to marry. As Kang Chi is about to pounce, one girl turns to look at him, not surprised at all. Deflated, Kang Chi plops on the floor. He scolds her for talking disrespectfully to an elder and she counters that he acts like her junior. Kang Chi scoffs at the idea of her marriage to the chancellor, because the girl would find it boring and hate it. The girl’s name is Chung Jo, and her mother, Lady Yoon, arrives to speak with her.
As Chung Jo tries to get Kang Chi to leave out a window, he asks her if she is really going to marry the chancellor.
Chung Jo’s maid, Gob Dan, tries to stop Lady Yoon from entering, but she brushes past. Chung Jo is alone, but Lady Yoon knows what’s up and doesn’t buy Chung Jo’s excuse of opening the window for a breeze of fresh air. She reminds her daughter that Kang Chi is of a different class and the impending marriage is important.
Kang Chi is outside the window on the roof. He sighs at what is said. When he jumps down, Tae Seo has found him. Tae Seo doesn’t believe him when Kang Chi denies disobeying Lady Yoon and when he claims to be just passing by. Instead Tae Seo tells Kang Chi that Bong Chool and his men are here, waiting to see him.
Tae Seo wants Kang Chi to deal with his situation quietly, because of their special guest. But Kang Chi instead starts to insult them. When Bong Chool starts insulting Kang Chi’s background, calling him a mongrel, it is too much and Kang Chi kicks the leader down.
As Kang Chi starts to count for an apology, Tae Seo pleads with him to stop, because of their guests. When Kang Chi reaches three, Tae Seo places himself directly in between Kang Chi and the group of men, so that Kang Chi stops his fist. Tae Seo turns to Bong Chool and quickly offers him 10 nyang to pay them off. Kang Chi is insulted when Bong Chool demands 20 and his temper makes Bong Chool up the amount to 30 nyang. Tae Seo quickly agrees. When Kang Chi protests, Tae Seo tells him to shut up and that *he* is the reason that the price became 30.
Kang Chi offers 50 nyang, but with a catch. He slams a broomstick into the ground (and his bracelet glows) and says that if they drag him back to the broomstick, they get the 50 nyang and some of Kang Chi’s groveling on top of it.
Chung Jo sits with her mother and their guest, serving them tea. The chancellor’s mother is pleased with Chung Jo’s speech and grace. The melee of Kang Chi and the men approaches. Lady Yoon claims that the men are just visiting, but when Chung Jo calls out Kang Chi’s name, it’s obvious they’re not.
Kang Chi ends up crashing into their table and the brawl is interrupted by Moo Sol. Lady Yoon is not happy. Moo Sol demands to know what is happening.
Kang Chi kneels before his father. Moo Sol throws the 50 nyang at Bong Chool’s feet and tells them to be on their way. “What was it this time? Fighting to defend our house or to defend the weak.” Kang Chi miserably says that it is his fault and apologizes to his father.
Moo Sol tells him that he is an adult now and Tae Seo needs his help, so he needs to deal with things more responsibly. He tells Kang Chi to remain where he is and reflect on things.
Lady Yoon asks Moo Sol how long he will put up with Kang Chi’s behavior. Moo Sol counters that he is a month shy of 20. Lady Yoon demands Kang Chi go, because he is a curse.
Flashback. Lady Yoon does not want to take responsibility for Kang Chi. Her fears that he is a curse grow when Kang Chi is wounded by a candle but instantly heals when the bracelet falls off. The stress from everything causes her to go into labor with Tae Seo. The labor is not easy and she and the baby are in danger.
Moo Sol remembers So Jung’s words and places the bracelet back on Kang Chi’s wrist. A strong wind blows and Tae Seo is born, out of danger, and his lost ships have returned. As people cry that they are saved, the prophesy that he will be a blessing is confirmed for Moo Sol. Blue lights fly around Kang Chi’s head and a supernatural wind blows.
Courtyard. Present. Kang Chi is still kneeling, well into the night. His father hasn’t let him up yet. As he thinks of his stomach, Chung Jo appears with an apple. She asks him why he caused an uproar, since it won’t stop her wedding. Kang Chi’s expression shows that he’s busted in his less than pure motives. Chung Jo tells him that even though she doesn’t want to marry, she will because sometimes to protect what you have takes sacrifice and perseverance. She is willing to do it to protect her family. When Kang Chi protests that he can protect them, she tells him that strength isn’t enough; it also requires politics.
Kang Chi asks Chung Jo whether she likes him and counts to 3. She doesn’t answer, so he counts again. This time, though, she gives him a kiss on the cheek. Cherry blossoms fall. Shocked, they look at each other. Chung Jo leaves him and as he touches his cheek, Kang Chi smiles in disbelief. He jumps up and howls in victory.
Lady Yoon has seen it all and is not happy. She had warned her husband about Kang Chi’s feelings for Chung Jo, only to be discounted, and decides that if he won’t act, she will.
In the village, Yeo Wool is getting her palm read by a fortune teller. The grandmother declares that she has no chance with the ladies. *He’s* too skinny and girly. Yeo Wool's companion, who we find out is called Gon, snickers at the grandmother’s words. When she tells the grandmother that she’s a girl, she is told that men like pretty little nothings and will never like her.
Later at a restaurant, Yeo Wool is depressed at the news. When she asks Gon about whether a man could like a sword-wielding woman, he clears his throat uncomfortably and says, “Who knows.” When he sees that he has made it worse, he tries to take his foot out of his mouth, but she stops him and declares that she is fine with dying alone.
So Jung says that there is someone for everyone. Yeo Wool goes over and asks him for more. When she offers her palm, So Jung doesn’t like what he sees. True love will find her, but she should run the other way and avoid it. When she asks whether she has a choice, since it is fate, So Jung replies that fate brings people together, but it is their choice whether to go along. His greatest friend found love and it killed him.
A peach tree under the crescent moon. When she meets him there, she should run away.
Moo Sol receives a letter stamped with a bow-and-arrow design, a design he recognizes. Reading the message, he is alarmed and immediately leaves for an overnight trip. He does not tell Lady Yoon where he is going.
Tae Seo gives Kang Chi Century House’s ledgers from the last three months and tells him to tally them. When Kang Chi begs for something else, something physical, Tae Seo tells him that he cost the house 50 nyang and he shouldn’t budge until he is finished. I love when he bosses his brother around and that Kang Chi listens when Tae Seo talks sternly. In frustration, as Tae Seo leaves, Kang Chi slaps the table, breaking two of its legs.
Gob Dan, Chung Jo’s maid, brings Kang Chi a note, having been sent by Lady Yoon. Its words aren’t good.
Moo Sol arrives at Pyung Joon’s mountain stronghold. Pyung Joon greets him as a longtime friend.
Tae Seo goes to check on Kang Chi and he is gone. Tae Seo smiles even as he sighs in frustration, not surprised that Kang Chi has left.
Kang Chi has arrived at the house specified in the note, believing he is meeting Chung Jo. He calls her name. Gob Dan steps out of the building and tells him that she is inside. Kang Chi goes in, only to discover that the note was sent by Lady Yoon. She rebukes him for his audacity to like her daughter. He apologizes that he means no disrespect and that he is sincere in his feelings and intentions. She is having nothing of his insolence and calls many guards to her.
Pyung Joon briefs Moo Sol on several brutal murders that have been happening in the Southern Province. A man named Pijo seems to be involved. Anyone opposing him has been removed, stripped of their commercial licenses. Pyung Joon believes that Moo Sol is next.
A large armed group travels with a palanquin. The lord inside is Kwan Woong. The evil guy who caused the death of Kang Chi's parents. Yeo Wool and Gon are following them. They send off a messenger pigeon, with the message that ten men are in the open and 30 more in hiding. The group’s plan is not yet evident.
Kang Chi has been bound. Lady Yoon offers him two choices: leave Century House voluntarily, or she will make it so that he can’t come back. When he protests, she tells her guards to beat him within an inch of his life and dump him somewhere far away.
As Lady Yoon leaves, Kang Chi is able to escape. As his bracelet glows, he breaks the ropes that bind his arms and run away faster.
A short distance away from Kwan Woong’s troops, Yeo Wool and Gon have begun heading back to her father, having gathered the information they needed. She still wonders about the man under the peach tree during the crescent moon. They hear a noise and split up.
Kang Chi is trying to fight the guards off without hurting them. They throw powder on him, and although it causes him to stagger, it does not knock him out like it’s supposed to. A veiled figure, Yeo Wool, jumps in between Kang Chi and the guards, asking who they are and why there are so many attacking one unarmed man. They tell her to leave. But she wonders if they are responsible for the rash of murders in the province and stands at Kang Chi’s aid.
Yeo Wool begins to fight them and is incredibly skilled. Kang Chi increasingly is dazed by the drug and only sees snatches of what is happening. The girl grabs his arm and they run. Before the guards can chase them, Gon arrives to finish off what she started. A very studly entrance with his face behind a black mask. Why does she wear a veiled hat and he wear a mask? I’m just saying. The captain of the guard, Han Noh, sighs in frustration and orders them to attack. While Gon is distracted by battling the other guards, Han Noh breaks off the follow Kang Chi and the girl.
Pyung Joon tells Moo Sol that he has sent his most trusted agents to investigate and asks Moo Sol to allow them to protect him.
Kang Chi and the girl run, with her still clutching his arm. Her veiled hat flies off; and with blurred vision, Kang Chi thinks that it is Chung Jo. Han Noh appears and draws his blade. Kang Chi puts himself in between the guard and Yeo Wool. With the scabbard of her sword, he knocks Han Noh out. For a minute there, I thought that Han Noh had been stabbed, but it was just a blow from the scabbard, for which I am relieved, because he seemed like a good guy who didn’t want to be doing what he’d been ordered to do. You would have thought that her companion would have noticed Han Noh sprinting away from the group, but he doesn’t appear.
Kang Chi tells Yeo Wool not to worry and that he will protect her. They have a moment and then he promptly passes out. As she stands, holding him up, she realizes that they are at the peach tree by the crescent moon. Even though So Jung’s words ring in her ears, warning her about her unfortunate possible fate, she does not run.
Thoughts
Yeo Wool and Gon: It’s obvious that they work for Pyung Joon, if by nothing else that she dresses like him and the way that it flashes to them when Pyung Joon is talking about them. It will be interesting to see how Bae Suzy does, since the last thing I saw her in was Big and this is definitely a different character which will require more nuanced acting.
The events make me wonder even more about Pyung Joon’s character. He seems to be a noble guy, but why would he, all those years ago, work with Kwan Woong? That guy makes my skin crawl and Pyung Joon doesn’t seem like someone who plays politics.
Since it seems as though Pyung Joon is going to be fighting on the side of good, what’s going to happen when he figures out who Kang Chi is, the son of the gumiho and Seo Hwa? Will he want to hunt Kang Chi as he did his father?
This episode provides even more evidence about what an evil amoral man Kwan Woong is. Brutal murders of anyone who opposes him. And why are they calling him Pijo? Why is he using an alias rather than his name? Did his encounter with Seo Hwa make him fear retribution so much that he chose to hide his identity? Or is it for even more nefarious purposes, since he is skulking around behind the veils of a palanquin?
It’s a bit obvious that the companion likes the girl. Why do we always have unrequited crushes? By noble sacrificing men? At least Kang Chi isn’t a jerk, although he’ll probably pull the typical Korean male mating ritual of insulting his beloved while he denies his feelings and attraction.
Overall, this story is continuing to suck me in. I’m sad that Seo Hwa is dead, because I wanted Wol Ryung to be able to be saved from his fate, although I am hoping that she really isn’t dead, given that the credits reveal that a middle-aged Seo Hwa will appear. Please let noble Wol Ryung be redeemed! And could Pyung Joon be behind her salvation? Him or Soo Ryun?
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