The girl and Kang Chi run through the forest. Her hat flies off and her hair flies free. Kang Chi saves her from the guard. As he declares, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you,” it sounds familiar to her. She remembers a boy saving her from a savage dog when she was young.
Blue lights fly like fireflies and she realizes that she is by the peach tree under a crescent moon. The music swells as she holds him and does not run. A very nice visual image.
The monk stands outside of Century House. Kwan Woong has also arrived, although Moo Sol has not returned. Tae Seo knows that this means trouble, but goes out to meet him. The group demands rooms. Tae Seo begins to refuse, claiming they have no room, when he is stopped by Ninja Soh, who tells him that when they demand something, he will do it. The veil of the palanquin rises and Tae Seo sees Kwan Woong. Tae Seo knows of the old chancellor and he affirms that he is Kwan Woong, which disturbs the residents of Century House.
Tae Seo tries to accommodate their request, but there are only two empty rooms. Kwan Woong’s reputation has them afraid, since he is known to be ruthless and unrelenting. Tae Seo hopes that Kang Chi will return to help them, not knowing that his mother has gotten rid of him.
Yeo Wool stares at an unconscious Kang Chi. She pokes his face to wake him. He snorts a pig-like snore but doesn’t waken and she calls him a pig boy. Gon enters. Kang Chi snores. As Gon draws his sword to stab Kang Chi in the head, Kang Chi rolls out of the way, startled.
Kang Chi is understandably angry at almost being murdered and demands their names. Gon counters that Kang Chi should introduce himself first, since they rescued him. Heh. When he identifies himself as Choi Kang Chi, son of Choi Ma Reum, the girl definitely recognizes the name. Gon seems pleased by his identity, too. Gon refuses to give his name to a stranger.
Kang Chi goes to wrestle it out of him, but Gon easily deflects his blows. Yeo Wool steps in between them and chides Kang Chi for trying to hit the people who saved him. When he laughs at the thought of a girl saving him, she high kicks him across the face. I love it when the girls do that! Or anybody, come to think about it. She makes it clear that she is no joke.
Gon and Yeo Wool tie Kang Chi up and make him walk in front of them. When he protests, she refuses to yield, since he attacked the people who saved him and was being chased in the first place. Gon concludes that either he’s a thief or Kang Chi’s trouble was because of a girl. Kang Chi’s face answers the question.
Yeo Wool chides him for being a player and Kang Chi is outraged and offended. I’m Lord Purity, himself! Even as he pleads to be freed, he is recognized by house servant, Eok Man. Kang Chi tries to play everything off that they are his friends, even though he’s bound. Eok Man tells him to stop playing and that Century House is in trouble.
Tae Seo has told Kwan Woong that they do not have the room for his entourage, refusing to evict his other guests. Kwan Woong likes that idea. When Tae Seo tells him that it would be far too rude, Kwan Woong asks whether he should be rude instead. Kwan Woong refuses Tae Seo’s offer of seeking rooms for him at one of the smaller inns and Tae Seo’s response to his insulted protest shows that Century House will bow to no one, no matter how powerful they are: “We don’t evict guests, not for anyone.” It’s his father’s cardinal rule that will be broken not even for a lord. Ninja Soh draws his sword and stops just short of Tae Seo’s throat, but Tae Seo doesn’t even blink.
Lady Yoon is appalled at events. Chung Jo wonders where Kang Chi could be, but Lady Yoon says nothing about what she has done.
Kang Chi asks humbly for Yeo Wool to release him, because his Century House family needs him. Yeo Wool wonders where she has seen his eyes before.
Tae Seo is righteously insulted at Kwan Woong’s audacity to draw and threaten him. Kwan Woong scolds him for his insolence towards the nobility, toward the king potentially, by refusing to evict guests, claiming it smacks of rebellion. Even as Tae Seo protests that he is being misunderstood, Lady Yoon appears and tells Kwan Woong that his rooms will be prepared.
When Kwan Woong says that he is investigating the crime of failing to honor a noble, Lady Yoon drops to her knees and asks that she be punished instead of her son. At that moment Chung Jo appears. Harps play and Kwan Woong sees Seo Hwa instead. Sicko. At least we know he’s haunted.
Kwan Woong stands transfixed as he stares at his new obsession. His view is blocked as Kang Chi steps in between them. Dramatic music. A fierce wind blows. Chung Jo is happy to see him. The household servants are relieved.
Kang Chi apologizes for being late. Tae Seo smiles and tells him that it’s nothing new. It is obvious that he is confident in Kang Chi’s ability to protect them. They share a smile. Kang Chi is not afraid of this ‘noble.’ Go, Kang Chi!
Yeo Wool and Gon watch from the roof. They recognize Kwan Woong as Pijo and are troubled that he has come to Century House this quickly.
Kwan Woong asks what Kang Chi does and doesn’t want to know his name. Kang Chi declares that he is responsible for keeping the peace at Century House, adding ‘my lord.’ Lady Yoon wants to stop him but is stilled by Tae Seo.
Kang Chi is respectful and rude at the same time: “For such a respectable and elderly noble, you sure are rude.” Kwan Woong can’t believe Kang Chi’s audacity in calling him rude. “What else do you call drawing on a man who politely says he has no vacancy? Then accusing him of rebellion?” When Kwan Woong tries to throw his weight around, Kang Chi doesn’t care, because all he is to him is a future guest of Century House.
Kang Chi gives Kwan Woong an ultimatum: leave quietly or get a taste of his discipline. Kwan Woong demands that his guards cut out Kang Chi’s tongue. They draw on Kang Chi and he just laughs.
Yeo Wool starts to go to his aid but Gon stops her.
Kang Chi quickly and easily dispatches the swordsmen threatening him. Ninja Soh notices Kang Chi’s glowing bracelet.
As Kang Chi asks if they need another lesson, Kwan Woong laughs to save face. He plays off his intentions and leers at Chung Jo. Someone arrives with a guest house prepared for Kwan Woong. They leave, with a last glare between Kang Chi and Ninja Soh. Kang Chi knows that this is not over.
Yeo Wool is impressed at Kang Chi’s skill. As she starts to be lost in her thoughts, Gon calls her name.
Moo Sol is understandably upset at Han Noh. Even though it would be simple to expose Lady Yoon’s plot, Kang Chi takes the blame, saying he left without permission. Moo Sol doesn’t quite buy it, so Kang Chi gets overly dramatic in begging forgiveness, saying that the seven guards that went after him were needed because he got drunk and made a fuss. No one buys his story. Kang Chi continues to dig his hole and Moo Sol demands the truth.
Both Han Noh and Kang Chi claim responsibility, covering for Lady Yoon. I doubt this is going to garner him any favor in her eyes. Because she’s that spiteful. Tae Seo tries to deflect the situation, wanting them to concentrate on why Kwan Woong has arrived. Lady Yoon firmly states that they need to apologize for what Kang Chi did… You mean saving your son’s life and the lives of everyone in your household? Horrid woman. I really hope that she ends up biting it, because I have a feeling that death is a-comin’ riding into Century House. And I hope it’s really painful, physically and mentally!
Lady Yoon blames everything on Kang Chi and he is visibly hurt by her actions. She is justifiably afraid, based on his reputation. Moo Sol sighs with resignation.
Kwan Woong is at the gisaeng house, thoroughly enjoying himself. He is such a scum ball. Moo Sol has arrived for a visit, with his son, Tae Seo.
Lady Yoon demands Kang Chi’s reason for coming back. Ignoring the fact that he saved them, that if it had been anyone else and she would be grateful, she tells him that he created even more danger by coming back. The threat to their household wasn’t caused by him, but she blames him anyway.
Kang Chi asks her why Lady Yoon hates him. She has never once smiled at him. He begs her to tell him what he can do, so that he can change it and find her favor. She declares that he is a curse which threatens her children.
Kang Chi swears that he would protect Chung Jo and Tae Seo with his life and Lady Yoon scoffs, because she isn’t even sure if he’s human! Kang Chi doesn’t understand, but Lady Yoon doesn’t explain herself. Her words have wounded him and he is confused.
Kang Chi walks away and sees Chung Jo with her wedding finery. He knows that she will never be his and it hurts even more. Chung Jo is saddened by his pain.
Kang Chi looks at the petals of a cherry tree and Yeo Wool approaches. He dared to love what was out of reach: the master’s daughter… Kang Chi doesn’t answer her. He starts to walk away but then turns and asks her what she is doing there. They are staying at the inn. He tells her to be on her way.
As Kang Chi turns to walk away, Yeo Wool takes out her staff and whacks him on the head. Kang Chi is shocked and she is stunned that she was able to strike him. She apologizes, confused as to why he didn’t avoid it. He grabs the staff, pulling her close, and asks her if she has a death wish. When she references his abilities the night before, Kang Chi says that he was able to do what he did because his blood was up and his life was on the line. He only fights when he has to. Intrigued, she asks him for a battle royale. He laughs and refuses, walking away.
Yeo Wool calls out, “spiders,” which makes Kang Chi stop. She remembered that he is afraid of spiders. He doesn’t know how she knows that and when he denies it, she tells him that one is by his feet. He freaks out, jumping to get away. He’s just confirmed what she’s said. He tries to deny it, but can’t save face. Later, he wonders how she knew and who she really is. Yeo Wool remembers the boy she once knew.
At the gisaeng house, Moo Sol and Tae Seo wait for their audience. Kwan Woong is being arrogant and making them wait as he listens to music. I hate him so much. So much. A dramatic pause between Kwan Woong and Moo Sol.
Moo Sol apologizes for his men’s rudeness. Kwan Woong demands 200 lashes, a murderer’s punishment, be given to Kang Chi. Kwan Woong refuses to leave the insult unpunished and repeats his charge of treason towards Tae Seo. When Moo Sol asks to give something else, Kwan Woong suggests Century House and when Moo Sol hesitates, he asks for Chung Jo instead. Tae Seo boils but keeps his face emotionless.
Flashback to Moo Sol’s conversation with Pyung Joon. “He’ll do anything and everything to get what he wants.” The men know that he intentionally ruined Ki Soo 20 years ago, and Pyung Joon suggests that Moo Sol not provoke him or give him an excuse.
Present. Kwan Woong demands an answer and Moo Sol says that he will take the 200 lashes, since the sins of the son are the sins of the father. Kwan Woong does not take the bait, knowing that the people would revolt. After they leave, he decides that he now must counter attack: by killing Moo Sol and framing Kang Chi as the killer.
Kang Chi is following Yeo Wool and Gon. Not very well, since they know he’s behind them. They disappear at a glance and Kang Chi wanders in disbelief. Yeo Wool can’t believe how dense he is. Gon defends him a bit, noting that he responds according to the situation. Yeo Wool begins to press on, stating that ‘he’ is waiting for them.
Kang Chi is distracted from the chase at the sight of Bong Chool and his minions extorting money from the street vendors. He greets them with a smile. They seem to think that this will be easy fight against Kang Chi.
Yeo Wool and Gon arrive at a soup stand. A venerable man is eating soup, the “best soup in Yosu.” She apologizes for keeping him waiting. He suggests she try the soup. She presents him with a map of the murder spree and states that they overlap with Kwan Woong’s commercial campaign. They wonder if there is more to events than meets the eye.
The three are interrupted by Kang Chi beating up the men. Yeo Wool is puzzled by his ability.
Kang Chi makes them kneel and hand over the extorted money as Yeo Wool, Gon and the man watch. He begins to count to 3 and Bong Chool forks over a piddly amount. When Kang Chi threatens to shake it out of them, they fork over the rest. The master misunderstands Kang Chi's intentions, but then Kang Chi distributes everyone’s money. Everyone declares that he is the only one who looks out for them. His good nature with the people impresses Yeo Wool and her group.
As people chant Kang Chi’s name, Yeo Wool sees So Jung, who is nodding approvingly. She chases after him and asks about her fate, what to do since she couldn’t avoid it. He tells her that one of them will die.
Kang Chi returns home and gives some wine to his ‘father.’ Ma Reum scolds Kang Chi for scuffling with the thugs and goes to see Moo Sol.
Moo Sol sits with his family. Chung Jo serves him tea and Moo Sol expresses sadness at her coming wedding. Tae Seo says that he will replace her with a pretty bride of his own. Lady Yoon scoffs, since he chases the match makers away and Chung Jo teases her brother, asking him is he’s afraid of women.
Kang Chi watches them laugh together and Han Noh tells him that this is not for him. Kang Chi says he just likes to watch and feel part of the family. Han Noh asks about Chung Jo’s marriage and Kang Chi avoids the question, giving him bread from the baker.
Yeo Wool practices her sword craft in the square of the inn. The monk’s warning rings in her ears as she remembers Kang Chi promising to protect her, both as a man and as a boy. She wishes that it wasn’t him.
As Yeo Wool finishes, Kang Chi applauds, impressed. She struck the leaves without touching them, using a soul blade. He asks how she knew about the spiders, have they met before? She asks him if he remembers her. He doesn’t so she says they haven’t met. If it had meant something, it would be remembered. He asks her whether him remembering meant that it means something. She stares significantly at him, with sadness in her eyes, but doesn’t answer.
Kang Chi dives, grabbing Yeo Wool, saving her from a silver star. An assassin hurries away. They run after him.
Moo Sol is alone and hears someone. So Jung steps out of the darkness.
The assassins have gotten away.
Kwan Woong is playing checkers with a giseang as he waits for his orders to be carried out.
Phantom-like assassins begin to appear, filling up the rooftops and surrounding Kang Chi and Yeo Wool. She seems to have fought them before, but Kang Chi is unfamiliar.
So Jung has come because the 20 years are almost up. Moo Sol asks what Kang Chi is and mentions the incident with the bracelet that happened as a baby. Before Moo Sol finishes his story, he stops and demands to know who So Jung is. It is an assassin in disguise, who now holds a sword to Moo Sol’s throat. His eyes look like Kwan Woong’s captain, Ninja Soh. The assassin asks for the rest of the story, about the bracelet.
Kang Chi and Yeo Wool prepare to defend themselves from death and the episode ends.
Thoughts
So Kwan Woong’s men are all magical assassins. That’s the only explanation for the assassin asking about the bracelet. What does he suspect and will this be the end of Moo Sol? Curse you, tragic story! First Wol Ryung and now Moo Sol. Why do all the noble men/fathers have to die?
Kwan Woong has access to dark magic. How is this going to play out, particularly with a man as amoral as Kwan Woong?
Something significant has happened between Yeo Wool and Kang Chi. No clue as to what, but it’s left her sad that he doesn’t recognize her. Could it be some moment where they declared true love for each other, when they were children so long ago? If not that, why would she care if he forgot and not remind him?
If I didn’t hate Kwan Woong before, I do now. Not one redeemable characteristic. Boy, I really hope he gets his. Why has no one assassinated him, after he was unseated as chancellor, since he is such as potential threat? Why don’t people use any sense? And then blame it on the fall guy of their choosing?
I also hope Lady Yoon gets hers. Although I can sort of sympathize with her fear for her children, not seeing Kang Chi’s noble character makes her hatred inexcusable. It would be one thing if he continually mistreated the family, but he doesn’t. Stupid woman. First she wants to sell off her daughter and now this…
One thing that I like is this subtle examination of good and evil. I loved the series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel, because of their examination of the idea of what makes someone good or evil. In those, a soul did not necessarily mean you were good; soullessness did not mean you were evil. It was the actions that determine this. Gu Family Book follows this idea: being a supernatural being doesn’t naturally mean you are evil or a threat. Two of the kindest, noble characters so far have been Wol Ryung and his son, Kang Chi. Both of them are much stronger than their opponents, and yet they don’t abuse that power. Kang Chi would be horrified if he thought that is what he’d done. Both of them were concerned with the honor of others. Rather than being a deceitful seducer like he was accused, Wol Ryung only presented a pure heart full of love to Seo Hwa. And in the end, he could not hurt her, even to save herself. Kang Chi is indignantly insulted when accused of being a player, someone who uses women for his own pleasure.
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