We see bloody feet hobbling down the road. It's Jin Jae. He has the dagger that was used to cut his heels. He enters Choi Choong-Hon's bedroom. CCH asks JJ what he is doing there. JJ gives a speech saying that he is going to kill CCH for betraying the cause. CCH cowers in fear. He is freaking out. JJ raises his dagger. CCH wakes up. (I think we all saw that one coming.) He is at Lotus's place. She brings him soup. He asks her why he is having nightmares. She says that he senses that he is greater danger. "The highest roost is the most perilous."
JJ is in a wooden cage being wheeled to the boat that will take to the island where he will be banished. Gen. Kim Chirae rides up and tells the guards that he needs to talk to JJ. When they are alone Kim tells JJ that the righteous warriors will not forget him. JJ says that he is also guilty of deposing the emperor and a fool for thinking that the regime could be rectified by arms alone. JJ tells Kim to stay out of politics because a monk told him that Koryo would soon be invaded by nomads from the north and good warriors will be needed to fight them. The guards say that time is up and Kim carries JJ back to the boat.
CCH enters the palace grounds on his way to a minister's meeting. He is walking under a huge, blue parasol that is carried by an attendant. He is in his regular clothes rather than the armor he usually wears to the palace. He encounters the empress and they exchange greetings.
He tells the ministers that the practice of selling government posts must end but that it can not end completely because it is an important source of revenue. He tells the ministers that he thinks that every minister above the second rank should contribute 150 pounds of silver to the treasury. They grudging agree to contribute but think that 150 pounds is too much. CCH threatens to audit them.
Chung tells CCH that he heard a disturbing rumor that could ruin his reputation.
Cousin Kwan and the soothsayer are reviewing a list of officials and their payments. They are arrested and brought before CCH. He tells them that they are ruining his reputation by selling positions. Kwan says that the soothsayer was simply reviewing the list to check the officials' loyalty to CCH.
CCH tells them that he heard a rumor that the soothsayer sacrificed boys and girls on the four corners of the estate. The soothsayer denies the charge. CCH says that he will believe them for now but they must never do anything that would threaten his reputation. After CCH leaves, the soothsayer whispers to Kwan that they better make sure that nobody finds the graves of the children.
The emperor is pissed at Choi for daring to enter the palace grounds in regular clothes with the giant parasol. He tells Wang to gather all the martial arts eunuchs in the palace. He also tells him that he has someone else in mind to go up against CCH now that JJ is gone.
We see CCH riding in high style to his new estate. Hyang is already at the estate looking troubled. His mother asks what's wrong. He says that he is growing to be afraid of CCH and Woo. His mother tries to reassure him.
CCH is sitting with Suk-Soong and Yag Jin. He tells them how the glory that they have all earned will be remembered. (I think this is in connection to some document that CCH has in his hand.) CCH asks where Woo happens to be. Suk Soong tells him that he has been called to see the emperor.
Woo is with the emperor. The emperor asks him his age. He is 30, two years older then the emperor. CCH is 50. The emperor talks about how Woo will inherit his father's position some day. He asks Woo to serve the imperial family faithfully. He asks Woo to swear his loyalty and says that he will give him authority when the day comes.
CCH has a party for officials at his estate. Everyone gives CCH praise and wishes him continued prosperity. In Woo shows up. He is carrying something on his back. Everyone is happy to see him. He gives a warm hello to CCH and everyone at the party. He says he has a present to celebrate the new estate. He uncovers a pot. We see some people's noses twitch. Inwoo starts splashing everyone with a liquid. CCH demands to know why he is throwing feces and urine at everyone. In Woo gives a speech asking if CCH cut JJ's feet so that he could move to a big estate. He asks him why he is consorting with corrupt officials. CCH, Suk-Soong and Lord Ki take turns yelling back. In Woo says that he no longer wants to wear his ministers uniform and takes off his outer robe. He compares CCH to a cow sitting on a sharp needle (someone
please explain this analogy) and walks off laughing to himself. On his way out he encounters cousin Kwan and the soothsayer. They greet him. In Woo slaps Kwan and tells them they are corrupting CCH before walking out.
Wang tells the mute assassin that the time to act is near.
CCH is sitting alone when Woo stops in to ask if what he heard about In Woo was true. CCH asks him where he has been. He tells him about his visit to the emperor. CCH keeps his suspicions to himself.
Woo and the emperor are riding on horses together. They are bird hunting. After one of them gets a bird they go to Woo's house to eat their kill.
CCH is sitting with Suk-Soong and Yag Jin. Yag Jin is pleased to hear that Woo is getting close to the emperor. Suk-Soong shakes his head about Yag Jin's cluelessness. CCH walks out. Yag Jin asks Suk-soong why CCH is upset. Suk-soong says that Yag jin wouldn't understand. It's politics. (Rather rude of Suk-soong, if you ask me.)
Woo and the emperor are eating in Woo's home. Woo praises the emperors archery and horse riding. The emperor tells Woo to ask CCH for a place in the civil service. The emperor wants to discuss state affairs with young talents like Woo. Woo is happy. The emperor is successfully wooing Woo.
CCH sends for Woo. He asks Woo to leave the imperial city for a while. Woo says that he wants a civil service position. CCH asks if it was the emperor's idea for Woo to seek a position. Woo says that he wants to step out of his fathers shadow. CCH tells Woo his suspicions and asks him to decide between CCH and the emperor. Woo tells CCH that he will obey him. After Woo leaves, CCH tells himself that if the emperor wants to play it this way, he will become the villainous subject that the emperor thinks he is.
He walks outside where he finds that Lotus has come to see him. She warns him not to go to the palace because the eunuchs are ready to kill him.
