Post by ajk on Nov 23, 2012 22:41:42 GMT -5
Well what else can Munno say, really. Between Bidam's lousy faking and what looks to be Yushin's bad physical state, the match doesn't look the least bit legitimate...But for the moment, he just sits silently, saying nothing. "I was doing by best!", Bidam protests, but Chilsuk doesn't want to hear anything from him. Yushin can only close his eyes; he can see what's coming....Finally Munno stands, and admits, "I'm dubious." Not more than that; at least he's showing restraint. "This is a competition of honor," he continues; "it must be above petty suspicion. As should the grand marshal himself. In fairness, I cannot accept the legitimacy of this bout." And then announces that he, Chilsuk, Deokman and Mishil "shall consider the matter further." So Ho Jae escorts them to the Hwarang meeting hall to do so. Bidam glares angrily at Mishil...but why? He has only himself to blame.
Inside, well, what to do? Munno is regretful and Chilsuk is angry that this situation happened (but why should they be surprised? There's always a danger of this when allies meet in an important match). Then Mishil speaks up, saying she thinks she understands what Bidam is doing, that is, avoiding the three-way tie that would result if he won the bout, and the likely vote in Bojong's favor that would result. "Isn't it natural that he'd prefer Yushin be grand marshal?" Exactly. "He's young," Mishil continues; "don't be too hard on him." Now that's odd..."On the other hand, there's the problem of an insult to the Hwarang master and Munno." Okay...but with that, she stops and goes silent. As though she expects some specific thing to start percolating in Munno's and Chilsuk's heads.
The crowd has broken up and dispersed. Now we see Jukbang still talking to his new acquaintance Chunchu, explaining about Bidam's friendship with Yushin and how it's likely that he threw the match. "And this Bidam," Chunchu asks, "is he Mishil's son?" Now who told him that? And Jukbang's reaction...for a moment he looks absolutely stunned, as though he's shocked that someone else knows this (Again, something must be going on here that we have yet to have spelled out for us), but then shakes himself back in focus and accuses Chunchu of being dense and confusing Bidam with Bojong. Then Chunchu catches sight of Daenambo and two of his subordinates, searching for him. He wants no part of them and turns immediately away from Jukbang and down a side street.
Back inside, Ho Jae floats the idea of a double disqualification, and letting Alcheon and Bojong fight for the title. Interesting...Deokman speaks up for the first time, saying that no one has questioned Yushin's conduct up to the final match (which isn't the point, now, is it). Mishil snipes at her about forsaking her honor to hand Yushin the victory...all right, all right, calm down. "No one's suggesting Yushin win that way," Munno says. Deokman says she agrees with that...but what to do? Chilsuk says he has an idea....
The next morning: The whole crowd is back, and Yushin and Bidam are in the combat square again for the verdict. Munno stands up and announces the decision: the match is declared invalid. Bidam, to his credit, angrily protests that Yushin fought his best. "If you question my actions, punish ME!" But the decision stands. Bidam is disqualified, Ho Jae says, and adds that they'll investigate further at a later date. He's dismissed, and leaves the square. Now as for Yushin, "he will fight another match." Really? With who? With Chilsuk! Oh boy does that get the crowd buzzing--and not in a good way. The DFers sum it up very nicely: "That's stupid." "No way!" "He can hardly walk at this point!" Chilsuk stands up and explains more. It's not exactly a real bout. "I'll attack you ten times," he tells Yushin; "if you successfully defend yourself, you will have won." Ho Jae adds that if Yushin fails, the bijae will play no role in choosing the grand marshal, and a vote will be held to choose between the winners of the first two rounds. Which, again, strongly favors Bojong. And when is this going to start? Right now. Chilsuk strides into the square and grabs a stick. Yushin, who was kneeling on the ground, stands up--but it's an effort. He's in bad shape, no denying it. This doesn't look like it will take very long. The gong sounds...
Misaeng tells this news to Sejong and Hajong; Hajong laughs and considers it a done deal. Sejong is more cautious but sort of agrees.
Chilsuk runs at Yushin, takes a flying leap and swings his stick. Yushin parries, but the blow's force knocks him down. The Hwarang watching, even Bojong's supporters, credit Yushin for even managing to parry in his condition. But Yushin is down and it looks all over. But wait--not so fast! Yushin is frantically trying to right himself and stand up. And he does. Chilsuk had his back turned, he was so certain that Yushin was toast. He sizes Yushin up, and then comes in again--this time a more controlled attack, with stick-blows and punches and kicks in combination. Yushin defends as best he can, but soon goes down again. And then gets up! Woozy and trying to shake off blurred vision, he braces himself. Chilsuk charges again....
"Just getting to the final round," Misaeng says, "he'll be exhausted." Sejong agrees: "He'll barely be able to stand--what chance does he have?" Misaeng says, "Bidam may have been acting on his own, but they brought it on themselves." Hajong runs out of the room; he wants to see this.
Uh-oh, Yushin is flat on his back and looks completely out. Everyone watching is tense. How many attacks are we up to? Pretty soon Yushin comes to, and with his stick for a brace, gets to his feet. He's barely able to keep his balance, but braces himself again. And now Chilsuk attacks again--just a few stick blows this time; Yushin goes down, just for a moment. But then a vicious follow-up that quickly sends Yushin to the ground again--for good. Chilsuk turns and walks away, and Ho Jae steps forward. "Yushin did not..." Ummm, jumped the gun there...Yushin is reaching for his stick, trying to grab it and raise himself again. Deokman is starting to cry, this is so hard to watch, and the DFers fear for Yushin's life. But Yushin won't be denied, and tries to stagger to his feet again. He fails. but he tries a second time, and a third time...Suddenly: "Fight!!" What the--It's Bojong? "Don't give up, Yushin. Fight!" Apparently he's so moved by Yushin's drive that he's rooting for him! Now Alcheon starts shouting for him, and the DFers start screaming wildly to exhort him. And we learn--it's been nine attacks. "Last one!" All of the Hwarang are cheering wildly for him to gut this last one out and prevail. Finally, Yushin manages to stagger to his feet. "It's not...It's not over," he mutters to Chilsuk, glaring angrily but looking like a herd of cattle ran him over. Egging Chilsuk on is probably not a good idea, because come on, Chilsuk could pretty much squash the kid any time he decides to put his all into it. Still everyone present can't help but be impressed, even Mishil and her supporters. So Chilsuk promptly steps forward and swings. Their sticks hit and Yushin's shatters. Yushin momentarily spins and manages to poke Chilsuk in the stomach with the half-stick still in his hands, but all that does is expose him to a stick-blow to the back of his head--a blow that knocks him unconscious and sends him to the ground hard and for good. It's over. No question this time; he's out like a light. Now Chilsuk is suddenly gripped by some sort of realization, maybe concern that this was a bad idea and he's actually killed Yushin. A stunned silence, as Yushin lies there motionless. This would be a good time for everybody to start screaming again, to wake him up! Why the silence? But everyone seems to be stunned...Ho Jae steps forward. "In the final match, Yushin did not survive the ten assaults. The loser of the match..." And Chilsuk angrily cuts him off: "Was me!" WHAT?! "Yushin's final blow," he announces, touching his stomach, "hit me here. With a real blade he would have run me through. Yushin won!" So that was why Chilsuk reacted so oddly. The Hwarang go wild--even Bojong and his allies. Among everyone, only Seokpum stands there with a sour look on his face. Everyone else is cheering like crazy, apparently not at all concerned that Yushin might not be a functioning human any more. The DFers run to him and gather around...His parents are relieved...Bojong looks thoroughly inspired...Munno is beyond impressed, and he's a hard guy to impress...and even Mishil is obviously impressed, although she doesn't seem to be all that surprised. There's still no evidence that the guy will ever walk again or even revive again...but nobody seems worried about it.
Afterwards, the cabal is together. Hajong is complaining to Chilsuk for declaring Yushin the winner. "Could I truly be a Hwarang if I did not?" Chilsuk answers. Give him big credit; he slipped up and then owned up to it.
Bojong is sitting alone in an office room, his chest-wound heavily bandaged. Seolwon comes in. "Why did you do it?", he asks, not angry but wanting to know. "Why did you cheer him on?" "I'm a Hwarang," Bojong fires back; "What Hwarang seeing that wouldn't do the same?" Another person who deserves credit here, for showing some selflessness and good character.
Manmyeong and a physician are tending to the still-unconscious Yushin. Deokman enters, and gets a welcome piece of news from Manmyeong: he's only sleeping now. Could fool me, but a doctor treated him immediately after the match, and his mom isn't worried so I guess he'll be okay.
Somehow Jukbang and Chunchu found each other again, and now they're at an outdoor restaurant with a covered roof. Jukbang is trying to explain about the political factions in and around the royal house, but Chunchu doesn't seem to get it. Hmmm, maybe not the brightest bulb in the marquee...But we'll see. Now the annoying Hwarang (Can we have his name, please?) walks by and happens to spot Chunchu. As he listens, Chunchu is finally starting to get it. And Jukbang is working the kid hard for a little silver, as payment for his teaching. And getting some, one bit at a time.
Uh-oh, weird guy's gonna get it. Munno walks into a room where Bidam is sitting alone. Tells Bidam that Yushin prevailed--which Bidam had suspected from the cheering he heard, but which he's glad to hear for certain. Munno looks at him, calmly but sternly. "There's nothing more for you here," he says. "Come with me. Get ready to leave."
Mishil and Seolwon talk about Yushin; they were so impressed by how he inspired all of the Hwarang, it reminded them of the spirit of their early days with King Jinheung. In fact, Mishil was so impressed by how she thinks Yushin "grew during the competition," she says she's worried about him! As in, he-could-make-things-difficult-for-me worried.
"I don't know what I did wrong," Bidam tells Munno. Considering everything that Deokman and Yushin want to accomplish, "What's one little contest compared to all that?" And adds, "You think Yushin stood a chance if I fought fair?" He defends his actions..."Should we let little things stop us from achieving greatness? Should we let pride and honor stand in the way of the future?" Yikes, this is ends-justify-the-means talk. "You still have a long way to go," Munno calmly replies, stating the obvious. "You have a lot to learn." And with that he leaves...But Bidam won't let it go. He runs outside after Munno and stands in his path. "Banish me. I dishonored you, didn't I?" "What did I just say? You have a lot to learn. I can't banish you." Then he adds, "It's the little things that make greatness worth achieving." Which is supposed to be a rebuttal to Bidam but it really isn't. Whatever...and then he adds, "Try as you might, I very much doubt you'd have beaten Yushin." OUCH! That's gotta hurt. Why say it? No way it's true. And with that he walks away.
Eventually Bidam walks away too, but happens across Mishil headed somewhere. He doesn't look happy to see her. "I thought you were capable and clever," she tells him, making his day even lousier. "You think no one can beat you, for one thing." And you insulted Munno and Chilsuk. And worst of all, "you're a show-off. You did it to get noticed." Like you have a crush on a girl, or could it be, like a little boy wanting parental attention? As in, read between the lines. They stare at each other for what seems like forever, and then she walks away. She's smiling broadly the whole time...He's totally bothered by it.
Well, time for happier company. Bidam goes to check on Yushin, who's still sleeping; Deokman and Alcheon are with him. Alcheon gets angry at the sight of Bidam, and grabs him so he can punch him. Deokman dismisses him on the spot, though, so he leaves. Bidam apologizes to Deokman--"I was trying to do good"--but she gives him a scolding for swearing allegiance to her and then disobeying her. "It won't happen again," he tells her. "Things are different now; you have to obey me. Or I'll send you out of my service." Again he apologizes; point made. Now let's drop it. She asks him about his bad ankle...He says he's sorry he missed the end of the competition...and then he sort fades out and becomes distracted as he watches Deokman gently tend to Yushin's head bruises with a cloth. Oh dear, please let's not start some sort of warped triangle here....
Jukbang is still educating Chunchu on seemingly everything that's happened in the kid's lifetime. Chunchu is still passing across the occasional bit of silver. Now the annoying Hwarang is trying to get in on the action too. And some of the locals are as well. Chunchu listens as they throw one thing after another at him about his mother...and he starts to look very sad and distant. Almost mournful.
Deokman goes to pray before her sister's picture, and tell it (her) what's been happening.
Alcheon and Imjong want to find Chunchu. Alcheon sends out his Hwarang...
Daenambo tells an irritated Misaeng that they lost Chunchu just as they neared the capital. "He's not like other people," Daenambo tries to explain, but Misaeng doesn't want to hear it. Just find him and bring him back or you're in big trouble. And then asks, Did you tell him what I instructed you to tell him?...Flashback to one year earlier in China; Daenambo has just arrived in China. He kneels before Chunchu, almost in tears, then presents his sword and tells him, "Please, I deserve death at your hand." I guess he's just confessed to killing Cheonmyeong, although presumably he said it was an accident. But Chunchu doesn't seem to care much, and only tells him to prepare for their return to the capital--"That's why you came, isn't it?"--and go away...Flashback ending, "You begged him to kill you and he said he'd go to the capital?" And never even mentioned it on the entire trip home? Misaeng doesn't get it. "His mother's murderer is right there, and he says nothing? Is he that stupid?"
Hey, Alcheon spotted Daenambo! Who looks none too happy to be spotted. (Then walking around in broad daylight maybe wasn't so bright, huh dude?) Alcheon angrily confronts him, still seething about what happened up north: "You and I have unfinished business." Yes, they do. "Everyone may SAY Princess Cheonmyeong's death was an accident. But you and I know better, don't we? Shouldn't you have killed yourself?" He tells Daenambo he's still pretty beaten up from yesterday's competition, so..."Now's your chance to kill me, don't you think?" Right there in the city market? Slowly they reach for their swords...but now Chunchu walks into the scene. Alcheon doesn't recognize him but tell him to go away because he has unfinished business with Daenambo. Chunchu turns to Daenambo and asks him if that business "is what you told me?" Daenambo just about panics; it's all going to come out now But shockingly, Chunchu adds, "If it is, I've already forgiven him for it." Daenambo lights up--he can't believe he's off the hook--and he proceeds to tell a stunned Alcheon just who this person is.
Sohwa enters the shrine to tell Deokman that Chunchu has arrived.
And he has--but he's gone to the palace, to pay respects to the king and queen. They receive their grandson warmly and tenderly. He expresses sympathy for them on losing their daughter, but otherwise seems oddly unemotional.
A nervous, giddy Deokman walks briskly towards the palace, expecting to find Chunchu there. But he's already left and is headed to see her. Oops. So she skitters back home, retinue in tow.
Chunchu finds an empty room. He's brought a small wooden chest with him and sets it down. He looks around the room...Flashback to a little boy of maybe four years old--it's Chunchu, and he's with his mother! Great to see Cheonmyeong again. She's saying good-bye to him as he sends him off to China. They hug, and she has tears in her eyes, and it's even sadder because he's smiling a little-kid smile and doesn't realize that his mother is sending him away for a very, very long time...Flashback ending, we realize that Deokman is living in the same rooms where Cheonmyeong lived. Deokman runs in and stares at the new arrival, maybe a little too enthusiastically? A little creepily, almost. They introduce themselves. She gives him a big hug, tears running down her cheeks, but again he seems indifferent to the point of coldness. "Why are you staying here?", he asks offhandedly; "There are much better rooms." She tells him she'll move if her being in his mother's quarters makes him uncomfortable. But that wasn't his point at all...She asks him about his trip, and then launches into "I'll give you everything your mother couldn't. In her place." Deokman should really dial it back a bit, but it doesn't matter; he's not interested. He opens the wooden chest and reads a letter that was in it. It's an old letter from his mother. And now another. And another. He's kept them all in that chest. "The next year...and the next...and the next. I worried I'd never see her again. Then I grew angry," he says. "But now she's not even here for me to hate. How pathetic is that?" And then surprises Deokman (and us) by taking things in a suddenly unpleasant direction: "Don't ride my mother's coattails. If anyone can take my mother's place, it won't be you. It'll be me." Yikes--what's that about? "Another thing. Know that you'll inherit nothing of Cheonmyeong's." Well THAT wasn't nice. And then, "I heard you traveled a long way to get here, just like I did. What led you here, I wonder...and what do you think led ME here?" Deokman doesn't know what to make of any of this...but it doesn't sound good, does it. Might there be a power-hungry little punk inside that frail exterior?
Chunchu leaves the building; Alcheon and Imjong and their Hwarang are waiting outside, to serve as his escort. But no, Chunchu has his own ideas. He walks right over to Daenambo and asks him to show him around the capital! Daenambo is half stunned, half ecstatic. He's Chunchu's buddy now. (Or maybe Chunchu just knows that Daenambo basically owes him his life, and so will be loyal.) Then Misaeng runs up and introduces himself, and he follows Chunchu away.
"I'm greedy, I admit it." Mishil confesses to Seolwon that as lucky as she feels to have Seolwon in her life, well...and then some implication about Yushin's installation as grand marshal tomorrow; maybe she wishes he were on her side too. Then Misaeng enters, happy to tell Mishil that everything is going well with Chunchu (lucky for him) and that he'll bring him to meet her soon. And laughs about how Daenambo managed to get in so good with him. Which Mishil is particularly happy to hear.
Yushin is up and on his feet again, and back in uniform. Looks steady enough. Some of the other elite Hwarang arrive, all smiles and respect, to escort him to his installation...
...which is in the Hwarang meeting hall. Time for the installation of the 15th Pungwolju (grand marshal). Deokman and Mishil are there, Ho Jae, Seolwon, Chilsuk, Munno. Yushin won two events, it's announced, and so the job is his. "But there's just one thing before we can move forward." It's Seolwon; he has something to say. Of all things, he brings up those Gaya refugees. He asks Yushin, "Where are those refugees now, exactly?" Huh? What's this about? Seolwon explains that he's discovered they're on Yushin's family's land. Mishil smiles her evil smile. Ah, so that's it--they've gone and dug up dirt on Yushin, to smear his character. Seolwon continues, saying that those refugees were suspected of working with the Bokya. Which stuns everyone present. "How did they manage to get to your land?" And then adds, "It's also come to our attention that the Bokya is operating out of the same area." And challenges Yushin, a native Gayan, to explain all of this.
Inside, well, what to do? Munno is regretful and Chilsuk is angry that this situation happened (but why should they be surprised? There's always a danger of this when allies meet in an important match). Then Mishil speaks up, saying she thinks she understands what Bidam is doing, that is, avoiding the three-way tie that would result if he won the bout, and the likely vote in Bojong's favor that would result. "Isn't it natural that he'd prefer Yushin be grand marshal?" Exactly. "He's young," Mishil continues; "don't be too hard on him." Now that's odd..."On the other hand, there's the problem of an insult to the Hwarang master and Munno." Okay...but with that, she stops and goes silent. As though she expects some specific thing to start percolating in Munno's and Chilsuk's heads.
The crowd has broken up and dispersed. Now we see Jukbang still talking to his new acquaintance Chunchu, explaining about Bidam's friendship with Yushin and how it's likely that he threw the match. "And this Bidam," Chunchu asks, "is he Mishil's son?" Now who told him that? And Jukbang's reaction...for a moment he looks absolutely stunned, as though he's shocked that someone else knows this (Again, something must be going on here that we have yet to have spelled out for us), but then shakes himself back in focus and accuses Chunchu of being dense and confusing Bidam with Bojong. Then Chunchu catches sight of Daenambo and two of his subordinates, searching for him. He wants no part of them and turns immediately away from Jukbang and down a side street.
Back inside, Ho Jae floats the idea of a double disqualification, and letting Alcheon and Bojong fight for the title. Interesting...Deokman speaks up for the first time, saying that no one has questioned Yushin's conduct up to the final match (which isn't the point, now, is it). Mishil snipes at her about forsaking her honor to hand Yushin the victory...all right, all right, calm down. "No one's suggesting Yushin win that way," Munno says. Deokman says she agrees with that...but what to do? Chilsuk says he has an idea....
The next morning: The whole crowd is back, and Yushin and Bidam are in the combat square again for the verdict. Munno stands up and announces the decision: the match is declared invalid. Bidam, to his credit, angrily protests that Yushin fought his best. "If you question my actions, punish ME!" But the decision stands. Bidam is disqualified, Ho Jae says, and adds that they'll investigate further at a later date. He's dismissed, and leaves the square. Now as for Yushin, "he will fight another match." Really? With who? With Chilsuk! Oh boy does that get the crowd buzzing--and not in a good way. The DFers sum it up very nicely: "That's stupid." "No way!" "He can hardly walk at this point!" Chilsuk stands up and explains more. It's not exactly a real bout. "I'll attack you ten times," he tells Yushin; "if you successfully defend yourself, you will have won." Ho Jae adds that if Yushin fails, the bijae will play no role in choosing the grand marshal, and a vote will be held to choose between the winners of the first two rounds. Which, again, strongly favors Bojong. And when is this going to start? Right now. Chilsuk strides into the square and grabs a stick. Yushin, who was kneeling on the ground, stands up--but it's an effort. He's in bad shape, no denying it. This doesn't look like it will take very long. The gong sounds...
Misaeng tells this news to Sejong and Hajong; Hajong laughs and considers it a done deal. Sejong is more cautious but sort of agrees.
Chilsuk runs at Yushin, takes a flying leap and swings his stick. Yushin parries, but the blow's force knocks him down. The Hwarang watching, even Bojong's supporters, credit Yushin for even managing to parry in his condition. But Yushin is down and it looks all over. But wait--not so fast! Yushin is frantically trying to right himself and stand up. And he does. Chilsuk had his back turned, he was so certain that Yushin was toast. He sizes Yushin up, and then comes in again--this time a more controlled attack, with stick-blows and punches and kicks in combination. Yushin defends as best he can, but soon goes down again. And then gets up! Woozy and trying to shake off blurred vision, he braces himself. Chilsuk charges again....
"Just getting to the final round," Misaeng says, "he'll be exhausted." Sejong agrees: "He'll barely be able to stand--what chance does he have?" Misaeng says, "Bidam may have been acting on his own, but they brought it on themselves." Hajong runs out of the room; he wants to see this.
Uh-oh, Yushin is flat on his back and looks completely out. Everyone watching is tense. How many attacks are we up to? Pretty soon Yushin comes to, and with his stick for a brace, gets to his feet. He's barely able to keep his balance, but braces himself again. And now Chilsuk attacks again--just a few stick blows this time; Yushin goes down, just for a moment. But then a vicious follow-up that quickly sends Yushin to the ground again--for good. Chilsuk turns and walks away, and Ho Jae steps forward. "Yushin did not..." Ummm, jumped the gun there...Yushin is reaching for his stick, trying to grab it and raise himself again. Deokman is starting to cry, this is so hard to watch, and the DFers fear for Yushin's life. But Yushin won't be denied, and tries to stagger to his feet again. He fails. but he tries a second time, and a third time...Suddenly: "Fight!!" What the--It's Bojong? "Don't give up, Yushin. Fight!" Apparently he's so moved by Yushin's drive that he's rooting for him! Now Alcheon starts shouting for him, and the DFers start screaming wildly to exhort him. And we learn--it's been nine attacks. "Last one!" All of the Hwarang are cheering wildly for him to gut this last one out and prevail. Finally, Yushin manages to stagger to his feet. "It's not...It's not over," he mutters to Chilsuk, glaring angrily but looking like a herd of cattle ran him over. Egging Chilsuk on is probably not a good idea, because come on, Chilsuk could pretty much squash the kid any time he decides to put his all into it. Still everyone present can't help but be impressed, even Mishil and her supporters. So Chilsuk promptly steps forward and swings. Their sticks hit and Yushin's shatters. Yushin momentarily spins and manages to poke Chilsuk in the stomach with the half-stick still in his hands, but all that does is expose him to a stick-blow to the back of his head--a blow that knocks him unconscious and sends him to the ground hard and for good. It's over. No question this time; he's out like a light. Now Chilsuk is suddenly gripped by some sort of realization, maybe concern that this was a bad idea and he's actually killed Yushin. A stunned silence, as Yushin lies there motionless. This would be a good time for everybody to start screaming again, to wake him up! Why the silence? But everyone seems to be stunned...Ho Jae steps forward. "In the final match, Yushin did not survive the ten assaults. The loser of the match..." And Chilsuk angrily cuts him off: "Was me!" WHAT?! "Yushin's final blow," he announces, touching his stomach, "hit me here. With a real blade he would have run me through. Yushin won!" So that was why Chilsuk reacted so oddly. The Hwarang go wild--even Bojong and his allies. Among everyone, only Seokpum stands there with a sour look on his face. Everyone else is cheering like crazy, apparently not at all concerned that Yushin might not be a functioning human any more. The DFers run to him and gather around...His parents are relieved...Bojong looks thoroughly inspired...Munno is beyond impressed, and he's a hard guy to impress...and even Mishil is obviously impressed, although she doesn't seem to be all that surprised. There's still no evidence that the guy will ever walk again or even revive again...but nobody seems worried about it.
Afterwards, the cabal is together. Hajong is complaining to Chilsuk for declaring Yushin the winner. "Could I truly be a Hwarang if I did not?" Chilsuk answers. Give him big credit; he slipped up and then owned up to it.
Bojong is sitting alone in an office room, his chest-wound heavily bandaged. Seolwon comes in. "Why did you do it?", he asks, not angry but wanting to know. "Why did you cheer him on?" "I'm a Hwarang," Bojong fires back; "What Hwarang seeing that wouldn't do the same?" Another person who deserves credit here, for showing some selflessness and good character.
Manmyeong and a physician are tending to the still-unconscious Yushin. Deokman enters, and gets a welcome piece of news from Manmyeong: he's only sleeping now. Could fool me, but a doctor treated him immediately after the match, and his mom isn't worried so I guess he'll be okay.
Somehow Jukbang and Chunchu found each other again, and now they're at an outdoor restaurant with a covered roof. Jukbang is trying to explain about the political factions in and around the royal house, but Chunchu doesn't seem to get it. Hmmm, maybe not the brightest bulb in the marquee...But we'll see. Now the annoying Hwarang (Can we have his name, please?) walks by and happens to spot Chunchu. As he listens, Chunchu is finally starting to get it. And Jukbang is working the kid hard for a little silver, as payment for his teaching. And getting some, one bit at a time.
Uh-oh, weird guy's gonna get it. Munno walks into a room where Bidam is sitting alone. Tells Bidam that Yushin prevailed--which Bidam had suspected from the cheering he heard, but which he's glad to hear for certain. Munno looks at him, calmly but sternly. "There's nothing more for you here," he says. "Come with me. Get ready to leave."
Mishil and Seolwon talk about Yushin; they were so impressed by how he inspired all of the Hwarang, it reminded them of the spirit of their early days with King Jinheung. In fact, Mishil was so impressed by how she thinks Yushin "grew during the competition," she says she's worried about him! As in, he-could-make-things-difficult-for-me worried.
"I don't know what I did wrong," Bidam tells Munno. Considering everything that Deokman and Yushin want to accomplish, "What's one little contest compared to all that?" And adds, "You think Yushin stood a chance if I fought fair?" He defends his actions..."Should we let little things stop us from achieving greatness? Should we let pride and honor stand in the way of the future?" Yikes, this is ends-justify-the-means talk. "You still have a long way to go," Munno calmly replies, stating the obvious. "You have a lot to learn." And with that he leaves...But Bidam won't let it go. He runs outside after Munno and stands in his path. "Banish me. I dishonored you, didn't I?" "What did I just say? You have a lot to learn. I can't banish you." Then he adds, "It's the little things that make greatness worth achieving." Which is supposed to be a rebuttal to Bidam but it really isn't. Whatever...and then he adds, "Try as you might, I very much doubt you'd have beaten Yushin." OUCH! That's gotta hurt. Why say it? No way it's true. And with that he walks away.
Eventually Bidam walks away too, but happens across Mishil headed somewhere. He doesn't look happy to see her. "I thought you were capable and clever," she tells him, making his day even lousier. "You think no one can beat you, for one thing." And you insulted Munno and Chilsuk. And worst of all, "you're a show-off. You did it to get noticed." Like you have a crush on a girl, or could it be, like a little boy wanting parental attention? As in, read between the lines. They stare at each other for what seems like forever, and then she walks away. She's smiling broadly the whole time...He's totally bothered by it.
Well, time for happier company. Bidam goes to check on Yushin, who's still sleeping; Deokman and Alcheon are with him. Alcheon gets angry at the sight of Bidam, and grabs him so he can punch him. Deokman dismisses him on the spot, though, so he leaves. Bidam apologizes to Deokman--"I was trying to do good"--but she gives him a scolding for swearing allegiance to her and then disobeying her. "It won't happen again," he tells her. "Things are different now; you have to obey me. Or I'll send you out of my service." Again he apologizes; point made. Now let's drop it. She asks him about his bad ankle...He says he's sorry he missed the end of the competition...and then he sort fades out and becomes distracted as he watches Deokman gently tend to Yushin's head bruises with a cloth. Oh dear, please let's not start some sort of warped triangle here....
Jukbang is still educating Chunchu on seemingly everything that's happened in the kid's lifetime. Chunchu is still passing across the occasional bit of silver. Now the annoying Hwarang is trying to get in on the action too. And some of the locals are as well. Chunchu listens as they throw one thing after another at him about his mother...and he starts to look very sad and distant. Almost mournful.
Deokman goes to pray before her sister's picture, and tell it (her) what's been happening.
Alcheon and Imjong want to find Chunchu. Alcheon sends out his Hwarang...
Daenambo tells an irritated Misaeng that they lost Chunchu just as they neared the capital. "He's not like other people," Daenambo tries to explain, but Misaeng doesn't want to hear it. Just find him and bring him back or you're in big trouble. And then asks, Did you tell him what I instructed you to tell him?...Flashback to one year earlier in China; Daenambo has just arrived in China. He kneels before Chunchu, almost in tears, then presents his sword and tells him, "Please, I deserve death at your hand." I guess he's just confessed to killing Cheonmyeong, although presumably he said it was an accident. But Chunchu doesn't seem to care much, and only tells him to prepare for their return to the capital--"That's why you came, isn't it?"--and go away...Flashback ending, "You begged him to kill you and he said he'd go to the capital?" And never even mentioned it on the entire trip home? Misaeng doesn't get it. "His mother's murderer is right there, and he says nothing? Is he that stupid?"
Hey, Alcheon spotted Daenambo! Who looks none too happy to be spotted. (Then walking around in broad daylight maybe wasn't so bright, huh dude?) Alcheon angrily confronts him, still seething about what happened up north: "You and I have unfinished business." Yes, they do. "Everyone may SAY Princess Cheonmyeong's death was an accident. But you and I know better, don't we? Shouldn't you have killed yourself?" He tells Daenambo he's still pretty beaten up from yesterday's competition, so..."Now's your chance to kill me, don't you think?" Right there in the city market? Slowly they reach for their swords...but now Chunchu walks into the scene. Alcheon doesn't recognize him but tell him to go away because he has unfinished business with Daenambo. Chunchu turns to Daenambo and asks him if that business "is what you told me?" Daenambo just about panics; it's all going to come out now But shockingly, Chunchu adds, "If it is, I've already forgiven him for it." Daenambo lights up--he can't believe he's off the hook--and he proceeds to tell a stunned Alcheon just who this person is.
Sohwa enters the shrine to tell Deokman that Chunchu has arrived.
And he has--but he's gone to the palace, to pay respects to the king and queen. They receive their grandson warmly and tenderly. He expresses sympathy for them on losing their daughter, but otherwise seems oddly unemotional.
A nervous, giddy Deokman walks briskly towards the palace, expecting to find Chunchu there. But he's already left and is headed to see her. Oops. So she skitters back home, retinue in tow.
Chunchu finds an empty room. He's brought a small wooden chest with him and sets it down. He looks around the room...Flashback to a little boy of maybe four years old--it's Chunchu, and he's with his mother! Great to see Cheonmyeong again. She's saying good-bye to him as he sends him off to China. They hug, and she has tears in her eyes, and it's even sadder because he's smiling a little-kid smile and doesn't realize that his mother is sending him away for a very, very long time...Flashback ending, we realize that Deokman is living in the same rooms where Cheonmyeong lived. Deokman runs in and stares at the new arrival, maybe a little too enthusiastically? A little creepily, almost. They introduce themselves. She gives him a big hug, tears running down her cheeks, but again he seems indifferent to the point of coldness. "Why are you staying here?", he asks offhandedly; "There are much better rooms." She tells him she'll move if her being in his mother's quarters makes him uncomfortable. But that wasn't his point at all...She asks him about his trip, and then launches into "I'll give you everything your mother couldn't. In her place." Deokman should really dial it back a bit, but it doesn't matter; he's not interested. He opens the wooden chest and reads a letter that was in it. It's an old letter from his mother. And now another. And another. He's kept them all in that chest. "The next year...and the next...and the next. I worried I'd never see her again. Then I grew angry," he says. "But now she's not even here for me to hate. How pathetic is that?" And then surprises Deokman (and us) by taking things in a suddenly unpleasant direction: "Don't ride my mother's coattails. If anyone can take my mother's place, it won't be you. It'll be me." Yikes--what's that about? "Another thing. Know that you'll inherit nothing of Cheonmyeong's." Well THAT wasn't nice. And then, "I heard you traveled a long way to get here, just like I did. What led you here, I wonder...and what do you think led ME here?" Deokman doesn't know what to make of any of this...but it doesn't sound good, does it. Might there be a power-hungry little punk inside that frail exterior?
Chunchu leaves the building; Alcheon and Imjong and their Hwarang are waiting outside, to serve as his escort. But no, Chunchu has his own ideas. He walks right over to Daenambo and asks him to show him around the capital! Daenambo is half stunned, half ecstatic. He's Chunchu's buddy now. (Or maybe Chunchu just knows that Daenambo basically owes him his life, and so will be loyal.) Then Misaeng runs up and introduces himself, and he follows Chunchu away.
"I'm greedy, I admit it." Mishil confesses to Seolwon that as lucky as she feels to have Seolwon in her life, well...and then some implication about Yushin's installation as grand marshal tomorrow; maybe she wishes he were on her side too. Then Misaeng enters, happy to tell Mishil that everything is going well with Chunchu (lucky for him) and that he'll bring him to meet her soon. And laughs about how Daenambo managed to get in so good with him. Which Mishil is particularly happy to hear.
Yushin is up and on his feet again, and back in uniform. Looks steady enough. Some of the other elite Hwarang arrive, all smiles and respect, to escort him to his installation...
...which is in the Hwarang meeting hall. Time for the installation of the 15th Pungwolju (grand marshal). Deokman and Mishil are there, Ho Jae, Seolwon, Chilsuk, Munno. Yushin won two events, it's announced, and so the job is his. "But there's just one thing before we can move forward." It's Seolwon; he has something to say. Of all things, he brings up those Gaya refugees. He asks Yushin, "Where are those refugees now, exactly?" Huh? What's this about? Seolwon explains that he's discovered they're on Yushin's family's land. Mishil smiles her evil smile. Ah, so that's it--they've gone and dug up dirt on Yushin, to smear his character. Seolwon continues, saying that those refugees were suspected of working with the Bokya. Which stuns everyone present. "How did they manage to get to your land?" And then adds, "It's also come to our attention that the Bokya is operating out of the same area." And challenges Yushin, a native Gayan, to explain all of this.