Post by ajk on Feb 22, 2013 20:45:31 GMT -5
Deokman stands there and taunts Mishil, daring Mishil to arrest her. I had nothing to do with the assassination attempt, she says, but since the arrest warrant was signed by the king--Wasn't it?--I'll accept the king's order. All she wants is an open inquiry where Seohyeon, Yongchun, Alcheon and the palace guards can all be questioned. And the king too! "Should even one of them confess" to my involvement, Deokman offers, I'll accept my punishment. And adds that "I am still a princess of this country" so "I trust you will allow me that much?" Deokman's not really in any position to be dictating demands...but look at this, the Tang delegation, they're all nodding like it makes perfect sense to them. For good measure, Deokman adds, Wouldn't the king like to know the complete truth after everything that's happened? So Mishil is sort of backed into a corner, at least for the moment.
Yushin has just told Bidam and Chunchu that Deokman went into the palace alone. They're both pretty angry about it--Bidam even grabs Yushin by the collar and starts shouting at him for letting her do it. Watch it, bub...
The cabal is dumbfounded by Deokman's seemingly bizarre move. Seolwon, thinking it through, says the only option at this point is to kill Deokman ASAP.
"They will kill her!" Bidam shoves Yushin back into his seat. Yushin is still too worn out from the torture to resist the shove...but he says that Mishil is in no position to harm Deokman. Really?
"We cannot slay Deokman." Hey, he's right! Mishil has thought it through and disagrees with Seolwon. Why not? Chunchu. "The moment we slay Deokman, all the nobles and all the power will fall into Chunchu's hands." Boy does that shut the cabal up. If we could kill them both, she says, problem solved, but we don't have Chunchu.
Which is exactly what Yushin explains to Bidam and Chunchu. Bidam doesn't like it--he reaches across the table, grabs Yushin and slugs him! Shaking mad, he accuses Yushin of treating Deokman like "a mere pawn." Yushin thinks back to more of his conversation with Deokman in the previous episode, a part we didn't see...Yushin is strongly against allowing Deokman to go into the palace alone, but Deokman tells him, "Those who let sentiments sway them away from our path can neither become subjects nor lovers of mine." Lovers?? (What, this again?). We can't give Mishil time to consolidate her power, she says; "We must force her into a corner" and do it now. Which is true; she's right. Yushin still doesn't like it, but..."I had no just cause to stop her," he says.
Now Mishil isn't so happy. She and the cabal realize that Deokman's fate is in Mishil's hands, and that if they kill her or do anything against her whatsoever, everyone will know that Mishil is responsible for it. Too bad we didn't kill her right then and there, they realize.
Bidam is still angry. Why not send Chunchu into the palace instead of Deokman? Yushin simply answers, "Don't you know her?" Which is pretty funny, really...but not to Bidam. They trade more words and then Bidam reaches over to slug Yushin again...and only stops when Jukbang walks in on the scene, which apparently shames him into backing off. So instead he starts mouthing off to Chunchu, who has been sitting there wordless this whole time. Bidam wants to know what the twerp thinks. Chunchu thinks about it and finally says, "We will have to go through with it" since she's already in custody, so I'll support Deokman and do anything he can to help her. And you should too. So there, chicken boy.
Well at least they've put Deokman in home confinement rather than a jail cell; she's in her bedroom but there's a squad of soldiers in there with her. Seriously.
Manmyeong brings the latest news to the king and queen. "You yourself must be strong," she tells Jinpyeong, because the nobles and Hwarang will be moved and inspired by Deokman's selfless act. Not sure why she's so certain of this (if she is), but it does seem to give the king encouragement.
Still tied up in their holding area, Seohyeon, Yongchun and Alcheon have heard what Deokman did too. They're all pretty bloodied up, but they're alive and seem to be lucid and not permanently damaged.
And now word has reached the jail cells where the DFers and Rising Phoenix are held. They do seem impressed by what Deokman has done; even inspired because they think she did it in part to help them.
Now HERE'S an interesting group: Jujin, Sueulbu and two other Council members, presumably from among Mishil's allies. Would like to be seeing a whole lot more of these guys. They wonder if Mishil will allow an open inquiry...Now Jujin thinks back to a scene we haven't seen before: his receiving a secret letter from Deokman.
"There must be an open questioning." Maybe Manmyeong was right, because six of the elite Hwarang are meeting with Ho Jae and they're all in agreement that they want the inquiry. Dukchung speaks up first about it but the other five agree. And they're impressed that Deokman "fearlessly entered the palace by herself to prove her innocence," as Seon Yul puts it.
Mishil has come to see Deokman. We see no discussion; just a staredown. But nearby, outside the king's palace, the Hwarang are loudly protesting for the open inquiry. VERY loudly. So loudly that it seems like the whole city can hear it. Loud enough to completely unhinge Hajong (no surprise) and Misaeng (sort of no surprise). And Bojong, who runs in saying, "We are in trouble." As in, the king has somehow stepped out from his confinement! Seolwon is trying to keep a cool head, but that got him. "What were the troops assigned to him doing?!" He runs out of the room, as rattled as we've ever seen him. Rightfully so, because if the king speaks about what he's been put through, game over.
The king, in his robe and slippers, staggers out the front door and appears in front of the shocked elite Hwarang. In his weakened state, he's being propped up by two attendants. Chilsuk tries to order him back inside, but the king scolds him fiercely and Chilsuk is in no position to argue, not right out here in public. "Hwarang, heed my words!" Now Seolwon runs up, grabs the king's arm and begs him not do to this, but Jinpyeong shakes himself loose and barks at Seolwon too (Hey, where has this been all these episodes?). So then Seolwon sneakily reaches up and squeezes the back of the king's neck--some sort of paralyzing move, and it works. The king slumps unconscious and is dragged back inside. And now Mishil shows up and scolds all of the Hwarang for disturbing the king in his ill condition. And surprises them all by agreeing to the open inquiry!
Later, Mishil tells the cabal, "I did try to conclude this matter without needless bloodshed, but it apparently was not possible." Needless bloodshed? What does THAT mean? "It will be on the day of the open questioning," she says. "Send communication to all nobles and Hwarang." And now Hajong, Misaeng and even Seolwon are looking uncomfortable. Only Sejong seems to not be troubled.
"I am sure she will request your participation at the hearing." Chunchu and Yeom Jong have come to visit Jujin. "And that will also be the day," Chunchu tells him. Jujin's eyes widen.
"Especially the nobles with more than 1000 troops under their command," Mishil dictates, "they must participate at all cost. We shall extend martial law to the whole country and order all private troops to be transferred to our command. So receive confirmation that he will accept that transfer." And if he (I'm guessing Jujin) doesn't? Then it means he's against us, Mishil says; "Slay him." Sejong and Misaeng have 3000 troops under their command, we learn, and they'll take over the city, under Hajong; Chilsuk will deploy the Hwarang appropriately, in and around the palace. She's got this all figured out. "The only real issue...is Lord Jujin."
Simultaneously Chunchu is warning Jujin that Mishil will expect him to give her all of his forces to earn her trust. "You might survive" after doing so, she says, but "why would Mishil ever need to employ you any further?" Jujin wonders if he'd have a role with Deokman, and Chunchu assures him that he'd have a big one, both internally and externally. Jujin has a lot to think about...and now, uh-oh, word comes from outside the room that Mishil and Seolwon are here to see him! He orders them sent to the other guest room (lucky for him he has two!)...
...and goes promptly to see them. Mishil says she's simply here to check on his welfare now that he's in the capital...but then adds that she thinks Deokman "might try to stage an insurrection" on the day of the inquiry and fears for the capital's safety. "May you entrust us your men." Jujin looks momentarily surprised but then agrees. Seolwon adds, Just write out a transfer order; no need to visit them personally. At that, Jujin hesitates...and then asks what their plans are. Says he has a responsibility to have "a just cause to hand over to you those men." And as Mishil stares at him, he adds, "It almost looks as if she's pushing her arm further down a tiger's throat, so you can understand my concerns."
Leaving Jujin's, Mishil knows that Deokman got to him. "What he said about that tiger. I only mentioned that to Deokman, and it was something King Jinheung only told me." Maybe the first part is true; she can't be sure about the second part...but whatever, she's right. You deal with him personally, she tells Seolwon. They walk away...but around a side wall, Chunchu and Yeom Jong have been listening.
Piltan (he's Jujin's son, remember) asks his father what Mishil offered him. A major elevation in rank, Jujin says, and all of her land (Wow!) in exchange for his troops. Jujin asks his son's opinion, and looks surprised to hear that Piltan doesn't understand Mishil's behavior lately and that "all the Hwarang are confused." Now an attendant tells Piltan that Ho Jae has sent a message.
Ho Jae has summoned the same six elite Hwarang (Imjong, Dukchung, Bakui, Piltan, Seon Yul, and Wang Yun) out into the woods at night. They've all arrived...but now Ho Jae says he didn't summon them. So who did?...Good heavens, who should step forward but Yushin and Bidam!
Now Chunchu and Yeom Jong have gone to see Wolya and Seolji. It's about using those Gayan citizen-soldiers to try to disrupt the troops of Sejong's and Misaeng's that Mishil will certainly try to use to control the capital. The Gayans can't match their numbers but are well-trained in guerrilla tactics that should be ideal for the purpose.
Don't know how the meeting in the woods went; now we see Yushin and Bidam leaving the area. They don't seem sure either. Hoping that they at least convinced the Hwarang not to align completely with Mishil, but they don't know. And now Yushin brings up a long overdue subject: Munno. "All we need," he says, is the Gukseon." Which would be true, if...Bidam freezes at the mention. "I am sure he will be on our side," Yushin continues; "And once he takes a step forward, the Hwarang will follow." Bidam says he doesn't know where Munno is, and then gets defensive when Yushin doubts him.
Now we see Bidam alone, by Munno's burial mound.
Deokman still waiting intently in her bedroom...
Mishil, also at home, also waiting intently....
Seolwon is giving instructions to a group of soldiers. Their gate-guarding assignments..."and you must make sure nobody escapes, is that clear?" Yikes.
Now we see the Gayans preparing for battle. Their arrows have little red streamers attached, which say "Follow the Hwarang's calling."
Ugh, it's Santak the Annoying Hwarang--annoyingly informing Jujin that the inquiry will be tomorrow morning.
Ho Jae has just gotten the same news, and informs his father...Flashback to the meeting in the woods that we didn't see before..."If you enter the palace that day," Yushin warns, "they will force you to transfer control of your troops to them. And if you refuse to, your survival will be in danger."...His father asks incredulously, "Is Lady Mishil really going to stage an insurrection?" And with possibly the most important one-word answer of the series, Ho Jae simply says, "Yes." (If Ho Jae is convinced of it, so must many other important people be convinced. Obviously this is bad news for Mishil.)
It's nearly decision time for Jujin, and he doesn't know what to do: sign his troops over to Mishil, "or should I lead my troops and join Lord Chunchu?" He and Piltan are agonizing over the decision.
Evening: Yushin tells Wolya, "You must make sure that Sejong's and Misaeng's troops will remain confined outside Seorabeol's walls." Beyond that, now all they can do is hope the pieces fall into place. Particularly the Jujin piece.
Seolwon tells Mishil that everything is in order. And that Seokpum is watching Jujin. "There must be no mistakes," Mishil says....but something's bothering her and Seolwon knows it. "To reach this point," she finally opens up to him, "took much too long." He reminds her of the obvious--tomorrow it will all be finished--but tomorrow can't get here fast enough for her liking.
Now Deokman is holding the broken hair-ornament that belonged to her sister. "Look after me," she silently prays to her.
Morning: Look at everybody running around. The inquiry will be in the Hwarang ground, and it's already full of soldiers. Inside their room, Seohyeon, Yongchun and Alcheon hear the commotion and can guess what's happening. Yongchun is sure that Mishil has something up her sleeve to keep the thing from turning out any other way but in her favor. Have to think he's right. And now the three are taken from the room and escorted to the inquiry site.
The king is either unconscious from illness or else simply asleep. But now a squad of Hwarang enter, led by Daenambo, and tell Maya and Manmyeong that the inquiry is to begin and he's to escort the two women there. Maya seethes at him with contempt.
Everyone gradually arrives. Manmyeong is brave at the sight of her bloodied, bound husband. The DFers and Rising Phoenix are brought forward too. And now Deokman. All to their places.
Chilsuk goes to tell Mishil that everything is ready. "And the Hwarang?" Handling security outside of the royal palace. "Did they not ask to be present at the questioning?" No, Chilsuk says; they're content to protect the king. Mishil takes a moment to gather herself, and then gets up and heads out.
Now here come the nobles from the outlying regions into the palace. But some of them are barred from entry, for the moment. Seolwon, with a weasely smile, says "We have to verify something"--and then soldiers grab them all and haul them away!
At home, Jujin mounts a horse and heads to the inquiry. Seokpum and three of his men are watching. Uh-oh, Seokpum is wearing one of those all-red assassin outfits.
Those nobles, they're all tossed into a side yard and the door is shut. And the others, the ones who were allowed in? Seolwon tells them about the nationwide martial law--and he wants their troops. The all gasp, and refuse. So Bojong steps forward, unsheathes his sword and kills one.
Now Mishil arrives...another staredown with Deokman. Takes her seat. Yet another staredown. Good grief, just trade pictures, okay?
Jujin is being accompanied by a squad of what looks like twenty or so soldiers...but hiding in the nearby brush, we see Seokpum and what suddenly are more of the red-clad men of his, must be at least twenty of them. All with bows and arrows. They draw...and fire, and several of Jujin's guard fall. Jujin is startled, of course, and it looks like he's dead meat. But now what's this?! Screaming and whooping from off to the side, and here come at least twenty of Yeom Jong's men, and Yeom Jong with them; they surround Jujin and protect him. And charge the reds.
Now here come Wolya and Seolji and four other Gayans on horseback, galloping bravely towards one of the city gates, which happens to be guarded by Hajong and some of his men. And before the dweeb can react, the riders have charged right through the middle of them all and through the city gate before it can be closed. (Okay, if the order was to not let anybody escape, why is the gate open in the first place? Nice going, Hajong.)
Now how did Yushin and two of the Gayans manage to sneak their way into the Hwarang grounds? So much for security. Well, they've come to check things out. Wow, a lot of empty seats out there...missing nobles and Council members. The queen points this out, but no need, everybody can see it. Where the heck is everybody? Many, many more empty seats than can be explained by the small groups that Seolwon is holding.
Seolwon and Bojong are looking with concern at their list of the nobles expected to attend. A list of more than 200--but no more than 40 or 50 have shown up.
Mishil is smiling like everything is fine, but clearly she knows it isn't fine. And then Bojong comes in and whispers about the low turnout. She needs those guys to show up so she can take their troops. "And Lord Jujin?"
Well look at this...those missing nobles, they're all out in the countryside, presumably nearby, with Chunchu! All of them. Jujin. too. And their soldiers. Jujin kneels before Chunchu and proclaims, "I, Lord of the Sangju Commandery Jujin, pledge my allegiance to His Highness Lord Chunchu!" And everybody else seems okay with that. Chunchu looks them all over. "We shall now march to the capital and eliminate the traitors who stained our nation's legacy. And rescue His Majesty! The honor and legacy of our nation shall forever walk with you!" Yeom Jong smiles broadly--obviously he had coached the twerp to deliver the speech like a real man, and to his credit, Chunchu did. Wild cheers erupt, and Chunchu reaches out for Jujin's hand, and hoists it into the air.
"You...failed?" Uh-oh--Seokpum's back home, and is telling Mishil about the opposition they ran into. Well NOW what? Mishil looks about ready to blow a gasket. Almost shaking with anger, or maybe fear, or both. "Close the palace gates," she quietly orders, "and deploy all troops." Deokman just sits there, quietly confident that Mishil won't have the numbers to pull it off.
Outside the royal palace, a bunch of those red-streamer arrows fly in and thwack into wooden posts and rails. It happens so fast, the elite Hwarang on guard duty can't even see who did it. The streamers with the message, they also say "Gukseon" on them, which gets their attention immediately. The marking, they all recognize it as Munno's seal. And now a solitary figure approaches on horseback, wearing a low-brimmed hat to hide his face. Dressed like Munno, showing a goatee like Munno's. Yushin and a company of the Gayans are close behind. Inspired, the Hwarang declare their allegiance to follow Munno, and Yushin exhorts them to go rescue the king.
Seolwon and Bojong get the bad news that the king's palace is under attack.
Now soldiers come swarming into the Hwarang ground, and it's pretty darned intimidating for everybody present. If nothing else, this would give Mishil a prime group of hostages to use to bargain her way out of trouble. But now look up there--it's those four kites again, the ones that were dropping leaflets on the arriving Tang delegation. They're doing it again! What do these leaflets say? "We rescued His Majesty!" Stunned disbelief from everyone present...and it's Alcheon, of all people, who sums it up: "It is over now. It's done." Yet another staredown, as Mishil looks angrily at Deokman and crumples up a leaflet.
Wow are there ever a lot of troops and nobles headed to the capital. Look at all of the different flags.
"Sister? What can we do now?" Misaeng wants ideas; Mishil has none. Wait; maybe one. She stands up, calmly picks up a nearby bow, loads it...and points it at Deokman! And Deokman, knowing that Mishil is finally--finally--out of options, not only doesn't dive for cover, she stands up and spreads her arms wide, goading Mishil to draw and fire. (Which, unless she's wearing an arrow-proof vest, is a reckless and foolish thing to do, considering how many people have sacrificed and even died to get her to this point.) Mishil says to herself, "Fine, Deokman. You are victorious." But come on, she won't really do it, will she? Oh yes she will. The bowstring snaps and the arrow flies.
Yushin has just told Bidam and Chunchu that Deokman went into the palace alone. They're both pretty angry about it--Bidam even grabs Yushin by the collar and starts shouting at him for letting her do it. Watch it, bub...
The cabal is dumbfounded by Deokman's seemingly bizarre move. Seolwon, thinking it through, says the only option at this point is to kill Deokman ASAP.
"They will kill her!" Bidam shoves Yushin back into his seat. Yushin is still too worn out from the torture to resist the shove...but he says that Mishil is in no position to harm Deokman. Really?
"We cannot slay Deokman." Hey, he's right! Mishil has thought it through and disagrees with Seolwon. Why not? Chunchu. "The moment we slay Deokman, all the nobles and all the power will fall into Chunchu's hands." Boy does that shut the cabal up. If we could kill them both, she says, problem solved, but we don't have Chunchu.
Which is exactly what Yushin explains to Bidam and Chunchu. Bidam doesn't like it--he reaches across the table, grabs Yushin and slugs him! Shaking mad, he accuses Yushin of treating Deokman like "a mere pawn." Yushin thinks back to more of his conversation with Deokman in the previous episode, a part we didn't see...Yushin is strongly against allowing Deokman to go into the palace alone, but Deokman tells him, "Those who let sentiments sway them away from our path can neither become subjects nor lovers of mine." Lovers?? (What, this again?). We can't give Mishil time to consolidate her power, she says; "We must force her into a corner" and do it now. Which is true; she's right. Yushin still doesn't like it, but..."I had no just cause to stop her," he says.
Now Mishil isn't so happy. She and the cabal realize that Deokman's fate is in Mishil's hands, and that if they kill her or do anything against her whatsoever, everyone will know that Mishil is responsible for it. Too bad we didn't kill her right then and there, they realize.
Bidam is still angry. Why not send Chunchu into the palace instead of Deokman? Yushin simply answers, "Don't you know her?" Which is pretty funny, really...but not to Bidam. They trade more words and then Bidam reaches over to slug Yushin again...and only stops when Jukbang walks in on the scene, which apparently shames him into backing off. So instead he starts mouthing off to Chunchu, who has been sitting there wordless this whole time. Bidam wants to know what the twerp thinks. Chunchu thinks about it and finally says, "We will have to go through with it" since she's already in custody, so I'll support Deokman and do anything he can to help her. And you should too. So there, chicken boy.
Well at least they've put Deokman in home confinement rather than a jail cell; she's in her bedroom but there's a squad of soldiers in there with her. Seriously.
Manmyeong brings the latest news to the king and queen. "You yourself must be strong," she tells Jinpyeong, because the nobles and Hwarang will be moved and inspired by Deokman's selfless act. Not sure why she's so certain of this (if she is), but it does seem to give the king encouragement.
Still tied up in their holding area, Seohyeon, Yongchun and Alcheon have heard what Deokman did too. They're all pretty bloodied up, but they're alive and seem to be lucid and not permanently damaged.
And now word has reached the jail cells where the DFers and Rising Phoenix are held. They do seem impressed by what Deokman has done; even inspired because they think she did it in part to help them.
Now HERE'S an interesting group: Jujin, Sueulbu and two other Council members, presumably from among Mishil's allies. Would like to be seeing a whole lot more of these guys. They wonder if Mishil will allow an open inquiry...Now Jujin thinks back to a scene we haven't seen before: his receiving a secret letter from Deokman.
A tiger might have bitten me, but I will not remove my arm. On the contrary, I plan to push that arm even deeper. Should that happen, Mishil will be forced to stage a second insurrection. And then, what will be most dangerous for Mishil will be losing your military support. Then you must make a choice. Whether you will let Mishil take all your troops just to survive, or whether you will help me.This act of showing up and demanding the open inquiry, Jujin realizes, is the pushing-the-arm-in-further.
"There must be an open questioning." Maybe Manmyeong was right, because six of the elite Hwarang are meeting with Ho Jae and they're all in agreement that they want the inquiry. Dukchung speaks up first about it but the other five agree. And they're impressed that Deokman "fearlessly entered the palace by herself to prove her innocence," as Seon Yul puts it.
Mishil has come to see Deokman. We see no discussion; just a staredown. But nearby, outside the king's palace, the Hwarang are loudly protesting for the open inquiry. VERY loudly. So loudly that it seems like the whole city can hear it. Loud enough to completely unhinge Hajong (no surprise) and Misaeng (sort of no surprise). And Bojong, who runs in saying, "We are in trouble." As in, the king has somehow stepped out from his confinement! Seolwon is trying to keep a cool head, but that got him. "What were the troops assigned to him doing?!" He runs out of the room, as rattled as we've ever seen him. Rightfully so, because if the king speaks about what he's been put through, game over.
The king, in his robe and slippers, staggers out the front door and appears in front of the shocked elite Hwarang. In his weakened state, he's being propped up by two attendants. Chilsuk tries to order him back inside, but the king scolds him fiercely and Chilsuk is in no position to argue, not right out here in public. "Hwarang, heed my words!" Now Seolwon runs up, grabs the king's arm and begs him not do to this, but Jinpyeong shakes himself loose and barks at Seolwon too (Hey, where has this been all these episodes?). So then Seolwon sneakily reaches up and squeezes the back of the king's neck--some sort of paralyzing move, and it works. The king slumps unconscious and is dragged back inside. And now Mishil shows up and scolds all of the Hwarang for disturbing the king in his ill condition. And surprises them all by agreeing to the open inquiry!
Later, Mishil tells the cabal, "I did try to conclude this matter without needless bloodshed, but it apparently was not possible." Needless bloodshed? What does THAT mean? "It will be on the day of the open questioning," she says. "Send communication to all nobles and Hwarang." And now Hajong, Misaeng and even Seolwon are looking uncomfortable. Only Sejong seems to not be troubled.
"I am sure she will request your participation at the hearing." Chunchu and Yeom Jong have come to visit Jujin. "And that will also be the day," Chunchu tells him. Jujin's eyes widen.
"Especially the nobles with more than 1000 troops under their command," Mishil dictates, "they must participate at all cost. We shall extend martial law to the whole country and order all private troops to be transferred to our command. So receive confirmation that he will accept that transfer." And if he (I'm guessing Jujin) doesn't? Then it means he's against us, Mishil says; "Slay him." Sejong and Misaeng have 3000 troops under their command, we learn, and they'll take over the city, under Hajong; Chilsuk will deploy the Hwarang appropriately, in and around the palace. She's got this all figured out. "The only real issue...is Lord Jujin."
Simultaneously Chunchu is warning Jujin that Mishil will expect him to give her all of his forces to earn her trust. "You might survive" after doing so, she says, but "why would Mishil ever need to employ you any further?" Jujin wonders if he'd have a role with Deokman, and Chunchu assures him that he'd have a big one, both internally and externally. Jujin has a lot to think about...and now, uh-oh, word comes from outside the room that Mishil and Seolwon are here to see him! He orders them sent to the other guest room (lucky for him he has two!)...
...and goes promptly to see them. Mishil says she's simply here to check on his welfare now that he's in the capital...but then adds that she thinks Deokman "might try to stage an insurrection" on the day of the inquiry and fears for the capital's safety. "May you entrust us your men." Jujin looks momentarily surprised but then agrees. Seolwon adds, Just write out a transfer order; no need to visit them personally. At that, Jujin hesitates...and then asks what their plans are. Says he has a responsibility to have "a just cause to hand over to you those men." And as Mishil stares at him, he adds, "It almost looks as if she's pushing her arm further down a tiger's throat, so you can understand my concerns."
Leaving Jujin's, Mishil knows that Deokman got to him. "What he said about that tiger. I only mentioned that to Deokman, and it was something King Jinheung only told me." Maybe the first part is true; she can't be sure about the second part...but whatever, she's right. You deal with him personally, she tells Seolwon. They walk away...but around a side wall, Chunchu and Yeom Jong have been listening.
Piltan (he's Jujin's son, remember) asks his father what Mishil offered him. A major elevation in rank, Jujin says, and all of her land (Wow!) in exchange for his troops. Jujin asks his son's opinion, and looks surprised to hear that Piltan doesn't understand Mishil's behavior lately and that "all the Hwarang are confused." Now an attendant tells Piltan that Ho Jae has sent a message.
Ho Jae has summoned the same six elite Hwarang (Imjong, Dukchung, Bakui, Piltan, Seon Yul, and Wang Yun) out into the woods at night. They've all arrived...but now Ho Jae says he didn't summon them. So who did?...Good heavens, who should step forward but Yushin and Bidam!
Now Chunchu and Yeom Jong have gone to see Wolya and Seolji. It's about using those Gayan citizen-soldiers to try to disrupt the troops of Sejong's and Misaeng's that Mishil will certainly try to use to control the capital. The Gayans can't match their numbers but are well-trained in guerrilla tactics that should be ideal for the purpose.
Don't know how the meeting in the woods went; now we see Yushin and Bidam leaving the area. They don't seem sure either. Hoping that they at least convinced the Hwarang not to align completely with Mishil, but they don't know. And now Yushin brings up a long overdue subject: Munno. "All we need," he says, is the Gukseon." Which would be true, if...Bidam freezes at the mention. "I am sure he will be on our side," Yushin continues; "And once he takes a step forward, the Hwarang will follow." Bidam says he doesn't know where Munno is, and then gets defensive when Yushin doubts him.
Now we see Bidam alone, by Munno's burial mound.
Deokman still waiting intently in her bedroom...
Mishil, also at home, also waiting intently....
Seolwon is giving instructions to a group of soldiers. Their gate-guarding assignments..."and you must make sure nobody escapes, is that clear?" Yikes.
Now we see the Gayans preparing for battle. Their arrows have little red streamers attached, which say "Follow the Hwarang's calling."
Ugh, it's Santak the Annoying Hwarang--annoyingly informing Jujin that the inquiry will be tomorrow morning.
Ho Jae has just gotten the same news, and informs his father...Flashback to the meeting in the woods that we didn't see before..."If you enter the palace that day," Yushin warns, "they will force you to transfer control of your troops to them. And if you refuse to, your survival will be in danger."...His father asks incredulously, "Is Lady Mishil really going to stage an insurrection?" And with possibly the most important one-word answer of the series, Ho Jae simply says, "Yes." (If Ho Jae is convinced of it, so must many other important people be convinced. Obviously this is bad news for Mishil.)
It's nearly decision time for Jujin, and he doesn't know what to do: sign his troops over to Mishil, "or should I lead my troops and join Lord Chunchu?" He and Piltan are agonizing over the decision.
Evening: Yushin tells Wolya, "You must make sure that Sejong's and Misaeng's troops will remain confined outside Seorabeol's walls." Beyond that, now all they can do is hope the pieces fall into place. Particularly the Jujin piece.
Seolwon tells Mishil that everything is in order. And that Seokpum is watching Jujin. "There must be no mistakes," Mishil says....but something's bothering her and Seolwon knows it. "To reach this point," she finally opens up to him, "took much too long." He reminds her of the obvious--tomorrow it will all be finished--but tomorrow can't get here fast enough for her liking.
Now Deokman is holding the broken hair-ornament that belonged to her sister. "Look after me," she silently prays to her.
Morning: Look at everybody running around. The inquiry will be in the Hwarang ground, and it's already full of soldiers. Inside their room, Seohyeon, Yongchun and Alcheon hear the commotion and can guess what's happening. Yongchun is sure that Mishil has something up her sleeve to keep the thing from turning out any other way but in her favor. Have to think he's right. And now the three are taken from the room and escorted to the inquiry site.
The king is either unconscious from illness or else simply asleep. But now a squad of Hwarang enter, led by Daenambo, and tell Maya and Manmyeong that the inquiry is to begin and he's to escort the two women there. Maya seethes at him with contempt.
Everyone gradually arrives. Manmyeong is brave at the sight of her bloodied, bound husband. The DFers and Rising Phoenix are brought forward too. And now Deokman. All to their places.
Chilsuk goes to tell Mishil that everything is ready. "And the Hwarang?" Handling security outside of the royal palace. "Did they not ask to be present at the questioning?" No, Chilsuk says; they're content to protect the king. Mishil takes a moment to gather herself, and then gets up and heads out.
Now here come the nobles from the outlying regions into the palace. But some of them are barred from entry, for the moment. Seolwon, with a weasely smile, says "We have to verify something"--and then soldiers grab them all and haul them away!
At home, Jujin mounts a horse and heads to the inquiry. Seokpum and three of his men are watching. Uh-oh, Seokpum is wearing one of those all-red assassin outfits.
Those nobles, they're all tossed into a side yard and the door is shut. And the others, the ones who were allowed in? Seolwon tells them about the nationwide martial law--and he wants their troops. The all gasp, and refuse. So Bojong steps forward, unsheathes his sword and kills one.
Now Mishil arrives...another staredown with Deokman. Takes her seat. Yet another staredown. Good grief, just trade pictures, okay?
Jujin is being accompanied by a squad of what looks like twenty or so soldiers...but hiding in the nearby brush, we see Seokpum and what suddenly are more of the red-clad men of his, must be at least twenty of them. All with bows and arrows. They draw...and fire, and several of Jujin's guard fall. Jujin is startled, of course, and it looks like he's dead meat. But now what's this?! Screaming and whooping from off to the side, and here come at least twenty of Yeom Jong's men, and Yeom Jong with them; they surround Jujin and protect him. And charge the reds.
Now here come Wolya and Seolji and four other Gayans on horseback, galloping bravely towards one of the city gates, which happens to be guarded by Hajong and some of his men. And before the dweeb can react, the riders have charged right through the middle of them all and through the city gate before it can be closed. (Okay, if the order was to not let anybody escape, why is the gate open in the first place? Nice going, Hajong.)
Now how did Yushin and two of the Gayans manage to sneak their way into the Hwarang grounds? So much for security. Well, they've come to check things out. Wow, a lot of empty seats out there...missing nobles and Council members. The queen points this out, but no need, everybody can see it. Where the heck is everybody? Many, many more empty seats than can be explained by the small groups that Seolwon is holding.
Seolwon and Bojong are looking with concern at their list of the nobles expected to attend. A list of more than 200--but no more than 40 or 50 have shown up.
Mishil is smiling like everything is fine, but clearly she knows it isn't fine. And then Bojong comes in and whispers about the low turnout. She needs those guys to show up so she can take their troops. "And Lord Jujin?"
Well look at this...those missing nobles, they're all out in the countryside, presumably nearby, with Chunchu! All of them. Jujin. too. And their soldiers. Jujin kneels before Chunchu and proclaims, "I, Lord of the Sangju Commandery Jujin, pledge my allegiance to His Highness Lord Chunchu!" And everybody else seems okay with that. Chunchu looks them all over. "We shall now march to the capital and eliminate the traitors who stained our nation's legacy. And rescue His Majesty! The honor and legacy of our nation shall forever walk with you!" Yeom Jong smiles broadly--obviously he had coached the twerp to deliver the speech like a real man, and to his credit, Chunchu did. Wild cheers erupt, and Chunchu reaches out for Jujin's hand, and hoists it into the air.
"You...failed?" Uh-oh--Seokpum's back home, and is telling Mishil about the opposition they ran into. Well NOW what? Mishil looks about ready to blow a gasket. Almost shaking with anger, or maybe fear, or both. "Close the palace gates," she quietly orders, "and deploy all troops." Deokman just sits there, quietly confident that Mishil won't have the numbers to pull it off.
Outside the royal palace, a bunch of those red-streamer arrows fly in and thwack into wooden posts and rails. It happens so fast, the elite Hwarang on guard duty can't even see who did it. The streamers with the message, they also say "Gukseon" on them, which gets their attention immediately. The marking, they all recognize it as Munno's seal. And now a solitary figure approaches on horseback, wearing a low-brimmed hat to hide his face. Dressed like Munno, showing a goatee like Munno's. Yushin and a company of the Gayans are close behind. Inspired, the Hwarang declare their allegiance to follow Munno, and Yushin exhorts them to go rescue the king.
Seolwon and Bojong get the bad news that the king's palace is under attack.
Now soldiers come swarming into the Hwarang ground, and it's pretty darned intimidating for everybody present. If nothing else, this would give Mishil a prime group of hostages to use to bargain her way out of trouble. But now look up there--it's those four kites again, the ones that were dropping leaflets on the arriving Tang delegation. They're doing it again! What do these leaflets say? "We rescued His Majesty!" Stunned disbelief from everyone present...and it's Alcheon, of all people, who sums it up: "It is over now. It's done." Yet another staredown, as Mishil looks angrily at Deokman and crumples up a leaflet.
Wow are there ever a lot of troops and nobles headed to the capital. Look at all of the different flags.
"Sister? What can we do now?" Misaeng wants ideas; Mishil has none. Wait; maybe one. She stands up, calmly picks up a nearby bow, loads it...and points it at Deokman! And Deokman, knowing that Mishil is finally--finally--out of options, not only doesn't dive for cover, she stands up and spreads her arms wide, goading Mishil to draw and fire. (Which, unless she's wearing an arrow-proof vest, is a reckless and foolish thing to do, considering how many people have sacrificed and even died to get her to this point.) Mishil says to herself, "Fine, Deokman. You are victorious." But come on, she won't really do it, will she? Oh yes she will. The bowstring snaps and the arrow flies.