Post by ajk on May 18, 2012 21:04:51 GMT -5
Jukbang and Godo lead Mishil's party through the woods in the darkness. We see Deokman following at a discreet distance. Quietly, Godo starts to object to Jukbang: "This is not the way to..." Uh-oh, what's Jukbang doing? He whispers that he recognized Mishil, and he correctly (you have to think) deduced that "After she finds that boy, she will slay us." So then the two of them suddenly make a break for it, through a clearing. Which isn't the best location, because the soldiers who are with Mishil can fire arrows at them. Which they do. But they miss, so now they have to go chasing after them in the darkness. All the while, Deokman is getting a good long look at Mishil's face.
The next day, at Manno Fortress: The king is with his daughter and Kim Yongchun. No Mishil and no Bojong. We learn that Jinpyeong has been trying unsuccessfully for quite a while to bring Kim Seohyeon to the capital and into his government. He's very pleased that these latest events have made it possible. They're just about to break up the meeting--but now Mishil's arrival is announced. Uh-oh...what's going on? She enters...and Bojong is with her! All cleaned up and presentable, showing no sign of injury.
Deokman runs into her shelter and finds an empty bed. We did see Bojong starting to revive last night, but wow.
Cheonmyeong's eyes just about bug out. So do Yongchun's. Bojong humbly pays his respects to the king and princess, sucking up and lying through his teeth (which, as we can tell from Mishil's expression, was 100% coached and well-delivered).
Deokman is sitting alone in her shelter, reflecting on recent events, when Jukbang and Godo come running in, gasping for breath.
Bojong is escorted to a private room, and now we see that he's staggering in pain, his wound bleeding again. So he had been hiding it well. The physician helping him warns Mishil that the boy "must abstain from any unnecessary activity" until it heals more. Then Seolwon tells Mishil that Hwarang have been sent to the shelter where Bojong was, to try to capture Jukbang and Godo. Uh-oh....
Jukbang and Godo are dragging Deokman out of the shelter. Deokman wants an explanation, and Godo wants to know how Jukbang recognized Mishil--which actually is a very good question, now that we think about it. A question he ducks; the important thing now is to flee. "They will be here soon. We must run!" He convinces them to at least follow them and they leave--JUST in time. Seconds later, here come Hwarang running into the shelter.
Back at Manno Fortress, Imjong announces that the king's party will be leaving for home. "Everyone, clear the way! The royal retinue is soon passing!" We can see Deokman, Jukbang and Godo watching from a hiding place. Now they emerge, carefully, and try to head away to get to a ferry. Then the Hwarang who were searching at the shelter show up. They spot Jukbang. As Deokman ventures ahead, Jukbang and Godo are quietly snatched away! When she turns around, no one is there. She manages to spot the two, now being held captive and with knives to their throats. She runs into the main street and begs a soldier to help her--"They are killing someone over there!"--but the soldier is only concerned with the royal retinue passing, and literally throws her to the ground. But now Kim Yushin and his Hwarang are passing by. She gets up, runs to Yushin and throws herself at his feet. She recognizes him from that earlier confrontation in Episode 6, when Jukbang was accused of stealing Yushin's pendant. Yushin and his Hwarang recognize her, too (but they still think Deokman is male), and they accuse her of stealing the pendant! But now Kim Yongchun emerges and asks what the commotion is.
The king is giving a farewell address to the Manno residents. He gives them a tax exemption until next year's harvest because of the drought, and instructs that the former Gayans who did not join any insurgency or cause any trouble will be allowed to return to their fields. Good news for them and they appreciate it. Then he steps forward to leave...but Kim Yongchun comes forth and interrupts him: "Before you depart for the palace, may you settle a crucial quandary requiring your attention." Huh? "A fellow claiming to know what happened at Yeorae Temple four nights ago asks for your forbearance and a chance to explain himself." That gets a visible reaction from everybody. Mishil, Bojong, Cheonmyeong, all wondering what the heck this is. Slowly, timidly, Deokman enters and steps forward. Cheonmyeong (who's wearing a veiled hat; Deokman can't see her face) and Bojong can't believe their eyes. "First," Yongchun tells the king, "he said that he will find the man he met at Yeorae Temple." He turns to Deokman: "Find him. Is he here with us?" She carefully scans the crowd...and then points right at Bojong. "He is the one! He was at Yeorae Temple." Bojong denies ever seeing Deokman before, which only makes Deokman mad. She marches right up to him: "Did I not save you?! After you were hit by arrows, I treated you for three straight days." He denies it, but she presses, now trying to save Jukbang and Godo: "So why did you capture my brother and father?!" Now Seolwon jumps in, with the How-dare-you-make-such-accusations stuff--but Deokman whips out a surprise: Bojong's metallic ring! The one Jukbang took off his finger. She holds it to Bojong's face: "This is yours, Milord. Right?! Is it not?" And a nice tight camera shot of Seolwon's hand, wearing the same kind of ring! Busss-ted. Everybody's just standing there stunned; this is a lot to take in! And now Deokman spots Mishil, recognizes her--here's an added bonus that she maybe didn't expect--and boldly walks right over to her. "So you made a covenant with my father and brother, that you would accord them if they brought you to him?! Then, why did you capture them? Give me back my father and brother! Right now!" Well, this is just blowing people's minds, we can see. And Cheonmyeong is loving every minute of it.
Shortly afterwards, Mishil approaches the princess. "Recall the counsel I bestowed upon you a twelvemonth past?" We see a flashback to that awful encounter in the royal shrine after Kim Yongsu's death--Mishil grabbing the princess and warning her not to mess with her. But Cheonmyeong isn't afraid of her any more. So Mishil has to strike a bargain: She'll allow Kim Seohyeon and his family admittance to the capital, if Cheonmyeong will disregard the Yeorae Temple incident. Cheonmyeong nods her agreement, but adds one condition: "But you shall never bother that boy." Fine, Mishil says, and turns to leave--but offers a warning: "My compassion for Your Highness is now a thing of the past."
Mishil's Hwarang have taken Jukbang and Godo to a remote spot in the woods to execute them. But here comes Imjong and the rest of Yongchun's Hwarang to stop them. And they've brought a written order from the king! No arguing with that.
Deokman has been tossed into a jail cell. And doesn't understand why. Now Jukbang and Godo are brought in by Imjong's Hwarang and tossed in there with her. Imjong explains calmly, "We shall soon receive further orders, but this is for your safety." Probably a wise move. Deokman has all kinds of questions, especially about Munno, but Imjong warns her to stay quiet for now.
The king, the princess, and Kim Yongchun are with Kim Seohyeon and his wife, Princess Manmyeong, who we first saw earlier at the farewell address. "We still have no power," Cheonmyeong says; "If we dare to disclose what happened, it will only embolden their troops." Maybe, maybe not...but Yongchun advises the king to simply accept the opportunity to bring Seohyeon into his government and leave it all at that. Cheonmyeong credits Deokman for getting her back safely. And now she drops the bomb about her bearing Yongsu's son while in the monastery. The king is stunned to learn there's a royal successor. Incredible news. She explains why she felt it necessary to keep it secret--"I could never give birth to him at the palace which deprived me of my three brothers and Lord Yongsu"--and that's fine with Jinpyeong; he's just thrilled to have a grandson. He instructs Seohyeon to organize the former Gayan forces, to at least give them some small amount of muscle, even if it can't compete with Mishil's control over the military.
Hajong is talking trash to Bojong. You screwed up; I'm the one who can deal with all this, blah blah blah. But Mishil shuts him up with two surprising words: "We lost." Strange words coming from her, but she's correctly assessed the situation tells them both, and Seolwon, to drop the whole thing and do nothing further.
Kim Yushin tells Cheonmyeong that he'll gladly become one of her Hwarang. She has a favor to ask him....
In the jail cell, Deokman has told Jukbang and Godo the whole story. Jukbang is fearful: "If you fall on Mishil's bad side, you're dead!" Then they're removed from the cell and meet Kim Yushin, who has news: he's accepting Deokman as a Hwarang, at the princess' request. That obviously was the favor. Yushin obviously isn't happy about it, but he says "I shall turn you into one." And he warns, "If you wish to gain my acknowledgement, you need to first tame that wretched disposition of yours." She doesn't seem too impressed by the offer. But she's concerned about Jukbang and Godo, who are begging Yushin for protection because they fear they'll be killed despite the king's order. So what to do....
We're back in Seorabeol, in the courtyard used for Hwarang ceremonies. And a ceremony is going on now; Cheonmyeong is presiding; Mishil is next to her; various nobles and other important people are there, too. We see Yushin's blue-clad Hwarang...with Deokman, Jukbang and Godo standing among them wearing the blue uniform! Cheonmyeong is reinstated as "keeper of the Hwarang," and she presents Yushin's Dragon Flower Corps with a flag signifying their acceptance into the capital. From a distance, Yushin's parents watch; they're concerned that this may all be difficult for their son to handle. And Seohyeon talks like he knows something unpleasant is coming. Then the important people process out of the yard. Mishil catches a glimpse of Deokman in the Hwarang uniform and has to suppress a laugh.
After they all leave, suddenly all of the other Hwarang start running around, and surround Yushin's corps. Seokpum shouts at Yushin, "Seorabeol's ten Hwarang shall never acknowledge you as fellow compeers!" And they want to fight them to test their mettle. And all of a sudden they're going at it with wooden practice-swords. And of course, Yushin's Hwarang aren't the capital-trained elite, so they all get taken down in no time while Yushin stands there stunned. But now he steps forward and duels Seokpum. (It's supposed to be a big dramatic moment, with dramatic, intense music, but I'm sorry, it's two boys hitting each other with sticks. Ugh.) Yushin fights well but ultimately he's defeated, and then Bojong takes out his sword and slices up the flag that Yushin's corps was just presented. He walks away with half of the flag, telling Yushin to demand a rematch if he wants it.
Afterwards, the ten elite Hwarang mock the new arrivals, and wonder if Cheonmyeong is showing disrespect to the Hwarang for bringing them in. They're sure the newbies won't last, and they suggest to Injong (who's one of the ten elites) that he not involve himself in any of this, despite his allegiance to Kim Yongchun. Imjong looks very uncomfortable with the position he's been put into.
Later that evening, Yushin's corps are walking around dejectedly and have ended up at a motley-looking barn of some sort. Kim Seohyeon is there. Yushin couldn't look more ashamed, but his father isn't fazed at all. Obviously he knew this would happen. "This is the path of a Hwarang," he tells them; "it teaches its followers how to survive through relentless training and warfare. Only those able to endure this all will enter the Hwarang roster." This building, he tells them that it's now their training ground. The princess gave you this place, he says, but you'll get nothing more. "Until you regain that flag, nobody will ever be able to help you."
The king and Maya meet their grandson for the first time. Of course it's emotional for both of them, but even more so because they can see Yongsu in him.
"A son?!" Mishil is told about the royal successor for the first time. She puts all of the pieces together: "To give birth to that child, she pretended to run away and left the palace. After which, she went looking for Munno, and by bringing Kim Seohyeon to Seorabeol, she bolstered her camp." And then she bursts out in laughter! To the point where Sejong and Misaeng wonder what's so darned funny. She tells them, "Does Cheonmyeong not resemble me in my youth?!" She explains that King Jinheung's mother Jiso once sent her away from the palace, and she returned a changed woman. And now Cheonmyeong has gone through something similar. She again laughs hysterically at the idea of Cheonmyeong as her rival. But Sejong, Misaeng, Seolwon and Hajong are all staring at her like she's not taking this seriously enough. Now Bojong enters with the report on the dismal performance of the new Hwarang. Mishil asks Seolwon to find out what he can about Deokman.
Back with the Dragon Flower Corps: Deokman has disappeared; nobody knows where she went. (The subtitling said "she" so apparently they know she's female.)
Seolwon reports back: "Jukbang and Godo are nothing but swindlers" and Deokman isn't related to them. Mishil wonders what the connection is to Cheonmyeong. "Amongst the Hwarang we captured, some talked of this fellow who was with the princess." That's Deokman, they deduce (so they still think Deokman is male).
Deokman is sneaking around in the darkness, trying to find Mishil's quarters! Why? She's startled by something and runs inside and into a room. She realizes it's a shrine of some sort, with many plaques on display. She accidently knocks a plaque over; she puts it back and then turns to leave...but wait a minute; what did that plaque say? Chilsuk! It's a memorial plaque to Chilsuk. She stands there, her mind whirling at the sight of the name of the man who had tried to kill her...and then is grabbed by two Hwarang.
She's dragged before Mishil and her cabal. Mishil calmly asks her, "Why did you go to Yeorae Temple?" Fearlessly, she answers the question with a question: "Where is Munno?"
Imjong tells a horrified Kim Yongchun that he saw two Hwarang (he identifies them as Santak and Hyeopseong) grab Deokman.
Mishil is shocked at the question. Deokman goes on, "I had heard Munno was at Yeorae Temple. But murder ravaged that place, and we could not ascertain his whereabouts." She refuses to tell Mishil why she's looking for Munno, but still wants to know if she knows where he is. Now a question with a question, back at her: "Do you know Her Highness the Princess?" Deokman still has not seen Cheonmyeong without her veiled hat and still doesn't know who her former companion really is. I don't know anybody in this city, Deokman answers. And once again presses, "Where is Munno?" Amused, Mishil offers a deal: "On the day the Dragon Flower corps vanquish Bojong's men, come seek my audience. I shall tell you then." Her cabal is visibly surprised at her offer, since she has no idea where Munno is. And Deokman doubts her, too: "And how can I trust your word?" Mishil answers, "It is my word as a royal consort." At that point Yongchun and Imjong come running in, fearful for Deokman's safety. But everything is calm, so they simply escort her out of there.
Outside, Yongchun makes sure Deokman is okay and that Mishil didn't cause any undue trouble. Let me know if this happens again, he instructs. And then Deokman ventures a question that surprises him: "Do you know a certain Chilsuk?"
Hajong is seething at Yongchun's interference. And Sejong doesn't like his wife striking a bargain with a lowly Hwarang trainee. But Mishil uses it as motivation for Bojong's Hwarang, to never be beaten by Yushin's Hwarang. And as for Deokman, well, "there was something eerily perturbing about him."
"You mean Chilsuk the Hwarang? He was Lady Mishil's personal guard." Boy, there's a big surprise to Deokman. As far as Yongchun knows, he died fifteen years ago on some unknown mission. "He was awarded with a tablet in the Hall of Meritorious Subjects." (Which we realize is where Deokman was earlier.) But how did you know Chilsuk's name?, Yongchun asks. Deokman lies; says she just happened to hear it by chance. Yongchun advises her to "be careful about mentioning anything you see or hear." Which is good advice.
Later, we see Deokman wandering around in the nighttime, trying to make sense of it all.
The next morning: We get a better look at the building given to Yushin's Hwarang. It's not as bad as it looked in the darkness; at least it's nice enough for them all to be sleeping in--and they have matching pajamas too! They all start to wake up with the morning sun; they're surprised to find Deokman waking up with them. So she snuck back in there during the night. Yushin scolds her for "breaking formation" and orders her to wear what looks like a one-pound sandbag as a permanent punishment. The others all stare--will Deokman do it? Not sure, but it's a yes, with an assurance that she won't leave the corps.
Now they head off on a long training run. Deokman can't keep up with the others, not even with Jukbang and Godo, and even falls in the mud at one point, and finishes last. Yushin orders two more sandbags tied around her ankles as punishment.
Later, another run, and this time Deokman is at least ahead of Jukbang and Godo, who have fallen. But what's this--suddenly she's intercepted by the elite Hwarang, who just happen to be standing out there in the countryside (?). They trip her and make fun of her. She makes it back home, but last again. Not fair, we know, but another sandbag for finishing last.
Another run; once again she's lagging behind, and falls in the mud again. But this time she gets mad, and takes a shortcut back to camp. She's ecstatic to not be last this time, (although she did break formation--didn't that occur to her?) She dips her head into a trough of water to cool off and wash off. And then again. And again. And when she comes up, suddenly it's an older, more mature woman we're looking at. Time jump.
The next day, at Manno Fortress: The king is with his daughter and Kim Yongchun. No Mishil and no Bojong. We learn that Jinpyeong has been trying unsuccessfully for quite a while to bring Kim Seohyeon to the capital and into his government. He's very pleased that these latest events have made it possible. They're just about to break up the meeting--but now Mishil's arrival is announced. Uh-oh...what's going on? She enters...and Bojong is with her! All cleaned up and presentable, showing no sign of injury.
Deokman runs into her shelter and finds an empty bed. We did see Bojong starting to revive last night, but wow.
Cheonmyeong's eyes just about bug out. So do Yongchun's. Bojong humbly pays his respects to the king and princess, sucking up and lying through his teeth (which, as we can tell from Mishil's expression, was 100% coached and well-delivered).
Deokman is sitting alone in her shelter, reflecting on recent events, when Jukbang and Godo come running in, gasping for breath.
Bojong is escorted to a private room, and now we see that he's staggering in pain, his wound bleeding again. So he had been hiding it well. The physician helping him warns Mishil that the boy "must abstain from any unnecessary activity" until it heals more. Then Seolwon tells Mishil that Hwarang have been sent to the shelter where Bojong was, to try to capture Jukbang and Godo. Uh-oh....
Jukbang and Godo are dragging Deokman out of the shelter. Deokman wants an explanation, and Godo wants to know how Jukbang recognized Mishil--which actually is a very good question, now that we think about it. A question he ducks; the important thing now is to flee. "They will be here soon. We must run!" He convinces them to at least follow them and they leave--JUST in time. Seconds later, here come Hwarang running into the shelter.
Back at Manno Fortress, Imjong announces that the king's party will be leaving for home. "Everyone, clear the way! The royal retinue is soon passing!" We can see Deokman, Jukbang and Godo watching from a hiding place. Now they emerge, carefully, and try to head away to get to a ferry. Then the Hwarang who were searching at the shelter show up. They spot Jukbang. As Deokman ventures ahead, Jukbang and Godo are quietly snatched away! When she turns around, no one is there. She manages to spot the two, now being held captive and with knives to their throats. She runs into the main street and begs a soldier to help her--"They are killing someone over there!"--but the soldier is only concerned with the royal retinue passing, and literally throws her to the ground. But now Kim Yushin and his Hwarang are passing by. She gets up, runs to Yushin and throws herself at his feet. She recognizes him from that earlier confrontation in Episode 6, when Jukbang was accused of stealing Yushin's pendant. Yushin and his Hwarang recognize her, too (but they still think Deokman is male), and they accuse her of stealing the pendant! But now Kim Yongchun emerges and asks what the commotion is.
The king is giving a farewell address to the Manno residents. He gives them a tax exemption until next year's harvest because of the drought, and instructs that the former Gayans who did not join any insurgency or cause any trouble will be allowed to return to their fields. Good news for them and they appreciate it. Then he steps forward to leave...but Kim Yongchun comes forth and interrupts him: "Before you depart for the palace, may you settle a crucial quandary requiring your attention." Huh? "A fellow claiming to know what happened at Yeorae Temple four nights ago asks for your forbearance and a chance to explain himself." That gets a visible reaction from everybody. Mishil, Bojong, Cheonmyeong, all wondering what the heck this is. Slowly, timidly, Deokman enters and steps forward. Cheonmyeong (who's wearing a veiled hat; Deokman can't see her face) and Bojong can't believe their eyes. "First," Yongchun tells the king, "he said that he will find the man he met at Yeorae Temple." He turns to Deokman: "Find him. Is he here with us?" She carefully scans the crowd...and then points right at Bojong. "He is the one! He was at Yeorae Temple." Bojong denies ever seeing Deokman before, which only makes Deokman mad. She marches right up to him: "Did I not save you?! After you were hit by arrows, I treated you for three straight days." He denies it, but she presses, now trying to save Jukbang and Godo: "So why did you capture my brother and father?!" Now Seolwon jumps in, with the How-dare-you-make-such-accusations stuff--but Deokman whips out a surprise: Bojong's metallic ring! The one Jukbang took off his finger. She holds it to Bojong's face: "This is yours, Milord. Right?! Is it not?" And a nice tight camera shot of Seolwon's hand, wearing the same kind of ring! Busss-ted. Everybody's just standing there stunned; this is a lot to take in! And now Deokman spots Mishil, recognizes her--here's an added bonus that she maybe didn't expect--and boldly walks right over to her. "So you made a covenant with my father and brother, that you would accord them if they brought you to him?! Then, why did you capture them? Give me back my father and brother! Right now!" Well, this is just blowing people's minds, we can see. And Cheonmyeong is loving every minute of it.
Shortly afterwards, Mishil approaches the princess. "Recall the counsel I bestowed upon you a twelvemonth past?" We see a flashback to that awful encounter in the royal shrine after Kim Yongsu's death--Mishil grabbing the princess and warning her not to mess with her. But Cheonmyeong isn't afraid of her any more. So Mishil has to strike a bargain: She'll allow Kim Seohyeon and his family admittance to the capital, if Cheonmyeong will disregard the Yeorae Temple incident. Cheonmyeong nods her agreement, but adds one condition: "But you shall never bother that boy." Fine, Mishil says, and turns to leave--but offers a warning: "My compassion for Your Highness is now a thing of the past."
Mishil's Hwarang have taken Jukbang and Godo to a remote spot in the woods to execute them. But here comes Imjong and the rest of Yongchun's Hwarang to stop them. And they've brought a written order from the king! No arguing with that.
Deokman has been tossed into a jail cell. And doesn't understand why. Now Jukbang and Godo are brought in by Imjong's Hwarang and tossed in there with her. Imjong explains calmly, "We shall soon receive further orders, but this is for your safety." Probably a wise move. Deokman has all kinds of questions, especially about Munno, but Imjong warns her to stay quiet for now.
The king, the princess, and Kim Yongchun are with Kim Seohyeon and his wife, Princess Manmyeong, who we first saw earlier at the farewell address. "We still have no power," Cheonmyeong says; "If we dare to disclose what happened, it will only embolden their troops." Maybe, maybe not...but Yongchun advises the king to simply accept the opportunity to bring Seohyeon into his government and leave it all at that. Cheonmyeong credits Deokman for getting her back safely. And now she drops the bomb about her bearing Yongsu's son while in the monastery. The king is stunned to learn there's a royal successor. Incredible news. She explains why she felt it necessary to keep it secret--"I could never give birth to him at the palace which deprived me of my three brothers and Lord Yongsu"--and that's fine with Jinpyeong; he's just thrilled to have a grandson. He instructs Seohyeon to organize the former Gayan forces, to at least give them some small amount of muscle, even if it can't compete with Mishil's control over the military.
Hajong is talking trash to Bojong. You screwed up; I'm the one who can deal with all this, blah blah blah. But Mishil shuts him up with two surprising words: "We lost." Strange words coming from her, but she's correctly assessed the situation tells them both, and Seolwon, to drop the whole thing and do nothing further.
Kim Yushin tells Cheonmyeong that he'll gladly become one of her Hwarang. She has a favor to ask him....
In the jail cell, Deokman has told Jukbang and Godo the whole story. Jukbang is fearful: "If you fall on Mishil's bad side, you're dead!" Then they're removed from the cell and meet Kim Yushin, who has news: he's accepting Deokman as a Hwarang, at the princess' request. That obviously was the favor. Yushin obviously isn't happy about it, but he says "I shall turn you into one." And he warns, "If you wish to gain my acknowledgement, you need to first tame that wretched disposition of yours." She doesn't seem too impressed by the offer. But she's concerned about Jukbang and Godo, who are begging Yushin for protection because they fear they'll be killed despite the king's order. So what to do....
We're back in Seorabeol, in the courtyard used for Hwarang ceremonies. And a ceremony is going on now; Cheonmyeong is presiding; Mishil is next to her; various nobles and other important people are there, too. We see Yushin's blue-clad Hwarang...with Deokman, Jukbang and Godo standing among them wearing the blue uniform! Cheonmyeong is reinstated as "keeper of the Hwarang," and she presents Yushin's Dragon Flower Corps with a flag signifying their acceptance into the capital. From a distance, Yushin's parents watch; they're concerned that this may all be difficult for their son to handle. And Seohyeon talks like he knows something unpleasant is coming. Then the important people process out of the yard. Mishil catches a glimpse of Deokman in the Hwarang uniform and has to suppress a laugh.
After they all leave, suddenly all of the other Hwarang start running around, and surround Yushin's corps. Seokpum shouts at Yushin, "Seorabeol's ten Hwarang shall never acknowledge you as fellow compeers!" And they want to fight them to test their mettle. And all of a sudden they're going at it with wooden practice-swords. And of course, Yushin's Hwarang aren't the capital-trained elite, so they all get taken down in no time while Yushin stands there stunned. But now he steps forward and duels Seokpum. (It's supposed to be a big dramatic moment, with dramatic, intense music, but I'm sorry, it's two boys hitting each other with sticks. Ugh.) Yushin fights well but ultimately he's defeated, and then Bojong takes out his sword and slices up the flag that Yushin's corps was just presented. He walks away with half of the flag, telling Yushin to demand a rematch if he wants it.
Afterwards, the ten elite Hwarang mock the new arrivals, and wonder if Cheonmyeong is showing disrespect to the Hwarang for bringing them in. They're sure the newbies won't last, and they suggest to Injong (who's one of the ten elites) that he not involve himself in any of this, despite his allegiance to Kim Yongchun. Imjong looks very uncomfortable with the position he's been put into.
Later that evening, Yushin's corps are walking around dejectedly and have ended up at a motley-looking barn of some sort. Kim Seohyeon is there. Yushin couldn't look more ashamed, but his father isn't fazed at all. Obviously he knew this would happen. "This is the path of a Hwarang," he tells them; "it teaches its followers how to survive through relentless training and warfare. Only those able to endure this all will enter the Hwarang roster." This building, he tells them that it's now their training ground. The princess gave you this place, he says, but you'll get nothing more. "Until you regain that flag, nobody will ever be able to help you."
The king and Maya meet their grandson for the first time. Of course it's emotional for both of them, but even more so because they can see Yongsu in him.
"A son?!" Mishil is told about the royal successor for the first time. She puts all of the pieces together: "To give birth to that child, she pretended to run away and left the palace. After which, she went looking for Munno, and by bringing Kim Seohyeon to Seorabeol, she bolstered her camp." And then she bursts out in laughter! To the point where Sejong and Misaeng wonder what's so darned funny. She tells them, "Does Cheonmyeong not resemble me in my youth?!" She explains that King Jinheung's mother Jiso once sent her away from the palace, and she returned a changed woman. And now Cheonmyeong has gone through something similar. She again laughs hysterically at the idea of Cheonmyeong as her rival. But Sejong, Misaeng, Seolwon and Hajong are all staring at her like she's not taking this seriously enough. Now Bojong enters with the report on the dismal performance of the new Hwarang. Mishil asks Seolwon to find out what he can about Deokman.
Back with the Dragon Flower Corps: Deokman has disappeared; nobody knows where she went. (The subtitling said "she" so apparently they know she's female.)
Seolwon reports back: "Jukbang and Godo are nothing but swindlers" and Deokman isn't related to them. Mishil wonders what the connection is to Cheonmyeong. "Amongst the Hwarang we captured, some talked of this fellow who was with the princess." That's Deokman, they deduce (so they still think Deokman is male).
Deokman is sneaking around in the darkness, trying to find Mishil's quarters! Why? She's startled by something and runs inside and into a room. She realizes it's a shrine of some sort, with many plaques on display. She accidently knocks a plaque over; she puts it back and then turns to leave...but wait a minute; what did that plaque say? Chilsuk! It's a memorial plaque to Chilsuk. She stands there, her mind whirling at the sight of the name of the man who had tried to kill her...and then is grabbed by two Hwarang.
She's dragged before Mishil and her cabal. Mishil calmly asks her, "Why did you go to Yeorae Temple?" Fearlessly, she answers the question with a question: "Where is Munno?"
Imjong tells a horrified Kim Yongchun that he saw two Hwarang (he identifies them as Santak and Hyeopseong) grab Deokman.
Mishil is shocked at the question. Deokman goes on, "I had heard Munno was at Yeorae Temple. But murder ravaged that place, and we could not ascertain his whereabouts." She refuses to tell Mishil why she's looking for Munno, but still wants to know if she knows where he is. Now a question with a question, back at her: "Do you know Her Highness the Princess?" Deokman still has not seen Cheonmyeong without her veiled hat and still doesn't know who her former companion really is. I don't know anybody in this city, Deokman answers. And once again presses, "Where is Munno?" Amused, Mishil offers a deal: "On the day the Dragon Flower corps vanquish Bojong's men, come seek my audience. I shall tell you then." Her cabal is visibly surprised at her offer, since she has no idea where Munno is. And Deokman doubts her, too: "And how can I trust your word?" Mishil answers, "It is my word as a royal consort." At that point Yongchun and Imjong come running in, fearful for Deokman's safety. But everything is calm, so they simply escort her out of there.
Outside, Yongchun makes sure Deokman is okay and that Mishil didn't cause any undue trouble. Let me know if this happens again, he instructs. And then Deokman ventures a question that surprises him: "Do you know a certain Chilsuk?"
Hajong is seething at Yongchun's interference. And Sejong doesn't like his wife striking a bargain with a lowly Hwarang trainee. But Mishil uses it as motivation for Bojong's Hwarang, to never be beaten by Yushin's Hwarang. And as for Deokman, well, "there was something eerily perturbing about him."
"You mean Chilsuk the Hwarang? He was Lady Mishil's personal guard." Boy, there's a big surprise to Deokman. As far as Yongchun knows, he died fifteen years ago on some unknown mission. "He was awarded with a tablet in the Hall of Meritorious Subjects." (Which we realize is where Deokman was earlier.) But how did you know Chilsuk's name?, Yongchun asks. Deokman lies; says she just happened to hear it by chance. Yongchun advises her to "be careful about mentioning anything you see or hear." Which is good advice.
Later, we see Deokman wandering around in the nighttime, trying to make sense of it all.
The next morning: We get a better look at the building given to Yushin's Hwarang. It's not as bad as it looked in the darkness; at least it's nice enough for them all to be sleeping in--and they have matching pajamas too! They all start to wake up with the morning sun; they're surprised to find Deokman waking up with them. So she snuck back in there during the night. Yushin scolds her for "breaking formation" and orders her to wear what looks like a one-pound sandbag as a permanent punishment. The others all stare--will Deokman do it? Not sure, but it's a yes, with an assurance that she won't leave the corps.
Now they head off on a long training run. Deokman can't keep up with the others, not even with Jukbang and Godo, and even falls in the mud at one point, and finishes last. Yushin orders two more sandbags tied around her ankles as punishment.
Later, another run, and this time Deokman is at least ahead of Jukbang and Godo, who have fallen. But what's this--suddenly she's intercepted by the elite Hwarang, who just happen to be standing out there in the countryside (?). They trip her and make fun of her. She makes it back home, but last again. Not fair, we know, but another sandbag for finishing last.
Another run; once again she's lagging behind, and falls in the mud again. But this time she gets mad, and takes a shortcut back to camp. She's ecstatic to not be last this time, (although she did break formation--didn't that occur to her?) She dips her head into a trough of water to cool off and wash off. And then again. And again. And when she comes up, suddenly it's an older, more mature woman we're looking at. Time jump.