Post by ajk on Jun 15, 2012 21:25:32 GMT -5
You have to think they're going straight into the circle formation. It seems like their only chance, outnumbered 3-to-1 like they are. Yushin screams "Charge!" and they charge...but that's all we see....
The rest of the Hwarang make it back to the main army. So the DFers accomplished their task. Archeon and Seokpum tell the officers that the DFers are the only ones still out there, fighting the Baekjeans, and "They've probably all perished." The words are barely out of his mouth when who do we see coming up the road but the entire group of DFers, apparently intact, looking awfully worn-out--so worn-out, in fact, that they fall to the ground from exhaustion on the spot--but no worse than that. How is this even possible, given where we left them? All of the elite Hwarang stare at them in amazement, and now a semi-conscious Yushin is presented with a new, intact DF corps flag (Where in the heck did that come from, out in the wilderness near a war zone? Ugh.)
Later, Yushin revives--and is reunited with his father. Seohyeon has been hurt; is arm is in a sling. But obviously he'll take this trade any day. We learn that Seohyeon was shot in battle and was almost captured by Baekjeans but some stranger put his body on a horse and sent it away to safety. Father and son are both very lucky. (And we're just supposed to accept that the DFers made it out of that impossible situation, virtually unscathed, with no explanation?! AAAUGH!!)
Seorabeol: Everyone is back home, and the king is passing out commendations. Seolwon gets 5000 sacks of grain. Seohyeon, identified as Vice Minister of Defense, is now named Vice Marshal of the Office of Military Affairs. Just like Cheonmyeong wanted. Yushin gets a land grant, which seems surprisingly generous for a young Hwarang. Everybody seems pleased; even Mishil looks contented with it on balance.
Now it's the Hwarang getting their turn, receiving honors at a different ceremony. Cheonmyeong is presiding, again wearing the veiled hat. Particular honors for the DFers for their decoy mission, and they're now recognized as equals with the other Capital Guards Certainly well-earned and then some.
We're at the Hwarang headquarters--that outpost-like building we've seen before. The DFers walk in like they own the place, and of course now they're fully entitled to be there. Some of the Green Dragons are there, and they still don't respect the DFers even after they saved their sorry butts. A serving-girl enters to tell the Hwarang that their meal is ready (so apparently they have their meals prepared for them, la de dah). She sees the DFers and immediately asks, "Are you the famous Dragon Guards?" Learning that they're now capital Hwarang, she informs them that this means they get their meals prepared too, and to come to the dining hall when meals are called. They eagerly scurry off to get first dibs. And to the Green Dragon who complains bitterly about this, the girl reminds him, They saved your neck so "Don't be an ingrate." Salt in the ego wound.
Elsewhere the elite Hwarang are having a meal of their own. Yushin is being treated as a complete equal now, with respect and even gratitude for his corps' success. All except Seokpum, who's been tipping the wine cup back too far and still doesn't like what happened on the battlefield with the disobedience regarding killing the injured, and now the alcohol has loosened his tongue and he's spilling the whole story! It visibly alarms the other Hwarang, who have heard nothing about this. "My order was wrong," Archeon says, and disobeying it is what helped get us all back alive. And he reminds Seokpum about his promise to leave all this on the battlefield. "I'm just congratulating him, that's all," Seokpum says, referring to Yushin, but he's being smarmy and acting jealous, going on and on and even suggesting that the princess played favorites in granting the honors that the DFers received. That last bit is too much for Yushin, who stands up and argues back in anger (with a drunk guy? Yeah, that always works. Great move). Bojong, of all people, has heard enough and yells at both of them to stop. "All Hwarang belong to the princess," he reminds them. "Who's to say she's behind one more than another?" Well, that's baloney, but he's towing the company line. Or is he? He goes over to Yushin, pours him a drink, pours himself one, and then holds up his cup. "To all those who died in battle," he says, with a strangely intense look in his eye. "And to all those who lived. Especially Yushin." Very odd...but just then the princess arrives....
...apparently to summon Yushin, because now she's talking to him in her sitting room. She's grateful that he and his father made it back alive and feels bad that she was unable to do more to help them. There's a weird vibe whenever they talk, like she's almost smitten with him and like he's afraid of girls. Then we see her holding that medallion that she was going to give him before he left for battle, but didn't.
Again she didn't give it to him. He's left, and her attendant asks why she didn't. "You said you would if he made it back, after all." She just sits there smiling, replaying their conversation in her mind. Almost smitten.
Mishil's cabal is concerned about Kim Seohyeon's increasing power in the government. But Mishil herself? A surprising lack of concern. And even says, "Isn't it just like Seolwon from his younger years?" Wow. She tells her husband that he should hold a feast in Seohyeon's honor tonight. Weirder by the second. Can't do that tonight; tonight's a dinner for the Hwarang, but there's a hall for the generals next door to it and a meal will be served. Mishil looks pleased to hear that. Wonder why. She leaves, and Sejong, Seolwon and Hajong ponder why Mishil hasn't simply had Seohyeon bumped off a long time ago. Sejong ponders the possibility that Mishil has some larger plan working--something involving competing loyalties, perhaps. It would explain her relaxed attitude just now.
Bojong is trying to calm his angry father. Seolwon is so mad he just broke his cup in his hand, cutting his skin and bleeding noticeably. He's jealous! "Your mother has always had a weak spot for survivors," he fumes, and "I should have killed him in battle when I had a chance." Wow, for such a good strategic thinker, he sure is manipulated easily.
This apparently is the dinner for the generals. Mishil is hosting it, or at least is at the head of the table. She offers some legitimately complimentary words for all present, for their success. "Seolwon's brilliant strategy," she adds, and then, "Seohyeon's technical superiority." Obviously poking at Seolwon. What's great is Seohyeon's brief sideways glance, like this is not at all expected and he's not buying it. "Your words are gracious," he responds, "but we were lucky too." Mishil readily agrees with him. "A victory is not just achieved by skill alone. It takes luck." Another great glance from Seohyeon, and then just for a moment the most hilarious sour look of cynicism. Sejong is there and is just sitting silently with a smile on his face, knowing full well what Mishil is up to and watching her work.
Bojong is outside, meeting another Hwarang who we don't recognize. "The feast will be over in a few hours," he tells him. "That's when we act." Uh-oh.
At the Hwarang dinner: In a quiet dining area, Jukbang is reading palms. As in, hitting on the serving women by reading their palms. With that mysterious medical knowledge that he has, he seems to be able to discern things about different individuals' illnesses and health characteristics. One of the Green Dragon Hwarang is getting annoyed and tries to shut him up, but now Jukbang is evaluating him--accurately. Completely wins him over. He's one smooth talker.
Out in the main area, Deokman spots Yushin drinking by himself. She thanks him for saving her neck on the battlefield. He's still annoyed by her stubbornness, but she says she should speak up when things aren't right. They go on a bit about the futility of war, and Yushin complains, "Shilla nobles don't trust those of us from Gaya," but we still want Shilla to be victorious in wars because we're tired of defeat. Yushin goes on a bit about people wanting a leader who can inspire them, but frankly it's sounding more and more like the alcohol talking.
Misaeng runs up to Mishil and whispers something to her. It certainly agitates her; she rushes immediately off somewhere....
With increasingly slurred words, Yushin tells her that the princess has been looking out for her, and that "she said you were a big help to her at Manno Fortress. And thanks to you I'm now here in Seorabeol." This baffles Deokman--she didn't see any princess at Manno--but before she can get Yushin to explain, he's out like a light. And in the next moment, who shows up but Cheonmyeong wearing the monk's robe. She gets Deokman's attention and they scurry away to talk elsewhere.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Seolwon has caught Bojong setting up an attempt to kill Kim Seohyeon. Seolwon tells him that killing the man won't do any good, and then asks "Where is it?" As in, where will it take place. Bojong says that he gave the assignment to a Gayan Hwarang trainee who hates Seohyeon's family. Seolwon is angry with his son, but we learn that for Bojong this comes out of his feelings of failure for not assassinating Munno earlier. "Now I should do nothing while Seohyeon becomes your rival?" But now Mishil shows up, which shuts them both up. She angrily demands, "Where is this ridiculous plan of yours to take place?"
Happy banter between Deokman and the monk-princess. Then Deokman asks, "By chance to you know the princess?" Cheonmyeong is surprised at the question. "Why?" Well, not just because of what Yushin just told her, but also because she serves Yushin and Yushin serves the princess, so "I want to know what she's like--if she's a person I can serve." And whether or not serving her is worthy enough to give up her search for her own identity--"Worthy enough for me to forget about my mother."
We see Seohyeon and his aide walking through one of the capital's streets in the nighttime air, leading a horse. On the second floor of one of the nearby buildings, we see the Hwarang from earlier--drawing his bow! Seohyeon mounts his horse...
Seolwon and Bojong are running through the streets, searching urgently...and spot the assassin. Quickly Seolwon draws his own bow, and fires not at him, but at a lantern nearby. It startles the assassin, whose own arrow flies off target. The shot startles Seohyeon and he falls from the horse; the Hwarang leaps from the second story and runs away. Seolwon and Bojong approach Seohyeon: "There was a suspicious man, so we followed him." Seolwon orders Bojong to send the Hwarang after the man and then they rush off in supposed pursuit.
Cheonmyeong and Deokman are each alone now, thinking about their conversation. Then they each her shouts and see the frantic pursuit of someone. Lots of running back and forth. And then in the next moment, the would-be assassin is standing there in front of Deokman! We hear someone shouting, "He is wearing a trainee's outfit." They stare at each other for a stunned moment, and then the Hwarang grabs Deokman and hauls her into the street just as Seolwon and Bojong and the searchers are passing by! "This is the one," he says to Seolwon; "I captured him." Seolwon knows better, of course, but this may be a golden opportunity for all of them. Deokman just stands there confused and a little frightened.
Cheonmyeong returns home...and finds that her mother and father waiting for her. Bus-ted. Why are you out at this hour?, the king asks. "And dressed like that?" "It's not what it looks like," the princess answers, which only shows she's really, really bad at making up excuses. Her mother, with the freakish psychic power that mothers have, asks, "You're not...you didn't go to meet some Hwarang trainee?" Wow. Cheonmyeong tries to tell them that the person is just a friend and someone that her father knows, but Jinpyeong doesn't want to hear it and grounds her! Seriously? "You're not to leave your room."
Princess Manmyeong tells her son that Deokman was arrested for trying to kill his father. Yushin doesn't believe it for a moment. "I don't think so either," she says, "but we can't know for sure."
Next morning: At a council meeting, the king is told of the attempt on Seohyeon's life. By a "trainee" (I'm confused; I thought they were full-fledged Hwarang now) from the corps of Seohyeon's son. That doesn't make sense to the king, nor to Councilor Eulje. Mishil tells the king that this requires a full investigation. And that "doubtless he had an accomplice." Turns out, people saw a female monk running from the scene of the capture. But not a monk wearing local dress. Possibly a spy? Goguryeo once dressed a spy in a monk's robe. Mishil's flunkies on the council try to push this along--"reports of spies who disguise as monks are increasing," that sort of thing--and Mishil says she's ordered a search for the person. And as the king sits there trying to take this all in, the question becomes, Is he a dimwit or can he put the pieces together?
Yes he can! "Was this trainee you met a Dragon Guard?" He's headed straight to his daughter, who's surprised by the spot-on question. He tells her of the assassination attempt and the trainee's arrest. Her mother adds, "even as we speak, they're looking for the female monk who assisted him. They're looking for you!" Cheonmyeong knows that Deokman isn't the culprit and wants to put an immediate stop to it--but that's not going to be so easy. "You plan to come forward and admit you've been meeting him at night?" That wouldn't reflect well on her reputation, to put it mildly. Cheonmyeong, to her credit, is more concerned about Deokman's fate. But the king isn't. "On top of that," he says, "we have no way of knowing if he is a real spy." She's still grounded.
Yushin is before Seolwon and Seohyeon, asking to see Deokman and assuring them that "He is definitely not the type to do such a thing." Not until the interrogation is finished, Seolwon says. Yikes.
"Once again. Where did you get your orders?" Deokman is being tortured. She denies involvement, but doesn't explain why she was in the area or who the monk was who was with her. "Beat the truth out of him!"
"Father, you know Deokman. Do you think he could do this?" Yushin is pressing them. Seolwon counters, "Do you have evidence that he's not a Baekje spy?" And continues, "He was working with the rebels in Manno County. How much do you really know about him? He may have fooled you too." But Seohyeon does ask Seolwon to relent and allow Yushin to see Deokman.
Cheonmyeong has tried to get a letter to Yushin...but the king's attendant brings it back to her. No dice. He's sorry, but orders is orders. Now what?
Yushin goes into the torture yard to see Deokman. He asks her point-blank, and she assures him she's not a spy and wasn't the assassin. And the nun? She's reluctant to say, but he presses her and finally she says, "She's an old friend. We met in Manno." And she can't possibly be involved in this either. Yushin demands her name and residence. "Chiljung Temple. Her name's Chiun."
The other DFers are gossiping about the news like a quilting circle. Some of them don't entirely dismiss it, and Jukbang scolds them. "You went into battle with Deokman, and now you doubt him?" Besides, he tells them, "I saw the whole thing!" What? Is he just running his mouth or did he actually see it? And that's just become a much bigger question because Yushin has walked in and heard him.
And now we find out. Turns out Jukbang had snuck back to pay a call on Samwol, the serving-woman he was flirting with at dinner. He didn't come forward because he was afraid of being caught with a palace maiden. But now Jukbang tells Yushin exactly what we saw, even providing the name Hwajung as the Hwarang who grabbed Deokman. And that he had seen Deokman with the monk, and for some weird reason they were talking about the princess. Which baffles Yushin for a moment, until he remembers what Deokman had just told him, and he starts having flashbacks to Manno County. Something clicks. He runs away somewhere in a big hurry.
He runs to see the princess. The king's attendant is there and tells him that "She's a little under the weather" and can't see anyone. Whether or not Yushin believes this, he's in no position to argue.
Jukbang is willing to testify, even though he'll get in trouble. But Yushin dismisses the offer, rightly pointing out that another Dragon Guard's testimony won't be worth much. So now what? Deokman will die, that's what. Mishil and Seolwon will assume custody after the investigation, and "Ever see someone survive one of their trials?" So now everything seems to hinge upon finding that female monk. Yushin has an idea....
Seokpum tells Bojong that Yushin has found the monk! "Someone named Mugwang from Unheung Temple." (Not true. Hmmm.....) We see Hwajung there with them. The Dragon Guards, we learned, headed for that temple to take custody of the monk, and about now should be returning home. Bojong reasons, "They'll have to cross Toham mountain on the way back." So...?
Nighttime: We can barely make out the silhouettes--a DFer escorting someone in a female monk's robe through the wooded countryside. From a nearby bush, Hwajung draws his bow and aims at the robed figure. In the next moment, a sword is at his throat. It's Yushin's. They've caught the culprit. And in the robe, it was Jukbang. Admittedly scared, but not too scared to ask, "I look pretty, don't I?" He even stuffed his shirt for the role of a woman. (So I guess you could say it was a successful bust.)
Cheonmyeong has been refusing to eat. The king's attendant arrives to try to change her mind...but when he enters her chambers, she's gone. Tied some cloths together and they're dangling off her balcony. Everybody panics and scampers away to find her. And then her closet door opens and she steps out! And walks out the door. Very clever.
Now everybody's at the torture yard: Mishil, Seolwon, Seohyeon, Seokpum, Bojong. "I didn't do it," Deokman says, weak from the torture; "I don't know anything." But once again, she won't say why she was at that spot or who the monk was, only that they're both innocent. Then the DFers arrive. Seolwon asks, "Have you brought the nun to verify her story?" Couldn't find her, Yushin answers..."Actually, we didn't look for her." Huh? "The nun story was a ruse, sir." Doink! "As we escorted a fake monk through the woods, an archer tried to kill her." A bound Hwajung is brought forward. Yushin confronts him: "You thought we had a witness so you tried to kill her, didn't you?" And then the real topper: the arrow that Hwajung aimed at Jukbang. "The same type of arrow used in the assassination attempt on Kim Seohyeon." Great bit of detective work (and sloppy work by Hwajung for not altering his ammo.) Yushin pulls out his sword and holds it to Hwajung's throat, completely unaware that he's surrounded by people who know the whole story. "Ready to confess? Who gave you your orders?" Hwajung looks at Mishil, and nods. "Since the days of old Gaya I swore vengeance against Kim Mulyuk, starting with his son Kim Seohyeon." (Which is likely true, from what we heard earlier.) "That's why I tried to kill him. But luck wasn't with me. And now it's over." And with that, he somehow throws himself onto Yushin's drawn sword and falls dead! Mishil looks around, and seems satisfied that this has all been put to rest and a potentially huge problem has been averted. But now here comes Cheonmyeong running unescorted into the yard. And for the first time, Deokman gets a good look at the princess' face.
The rest of the Hwarang make it back to the main army. So the DFers accomplished their task. Archeon and Seokpum tell the officers that the DFers are the only ones still out there, fighting the Baekjeans, and "They've probably all perished." The words are barely out of his mouth when who do we see coming up the road but the entire group of DFers, apparently intact, looking awfully worn-out--so worn-out, in fact, that they fall to the ground from exhaustion on the spot--but no worse than that. How is this even possible, given where we left them? All of the elite Hwarang stare at them in amazement, and now a semi-conscious Yushin is presented with a new, intact DF corps flag (Where in the heck did that come from, out in the wilderness near a war zone? Ugh.)
Later, Yushin revives--and is reunited with his father. Seohyeon has been hurt; is arm is in a sling. But obviously he'll take this trade any day. We learn that Seohyeon was shot in battle and was almost captured by Baekjeans but some stranger put his body on a horse and sent it away to safety. Father and son are both very lucky. (And we're just supposed to accept that the DFers made it out of that impossible situation, virtually unscathed, with no explanation?! AAAUGH!!)
Seorabeol: Everyone is back home, and the king is passing out commendations. Seolwon gets 5000 sacks of grain. Seohyeon, identified as Vice Minister of Defense, is now named Vice Marshal of the Office of Military Affairs. Just like Cheonmyeong wanted. Yushin gets a land grant, which seems surprisingly generous for a young Hwarang. Everybody seems pleased; even Mishil looks contented with it on balance.
Now it's the Hwarang getting their turn, receiving honors at a different ceremony. Cheonmyeong is presiding, again wearing the veiled hat. Particular honors for the DFers for their decoy mission, and they're now recognized as equals with the other Capital Guards Certainly well-earned and then some.
We're at the Hwarang headquarters--that outpost-like building we've seen before. The DFers walk in like they own the place, and of course now they're fully entitled to be there. Some of the Green Dragons are there, and they still don't respect the DFers even after they saved their sorry butts. A serving-girl enters to tell the Hwarang that their meal is ready (so apparently they have their meals prepared for them, la de dah). She sees the DFers and immediately asks, "Are you the famous Dragon Guards?" Learning that they're now capital Hwarang, she informs them that this means they get their meals prepared too, and to come to the dining hall when meals are called. They eagerly scurry off to get first dibs. And to the Green Dragon who complains bitterly about this, the girl reminds him, They saved your neck so "Don't be an ingrate." Salt in the ego wound.
Elsewhere the elite Hwarang are having a meal of their own. Yushin is being treated as a complete equal now, with respect and even gratitude for his corps' success. All except Seokpum, who's been tipping the wine cup back too far and still doesn't like what happened on the battlefield with the disobedience regarding killing the injured, and now the alcohol has loosened his tongue and he's spilling the whole story! It visibly alarms the other Hwarang, who have heard nothing about this. "My order was wrong," Archeon says, and disobeying it is what helped get us all back alive. And he reminds Seokpum about his promise to leave all this on the battlefield. "I'm just congratulating him, that's all," Seokpum says, referring to Yushin, but he's being smarmy and acting jealous, going on and on and even suggesting that the princess played favorites in granting the honors that the DFers received. That last bit is too much for Yushin, who stands up and argues back in anger (with a drunk guy? Yeah, that always works. Great move). Bojong, of all people, has heard enough and yells at both of them to stop. "All Hwarang belong to the princess," he reminds them. "Who's to say she's behind one more than another?" Well, that's baloney, but he's towing the company line. Or is he? He goes over to Yushin, pours him a drink, pours himself one, and then holds up his cup. "To all those who died in battle," he says, with a strangely intense look in his eye. "And to all those who lived. Especially Yushin." Very odd...but just then the princess arrives....
...apparently to summon Yushin, because now she's talking to him in her sitting room. She's grateful that he and his father made it back alive and feels bad that she was unable to do more to help them. There's a weird vibe whenever they talk, like she's almost smitten with him and like he's afraid of girls. Then we see her holding that medallion that she was going to give him before he left for battle, but didn't.
Again she didn't give it to him. He's left, and her attendant asks why she didn't. "You said you would if he made it back, after all." She just sits there smiling, replaying their conversation in her mind. Almost smitten.
Mishil's cabal is concerned about Kim Seohyeon's increasing power in the government. But Mishil herself? A surprising lack of concern. And even says, "Isn't it just like Seolwon from his younger years?" Wow. She tells her husband that he should hold a feast in Seohyeon's honor tonight. Weirder by the second. Can't do that tonight; tonight's a dinner for the Hwarang, but there's a hall for the generals next door to it and a meal will be served. Mishil looks pleased to hear that. Wonder why. She leaves, and Sejong, Seolwon and Hajong ponder why Mishil hasn't simply had Seohyeon bumped off a long time ago. Sejong ponders the possibility that Mishil has some larger plan working--something involving competing loyalties, perhaps. It would explain her relaxed attitude just now.
Bojong is trying to calm his angry father. Seolwon is so mad he just broke his cup in his hand, cutting his skin and bleeding noticeably. He's jealous! "Your mother has always had a weak spot for survivors," he fumes, and "I should have killed him in battle when I had a chance." Wow, for such a good strategic thinker, he sure is manipulated easily.
This apparently is the dinner for the generals. Mishil is hosting it, or at least is at the head of the table. She offers some legitimately complimentary words for all present, for their success. "Seolwon's brilliant strategy," she adds, and then, "Seohyeon's technical superiority." Obviously poking at Seolwon. What's great is Seohyeon's brief sideways glance, like this is not at all expected and he's not buying it. "Your words are gracious," he responds, "but we were lucky too." Mishil readily agrees with him. "A victory is not just achieved by skill alone. It takes luck." Another great glance from Seohyeon, and then just for a moment the most hilarious sour look of cynicism. Sejong is there and is just sitting silently with a smile on his face, knowing full well what Mishil is up to and watching her work.
Bojong is outside, meeting another Hwarang who we don't recognize. "The feast will be over in a few hours," he tells him. "That's when we act." Uh-oh.
At the Hwarang dinner: In a quiet dining area, Jukbang is reading palms. As in, hitting on the serving women by reading their palms. With that mysterious medical knowledge that he has, he seems to be able to discern things about different individuals' illnesses and health characteristics. One of the Green Dragon Hwarang is getting annoyed and tries to shut him up, but now Jukbang is evaluating him--accurately. Completely wins him over. He's one smooth talker.
Out in the main area, Deokman spots Yushin drinking by himself. She thanks him for saving her neck on the battlefield. He's still annoyed by her stubbornness, but she says she should speak up when things aren't right. They go on a bit about the futility of war, and Yushin complains, "Shilla nobles don't trust those of us from Gaya," but we still want Shilla to be victorious in wars because we're tired of defeat. Yushin goes on a bit about people wanting a leader who can inspire them, but frankly it's sounding more and more like the alcohol talking.
Misaeng runs up to Mishil and whispers something to her. It certainly agitates her; she rushes immediately off somewhere....
With increasingly slurred words, Yushin tells her that the princess has been looking out for her, and that "she said you were a big help to her at Manno Fortress. And thanks to you I'm now here in Seorabeol." This baffles Deokman--she didn't see any princess at Manno--but before she can get Yushin to explain, he's out like a light. And in the next moment, who shows up but Cheonmyeong wearing the monk's robe. She gets Deokman's attention and they scurry away to talk elsewhere.
"Are you out of your mind?!" Seolwon has caught Bojong setting up an attempt to kill Kim Seohyeon. Seolwon tells him that killing the man won't do any good, and then asks "Where is it?" As in, where will it take place. Bojong says that he gave the assignment to a Gayan Hwarang trainee who hates Seohyeon's family. Seolwon is angry with his son, but we learn that for Bojong this comes out of his feelings of failure for not assassinating Munno earlier. "Now I should do nothing while Seohyeon becomes your rival?" But now Mishil shows up, which shuts them both up. She angrily demands, "Where is this ridiculous plan of yours to take place?"
Happy banter between Deokman and the monk-princess. Then Deokman asks, "By chance to you know the princess?" Cheonmyeong is surprised at the question. "Why?" Well, not just because of what Yushin just told her, but also because she serves Yushin and Yushin serves the princess, so "I want to know what she's like--if she's a person I can serve." And whether or not serving her is worthy enough to give up her search for her own identity--"Worthy enough for me to forget about my mother."
We see Seohyeon and his aide walking through one of the capital's streets in the nighttime air, leading a horse. On the second floor of one of the nearby buildings, we see the Hwarang from earlier--drawing his bow! Seohyeon mounts his horse...
Seolwon and Bojong are running through the streets, searching urgently...and spot the assassin. Quickly Seolwon draws his own bow, and fires not at him, but at a lantern nearby. It startles the assassin, whose own arrow flies off target. The shot startles Seohyeon and he falls from the horse; the Hwarang leaps from the second story and runs away. Seolwon and Bojong approach Seohyeon: "There was a suspicious man, so we followed him." Seolwon orders Bojong to send the Hwarang after the man and then they rush off in supposed pursuit.
Cheonmyeong and Deokman are each alone now, thinking about their conversation. Then they each her shouts and see the frantic pursuit of someone. Lots of running back and forth. And then in the next moment, the would-be assassin is standing there in front of Deokman! We hear someone shouting, "He is wearing a trainee's outfit." They stare at each other for a stunned moment, and then the Hwarang grabs Deokman and hauls her into the street just as Seolwon and Bojong and the searchers are passing by! "This is the one," he says to Seolwon; "I captured him." Seolwon knows better, of course, but this may be a golden opportunity for all of them. Deokman just stands there confused and a little frightened.
Cheonmyeong returns home...and finds that her mother and father waiting for her. Bus-ted. Why are you out at this hour?, the king asks. "And dressed like that?" "It's not what it looks like," the princess answers, which only shows she's really, really bad at making up excuses. Her mother, with the freakish psychic power that mothers have, asks, "You're not...you didn't go to meet some Hwarang trainee?" Wow. Cheonmyeong tries to tell them that the person is just a friend and someone that her father knows, but Jinpyeong doesn't want to hear it and grounds her! Seriously? "You're not to leave your room."
Princess Manmyeong tells her son that Deokman was arrested for trying to kill his father. Yushin doesn't believe it for a moment. "I don't think so either," she says, "but we can't know for sure."
Next morning: At a council meeting, the king is told of the attempt on Seohyeon's life. By a "trainee" (I'm confused; I thought they were full-fledged Hwarang now) from the corps of Seohyeon's son. That doesn't make sense to the king, nor to Councilor Eulje. Mishil tells the king that this requires a full investigation. And that "doubtless he had an accomplice." Turns out, people saw a female monk running from the scene of the capture. But not a monk wearing local dress. Possibly a spy? Goguryeo once dressed a spy in a monk's robe. Mishil's flunkies on the council try to push this along--"reports of spies who disguise as monks are increasing," that sort of thing--and Mishil says she's ordered a search for the person. And as the king sits there trying to take this all in, the question becomes, Is he a dimwit or can he put the pieces together?
Yes he can! "Was this trainee you met a Dragon Guard?" He's headed straight to his daughter, who's surprised by the spot-on question. He tells her of the assassination attempt and the trainee's arrest. Her mother adds, "even as we speak, they're looking for the female monk who assisted him. They're looking for you!" Cheonmyeong knows that Deokman isn't the culprit and wants to put an immediate stop to it--but that's not going to be so easy. "You plan to come forward and admit you've been meeting him at night?" That wouldn't reflect well on her reputation, to put it mildly. Cheonmyeong, to her credit, is more concerned about Deokman's fate. But the king isn't. "On top of that," he says, "we have no way of knowing if he is a real spy." She's still grounded.
Yushin is before Seolwon and Seohyeon, asking to see Deokman and assuring them that "He is definitely not the type to do such a thing." Not until the interrogation is finished, Seolwon says. Yikes.
"Once again. Where did you get your orders?" Deokman is being tortured. She denies involvement, but doesn't explain why she was in the area or who the monk was who was with her. "Beat the truth out of him!"
"Father, you know Deokman. Do you think he could do this?" Yushin is pressing them. Seolwon counters, "Do you have evidence that he's not a Baekje spy?" And continues, "He was working with the rebels in Manno County. How much do you really know about him? He may have fooled you too." But Seohyeon does ask Seolwon to relent and allow Yushin to see Deokman.
Cheonmyeong has tried to get a letter to Yushin...but the king's attendant brings it back to her. No dice. He's sorry, but orders is orders. Now what?
Yushin goes into the torture yard to see Deokman. He asks her point-blank, and she assures him she's not a spy and wasn't the assassin. And the nun? She's reluctant to say, but he presses her and finally she says, "She's an old friend. We met in Manno." And she can't possibly be involved in this either. Yushin demands her name and residence. "Chiljung Temple. Her name's Chiun."
The other DFers are gossiping about the news like a quilting circle. Some of them don't entirely dismiss it, and Jukbang scolds them. "You went into battle with Deokman, and now you doubt him?" Besides, he tells them, "I saw the whole thing!" What? Is he just running his mouth or did he actually see it? And that's just become a much bigger question because Yushin has walked in and heard him.
And now we find out. Turns out Jukbang had snuck back to pay a call on Samwol, the serving-woman he was flirting with at dinner. He didn't come forward because he was afraid of being caught with a palace maiden. But now Jukbang tells Yushin exactly what we saw, even providing the name Hwajung as the Hwarang who grabbed Deokman. And that he had seen Deokman with the monk, and for some weird reason they were talking about the princess. Which baffles Yushin for a moment, until he remembers what Deokman had just told him, and he starts having flashbacks to Manno County. Something clicks. He runs away somewhere in a big hurry.
He runs to see the princess. The king's attendant is there and tells him that "She's a little under the weather" and can't see anyone. Whether or not Yushin believes this, he's in no position to argue.
Jukbang is willing to testify, even though he'll get in trouble. But Yushin dismisses the offer, rightly pointing out that another Dragon Guard's testimony won't be worth much. So now what? Deokman will die, that's what. Mishil and Seolwon will assume custody after the investigation, and "Ever see someone survive one of their trials?" So now everything seems to hinge upon finding that female monk. Yushin has an idea....
Seokpum tells Bojong that Yushin has found the monk! "Someone named Mugwang from Unheung Temple." (Not true. Hmmm.....) We see Hwajung there with them. The Dragon Guards, we learned, headed for that temple to take custody of the monk, and about now should be returning home. Bojong reasons, "They'll have to cross Toham mountain on the way back." So...?
Nighttime: We can barely make out the silhouettes--a DFer escorting someone in a female monk's robe through the wooded countryside. From a nearby bush, Hwajung draws his bow and aims at the robed figure. In the next moment, a sword is at his throat. It's Yushin's. They've caught the culprit. And in the robe, it was Jukbang. Admittedly scared, but not too scared to ask, "I look pretty, don't I?" He even stuffed his shirt for the role of a woman. (So I guess you could say it was a successful bust.)
Cheonmyeong has been refusing to eat. The king's attendant arrives to try to change her mind...but when he enters her chambers, she's gone. Tied some cloths together and they're dangling off her balcony. Everybody panics and scampers away to find her. And then her closet door opens and she steps out! And walks out the door. Very clever.
Now everybody's at the torture yard: Mishil, Seolwon, Seohyeon, Seokpum, Bojong. "I didn't do it," Deokman says, weak from the torture; "I don't know anything." But once again, she won't say why she was at that spot or who the monk was, only that they're both innocent. Then the DFers arrive. Seolwon asks, "Have you brought the nun to verify her story?" Couldn't find her, Yushin answers..."Actually, we didn't look for her." Huh? "The nun story was a ruse, sir." Doink! "As we escorted a fake monk through the woods, an archer tried to kill her." A bound Hwajung is brought forward. Yushin confronts him: "You thought we had a witness so you tried to kill her, didn't you?" And then the real topper: the arrow that Hwajung aimed at Jukbang. "The same type of arrow used in the assassination attempt on Kim Seohyeon." Great bit of detective work (and sloppy work by Hwajung for not altering his ammo.) Yushin pulls out his sword and holds it to Hwajung's throat, completely unaware that he's surrounded by people who know the whole story. "Ready to confess? Who gave you your orders?" Hwajung looks at Mishil, and nods. "Since the days of old Gaya I swore vengeance against Kim Mulyuk, starting with his son Kim Seohyeon." (Which is likely true, from what we heard earlier.) "That's why I tried to kill him. But luck wasn't with me. And now it's over." And with that, he somehow throws himself onto Yushin's drawn sword and falls dead! Mishil looks around, and seems satisfied that this has all been put to rest and a potentially huge problem has been averted. But now here comes Cheonmyeong running unescorted into the yard. And for the first time, Deokman gets a good look at the princess' face.