Cupid’s Arrow
Jang-Uk is given his new uniform andWelcome into Songrim and Jeongjingak. He’s a mage now, and he has also acquired his own Spirit Plaque. Jang-Uk has access to everything here, including the Book of Regulations which he must adhere to or suffer a nasty punishment.
As part of the celebrations, there’s a big party where the inhabitants are encouraged to drink. Outside, Master Heo hands over a Raisin tree pill to Park Jin, encouraging him to eat his before the festivities. At least that way it’ll give them an edge and they can keep up with the drinking. Funnily enough though, so too do Mu-Deok and Jang-Uk.
Jin-Mu continues to scheme, determined to get his hands on the ice stone. He needs more power, but for now he’s going to bide his time.
Yul ends up at a party with some friends. Mu-Deok, who is also there, offers to take him home. Yul instead tells her he’s gone astray and now doesn’t know what to do. Mu-Deok encourages him to focus on just one thing - her - and let her guide him.
It was a really beautiful chat and it ended with Yul picking her a flower as a token of his gratitude and heading back home.
As they walk away, Master Hemp Lee and Maidservant Kim share a moment of intimacy that is quickly overshadowed by the party’s festivities. The chaste herb tea may not be the answer, but Master Lee tries to convince himself that it is.
Sun-I, Heo Yun-Ok’s assistant, is the last woman to accuse Jang-Uk of following them. She seems to have taken a fancy to him and dreamily wonders if she’ll ever see him again.
After their previous fight, tensions are high between Crown Prince Jang-Uk and Jang-Uk’s rival, Jang-Uk. The latter shows up and keeps his guard up as the Crown Prince offers him some alcohol. He also tells Jang-Uk that he is the best mage he’s seen. Jang-Uk drinks the alcohol and in exchange, pours a bowl for the Crown Prince and hopes that he will become a great leader one day. There is clear respect between the two as applause grips the hall. ..
In the wake of all the festivities, we get a look at a mysterious mage who shows up from a boat, blindfolded, claiming to be Mu-Deok’s “friend”. After stealing from the other passengers, she makes her way to the fortress and appears to have the Jinyowon emblem on her clothes. She’s turned away (After slapping one of the guards in the face and promising she’s “gone easy” on him because she hasn’t used her energy.) The guard feeds back that Jinyowon may be sniffing around.
Jang-Uk is drunk and separated from Mu-Deok, so Songrim needs to watch over him.
Yul decides to stay with Mu-Deok, offering an umbrella and words of encouragement. As for Mu-Deok, she’s determined to gain entry to Songrim no matter what.
Jang-Uk learns that Mu-Deok isn’t around and instead, he’s greeted by Sun-i. Heading out, he tracks down Heo Yun-Ok and takes her aside, pleading with the young lady not to mention anything about the soul shifter he fought from before. She also happens to be Heo Yeom’s granddaughter. ..
Meanwhile, Mu-Deok goes on the hunt for a Spirit Plaque to try and bust into Songrim. Unfortunately, she comes unstuck in her mission. She is approached by Maidservant Kim in the midst of this though, who reveals that Jang-Uk is in love with Lady Heo. He’s not, of course, as we cut back to Jang-Uk one more time, who comments to himself how much he misses Mu-Deok. ..
The Episode Review
With Jang-Uk now inside Songrim, the attention shifts to a big celebration for his accomplishments and the arrival of romance into this tale. In fact, this is the episode that really starts to double down on the crushes and potential pairings, with everyone from the Crown Prince to Maidservant Kim being struck with Cupid’s arrow. It certainly makes for a nice change of pace, and although there isn’t much in terms of plot development this time around, it’s clear that this chapter is being used as a bridge for bigger things to come in the future. ..
The show has a decent balance of genres, and the cinematography is gorgeous throughout. Quite what Jin-Mu has planned though, and who will pair up with whom, remains to be seen. However, this certainly sets the foundation for what should be a dramatic follow-up chapter.
