A Shocking Death
Yangmyung makes a big decision in episode 14 of Lovers of the Red Sky. He grabs the knife and stabs Ha-Ram in the back. This act of violence will have a significant impact on Ha-Ram’s future and could lead to his execution.
With everyone watching, a brilliant white light emerges from the demon and blasts Yangmyung back. Now, the divine sword that’s wedged in Ha-Ram’s back has done enough to seal the demon back inside Ha-Ram, subsequently healing the fatal wound and stopping him from causing havoc across the palace. ..
Prince Juhyang is livid and looks set to strike. Only, assassins suddenly race in and grab Ha-Ram helping to get him out in one piece before the Prince can strike. Juhyang does manage to knock off an arrow but instead of hitting Ha-Ram it looks set to strike Cheon-Ki. Only, Tiger Spirit jumps in and stops the arrow, saving the pair.
Juhyang and Ha-Ram are in hiding, while Wol Seon is stuck in a weakened state. Juhyang and Ha-Ram decide to get another royal portrait done, but something’s missing from the ceremony. Wol Seon realizes this and decides to search for her shaman powers. Unfortunately, she’s lost them after a blow from the demon. She’s pretty useless for what’s to follow.
Yangmyung is sent into exile after being blamed for the death of his father. He’s forced to live in a remote location with no food or water, but he still follows his own interests. Eventually, he becomes insane and shuts down the Painter’s Society. Juhyang rewards him with 10 yang of silver for his actions.
Prince Juhyang tries to edge Cheon-Ki out of hiding by having Cheon-Ki’s father out, arrested but via the marketplace.
Mae-Hyang arrives first at the trap and warns Cheon-Ki before Ha-Ram can warn her. Cheon-Ki hurries off alone to the marketplace to find her father. ..
Cheon-Ki inevitably walks right into Juhyang’s trap, who brings her in to the palace and demands that she draw the King’s portrait for him again. “Do not drive a nail in your coffin” He rasps, as Juhyang uses Cheon-Ki’s father as collateral damage to incentivize her. And if that wasn’t enough, Mi-So shows and reminds her that the Red Moon is coming in a few days and she needs to be done by then. Mi-Soo is curious about her eyes, realizing that she has the Demon’s, setting to work in trying to use this to her advantage. Cheon-Ki walks into Juhyang’s trap and he uses her father as collateral damage to incentivize her. Mi-So shows and reminds her that the Red Moon is coming soon and she needs to be done by then. ..
That evening, Ha-Ram and his associates try to break into and escape with Cheon-Ki and her father. Unfortunately Juhyang was prepared for this and stops them in the courtyard.
With an arrow drawn, Juhyang strikes Cheon-Ki’s father straight in the back. Although Cheon-Ki and her father manage to get away, Mooyeong stays behind and sacrifices himself to buy them some time.
Sadly, Cheon-Ki’s father dies. His final, dying breath; “Don’t paint the King’s portrait, you’ve suffered enough. You must survive, even when I’m not around.” He says, before passing away.
Juhyang has all the Painter’s Society lined up on their knees. Publicly, he intends to execute them all. But for what crime? Well, following Yangmyung and Cheon-Ki. In fact, Juhyang claims that Yangmyung has been creating counterfeit portraits all this time because he wanted to be a Crown Prince. The other officials aren’t sure but they agree to go along with him all the same.
When Cheon-Ki finds out what’s about to happen, she’s distraught and is adamant that she needs to save the painters. If anything happens them they’ll blame themselves and believe it’s their noble duty. Ha-Ram though knows this is all a play to bring Cheon-Ki out. After telling her to stay put, Ha-Ram heads out following a letter to meet the King in secret. He’s alive!
The Episode Review
Juhyang is angry over the failed Sealing Ceremony and is determined to get the demon inside him. This power play ties into Juhyang’s desire to be the king. With Seongjo presumed to be out of commission, it gives him the perfect opportunity to exert his power. But yet, the King is still alive and now that he’s awake, it would appear as if Juhyang’s claim to power is over.
This episode has been quite harrowing for our protagonist, as the painters were captured and Cheon-Ki’s father was killed. It seems that Cheon-Ki has actually gone off and faced Juhyang herself, but we’ll have to wait and see what next week brings us.
The finale of " demon " features a lot of action and suspense, as the show’s characters continue to fight for their lives. The next week will have a lot to tell us about what happens in that final chapter.
