With Seo Yul (Hwang Min-hyun) recovered, Jin Mu (Jo Jae-yoon) desperate to retain the Crown Prince’s loyalty, and Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook) determined to protect those close to him, Alchemy of Souls is setting up for a grand finish. Episode 7 wasn’t too exciting, with the majority of proceedings dedicated to the removal of Yul’s blood parasite, but with a number of plot points now progressed, things could well imminently heat up as we head towards the final three chapters.
Episode 7
After Jang Uk quells the Cheonbugwan mages, forcing Yeom-su to admit Jin Mu created the blood parasite now inside of Seo Yul, we watch as the Gwanju worries upon hearing of what’s happened. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that the genius mage is in critical condition, potentially signaling war between Songrim and Cheonbugwan.
As it’s established by Heo Yeom that the blood parasite cannot be removed from Seo Yul while he’s alive (additionally, if the genius mage dies, it’s said General Seo will head to the capital to figure out the cause of the “abrupt death”), the Queen rejects a request to dissuade Seo Il from starting any conflict. Elsewhere, Dang-gu pledges to support Jang Uk, who has traveled to Cheonbugwan, on behalf of Songrim, whereas Park Jin decides he’ll pay a personal visit.
While Jin Mu wishes to summon the Unanimous Assembly to plead Cheonbugwan’s innocence, the Crown Prince attempts to stop Jang Uk from his one-man mission to kill the Gwanju. “I do not want all your hard work to come to no avail,” the royal explains, desiring the monster hunter avoids recklessly killing others just to get to Jin Mu. Eventually, the adversaries see eye-to-eye enough, thanks to the Crown Prince’s candidness in admitting he realizes Jang Uk’s “grief, hatred, and rage” is directed at him, in addition to Park Jin’s appearance. There is one demand made by Uk, though, that Jin Mu must be brought to him.
Despite his reluctance to accept responsibility for what happened to Seo Yul, Jin Mu has more pressing matters to worry about when the Crown Prince informs him he will need to find a way to deal with the blood parasite or risk facing Jang Uk. Concurrently, Park Jin is sent back to Songrim to be by Seo Yul’s side, with Uk vowing to find a way to save his friend.
Following the advice of the Unanimous Assembly, who wish to prevent war, Jin Mu begs Ho-gyeong to help him. This tactic proves fruitless but ominous words on a “shared demise,” as well as royal intervention, mean Jinyowon’s leader does end up agreeing to assist the Gwanju. Following that, Jin Mu apologizes to Jang Uk for the “deep understanding,” and Ho-gyeong swallows her pride, reluctantly inviting the monster hunter to Jinyowon so the cure for Seo Yul’s ills can be shared. Additionally, a promise is made that if Yul dies, so too will the Gwanju.
As an apologetic Bu-yeon regains more memories when touching Seo Yul, adding confusion to her regret in not telling others about his condition, Ho-gyeong tells Jang Uk and Park Jin that the firebird can be used to save the genius mage. However, in return for her help, Jinyowon’s leader wants her eldest daughter to return home.
Later, Heo Yeom assigns the roles for the “dangerous” task of using the firebird to rid Seo Yul of the blood parasite within him. Dang-gu is to fetch Cho-yeon (they need the blood of someone in the Jin family), Park Jin will assure General Seo about the situation, and Jang Uk will enter Jinyowon alongside the Crown Prince. Though the two enemies cannot fight when there, given doing so would cause the world to “go down in flames.”
Unfortunately, Jang Uk chooses not to heed the words of Park Jin, who suggested he should find a way to save both Seo Yul and Bu-yeon. As such, he subtly informs his partner she will need to depart, obviously affected by her insistence she wants to help out for the sake of Yul, her friend.
To account for any risks (neither Seo Yul nor the firebird can be moved from their respective locations, and the relic cannot have its barrier broken), Heo Yeom puts forward an intricate plan. First, a water wick connected to the genius mage’s lantern of life will be used to lure the blood parasite. Then, this will be placed in Cho-yeon’s mouth before she heads to Jinyowon to retrieve the energy of the firebird. At the same time, Jang Uk will need to expand the relic’s barrier by recreating energy equal in value to 30,000 nyang of gold, thus allowing them to go inside. It’s a solid plan, yet there is one change. Bu-yeon has to take the place of Cho-yeon because the latter has the potential to be pregnant.
With the remainder of Seo Yul’s energy inside the water wick alongside the blood parasite, Bu-yeon travels to Jinyowon, unable to open her mouth or swallow. Here, the priestess ends up realizing the true identity of the Crown Prince too, who is equally shocked at who she is. Elsewhere, Jin Mu hopes the royal isn’t lying when saying he is saving Seo Yul to save him.
In time, the blood parasite releases Seo Yul’s torrent of energy and is expelled from the body of Bu-yeon. Following that, the genius mage has his water wick returned, enabling him to regain his pulse. Then, Bu-yeon upsettingly leaves to return home, adamant she is going back to Jinyowon due to her own will, but evidently disappointed in Jang Uk’s own firm stance that he will not miss his partner.
While Jin Mu shockingly reveals to the Crown Prince that Jang Uk is the son of the late King, asking for the royal’s permission to send the monster hunter “far away,” Cho-yeon is tasked with preparing her sister’s room. Concurrently, Jang Uk fails to convince himself Bu-yeon belongs away from him and finds himself worrying about Ho-Gyeong putting a tracking thread inside her again, in addition to reflecting on their unlikely relationship.
Awake after three days unconscious, the recovering Seo Yul is shocked to discover both that So-i died and that the blood parasite has been removed from him. Moreover, the genius mage finds himself intrigued by the fact Master Lee took care of Bu-yeon for three years, so he states he must know her well. Later, Seo Yul is blunter about things, resulting in him being told to “feign ignorance.” Continuing, Master Lee reveals that Naksu’s soul will cease to exist once Bu-yeon’s properly awakens.
As Lady Heo reads a letter that contains information on Bu-yeon being Naksu, Jang Uk finds himself irritated by the flickering of the Jinyowon lantern left in his room. So he goes to look for her, evidently wanting to take the priestess back once more. Fortunately, Bu-yeon ends up appearing before Jang Uk once his unsuccessful search for her is complete, meaning the monster hunter gets a chance to explain that his purpose for his wife was to have her take the ice stone out of him.
Frustrated when Jang Uk states he would’ve died again had the ice stone been removed from his body, Bu-yeon handwaves a gratuitous apology in favor of exclaiming that she had “better not ever” see the monster hunter again.
But the priestess instantly calms when Uk details how he “pines” for her when the lantern relic is turned off, and an emotional kiss between the pair brings an end to the episode.
Episode 8
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 (Credit – Netflix)
When their passionate kiss is interrupted by the energy of Uk’s ice stone being felt by Bu-yeon, the couple decides they genuinely wish to be together. As such, the pair need to find a way to convince Ho-gyeong to let her eldest daughter stay away from home.
Uk is confident he can, happily practicing his marriage request routine in front of Bu-yeon, but worries soon arise when the monster hunter recalls his previously terse experiences with Jinyowon’s leader. Thus, the priestess decides she will first return home, then attempt to talk with her mother about the situation once she is put “at ease.”
In the midst of her sweet request to have her partner “secretly visit” while she’s away, Bu-yeon again stuns Jang Uk, this time with her exclamation that “from the moment” she first saw him, she knew he was her husband.
It’s far too close to a phrase Uk had previously used about Naksu being his master – evidenced by the fact it also causes the priestess to regain more memories – and the scene ends with an intriguing line on how this time, Bu-yeon has “recognized” her partner first.
As Lady Heo hears that Seo Yul has decided to take responsibility for his life being saved in exchange for Bu-yeon’s return home, the medic becomes curious as to why the genius mage didn’t mention the priestess is Naksu. Elsewhere, Jang Uk tells Park Jin and Maidservant Kim that he will do whatever he can to quell Ho-gyeong’s hatred, so she can be convinced to let him wed her daughter.
Acting tensely, Seo Yul bluntly tells Bu-yeon he’s not sure her staying with Jang Uk is good for the couple, considering they’ll cause each other pain. Additionally, the genius says the priestess would not consider him a friend if she “knew what I had planned to do at Danhyanggok.” When pressed about his upset attitude though, Yul does admit he’s hurting, deflated by the fact he knows someone he has “cherished for a long time” will soon disappear.
At that point, Bu-yeon regains more memories, and she is subsequently encouraged to travel to Danhyanggok to discover her true identity, in addition to the reasons why she and Jang Uk will cause each other pain. Still, the priestess wishes to do no such pilgrimage despite her friend’s offer of help before we cut to see Lady Heo eavesdropping in the background.
While Jang Uk is told to bring his gold plaque to a meeting with the Crown Prince, Seo Yul visits the body of So-i. Here, the genius mage is touched by the swindler’s retention of the umbrella he once gifted her, in addition to her words on how he made the world “seem clean and bright,” so states he will attend her funeral.
Concurrently, Bu-yeon ponders whether she should head to Danhyanggok, only to appear far less motivated upon seeing the scar given to Jang Uk by Naksu, not wishing to regain any more of the assassin’s memories.
Next, Seo Yul visits Ho-gyeong, and tells her he will help Naksu should she wish to live alongside Jang Uk. Jinyowon’s leader is enraged by this, responding by saying she would then have no reason to keep the assassin alive, but she wavers when hearing Master Lee had told the genius mage that Bu-yeon’s soul would soon return to her body. “Just let her stay where she wants, with the person she wants to be with, for a while,” Yul says, evidently wanting Naksu to have what she desires up until the moment her soul is expelled from the body of Ho-gyeong’s eldest daughter.
Understanding the Crown Prince knows his birth history and seemingly not wishing to fight the royal over the gold plaque, Jang Uk agrees to become general of the North Fortress. This particularly pleases Jin Mu, who believes the monster hunter, much like Park Jin, is “restrained by justice.”
Still, as we see, Jang Uk is actually asking Songrim’s former leader for support if he is to engage in any conflict, insisting his actions have been born out of “careful deliberation” and with a knowledge of what he must protect.
Consumed by curiosity, Lady Heo takes Bu-yeon to the Dark Forest and splashes her with medicine, looking to reveal the signs of a soul shifter. However, Seo Yul intervenes before the blue marks proving Naksu’s existence can be exposed, then sends the priestess away so he can set things straight with the reckless physician. Nevertheless, Bu-yeon later ends up seeing the blue marks of the shadow assassin in her own reflection, causing her to both regain memories and wonder if she is her.
Traveling to Danhyanggok, Bu-yeon stands in front of the large tree she vividly remembers. There, her remaining memories come flooding back, and she confirms to herself she is Naksu. Though no time for reflection is allowed, as the soul of a younger Bu-yeon appears, explaining to the assassin she will soon have to leave the body she is in.
Distraught, Bu-yeon sits alone for hours until Jang Uk arrives to greet her. Naturally, this ends up an unhappy reunion, one where the guilt-riddled priestess cuts ties with the monster hunter based on her painful regained memories. Yet even worse, Bu-yeon was so cryptic with her words during the breakup, Uk is led to believe her explanation of the “man I deeply care for” is not him.
As Bu-yeon returns to Jinyowon, telling Cho-yeon she wanted to live in a place familiar to her and away from others, Jang Uk prepares to leave for the North Fortress, his mission being to bring the “same kind of peace and stability” to Daeho that Seo Gyeong brought to Seoho.
In the meantime, the Crown Prince will protect Daeho alongside Cheonbugwan as they prepare for the lake’s rite to pray for rain. Elsewhere, Ho-gyeong realizes Naksu’s soul is still in her daughter’s body.
Unable to bear how much he is missing Bu-yeon, Jang Uk secretly visits her one last time prior to his departure for the North Fortress. Here, the monster hunter emotionally tries in vain to get answers on who the person the priestess “deeply cares for” is, though he does get a chance to sincerely express his love for her and state that he will wait for Bu-yeon to miss him, then return “sooner than expected.”
Next, Seo Yul reflects on Master Lee’s words, procrastinating on the knowledge that Jang Uk has the power of Hwansu, and will soon “agonize” over whether to expel Bu-yeon’s soul from her body to keep Naksu’s there. Meanwhile, we see Lee Cheol has discovered the “sacred” turtle with “the energy of the Black Tortoise” discarded by Jin Mu, acknowledging it is ready to help another person “find their way.”
As the Crown Prince tells Jin Mu he will give him his support, excited at the prospect of becoming as powerful as Jang Uk, Park Jin correctly predicts “uproar” now the general public has seen the fire bird earthenware wash up on Lake Gyeongcheondaeho.
Most pleased with this is the Gwanju, who knows this panic will help him use the Unanimous Assembly in the lake’s rite. Additionally, Jin Mu gets the Crown Prince to help him continue importing his earthenware, which will in turn aid in his quest to claim Jinyowon for himself.
Helping her outraged mother, who has found out a Jinyowon priestess will not be dancing at the lake’s rite, Bu-yeon heads over with the area’s plaque which allows them to defy royal orders, wanting to convene with the Gwanju she clearly remembers now. Though what actually occurs is far more complex.
Upon arriving with the once-discarded turtle, Bu-yeon insists on proving her divine powers can keep Jinyowon’s plaque safe (meaning the coveted item isn’t confiscated). As such, she is tasked with fetching the plaque within a day from inside Gwido, a prison used to hold those who performed sorcery, which was created by Jin Seol-ran.
Accompanied by her turtle, Bu-yeon enters a life-threatening environment. Here, she follows her animal, hoping it’ll lead her to the plaque, only to end up attacked by a wraith before she can claim a blue orb.
Surprisingly though, Jang Uk is on hand to protect the priestess, subsiding the threat facing his love efficiently. Yet he soon becomes more concerned with who Bu-yeon really is, and the episode ends with Uk questioning his partner upon noticing the blue marks in her eyes.
Episode 9
Alchemy of Souls Season 2 (Credit – Netflix)
As Bu-yeon all but confirms her soul is Naksu’s, the Crown Prince arrives to check up on the priestess. Once Jang Uk has assured the royal of her condition, he turns his attention to his partner, who he informs should keep her detectable blue marks guarded while he figures out what to do with her. “Only I am allowed to come this close,” he bluntly says, making sure Bu-yeon is aware of how things are going to be. Elsewhere, Master Lee relieves Ho-gyeong with news that her powerful eldest daughter will be fine in Gwido.
In Gwido, Jang Uk finds an ice stone that “desires to absorb human energy like a soul shifter that has run wild.” The Crown Prince realises this item must have belonged to a member of the Choi family who held “deep resentment” towards Jin Seol-ran, hence why the wraith attacked Bu-yeon when she sought it out.
Following this, it’s established both that the Jinyowon priestess summoned her two allies to save her and that the royal is actually working alongside Jang Uk to expose (then subsequently dispose of) Jin Mu’s secret organisation of soul shifters.
Next, some flashback scenes offer necessary context, such as: Jang Uk teaming up with the Crown Prince over a discarded turtle, the monster hunter purposefully avoiding travelling to the North Fortress, Songrim gaining access to where Jin Mu was allowed to place his earthenware, the Gwanju is planning to attack Jinyowon (they’re without their plaque & Bu-yeon) to claim the fire bird. Back in the present, Bu-yeon believes the true soul of the Jinyowon priestess must’ve intervened, using her divine powers to allow the Crown Prince and Jang Uk into Gwido.
While Master Lee floats around the idea of Ho-gyeong’s eldest daughter being Jin Seol-ran because she was saved by the ice stone made for the late priestess, he also wonders if Naksu went to Gwido to disappear upon the retrieval of her body’s divine powers.
Concurrently, the Crown Prince has a heart-to-heart with Bu-yeon, about his relationship with Jang Uk, and his past romantic desire for the shadow assassin the monster hunter had by his side. “That is why whenever I think of her (Naksu), I feel ashamed of myself, and I feel painful remorse,” the royal adds, a statement which allows him to be told he should “let go” once the pain has persisted long enough.
Continuing, Seo Yul presents Heo Yeom with a potion used in sorcery to help with divination (he found it in So-i’s belongings). Park Jin alleges the Queen was fed Shaman Choi’s concoction, whereas the genius mage proposes he looks into the medicine’s potential Cheonbugwan origins.
Here, Yul discovers the potion caused people to hear bells and “go insane,” and receives hints that Naksu once consumed it. The bitter Queen, however, is no help, instead favouring a lecture on her beliefs in the alchemy of souls being permitted to allow for “everlasting power.”
When Seo Yul decides he wants to reveal the truth about Naksu being a victim of Jin Mu, Park Jin reminds the genius that Uk’s burden isn’t that he needs to make up for Mu-deok’s wrongdoings, but rather the fact he holds the power the Gwanju craves.
Meanwhile, the monster hunter appears to have figured out that Bu-yeon is Naksu, and the Crown Prince explains to his priestess acquaintance that all of the secret organisation must be “annihilated” to end Jin Mu’s greed.
Despite acknowledging the fight he’ll partake in is right, Jang Uk wonders if he should stay in Gwido with Bu-yeon, knowing she is Naksu yet not wanting to confirm. Teary-eyed, the priestess accepts the pair could do this, though admits it would be wrong, “no matter the justification or excuse.”
Elsewhere, Dang-gu is sent to defend Jinyowon, and Seo Yul is dispatched to stop the Cheonbugwan officials outside the secret room with the help of Sang-ho. Additionally, Park Jin heads to the palace to talk with the King once the “battle” begins at sunset.
At Cheonbugwan, Jin Mu tells the secret organisation of his plan to recreate the sky of 200 years ago when the world was dry, an event which will leave the ice stone in their hands. “We will live in a world where the strong gain greater power, and continue to rule forever,” the Gwanju then determinedly states to his motivated soul shifters.
As the Crown Prince tells Jin Mu he will show him the power of strength that comes from protecting things, his allies arrive. Thus, when the royal confirms he plans to confront the Gwanju who “underestimated” him, Jang Uk enters the secret room, isolating his adversary while battling 78 soul shifters. It’s impressive stuff, but in between the fighting is a genuinely intriguing point made about Jin Mu’s reluctance to become a monster himself, perhaps out of fear he’d run wild.
Nevertheless, Jang Uk doesn’t plan on killing Jin Mu, instead putting Cheonbugwan’s leader inside Gwido using the temptation of an ice stone. There, the Gwanju is greeted by Bu-yeon, who herself cynically offers assistance in having the villain harness the power of his newly acquired item.
This is because, as mentioned earlier, the ice stone is empty, intent only on feasting upon Jin Mu’s energy. Ultimately, the Gwanju is left to die, taunted by the person he recognises as Naksu.
While Jang Uk collapses, Park Jin tells the King of Jin Mu’s fate (as well as the deaths of the soul shifters in the secret organisation), leaving His Majesty concerned that Songrim will now challenge the throne and the Unanimous Assembly. Concurrently, the Queen becomes irate at the idea she will forever live in her current body, so she demands Yun-o finds a solution.
During her reflections on staying alone in Gwido until her soul disappears, Naksu is granted a coincidental opportunity to leave the prison she’s trapped in when the Jinyowon plaque washes up on the shore. This is thanks to the turtle with the energy of the black tortoise, which “found a path” for the priestess.
In this scene, Master Lee theorises that Jin Seol-ran has been protecting the ice stone and “chose” Jang Uk and Bu-yeon.
As Seo Yul tells a returning Naksu that it was Jin Mu’s fault she rampaged three years ago, trying in vain to get the assassin to absolve herself of blame so she can remain where she is, Jang Uk wishes Maidservant Kim the best for her upcoming wedding, which he cannot attend due to his imminent departure to the North Fortress for the sake of the King.
After Jang Uk accepts he cannot be with Naksu, despite her approaching death, we cut to the Unanimous Assembly. Here, Bu-yeon proves her powers and clears up what happened with Jin Mu.
Yet doing so only causes complications, given the priestess is subsequently tasked with removing Jang Uk’s ice stone, even though it would kill him. Meanwhile, Yun-o enters Gwido alongside the Queen, hoping to figure out how to perform the alchemy of souls.
In time, Jang Uk is subtly asked to acknowledge the existence of Naksu, meaning he now has to slay her. The monster hunter’s anger in this request shocks the Unanimous Assembly, however, who can’t quite believe his abrupt insistence on ending the discussion they’re having.
Arriving at Naksu’s location, Jang Uk is upset by her emotional words declaring that she has let him go and is no longer his “merciless master.” So he embraces the assassin, allowing the two to take in the time they have left.
Elsewhere, Yun-o and the Queen press Jin Mu for an answer on the last Soul Ejector’s location, only to hear it’s “inside of the blood of the mage of the Choi family who created it in the first place.” Realising this means it’s inside her when it’s too late, Her Royal Highness has her energy drained, and the Gwanju opts to shift souls with Yun-o.
As Jang Uk lovingly kisses Naksu, perhaps for the final time, the King is greeted by the body of Yun-o, which now houses Jin Mu’s soul. Smugly, the fresh-bodied Gwanju greets His Majesty and the Unanimous Assembly (who had all been promised power from Cheonbugwan’s leader) before the episode ends with Jang Uk’s shocking discovery of coffins.
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