Eps. 41
As the rumor that Ju Mong will be taken to Han as a hostage spreads throughout the palace, Geum Wa, Yu Hwa, O Yi, Ma Ri, Hyeop Bo, and Ye So Ya are plunged into grief. But they are unable to devise a feasible alternative. Bu Deuk Bul observes to Dae So that it would be safer to keep Ju Mong inside the palace than to send him to Han, where he could pose a greater threat, and recommends that he send Young Po instead.
When Young Po learns that there has been talk of sending him to Han as a hostage, he becomes infuriated and seeks out Bu Deuk Bul. He warns Bu Deuk Bul that the latter will soon pay the price for disdaining him. Young Po and Do Chi secretly gather a group of fighters and train them rigorously in order to overthrow Dae So. O Yi, Ma Ri, and Hyeop Bo watch from afar and inform Ju Mong of the fact. Recalling what Young Po once said to him, Ju Mong leaps to his feet and goes looking for Young Po.
Eps. 42
Thanks to Ju Mong’s aid, Dae So barely escapes with his life from the threat posed by Young Po’s rebellion. Unable to suppress his anger, he kills Do Chi and Han Dang with a single stroke and aims his sword at Young Po’s throat.
Han sends an envoy to escort Ju Mong, who is the hostage for Bu Yeo’s security. Ju Mong prepares to leave Bu Yeo, but O Yi, Ma Ri, and Hyeop Bo volunteer to accompany him to Han. Yu Hwa advises her son that it would be best to go through with his wedding to Ye So Ya and go with her. Meanwhile, So Seo No learns that Chae Ryeong has been in league with Song Yang. She goes to Chae Ryeong and warns him that she will not stand by and watch if such a thing ever happens again...
Eps. 43
Hearing that Ju Mong is inviting the heads of tribes and merchant bands to his wedding, Woo Tae is thrown briefly into distress. However, So Seo No declares that she will attend in order to shake off the bonds of her past relationship with Ju Mong.
Ju Mong professes his intention to send the expatriated refugees to Han as slaves. Shocked by his dramatic change, O Yi, Ma Ri, and Hyeop Bo bid farewell to Ju Mong.
Meanwhile, Ju Mong leads the troops from Han, Jin Beon, and Im Doon in hunting down refugees. At this complete turnaround in Ju Mong’s attitude, even the Queen begins to have doubts...
Eps. 44
Surveying the refugee camp under the guidance of the guards, Ju Mong, O Yi, Ma Ri, and Hyeop Bo are busily making preparations to lead the refugees in escaping Bu Yeo. At that moment, news arrives that Man Ho was caught trying to escape the camp at the head of some refugees. Ju Mong and his cohort hurriedly visit Man Ho in his tent. Saying that he can see Hae Mo Soo and asking Ju Mong to restore their lost kingdom, Man Ho draws his last breath.
Seol Ran’s bodyguard Hahu Cheon is discovered by Ju Mong in the act of tailing him under Seol Ran’s orders. Ju Mong goes to Seol Ran’s sleeping quarters with his knife at Hahu Cheon’s throat. He warns that if she tries to put him under surveillance one more time, he will consider Hahu Cheon a spy of Han and cut his throat. Unable to suppress her rising anger, Seol Ran trembles.
After hearing from Ma Wu Ryeong that the three-legged bird’s energy is covering all of Bu Yeo, the Queen tells Dae So to beware of Ju Mong as he seems to be planning something. However, Dae So has already placed his trust in Ju Mong, who saved his life and does not shirk hardships...
Eps. 45
Ju Mong, O Yi, Ma Ri, and Hyeop Bo, who visited the refugee camp, lead the refugees and leave Bu Yeo. After watching from afar, Song Ju goes to the tent where Geum Wa and Yu Hwa are sojourning and tell them the news, which greatly relieves them. In order to prevent Na Ro and other generals from joining the pursuit, Geum Wa summons Na Ro, who is serving as his guard, and demands that they leave for the hot springs in Mt. Taebong, far away from Bu Yeo Palace.
While Ye So Ya and her attendant are busily walking with their eye on their surroundings, Hahu Cheon and his soldiers block their path and take them to Seol Ran. She demands to know who Ye So Ya was planning to meet outside the palace, but she refuses to answer. In response, Seol Ran confines Ye So Ya in her room and orders her men to keep strict watch. After waiting for Ye So Ya, Mo Pal Mo and Moo Song see soldiers guarding her chamber and realize that something has gone wrong. Perplexed, they are forced to flee Bu Yeo on their own.
Meanwhile, Dae So and the ministers receive the report that Ju Mong is heading for Hyeon To with a group of refugees. In great consternation, they try to assess the situation. Learning that Ye So Ya was captured while attempting to escape and that Mo Pal Mo and the ironsmiths have disappeared, Dae So raises his troops and sets out in pursuit of Ju Mong...
Eps. 46
Ju Mong, who has decided to attack the Han Baek clan, hastens the production of steel swords. He busily prepares for the impending campaign, building watch towers and beacons in covert locations. Yu Hwa learns of Ye So Ya’s pregnancy. She goes to Geum Wa and stresses that they must get her out as soon as possible. Geum Wa summons Dae So to his quarters and tells him that it is inhuman for him to keep the pregnant Ye So Ya in prison. After much consideration, Dae So calls Na Ro and tells him to move Ye So Ya from the jail to her own quarters.
On the outskirts of the Han Baek settlement, a burning arrow soars into the night sky and the Da Mul Forces, led by Ju Mong, O Yi, Ma Ri, Hyeop Bo and Moo Song, begin their assault. Seol Tak, who receives the report of Ju Mong’s attack while drinking with his men, begins to flee in great alarm...
Eps. 47
Dae So, who arrives at Mt. Bon Gye with the Cavalry in order to strike at Ju Mong, sends a reconnaissance force to ascertain if there is an ambush in wait. Na Ro reports back to Dae So that there is no ambush, and Dae So begins to climb the Mt. Bon Gye valley with the Cavalry as the advance force.
Ju Mong, who has been lying in wait in the forest for the enemy to arrive, shoots a flaming arrow into the sky. With the arrow as their signal, O Yi, Ma Ri, Hyeop Bo and the Da Mul Forces, who had also been hiding in the forest, attack Dae So’s troops. Dae So, who barely escapes the assault with his life, is set upon once more by Jae Sa, Mu Gol, and Muk Geo, who have prepared an ambush in another location.
Meanwhile, Chae Ryeong calls So Seo No, who is with child, and makes the unreasonable request for her to lead the merchant band on a trip to Ok Jeo. After considering at length, So Seo No decides to embark on the long journey to accumulate wealth.
Eps. 48
At the news that Bu Yeo plans to ferret out the remaining refugees and send them to Han as slaves, Ju Mong leads the Da Mul Forces in order to rescue them. At that moment, Mo Pal Mo and Moo Song arrive on their horses and convey Yeo Mi Eul’s instruction to suspend the attack. Yeo Mi Eul herself, who arrives shortly thereafter, observes that the roundup of the refugees may be a trap and bears further investigation.
Ju Mong confirms that the Cavalry is following the procession of refugees that Na Ro is leading. Determined to completely break Dae So’s spirit at this opportunity, Ju Mong attempts a surprise attack. Meanwhile, So Seo No, who arrives at the Hwang Ryong at the head of her band, strikes a successful deal...
Eps. 49
Dae So sends Ju Mong a letter declaring that he will execute Yu Hwa and Ye So Ya if Ju Mong does not appear at Bu Yeo Palace. After debating lengthily over the letter, O Yi, Ma Ri, and Hyeop Bo decide not to inform Ju Mong but plan a covert rescue of the two women instead.
Ju Mong sets off on a reconnaissance mission with Jae Sa, Mu Gol, and Muk Geo in order to subjugate the Chang Cheon Gok clan. He captures an envoy headed for Hyeon To in order to survey the situation in Bu Yeo and finds the letter he is carrying. While reading the letter, Ju Mong asks after Yu Hwa and Ye So Ya and is shocked to hear that Dae So is planning to execute them both if Ju Mong does not show himself at Bu Yeo Palace. Meanwhile, Yu Hwa succeeds in sneaking Mu Deok out of the palace and getting a letter to Ju Mong, with the aid of the royal physician...
Eps. 50
So Seo No meets Dae So for the deal in Bu Yeo. She implores his magnanimity, saying there’s nothing left for her now except for her merchant band, and Dae So permits the sale with a faint yet cold smile on his lips.
Yu Hwa lies in bed, nursed by Ye So Ya and the Royal Physician. Hearing the news, Dae So decides, after much consideration, to release Geum Wa from confinement in his quarters and allow him to visit Yu Hwa. In Yu Hwa’s bedchamber, Geum Wa is struck silent with concern and weeps with Yu Hwa’s hand in his…
Meanwhile, Ju Mong, who has obtained through Sa Yong a map revealing a secret passageway into Bu Yeo Palace, resolves to rescue Yu Hwa and Ye So Ya. Accompanied by O Yi, Ma Ri, Hyeop Bo, and Jae Mu Muk, he sneaks into the palace…
Eps. 51
Young Po, who has returned to Bu Yeo, visits Geum Wa in his quarters. Geum Wa observes that Dae So’s power will not last long, and entreats Young Po never to get into conflict with his brother again. Meanwhile, Dae So orders his men to keep a close watch over Young Po’s every move, since he may be planning something.
Yang Jeong leads the Steel Cavalry and his troops to the Changcheongok clan and pressures them to increase their production of iron ore. The clansmen respond in dismay, explaining that everyone except for children and the old have been put to work in the iron mine.
Ju Mong, upon visiting Changcheongok to expand his power base, learns of Yang Jeong’s visit. He stages an ambush on Yang Jeong’s party as they head for Jung San. Caught helpless by Ju Mong and his Damul Forces, Yang Jeong flees along with a handful of Steel Cavalry soldiers…
Eps. 52
As the sun is overtaken by shadow and the world is plunged in darkness, the people in Bu Yeo Palace and on the streets of Bu Yeo tremble with anxiety. Soon, the sun comes out again and light returns, but the frightened populace finds it difficult to regain their peace of mind.
Ma Wu Ryeong, who had fallen unconscious at seeing the sun disappear, raises herself with difficulty. When the Queen asks what the eclipse might portend, Ma Wu Ryeong replies that it is surely a sign of impending disaster. Ju Mong gathers the Damul troops and the refugees, telling them that the eclipse signifies the beginning of a new nation. He emphasizes that the three-legged bird will soar into the newly-risen sun.
Meanwhile, Dae So receives the report that the common people have been greatly disturbed by the eclipse. Furious, he declares that he will execute anyone, whether lowly or exalted, who confuse the populace with unfounded rumors…
Eps. 53
Dae So assigns troops to General Heuk Chi and orders him to capture Ju Mong. However, the general, who has resolved to spearhead the restoration of Geum Wa, leads the troops to Ju Mong and requests his aid. The surprised Ju Mong informs Yeo Mi Eul that Geum Wa is plotting a return to power, at which a shadow comes over Yeo Mi Eul’s face.
Recalling Bu Deuk Bul’s entreaty that once he has regained power, he must improve Bu Yeo’s relations with Han and abandon Ju Mong, Geum Wa falls deep into thought. Bu Deuk Bul convenes a meeting of all ministers and officials and proposes that Geum Wa be restored to the throne, as Dae So’s lunacy has reached its peak. Everyone present becomes overwhelmed with apprehension, but is unable to raise any objections against the adamant Bu Deuk Bul…
Eps. 54
Bu Deuk Bul tells General Heuk Chi that Ju Mong must be eliminated if he refuses to give up his Damul troops. Hearing that the Damul forces pose an obstacle to Bu Yeo’s stability, Heuk Chi makes his decision. He instructs Geum Wa’s guard to keep a close watch on Ju Mong and his cohort, saying that they might need to be eradicated.
Ju Mong informs Yu Hwa that Geum Wa has asked him to disband the Damul forces and return to Bu Yeo. Yu Hwa replies that she will support him in whatever decision he makes, but that the Damul forces are already a part of him.
Meanwhile, So Seo No and Yeon Ta Bal meet Bu Deuk Bul to request that the relationship between Bu Yeo and Gye Roo be restored and await his reply.
Ju Mong resolves to stand with the Damul forces and leave Bu Yeo. Yu Hwa urges Ye So Ya to depart with him, but Ye So Ya declares that she will stay by Yu Hwa’s side until the baby is born. At that moment, they hear the news that Ju Mong has been captured by Bu Yeo’s soldiers...
Eps. 55
Geum Wa throws Ju Mong and his cohort in prison, pronouncing it an act of treason against himself and Bu Yeo for Ju Mong to found a new kingdom with the Damul troops. When Bu Deuk Bul tells him that Ju Mong must be killed for the sake of Bu Yeo, Geum Wa is assailed with pain and distress.
Meanwhile, Bu Deuk Bul, who has kidnapped Yeo Mi Eul, asks her to convince Ju Mong to return to Bu Yeo. When she refuses, he cuts her down before Ju Mong’s very eyes. Seeing her fall, Ju Mong is provoked to extreme anger...
Eps. 56
Time passes. Ju Mong, at the head of the Damul troops, wages war against other clans and continues to expand his territory.
Famine and disaster strike Bu Yeo for many years after Geum Wa regains power. The people of Bu Yeo become increasingly destitute and even the royal coffers begin to be depleted. At meetings with the state ministers and officials, Geum Wa continually receives reports of Bu Yeo’s deteriorating circumstances, but is unable to come up with a solution.
Meanwhile, Dae So, who has been banished to a remote region of Bu Yeo, wastes his days in drink and depravity...
Eps. 57
Ju Mong finds himself in deep thought at So Seo No’s suggestion that they move the Damul troops’ base camp to Jol Bon and form an alliance. Accompanied by O Yi, he infiltrates the market streets of Hyeon To in order to discover Bu Yeo and Han’s movements. He discovers Dae So, Seol Ran and company there, and begins to keep a close watch on them. At the party thrown in Dae So and Seol Ran’s honor, Dae So asks Yang Jeong why he wishes to attack Jol Bon. The latter replies that after he helps Song Yang vanquish Gye Ru, he will immediately eliminate Song Yang and subjugate Jol Bon. He asks Dae So to lead Han’s reinforcements, but after some consideration, Dae So answers that he cannot abandon Bu Yeo. Meanwhile, Na Ro finds Ju Mong and company in the market. Leading Han’s soldiers, he surrounds the inn where Ju Mong and O Yi are staying...
Eps. 58
Along with O Yi, Ju Mong returns to the ancestral mountain to see the Damul Bow he once broke. At the mountain, there is a flash of radiant light and Heavenly Lady Bi Geum Seon appears. She bows deeply to Ju Mong and declares that the master of the Damul Bow is not Bu Yeo but the Damul forces and Ju Mong. Pondering Bi Geum Seon’s words, Ju Mong searches for records of Old Joseon. Together with Jae Sa, he seeks out Cheon Dae In, who informs him that even though all records were lost in the fire when Wang Geom Seong fell, he still possesses an invaluable relic from Old Joseon. In return, he asks Ju Mong to protect his merchant band. Meanwhile, bad omens continue to appear in Bu Yeo. Geum Wa’s face breaks out in black spots, and lightning and thunder split the sky even though it is still daylight...
Eps. 59
Despite Yeon Ta Bal’s objections, So Seo No takes a handful of soldiers including Sa Yong and infiltrates the enemy camp to strike Song Yang. Meanwhile, Bu Bun No sneaks into the Damul forces’ camp to spy on Ju Mong’s movements. He is assailed by fear when he sees the ardent looks of devotion filling the eyes of the Damul troops. When the Queen tries to bring in Jae Bu Jo Ui’s daughter as Dae So’s concubine, Seol Ran’s eyes fill with hatred for Ye So Ya. At that moment, Yu Hwa visits Seol Ran in her bedchamber and warns her never to try to harm Ye So Ya and Yu Ri again. Seeing Geum Wa in his quarters, Yu Hwa informs him that someone tried to poison Yu Ri and asks him to let Ye So Ya and Yu Ri leave Bu Yeo. However, Geum Wa refuses. Instead, he sends guards to Yu Hwa’s and Ye So Ya’s respective chambers and orders them to keep a tight watch over them...
Eps. 60
As Chan Su is heading for So Seo No’s hideout with medicine for her wounds, a dozen or more of Song Yang’s men block his path and attack him. Ju Mong and his friends rush into Song Yang’s camp to rescue So Seo No. They defeat the enemy soldiers and get So Seo No to safety in Gye Ru. While Ju Mong and company are away from the Damul forces’ base camp, Dae So attacks Mt. Bon Gye. The main force and the refugees have already departed for the new base camp, leaving only old men and children at the mountain camp, but the enraged Dae So slaughters them without mercy. Meanwhile, Ju Mong sets up an ambush along the path that the Han troops, on the way to assist Song Yang, will take...
