Taealha breaks the news of Mihol’s death to Hae Tuak and Yeobi and even reveals that she did it herself.

Tagon hides Taealha’s pregnancy from Saya, however, Saya senses that something went wrong.

Tagon seems to be unfazed by the brewing rebellion and by the news that Ago tribe released slaves. Mubaek deduces that Tagon already thought of a solution.

Daedae is worried that Arthdal might fall if things continue this way. Tagon asks Daedae to think why he sent Red Claw to spy on Ago tribe and Dae Dae seems to have realized something. Tagon says that a storm will be subdued by a bigger storm.

Tagon thinks about his unborn child and thought “The little Aramun will continue the god’s bloodline. It will continue my bloodline,” while Taealha vows to continue her father’s mission and promises to accomplish it. (They have different dreams now.)

Nunbyeol wants to become a full Neanthal again begs Chaeeun to reconnect her lineages. Nunbyeol wants revenge against Tagon and Taealha and she know Chaeeun wants it too.

Eunseom tells the slaves that they can go home but they doubt his words. They expect he wants something in return. Eunseom then reveals that if they’re from Ago Tribe they should (1) go home and (2) free the slaves just like he did. They couldn’t believe he doesn’t want anything else. Eunseom reiterates that he wants everyone to go back to their clans and spread the word.

“He who lowers himself despite knowing his sublimity. He who protects darkness despite knowing his brilliance. He who endures indignity despite knowing his dignity. Tell everyone of the second coming of Inaishingi, the one the God of Waterfall spat out.”

The Chief of Myo clan vouches for Eunseom and declares him second coming of Inaishingi. The Chief continues to say that he is hosting a meeting and calls on all the leaders of each clan to come before Inaishingi just like they did hundreds of years ago.

Dachi and Nima (the slaves Eunseom freed) return to Tae clan and relays the message from Inaishingi.

In the Fortress of Fire, Tagon arrives at Miho’s funeral. Taealha remembers the Fruit of Hae Detu – a sword made of pure steel – but they have no idea who did it. (It’s most likely Yeolson.)

Tagon apologizes to Taealha but she asks what he is sorry for. (She always addresses him informally but for the first time she addressed him formally. Probably to build a wall between them.) Tagon says he’s sorry for making her give the news about her pregnancy in anger instead of joy. Taealha asks Tagon that he should be sorry for doing things without telling her. Tagon says that a King should not say sorry for using his authority.

Taealha apologizes for getting pregnant but Tagon says he wants her and the child and asks her to marry him. Tagon agrees to Taealha’s demands: (1) she will not share the secret of the bronze; (2) Tagon will share his power. Tagon knows that if he breaks his promise, Taealha will kill him and their child. Taelha says she will send Hae Heullip because wants to know how they will divide power and wealth before they get married and Tagon agrees again.

Taealha thinks that a marriage proposal during her father’s funeral fits their personalities. Both of them met while hating their fathers and both of them killed their own fathers. Taealha says, “We’re probably meant to be together, don’t you think?” before leaving. (They’re a match made in heaven indeed. What used to be love is now replaced with hate and greed.)

Tagon orders Saya to secretly find the secret of the Bronze.

Taealha tells Hae Tuak that she learned some things can’t be shared and you’re left with two choices – will you give it up or will you make it yours? Taealha says:

“I, Taealha, will make it mine.”

Taealha meets with Asa Sakan and the latter deduces she needs something from her. She holds Taealha and gazes at her and seems to see God’s will.

Saya is getting anxious of all the secrets people are keeping from him. He finds out from Myung Jin (Tanya’s assistant) that Tanya cried a lot after speaking to Doti and Sucheon.

In the room of fire, Tanya quietly cries and looks back at what she found out from Sucheon – Wahans were sold as slaves because Moongtae betrayed them; Teodae took his life in front of Eunseom; Eunseom escapes from the mine. (That’s too much for one day! No wonder she cried tons.) Tanya answers Yangcha’s unspoken question (She can read his mind) and says,

“Why am I crying, you ask? People usually cry when they’re in distress or when they can feel other’s pain. But I guess you can also cry when you’re brimming with dogged determination. I just learned that today.”   

Saya tells Tanya to make up a new name for the people of the Union but Tanya thinks creating a nation is a bad thing because it can go and attack other countries or trample on its own people.

Saya changes the subject tries to uncover Tanya’s secrets and lies but Tanya gets frustrated and tells him to stop.

Yangcha escorts Tanya to Geungseok workshop where slave kids are shaping stones while shackled and getting whipped. Tanya forbids the manager to shackle the kids from now on and orders him to feed them three times a day. Then Tanya herself went and gently put the shoes in the child’s feet. The child thanks her for giving them hope and they start crying.

Tanya feels thankful and sorry to the slave kids. They’re her hope but they could be put in danger because of her.

Yangcha wonders why Tanya did something so unnecessary. Tanya once again hears his thoughts and tells him it’s not unnecessary because those kids will run around the market telling everyone of her kindness. And there’s nothing more important than that.

Saya decides to find answers to his own question. Saya finds out that – Chaeeun sent Sucheon to Doldambul even before Tanya became High Priestess; Yeonbal seeing his look-alike in Doldambul; the Wahan slaves escaped Doldambul; Mubaek, and only Mubaek, saw how Eunseom fell down the river.

Sul Clan and Tae Clan arrive for the meeting but chief’s started throwing blame to each other and left the meeting. Eunseom speaks to Tae Clan and tells them that though it’s true that he survived the waterfall, he himself is not sure if he’s Inaishingi or not. He declares that if he’s Inaishingi, Apdok will die by sunrise. If not, then he, Eunseom, will die by sunrise. Eunseom’s decision was met with a lot of opposition but bets his everything on Ipsaeng’s words. (Ipsaeng doesn’t remember the words himself. LOL.)

Saya blackmails Mubaek that he will kill the Wahans he captured if Mubaek doesn’t reveal their secret. During the parade, Mubaek tells Saya that Eunseom is alive and that they’re benetbots(twins). Tanya seems to have heard it or read Saya’s mind. (I think Saya felt betrayed. He was definitely hurt by what he found out.)

Tanya crowns Tagon as King.

Tae Clan arrives and presents Apdok’s head to Eunseom and chooses him as Inaishingi. Ipsaeng finally remembers what he said to Eunseom. “If you fail to respond to the aspirations of 30,000 people, you will be dead meat.” Ipsaeng is amazed that Eunseom managed to kill Apdok just by saying a few words. Eunseom accepts the Tae clan and declares that he is now Inaishingi.

Tanya, with her words, removes tribalism and gives everyone a new name – “baeksong” which means subjects. (If you’ve seen a sageuk then you’ll be familiar with this word.) But in her mind, Tanya casts a spell:

“I, Tanya of Wahan, cast a spell on all of Arthdal. You may begin in this world in lowest social status but you can become anything. My fate is now entwined with yours. I hope you provide support as long as I protect you. My subjects.”

Tagon gives his first royal order – conquer the Ago Tribe – exactly what Tanya was worried about.

Suhana is Red Claw and she sends a message to Tagon reporting that Inaishingi will be Arthdal’s biggest enemy.

************************************

Suhana being red claw might be a big blow to Eunseom but I can’t help but think otherwise because she had a significant role in bringing Tae clan to Eunseom. Suhana used to encourage Apdok to meet with the other tribe leaders for peace and she’s the one who told him to go to Myo’s territory to meet Eunseom.

Will Tanya’s plan work? We now know that Tanya’s curses and spells are effective so I’m really curious of what’s next.

Taealha and Tagon’s love/hate relationship is also an amazing plot twist. But I think they will find their love for each other in the end.

Seriously though, when are they ALL going to meet? I’m not even sure yet if there’s a next season. But surely, they will not leave the viewers hanging? With so many cliffhangers, I will go crazy if the show just ends this way.

Momo tribe rejoices to have repaid their debt while Eunseom is still disoriented after the fall. Dalsae rushes to him giving him a hug and tells Eunseom that he’s alive and it’s not a dream. Badoru joins them and they happily embraced each other.

Eunseom thanks Xabara for saving his life. Xabara tells him that they have been untwined (their fate previously intertwined/joined when Eunseom saved Xabara’s child have now been separated because she saved his life). Xabara asks Eunseom what he plans to do now. Eunseom says he will have to go save Ipsaeng. They try to explain to him that since he survived the waterfall he will become someone else. Xabara offers for Eunseom to go with them if he doesn’t want any of that. But Eunseom insists that he must save his friend. Xabara tells him that if Eunseom runs away he will be welcome to join Momo tribe as a guest. She says “All the water in the world is our home.”

Tachoogan, who is skeptical about Eunseom, tells his clan members that they’ve lost their minds. He wants to prove that Ipsaeng lied about Inaishingi so he let him go on purpose. Ipsaeng takes the chance to run away but was caught by Tachoogan. Ipsaeng tells Tachoogan it’s okay for him to die there because everyone will end up like him. Everyone will die in the hands of their own tribe so he will just wait for them in the after world. It enrages Tachoogan but it made the others reflect on themselves. Miroosol asks “Why did we let him fool us? Because we want it so much. We believes because we desperately want to change. We want to get out of this situation at all costs. Everyone in the Ago Tribe is desperate at the moment.” Tachoogan tells them to stop having unrealistic hope and says that Inaishingi will not come and save them. But then Eunseom arrives and picks up the sickle.

All of Myo clan was surprised of Eunseom’s return but he just wants to take Ipsaeng and go. Eunseom tells the clan that Inaishigi or whatnot, he thinks what their doing (turning against their own tribe) is not just wrong but also stupid. Even Ipsaeng who thought he was never coming back believes he’s Inaishingi. (He’s Ago Tribe after all.) Myo clan rejoices of Inaishingi’s return and even Tachoogan is dumbstruck.

Eunseom is ushered inside the tent with the clan elders. The chief says that he’s the only one to survive the waterfall after 1000 years, so he asks Eunseom to lead them. Eunseom denies it and reveals that someone helped him. The elder tells him that it doesn’t matter because they don’t even know if Inaishingi himself got help. The fact that someone risked his/her life for Eunseom in this cruel and cold world and surviving the waterfall with help or not is impossible without heaven’s will. The elder tells him he’s fully qualified. Eunseom still doesn’t want to believe it and was about to reveal that he lied about the dream when Tachoogan stopped him and dragged him outside. Tachoogan shows him the Myo Clan warriors who are gearing up to retrieve the slaves just like Eunseom asked. Tachoogan makes Eunseom realize the weight of his words and tells him it doesn’t matter whether he had the dream or not. Tachoogan says “Now, you are Inaishingi no matter what. Don’t you dare deny it. You are Inaishingi.”

Eunseom talks to Ipsaeng in private to ask him what to do. Ipsaeng tells him he can’t leave. Eunseom blames Ipsaeng for lying but Ipsaeng says Eunseom is the one who told everyone to save and help the other clan. Ipsaeng tells Eunseom that everyone is willing to risk their lives for him and calls him crazy for wanting to run away. (Now he has moral standards? Is the real Ipsaeng starting to come back?) Ipsaeng even uses Eunseom’s own words at him and says “I’m sure that is not how they taught you in Iark.” Eunseom says that he need to save the Wahans and Tanya. Ipsaeng reminds him that his goal is to fight against Arthdal itself and that he needs subordinates. By being Inaishingi, he will have 30,000 people from Ago tribe at his feet. (You tell him Ipsaeng.) Eunseom reveals what’s really worrying him, the truth is he’s scared of being responsible for 30,000 lives. Ipsaeng tells him that’s not what he should be scared for, “If you fail to respond to the aspirations of 30,000 people, you will be dead meat.”

Eunseom talks to Dalsae next to tell him that he can’t rescue the Wahans now. Dalsae tells him that the Wahan Tribe no longer exists. Everyone’s selfish and thinks of their friends as nuisance so they betray them, desert them and eventually kill them. In Arthdal everyone thinks the same. The strong stomp all over the weak so the weak are terrified. And those who are frightened betray their people, run away, and desert their tribe. Together they remember Mother Choseol’s words on their first day of hunting “If everyone is frightened, we are not cowards. It’s just that your opponent is too strong. At such times, you have two options. If you’re going to fight, do it together. And if you’re going to run away, flee quietly.” Dalsae thinks that maybe Ago Tribe wants to fight too but they can’t do it themselves. Dalsae believes Eunseom can do a good job and all he needs to do is play the role they want him to play. If Eunseom is Wahan’s dream, he just needs to become the dream of even more people and nothing will change.

Eunseom goes back to camp and a child approaches him. The child offers him her father’s clothes and sword. She asks her to rescue all their people. Eunseom accepts it and seems to have made a decision.

In Arthdal, Tagon arrives at the market and his warriors tell the people to bow on their knees in his presence. Mubaek thinks back on what he found out – Tagon killed Asa Ron without trial and Harim is murdered for saving Tagon’s life. He wonders what Tagon plans on doing. At the same time, Saya wonders about what Mubaek told Tanya – about the mirror, the sword and the bell.

The parade was halted when a shaman from Bato Tribe calls Tagon out. She curses him, “I curse you in the name of our great hunting god, Mihaje. Mihaje’s arrow will blind and deafen you. Your tongue will get stuck, so you won’t be able to scream as you’re dying.” Tagon responds and tells the shaman that Mihaje can’t curse a living god. The shaman continues to curse him, “You will be destroyed by what you were planning to destroy. The things that you overlooked will attack you!” She asks Airuju to allow harm to befall Tagon then kills herself with a knife on the heart. (In fantasy dramas that I’ve seen, nothing is more powerful than blood curses like this.)

Mihol and Taealha gives Tagon a tour of their library. Tagon asks if Mihol think that he, Tagon, owns everything under the sky. Mihol agrees and Tagon says he better thinks so for the good of both of them and Arthdal.

Mihol doubts Tagon’s promise of keeping the bronze secret and even Taealha is starting to doubt. In a private meeting, Saya tells Tagon that the first thing he must do become King is to get rid of tribalism and by calling Arthdal a nation. Taealha grabs Saya’s hand and touches his hair in a seemingly adoring manner. But then she grabs his chin the Hae Tribe way (Hae Mihol used to grab Taealha’s chin to show dominance) and tells Tagon that they have everything they need in Saya. She wants Tagon to remember that Saya is the fruit of her hard work. She leaves the meeting with the excuse of attending to her responsibilities as the head of Hae Tribe. After she left, Saya asks Tagon if he plans to leave the secret of the Bronze as it is and tells Mubaek that his army and the Daekan warriors will be leading the uprising. Tagon thinks hard about Saya’s plan.

Mihol tells Taealha that Tagon doesn’t plan on keeping his promise but Taelha shoots it down. He gives her a lecture about entrusting their fate to the hands of the heart of the people. Mihol thinks that Taealha changed because she put her trust in one man. Taealha tries to ignore him because his words seem to get to her. Mihol asks her if Tagon will risk his life for her just like she did for Tagon. Taealha is still in denial and tells him to stop. Mihol says he knows what a real king is and he believes that Tagon already knows what it is to be king. He says “Tagon will not share.” Not with Taealha nor with anyone else.

Tagon health deteriorates which worries Saya.

Yeonbal reports to Tagon but he was surprised to see Saya. Tagon introduces Saya as his son. Saya wonders why Yeonbal looked at him that way. Yeonbal tells Gitoha that Saya looks like Eunseom. Gitoha warns him about saying such things or he will be in trouble.

Tagon is too weak to continue with the meetings so he asks for a break. Daedae wants to read a report from Red Claw about Ago Tribe but Tagon dismisses it. (This report might be about Eunseom.) Saya overhears Gitoha and Yoeonbal’s conversation that he looks like the igutu in Doldambul. Tagon collapses on his way back to his bedchamber.

People starts believing that Tagon’s curse is coming true. Saya tends to Tagon’s wound.

Doldambul is under new management but they’re in for a rough night because Eunseom arrived with his cavalry and they start freeing the slaves.

Tanya finds out that the Wahan’s sent to Doldambul was not brought in because of the riot. Tanya makes herself believe that Eunseom is still alive. She arrives at the room of fire and finds Taealha there. Tanya senses something different from her. Taealha asks her why she wants power to which Tanya responds that no one knows what will happen because she’s dispensable and alone. Taealha realizes that even Tanya doesn’t trust people. Hae Tuak arrives and tells Taealha that Tagon collapsed.

Tagon covers up his wound when Taealha arrives and pretends he’s fine. Taealha tells him that rumors already spread that he’s being punished by Mihaje. Tagon declines Taealha’s help and decides to do something careless. Saya and Taealha tries to stop him since it’s too early and too dangerous. Tagon arrives at the market and finds people on their knees praying to the statue of Mihaje. In a fit of rage, Tagon destroys the the statue and tells his people to get rid of Mihaje’s statues and shrines.

Taealha thinks Tagon changed too and he starts to believe her father’s words. Taealha tells Hae Tuak to bring the woman who makes hallucinogen.

After Tagon’s persuasion, Saya treats Tagon’s wound himself. Tagon collapses in the process. When he wakes up, he finds Saya asleep on the floor and he covers Saya with a blanket. (The first fatherly gesture he ever did.) Saya wakes up and was surprised to see the blanket. Tagon tells Saya that he’s made his decision to own the secret of the Bronze. Like a good soldier, Saya goes right away to carry out his orders.

Mihol was summoned to meet with Tagon but was surprised to see Saya instead. He was brought inside a torture chamber.

Taealha confronts Tagon and he reveals to her that he asked Saya to question Mihol about the secret of the Bronze. Taealha asks him why he didn’t tell her but Tagon says that a king who doesn’t own everything will die. And what if Mihol dies without passing the knowledge on to someone. Tagon tells her that he can’t ask her to torture her own father even though she hates him. Taealha seems to have made up her mind. She agrees to Tagon’s plans and volunteers to get the information from her father.

In the torture chamber, Mihol’s lips are still sealed and Saya keeps on threatening him with more pain. Taealha arrives and orders everyone out. Mihol condemns his daughter for going along with Tagon’s plans. Mihol says that if she truly thinks of herself as the head of the tribe she should kill him before he spills the secret. Taealha reveals that she brought a bichwisan (poison) not a hallucinogen. Mihol seemed relieved but Taealha apologizes to him for what she’s about to do. Taealha pledges to get revenge and urges him to tell her the secret of the bronze. Mihol tells her to go to the Great Gochiju Rock to find the symbol of the people who caused their tribe to collapse. Taealha vows to take over the Hae tribe’s mission.

Tagon arrives and was surprised to see Saya and Gitoha outside the torture chamber. They force the door open but they were too late. Mihol already took the bichwisan and dies. Taealha kills the woman who knows how to make the hallucinogen . Taealha tells Tagon that she threw away all the hallucinogen and killed that only person who knows how to make it. And she’s the only one who knows the secret of the bronze.

Taealha blames Tagon for what she did saying he started it. She helped her become king but he went behind her back and conspired with Saya. Tagon threatens to torture Taealha but she laughs it off. She whispers in his ears so that no one else would hear, “You should be happy. I’m pregnant with your baby. I’m pregnant with Aramun’s baby. There’s a god growing inside me.”

***********************************

I believe the curse on Tagon will all come true. He made a grave mistake by making Taealha his enemy.

It was mentioned before that Inaishingi is the only one who could challenge Aramun in the past. If Eunseom is Inaishingi then someone else might be Aramun. Kanmoreu (Aramun’s horse) even left his side because he found him weak. But we can’t ignore the fact that Asa Hon (Eunseom & Saya’s mother who had divine powers) thought Eunseom was Aramun and that Tanya(descendant of Asa Sin) found Eunseom.

If Saya is Aramun and Eunseom Inaishingi then can we expect a 360 degree turn is their characters? Maybe Saya will find the good in his heart with Tanya’s help and Eunseom might experience too much loss and cruelty that he becomes evil.

Either way, I’m super excited for what’s next.

I have to say, this drama started super slow that I remember finding myself dozing off on two or more episodes. But now I’m intrigued with the story. I hope more people will realize that and starts watching.

Tanya’s tears fell after seeing Moongtae kill the tribe leaders. While Hae Mihol recognizes the eyes of a king in Tagon’s.

Hae Mihol accosts Taealha to ask her if Tagon promised to protect the secret of the bronze and she confirms he did. Hae Mihol says that Tagon changed and Taealha claps back and asks him who would not change after what happened. She blames him and Asa Ron for ruining everything and that she pities Tagon whose heart has been broken.

Taealha tells Tanya to behead Asa Mot and everyone involved and cut the feet of their families. Tanya declines but Taealha threatens to kill the Wahans. She also tells Tanya that she will be saving thousand more people from dying if she follows her orders. They will now have to rule with fear.

Saya swears to assist Tagon and tells him that he’s been waiting for this for all those years he was locked up in the tower. (Seriously. Saya’s character is twisted and scary. Will it be him against Eunseom in the end? Is it really good twin vs bad twin?)

Tanya wants to go back to Iark along with the Wahans reasoning that she’s done enough. Of course Taealha doesn’t let her. Tanya blames them of the change in Moongtae but Taealha tells her that he only learned his lesson quick. Taealha also asks her if her people would even want to go back to Iark.

Saya talks Tanya out of leaving and reminds her why she joined them in the first place. He tells her that wanting to save her people, no matter how honorable, is a form of greed. She took down Asa Ron and obtained power to fulfill her own greed. He tells her not be a coward and take responsibility for her own actions. (Which makes sense although the way he said it is soooo twisted I cringed.) Saya continues to tell her to get more power then go up against Tagon since the union now trusts her. She asks him to call the Wahans. (Saya thought he succeeded in convincing her.)

Tanya listens to her people’s stories and seeing them happy seems bittersweet. She brings up going back to Iark and tells them she was ordered to have innocent people killed and argues that’s not what they were taught. It triggers Moongtae and he tells everyone that each are on their own and declares he will follow whatever Tagon orders him. He leaves.

Tanya goes to the room of fire to pray but Saya arrives. He gives her a backhug. (Normally I would be excited but even Tanya looked disgusted with him.) He tells her about the dreams he had about her and that he wants to be someone special to her as well. He asks her to trust him and follow him, at least for now. Saya gives her a necklace which only reminded her of Eunseom.

Tanya addresses Arthdal citizens and relays Airuju’s decisions about the trial. She didn’t follow exactly as Taealha ordered her. She tells the people that Airuju’s decision was to lock up Asa Sakan and have everyone else be torn into pieces. Saya and Taealha was so surprised and the people were in uproar. But she adds that she suggested to Airuju to behead some and cut the feet of the others so that they can continue to serve the gods. (This way it would seem as if she actually talked to the god herself.) The people celebrates her, thanks her and praises her for saving their lives. Taealha and Tagon was surprised with the people’s response. (She is a threat to them now. Tagon is a tyrant so naturally the people will look for someone with compassion to lead them.)

Back in her room, Tanya looks back and realizes that Taealha might be right. Does she like power? Tagon, Saya and Taealha arrives in her room and the latter starts with asking her what she was thinking. Tanya tells her that she’s learning, since she has no power and no land to call her own. She tells Tagon that she decided to claim the hearts of the people as her land. (Oooops! After Tagon had failed so miserably, he’s not gonna take that lying down.) Tagon tells her that he also stands on the hears of the people just in a different name. And he appreciates the balance between them – he who instills fear and Tanya the merciful high priestess. On their way out, Tagon tells Yangcha to guard Tanya.

Mugwang’s death saddens the Daekan warriors specially Mubaek. Word also spread that Mugwang was punished because he was disrespectful to Tanya. Mubaek sees Tanya in the room of fire and informs her that her curse came true. He asks her to perform ollimsani (ritual to guide the spirit to the gods) to undo her curse and she agrees.

Before leaving, Mubaek tells her about three babies being born at the same time – the bell, mirror and sword who will end the world. He also reveals that he believes she’s the bell, Saya the mirror and Eunseom the sword. Since their birth, fear turned to anger, then sadness and then to cruelty. He lost hope until he saw Kanmoreu (a mystical horse who used to belong to Aramun Haesulla) and the byeoldaya. Since then he’s been acting as if possessed and did not see what’s going on with his brother, Mugwang. He believes that the three together will bring a new and better world and asks Tanya if she can make it happen. (Saya heard all this and I wonder what he makes of it.)

Saya gives the order to engrave Tagon’s achievements into the walls of the great shrine. One of his achievements is suppressing the Ago tribe by making them doubt their own. Ago tribe used to be three separate clans that Inaishingi brought together but now they sell each other as slaves because of Tagon.

Ipsaeng shares this story to Eunseom who thinks differently. Eunseom thinks that instead of selling each other, they could have released slaves of other clans and the other clans do the same because they’re grateful. His ideas were shot down by Ipsaeng right away because they don’t seem realistic. (He does sound naive.) Ipsaeng repeats his mantra – the people who betray lives and the betrayed dies. (He said this many times already and done it to Eunseom many times too but they’re still together. I’m getting a feeling he might be Inaishingi.)

As they were about to get sold off, Myo Clan of Ago Tribe arrives and saves them. Back in Myo clan’s fortress, Eunseom witnesses their waterfall dance which reminds him of Tanya. Mirusol (the woman who led the rescue) tells them to leave after eating which surprises Eunseom. He even tells Ipsaeng that he’s wrong because there are people willing to help others and calls him the bad guy. Ipsaeng is still not convinced and tells him not to trust anyone from Ago tribe even himself. I’m afraid to say this but this time Ipsaeng was right because Myo clan decides to trade them for the chief’s daughter.

Ipsaeng reveals that he’s the direct heir of Tae clan and shows a mark on his chest. (Wow. Is it really true? If it is then I knew it!) He offers to go to Tae clan and release the Myo chief’s daughter himself. He even tells them that he will leave his beloved friend behind, Eunseom, as proof that he will do as promised. (Eunseom’s reaction was gold. He obviously didn’t believe him.) Eunseom still chose to believe him though. Because he wants it to end. He gives the Momo tribe’s token to him that surprised Ipsaeng. He says if he doesn’t return it means everything he learned was a lie and that he’s a dead man anyway who wouldn’t have a use for the token.

Ipsaeng leaves and succeeds in running away. He laughs at them for believing him but then he starts crying thinking about Eunseom. Back in Myo clan’s camp, Eunseom dreams about Moongtae killing the tribe leaders. Then he was dragged out by the Myo clan because Ipsaeng did not return. Eunseom fights them off the tells them that they all have the same sin – weakness – and that they should get punished together. But then, Ipsaeng came back and reveals that he can’t save the chief’s daughter. He tells his story that the current leader, his uncle, killed his parents and sold him off as slave. When Eunseom asked him why he came back, he tells him that he’s gotten weak because of him. (Awwww, bromance!) But then, true to his own colors, Ipsaeng started spewing lies again telling Myo clan that Eunseom is Inaishingi. (I’m officially in love with this guy. His possibilities are endless!) Left with no choice, Eunseom goes along with Ipsaeng’s lead. Ipsaeng guides him into telling the tribe about his earlier idea of having the Ago tribe save other clans’ slaves without asking for anything in return and even using the Momo tribe’s god as reference that whoever doesn’t follow will die a painful death. An elder of the Myo clan says he was lying but Eunseom remembers the waterfall dance and executes it perfectly.

Momo tribe crosses paths with the Daekan Warriors again who informed them that Eunseom had fallen inside the Ago tribe’s territory. Myo clans council decides to perform the judgment of the waterfall (they will drop Eunseom from the top of the waterfall and if he survives meaning he’s telling the truth). Xabara seeks an audience with the Myo clan’s chief but finds out that he’s already performing the judgment of the waterfall. Xabara hurries downstream and helps Eunseom.

The story is getting better but I’m surprised the ratings are dropping in South Korea. I hope to see more of this drama. Fighting Arthdal Chronicles!

The Daekan warriors are still on Eunseom’s trail.

In Arthdal, a wild bull suddenly came to the market and attacks Harim but Nunbyeol (the only female Neanthal alive) fought it off – unintentionally showing her strength in public. Harim blocked Nunbyeol’s powers in order for people not to notice. However, since she’s still growing, the blocks seem to have been removed. Harim tells Chaeeun to prepare to block them again.

Tagon enjoys his power and his new title as god. Hae Mihol greets him and pretends to have been on his side all along. He believes he’s irreplaceable because he’s the only one who knows the secret of the Bronze. He kneels before him revealing that he knows Tagon wants to be King and he can help him since he knows how Kingdoms work having grown up in one. He also warns Tagon that going to the White Peak mountain is dangerous because Asa Ron will not back down easily. He dismissed these concerns because he already took care of them way in advance.

Mubaek and his troops were sent to White Peak mountain to keep tabs on Asa Ron. All of White Mountain are heavily guarded. Tagon addresses his army that their last hurdle is to finish gohamsani without a hitch. He reveals to them that he doesn’t like killing. (Yet justifies them!) He also confirmed he has a son with Taealha that surprised the warriors.(Taealha is too young to be Saya’s mother.)

Saya introduces himself to everyone as Tagon’s son and assists Tanya with her duties. The Wahan’s are surprised that he looked exactly like Eunseom. He takes Tanya’s hand around town in pretense that it’s proper custom. (But it’s not! LOL. He just wanted to hold her hand.)

Asa Ron mobilizes Children of Shahati and the Black Tongue. (Asa Ron still have cards to play.)

Taealha shows Tagon their new flag and tell her vision of unifying the entire continent, countries named after them, and people will sing songs about them. She declares she will wield a sword again to make their dreams into a reality. Tagon says he doesn’t want to be a tyrant that’s why he chose the long and hard road to reach their goals. He says he was able to avoid bloodbath within the union because Taealha didn’t betray him. (They celebrate their freedom too soon.)

Eunseom and Ipsaeng runs from a wild bear. Eunseom attacks the bear to save Ipsaeng but he betrays him again by cutting him and leaving him behind. (Gosh, Ipsaeng really is a pain in the ass. He’s a survivor who only lives for himself and he’s trying to convince Eunseom to be the same.) As he was about to get eaten by the bear, the Neanthals arrived and the wild bear stopped (It was scared of them even thought they were just standing there.) Eunseom recognizes them as Neanthals and thanked them. He introduces himself as igutu showing his blood and Rottip smells him. (LOL.) He recognizes him as Asa Hon and Ragaz’s son but he doesn’t tell him thinking it’s meaningless so they just leave. Eunseom seemed sad. (He’s always been the outcast. I think he’s still longing to be accepted. The Wahan’s were good to him but still treated him differently.)

The Daekan warriors find Ipsaeng and catches him but Eunseom was nearby and heard what happened. Ipsaeng agrees to lead the warriors to Olmadae. Xabara finds Goldu in the forest and had him executed for enslaving Sateunik and causing his death. She asks his minions to tell her what they know about Eunseom.

Eunseom saves Ipsaeng (Again!) The warriors gave them a chase but they couldn’t go any further because they fell inside Ago Tribe’s territory. Ipsaeng asks Eunseom why he kept saving him even after everything he did. (He enumerated them all. At least he knows what he did. Why do I have a feeling he didn’t lie about being the son of Ago tribe’s chief?) Eunseom answers him and tells him he needed him as his subordinate because he needed power to save his people. Being brought up by Wahans who believe they’re all equal, he doesn’t know how to get a subordinate so he just treated Ipsaeng well but he realized now that’s not working. Ipsaeng asks him who he’s fighting with and was surprised by Eunseom’s answer. He wants to fight with Arthdal itself. Ipsaeng calls him a nutjob. (LOL.) They take a small boat downstream but fell asleep. They wake up and find themselves in the middle of the stream and the Ago tribe in front of them.

Asa Ron comes back from White Peak mountain and continues his preparations of gohamsani. (And for whatever plot he’s cooking.) Taealha prepares her gifts while Tanya prepares to host the ritual. Yeolseon tells Tagon the possibility of using iron instead of bronze. Tagon agrees to test it even though he’s not confident since Hae Tribe hasn’t figured it out.

Tagon visits his father’s grave. On his way, he remembers his past when his father attempted to kill him. It was his father, Sanung’s idea to make him Aramun Haesulla and tells Tagon to never let anyone find out the color of his blood. Sanung killed Tagon’s friend including his family because he saw his blood. Since then Tagon killed everyone who saw it right away to protect that person’s family. He swore to become Aramun Haesulla so that their deaths will not be in vain. He decides to annihilate an entire species, his own kind, just to keep this promise. In tears, Tagon asks for Sanung’s blessing. Asa Ron surprises him with his sudden arrival. They talk about how Tagon killed his own father but then the Union leaders arrived and heard everything. Asa Ron says that Tanya is fake and Taealha is his accomplice that’s why they’ll be dead by morning.

Black Tongue (as assassin of the Children of Shahiti attacked Tagon from behind with a poisoned knife. Everyone was surprised to see his purple blood and they were scared of him. He says it would have been nice to have known that all his efforts will be in vain, since he tried to hard (To avoid spilling innocent blood.) He’s sorry to everyone who died because of him and tells everyone there that he didn’t want to sit on a bloody throne. They brought this on themselves. He decides to kill them all.

A bloodbath is coming. I felt sad that Tagon failed the way he did. I imagined him succeeding because he sincerely wanted to avoid spilling innocent blood. I wonder what happens next.