Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Bong-hwan tells Byeong-in that he entered So-yong's body after the lake incident. The memories that remain convince Byeong-in that the woman he loves has not entirely vanished. He turns against his own men to protect the queen and gives her the document binding the rival ministers to their treason. The scarred assassin pursues them, and Byeong-in is fatally wounded while buying Bong-hwan time to escape through the woods.
Cheoljong finds the queen and reunites her with Court Lady Choi and Hong-yeon, who survived the pursuit. The group takes shelter among the Donghak believers, where Dam-hyang's family has helped keep the king alive. Bong-hwan grieves for Byeong-in while facing the task he died trying to make possible: returning to the palace before a replacement king is crowned. Hwa-jin helps outside by posting notices that Cheoljong is alive and the Kim family is staging a coup.
Man-bok joins the group and helps plan a route through the palace kitchens. The treason document can expose the ministers, but it is useless unless Cheoljong can get back inside to confront them. Bong-hwan warns that the future he remembers offers the king little hope, then promises to stand with him anyway. On the day of the coronation, they hide in a food cart and pass the gate. Jwa-geun stops the transport and begins searching, leaving their return in danger before they can reach the ceremony.