1. The application of the poem

Veterans know that poetry-reading is a common trope in kdramas. Who can forget the “Physics of Love” by Kim In Yook in “Goblin” or the “Invocation of the Dead” by Kim So Wol in “The King: Eternal Monarch”? It’s my pet peeve however that these poems are often only given a cursory glance and are seldom revisited after they’re read. They’re treated like window dressing to hype up the romance.

That’s why I’m surprised and happy that the Master Seo’s “Words of the Heart” had further use other than to be an obstruction in Uk’s training. Here it is again:

“You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.
You cannot touch fire, but it is inside the tree.
You cannot hold the wind, but it is resting on the rock.
If you let them be, they will exist everywhere.

The faint blue light makes me sigh.
My white breath turned into snow and tears.
I could not let them drop and hide them.
Despite knowing that they will fill up once again.
I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear.”

To me, the situation inside the Jeongjingak resembles a few elements in the poem.

Take for instance the strange fog. I’m reminded of Master Seo writing about his white breath. Fog and white breath appear when it’s cold.

Then the blooming flowers appeared. This reminded of the name, Jin Seolran. According to the poem, her name is like an orchid that blooms in the white snow. Her name would open the letter.

Next, a strong gust of wind hit the mages as they reached the gate. The Crown Prince was about to check it himself when Uk stopped him. He warned them of a great energy blocking them although they couldn’t see it. This reminded me of the whole paradox of the poem. People can’t see what’s right there in front of them.

A few scenes later, Naksu investigated the kitchen and found that there was no water for boiling. But she was unfazed because she could get water from the atmosphere with her own power. This reminded me of the line in the poem, “You cannot grasp water, but it is inside the soil.”

Lastly, Uk realized that Naksu was secretly planning to abandon him. Although this scared and angered him too, he held back his emotions. This reminded me of the last line, “I am a fool who dares not shed a single tear.”

Thus, as far as I could tell, the circumstances in Jeongjingak alluded to or paralleled Master Seo’s “Words of the Heart.”

2. The meeting of Naksu the assassin and BuYeon the shaman

Lol. I find it elitist that BuYeon is called a priestess while Shaman Choi is only considered a shaman. BuYeon is a shaman, too, albeit a very powerful shaman.

I’m glad they finally met. Last time, in Episode 5, BuYeon appeared in Naksu’s dream but she didn’t deign to introduce herself. I’m getting the sense that BuYeon considers Naksu to be inferior to her while Naksu considers BuYeon weak.

Naksu: What’s going on? Where am I?
Young BY: We did not lose it this time.

This implies that 10 years ago, the young BuYeon intended to hang onto the ice stone but she failed to do so. She lost her balance when the boat rocked and Jin Mu grabbed the stone from her. She fell overboard.

Young BY: We are inside the ice stone.

What are they doing inside the ice stone?

Naksu: This is the ice stone?
Young BY: The ice stone is not limited in shape, size, or form. It can be water, fire, or wind.
Naksu: Does this mean I have the ice stone now?
Young BY: (disappearing)
Old BY: No one can truly own the ice stone. You only use its power. Pull and get pushed. Earn one and lose the other. That is the burden you will have to carry.

Alrighty. I’m curious to know what Shaman Choi gave up when she had the ice stone in possession. Her brother’s company?

Naksu: I can gladly endure that.
Old BY: Then try it. Overflowing power means you will not be able to control how much of it you use. Desire rain, and you will get a flood. Desire wind, and you will get a typhoon. Try to endure it.

This reminds me of Uk’s problem in Episode 4. He acquired incredible power, but he couldn’t control it and stabbed Park Jin. Park Jin said, “What’s the point of unsheathing the sword when you can’t even wield it?” So Uk first had to use the binding bracelet to learn to control until he finally learned to control it.

Likewise, I think Naksu can learn to control the “overflowing” power of the ice stone. I also think Old BuYeon was being overly negative and pessimistic to discourage her and to put her in her place.

Naksu: What are you? A relic of Jinyowon?
Old BY: How dare a soul living off my body call me a relic?

Hmmm…at the moment, the relationship between the two soul-mates isn’t good.

Despite this, I’m glad that two met up because Naksu finally became aware of BuYeon. Now, she should remember that they met once before, and that she shoved BuYeon aside when she saw that she was blind, and selected another woman to switch souls with.

I’m hoping however that Naksu would keep her identity straight. Right now, there are two camps:

Camp Buyeon or people who recognized (or suspected) that MuDeok is the real BuYeon, and future leader of Jinyowon. These people are:

-SoYi
-Jin Mu (he suspects that MuDeok is BuYeon)
-Lady Jin (she’s come to accept that SoYi isn’t her BuYeon but whether or not she’ll admit that she fell for Jin Mu’s trick is another thing)

Camp Naksu or people who KNOW that MuDeok is the real Naksu:

-Uk
-Yul
-Master Lee
-Park Jin (he suspects something dubious about Naksu)

Did I miss anybody?

3. The Future King and the King’s Star

Who wouldn’t like their odd friendship? The Crown Prince doesn’t feel threatened by Uk and relies on Uk. And Uk doesn’t want to usurp the throne anyway since he only cares about saving Naksu.

CP: Glaring at it will not break the barrier. (tosses a rock) Did you see that? The stone passed through.
Uk: You are right. Maybe only things that have liquid cannot pass.
CP: What a strange barrier. It filters what can and cannot pass. What kind of barrier is that? What are the others doing outside? Despite all the mages out there, they have yet to break this barrier. Is it because the ice stone made it?
Uk: They are probably too busy fighting over who gets the ice stone.
CP: Still, they know that I am trapped in here.
Uk: Perhaps you are not that important to the Queen who has the ice stone. How could a mother be like that? Or is she similar to my father?
CP: Fine. As you all know, she is not my biological mother.

Lol. He and Uk do have similar circumstances, because his real father is the previous king.

CP: Just like you and your father.
Uk: (looks at him)
CP: (admitting that he’s repeating a rumor) That is what everyone says. I will not apologize even if you are hurt.

The CP doesn’t know that Uk no longer cares about his dubious parentage. As Maidservant Kim said, his father is irrelevant to his success.

Uk: Then I will not beat around the bush. If the Queen and Jin Mu offer the power of the ice stone to you, can you still get rid of them?
CP: It would be difficult to decline such grand power.
Uk: You are brave.
CP: (turns to look at him)
Uk: You need the courage to be open about your greed.

I like this dialogue because a) they’re openly revealing their intentions and plans, and b) they’re speaking as equals. Uk doesn’t fear reprisal and CP doesn’t have to worry about betrayal.

CP: And you? What will you do if you have the ice stone?
Uk: I will do what Master Seo Gyeong did.
CP: Seo Gyeong? Do you mean you wish to become a hero with the fate of the King’s Star by destroying every ice stone and saving the world from chaos?

He’s indirectly asking whether Uk will pledge to be loyal to the throne and serve him as Master Seo did.

Uk: I am sure he did such a thing out of sincerity. But I believe he saved one stone to save someone he loved out of sincerity as well. You see, that part touches me more.

He said practically the same thing to Yul. At least, he’s consistent. He’ll follow his heart.

CP: So that is what he wrote in his book. It is just a poor excuse for not being able to let go of the stone. Who would believe that?
Uk: I do. Because I would do the same.

He’s telling the Crown Prince then that if he must make a choice, his lover is his #1 priority, and the rest comes in #2.

The CP doesn’t have to worry about Uk wanting his job. The only reason Uk will want to be King is he needs to protect Naksu.

4. Naksu grows a conscience.

This is obvious so I won’t go over it.

5. The kiss

Alchemy of Souls: Ep 18 The Kiss

6. The fact that there are only two more episodes left in this season

and I don’t have to deal with plot holes anymore.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

That’s it for me.