Gu Family Book Episode 23

Gu Family Book’s episode 23 opens with Park Moo Sol, Yoon Seo Hwa and Gu Wol Ryeong and their respective, heartrending moments with Choi Kang Chi.

In his mind, Choi Kang Chi no longer wants to bid farewell to people close to him especially Dam Yeo Wool because she is the very first person he dared claim to be his.

Choi Kang Chi fears losing Dam Yeo Wool before and until now.  But because the monk informed him of their fate that one of them might die, in their case it is most likely his girlfriend, add the recent incident when he accidentally wounded Yeo Wool during a mission plus he cannot save a person twice using his divine blood, the situation he is in calls for a different and difficult decision – that is to break up with Yeo Wool.

At present, Kang Chi tells Yeo Wool the end of their relationship.  His third wish.

Yeo Wool, as expected, argues but Kang Chi explains that she might die.

Yeo Wool stress that everybody dies, only differs on its manner.  She explains that some enjoy a long life and die a natural death, others caused by a disease or while giving birth, and others die while protecting someone they care about.  She adds that people might know the day they were born but not their deaths.

Kang Chi reiterates what he fears – that of all people who might die because of him, it is Yeo Wool, which is the reason why he cannot stay beside her because his girlfriend’s life is at stake.

Yeo Wool asks why do they have to break up because of something that has not happened yet. Kang Chi explains that he once ignored the monk’s warning.  That was when Lord Park Moo Sol died. He further said that had he been a little bit off, he could have torn Yeo Wool’s heart.  But the young lady admits that whatever Kang Chi is saying rips her heart. 

Kang Chi explains wounds will close and heal in time but death is not something a person can recover from.  He adds that he won’t be able to bear if by chance he really loses Yeo Wool because of him.  He stressed that he wont be able to live properly. He begs Yeo Wool to do what he says.  He tells his girlfriend that as soon as the day breaks, he will bid farewell to the master and will be out of the academy.

Then Kang Chi walks out leaving behind Yeo Wool weeping.

Gon arrives and sees heartbroken Yeo Wool.  Then he sensed someone behind him but when he turned around, there was nothing.

Kang Chi visits the admiral to say goodbye.  The admiral asks his purposed but Kang Chi couldn’t say a word prompting the admiral to invite him for a walk.

While on the road, Kang Chi seeks the admiral’s wisdom on his situation.  The admiral said if a person he loves most might die because of him, he would his do best so it won’t happen.  Then worried Kang Chi asks the admiral that to keep his love one safe and keep her alive, he must leave.

When the admiral asks what does Kang Chi fear most, he said it is losing the person he loves and that something might happen to her because of him. But Kang Chi gets a surprise question from the admiral – what is it that that person he loves fears most? This question was left unanswered because Kang Chi heard footsteps.

At the Hundred Year Inn, Jo Kwan Woong tells Ja Ryeong to lend him ten of his ninjas. But Ja Ryeong refused saying their mission is only to create maps and gather intelligence. They cannot get themselves involved in the assassination of the admiral.

But Jo Kwan Woong clarifies that he is not asking them to carry out the assassination but he just needs manpower. Then he calls Deputy Seo to let in someone.

  Ja Ryeong meets brothers Yoon, one of the brothers in martial arts academy who hates Kang Chi!

Ja Ryeong asks Jo Kwan Woong of  his plan.  The latter tells him to that Choi Kang Chi will kill the admiral.

Back at the naval base, Kang Chi tells the admiral to escape since they are surrounded by ninjas.  But to Kang Chi’s surprise, the admiral tells him there is no need because he summoned them.  Then Kageshima approaches them.

 In a brief encounter, the admiral advises Kageshima and the entire Japanese merchants to leave in three days or none of them will come back to Japan alive.  On top of that, the admiral adds none of the Japanese merchants under the name of Goongbon can set their feet as long as he is the admiral in the southern province.

The warning has reached Ja Ryeong who thinks that the admiral is declaring a state of war with them but Kageshima believes if is a state of war, they would be attacked immediately.

  As courtesy to the admiral’s warning, Kageshima suggests a retreat but Ja Ryeong refused because of a pact he made with Jo Kwan Woong.

At the naval base, Kang Chi confronts the admiral for not taking the bodyguards in meeting the Japanese.  The admiral said Kang Chi arrived in time.  But the young man is worried that something would have happened had he not come.  The admiral tells Kang Chi that dying is not that frightening but what frightens him is if he makes a wrong decision while he is still alive and cause harm to innocent people. 

 He adds that if a war starts, thousands of lives will be at stake.  Thus, all the decisions of the admiral are thoroughly thought of.  He adds that everyday, he finds himself in an abyss of loneliness and fear but the reason why he is not avoiding this duty is because he wants to protect his soldiers.  He said in order to protect them; staying by their side is the best option.

Then Kang Chi remembers his conversation with Yeo Wool when he asked her what she is most afraid of. Yeo wool answered its Kang Chi. She explains that he might one day suddenly disappear is what scares her the most. She adds that as much as you like someone, there’s a lot to fear.  Yeo Wool adds that someday she’ll get old and weary and Kang Chi might neglect her because she’s old. 

Kang Chi laughs off Yeo Wool’s concerns reminding her that he can’t live without her.  He adds that he is the son of Wol Ryeong whom he described a silly guy who found his first love only after a thousand years and even after he became a thousand year demon, could only remember his mother’s memory.  Kang Chi said he is a true romanticist and that is a family trait.  He reaffirms that he will have his eyes only for Yeo Wool forever.

As he leaves the naval base, he only thinks of Yeo Wool, who, on the other hand, is on her bed restless.  She couldn’t believe that Kang Chi left her just because the monk tells him about their fate.

  Yeo Wool rants and almost screams at her governess who doesn’t have any clue of what she is saying.  Hoping to calm her down, Yeo Wool tells the governess that she will do some sword exercise. 

Yeo Wool meets brothers Yoon as soon as she closed the doors of her room.  Her student said he wants to talk to her outside.  Less than an hour later, governess is on the ground searching for Yeo Wool.  She meets Master Gon and asks if he had seen Yeo Wool.

Alarmed by the news that Yeo Wool is possibly missing, Gon orders Yeo Joo to wake up Seung to help her find Yeo Wool in the entire academy while he sprints towards the forest.

At the forest, Yeo Wool asks her student what does he want to tell him that they had to go to a far place.  

Yoon tells his instructor that he is disappointed and disgusted on how all of them favor Kang Chi who is not even human. Amidst the conversation, Yeo Wool sensed someone else is in the forest and prepares to pull out her sword.  But when she turns to her left, the man threw some powder on her face and hit her in the abdomen making her weak and soon unconscious. The ninjas cover the face of Yeo Wool and were about to take her when Gon arrives.  Yoon claims the ninjas arrive showing where Yeo Wool is. Trusting their student, Gon walks past Yoon to rescue Yeo Wool.  But as soon as Yoon is behind him, Gon gets stabbed!  Gon asks Yoon who tells the same thing – that he is sick and tired of them taking the side of Choi Kang Chi instead of their human brothers.  He then tells Gon to die but the sword master managed to kill him first.

The ninjas try to escape but the wounded sword master runs after them.  However, Gon didn’t know that the ninjas have a back up leaving him to fight against a dozen ninjas. He still tries to save Yeo Wool despite getting cuts and stabs.  But since he is outnumbered, Gon soon lost Yeo Wool after he gets hit on his back.  The ninjas are all set to kill him when a speeding Kang Chi strikes them.

  Kang Chi asks Gon if he is okay but seeing many cuts and wounds, the half-mythical being saves the master who is now almost dying.  

Then Kang Chi sprints after Yeo Wool but the ninjas left a smell bomb to get rid of their scent.  Kang Chi then was unable to trace them.

Drunken Ma Bong Chool and his assistant were peeing in a corner when they saw unconscious Yeo Wool being carried towards the Hundred Year Inn.

The following morning, Gon wakes up and sees Master Dam Pyeong Joon and Master Gong Dal in his room.  He immediately apologizes for his inability to protect Yeo Wool. Master Dam asks if Kang Chi saved him because Tae Seo found Gon in the forest bloodied.  He confirms but Kang Chi’s whereabouts is unknown.

Meanwhile, Kang Chi went to confront Jo Kwan Woong whose men are lined up in the courtyard.  More so, the vicious retired officer seems to be expecting Kang Chi’s arrival when he together Ja Ryeong and Kageshima meet him at the courtyard.  Kang Chi asks where is Yeo Wool but Jo Kwan Woong refused prompting the young man to attack him.  However, Kang Chi stops when Kageshima’s sword blocks him.

Then he heard Jo Kwan Woong’s deal that in order to see Yeo Wool, Kang Chi must kill Lee Soon Shin or his girlfriend will die. Aside from Yeo Wool, Jo Kwan Woong also presented to kill Choi Ma Reum and Eokman, who are both tied, because they are both Kang Chi’s moles.  But Choi Ma Reum appeals to his son that he must not do it even if they get beaten.

Kang Chi asks Jo Kwan Woong if there is no end to his atrocities but the wicked retired officer gives him a wicked reason. He compares his situation to the instinctive prey and predator food cycle of animals.  Kang Chi is left speechless.

Yeo Wool, meanwhile, is inside a crate surrounded with piles of vaults and other crates inside a secret storage room.  Worse, the storage room is full of incense to keep Kang Chi, who has strong sense of smell, from tracking Yeo Wool.

At the academy, head gisaeng Cheon arrives with her assistant and Cheong Jo. Park Tae Seo welcomed them and assisted the head gisaeng to Master Dam.  Master Cheon reports that she can’t find any information on Yeo Wool being hidden at the Hundred Year Inn, making the master presumes that his daughter is dead.  The he asks for Kang Chi.

Gon, meanwhile, is guarding Kang Chi, who is eager to find Yeo Wool.  But Gon pacifies him and explains that if there is one who must make a decision in this situation, it is Master Dam, Yeo Wool’s father.  Their conversation was interrupted when Tae Seo enters saying the master call for him.

In a meeting with all the masters, Kang Chi reminds the master about the urgency to find Yeo Wool.  However, Master Dam, though he is grateful, tells him to stop. The master said that couldn’t tolerate any longer the barbaric acts of Jo Kwan Woong so Kang Chi should give up on Yeo Wool.  His statement made everyone speechless until Kang Chi recovers.  The master stress that the admiral’s safety is more important. 

Master Dam explains that if they will be shaken by this kind of threat and become vulnerable, Jo Kwan Woong will keep using similar tricks to make them and the admiral suffer. And that is his decision. When Kang Chi reacts, Master Dam reminds him that it’s time for the half mythical being to start his own journey.  He reminds Kang Chi that his goal is to find the Gu Family Book. 

Choi Kang Chi pleads to the master not to tell something like that in a grave situation. He stressed that he doesn’t want to leave and he cannot give up on Yeo Wool.

Master Dam said Yeo wool is his one and only daughter and in spite of that, decided to give her up so Kang Chi must follow as well.

But Kang Chi explains that for him, Yeo Wool is his one and only person.  He emphasize that if he can’t protect the only person that is his, what good is it for him to become human.  He added he did not endure the ordeals just to become a pathetic human. And it doesn’t matter to him whether he is human or whatever, he definitely cannot give up on Yeo Wool.

Listening to the arguments of the two men closest to Yeo Wool, Gon and Tae Seo sides with Kang Chi. Masters Cheon and Gong Dal also side with Kang Chi. They even remind Master Dam the reason why they are serving their country is to protect the people they love and sometimes it is okay to neglect the burden for the greater good.

Park Cheong Jo heard all these as she stands outside the room.  Then she visits the room of Kang Chi where she sees the clothe she made for him.  Then she realize that Yeo Wool means so much to Kang Chi, making her regret that she didn’t recognize him when he was beside her.

At the grounds, Ma Bong Chool arrives.  Kang Chi, Tae Seo and Gon meet him at the back of the academy.  Ma Bong Chool tells Kang Chi that ‘pretty master’ Yeo Wool was being carried by men clad in black clothes at the right side of the Hundred Year Inn. Park Tae Seo remembers that the Goongbon merchants are renting storages on the inner skirts of the Hundred Year Inn, which makes them realize the possibility of Yeo Wool being locked inside. Wasting no time, the four moves to save Yeo Wool. They barged inside the storage area but some guards blocked them. Unknown to them, a ninja secretly saw them entering the premises of the Hundred Year Inn and immediately reported it to his superiors. 

Kang Chi and Bong Chool check the other side of the Hundred Year Inn.  They barge inside a storage room and discover it is full of incense, vaults and crates. Kang Chi tries to open a huge crate under a pile of boxes. But when he opened it, it was empty.

Park Tae Seo and Gon, meanwhile, check the other storage rooms, which are also full of incense and vaults. However, they are already late.  They discovered a huge crate with an open cover, which makes them assume that Yeo Wool was already transferred to a new hideout.

The four men meet after their raid.  Ma Bong Chool explains that he really saw the pretty young master being carried by the thugs but since he is drunk, he doesn’t know the exact location where Yeo Wool was hidden.  Gon said the ninjas are expecting Kang Chi and even burned incense to block his sense of smell. Tae Seo asks Kang Chi what they will do now.  Kang Chi, remembering his break up with Yeo Wool, tells everyone that he needs to go to the Navy and see the admiral. Both Gon and Tae Seo stop and remind him not to include the admiral in the situation. But Kang Chi asks Tae Seo to trust him.

At the naval base, Choi Kang Chi visits the admiral.  Kang Chi said he needs to protect the people he loves and he asks the admiral if he trusts him.

One of the moles of head gisaeng Cheon reports that she saw Yeo Wool being taken to a storage room at the Hundred Year Inn.  The head gisaeng orders her assistant to send someone to relay such information to the academy and to the group of Gon to be able to immediately track Yeo Wool.  Then Cheong Jo remembers that she saw them with thug Ma Bong Chool.

At the Hundred Year Inn, the ninjas tie Yeo Wool in a chair. Choi Ma Reum and Eokman, who are both tied on the pillar, helplessly watch her. But a terrifying circumstance engulfs them when they noticed a huge metal spiked ball, balanced by a sack of sand on the other side of the room, is hanging above Yeo Wool’s head!

Making matters worse, a ninja stabs the sack letting the sand fall down the ground. He said that once half of the sand in the sack has leaked out, the spiked ball would smash Yeo Wool’s head!

Cheong Jo meets Gon, Tae Seo and Bong Chool.  She tells them that Yeo Wool was seen taken inside the Hundred Year Inn.  The group trooped there immediately.

Jo Kwan Woong receives report that the admiral has arrived at the Hundred Year Inn.

Admiral tells him that he received report that to harm him, jo kwan woong held hostage innocent people. He requests him to free the hostages.  Jo Kwan Woong asks that the admiral came all the way from the base just to say that.

At the storage room, Yeo Wool, Ma Reum and Eokman are panicking because a great amount of sand already leaked out causing the spiked ball to loosen a little.  Yeo Wool continues to struggle to free herself.

Kang chi, Gon and Tae Seo are on their way to the storage when Jo Kwan Woong’s guards block them. The three immediately won over them.  However, a number of ninjas arrive to stop trio.  In the middle of the fight, Kang Chi hears Yeo Wool’s cries.  Tae Seo suggests that he should leave immediately to rescue Yeo Wool.  More so, the group of Bong Chool arrives to help them.  With Tae Seo, Gon and Bong Chool and his men together to fight against the ninjas, Kang Chi sprints away to rescue Yeo Wool.  Kang Chi arrives.  When he noticed the spiked ball, he runs towards Yeo Wool to immediately untie the rope.  He saves Yeo Wool on time.  The couple rolls on the ground as the spiked ball falls and crashes the chair! 

Kang Chi calls Yeo Wool but his girlfriend push him back! As soon as Kang Chi stands up, Yeo Wool gives him a kick, pokes him and calls him a jerk while crying. Kang Chi apologizes to his girlfriend for breaking her heart.  The young couple reconciles.  In the warmth of their embrace, both bear thoughts telling how much they love each other.  Kang Chi thinks he should have hugged Yeo Wool more then to show how much he likes her while Yeo Wool thinks she should have said often how much she loves him.

At the courtyard ground of the Hundred Year Inn is the confrontation of the Admiral and Jo Kwan Woong. The Japanese merchants and the guards of the wicked retired officer surround the two.  

Jo Kwan Woong denies the allegations that he hostage someone to harm the admiral.  The admiral asks why does he live? What is that you’re trying to secure at the cost of innocent people’s lives? Is It power, wealth or something else?

But Jo Kwan Woong admits he only exist for himself. He does whatever he wants to do even if he wants to kill people.  The admiral said he sees a man who is selfish, lonely and dirty.  But the retired officer justifies that he is just being honest to himself unlike other hypocrites.  The admiral asks if it’s the reason why he is even selling off the country to which Jo Kwan Woong explains that he will rule the southern province so it is not a bad deal for him.

The admiral asks him if he is admitting of being a traitor but the arrogant officer said the admiral would die any way so there its not a big deal to divulge such information. The wicked officer even bid farewell to the admiral when Choi Kang Chi announces its not over yet.

Kang Chi together with Yeo Wool, Gon, Tae Seo, Bong Chool and his assistant approach to protect the admiral.  The admiral immediately asks Yeo Wool if she is okay.  Yeo Wool apologizes for making him worry.

Kang Chi reminds Jo Kwan Woong what he said before – that he would take back the Hundred Year Inn. 

Unknown to them, Deputy Seo is hiding behind the bushes with his rifle aimed at Choi Kang Chi. Jo Kwan Woong bids goodbye to Choi Kang Chi prompting the rest to turn and discover that Deputy Seo is holding a rifle aimed at them.  Then a gunshot!  The young couple looks at each other. 

Is it the end for Kang Chi? Will there really be no happy ending for these hapless lovers?