Alchemy of Souls episode 18

This recap of the Netflix K-Drama Alchemy of Souls season 1, episode 17, contains spoilers and major plot points.

Concurrently, Jang Uk explains that Words of the Heart was a poem written to demonstrate the heartache of a man tempted into using sorcery to bring a lover back from the dead. Swearing to find the actual Queen, and expose the identity of the soul shifter currently playing the royal, Jang Uk may need the help of the prince, but is determined to get to the bottom of the situation. Now that Songrim are accused of being fraudulent deceivers due to the existence of an ice stone not destroyed by Seo-gyeong, Park Jin’s area are stripped of the right to a say. Concurrently, we see that the leader of Jinyowon does have her suspicions on the matter due to the difference in the ear shape between her daughter, and the person she is now faced with. Then, as the King reflects on Master Lee being right in his proclamations, Jang Uk interrupts proceedings, informing everyone of Seo-gyeong’s true intentions that were left in Words of the Heart. Shockingly, the ice stone is then shown to everyone, alongside claims that the item has been in Jinyowon all along. After describing the return of Bu-yeon, which could lead to the rediscovery of the ice stone, Jin Mu appears to have somewhat convinced the Crown Prince that his idea is worth consideration. At Cheonbugwan, So-i is unveiled as the Danju of the secret investigation, and confirmed as the future leader of Jinyowon too. Though all the young master discovers is that unsheathing his sword in Gaema Village would be dangerous, in addition to the fact that the Gwanju is well aware of just what his son holds in front of him. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince recalls his discussion with Jin Mu, appearing intrigued by the idea of eternal life, and Heo Yeom confirms that the soul shifter being housed in Songrim can now breathe. Naturally, the young master explains that he is here to find Shaman Choi, but he finds himself somewhat suspicious of Jang Gang’s knowledge of the infamous person. Adding that the sacred item has the ability to “bring eternity to finite things,” Jin Mu hopes to stop the ban on the alchemy of souls, creating a “new order” where specifically chosen people can use its power, presumably to gain eternal life.