Jumong became interested in making himself an ion sword and requested Mo Pal Mo to teach him how to make one. One evening as he sneaked inside the iron chamber to make his sword as per the teachings provided by Mo Pal Mo, the fire furnace suddenly burst and exploded and engulf the iron chambers into blazing fire which almost killed Jumong. it turned out to be the blast was sabotaged and deliberately caused by the Han soldiers that accompany the visiting governor of Hyeon-to city. Prince Young-po have known about the plot before hand but prevented reporting it to prince Daeso thinking it will be another edge for his older brother if the latter will be the one to report to the king. Young-po decided to let it just pass.
In order for Jumong to strengthen his character and his outlook in life, King Geumwa have told Lady Yoo Hwa that he need to experience living outside the palace even though it might break her motherly love for Jumong. Lady Yoo Hwa somehow agreed to the king's wishes and just take it as an opportunity from clashing near the king's other 2 sons. During the times that she misses him, she just caress over Jumong's clothes to ease her worries.
Jumong experienced life outside the comfort of the palace and became a vagabond. Na-ru followed him around as per instructions from Prince Daeso.
One day, he met a group of thugs hired by Na-ru and fought hard with them. He got stabbed during the encounter and was helped by the group of Oh-Yi, Mari and Yeopbo who were street thugs earning their keeps bt scamming people on the street. Jumong has also become one of their victim when they tricked and robbed him of the valuables given to him by Mu-deuk as something he can trade for money which he can use for his expenses outside the palace.
The group brought him to Bu-Young, the divination maid who was also their friend and knows how to treat wounds. Bu-young recognized him and immediately treated his wound.
King Geumwa investigated the initiator of the rumors that was circulating in the palace. The person told it was the Palace Emissary and brother of Queen Wonhu that instructed him to circulate the rumor.
Jumong bribed Mu-song the prison guard of the cave prison in Mt. Soo-Mi by bringing him wine in exchange for teaching him to fight. Mu-song was story telling rumors that are circulating in the palace and tell the stories to other prison guards guarding the cave prison with him. The stories he told was overheard by the blind prisoner in one of the cells who became interested after hearing them. He summoned for Mu-song and asked if its true that Lady Yoo Hwa became pregnant with the General's child. Although unsure about the details due to the many versions circulating, he told the blind prisoner that its true according to the source of the story That blind prisoner was said to be detained in that cave prison for decades now.
The team of merchants of Yeon ta Bal were discussing strategies on how to take action against those underground merchants like Do-Chi who were illegally smuggling salt into the market. Although risky, So Seo No suggested that they take control over the market by striking Dol-chi and his men where the trade occurs. Having full confidence with his daughter, Yeon ta Bal agreed and let her take charge with caution. Yeon ta Bal agreed to go with the team to Buyeo and at the same time visit the high priestess when one of her maids brought news from the palace that the king agreed for an arranged meeting.
King Geumwa was pleased to meet Yeon ta Bal who will eventually give him news and valuable information from far places their caravans have visited. in exchange, he requested permission from the king for trade rights in Buyeo market.
While in the palace and as his father met with the king, So Seo No wandered around the palace area until she reached the training arena where Prince Daeso was practicing his fighting archery skills. He almost hit So Seo No with his arrow and So Seo No positioned to fight him. Prince Daeso, enchanted by her looks agreed to fight with her. But a divination maid who was assigned to bring back So Seo No back to the divination palace where his father was talking with the high priestess, prevented them from continuing the fight and summon back So Seo No as she apologized to the prince.
Bu-young treated Jumong's wound as Young-po's men roam around searching for his whereabouts. Jumong asked forgiveness from Bu-young on how she have suffered ever since she was kicked out of the divination palace because of his wrongdoing. Oh-Yi, who has no idea who he is, asked Jumong to go away since many are following him and he was disrupting their business scamming and robbing people on the streets of their valuables.
Worried, Bu-young asked Jumong who were those men haunting him.Although ashamed for what he has done in the past, Jumong requested Bu-young if he can stay and help him find a job since he has nowhere to go. Bu-young who works with Do-chi introduced Jumong as Chu-Mong to hide his identity and urge him to give him work. Jumong was taken by Do-chi as one of his men.
So Seo No and Wutae tracked Do-Chi's contraband and seized them wile being unloaded from a boat. A fight ignited between the men of the two merchants. So Seo No encountered Jumong as one of Do-Chi's men during the struggle saving Do-chi who was pleased with Jumong. Do-chi instructed the group of Oh-Yi, Mari, Yeopbo along with Jumong to retaliate and attack Yeon Ta Bal's place. But So Seo No awoke when they entered her room causing a commotion. They captured and took So Seo No to Do-chi's hideout as they wait for Yeon Ta Bal's next move.
In Do-chi's hideout, Jumong realized that the woman they are holding in captive was actually his So Seo No who saved him from being engulf by the quicksand in the forest near the Founder's Mountain.
