Yi Hwi

Yi Hwi has taken up a lot of disguises and persona. For other uses related to his aliases, see Crimson Moon (Disambiguation) and Butterfly (Disambiguation).

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Yi Hwi(이휘 / 輝)
Title	Crown Prince of Ga Guk (assumed role)
Aliases	Jin Yeon (assumed name) Crimson Moon Hong Nabi
Nickname	"Ponytail" (by Sori)
Professions	Rebel monarch Crown prince decoy Painter (as Hong)
Affiliations	Deung Ha Bul Myung Royal Family of Ga Guk Yu Hyang Ru
Gender	Male
Age	18 years old
Hair	Teal
Eyes	Jade
Debut	Chapter 0
Status	Alive
Relationships
Yi Hyul (Father) Ahn Young (Mother) Yi Jeok (Twin brother) Yi Won (Half-brother) Yi Hyul's Twin Brother (Paternal uncle) Yi Ha's Wife (Maternal aunt/Foster mother) Yi Ha (Maternal uncle-in-law/Foster father) Sa Baek Hwa (Foster mother) Seol Hwa (Foster sister) Seo In Seon Woo (Mentor) (formerly) Yoo Dan Ah (Love interest)

“	If you cry like that, your heart will only hurt more. Cry out loud.	”
–To Yoo Dan Ah

Yi Hwi is the son of King Jin Hyul and Queen Ahn Young, the younger twin brother of King Jin Jeok, and the half-brother of King Jin Won, and a prince of Ga Guk. Being adopted during infancy by Minister Yi Ha and his wife, Hwi was believed to have died after being born, a secret that his father desired to hide from others. After some time, he was brought back to the palace and befriended Yi Jeok, the erstwhile crown prince of Ga Guk.

Following Jin Hyul's death, the king's consort Yoon Yeon Lee orchestrated the Jeogwa Revolution and usurped the throne from then Queen Dowager Ahn Young. Hwi and Jeok fled the palace that was set on fire, and, after a master plan by Minister Seo In Seon Woo was devised to keep the crown prince safe from his enemies, Hwi assumed the title of Crown Prince Jin Yeon (진연), the posthumous name of the runaway crown prince after the coup d'état, as the decoy of the real crown prince.

Ten years later, Hwi and Jeok founded the rebel army Deung Ha Bul Myung, with Hwi leading it as its rebel monarch (반란군 군주, banrangun gunju) under the guise of the Crimson Moon in pursuit of reclaiming the throne. Moreover, Hwi acted as a beautiful gisaeng named Nabi in Yu Hyang Ru, and he was a famous painter using the pseudonym Hong Wol (홍월, lit. "Crimson Moon"), often shortened to Hong, to aid in the rebel army's financing.

History

Birth

Prior to his birth, royal physician Ma Mi Song diagnosed Queen Ahn Young to be pregnant with twins, which King Jin Hyul, unknown to his royal consort, prohibited to tell her about. Jin Hyul had a personal history and wished against twin princes being born, as he himself battled for the throne with his own twin brother that led to bloodshed and the ultimate demise of his rival twin. Physican Ma further told him that, though one was healthy, the other one had a faint heartbeat.

A newborn Hwi

As Ahn Young gave birth to the twin princes, the second-born was barely breathing. Though the king's desire to not have twin princes was not granted, he utilized the situation to his advantage and ordered to have no physician attend to the child. One of the queen's ladies-in-waiting heard of this and informed the queen about the dilemma. Nonetheless, she angrily immediately ordered them to fetch the physician.

Minister Yi Ha, the husband of Ahn Young's cousin, happened to be near the place and inquired about the commotion. The queen pleaded to her cousin-in-law for help; despite the circumstances, the child held on to the minister's finger. Taking this as a sign that the child wanted to live, Minister Ha acquiesced to take the child away and hide him from the king.

On his way out, Physician Ma caught the fleeing minister and realized the situation. The physician halted him, however, and told him that the child would not survive the night if left unattended. Thus, the physician took the child to tend to him and requested the minister to find someplace for the child to live away from the palace. The royal physician also resigned from his position and disappeared from sight. From then on, the child was forgotten as if he had never been born.

Hwi under the care of his foster parents

Minister Ha talked with his wife about the dilemma. Though it would be hard, the wife happily took the child in under their care, as she herself also wanted a child after years of trying. A few weeks after the child was adopted, Queen Ahn Young sent the couple the name of the child: Hwi. As he grew, the couple kept him in the confines of their residence to ensure his safety and to keep his identity hidden. At a young age, Hwi showed a proficiency in painting, a talent he later honed as supported especially by his foster mother.

Entering the Palace

Seven years after his birth, Jin Hyul became bed-ridden after acquiring an illness. One day, he allowed Ahn Young to bring back Hwi to the palace, showing that he knew of the second-born prince's survival after all. He gave a condition to the queen that no one should know about his royal lineage until the crown prince ascends to the throne, to which the queen agreed.

Hwi meets Jeok for the first time

As a result, his foster father brought him to the palace. He introduced him to Crown Prince Yi Jeok, his twin brother (though unbeknownst to neither Hwi nor Jeok), though presumably as a double for the crown prince as he and Minister Seo In Seon Woo, who had knowledge about the twinship of the princes, thought of to further protect the crown prince. Jeok shunned this idea and asked the ministers to send the boy home, asserting that he had confidence under the protection of Bi Yeong Ship Mu. Instead of doing so, Seon Woo asked the crown prince to befriend the boy.

Jeok was apathetic towards Hwi and ignored him initially

Hwi followed Jeok anywhere he went, but Jeok was merely apathetic and neutral towards him. Subsequently, after getting to know the prodigious child, Jeok became interested in him, and the two became friends. They later grew closer to the point of mutually treating each other as brothers. Queen Ahn Young later visited the two and, seeing Hwi for the first time, embraced him as a form of "gratitude" for being there for the crown prince. She then presented them with matching clothes she personally sewed. Jeok commented that the "spare" clothes she had made had finally went to their rightful owner.

Hwi carries Dan Ah and sings her the Butterfly lullaby

When he was eight years old, he went to Bi Hwa Rim, presumably together with Jeok and the king. He met Yoo Dan Ah who was sneaking in, finding a medicinal herb with a red fruit hanging from it to give her ill mother. After a brief introduction, Dan Ah realized that her slippers were carried away in the lake due to the strong current. He stopped her from chasing her shoes because of the dangerous waters gushing. He went to find her slippers, but he was only able to find one. He apologized to her, saying that the other one must have already been carried away far from their location. Nonetheless, he promised her that he shall find her missing shoe and give it to her. Afterwards, he asked Dan Ah to leave because sunset was fast approaching, and authorities might catch her illegal intrusion to the restricted place. However, Dan Ah's knees were injured; thus, Hwi tended to her and carried her home, singing the Butterfly lullaby as she fell asleep.

On his attempt on finding Dan Ah's other shoe, he was able to retrieve it and personally delivered it to Dan Ah's residence. However, the household was grieving because of the passing of Dan Ah's mother. He merely left the shoe on the stairs, which Dan Ah noticed a few days later, much to her delight.

Jeogwa Revolution

Main article: Jeogwa Revolution

Jeok and Hwi escape from the burning palace

That same year one night, Hwi was woken up by his mentor and told him to stay quiet. He saw the queen talking with Jeok, who later apologized to him, saying that she could not protect them until the end. Confused, Hwi left the burning palace with Jeok and Seon Woo, who also gave them a norigae. As per their mentor's final instructions, he and Jeok exited the Phoenix Doors and ran westward to Ju Wah Ae Rim to find a certain Wol Young Hwa.

On their escape, Hwi stumbled and got hit by a dagger that pierced his left chest. They hid on a house where they were caught by a young girl. The girl's mother discovered them; seeing that the boys were escaping from the palace, she voiced out her disinterest in keeping the two to avoid future repercussions. Jeok pleaded to her and, eventually, the woman tried to kill the other boy to end their difficulty, but Jeok covered him. The latter insisted on pleading, later angrily gazing at her to at least let them stay for the night. The woman gave him a knife to end the boy's life himself in exchange for letting him in. Seeing as he might have offended her with his gaze, Jeok stabbed his own eye and continued pleading for her mercy. The norigae Seon Woo gave them fell from Jeok's pocket, which the woman noticed. Recognizing it, she picked up the norigae and introduced herself to them as Wol Young Hwa. She took them in and had a doctor treat Hwi's wounds.

After being unconscious for a whole week, Hwi woke up and immediately looked for Jeok. Seeing his black hair turn white out of emotional stress, Hwi bursted into tears. Jeok consoled him and told Hwi that he did what he could as a future king. Instead of crying, Jeok only smiled at him and named him as "Yi Hwi", recognizing him as part of his family. At this remark, Hwi vowed from then on to protect Jeok no matter what.

After usurping the throne from Ahn Young, Yoon Yeon Lee became the queen regent following her ten-year-old son Yi Won's coronation as king. Knowing that the crown prince had fled the palace during the coup, she ordered her co-masterminds Yoo Ja Gyeom and Baek Yoo Shin to locate the missing child. Yoo Shin dispatched a search party (possibly the newly established Bi Yeong Pal Mu) on orders of taking every male child aged 7 to 11 years old with a birthmark on their nape area, similar to the crown prince.

Seol Hwa, Jeok, and Hwi (dressed as a girl) are found by a guard

Seol Hwa caught sight of royal guards outside their house where Hwi and Jeok hid and informed them at once. Seeing that the guards did not take female children, Young Hwa had Hwi act as a girl, making Jeok the only boy in the household. Additionally, Jeok had only one eye and his hair was white, making him unsuspicious. At one point, royal guards found the three children, but Young Hwa's plan succeeded, backed upon personally by Young Hwa herself in defending them. Eventually, they were spared from suspicion, and the guards left their household.

Becoming Jin Yeon

Seon Woo realized the danger that was still looming over Jeok as crown prince. Young Hwa suggested that a plan must be concocted to get him out of trouble as soon as possible. Jeok himself thought of fleeing to Nam Hyeon, a neighboring country of Ga Guk, but the minister had something else in mind. Initially reluctant, he proposed having Hwi act as Jeok's decoy, but the latter immediately rejected this idea.

Hwi being branded with a mark on his nape

Perceiving this as a way to concretize his promise of protecting Jeok, Hwi volunteered to become the crown prince's decoy until Jeok would reclaim the throne. His resolve further increased after knowing that his parents were assassinated by Yeon Lee's men, realizing that he and the crown prince were in similar circumstances. As a result, the plan was set: with Hwi taking the title of Crown Prince Jin Yeon, Gil Mu Jin and Baek Ho were to serve him with loyalty, Young Hwa and Seol Hwa were to keep the secret within themselves, and Jeok would serve Hwi as his liege until they could reclaim the throne of Ga Guk. As a final step, Seon Woo burned a mark on Hwi's nape, similar to Jeok's birthmark, to remove any trace that he was not the crown prince. From then on, Hwi struggled to treat Jeok as someone inferior to him, with Seon Woo strictly telling him to commit to his decision to act as the crown prince.

Appearance

See also: Yi Hwi's Outfits

Hwi's nape scar

Hwi is a young man with fair skin and distinct jade eyes. Generally, Hwi has an androgynous appearance, effeminate enough to earn the epithet of the "most beautiful" when he switched to his Nabi persona. He has long teal hair that is loosely tied in a red ponytail with unkempt bangs covering most of his forehead. He also has a burn mark on his nape similar to Jeok, which was branded by Seon Woo to replicate the true crown prince's defining proof of identity to the crown prince's decoy. Furthermore, when he acted as Nabi during King Jin Won's bridal selection, Hwi earned a butterfly-shaped burn mark on his left arm as a result of covering Dan Ah from having tea spilled on her.

Throughout the series, Hwi has worn many outfits of the same style that mostly differed in color scheme. He typically wears a plain white jeogori and a knee-deep baji tucked into tight vambraces on the arms and knees. He also dons a joki that reaches his upper femur and ties it into a ribbon as its belt. He usually wears ankle-high beoseon and a pair of simple jipsin sandals. He is sometimes seen with a bamboo capsule on his back where he puts his paintings that he sells as the painter Hong. He has a brown waist bag on his left side where he keeps his art materials inside. In the first part of the series until the second part, he wore a red bracelet given to him by a young girl, though he stopped wearing this after it was broken. When he acted as the infamous Crimson Moon, he donned a red full-face mask with eye slits as its only openings and carried a sword with him.

Personality

Hwi is a rather calm and reserved person who cares deeply for the people of Ga Guk. He is very quiet most of the time, though he can be defensive for other people when they are in a bad situation as a way of protecting them from others. Hwi is also very patient when it comes to his feelings especially with Yoo Dan Ah and is usually concerned of her welfare. Though he knows very well that she is his true love and that she is in love with his enemy and half-brother Yi Won, he accepts it and willingly does anything to protect her no matter what.

Although he built the rebel army Deung Ha Bul Myung to reclaim the throne for the crown prince, Hwi sometimes gets misled that he is a protector of many innocent citizens in which his companion Yi Jeok always reminds him that they must focus on their true goal of reclaiming the throne and not protect people from getting killed. During this occurrences, when Hwi's points are contrasted, he tends to get angry and upset especially when it comes to the protection of the people and the nation. However, he makes up for his mistakes and becomes understanding, bearing the burden of seeing countless, innocent civilians killed. As stated by Jeok, it is not Hwi's nature to kill someone naturally especially when it is someone dear to him.

Hwi acquired a habit of being wary of his surroundings whenever he sleeps, as he claimed to have lost something precious while he was sleeping once. This most likely refers to the Jeogwa Revolution, which commenced at night while he was sleeping and when he lost "precious" things and people close to him, including his real mother and the palace that became his second home full of memories with his "brother figure", as well as his foster parents shortly after the coup d'état.

Plot

Fateful Encounter Arc

Hwi denies Dan Ah access to Bi Hwa Rim

During the eleventh year of the reign of King Jin Won, Hwi journeys to Deung Ha Bul Myung headquarters in Bi Hwa Rim where he encounters Yoo Dan Ah. She asks him the route leading to the creek, but he tells her to go back since the site is off-limits to other people. She then follows him but eventually loses him since he climbs up a tree and goes his way. At the headquarters, Hwi is welcomed by the people and is given a bracelet by a young girl which she says will make his wishes come true. He then asks Baek Ho how the training of the members are doing, and he says that they are doing fine.

Compact Heist Arc

Hwi is wounded by a poisoned dagger

Back at Hyang Ju, Won talks to Jeok about stealing the compact while changing into Nabi. "She" then goes to Yu Hyang Ru with him to act as a gisaeng. Disguising as Nabi, he attends the evening meeting of Deung Ha Bul Myung about their plan of stealing the compact at Yoo Ja Gyeom's residence. He then volunteers to go since his specialty is blending with darkness and orders everyone to go since they are fighting over which will go. After he as the Crimson Moon and Jeok steal the compact, he was wounded on the shoulder by Baek Yoo Shin's poisoned dagger and decides to hide in a nearby place. He is then caught by Dan Ah whom he silences and wonders if she is the Prime Minister's daughter. She bites his hand and calls for help from outside, but Hwi gets her and almost falls on the ground. He then saves her from the fall, and as Dan Ah's repayment, sets him free without telling the servants. As he is found by Jeok, Hwi notices on their way out a pair of red slippers which seem to be familiar with him from ten years ago. He then ponders if she is the girl from Bi Hwa Rim ten years ago.

Hong saves Woon from Won

Hwi then concludes that Dan Ah is the girl from Bi Hwa Rim. He is then called by Baek Ho with Mu Jin, saying that the body of the missing Inspector General was found. On the site of discovery, Baek Ho informs Hwi that the Inspector General knew little about the rebel army. While having their discussion, Hwi gets a glimpse of Dan Ah from a distance. When Dan Ah is chased by Nam Yang Heon, Hwi helps her to hide in a nearby place. She accidentally sits on a painting tube, damaging the painting. She asks him if he is "Hong" and tells her that he is. She confesses that she likes Hong's painting and, upon realizing that she truly admires his paintings, Hong gives the painting to her. After denying it many times, Dan Ah finally takes it.

Shadow Village Conflagration Arc

As they come out of the place, they encounter Ma Mi Song who tells them that the slums is currently being raided by the Imperial Army. At the site, he and Dan Ah scurry to see two siblings who are orphaned and ill. They find Chung who seems to be arguing with someone. It is then revealed that Woon is being lifted on the neck by Won. In order to ease the situation, Hong grabs Woon and kicks Won off of him, stating that he is only a child. They engage in a one-on-one fight but are stopped by Dan Ah. Chung shouts at the villagers that the Crimson Moon is nearby, leaving Hwi surprised.

Hong asks Won if he is the Crimson Moon

Chung reiterates that Won is the Crimson Moon because of his red hair, so Hong asks him if he truly is the Crimson Moon. He denies this at once, but Hwi still wonders why Won, the mistaken as the Crimson Moon, is being chased. Dan Ah shuts the door to keep away from the angry villagers. The villagers breaks the door but finds the room empty. The three escape the room, but Won complains why they need to run because he can knock them down. He tells them that if he truly is the Crimson Moon, they will be accused with harboring a fugitive, but they tell him that he admitted he was not the Crimson Moon. The two believe him and promises that he will protect Won. As they reach a bridge, Hong pushes Won and Dan Ah to the water to hide from the villagers while he acts as bait to keep the villagers' focus on him. Later, he returns to them and hide themselves in the woods. Hong then gives Dan Ah some cloth to keep her warm, but Won grabs it and argues that he is cold as well. Thus, he decides to share the cloth by hugging Dan Ah, but Hong separates them at once.

Chase Arc

Hong paints Dan Ah's shoes

Later that night, Dan Ah runs to Bi Hwa Rim after being reprimanded by her father. Hwi, being in Bi Hwa Rim as well with Jeok and Mu Jin, shows up before her again. As Dan Ah struggles not to cry, Hwi advises her to cry out loud in order to release all her emotions. Hwi also notices her wounded feet and carries her to a boulder to tend to her, reminiscent of what happened ten years ago in the same location. Dan Ah continues to cry and tells him that she misses Won. She also does not care on becoming Queen in which he realizes that the Prime Minister may have already joined forces with the empress dowager. She then thanks him, and Hong gives her a pair of plain unhye which Jeok and Mu Jin left. Dan Ah tells Hong that she wants to wear beautiful flower shoes so that she may go to Won's side just like what her mother believed. Seeing the plainness of the shoes, Hong paints Dan Ah's shoes with flowers and tells her that those shoes will make her go to Won.

Revolt Procurement Arc

Inside Physician Ma's clinic, Hwi hides from Dan Ah who became very worried about his huge wound. He tells Hwi that they cannot recover on their own because they worry about each other. He tells the physician that he has not given up yet and that "forgetting" her may be the best solution for the both of them.

Later that night after Nabi's, Jeok's, and Seol Hwa's "secret discussion", Hong goes to the gallery to start earning for the 100,000 nyang they need for the guns they procured. He asks the seller of his paintings if his previous work has been sold, so the seller gives him the payment of 300 nyang. Realizing that it is not enough, he again asks the seller how much it will cost if Hong paints his "last piece". The seller panics while, nearby, Won listens to their conversation and tells them that he can get the money for him. Won asks Hong if his painting "Bi Hwa Rim" can make a woman fall in love with him, but he answers that it is not enough even to sway a person's heart. Sparking his interest, Won declares that he will buy Hong's last piece. He asks him how much he needs, and Hong tells him that he needs 100,000 nyang. He laughs at this regard, but tells Hong to follow him.

Hong and Won in the gambling den

Hong and Won enter a gambling den in order to get Won's money to pay Hong. Won uses Hong's money to gamble, much to the latter's chagrin. However, they continue to play despite constantly losing. They then catch a gambler who cheats them and try to expose him. Won threatens him by pointing his pipe at his eye, but Hong stops him. The owner of the gambling den arrives and Hong tries to explain what happened, but the cheater reverses the story and points out that he and Won were the ones who cheated. Another gambler agrees to this and clarifies to the owner that they were indeed cheating. Convinced, the owner orders his thugs to drag Hong and Won out of the place. Won resists and gets beaten up, while Hong also gets hit and kicked.

They are then kicked out of the place and orders them never to enter the place again. Won tells Hong he now does not have any money to buy himself a drink, but Hong unexpectedly gives him one nyang to buy a cheap one. Hong apologizes to him that he was not able to protect Won. The latter remembers his "promise" from that night in the slums and tells him that one nyang is not fine then. He then asks Hong to drink with him, while Hong refuses.

Won and Hong spend the night together as "friends"

Hong is eventually dragged with Won and spend the night near a lake. He notices Won staring at him and asks Hong if he has a sister because, according to Won, he looks like Nabi, much to Hong's alarm. He tells him all about his effort in order to see and meet Nabi, but ended up in a mess. Hong tells him that she left him because she did not like him. Won asks Hong if he ever met someone like her, and Hong quickly remembers Dan Ah, so he tells Won that he does have met someone like that. He tells Won that she was a beautiful person who made him live as the true self that he is, but she is going to be married to another man (Won). Interested, Won also tells Hong about Nabi whom he tries to forget. Won then tells Hong that it is the first time that he is able to have some fun and calls the two of them as "friends", much to Hong's surprise.

Plague Arc

Hong finds Dan Ah in the village

At Moon's End Village, Hwi is with Mu Jin from a mission in helping the people of the plague-stricken land, giving grain and medicine. He instructs Mu Jin to return to Yu Hyand Ru instantly to sell Nabi's valuables in exchange for money as compensation while he himself will pursue the fake Crimson Moon. He also orders Mu Jin to keep his individual mission as a secret between the two of them. Later, he goes to Physician Ma's aid and helps the sick patients. He then finds Dan Ah also helping in the village.

Hong worries for Dan Ah's health in the middle of the epidemic, but Dan Ah chides him for appearing to underestimate her. The physician arrives and assures Hong that the plague is not airborne and cannot be transmitted as long as proper care is observed. He adds that Dan Ah is tougher than he thinks, and, if that does not suffice, asks him to merely protect her (and him) as Hong pleases. He then proceeds to assist in tending to the plague patients.

Dan Ah guards Hong during his rest

Hong takes a break and takes a nap under a tree at the back hill. Sori asks Dan Ah to fetch him back, but Dan Ah decides to let him rest following his continual hands-on assistance at the place. As she slowly places a blanket on him, Hong immediately wakes and pins down Dan Ah on the ground. He apologizes for his rash action and explains to Dan Ah that it has become a habit of his after he "lost something precious" once while he was sleeping. She asks him to continue resting and, while he sleeps, she shall protect him and stay by his side.

Hong detects a presence tailing them

Later, Hong and Dan Ah find Won in the village. Won greets his "friend" after some time, and Hong greets him back with a nickname, much to Dan Ah's surprise that the two are close acquaintances. Won affirms that he and Hong have some history together, and he invites Hong to drink with him to have some fun. Hong blatantly refuses, but Dan Ah invites Won to go with them for some "fun", unbeknownst to Won that she is going to escort him back to the clinic with them to help out. As they leave, Hong senses some presence from the shadows, who turn out to be Rok Ha and Gyeom tailing Jin Won.

Hong goes back to where he sensed some presence hidden in the trees and confirms his gut feeling that it was Rok Ha of the Western Nak Cheon Company. Mu Jin returns from Hyang Ju, but without the medicine that Hwi earlier requested him to procure. Mu Jin informs him that there are no medicines left in the market, most possibly already bought by the royal court, much to Hwi's dismay.

Hong and Physician Ma talk about the shortage of medicine at the clinic

At night, he returns back to the clinic, only to be found by Physician Ma. Hong apologizes for his absence that afternoon, while the physician advises him not to get too close with Won. Seeing Hong in low spirits, Physician Ma remarks whether Hong was not able to procure some medical supplies, surprising Hong about how the physician guessed correctly. Despite the lack of their supplies at the clinic, Hong promises Physician Ma that he shall do something about the shortage. Likewise, the physician tells Hong that he still has another trick up his sleeve.

Hong asks Physician Ma for Dan Ah, who is apparently missing in the clinic. The physician calls for Sori and asks where she is, as well as Won who has gone missing. Sori tells them that the two might be having some "alone" time together, but Hong becomes suspicious of the occurrence. He also enlists Mu Jin's help, but the latter cannot also locate the two. He thinks that they might have been to the back hill where he rested earlier, but found no one there. As he is about to leave, he successfully spots Won and Dan Ah below the cliff.

Carrying the unconscious Dan Ah, Won passes by the stock-still Hong

Because the rain makes it slippery to come directly down the cliff, Hong is forced to circle around the area to reach the two. However, by the time he arrives where he spotted the two earlier, Won is already conscious and carries Dan Ah, leaving Hong speechless and forcing himself to control his emotions upon seeing Dan Ah injured. They immediately bring her to Physician Ma and plead to him to save her, though the physician informs them about the gravity of her leg injury that might consider being amputated. Won, however, demands the physician to save her completely, to which Physician Ma accepts, swearing on his name to treat her. Afterwards, as usual, Physician Ma shuts the door on both of them to begin treating Dan Ah.

Outside, Hong asks Won whether the incident was an accident, to which Won replies it was. Sori arrives with the items Physician Ma ordered him to bring for Dan Ah's treatment, and he tells Hong and Won to go inside and rest. With the two unflinching, Sori becomes nervous about Dan Ah's condition, as the chief state councilor might be angry with her daughter's condition. Won immediately grabs Sori's arms and asks him whether Dan Ah is the chief state councilor's daughter, which Sori anxiously confirms. Won merely chuckles at his answer, while Sori enters the treatment room. Meanwhile, Hong becomes suspicious of Won's response.

The next day, Physician Ma goes out of the room and informs Hong and Won about the success of Dan Ah's treatment like he promised. Won becomes relieved and compliments the physician's aptitude, but Hong remains worrisome, asking Physician Ma whether Dan Ah would still be able to walk. Unable to give a definite answer, the physician merely hopes for it. Afterwards, Won's wounds are treated. Hong leaves and ponders about the recent happenings, including how Won suspiciously said it was an accident, how the incident may link to Rok Ha, how it may be another attempt on Dan Ah's life, and many more, urging him to investigate the issue.

Rebel Army Suppression: Setting in Motion

Jeok reprimands Hwi

Hwi continues to plan with Mu Jin in secret to help the plague patients. However, during their meeting, an angry Jeok and Baek Ho enter, indicating their knowledge of their secret. Jeok reprimands Hwi for his insistence and refusal to listen to Jeok's early warnings. Nonetheless, he agrees to offer his help for the last time, after which they proceed to plan a midnight infiltration at the palace to retrieve some medicine needed for the plague patients.

After the meeting, Hwi thanks Jeok for offering his help. Hwi also assures the latter not to worry about the payment for the cannon, as he has found a potential buyer for Hong's painting. Though Hwi says the buyer seems to be apparently wealthy, Jeok advises him not to put too much faith in him. Before Hwi leaves, Jeok asks him whether he is able to let go of the wind stirring his heart, to which Hwi replies that he is trying to.

Hong hears that Won and Dan Ah had floated the lantern together

Later at night, Hong heads to Bi Hwa Rim with Won's finished painting. As he passes by Hwa Gwi Cheon, he notices a lotus lantern get stuck behind the rocks, recalling the legend that Seol Hwa once told him about how two people who float a lantern at the stream will meet again someday even if they get separated. As he lets the lantern float on, he hears Won and Dan Ah call him and finds out that it was their lotus lantern, asserting to himself that it hurts seeing the two of them together.

Hong then gives Won the painting and asks for his payment. Dan Ah wishes to take a glance at the painting, but Won coldly stops her, saying that the painting is his. Dan Ah is taken aback, while Hong rebukes Won's stern action. As usual, Hong and Won engage in a fight, but Dan Ah thwarts their fighting. She instead becomes glad that the three of them floated the lotus lantern, which would ensure them having to meet someday once again. The next night, Hwi and some of his cohorts prepare to infiltrate the palace to retrieve the medicine they need. Before setting out, he feels a sudden chill, but shrugs it off immediately.

Rebel Army Suppression: Execution

Hwi spots Bi Hwa Rim under fire

Hwi as the Crimson Moon and the others infiltrate the palace, but realizes that the palace is strangely deserted, almost without a guard in sight. As they enter where the medicine is supposedly located, he and Jeok find the place empty. The latter then calls him and points out that Bi Hwa Rim seems to be under fire, much to Hwi's shock.

Hwi cradles his dead foster mother

Realizing that contact with Bi Hwa Rim has gone awry, Hwi rushes to Yu Hyang Ru to see their situation, which is also raided by Bi Yeong Pal Mu. He arrives at the nick of time and kills a guard who has stabbed Young Hwa. Hwi carries an unconscious Seol Hwa and escapes with Young Hwa out of the house. As Young Hwa realizes that her stab wound is quite deep, she asks Hwi to go ahead and take Seol Hwa somewhere safe. Amidst Hwi's initial protests to leave her behind, she reckons that she would catch up slowly behind him. Hwi promises to return to her, after which he takes Seol Hwa out of the chaos. He finally reaches Baek Ho and asks him to take Seol Hwa out of the chaos. Baek Ho tries to stop him from returning to Yu Hyang Ru, but Hwi nevertheless rushes back to save Young Hwa. As he does, he merely catches the sight of his foster mother's corpse. Initially in disbelief, it dawns upon him that she has passed away and screams out of despair.

Creation and Conception

Hwi's early design

Muryu commented and described Hwi as "pretty" even during early stages of conception and especially when his final design was completed. Muryu also said that she "felt bad for Rok Ha" when talking about Hwi's design.

Quotes

• (To Jeok) "I will not die... but live in your stead. As you have protected me, it is now my turn to protect you. Please do not worry about me. I will not die. If I die, I won't be able to protect you."
• (Referring to Dan Ah) "The more I try to forget her, the more I long for her."
• (To Won about Nabi) "She left because she didn't like you. Is it really that difficult to forget such a person?"
• (To Won about Dan Ah) "I only met her once, though. I liked her from the moment I laid eyes on her. Her surprised expression. Her eyes full of tears. A smile that lit up her face. She was a beautiful child. But her heart was even more beautiful."
• (To Dan Ah) "I can't sleep peacefully. It's because a long time ago, I lost something precious while I was asleep. [...] I suppose there are many who are after my worthless life."
• (Referring to Dan Ah) "I know that you did nothing wrong. That you're not bad at all... But now, I know that I must point my blade at you."

Trivia

• His name in Hanja means "shine" or "brightness" (輝).
• Hwi slacked off in military arts when he was a child.
• Despite being born as twins, Hwi is shown to be canonically younger by one year than Jeok. Whether this was intentional or not is never confirmed. Additionally, Hwi's age was consistent throughout the series:
  • When he was seven years old (11 years prior to series start), he met Jeok at the palace.
  • When he was eight years old (10 years prior to series start), he met Dan Ah at Bi Hwa Rim. This was also when the Jeogwa Revolution commenced.
  • Both circumstances place Hwi at 18 years old. Jeok's age, however, was never mentioned again after his age was shown during his first appearance.
• The Yi family had various cases of having twins. Hwi and Jeok are twins, his father had a twin brother, and his half-brother Won had twin children.
• Throughout the series, Hwi had three mother figures: his biological mother, his earlier foster mother, and his later foster mother. Ironically, Hwi never knew who his real mother was.