Episode 12 opens with a thrilling scene as Gong-gil, aided by his jester companions who double as skilled fighters, rescues Ji-young from peril. With a determined look, he informs her that Jesan is orchestrating a rebellion against the king.
At the palace, chaos reigns as Jesan embarks on a ruthless killing spree, leaving Minister Han Min-seong and his associates among the casualties. He then confronts Queen Ja-hyun, accusing Yi Heon of orchestrating the bloodbath. With a chilling calm, Jesan proposes that Prince Jin-myeong ascend to the throne, demanding that the coronation take place the very next morning. Meanwhile, Su-hyeok and Yi Heon, having narrowly escaped death in a forest battle, regroup and strategize.
The following morning, Jesan's loyalists circulate false rumors about Yi Heon's alleged murderous rampage within the palace walls. Amidst the turmoil, Prince Jin-myeong is officially crowned. The news reaches Ji-young and Gong-gil, who are in hiding. Before Gong-gil sets off to gather more information, Ji-young entrusts him with the charm that Yi Heon had once gifted her, a symbol of hope and connection.
To everyone's astonishment, a battered and bloodied Yi Heon arrives at the palace, demanding an audience with Jesan. In a tense confrontation, Yi Heon reveals that he has deciphered Tong Bailong's cryptic warning and uncovered Jesan's treacherous plot. Offering a deal, Yi Heon proposes to accept his dethronement if Jesan vows to uphold Jin-myeong's reign. Jesan feigns agreement, but Yi Heon sees through the lie.
Yi Heon is subsequently imprisoned, where Jesan, in a twisted gesture of mercy, permits him to retain his personal copy of the Mangunrok. On the final page, Yi Heon pens an inscription—one that Ji-young had read long ago in Episode 1. Sensing her presence, Gong-gil surreptitiously drops Ji-young's butterfly charm into Yi Heon's cell, a silent message of her survival.
Gong-gil rushes to share the grim news with Ji-young, informing her that the king is slated for exile. Drawing upon her historical knowledge, Ji-young knows that Yi Heon's fate is dire; he is destined to die shortly after his exile. Determined, she tells Gong-gil that they must intervene to save him from his impending doom.
As Yi Heon is banished, Prince Jesan, consumed by malice, resolves to have him killed regardless. As Yi Heon is escorted through the bustling streets, Ji-young, with determination etched on her face, manages to slip through the throng of townspeople to meet him. She clasps his hands, her voice steady yet filled with emotion, urging him to remain strong. The guards, unyielding, march Yi Heon towards the forested gloom. Just as they are about to carry out the grim deed, Su-hyeok and a band of soldiers burst forth from the woodland shadows, their arrival heralding Yi Heon's salvation.
Su-hyeok, with a solemn nod, returns Yi Heon's sword to him. In that very moment, Jesan arrives, flanked by his own cadre of men. Ji-young and Gong-gil rush in, bringing a fresh wave of reinforcements for Yi Heon, including the entire contingent of Ji-young’s kitchen staff. The clash of steel ensues, and Yi Heon's forces grow even more formidable with the arrival of Jang Chun-saeng. In a resounding triumph, Yi Heon's side claims victory. However, amidst the chaos, Jesan's soldier manages to strike Ji-young unconscious and whisk her away. Jesan, with a malevolent grin, issues an ultimatum to Yi Heon: come alone if he wishes to see Ji-young alive.
Yi Heon, undeterred, follows Jesan's trail, commanding his people to return to the palace. Gong-gil, Su-hyeok, and the others heed his call, swiftly overtaking Jesan’s remaining soldiers and ministers. In a moment of cathartic vengeance, Gong-gil slays Consort Kang. As Yi Heon finally confronts Jesan, he is set upon by three of Jesan's soldiers. In the midst of the fray, one of the soldiers tears Yi Heon's garments, revealing the Mangunrok book tucked within.
Meanwhile, Ji-young, using a shard of glass to free herself from her bonds, sprints towards Yi Heon. Her eyes widen in realization as she spots the book, the truth dawning upon her—Yi Heon is the author. Suddenly, a soldier lunges at Ji-young, but Yi Heon, with a desperate throw, sends his sword hurtling towards the attacker, saving her. Now weaponless and vulnerable before Jesan, who raises his sword high, Yi Heon braces himself.
In a split second, Ji-young throws herself in the path of Jesan's blade. Yi Heon, with a roar of fury, knocks Jesan unconscious. But it is too late; Ji-young lies dying, her words a tender whisper of love and regret. "I didn't really want to leave," she murmurs, before slipping into unconsciousness. The Mangunrok begins to emit a radiant glow, its inscriptions turning golden as they lift Ji-young off the ground, drawing her into its mystical embrace. Both she and the book vanish into thin air.
With Ji-young gone, Jesan, regaining consciousness, attacks Yi Heon once more. This time, Yi Heon, fueled by grief and righteous fury, slays Jesan. Meanwhile, Ji-young awakens in a modern-day Seoul hospital, the wound on her back a stark reminder of her ordeal, the Mangunrok clutched tightly in her hands. She is reunited with her father, who soon escorts her home. Curious about Yi Heon's fate, she searches the internet and discovers that history has been rewritten; the records no longer state that Yi Heon died, but that he vanished. Attempting to decipher the inscription on the Mangunrok again, she finds it unresponsive.
A month later, an acquaintance of Ji-young invites her to work at his restaurant for a brief stint. She agrees, her curiosity piqued. Upon joining, she is astounded to find that her new team members bear striking resemblances to her comrades from the Joseon era. Together, they embark on a culinary adventure, blending fine dining with the opulent flavors of Joseon-era royal cuisine. Their creation is a resounding success, a testament to their collective spirit and creativity.
We then witness a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Song-jae, identified as Steve Im, making his entrance into the restaurant. The restaurant manager, eyes wide with suspicion, entertains the notion that he might just be a Michelin inspector in disguise. True to the pattern set in earlier episodes, Steve embarks on a critical rampage, nit-picking the manager's culinary creations without so much as a taste. Tempers flare as Ji-young steps into the fray, engaging in a heated exchange with him. Amidst the clamor, Ji-young's ears catch the sound of a voice that sends a shiver of recognition down her spine—it's Yi Heon! With a spark of recollection, he declares that he has kept his promise, having found his way back to her. After what feels like an eternity, they are reunited, their lips meeting in a tender kiss.
An epilogue unfolds, painting a heartwarming scene of Yi Heon standing over a sizzling pan, cooking bibimbap for Ji-young, just as he had vowed he would!
