The eighth episode of Tempest commences with San-ho and Mun-ju fleeing the gunfire chaos at Morae Port, their footsteps echoing through the night as Director Yoo issues a public mandate for their arrest, branding them traitors and laying the blame for Jun-ik's demise squarely at their feet. Meanwhile, Mi-ji is led away to the police station for an intense interrogation, her every word scrutinized under the harsh glare of the law.
San-ho and Mun-ju seek solace in a dilapidated hut, nestled deep in the heart of a forsaken wilderness, where they spend the night. As they huddle under the thin blanket of stars, Mun-ju confesses her readiness to forsake all for him, to run away into the unknown. But San-ho, with a newfound resolve, urges her to stay strong, to continue her fight for the truth—the very reason he wants to help her uncover the secrets that lie within.
Back at Ok-seon's abode, she realizes with a jolt that Eun-seong is missing. It transpires that he and Han-na have been consigned to the catacombs, most likely at San-ho's behest.
San-ho and Mun-ju then journey to the temple where Mun-ju's infant's eternal rest lies, believing Jun-ik might have left a clue for her there. Tucked away beneath the lid of the urn, they find a letter and a flash drive.
In the letter, Jun-ik pour his heart out to Mun-ju about his son, revealing his plan to resign from his post and unveil the truth about his mother's identity as Stella Young to the world. He whispers that the flash drive holds all the evidence and implores Mun-ju to use it as a shield against any adversity that may come her way.
Elsewhere, Im Du-jin collapses in a fit of illness, only to learn later that his food was laced with poison.
At the NIS headquarters, Director Yoo reveals Ok-seon's true identity as a spy for North Korea. He offers her a chance to redeem herself, to work with them and be hailed as a patriot rather than a secret agent. She agrees to collaborate if only Director Yoo can secure Mun-ju's arrest first.
As Jun-sang returned to the land and found Ok-seon at the National Intelligence Service (NIS), he accompanied her on her way home. In the car, his gaze penetrating hers, he inquired about Jun-ik's demise. She responded with a simple statement, her voice cold and unwavering: "He was not my son." While chatting with Anderson and Kim Jose, Mun-ju and the others discovered that the fictional nation of Idisha had been procuring weapons from North Korea. Moreover, Senator Eagleton, it seemed, was exporting American weapons to the enemies of the United States. Determined to act, Mun-ju decided to share this information with President Chae.
At the police station, Mi-ji was finally granted permission to leave. However, as she stepped onto the road, a car careened into her and swiftly whisked her away. Mun-ju immediately realized that Ok-seon was behind it all. She dialed her number, and Ok-seon demanded a ransom: Eun-seong in exchange for Mi-ji's safety. Mun-ju instructed Han-na to take Eun-seong and flee to a distant place.
Han-na showed Mun-ju a news clip, in which the King of Idisha issued a stern warning to the United States: remove your troops from our land or face the consequences. Han-na believed that a submarine was on its way to Idisha. Before departing, she revealed to Mun-ju the truth: Jun-ik had never truly loved her; he had come every week solely to see his son.
Elsewhere, President Chae instructed one of her men to arrange a secret meeting with Mun-ju without the NIS's knowledge. The situation was charged with intrigue and danger, as each character played their part in a web of deceit and betrayal.
With a sense of urgency, Anderson reaches out to Mun-ju, informing her of a significant development involving an Idishian account that has made substantial payments to North Korea through Aseom Shipping, OK-seon's company. Mun-ju urges Anderson to take immediate action and freeze the account, fearing that if Kim Han-sang doesn't receive his funds, he might not allow the submarine to reach Idishia at all.
As Mun-ju sets off to confront Ok-seon, she enlists San-ho's help by instructing him to reach out to President Chae and inform her of the situation with the submarine, enabling her to inform the US president of the developing crisis.
Upon meeting Ok-seon, Mun-ju reveals that Eun-seong and his mother have already fled the country. With Jun-ik's inheritance now relinquished by Han-na, Ok-seon finds herself no longer in need of the young boy. Instead, Mun-ju offers to confess to Jun-ik's murder and relinquish the funds to her. Impressed by her bold move, Ok-seon agrees and orders her doctor to save Mi-ji's life.
