Episode 13 of "The Haunted Palace" unfolds with a haunting 100-year-old flashback. As the adversaries draw nearer, King Yeon-jong is forced to flee for his life. With refuge seemingly out of reach, Escort Officer Cheon Geum-hwi proposes his ancestral home, Yongdam Village, as a sanctuary. Alas, their fate takes a grim turn when their location is betrayed to the pursuing enemy.
Realizing the peril, King Yeon-jong concocts a plan to deceive their pursuers by sending a decoy to Yongdam. When Cheon pleads for time to evacuate the innocent villagers, the King sternly refuses, fearing it would expose their strategy. At Choi Gil-song's signal, an officer binds Cheon to a tree, and they all abandon him. The ruthless enemies descend upon Yongdam, slaughtering its inhabitants in their relentless quest to capture the King.
In the present, King Lee Sung is consumed by shame over his ancestor's cowardice and selfishness. Yeo-ri, sensing Cheon's self-imposed guilt, mirrors his torment, believing he bears the responsibility for the massacre. However, he is not alone in his suffering. As the towering 8-foot ghost, he has absorbed the vengeful spirits of the slain villagers, their collective grievance now his own.
Gangcheori reveals that those villagers who survived the onslaught were forever scarred, their souls twisted into bitterness and malice. This is the root of his conviction that all mortals are despicable creatures. Meanwhile, the menacing 8-foot ghost launches an attack on the Crown Prince, only to be repelled by the protective power of the ghostbane stone. Ga-seop offers comfort to the frightened prince.
Back in the village, Yeo-ri catches a glimpse of Yoon Gap's wandering soul. Gangcheori senses the ghost's cunning machinations, but Yeo-ri's thoughts are elsewhere. She ponders the fate of Gangcheori once Yoon Gap claims his body back. Gangcheori, playful as ever, teases her, while Yoon Gap silently observes them from a distance. In-seon too, finds their interaction intriguing, and Yeo-ri subtly flaunts their bond. Gangcheori, though teasing, is momentarily startled by the sudden blooming of the caragana plant.
A flashback reveals Ga-seop enlightening them about the caragana flowers' unique property of harnessing water energy, a crucial element in Gangcheori's quest to vanquish the ghost. This revelation is all the more pressing as the Imugi's magical powers dwindle, signaling a desperate need for reinforcement.
Elsewhere, the King receives the devastating news of Kim Bong-in's demise, plunging him into a depression. Haunted by the disgraceful deeds of his forebearers, his spirits remain dampened. Despite his sorrow, he summons the strength to attend the ritual honoring the one-legged ghost. Choi Won-u, initially hesitant, eventually pours out heartfelt apologies to the spirit, aiding its journey to the afterlife. As for his punishment, the King imposes a fine upon Choi and sentences him to fifty lashes.
As the royal entourage journeys back to the capital, Pung-san sets his sights on Minister Ahn, Kwak's compatriot and the individual who introduced the talismans. The blind shaman wins over Minister Ahn by dangling the promise of the Chief State Councillor position before him.
Yoon Gap watches with a heavy heart as Mrs. Yoon dotes on Gangcheori. He feels even more betrayed when Gangcheori manages to cheer up the morose King Lee Sung through a blend of firmness and affection. Gap is deeply wounded, feeling that Gangcheori has usurped everything dear to him. It becomes evident that Pung-san harbors a sinister hope—that Gap's bitterness will fester into a malicious grudge.
As preparations for the showdown commence, the King secures an identification tablet for Cheon Geum-hwi. Inspired by the one-legged ghost's resolution, he yearns to express his remorse and apologize to the eight-foot ghost, paving the way for its soul to transcend to the afterlife. Yeo-ri agrees to conduct a ritual ten days hence, coinciding with Cheon's hundredth death anniversary. Though she attempts to exclude Gangcheori out of concern, he firmly declines.
Meanwhile, the Queen Mother seeks closure. Her heart shatters when Yeo-ri reveals that Prince Yeong-in has been consumed by the eight-foot ghost. However, Yeo-ri fabricates a tale, asserting that praying with his cherished possessions will liberate his spirit.
The spectral child summons her, yet she underscores the unwavering strength embedded in a mother's fervent prayers. Overwhelmed with longing for his mother, the child finds solace as Yeo-ri assists him in crossing over to the other side. Meanwhile, Pung-san's subsequent chapter unfolds as Lord Ahn extends an invitation to Gangcheori for a feast. The Imugi senses the treacherous setup too late, succumbing to unconsciousness. Upon being conveyed back home, he appears to be consumed by an inner blaze. As Episode 13 of The Haunted Palace concludes, Yoon Gap awakens, reoccupying his own flesh and blood. Mrs. Yoon beams with joy, witnessing the return of her son's former self. However, Yeo-ri's heart is heavy with concern over Gangcheori's mysterious vanishing act.
