The fourteenth episode of "The Haunted Palace" kicks off with Yoon Gap joyfully reuniting with an elated Mrs. Yoon and a cautiously optimistic Yeo-ri on their journey to work. Yeo-ri, though initially hesitant, eventually accepts Gap's heartfelt apology for deceiving her. However, a sudden flinch crosses her face as Gap reaches out to her, prompting him to return Gangcheori's bracelet to her with a mixture of emotions.
Upon his return to the palace, Gap is met with pleasant surprises and warm embraces, including a tight hug from the King. Yet, the ghostbane stone attached to the King causes Yoon Gap excruciating pain, leading Yeo-ri and the King to deduce that the stone is reacting to Gap's deceased corpse. Unbeknownst to them, Pung-san eavesdrops on this conversation through Gap's soul, realizing that the ghostbane stone holds the key to their ultimate weapon.
Back at work, the inner circle resumes their efforts to push forward anti-slave reforms. The King finds Gap's infectious enthusiasm refreshing, yet he can't help but reminisce about the unwavering support he once received from Gangcheori during his moments of self-doubt. Gap, too, senses the King's longing for Gangcheori, and even Head Eunuch Kim expresses a surprising fondness for Gangcheori's brazen demeanor.
Suddenly, Gap is overcome with pain, and Pung-san steps in, offering his "assistance." The shaman reveals his sinister plan: Gap must destroy the King's ghostbane stone to make the body permanently his own, merely by pouring a special "alcohol" over it. However, Gap, steadfast in his loyalty, refuses to comply.
Elsewhere, Yeo-ri and Ga-seop embark on a search for Gangcheori, with Yeo-ri offering a heartfelt prayer, upset that he broke his promise of never letting her go. Miraculously, Gangcheori awakens within Gap's body as well, sparking a chaotic struggle for dominance between the two souls. As the conflict intensifies, it becomes clear that Pung-san is aiding Gap in suppressing Gangcheori, reminding him of all that Gangcheori has taken from him, fanning the flames of Gap's internal conflict.
The following morning, Gap vanished at the break of dawn, leaving Yeo-ri with a haunting vision of his gaze fixated on the ghostbane stone. Driven by an inexplicable urge, she dashed after him.
Within the palace walls, the King showered Gap with endless praise and diligently pursued reforms. The ghostbane stone rested prominently on his desk, unaware of the impending peril. Gap, in a moment of impulse, reached for a flask labeled "alcohol," intending to douse the stone. Gangcheori's shrill cry of protest was too late; Gap had already tossed the liquor, losing his footing in the process and being summarily ejected from the royal presence. He fled, only to be found later by both Gangcheori and Yeo-ri, his spirits crushed with self-disappointment. Gangcheori reminded him it was Gap who had ultimately cast away the liquor, yet Gap was consumed by fear of his impending fate, pleading with Yeo-ri to aid him in his transition to the afterlife.
Returning to their abode, Mrs. Yoon's heart sank as she realized Gangcheori's return was not unaccompanied. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she mourned Gap, her sorrow deepening when she learned of his demise. Shamans conducted the solemn rites, while Gap bid an emotional farewell to his mother and Yeo-ri. Meanwhile, in the palace, the King wept openly, holding a private ceremony in honor of Gap.
Gangcheori, aware of Gap's unspoken affection for Yeo-ri, pondered why he had never confessed his feelings. Gap, ever considerate, refused to burden her with love she could never return, choosing instead to protect her heart. Gangcheori, moved by Gap's selflessness, promised to watch over Mrs. Yoon and Yeo-ri in his absence.
With Gap's passing, Pung-san saw an opportunity, enticing Minister Ahn with the promise of the Chief State Councillor position in exchange for destroying the ghostbane stones. As Mrs. Yoon grieved for Gap, Gangcheori and Yeo-ri set out for a tavern, finding themselves compelled to share the solitary available room—a classic scenario of unexpected intimacy in confined quarters.
As night descends, Yeo-ri remains steadfast in her resolve to put an end to the spectral conflict, driven by her concern for the ghost, the welfare of the villagers, and the well-being of her grandmother. She playfully teases Gangcheori, who finds himself in an uncomfortable situation of sharing quarters, prompting him to half-jokingly suggest a solution – only to be promptly interrupted by Mrs. Yoon. Having spent the entire night in search of them, she hastily escorts them back home.
The scene shifts to D-Day, the ominous day marking the ghost's hundredth death anniversary. Within the inner circle, preparations are in full swing. Meanwhile, Jung, Kwak's officer-cum-assassin, ingeniously infiltrates the security detail. The King, in a gesture of profound protection, bestows his ghostbane stone upon his pregnant Queen.
Yeo-ri's mind drifts back to her grandmother's haunting words about the potential fatal consequences for a shaman if the reaper's method proves unsuccessful. The caragana blooms at last, its blossoms heralding a pivotal moment. Gangcheori partakes of its tea, a grim realization dawning upon him that he may have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
As the ritual commences, chaos ensues when the ghost takes possession of Assassin Jung. With effortless ease, he dispatches all who dare to confront him, including Gangcheori, and directed a sinister smile towards the King. In a shocking twist at the conclusion of The Haunted Palace Episode 14, Jung plunges a blade into the Queen's abdomen, leaving everyone in disbelief and horror.
