The haunting commencement of Episode 5 of "The Haunted Palace" unfolds with the discovery of Yeong-in's lifeless body within its eerie confines. The King, his senses assailed by the putrid odor emanating from the eight-foot specter, is reminded of Yeo-ri's dire warning about the ghost's impending return.
Meanwhile, in the rugged embrace of the mountains, Gangcheori keeps a vigilant watch over Yeo-ri, amusing Ga-seop with his steadfastness. The enigmatic monk imparts a crucial revelation: the sole artifact capable of banishing the eight-foot ghoul to the realm beyond is the enchanted pearl of a dragon. However, as Gangcheori has been relegated to the status of an Imugi, he must surrender his enchanted pearl entirely—a sacrifice of monumental proportions.
Determined and unyielding, Yeo-ri unearths her grandmother's shamanic artifacts. Witnessing her unwavering resolve, Gangcheori reluctantly agrees to become her patron. Overjoyed, she bestows upon him a bracelet, her voice tinged with affection as she recounts the meticulous care with which she crafted it, much to his astonishment.
Within the palace walls, the Queen Mother confronts the Blind Shaman, her presence commanding. Seeking to stall, the shaman proposes avenging Yeong-in's demise, cleverly planting seeds of doubt by claiming he was "deceived" by a potent shaman closely aligned with the King, thus arousing the Queen Mother's suspicion.
As night descends, Yeo-ri and Gangcheori engage in a solemn ritual, cementing their patron-client relationship amidst an air of tension. She, with a heart heavy with concern, reminds him of his pledge to rescue Yoon Gap. In exchange, he binds her to him until he ascends to his rightful place.
Elsewhere, the King is plunged into a harrowing nightmare, the eight-foot ghost towering over him, its malevolent presence suffocating. Minister Kim jars him from his slumber, and together they reflect on the King's compassion towards Yeong-in, amidst shadows of sorrow and uncertainty.
The following day, Choi Won-u arrived in the bustling capital to attend Yeong-in's solemn funeral. Later, he met secretly, irritated by the scholars' incessant flattery and anxiety-ridden attention. Before departing for the capital, Ga-seop bestowed upon Yeo-ri a caragana plant, a symbol of resilience. As they journeyed towards the capital, Gangcheori couldn't help but be inexplicably drawn to Yeo-ri, blaming it on the whims of human senses. His reverie was abruptly shattered by Guard Seo, who was astounded to behold their presence.
Elsewhere, In-seon was also en route to the palace, her heart captivated by Yoon Gap. In an unexpected twist, Yeo-ri and Gangcheori sought refuge in her palanquin, and she reluctantly deceived Seo, who was hot on their trail, by invoking Yoon Gap's name. Within the confines of the palanquin, Gangcheori was discomposed by his proximity to Yeo-ri. To silence his ravings, Yeo-ri swiftly covered his mouth. In a trance-like state, his fingers inadvertently brushed against her lips before he swiftly retracted them. The commotion drew Seo's attention, and he eventually discovered their hiding place.
However, instead of punishing them, he escorted them to Yeong-in's palace to unravel the mystery of his demise. Gangcheori encountered Ok-im, who unveiled the tragic sequence of events. They also discovered a talisman, confirming that the menacing 8-foot ghost was, in fact, a fire ghost. The King's arrival was met with fury, but it was revealed that the Queen had orchestrated Yeo-ri's return. She was willing to bear all punishment, even if it meant resorting to immoral deeds to shield her family. Torn between duty and emotion, the King enlisted Gangcheori and Yeo-ri to keep their unorthodox investigation under wraps.
That fateful night, the Blind Shaman was confronted by a mysterious figure, his former employer, who harbored a sinister intent: the annihilation of the royal bloodline. Wearied by the constant possessions, he issued a grim ultimatum to the shaman—kill the Crown Prince within a month. Gangcheori, sensing the underlying truth, revealed a startling revelation: Yeong-in had been sacrificed to the 8-foot ghost, empowering it further.
Meanwhile, Choi Won-u pays his respects to the Queen Mother, burdened by guilt for his consistent outbursts towards Yeong-in. As Choi bids farewell, the one-legged ghost shadows his steps, an ominous presence trailing behind. Subsequently, Kwak receives intel from his spy, Jung, regarding Yoon Gap's return.
For a dash of diversion, Mrs. Yoon grandly reappears with an exorbitantly priced elixir, intended to cure Gangcheori's perceived "madness." Caught in the midst of this bizarre encounter, Yeo-ri watches as Gangcheori rejects the potion with a torrent of spittle. In an attempt to cleanse his face, Gangcheori finds himself inexplicably drawn to Yeo-ri's lips, prompting him to abruptly flee. Similarly, Yeo-ri is left reeling from the brush of his lips against hers, initially mistaking her turmoil for an infatuation with Yoon Gap's physique.
Concurrently, the Queen ventures to check on the Queen Mother, who retaliates with venomous words. Struggling with morning sickness, the Queen unexpectedly inspires a scheming idea in the Queen Mother. It transpires that the Queen has a tragic history of miscarriages. Acting on this revelation, the Queen Mother instructs her maid to confirm the Queen's pregnancy.
Turning to the ghost-hunting venture, Yeo-ri sets a trap by announcing the Crown Prince's intention to spend the night in the library. Seo observantly notices the shaman's assistant, who surreptitiously attaches a talisman to the building. Inside, the prince engages in playful banter with Gangcheori before unveiling the melancholic plight of the eight-foot ghost.
Before Yeo-ri can contemplate this revelation, the ghost materializes. A net of talismans ensnares him, and Gangcheori strikes with a blade and his pearl. Yet, their efforts falter, reminding Gangcheori of Ga-seop's advice to drain the pearl fully. In a cliffhanger conclusion to Episode 5 of The Haunted Palace, the ghost rips through the talisman net with ferocious strength, leaving a sense of dread hanging in the air.
