As Episode 9 of "The Murky Stream" unfolds, Choi Eun's gaze falls upon the burning storage facility, a harbinger of her father's fate. The impact is so profound that she is momentarily consumed by a paralyzing shock. Meanwhile, Chief Kang remains vigilant at the dock, holding fast to the map that holds the key to their future. A flashback reveals Choi's dire warning to Kang: leave with the map if he fails to appear. But Dol-gae's ruthless soldiers have encircled the woods and docks, and the Choi family has been branded traitors, making Eun and Kang fugitives.
With Seom, Eun's faithful attendant, they seek refuge with Si-yul, who shelters them in his dilapidated old home. Walwal, bearing Chun's sword, imparts the news of Chun's demise. Alongside Choi and several guild members, Chun's lifeless body dangles from the city walls, labeled a traitor. Si-yul is devastated, and Eun and Kang implore him to ensure that Chun's sacrifice is not in vain. Mu-deok, though cowardly, balks at their presence but is cajoled into silence with a bribe of money and land. In exchange, Eun demands safe passage to Gwangha port. Despite their mistrust of Mu-deok, Kang and Eun place their faith in Si-yul.
The question looms: Does Mu-deok truly betray everyone?
Mu-deok does procure a boat, but his conscience is weighed down by the fear of retribution once Eun and Si-yul have completed their mission. He hesitates to speak his mind to Si-yul but instead turns to Dol-gae, revealing the truth about Chun and Si-yul's brotherhood, Wang Hae's involvement in Mrs Jang's death, and Eun's whereabouts. Dol-gae wonders why he would risk it all for such a hefty fee, but Mu-deok explains his fear of being caught in the crossfire and his need for Dol-gae's protection from Wang Hae and his men.
As Dol-gae's soldiers rush to Si-yul's abode and the dock, they find it deserted. A flashback shows Si-yul's foresight in predicting Mu-deok's betrayal. The loyal bandits then facilitate Eun and Kang's escape through the mountains. In the end, Mu-deok claims that his approach to Dol-gae was merely a ruse to aid Eun's escape. The amused bandits disbelieve his words, but it is clear that Mu-deok is on their side as he never divulges Eun's destination to Dol-gae. Thus, he secures Dol-gae's protection while keeping his promise to Eun.
The replacement of Officer Dol-gae stems from his incapacity to locate Eun and the crucial map. In his frustration, Dol-gae resorts to violence against Wang Hae, which only earns him a severe reprimand from Lord Oh. The Queen Mother, who holds the map as a means to dismantle Tae-seok's faction, the Seoins, also demands Dol-gae's replacement due to his knowledge and ineffectiveness. This ineffectiveness is further exemplified when Mu-deok leads Dol-gae and his men on a fruitless chase. In the end, Dol-gae meets his fate at the hands of Captain Park's order, who ascends to the position of assistant general, filling Dol-gae's shoes and becoming Lord Oh's obedient servant.
Regarding Si-yul's quest for revenge, he and the bandits dispose of the corpses of Chun, Choi, and the guild members. Si-yul then locates and dispatches Acham, the Jurchens' resident, while Acham's sister, Yeo-ju, attempts to take her revenge but succumbs to her injuries. Si-yul then challenges Wang Hae, who is enraged upon learning of Acham and Yeo-ju's deaths. The confrontation is bloody, with both parties heavily wounded by the end. Si-yul emerges victorious, avenging his mother, Chun, and Mal-bok. He returns to the gang, and with Kang and the bandits' assistance, they inter Choi and Chun alongside Mal-bok's grave. Si-yul then sets off for his childhood village in the northern border.
As for Eun's quest to fulfill her father's wishes, she plans to present the map to the Ganghwa magistrate and depart for Ming. She invites Si-yul along but he declines. Before parting ways, they exchange their names, with Eun thanking him for his kindness and him wishing her luck. Eun, Seom, and Kang make it to Gwangha port as the country is ablaze with fire signals signaling impending war. It seems Tae-seok was right about Japan's invasion of Joseon.
