I might repost this on the discussion thread. Some questions about Mu-deok after watching the latest episodes of Alchemy of Souls:

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    The Alchemy of Souls involves the involuntary or, in some cases, voluntary exchange of souls. That exchange is physically represented by the blue mark on the chest/shoulders of the individuals involved.
    Why was that not the case when Naksu entered Mu-deok’s body? Instead, Uk notices Naksu’s blue eyes. What could be the significance of this? One thing it does do is bring new meaning to the eyes being the window to the soul. It also makes me wonder if the original Mu-deok ever truly left her own body. Could both souls currently inhabit the same body?
    Though in a supposedly weak body, Naksu is still able to some interesting things, such as open the door to that strange room at Jinyowan, something that select members of the Jin family exclusively claim to be able to do. I read a comment asking if Naksu could be the long lost older daughter of Jinyowan’s leader. I, on the other hand, started wondering if the original Mu-deok might be that lost sibling.
    But I am also wondering if she could be someone ever more powerful.
    When Uk’s soul was in danger, I believe it was Mu-deok/Mu-deok’s soul—and not Naksu—who saved it. The woman Uk sees is blindfolded and wears a much softer expression on her face than we commonly see in the possessed Mu-deok (aka Naksu).
    Was the blindfold that the original Mu-deok wore hiding something else? Could she have already been inhabited by a powerful soul? Could a blue sheen have been seen in her eyes? I am kind of going all over the place here, but I am thinking about many things, including the question of who is currently in possession of the original ice rock mentioned in episode seven.
    I’ll have to think a bit more about this.

    Side note: the Crown Prince’s mother was revealed to be the head of Cheonbugwan. Does this mean he also has mage blood? This seems to be the case after watching his duel with Uk. I remember the shocked expression on Uk’s face at one point.

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      Hey i had the same thought too, that it might’ve been Mudeok who saved him not Naksu. I really hope they have an interesting story for Mudeok and not forget her just like that.

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        I am hopeful that she is a significant figure who will not be forgotten by the Hong sisters.

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          Wook tells MD-Naksu he saw her during the unsuccessful alchemy of souls attempt, but she doesn’t know what he’s talking about, so Naksu’s soul/consciousness wasn’t “inside” the alchemy process and it must have been the real MD who saved him. That at least means the Hongs haven’t forgotten about her yet.

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      Regarding Mu Deok, Heo Yeom says the the Songrim leader and Jinowoyon’s leader/elder put an end to alchemy of souls where people were going wild. I think MD is either the reincarnation of that leader/elder or the leader/elder herself. She was the one performing the ritual. Due to this development I’m now less sure that MD is the long lost daughter and I believe it’s more interesting if she’s the OG leader not Bu Yeon, the eldest daughter of the Jin. At least the relics in the secret room called her the ice stone. But I guess the show will veer towards, making her BY and the reincarnation.
      Regarding CP’s mother, she said she’s from Choi family, though technically she’s from the Seo family. That’s indicating she has soul shifted too probably. I don’t think the CP has mage blood. That shock was probably because he was yielding his power to the sword, something Uk can’t do yet and will probably left him dead. Though, the CP couldn’t perform that.

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        I’m loving all these theories!😊

        Re: the Crown Prince’s mother, I think she’s a Seo by birth, but married into the Choi family. Because her husband (the king) is obsessed with having an heir born under the King’s Star (and taking many concubines with strange horoscopes), I think she’s trying to secure her power and place behind the scenes. She was revealed as the Danju, but it wasn’t clear to me what the link was between the Danju and Cheonbugwan. And how is she creating/getting ahold of all those soul ejectors?

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          The King’s family name is Go, so it is unlikely that she’s married to the Choi family. I applaud the show for not holding onto mysteries for so long. Usually we find out several answers alongwith other questions in the next episodea. We’ll probably find the answer to this soon too. (Though that also kind of makes me skeptical because I’m hoping the Hong sisters have enough material to cover all episodes and not all mysteries are revealed soon and they have nothing much left later on).

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            🤦🏻‍♀️ You’re right, of course!! Then you may also be right about her being a soul-shifted Choi!😳 In which case, does anyone have our CP’s best interests in mind? I feel a bit sad for him! I hope he and the 3 seasons (not sure about spring!) can come together against the Danju.

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        “I think MD is either the reincarnation of that leader/elder or the leader/elder herself. ”

        Yes, this is what I was thinking about when I mentioned the original ice rock in my comment. I don’t know if the writers will go with this or with the lost sister story. Perhaps they could kill two birds with one stone, i.e. a special soul was already inhabiting the body of the missing elder sister before Naksu performed the alchemy of souls.

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      I keep wondering whether both souls are inhabiting Mu Deok’s body as well! It’s hard to tell whether it’s Naksu or Mu Deok who is powerful and special, or whether it’s both.

      My heart broke for Naksu when she realised that what she had fought to avenge her whole life was a misunderstanding of what happened when she was a child.💔 It will be interesting to see how this revelation changes her attitude towards the four maje families, and even Yul. I think it probably informed her advice to Uk to join Songrim.

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        I am still waiting for more information about her father; I wonder if that was the entirety of the story. Either way, you are right. To have lived so long having believed a false story. That vulnerability led her to Jin Mu and his influence.

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      Those relics said no “that blind girl has returned who is the ice .. “.. She is the ice ball thing everyone is looking for , who enables alchemy of soul. The eldest daughter aka the blind girl was used as the container of that ice object (and ofcourse she is powerful given family she belongs to).. Also, i think King is not dead and in the queen’s body ( they threw one hint today, a woman’s soul may enter man’s body, so vice versa is possible to)… ALSO, Jang Uk’s not so father has to be alive too somewhere

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        “not so father” 😂😂😂

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        “She is the ice ball thing everyone is looking for , who enables alchemy of soul. The eldest daughter aka the blind girl was used as the container of that ice object.”

        Yes, I am thinking along those lines.

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