Baek I-hyeon returns home from studying abroad. As the townspeople's fury against the government grows, Jeon Bong-jun plans an uprising.

When his father is injured, Baek I-gang brings him to safety and finds reluctant help from Song Ja-in. Bong-jun and his followers blow up a dam.

As I-gang struggles to accept a loss, he's handed a new role in his family. A powerful supporter of the Donghak movement is imprisoned.

Looking for a fresh start for himself and his mother, I-gang tells Baek Man-deuk he wants to leave. His plans are quickly sabotaged.

I-hyeon's sudden conscription stuns the Baek family. Meanwhile, I-gang shows up at the Donghak camp with a request for Bong-jun.

In Bong-jun's army, I-gang has a long way to go to earn the others' trust. I-hyeon finds out who was responsible for sending him to war.

When Ja-in is captured by Donghak soldiers, she and I-gang finally meet again. I-hyeon comes back with full intent to marry Hwang Myeong-sim.

I-gang refuses to return to his family. I-hyeon steps into his father's place. After a battle, the king sends a message to Bong-jun and his army.

As Donghak forces take over Jeonju, Hwang Seok-ju agrees to lead the conscripted army. With a rifle on his back, I-hyeon goes with him.

While hunting for the enemy marksman, I-gang's friend is wounded. The Qing army arrives, and with it another — and wholly unwanted — surprise.

To try and save her loved ones' lives, Ja-in delivers Bong-jun's peace treaty to Kim Hak-jin. I-gang accompanies her, and looks for I-hyeon.

As Bong-jun and Hak-jin come together at one table to sign the treaty, I-hyeon is given a secret mission. The Donghak followers celebrate their win.

Bong-jun sends I-gang to Hanyang. I-hyeon grows suspicious when unexpected visitors come to Bong-jun with a strange proposal.

While Japan seeks to meddle with Korea, the king is urged to listen to Bong-jun's plea for nationwide reforms. Ja-in meets Takeda Yosuke.

Enraged by Myeong-sim's forced marriage, I-hyeon snaps. When the Japanese army invades the palace, Ja-in is tasked by the queen to act as a spy.

I-gang doesn't give up on rescuing a fellow Donghak follower who's been taken by the Japanese. Yosuke wants I-hyeon to join hands with him.

I-gang stands trial for hiding his brother's identity as the feared marksman. Meanwhile, I-hyeon starts anew as the leader of the Tenyukyo.

At the king's orders, Bong-jun begins to raise an army to fight the Japanese. A dead body placed in front of the palace causes a stir.

In Jeonju, I-gang and I-hyeon meet again. I-hyeon looks into what Bong-jun is hiding, and I-gang is reinstated as a Donghak army leader.

The king is forced to issue a statement that reflects not his wishes, but Japan's. Ja-in's plans to get to Samnye place her in danger.

The Donghak army and its allies engage in a mismatched battle against the Japanese. Bong-jun grapples with whether to keep going or to disband.

The Japanese legation orders all Donghak followers to be killed. While I-hyeon returns to his family in Gobu, I-gang searches for fellow survivors.

I-gang and his fellow soldiers intend to keep on fighting. Before his trial, Bong-jun speaks to I-hyeon. A traitor is given his dues.

Soon after I-hyeon is appointed as Gobu's new magistrate, I-gang's presence in town gets found out. The brothers bid each other farewell.