Yeonhwa watched the entire scene unfold, her anxiety growing. She could see that the figure posing as Namjun was a heavenly creature in disguise. Despite knowing the brothers were smart, she couldn't shake her worry as she continued to watch.................

"Namjun hyung, is that you?!" Jeongguk's heart raced as he touched the person's arm, confirming it was Namjun. "Why are you leading me away?!"

Jimin's grip on Jeongguk's other hand tightened. "No! Don't go! I can sense a powerful supernatural aura... That's not Namjun hyung!"

Yunki quickly touched all the brothers, doing a silent head count, "W-We're eight people here...."

The imposter tugged Jeongguk's arm again, and then they heard Jin's and Taehyun's voices.

Jin's voice called out, "Yunki, Jimin, Jeongguk... just go. We're stuck and can't move, but you three must go ahead."

Taehyun's voice followed, "Yes, we'll join you soon. This is a test for us. At least you should move on."

Jeongguk, Jimin, and Yunki couldn't see, but Yeonhwa saw the truth that the voices were not from Jin and Taehyun. The imposter was mimicking them. Her anxiety intensified.

The imposter, now using Namjun's voice, insisted, "They are right! Remember what Lady Myeong said? This is a test for them. We need to move on!" He pulled Jeongguk again, but Jeongguk pulled his hand away.

"No! We are always together. We'll go together or not at all!" Jeongguk declared.

Yunki nodded in agreement, "That's right! Even if it's a test for them, we'll wait. We're not leaving without them!"

Jimin also agreed, "Exactly. We're not going anywhere without them, and we know we're eight here, so something is definitely wrong!"

The imposter tried again, using Namjun's voice, "Yes! You are right! I can feel the presence of an eighth person, but I can't see anyone. That's why it's important for us to move on. Jin hyung, Taehyun, and Hosung are strong enough to handle this. We four should move on while we can. All seven of us can't afford to be stuck."

Jimin's eyes narrowed, "You're definitely not Namjun hyung. He would never say that."

Yunki frowned, "Namjun or not, stuck or not, test or not, we are not moving forward without Jin hyung, Taehyun, and Hosung!"

Jeongguk nodded firmly, "No matter how long it takes, no matter what happens, we'll stick together till the end!"

Yeonhwa heard this and smiled, impressed by their resolve. Even the imposter was impressed. He revealed his true form—a radiant angel.

"I am impressed by your dedication and devotion to each other! It is truly commendable. I am an angel, sent to test you. Your loyalty has surpassed my expectations. I wish you a fruitful journey ahead!" With those words, he vanished into thin air.

The three brothers stood speechless for a moment before Jimin spoke, "So it was a test for us three..."

Jeongguk and Yunki nodded, and to their surprise, they felt their vision returning. They removed their blindfolds, their sight gradually becoming clearer.

Jimin gasped, "I-I can see again!" He looked around in happiness.

Yunki looked at himself and then his brothers, "Yes! Me too!" He was delighted.

Jeongguk grinned and glanced around, "Feels good to see again," he teased Jimin, "You still didn't change, Jimin hyung... you're still short!"

Jimin crossed his arms, "Brat, do you expect me to grow taller suddenly?!"

Yunki laughed at their antics and looked at the other four, who slowly started to regain their movement.

Jin glanced around, "Hmm? What just happened?"

Jimin grinned, "Long story, hyung..."

Hosung looked at the three of them in surprise and gestured to ask if they could really see.

Yunki smiled and nodded, "Yes, we can finally see again!"

Taehyun gasped, "Oh my... how did that happen?!"

Jeongguk theorized, "Well, I think we have to pass the tests to undo the curses..."

Namjun was pleasantly surprised as well, "That's amazing! But what actually happened?"

Yunki patted his shoulder, "Let us tell you while we continue our journey..."

The seven brothers continued their journey while Jeongguk, Jimin, and Yunki narrated the events. Yeonhwa smiled, feeling happy and proud as she watched them.

................................

In the depths of hell, Yuhok was kneeling on the cold, unforgiving floor, shirtless and still bound to the wall with heavy chains that bit into his flesh.

The Devil King entered, and Yuhok glanced up at him, his eyes burning with resentment.

The Devil King stared him down, "Are you back to your senses now?!"

Yuhok growled defiantly, "No matter what you say or do... I will love him until my last breath..."

The Devil King scoffed, "I know how to bring you back in line, boy..."

Yuhok's eyes narrowed with suspicion, "What are you planning?!"

The Devil King's lips curled into a sinister smirk, "Oh, you know... I'm just going to torture that little human lover of yours and your son a bit... so that you listen to me..."

Yuhok strained against his chains, desperation and fury fueling his efforts, "You wouldn't dare... Don't do this..."

The Devil King laughed cruelly and stroked Yuhok's hair with a mocking gentleness, "Oh, but I will, my dear son." He said and turned to leave the room.

Yuhok's voice erupted into a raw, anguished scream, "FATHER!!!!! FATHERRRRR!!!!!!! DON'T HURT THEM!!!!!!"

.

.

.

In the East Kingdom, Eunsang was seated below the throne in the grand throne room, lost in his thoughts about Yuhok. The worry about Yuhok's sudden disappearance gnawed at him.

The silence was broken by a court official, who spoke with a grave tone, "Your Majesty, with the consensus of the entire council of ministers and other officials, we have come to a decision..."

Eunsang looked up, a frown creasing his forehead. "What is it?"

The official exchanged glances with his peers before stepping forward. "We do not want a ruler who is attracted to men, nor do we accept the crown prince, as he was brought into this world by unnatural means."

Eunsang was taken aback, his frown deepening. "What?! What did you just say?"

Another official stepped forward, echoing the sentiment, "He is right! We refuse to listen to you any longer!"

A third official added with vehemence, "Either you step down respectfully, or we will drag you down."

Eunsang stood up in disbelief, his voice rising. "Have you all lost your minds?!"

An official declared, "This kingdom will be ruled by the council of ministers. You need to step aside."

Eunsang could see the officials were more hostile and aggressive than usual. "Wait... what is happening? How did you all reach this decision? I have been looking after this kingdom—"

"WE DO NOT CARE!" one minister shouted, grabbing his arm and pulling him down.

Eunsang gasped, wrenching his arm free. "What are you doing?! GUARDS! Come here at once!"

The officials laughed mockingly. "They are on our side, Your Majesty."

Eunsang's shock turned to horror as the officials dragged him out of the throne room.

"Let me go... What are you all doing?!" He struggled, but their numbers overwhelmed him.

"We will execute you!" they declared.

Eunsang's eyes widened in terror. "WHAT?!"

......................

At Master Lee's school, Donghyung crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at Jeongryeong. "You sneaked out of school again the other day, didn't you?"

Jeongryeong grinned mischievously. "No, sunbae... I just respectfully went out of the school when nobody saw me."

Donghyung looked at him in disbelief. "That's what 'sneaking out' is called, crown prince."

Jeongryeong smirked and shrugged. "Oh no no... it's not my fault that nobody saw me."

Donghyung sighed and shook his head, ready to lecture him further, when Master Lee rushed towards them, his face pale with urgency.

"We must go to the palace at once! The court officials are rebelling against the king, and they're trying to execute him!"

Jeongryeong's eyes widened in shock and terror. "WHAT?! NOOO... PAPA!" He immediately dashed towards the palace, with Master Lee and Donghyung close behind.

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