Kineta said:I feel like I can vaguely see the un-spiral of things from here, that ultimately leads to Yu-Hon abolishing the priesthood and his general rampage on neighbouring countries. Though the mystery still remains for me how Il goes from revering the Crimson King's bloodline to loathing it: does that happen now or only after Yona is born with crimson hair?
Guess we have a number of backstory chapters still to go. The monthly releases aren't helping T_T
This might be premature but IMO, my theory is that Il has massive inferiority toward his brother, whom he probably misunderstands and grows to hate thanks to the High Priest "guidance" (afaik, it's mentioned before the High Priests have killed and deposed kings, making them have a significant amount of power in Kouka). Which gets 'justified' when Yuhon snaps back against the clergy. Looking at his reaction to Yon-hi's bloodline, maybe he resented his brother was getting everything even if he didn't care about Hiryuu while he, a faithful follower, didn't. Rejection, envy, inferiority feelings twisted him, on top he likely misunderstood his brother who truly loved him and if he sometimes scolded him was for his sake. After living in his shadow from birth, and while he probably also loved him, love can grow into hate and resentment through misunderstandings and manipulation when Il was impressionable, isolated and prey to a cult.
There were hints such resentment gets directed at Soo-Won even when he was very young. Remember that time he glared at a goddamn child because Yona took him to the shrine? I used to think Yuhon tried to assassinate Yona and Kashi died saving her as the cliche goes, but looking at his behavior (even at his most ruthless), I find that rather difficult to buy for now. Especially because he accepted the illness baggage. But maybe Il assumed he schemed that (and someone framed him to facilitated Il's jealousy and paranoia), because in his mind, plagued by his complex, he had won the "Throne" and the "Hiryuu heir" and his brother was envious of him (while Yuhon never cared about that). It may also solve how could Il kill Yuhon, Yuhon probably didn't fight back because he actually loves his brother.
You can see his obsession about Hiryuu stuff and resentment in that scene of his death Soo Won's dream. He thinks his daughter as Hiryuu reborn mostly. A normal parent dying words and thoughts would be of concern for their child, rather than rub on the face about how Yona is the "real King Hiryuu" to someone who doesn't give a damn about that (but in Il's mind, he probably thought Soo Won did).
I'm feeling kind of bad for Yona right now. Unlike Soo Won, whose parents undoubtedly love him. Did her father love her because she was Yona or because she was King Hiryuu reborn? Like a fanatic zealot. How about her mother? Kashi being a priestess makes me hesitate now. If she died to protect her, was it because of her love toward a child, or her faith to what she represents?
tsukileh said:Ok guys I must confess: when I saw the High Priest I immediately thought "OMG HE IS SOO-WON'S FATHER!!!". But then I looked carefully and just thought "maybe is he related to Tae-Jun?"
But he doesn't look like Soo Won at all. Soo Won very similar in appearance to Hiryuu, only with light colored hair of his mother's family. |