Episode 9
It is indeed Yang Manchun's writing.
How in heaven's name did you acquire this?
I fought a match with the best warrior of Liaodong.
You are a serf!
Had General Yang known your status,
He would never have written this!
I told the general about my humble status.
you mean he wrote this to give
you a chance at emancipation?
No.
He wrote the letter to give me a chance.
to become a warrior.
A warrior?
A chance to become a warrior?
Yes, Your Excellency.
He encouraged me to become a warrior.
There's little you can't do in Goguryeo.
with a letter from Yang Manchun.
But that's only when there is no Yeon gaesomun.
This is nothing bit a worthless piece of paper.
while I am here.
Your Excellency!
Now do you see?
You simply cannot enter the martial art contest.
A warrior?
You dare aspire to become a warrior?
what?
A falling star landed in Ansi Castle?
what does it mean?
The energy of Mars is particularly strong tonight.
Mars? -Yes.
It's the star that possess energy of a warrior.
Energy of a warrior?
It landed on earth touching Jupiter,
so it is a sign of a Warrior King.
Who will rule the land with a sword.
a King?
AWarrior King?
a Warrior?
You dare aspire to be a warrior? Ridiculous!
I have acquired a letter of recommendation.
You're a serf!
You can't do so much as breathe without my permission!
but why?
why won't you give me your permission?
There are other serf entering the contest with their master's blessing.
I've even acquired a recommendation from the Grand Martial General.
why? why won't you give me permission?
Tell me.
why won't you give me permission?
If i know the reason I don't feel victimized at least.
At least tell me why I can't enter the contest.
whip this audacious boy half to death and lock him up in the barn!
Excellency!
whether he lives or dies is nobody's business but his.
No one will open the barn without my permission.
Take him away! - Yes, Excellency.
Take him away!
this is wrong!
why? why can't i enter the contest?
why are you treating me this way?
Excellency! Excellency! -Take him away!
This is wrong! This is wrong!
Excellency!
please... please tell me why...
wha is the reason?
This is wrong.
I'm not going to die until you tell me why!
why do you treat me so unfairly?
Excellency... Please...
at least... tell... me why...
He's unconscious.
wake him up. - yes, sire.
Yeon Namseng: Yeon Gaesomun's oldest son.
continue the flogging!
Yes, sire.
That's enough!
That's enough. Now lock him up.
Keep the door tightly locked
until my father gives you an order.
That should be more than enough to get you in the contest.
thank you.
I will be forever indebted to you.
Thank you, general.
Gaedong, was it?
Yes, sir.
we will be staying at Taehak when we get to Pyongyang.
Since that is your home,
we shall meet again.
It would be my honor, general.
He is just a servant.
I'm puzzled why the Supreme Commander bothers with him.
that's not all that's puzzling.
he asked about the boy every other day.
after he put him in our care in Taehak.
could it be that the boy is his hidden illegitimate sone?
what would a man of his power have to fear.
to hide his own son as a serf?
I guess you're right.
at any rate, the boy is extraordinary.
He went to Ansi on his own.
and acquired General Yang Manchun's recommendation.
General Yang wouldn't give anyone a recommendation.
unless he deserved it.
He is trained in martial arts.
is this true?
Gaedong's hand were callused from holding the sword.
I don't know how good he is,
but his hands were those of a trained martial artist.
I knew that he could read,
but if what you say is true, he is truly a gifted child.
Supreme Commander's curious attitude,
Gaedong's exceptional abilities...
My guess is there's something here.
that we don't know about.
Yang Manchun has seen Gaedong!
what if he's figured out that he is Dae Jungsang's son?
this could be disastrous!
did i make a mistake keeping Gaedong alive?
No, no.
Yang Manchun doesn't know anything.
if he did, he wouldn't have sent Gaedong back like this.
I'm at a loss...
what do i do with Gaedong?
Your Excellency, may we come in?
Yes, enter.
what's the situation in the palace?
The talks of royal nuptials with Tang China have subsided
after your chat with Bu Kiwon.
and the Tang envoy?
He's at the guest palace.
Tang sees us as their greatest enemy.
they wouldn't send just anyone as an envoy.
keep a close eye on him.
Be on guard at all times while he is in the palace.
Yes, Your Excellency.
High Commisioner of South District Bu Kiwon.
I am well aware of who you are, my lord.
please sit down.
Bring us some tea.
I'm afraid I can't stay very long.
let me just tell you why I'm here.
It appears we will not be able to make marital ties.
with the Imperial house ofTang.
I see...
I guess Yeon Gaesomun is more powerful
than all civil official combined.
Please let there be no misunderstanding when you return.
but how?
I came seeking friendly relations.
but Yeon Gaesomun rejected
our proposal of marital union in one breath.
My emperor will be enraged
when he hears this and declare a war.
do you understand?
Tang will suffer equally great damage
if there is a war!
that is why I am here--
to stop a war from eruption.
How would you feel about getting rid of him?
Pardon me?
we can kill off Yeon Gaesomun.
Kill him? - yes!
get rid of evil for preservation of peace
between Goguryeo dan Tang.
I heard that a martial art contest is going to be held in a few days.
That will be a perfect stage for an assasination.
I heard enough!
this is the Royal Palace of Goguryeo.
how dare you speak of killing
this country's highest military leader!
and I am a high official of this court!
Do not patronize me!
I can't take back what I've already said...
call teh guards now and arrest me.
other wise,
you would be guilty of this conspiracy as well
arrest me!
what are you so afraid of?
for Goguryeo dan Tang to have peace,
a wise and faithful official
like yourself must come forward and take control.
opportunity seldom knocks twice.
if we fail to get rid of Yeon now,
our two countries will become eternal enemies.
I will not buy into this!
we will forget this conversation.
General!
General, Yang Manchun just arrived in Pyongyang Fort.
what? Yang Manchun?
Oh dear, oh dear...
the war hawks are coming together!
things are not looking good for you, Commisioner Bu.
I put Bu Kiwon back to his place.
He won't bring up the marriage talks again.
Bu Kiwon is the least of our problem right now.
we can't let this altercation lead to a war.
do you think I, Yeon Gaesomun, am afraid of war?
I'll wipe Tang off the map this time!
the people do not want war.
they are exhausted.
Bu Kiwon and the high lords have gained power
because this was their argument
the world has changed.
since the fall of Bekje,
Shilla has become powerful and grand.
and the lords of five Puyo clans are
not the powerless men they used to be.
So? I'm not the same either,
so you think we will lose the war?
The war hasn't even begun and already
there is confusion in the court.
what's even more disturbing is that
the Tang envoy caused this confusion.
what do you think they are after?
I doubt they were seeking peace
when they proposed this royal marriage.
They're after something much bigger.
how much longer do you plan to stay here, sir?
ATang envoy was locked up and
killed in the past by Yeon Gaesomun.
the longer you stay greater danger you will be in.
I didn't come here to die. I came here to kill.
but sir,
Bu Kiwon has refused your proposal.
I already said I would kill the Supreme Commander of Goguryeo.
If Bu Kiwon does not cooperate,
I will be the one leaving here dead.
General!
Don't worry.
Yeon Gaesomun is an old man and I'm in my prime.
I've come this far,
and I won't leave until the hero of Goguryeo is dead.
Homage Martial Arts Contest...
killing Yeon would be a piece of cake
if only Bu Kiwon cooperates...
an assassination?
You mean kill Yeon Gaesomun? - Yes.
the plan is to do it at the Homage Martial Arts Contest.
what if we get rid of Yeon Gaesomun
and Tang wages a war against us?
if Yeon is gone,
they will not wage a war.
but the chances are they will if Yeon is alive,
and victory is not a gurantee in this time of food crisis.
our enemy is Tang China, not Yeon Gaesomun.
the purpose of our diplomatic relations
is to wase the threat of the enemy.
you're absolutely right.
but Yeon Gaesomun will never establish friendly relations.
rather he's threatening us to kill us off
for negotiate peace.
you mean you support the assasination of Yeon Gaesomun?
tell us.
do you want the Chinese to kill him off?
I haven't decided yet
what is best for this country and the people.
where is Yang Manchun?
he's staying at Taehak for duration
of the martial arts contest.
Yang Manchun is here on the top of everything...
make an attempt on Yeon Gaesomun's life?
it will be a dangerous and difficult task.
welcome, general!
it's good to see you, Master Jang.
you must be exhausted from the trip.
let us go inside.
who are you looking for?
there is a boy named Gaedong here.
would you call him for me?
Gaedong family is our servant.
- he isn't here at the moment. - I see.
he had traveled all the way to Ansi to see me.
I am sorry for the trouble he has caused you.
no, no. he is a very smart young man.
I'm sure I'll see him at the contest.
- gramps... ! - you foolish child...
here, drink.
you'll get in trouble if anyone saw you.
I don't care.
worry about yourself, child.
you have some balls talking back to the Supreme Commander like that.
I'm getting out of here.
what?
all you need to do is to look the other way.
if they catch you this time you're really going die!
If I have to live the rest of my life as a serf,
I would rather die.
help me, gramps.
all right... just don't get caught again.
run far, far away.
stand back!
running away again?
I won't let anyone stand in my way!
that's a big talk for a horse mounting stepstool.
make your move!
stop!
you choose the wrong opponent!
Gulsabiwu
I haven't forgotten about our last match.
we will pick up where we left off
at the martial arts contest.
what's this all about?
you're going to have to hand him over to me.
he's not an opponent a ragtag like you can handle.
what? a ratrag?
I guess you don't know who I am.
I am the infamous Heuk Sudol of Pyongyang!
how would I know a ragtag like you?
what? a ragtag?
you must have a death wish!
I'm here to see the general.
then you're too late.
he went to the palace to see the king.
stop him!
he's a runaway offender. get out of my way!
that's your problem.
he's an opponent I must fight.
I see.
you must be that Liaodong country bumpkin Gulsabiwu.
fine, I'll see you at the match.
I promise to teach you a lesson.
I rushed here from Liaodong to see you, Your Majesty.
thank you, Grand Martial General.
it is truly comforting and reassuring
to have the two of you here.
thank you, Your Majesty.
we have a lot to catch up.
what we think of this year's contest.
who will be the rising star,
and what's happening in China...
State affairs or idle chat,
let us open our hearts and talk.
wine is a necessity in occasions such as this.
of course.
you need something to help you relax.
after such a long trip.
- attendant, bring us some wine. - Your Majesty
- drinking with the king? - yes, my lord.
they've been in the royal audience chamber for quite some time now.
I can't beliece His Majesty is drinking!
alone with Yeon Gaesomun and Yang Manchun at that.
what could they be talking about?
do you have any guess?
it's obivious.
I'm sure they're goading the King
telling him they are ready for war.
a war?
we cannot tolerate this.
we need to make a bold decision.
general, the commissioner is here.
- see him in! - yes, sir!
did you come alone
or did you bring the guards?
I came alone.
then I guess it's safe to assume you're not going you arrest me.
so, did you make a decision?
go on.
we may differ in our approach,
but both Yeon Gaesomun and I are
trying to protect this country.
but you're asking me to remove one of the pillars of this country.
how could I not hesitate?
a rotting pillar must be removed.
or it will crumble.
this man is driving Goguryeo into greater danger.
promise me two thing:
one, that this attempt will not fail,
and two, that you will not implicate us
in an unlikely event it does fail.
if I promise, will you collaborate?
- answer my question - listen, General Xue...
if it worries you so much,
invite me to the martial arts contest.
if we fail and assassins are captured,
I will be the first to be hanged.
we're on the same boat.
if the boat is capsized, we die together
you still don't trust me?
go on.
tell me what you want us to do.
now you're talking.
first, let this man make a trip outside the palace.
they are assassins from Shilla.
get them into the martial arts contest,
and we will do the rest.
- commissioner, it's Sa Bugu. - come in!
they're in, sir.
I want you to keep them under your wings for now.
place the Shilla assassins in the City Defense Guards?
enter them in the martial arts contest
as warriors of Pyongyang.
are you really going to go through with this?
I can't turn back now.
this is the only way to avert a war with Tang.
it's in the country's best interst.
but sir...
if all goes well,
you will become the next Grand Martial General.
the control of the Goguryeo Army will fall into your hands.
if the Supreme Commander dies,
his son Namseng will succeed him.
Namseng is the head organizer for this Homage Martial Arts Contest.
if there is a murder during the event,
part of the responsibility will be this.
you'll see.
I, Bu Kiwon, will be Goguryeo's
next supreme Commander of military affairs.
only then this country will be put on the right course.
such cold moonlight... !
Your Majesty, watch me from up above.
I, Xue Rengui, the man you made general,
will settle your bitter grudge once and for all.
Your Majesty...
I forbid you.
but why, Your Majesty?
it is an event that only men are allowed.
it's a cultural event designed
to bolster military morale and instill a sense of civic pride.
I am obligated to show interest as a member of the royal house.
the Tang envoy will be there as well.
it's not a good idea to show yourself
after the debate over your marriage.
- Your Majesty... - go back to the royal villa.
but I want to see for myself
how talanted Goguryeo's warriors are.
Your Majesty, the Homage Martial Arts Contest is about to begin.
yes, I shall be right out.
I will tell you all about it when I return.
I'm not giving up.
Kisil, I want you to find me some men's clothes.
pardon? what will you do with men's clothes?
I'm going to sneak into the arena to watch the martial arts contest.
in men's clothes?
what if you get caught? you might disgrace yourself.
it's absurd that women are not allowed to see it.
if I don't see it today, I'll never get to see it.
- go find the clothes. - My lady...
I think guard's uniform would be best.
go on.
the competition will begin with the sword match.
do not left the Pyongyang team get the better of you.
- understand? - yes, sir!
Gulsabiwu
victory and defeat will be up to you in the end.
are you prepared?
I will destroy that hunt Gulsabiwu!
yes, you will.
we will put the Liaodong team back in their place!
wait a minute.
isn't he the Supreme Commander's servent boy?
you...
you're on a suicide mission, aren't you?
I have the Grand Martial General Yang Manchun's recommendation.
I have the right to enter this competition.
get him out of here!
this is my lifelong wish.
- just this once... - what are you waiting for?
get him out of here!
I'll do anything you ask.
just this once, let me enter the contest just once!
didn't you hear me? get him out of here!
please. sire. I beg you.
please just this once...
sire! sire!
please just this once...
don't take one step out of here until the contest is over.
I'll come back and teach you a lesson as well!
let's go!
do you even know where the arena is?
I'm sure I'll find it.
get on your hands and knees.
are you going to climb over the wall?
the arena is over this wall somewhere.
get down on all fours.
but if you're caught I'm the one who will get in trouble!
go on!
my lady! are you all right?
my lady!
I'm fine. go back now.
Homage Martial Arts Contest
Yeon Gaesomun: Supreme Commander of Military Affairs
Xue Rengui
general,
they will make the move during the swordfight competition.
just do it, for heaven sakes!
they'll see.
Gulsabiwu will get his head cut off
by this bladeless sword!
arrogant bastard!
Sa Bugu
be careful. these swords are laced with deadly poison.
remember.
Yeon Gaesomun is who we are after.
- the competition is starting. - go ahead.
I'll be right there.
I guess I came the wrong way.
I'm trying to get to the arena...
he's an assassin! give me the sword!
no, he is an assassin!
give me the sword!
give it to me. Now!
you're not going anywhere!
get out of my way. there is no time!
no! I won't let you kill the King!
I'm not the assassin.
how do you expect me to believe you?
get out of my way!
consider yourself lucky that we're not using bladed sword!
no, no.
having no blades won't hurt me one bit
in chopping your head off.
you're going to hell one way or another, Gulsabiwu!
you talk too much!
this match is quite exciting!
that warrior of Liaodong.
it's as if his blood is ice cold.
he's so calm and collected!
this is no time for you to be enjoying the match.
it's any time now. brace yourselves.
no, no.
I'm thoughly enjoying both the contest and the thrill.
if only we had some wine...
or some wantons at least...
Lady Sukyoung: King Bojang's niece
Your Majesty... Your Majesty!
intruders! intruders!
- they're assassins! - everyone stop where you are!
do not move!
stop where you are!
do not move!
each or your weapons will be inspected!
absolutely no one is to leave the premises!
- isn't that Gaedong? - yes,
it's the boy that was in Ansi!
father, are you all right?
you punk! where do you think you are?
stay out of this!
Gaedong, what are you doing here?
answer him!
what is going on? what happened here?
this was the only way...
you would not have believed me
no matter what I said.
this... was the only way...
to stop these men...
forgive... me...
the sword was laced with poison! move him to the infirmary at once!