Episode 10
It appears all of the assasins are dead.
Guards have been placed to
keep an eye on Gae Jin and Bu Kiwon.
Watch the Tang envoy as well.
Don't let him take one step outside the palace.
No one will leave the palace until we know
who's the behind the attempted murder!
Yes, sir. Let's go!
Who dare make an attempt on my father's life
at an event that I'm in charge of!
I will get to the bottom of this. I must!
- My Lady! My Lady! - What did you find out?
The palace is turned upside down searching for the perpetrator.
What happened to the man
who was injured with a poisoned sword?
He was taken to the royal infirmary,
but I don't know his condition.
The Supreme Commander isn't the only one he has saved.
I would have died as well
if it weren't for him.
What do you mean, my lady?
General!
- General! - Hongpei,
- The villa is surrounded by guards. - What? Darn it!
And the injured boy?
We used poison that's rare in Goguryeo,
so recovery won't be quick.
We have to get out of here
before the boy wakes up.
- Any word from Bu Kiwon? - No, sir.
We have no one to turn to for help!
Don't panic.
There's always a way out.
- Maybe not... - Pardon?
There is no way out!
You mean we're going to die?
A nameless little kid came out of nowhere
and ruined everything!
Who could have seen this coming?
What the...
Whoever did this is quite bold
making an attempt on your life in the palace.
Rest assured, Excellency.
Namseng is on the investigation,
so we will soon find out who is behind the plot.
We all know who wants me dead.
It's the lords of the five Puyo clans.
Gae Jin is too old for this,
so it has to be Bu Kiwon.
But, Excellency,
if we act hastily without proof,
this whole thing could backfire on us.
That's right.
We must find solid evidence first
We must find them and punish them, Your Excellency.
I don't know what we would've done
without that boy Gaedong.
He is being treated at the royal infirmary,
but he still unconscious.
How do you know in such great detail?
Dolbal is following his progress.
He is an extraordinary young fellow.
I don't understand why you had him doing menial tasks.
This is no time to be talking about a petty servant!
Someone is trying to kill me!
They are after the life of the Supreme Commander of Goguryeo!
My baby!
What's wrong? Huh?
Did you dream about your son again?
Stop it already. I need to get some sleep.
My son... Something's happened to my son!
I told you not to worry.
He was fine when I saw him.
I need to see for myself.
I have to go to Pyongyang.
Are you crazy? What if you get caught?
You'll get both your son and yourself killed!
Don't.
You've done fine without him all this time.
Tell me about that boy Gaedong.
He is but a lowly servant.
- Why do you show such interest? - A lowly servant has saved
the Supreme Commander's life.
One mighty say that he saved this country.
I know the Supreme Commander well.
He values talent,
and he is generous in rewarding meritorious deeds.
But he is ignoring the child who saved his life.
Please don't dwell on Gaedong, general.
His Excellency does not like it.
What do you mean?
What doesn't His Excellency like?
He doesn't like anyone showing interest
or asking questions about Gaedong.
Why not?
Forgive me, but that is all I can tell you.
Please don't ask me about him.
- Father, it's Namseng. - Come in!
How is he? Is Gaedong awake?
The physicians are doing their best.
They said he got through the worst part
and he will wake up soon.
Gaedong is certain to have heard
something from the assasins.
Yes, Father.
We'll know who was behind the plot once
Gaedong wakes up.
What?
The entire staff of physicians have been called?
Yes, sire.
The Supreme Commander has ordered them
to save the boy at all cost.
That boy must know something.
All of us will be killed once he wakes up!
What about the Tang envoy?
He's still under confinement.
We must first send the envoy back to Tang.
Without him,
there is no absolute proof that we were involved.
You're right.
But how do we send him back to Tang?
The only way is for all of us to go to His Majesty
and plead with him.
What?
The civil officials are at the royal hall?
Yes, Your Excellency.
Bu Kiwon and Gae Jin are imploring the King
to release the Tang envoy.
What?
He could be the man behind the attempt on your life.
Release him before the investigation?
Make the preparations to enter the palace!
I'll have a chat with the envoy ofTang.
I will be the one to decide whether he lives or dies!
It's Yeon Gaesomun! General!
Yeon Gaesomun is coming this way!
What? Yeon Gaesomun?
I have a bad feeling about this.
Do you have a dagger?
Pardon?
Give it to me. Now!
What are you going to?
If i'm going to die,
it wouldn't be a bad idea
to take Yeon Gaesomun with me.
General!
Your Majesty!
I have a report for you, Your Majesty!
The Supreme Commancer is heading
to the guest villa with his guards.
- What? To the guest villa? - This is what we feared.
The Supreme Commander is trying to kill the envoy.
You must quickly issue an order to save the Tang envoy!
Your Majesty,
now is not the time to wage a war against Tang.
Deign to see.
Deign to see, Your Majesty!
I'm honored by your visit.
Please have a seat.
I have not had a chance
to properly introduce myself.
If I should say something about myself...
Cut the small talk.
I will let you life if you answer my questions truthfully,
but if you lie,
you will die.
What is this about?
There are many that want me dead,
but not so many that would act on it
especially in the Royal Palace!
Whoever did this had a very strong reassurance.
And I'm willing to bet that
the reassurance was Tang China.
Now tell me.
Who conspired with you to have me killed?
Bu Kiwon? Gae Jin?
Speak!
Please send your men out.
I would like us to talk alone.
Leave us.
- Father, - Leave us!
Now speak.
If I was after your life,
I would've taken it right here right now.
This dagger would be piercing your heart!
I've come to seek peace with Goguryeo.
We may be enemy states,
but spitting at a smiling face
would be crude and ignorant.
A hero of heroes known by all making false accusations
to get rid of one petty envoy?
Your reputation is unfounded,
What is your name?
Xue Rengui.
Xue Rengui...
When you bore that dagger,
I'm sure this table was not your target.
Pull the dagger out.
If you strike me,
you are lying about coming here to seek peace.
But if you do not strike me,
you will have to strike yourself.
Pull the dagger out now!
If I kill you,
I would be defying the imperial command to make peace.
Watch me.
I may take my own life,
but I will not defy my Emperor's command.
I'm letting you go,
but relay my words to your Emperor.
Do not forget that China once
belonged to Goguryeo!
It was less than twenty years ago.
If there is tribute to be paid,
it is Tang that should pay tribute to us,
and if we should carry on diplomatic relations,
Tang should come to us!
Do you understand?
Goguryeo is above Tang!
Yes...
I will... I will relay your words.
He was allowed to leave
after having a one-on-one with Yeon Gaesomun.
What could they have talked about?
That envoy is quite a risk taker.
Thanks to him, we are off the hook.
Yeon Gaesomun will not back off that easily.
We can't let our guards down just yet.
Sire! Sire!
The servant boy Gaedong has just regained consciousness.
What?
Namseng is questioning him now.
The inevitable has arrived...
What do we do now?
- Is that everything? - Yes, sire.
No,
you have to heard something else.
Did they mention the name Bu Kiwon by any chance?
How about Gae Jin?
Or any other name?
You are still hazy.
You will remember something
when your head becomes clear.
Lady Sukyoung, where are you going in such a rush?
I'm going to the royal hall.
I will pay you a visit once
this commotion settles down. Well then...
I'm glad to hear that you are all right.
You don't recognize me.
But then, how could you with the way I was dressed that day.
This boy is our domestic servant.
How could you know him?
A servant?
He saved my life.
Oh?
That day at the stable...
Don't you remember?
You're not going anywhere!
Get out of my way, here is no time.
No! I won't let you kill the King!
I'm not the assasin.
Do you expect me to believe you?
Get out of my way!
Forgive me, Your Grace!
No, no.
If I weren't for you. I could have died.
I am sorry, Your Grace...
What is your name?
My name is Gaedong.
Gaedong...
We should be going.
Well then...
Gaedong!
- Are you all right? - Yes, master.
I'm sorry to have worried you.
General Yang has been waiting for you.
Let's go inside.
- General, - Yes. Sit down.
How do you feel?
I'm all right now, sir.
Heaven is looking out for you.
There is a resemblance.
It is uncanny.
Do you have any other name besides Gaedong?
No, sir.
Do you know who your father is by any chance?
No.
How about your mother?
I don't know, sir.
Do you know something about me?
Do you know me, general?
But you just said I resemble someone.
Yes, you do. You do indeed.
But my speculation alone does not make you that child.
Think carefully.
If you remember anything about yourself,
tell me.
I don't know.
I don't know anything...
The child was killed a long time ago.
Besides, the boy is Supreme Commander's servant.
Why would he keep the child alive all this time?
Yeon Gaesomun is a man
who could and would keep a dead child alive.
General,
I think you're overly consumed
with Dae Jungsang and his child.
I agree, sir.
You'll be able to forget about this once
we return to Liaodong tomorrow.
Call the lords of each fort
in Liaodong to Ansi Castle.
The movements of Tang China have me concerned.
- We need to be prepared. - Yes, sir.
You have quite a talent.
By one swing of the sword,
you stole the show and all the glory.
I really wanted to finish our match.
It's too bad we didn't get the chance.
Gaedong, was it?
I come from a humble origin of Mohe tribe in Liaodong myself.
Pyongyang was unimpressive,
but I think I'll remember you for a long time.
Yes, that's the boy.
That's Gaedong.
He's grown so much
since the last time I saw him two years ago.
My baby... !
Crying again? Let's go now
since you got to see his face.
We had a comfortable stay thanks to you.
You're very welcome.
Have a safe trip back, general.
Thank you. We will see each other next time.
Neither Gulsabiwu nor Heuk Sudol is the champion this year.
The real champion of this year's contest
is this young man right here.
Yes, that's right, general.
We will see each other again someday.
Be well.
Yes, general.
General... !
Joyoung...
You will get back home to Tang safely once
you get on the ship.
I must say goodbye now.
Give my regards to Commissioner Bu.
Have a safe trip.
Why the big sigh, general?
I could have pierced
Yeon Gaesomun's heart.
I could've killed the hero of Goguryeo
and die a hero ofTang.
But instead of taking the chance,
I chose to be safe.
How is that different from having begged
yeon Gaesomun for my life?
No, general.
No one else could've survived
that dangerous situation but you.
Yeon Gaesomun gave me insufferable shame
in return for my life.
He said Goguryeo was above Tang
and patronized me and my Emperor!
How could I report this when we return to Tang?
I begged Yeon Gaesomun for my life!
General...
I'm not afraid of death.
The dogs can have my life for all I care.
But I can't die
because there is too much I need to do.
I may be leaving here a pathetic loser,
but as the saying goes,
'When we don't die, we get stronger. '
You mean, 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. '
Yes. 'What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. '
You know your proverbs.
Everyone knows that proverb, sir.
So-sorry, sir.
I may be leaving now in shame,
but I will bounce back even stronger!
And when I return,
a cavalry of millions will pick up the dirt
and trample this land!
Yeon Gaesomun,
may you live long and healthy!
I need you alive to witness
Goguryeo crumble in my hands!
General Xue has failed?
Yes, Your Majesty.
The attempt on Yeon Gaesomun's life has ended in failure.
Did we make an imprudent move?
We have gained nothing
and made a mockery of ourselves.
We are worse off than when we started, Your Majesty.
What happened to General Xue?
He's on his way back.
The man has nine lives.
It's incredible that he survived after the failure.
Let us be thankful.
We could have lost a valuable military leader.
But Your Majesty,
- failures must come with a price. - Of course.
He must be punished, Your Majesty.
Young man!
Here, this is the last of the fish I have left for the day.
Come, I have to tell you something.
But I don't need any fish...
How much are these fish?
How much are these fish, aku tanya!
I... just started...
and I don't know what the fair price might be...
Oh?
Then I guess I can't negotiate.
How are you going to make any profit?
Don't talk. Just listen.
If you want to know who you are,
come to the shrine on the hills tonight.
Don't tell anyone and come alone.
- Did you see the envoy off? - Yes, sire.
There is something more important I must tell you.
Do you remember the child of imperial energy
and his mother from years ago?
Of course I do.
They drowned in the river.
The mother is alive.
What? Alive?
I happened to come across her at the marketplace
It was definitely the mother Dalgi, sire.
So what did you do? Did you bring her in?
I have a man following her.
The mother is alive,
so chances are the son is alive as well.
The seed of treason has not been removed?
That's right, sire.
I am certain the child is alive.
Yeon Gaesomun is poised to destroy us at any moment.
Perhaps we can divert the focus of attention.
You're right.
We can direct the lightening to hit him for now.
Why did you want to see me?
Who are you?
I'm a woman who knows you very well, young lord.
Young lord?
I'm a lowly serf.
No, you are not lowly.
You are more high and noble than anyone on this land.
You must listen to my words very carefully.
And you must never repeat them
to anyone under any circumstances.
Your home is Ansi Castle of Liaodong.
There you were born bearing imperial energy.
Imperial energy?
You were destined to be a King.
Then terrible things began to happen...
Your father General Dae Jungsang was a hero
who helped General Yang Manchun
and saved this kingdom.
Now he protects the land
at a faraway place called Goguryeo Fort.
And your name is not Gaedong.
Joyoung... Your name is Dae Joyoung.
Dae Joyoung... ?
Dae Joyoung.
It was General Yang Manchun who gave you that name.
Dae Joyoung...
You can never divulge your identity to anyone.
In the distant future
when you have risen high in the world,
and you are strong enough to live up to your name,
only then you can reveal who you are.
Until then, you must never speak of it.
Do you understand?
You haven't said anything about my mother.
What happened to my mother?
When you meet your father in the future,
show him this necklace.
It will serve as proof that you are Dae Joyoung.
I will ask again.
Who is the woman that stands before me?
Are you my mother?
The woman I've never met yet
never left my heart...
Are you that woman?
You hid yourselves well for a very long time.
You! You're that boy from the martial arts contest!
Intruders!
They're assassins!
Everyone stop where you are!
What a stroke of luck!
You tell me. How did this happen?
as a servant in Yeon Gaesomun's home?
My son?
My son died a long time ago.
Died?
Then who is this boy?
Are you denying that he is your son?
I've never met this man before in my life.
You wench!
Why would you meet a stranger secretly in the hills?
I don't know what you're talking about.
My son is dead!
You talk. Is this your mother?
He asked you a question!
... I don't know this woman.
You don't know her? Then I'll get you acquainted.
- Guards! - Sir!
Take these two out of here!
Yes, sir!
Supreme Commander rising Dae Jungsang's son!
We can turn the tables on him with this.
Gods are on our side, sire.
Beat the confession out of them.
We need proof that
the boy is Dae Jungsang's son Dae Joyoung.
Of course, sire.
What?
Can't watch your mother getting killed?
Hurt me instead.
Why are you doing this tp a helpless, innocent woman?
Then talk.
If you confess that
you are Dae Jungsang's son Dae Joyoung,
you can save your mother.
I guess you want your dear mother dead.
What are you waiting for?
Continue the torture until her bones are crushed!
That's enough.
She's unconscious.
Stubborn wench...
Are you watching?
If you don't talk, your mother will die.
I will ask you again.
Are you Dae Jungsang's son Dae Joyoung?
I know the two sires very well.
One is the high commissioner who administers the state,
and the other is a marital general who protects the capital city.
You are exalted leaders of the country
with high and noble status.
But you are here trying to take two worthless lives.
I am a lowly servant Gaedong.
But if I were the man you are looking for,
and if that woman were my mother,
you can be certain that
I will seek my revenger for this!
You punk!
I will deliver ruthless punishment
with a hundred times the pain.
You bastard!
Whether you're Dae Joyoung or Gaedong,
watch this and remember
so you can pay us back with a hundred times the pain.
- Gom Mojam, Your Excellency. - Come in.
So what did you find out?
I'm told a serf was captured
and taken to High Commissioner Bu Kiwon's house.
You mean that serf is Gaedong?
Description fits,
but I can't confirm without seeing him for myself.
They must be trying to shut him up
before he talks.
I'll go there now and bring Gaedong back.
No, I will go there myself.
You would go there personally to bring back a lowly serf, Father?
- Get ready, now! - You can't, Father,
- Especially not to Bu Kiwon's house. - There is no time.
Get ready now!
Mother...
Of all ways to meet...
why do we have to meet like this?
Mother...
You mustn't call me mother...
You are my mother...
Mother...
Thinking of me as your mother will only make things
more difficult and painful for you.
If you are not my mother,
I am not Dae Joyoung either.
I'm a lowly serf Gaedong...
If only just once...
I wanted to call out for you If only just once...
Mother...
Baby... My Baby... !
Mother... !
My baby...
My son Joyoung... ! My baby...
Mother...