Subs By:robster38
We cannot attempt an escape right away. First we must wait for them to let down their guard.
A month, two months, even if it takes a year, we must wait patiently until we have their complete trust.
-Mimosa, I`d like you to work out an escape plan in the meanwhile. -I will, sir.
There is a lady named Sukyoung looking for you. She says she knows you.
Princess Sukyoung? Where is she?
-General... -Your Grace...
I thought I would never see you again.
There`s so much I want to ask.
How did you get out of the palace? How is His Majesty? And...
I missed you...
I missed you so much I couldn`t bear it!
Your Grace....!
I will never leave you again.
Never.
I`ll follow you wherever you go.
General...!
~North Gate of Chang`an City, Tang~
His Majesty is incarcerated in a small town somewhere outside the city.
Please don`t do anything rash.
I will look into the situation and take you to him.
How did you escape from the palace?
Once you become a servent, you are there for life.
Please don`t tell Dae Joyoung
that I was the one that helped you.
Princess Sukyoung?
I had help of someone very kind.
This person looked after me the entire time I was in the palace.
~Li Kaigu`s Home, Chang`an~
--Are you certain Mogoe took her to the North gate? -Don`t worry, my lady.
She should be with General Dae by now.
-Thank you. -My Lady, it`s Shin Hong.
-May I come in? -Come in.
What brings you?
A couples of servants escaped the palace last night.
It`s Princess Sukyoung of Goguryeo.
And?
I`m puzzled. ~Shin Hong~
It`s impossible for a servant to escape from the palace without inside help.
What are you trying to say? ~Chulin~
Today is the day of the public inquiry.
If General Li Kaigu should be held responsible for their escape....
A servant`s escape will not affect the fate of the Royal Guards Captain.
Where are you hiding Sukyoung?
Did you send her to Dae Joyoung?
Look into it yourself.
His Majesty has issued an Imperial order.
Hear me, my royal subjects!
I hereby remove all noble title and privilege from Li Xian for concealing weapons in the palac and plotting high treason against the imperial court,
and order him exiled from the palace!
Li Wen and the civil officials of the court
have sought to restore the depraved prince Li Xian to the seat of the Crown Prince!
This, too, is treason that threatens the fate of Tang,
and I grant my Empress full authority to their fate.
I have high regard for your talents.
You have indeed turned against me, but you are high ministers of the imperial court.
However, what this country needs now is not talent but loyalty.
Capable subjects may revolt and rebel, but faithful subjects keep this country sttrong.
Your Highness,
we made a terrible mistake!
Please give us another chance! We will serve you with loyalty!
Accept our loyalty!
Accept our loyalty, Your Highness!!!!
Quiet down.
I recived a special gift from the southern region for my approaching birthday.
what`s that?
It`s a phoenix that I`ve only heard about in legends.
Isn`t it incredible?
It may look like a chicken, but it`s definitely a phoenix.
What does it look like to you. Lord Zhao Wenhui?
It`s...it`s...a phoenix. Your Highness.
How about you, Lord Li Meng?
It`s a phoenix. There is no mistake, Your Highness.
It`s a huge one.
A phoenix it is, Your Highness!
Then do you all agree?
It`s a phoenix, Your Highness!!!
Isn`t that a rooster, Hongpei?
General Li Wen, do you by chance see my phoenix as a rooster?
You have always been an outspoken man. So tell me what you see.
Is this a phoenix or a rooster?
It`s....
...a phoenix.
It`s a phoenix, Your Highness.
At last the ministers have come to their senses. Now the country will have some order.
All those on trial were released?
I saw them leaving the palace and returning to their homes.
How about Li Wen? Did that blasted bastard survive, too?
Only Li Xian lost his title and got exiled. ~Geumlan~
No one executed in a public inquiry for attempted overthrow... Empress Wu chose to substance over retribution.
Exactly.
She let her opposition live to sieze complete control of the court. ~Mimosa~
There is not a man in Tang that could hold the Empress back now.
Empress favors non-Chinese warriors, ~Heuk Sudol~
-so this a good thing. -Not exactly.
Empress Wu is a dangerous woman. Her reason for supporting the non-Chinese is to gain power after all.
Now she`s gotten rid of Li Xian and put the opposition under her mercy.
Her attitude toward the non-Chinese may change.
We have to be more careful than ever now. ~Gulsabiwu~
On top of everything, Li Kaigu has been put in charge of the Royal Guards the symbol of power.
He can disband a bunch of gate keepers like us with the snap of a finger if he wanted to.
Uncle Dolbal and General Mu Yeom are training the soldiers.
Biwu and Sudol, I want the two of you to strengthen their discipline and prepare them mentally.
Yes, sir!
Mimosa and Geumlan, I want you to continue your intelligent work.
You got it.
General,
General Dae Jungsang would like to see you.
Did you wish to see me, Father?
The Empress Wu has capture control, so the polictical situation will be stabilized for now.
But it will become harder for us to escape Tang.
That`s my concern as well.
But we cannot become anxious and impatient. ~Dae Jungsang~
There are eyes watching us.
Yes, I know.
Xue Rengui sent a message.
He`s invited me to stay in his estate.
What do you mean?
Stay in Xue rengui`s estate?
It`s a gesture of kindness in the outside, but...
He`s trying to hold you hostage father.
That`s all the more reason why I can`t turn him down.
Father...!
If I could get them off of your back by staying there, it might be worth it.
Mu Yeom and I will stay with him, so fon`t worry.
The two of you will have to take over the military training.
I invited Dae Jungsang at your insistence, Shin Hong,
but I don`t feel right.
You know how dangerous Dae Joyoung is. We need to keep a tight hold on him, or there`s no telling what he will do.
We should`ve gotten rid of him when we were at Mt. Guifu.
That`s bygones.
We must bid you farewell now, general.
Khan, are you going back to Yingzhou?
We`ve been away too along.
If you must go, you must. ~Xue Rengui~
But I`m afraid the Empress isn`t quite prepared to turn over the prefecture.
My daughter and son-in-law are working by the Empress`s side. ~Li Jinzhong~
I`m sure we don`t have to worry.
It`s tremendous honor for us Khitans. ~Sun Wanrong~
Li Kaigu and Chulin have done incredible work. So when are you planning to leave?
I will leave as soon as my grandson arrives.
Your grandson? Oh, you mean Li Kaigu`s son.
Didn`t you hear a word I said?
We are Khitans.
We are here upon Governor...
-General of Yingzhou Prefecture Li Jingzhong`s request. --You`re not on our list.
We can`t let you through until you identity has been verified since you don`t have a clearance document.
How long are you supposed to wait?
-Who do you think.... -What`s all the commotion?
They claim to be Li Jingzhong`s family.
We`ve sent a messenger to verify their identity.
Who is that boy?
He is General Li Kaigu`s son.
You mean he is Chulin`s child?
Do you know lady Chulin?
You have peircing eyes. What is your name?
My name is Geom.
Geom...
By your eyes, there is no doubt you`re Chulin`s child.
Here,
The child must be exhausted from the long trip. Give them lodging to rest.
Yes, sir.
Joyoung is giving them special treatment?
-Geom? Geom is here? -Yes, My lady.
There`s a man from the north gate with a verification request.
But how? who sent for him?
-I sent for him. -Father?
I`m going back to Yingzhou, but you and Li Kaigu are staying here in Chang`an.
What are you waiting for? Go get your son.
Stop!
Identify yourself!
Identigy yourself?
You know who you`re talking to? You better watch your tongue,
you bloody fool!
Do you understand?
-Where is the Khitan child? -It`s been a while.
Where is my son?
He`s fine. Come with me.
-Watch where you lay your filthy hands. -What?
Who the heck you think you`re talking to?
Damn it! That bastard!
He must`ve been tired from the trip. He fell right to sleep.
Thank for saving Princess Sukyoung`s life.
I was able to save myself and my men thanks to your dagger.
I wanted to thank you as soon as I had a chance.
I paid back my debt. That`s all.
Is that the child?
-Is he my brother`s... -Shut your mouth!
Say one more word and you`ll regret it forever.
You can`t hide it. Blood doesn`t lie.
You`re not hearing me.
If you spread any rumors,
you Dae Joyoung, and all of your men will die.
If I don`t kill you, the father of the child will.
So think carefully before you open your mouth.
-What are you doing here so late? -Are you busy?
I have a lot of paperwork to do.
You look so discontent.
How could I not be?
I`m a Goguryeoan soldier wearing a Tang uniform protecting a foreign city.
Time will come soon.
We will get our chance to escape Tang.
Why are you looking at me that way?
-Joyoung, I.... -General, may I come in?
Please come in, Your Highness.
-I heard Chulin was here this afternoon. --Yes, she took her son that came from Yingzhou.
I see.
He `s a splitting image of Chulin.
Dae Joyoung,
having met you was a great fortune.
But the time has come for me to leave.
Where will you go?
I got word that my brother is trying to bring the scattered tribes together.
I`m going to help.
You never talked about it, but I know you have a grand ambition.
So do you.
I`m sure you and I will have our chance to pursue our dream.
And we will meet again when that day comes.
I hope so.
Don`t forget me until we do.
Mokchul. Mokchul of Turkic tribe.
General!!
-You must go to the gate at once, sir! -What`s wrong?
A cargo coach transporting gift of rare goods to the Empress was raided.
The survivors are at the gate.
-Joyoung! -What happened?
-Bandits robbed some rare goods. -Where? who had the galls to do this?
It`s the wolf of Mt. Madu.
The wolf of Mt. Madu?
-You mean Gaepilsamun? -Yes,
it`s that aweles thief.
Mt. madu...
Gaepilsamun.....Gaepilsamun....
~Mt. Madu Turkic Bandits` Den~
These Jewels headed for the imperial house of Tang?
Yes, sir!
This isn`t all of it.
There`re three more wagons full of this stuff!
Empress Wu must be as powerful as the say she is! And thaks to her, ~Gaepilsamun~
we will eat like kings for at least ten years!
But sir, these belong to the mighty Empress Wu.
The Imperial House won`t ignor this.
-What do you think they`ll do? -They will form a punitive force...
They`ve sent countless punitive force into Mt. Madu. But our camp has never been found.
-No, but... -Don`t worry.
There`s no one that can contend with Gaeplisamun.
Don`t forget what we had to endure after that bastard Dae Joyoung duped us.
We have to get back on our feet again if only for the brothers that died of starvation.
Don`t you agree?
Keep this jewels tightly guarded.
These are scared war funds that will revive our tribe.
This is gold...
and this is silver!
~Chang`an, Tang~
Mt.Madu?
Bunch of pathetic bandits stole property of the imperial house?
-They are not just bandits, Your Highness. -Then what are they?
They are theremnants of the Turkic tribe that General Li Wen had destroyed.
Oh?
Even so, they are wreched theives that survive by robbing others. I will not tolerate this. ~Empress Wu Zetian~
Order the provicial governor-generals to destroy these bandits at once.
Your Highness,
we`ve sent numerous expeditions to exterminate these bandits, ~Xue Rengui~
but none of them have been able to locate their hideout.
That`s right, Your Highness. This is not a job for provincial governor-generals. ~Wu Sansi~
Really?
Then I will appoint a commander general ro deal with this matter right now.
Right now, Your Highness?
Yes, I might as well strike the iron while it`s hot. Now I will hear your recommendations.
Who might be right for the job?
Li Wen is the man that crushed the Turks in the first place.
This is a job for General Li. ~Zhao Wenhui~
Yes, Your Highness.
-General Li Wen is the right man. -Appoint General Li Wen, Your Highness.
What do you think, General Xue?
Well, General Li should know the Mt. Madu bandits better than anyone else.
Are you up for it?
This will be my chance to restore my name and honor. I will give my all, ~Li Wen~
if I`m given the task,Your Highness.
Mimosa is back! Open the gate!! ~Heuk Sudol~
-We`re back, general. -How did it go?
We found a short route to Goguryeo and scouted an area to settle down.
Good work.
Fill me in on the details later.
We may have a chance to escape Tang sooner than we thought.
-Are you refering to the punitive force being deployed to Mt.Madu? -You`ve heard.
Yes, on my way back. ~Mimosa~
We won`t get another opportunity like this.
But there is one problem. ~Gulsabiwu~
Li Wen has been appointed commander of Mt.Madu punitive force.
Li Wen?
Blasted bastard!
He took a lot of whipping from us in Mt.Guifu. He will surely try to kill us if we go under him.
Even so, we have to get ourselves in the punitive force.
I`ve already sent a letter to my father asking him to persuade Xue Rengui.
Good.
If anyone can get us in, it`s Xue Rengui.
But Li Kaigu and Shin Hong will interfere.
Yes.
That`s why Li Wen`s involvement may be a blessing in disguise.
What do you mean?
Yes, it may ultimately be Li Wen that gets us in the punitive force.
Yes.
-If he wants revenge... -You too, Geumlan?
What are you all talking about? How could Li Wen help us?
I`m sure he`s dying to take revenge on us.
He has no reason to turn us down if we volunteer to go under him.
What`s wrong with my brain? How come I don`t get this?
But first my father has to persuade Xue Rengui.
I`m sorry.
-I`ve been remiss after inviting you into my home. -Don`t worry about me.
I`m enjoying a very comfortable stay.
-Would you like to have a drink? -No, thank you.
I`ve come to ask you for a favor.
A favor? Friends don`t ask for favors.
Just tell me what you need.
I heard a punitive force has been formed to be deployed to Mt. Madu. ~Dae Jungsang~
Include my son and his men in the expedition.
Is there any special reason?
Does a soldier need a reason to fight in a battlefield?
-He wants to serve the country and make a name for himself. -Serve the country?
He did not vow loyalty to Tang to be a gatekeeper.
He needs opportunity to render distinguished service.
-I can understand that, but.... -I must oppose.
Dae Joyoung`s company is made up of Shillan, Baekje, and Goguryeoan soldiers.
They may have vowed loyalty to Tang, but they cannot be trusted just yet.
How could you say this? We`re Tang soldiers.
Dae Joyoung isn`t. At least not yet.
How do you know that?
I don`t have to see it to know.
I agree with Shin Hong. You cannot trust him.
Rengui, my man....!
I`ll see what I can do.
-Greneral! -General!
I will recommend Dae Joyoung for the punitive expedition. But Li Wen is the commander general.
If he says no, there`s nothing I can do.
Everything went well.
-Deliver the news to Joyoung right away. -Yes, sir.
If Dae Joyoung escapes the country, you will be blamed for it.
I know what I`m doing.
This is a no-brainer, sir. ~Honpei~
You can`t let Dae Joyoung out.
Dae Jungsang is right here under my roof. Dae Joyoung would never let his father die.
I know, but .....
Besides Li Wen is the commander general.
Thousands of soldiers are in the punitive force, Dae Joyoung only has one hundred men.
what`s there to worry about?
What?
Dae Joyoung and his men want to join the punitive expedition? ~Li Wen~
Yes, General.
-Xue Rengui`s recommendation letter just arrived. -Accept them immediately.
-This is my chance to get rid of him. -Yes, sir.
I`ll pay him back a thousand fold for what he did to me in Mt.Guifu.
Dae Joyoung, that fool, is walking into his own death! Dae Joyoung!
I couldn`t sleep, so I was about to do some reading.
We`re going to escape from Tang very soon.
But you must stay here while we are in Mt. Madu.
We will come back for you as soon as everything is ready.
I will do anything you say. ~Princess Sukyoung~
But first we must go on a trip first thing tomorrow morning.
It will take three to four days, so pack what you need.
Are we ...?
Yes.
We are going to see His Majesty.
-Your Majesty! -Sukyoung!!
Your Majesty...! Your Majesty...!
I`m glad I am alive to see your faces again.
We`ve come to take you back, Your Majesty.
I`m content having seen all of you again.
Your Majesty....
Where will you go when you leave Tang?
There is a piece of land we`ve scouted in the Goguryeo territory.
Come with us, Your Majesty.
Goguryeo...Goguryeo territory... ~King Bojang~
Mountains and river will always be there unchanged...
It`s not the land that changes but the people that walk the land and countries that those people build on that land.
Goguryeo is no longer.
It is survived by the people of Goguryeo and the land those people walk on.
Your Majesty....
On that land, the people will erect a new regime.
And when that regime falls, the people will erect yer another regime.
And through all of those changes, history will be made.
But I will have you remember
that I am the last owner of Goguryeo and the sovereign king of its people!
Anyone seeking to erect a regime on that land requires my permission and approval!
Your Majesty...
Listen and listen well, General Dae Joyoung.
Heaven decides the fate of the nation,
but the fathe of the people is decided by the will of their leader.
Take care of my people.
When you get back home, reclaim the land that was taken from them and resume Goguryeo`s grand design!
I grant permission to no one but you, Dae Joyoung.
Your Majesty.....a
I kept myself alive
and waited for you to deliver these words.
Your Majesty...!
-I have one more request. -Anything, Your Majesty.
sukyoung....
Marry my niece Sukyoung.
She is like a daughter to me.
I cannot close my eyes leaving her alone.
Take care of her. Let me go in peace.
Yes, Your Majesty.
I will abide by your wish.
Jungsang!
What did you find out?
-Li Wen stormed the north gate with his troops. -Any word from Joyoung?
He`s gone to see His Majesty with Princess Sukyoung and his sworn brothers.
But Li Wen cannot find out about this.
He`sthrowing a fit insisting that Joyoung fled the country.
This is dreadful.
The punitive force is due to move out any day. Our escape plan could go up in smoke unless Joyoung shows up.
The general is back! Open the gate!!!
-What happened? -Li Wen has arrested all the of the officers!
That blasted bastard!
Take the princess somewhere safe and out of sight.
Stop them! Get them!
-Talk. Where did Dae Joyoung flee to? -I told you he will be here shortly.
Silence!
He volunteered for the expedition to throw us off and fleed the country.
Wait for him.
If he isn`t back by the time the punitive force is due to leave, all of you will die.
What is the meaning of this?
What have you done to my subordinate officers?
Untie them.
You bastard!
Deserting before battle is a serious offense!
Listen carefully.
You will listen to my command for as long as you are in the punitive force.
If this had been on the battlefield, you would already be dead.
You got that?
-Let`s go! -Yes, sir!
He`s determined to get revenge.
We should`ve killed him in Mt.Guifu when we had the chance!
We must endure it.
If we`re going to escape Tang, we must endure it.
Subs By:eobster38