Today, from among Joseon's masters, only the best of the best will fight here!
-= Episode 26 =- Today, from among Joseon's masters, only the best of the best will fight here!
Come on, put down your betting money!
This is not child's play. Be careful.
Do not worry.
Smiling, huh! You would be smiling here?
Today, will be your memorial day.
Isn't he the Sword Saint's disciple?
Isn't it Baek Dong Su?
There will be somewhat of an interesting competition for sure.
Stop, stop.
Hitting the groin gets a losing penalty.
Then you should have told me in advance.
Ah, everywhere else on the body is fine...
but hitting the groin is not! It's a penalty loss.
Victory.
-=Baek Ho : can mean White Tiger=- . This time, it's between fighter Baek Ho who had taken in the divine air of Mt. Baekdu,
and bounty hunter Jang Tae San!
This time it's a decisive match, right?
You surely have to win.
Face off!
Aunt, aunt, that is Dong Su.
Hey, Baek Dong Su! Here, here!
Aigoo, keep quiet, I can also see.
Hey, here...
Aigoo, our Dong Su! What a dashing figure he is.
It is that man Baek Dong Su out there.
The gambling house's challenger is Sword Saint's disciple?
Am I seeing something not quite fitting?
The opponent is too weak. This won't be interesting.
So then, would you want to go up against him?
I'll go up against him once.
Just for this match, we have got a special invitee.
It's been quite a while.
Can you move aside for a bit?
Then, I'll step aside for a bit.
What is the deal?
What would be the deal?
Don't you have the same reasons as mine?
You will disappoint a good friend, I would say.
Between you and me, whom do you think one would bet money on?
Well, then whom do you want to bet on?
I can't act like I don't know the good friend.
I am betting on Baek Dong Su.
Really? Then I will just...
Begin.
Baek Dong Su, you have to win.
It is a well-matched dragon-tiger fight! Isn't it?
What is this? How is that man be this powerful?
He is the Japanese who wreaked havoc in the palace before.
He was also part of plot to assassinate His Highness the Prince Heir.
What?
What's wrong?
It's nothing.
Why are you like this?
Dong Su!
Aigoo, really, how can they say that there are no tickets?
I said there are no seats left!
I won't be a big deal for us, right? Lets' go back.
Aish... This really bothers me.
If you guys want to go inside, go ahead.
Aigoo, thank you very much.
That... couldn't be that weird guy, right?
Let's go inside.
Hey, we have tickets here.
Hey, let's go inside...
Dong Su!
You can't do that.
Why not?
Why is he like that?
He must have been drugged.
Drugged, you think?
These people must be on to their practical jokes again!
In a duel where they bet their lives, you mean they would play a joke?
Take a look over there.
This is a gambling house strewn with flesh and blood.
One can make a lot of money.
One can also lose everything in a hurry.
Don't you think it's a mistake to look for a fair fight?
We should just enjoy the fight, that's all.
By chance, do you still have some sympathy left for that man Baek Dong Su?
It is not sympathy or anything, but...
If it is not a fair fight, it's really not something to get excited about.
Really? Then you wait a bit and see.
When that Baek Dong Su fellow is at the doorstep of his afterlife,
it will get to be a lot of fun.
I see that you are weak in fitness.
Then let's start from now.
Let's do that!
Dong Su, you know what kind of man you are?
After enduring so many difficulties and obstacles,
you have come this far, right?
Whether it's a powerful army, or the lord of hell,
- Dong Su. - nobody can block your path.
Your Highness.
How did this happen to you? Your Highness!
Father.
Get up. You are Sa Goeng hyeongnim's child.
Sword Saint hyeongnim's disciple. Aren't you Baek Dong Su?
Dong Su, aren't you one who doesn't know how to give up?
Aren't you unafraid of anything in this world?
You can do it.
Aren't you Baek Dong Su?
Dong Su!
I am the one to become Joseon's best swordsman, Baek Dong Su.
Aren't you Joseon's best swordsman, Baek Dong Su?
Dong Su!
Are you all right?
You did it, right?.
What are you talking about?
He surely must have a long life.
You drugged him?
It is like you can't trust me.
But don't they also say, "prepare for anything"?
It was men putting their lives on the line.
Please don't do this in the future.
But, I wonder why the Sky Lord didn't come.
He will be fine, right?
He is sleeping. He must be really tired from earlier.
Won't you be all right, Baek Dong Su?
Why?
Afraid that Dong Su is still alive?
If he is alive, Un, you want to kill him with your hands?
Don't give me grief!
I lost my mother and father.
I don't want to lose Dong Su too.
So, I plead you not to give me grief.
You and I are exactly alike.
Dong Su,
has always been my friend.
You and I are exactly alike.
How is it?
That... That is...
-=Yeong Ju=-
My energy has really declined, right?
One cannot fight time.
-=Yi San (the future King Jeongju)=- It is because the caring from me was inadequate.
How can this be your fault?
Your love and devotion are really moving, Prince Heir.
His Majesty is very happy seeing you like this. I am also very happy.
-=Queen Jeong Sun=- His Majesty is very happy seeing you like this. I am also very happy.
Isn't this how it should be, Your Majesty?
Father.
Things cannot be delayed anymore.
-=Gim Han Gu: Queen Jeong Sun's father=-
-=Gim Gui Ju=-
-=Jeong Hu Gyeom=-
-=Hong In Han=-
Feeling better now?
Dong Su.
Come on in.
Is your body feeling better?
For making everybody worry, I'm sorry.
You stupid fellow. But still, it is a relief that you didn't get any serious wounds.
-=Seo Yu Dae : Royal Guard General=- . You stupid fellow. But still, it is a relief that you didn't get any serious wounds.
People that have won three rounds have all disappeared.
Yes.
Today, it was really amazing. You did well.
But, what exactly does this big gambling house do?
What does it really do? Well, it's just what it is.
Just fighting, kicking, hitting... That's all.
But, initially this place wasn't on fire like this.
Then a nobleman government official laid his hands on this place.
Naturally it became pretty big.
Fighters and still more fighters!
The fighters who became famous here were all given money and taken away.
So it is almost like a market for fighters.
The fighters who disappeared were all bought by His Excellency Hong Dae Ju.
His Excellecy Hong Dae Ju is picking up fighters who can die with nobody caring.
That's right.
The Defense Minister is raising his own private army.
We need a bit more of specific evidence.
Is there some way to get it?
To follow His Excellency Hong Dae Ju's moves may be the best way to confirm.
Will you be fine with that?
Recently people from His Excellency Hong Dae Ju's home bought a big quantity of yeoncheol.
The market is sold out on yeoncheol.
-=Yeoncheol: Soft iron used to make swords=- . The market is sold out on yeoncheol.
That yeoncheol is clearly for making weapons.
-=Jang Tae San=- That yeoncheol is clearly for making weapons.
-=Jang Tae San=-
But we cannot track its location.
Once you win three rounds at the gambling house, they will send you there.
So there is no need to worry.
-=Baekmyeon Seosaeng=-
Some information has come from the Shadowless World.
At Sulsi, the Noron officials will join for a meeting at the entertainment house.
-=Sulsi: 7pm to 9pm=- . At Sulsi, the Noron officials will join for a meeting at the entertainment house.
The information is that Her Majesty the Queen will also attend that.
At a meeting of the Noron Lords, there will be Her Majesty also?
The military power of the palace is in His Excellency Hong Dae Ju's control,
and control of the Noron's power is in the Queen's hands.
Taking the opportunity to show my face there, would not be a bad idea.
Who is it?
Let's go and look.
Baek Dong Su.
Un!
Go back. This isn't a matter for you to get into.
Then you? Is it for you to get into?
It is not something to argue.
Do me a favor. Go back quickly.
I'm not leaving. If it's a problem, Un, you leave.
You think your mighty martial arts can stand up to these people's power?
I beg you to go back.
Even if you come out, there's nothing that can change.
Then what's there for you to do?
But then...
With your sword that much blood-stained, you must be getting all you wished for!
Baek Dong Su.
Then what has that even-handed sword of yours done?
In the end it couldn't save anyone.
To those on the way to death, should I justify your helplessness?
Shut up!
That you would protect them all was your smartly made lie.
Do you know how many such people have endured the pain?
That hypocrisy and all that... Just drop it now.
Un, you should have shut up.
Un, you!
Who are you guys? Chase them!
So, we are all back here together...
Like at the Imonyeon time.
-=Imonyeon : Year the Crown Prince Sado =- -= was killed in a rice chest =- . . Like at the Imonyeon time.
-=Imonyeon : Year the Crown Prince Sado =- -= was killed in a rice chest =- . In this occasion, for us Norons' main interests, shouldn't we do whatever needs to be done?
Except royal guard general Seo Yu Dae's, these are the blood-contracts of all generals.
The blood-contracts of all the generals?
If so, are you saying that we will be in control with the military too?
That is groundwork.
For the sake of completing the uprising, it is some groundwork, I would say.
Everybody knows what Her Majesty is asking for, I take it.
If we die, we die together. if we live, we live together. Isn't it so?
Defense Minister, who is the new person?
A martial arts expert who is spearheading this uprising.
Talk about the preparations done.
Yes, Your Majesty.
The funds to be used in the uprising have been prepared.
The fighters signed up are all people who can die with nobody caring to find out.
They are perfect for completing the uprising.
Also, we have been making the weapons to use in the uprising.
There are spears and swords, 200 each, and 20 volley guns as well.
That day evening at Sulsi time, another meteor will be falling.
We will spread rumors in the markets that the Prince Heir wants to kill His Majesty.
The lives that hang on the balance here,
are not His Majesty's or the Prince Heir's.
Rather, it's the lives of all of you.
Certainly you should take that to heart.
Please leave this to us, Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Stop there! - These fellows...
Is it knowing where you are, that you are daring to cause trouble?
Quietly... Quietly send them away.
What is going on?
I don't remember inviting you, Sky Lord.
A secret assembly here at night!
if only His Majesty were here,
it'd be just like holding the Royal Court.
You fellow, how dare you speak nonsense here?
But then...
a lowly one like me cannot join an occasion like this, right?
Your Majesty.
Defense Minister, the uprising is to happen right ahead for us. Do not forget that.
Yes, Your Majesty.
What on earth was going on in there?
Baek Dong Su.
Why do you make trouble wherever you go?
Then, you mean...
I should turn a blind eye to their evil doings?
I beg you.
Your showing up now,
will not threaten them a bit.
To convict them,
you don't have any evidence either, right?
Go.
What a disgrace this is, I swear.
I was just fooling around with a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.
Might something have gone wrong?
Fooling around?
Do you know what was happening inside
to say that nonsense?
Your Excellency, didn't you say it earlier?
This is a gambling house strewn with flesh and blood.
We should just enjoy the fight, that's all.
The lives of all of us,
are a battlefield strewn with flesh and blood.
I am just enjoying it.
Fine.
But,
How did you know that there would be a gathering?
Your Excellency,
If it's a matter inside the palace, I wouldn't know.
But if it's something that happens outside the palace,
you think I wouldn't know?
All right.
What happened to that fellow Baek Dong Su?
I asked what happened to him!
About him... Why would you ask me?
Could it be that you are starting to have sympathy for him?
What did you say?
Then, I will take my leave.
Wait...
Do you know why I am tolerating your disrespectful provocations?
As for that, I am also quite curious.
Of course,
it is because I need your help.
What is that?
-= Emperor : Refers to the Qing emperor =- . I need an Imperial edict from His Majesty the Emperor.
To send to His Majesty the Emperor,
Her Majesty the Queen wrote this letter.
On the Prince Heir doing the daericheongjeong...
-=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- . On the Prince Heir doing the daericheongjeong...
an opposing imperial order from His Majesty the Emperor is needed. -=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- .
Please take this letter and hand it to His Majesty the Emperor.
For sure His Majesty the Emperor's edict
has to reach my hands within half a month.
Your Excellency...
His eyes didn't show conviction.
If the letter delivery won't happen,
what are you planning to do?
That is...
not something you need to worry about it.
Where is Myeong Ju now?
Right now, he should be up at Mt. Bugak.
The cub would ride on to my head?
Why did you do that?
This does not fit your nature, Sky Lord.
My so-called nature...
What exactly is it?
Unmovable like the Taesan mountain,
and calm like the sea, isn't it?
Even the Taesan mountain or the sea,
can be crumbling or upsurging at certain times.
Moreover, one can get caught in the swirls of the world...
I'm just someone like that.
Cut the string.
What?! You met Un?
Yes.
Did something happen with Un?
No.
You and I are exactly alike.
Dong Su,
has always been my friend.
The night breeze is chilly.
Want to run a little?
Oh, it is a meteor.
Hey, that is from Mt. Bugak.
Let's go!
Hey, Baek Dong Su!
Let's go together!
If I shake off this assassin karma and come out,
can I meet you, Miss?
Can these hands, already blood-stained,
receive heartfelt forgiveness from you?
Hey! Wait a moment!
Isn't there some kind of smell?
Seems like the smell of oil.
Oh it does seem so.
It's over there.
Wait a moment.
There is nothing at all.
Let's first go to the mountain top.
Fine.
Watch it!
Jin Ju.
Cho Rip.
I got it.
Every time a meteor fell,
-=Hanseong: Capital area in Seoul=- . northeasterly wind was blowing to Hanseong.
Why?
It is only because of the northeasterly wind,
that the meteors were falling.
Northeasterly wind?
It is all orchestrated.
What is all this?
The Prince Heir,
wants to take revenge for his falsely convicted father
by becoming king, it says.
It is the heavens' command, it says.
Oh my!
What is this?
They say it is a strange word circulating in the markets.
Give it to me!
How can such a thing be allowed to happen, I ask?
Please calm down, Your Highness.
Though their acts have clearly crossed the line,
it is a time for you to stay composed,
to see through their plot.
"Stay composed. See through the plot."
Can't you go ahead and concoct a line that even God can't help?
I can already feel their swords aiming for my neck.
Their laughter that I hear day and night,
always stays in my ears, I am telling you.
Your Highness.
Thus, I cannot just sit and await death.
Those who bring danger to me and shamed my father's name...
will certainly get punishment by my own hands.
These servants will certainly protect you.
Just as you want it done, Your Highness, please give us your directions.
- Your Highness. - Your Highness.
These pieces of paper can be seen everywhere in the markets.
The people's anxiety is hard to describe.
This is clearly a conspiracy.
These bastards! They are going after even what they shouldn't be after.
No need to even investigate.
This is surely that wild pig Defense Minister's doing.
Ah, if that bastard's crap keeps going, what exactly should we do?
But we cannot make a rash move.
Yeongsuk, have you found anything?
-=Yeongsuk: Baek Dong Su's Chinese style courtesy name=- . Yeongsuk, have you found anything?
Yes.
Last night we figured out the truth behind the meteors.
Really?
They just picked a day when a northeasterly wind was blowing,
to fly kites with gunpowder from the top of Mt. Bugak, burning them up.
I knew it would be something like that! Then what else?
People from Defense Minister Hong Dae Ju's home,
while getting yuso and yeoncheol earlier,
had bought a large quantity of saltpeter used to make gun powder.
What, saltpeter?
Saltpeter is already out of stock.
Really?
Ajussi, we need to make firecrackers.
Isn't there even a little left?
Firecrackers?
Well, that only needs a little, right?
My daughter...
Jin Ju is not with you?
Yes. Jin Ju must have gone to the gambling house.
Gambling house? Again?
She can't stay away from secret plans.
Please do not worry.
Aish!
Miss.. again!
If that man Jang Tae San
wins another round, he'll be a 3-time winner.
Someone will surely approach him. You follow him.
3-time winner?
If I win just once more,
I too will be a 3-time winner.
Looks like a monkey!
Stop!
Victory.
I won again.
Aissh... What do I do if I really get it from father?
Good job.
Come for just a moment.
Are you chieftain Hwang?
Right, so far.
Follow me.
We need to wait here.
Let me take a look.
This is unprocessed saltpeter.
To make gunpower,
you need this saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal.
Amongst them,
what's used most, and the most difficult to get, is this saltpeter.
From the medicine merchants,
they bought a box of something.
Do you know what that was?
It was all this saltpeter.
In their rebel coup,
they are planning to use firearms.
But... Why has Jin Ju
not come back even now?
I'll go and find out.
Fine.
I have to got to the palace too. Let us leave together.
Fine.
Finally you are back? I am back.
Cutting off his limbs is worth double, but cutting his head off
is worth 10 times, you said.
No question there.
If you can cut off that fellow's head,
you can be the owner of all of the gold in Joseon.
And also, take this.
What is this?
It is poison taken from a viper's fangs.
If we are to kill, let's make sure!
Father, let's talk about that man we saw last night.
That pretty-face male,
is the one called the Sky Lord of Heuksa Chorong, isn't he?
Yes, Your Majesty.
As the man who is the Sky Lord,
how can he act so rashly?
Father, call him over here.
Your Majesty.
How can Your Majesty
have a cold-killing assassin-type near you?
The uprising is imminent.
Shouldn't we make a back up plan?
But...
Please call him over in secret.
But Your Majesty...
Matters like contacting Heuksa Chorong,
are done solely by the Defense Minister.
Is that so?
Sky Lord? Are you saying that Her Majesty wants to meet the Sky Lord?
With the uprising imminent, she is in a sour mood.
She wants to hold his feet to the fire.
I pleaded her not to meet assassin-types,
I find her being surely insistent.
That much is also possible.
Then, I will give it a try on contacting Sky Lord.
Why should she see such assassins?
In total there are eight people.
We should gather at least 10 more fighters.
Yes.
Because of all the strong pull from the gambling house,
the whole country's fighters are always getting together here.
If we wait for just 4 more days,
getting ten more people will be easy.
Your Excellency!
Chieftain Hwang and Jang Tae San?
Despite the appearance, it seems you have top fighting ability.
I have often heard things like that.
Your Excellency, they've already pleadged allegiance, that they'll lose their lives for you.
Good, then can I see a show of your martial arts?
Stop!
Don't come closer. No, don't come closer. Don't come any closer.
Father.
This fellow is not a man, but a girl.
And also,
she is the previous Sky Lord's daughter.
What?
Take her down.
Her Majesty the Queen wrote this letter.
-=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- . On the Prince Heir doing the daericheongjeong, an opposing order from the Emperor is needed.
A communication came from the palace.
It is from Her Majesty the Queen.
Stop!
More than I thought, it seems she is feeling the urgency.
What will you be doing?
It was a bait I threw. So I have to meet her.
Did you say chieftain Hwang won three rounds?
That's exactly right.
Then, where is the chieftain now?
I too don't know to that extent.
Move aside! Move aside!
Father! Ajussi!
You can relax.
Don't say a word, as we know all about it, my daughter.
We certainly have to kill them.
Go for it!
You all wait and see.
Take the sword and go.
You girl, you went there asking for trouble?
- No, its not like that. - Follow me.
Ah, be gentle, please. It will hurt. It will hurt.
You, really...
What are you fellows after?
What makes you fellows keep on following me?
Once you die, check with the Lord of the Underworld!
You guys do seem to have some skill.
I'll kill you!
Every step of the way, he would keep blocking me?
We have to first go after that Baek Dong Su fellow.
As for that fellow Baek Dong Su...
Even if it isn't in connection with this uprising, we will just have to have an encounter.
So then, you think you will meet him sometime?
So it seems.
Father.
How did it turn out?
That was exceptional.
Why would Your Majesty look for someone like me?
That's disrespectful.
Father.
I will say it straight.
How about becoming one of my people?
If I heard right,
you were asking me to betray the Defense Minister.
Why would you twist Her Majesty's words like that?
It is just that, if such an exceptional one like you would be serving Her Majesty,
it would be more powerful than keeping even a seasoned big army.
If I do that, what do I gain?
Whatever you want, I will give it all.
Wealth, power, fame.
Whatever it is, go ahead and tell me.
I will have to think about it.
I'm not a virtuous person with infinite patience.
I am also not so shallow a person.
Then, can you show it to me first? I am talking about what you've got.
I am an assassin.
What would an assassin have, to show?
No matter whose head it is, can you bring it in my front immediately now?
Whose head do you want?
What if it is His Sovereign Majesty's head?
Your joke is a bit much, Your Majesty.
Then...
Bring me the head of Sword Saint's disciple, Baek Dong Su.