Gye Baek
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Now what do we do?
You said we had to move tonight because it was a moonless night!
All the villagers are going to lose their lives because of one corrupt noble.
He's already dead. So don't bother fighting me.
Come out here.
We have to fight the Silla soldiers and then fight each other.
Why? Glad to see me?
Forward!
Episode 21
Who are you?
It's oil.
Bring it out and pour it into the drains.
Over there!
What is going on?
Why is the sound of bells ringing inside the fortress?
Light the fires!
- General, there's no more oil! - What?
What the hell is that sound? It sounds like a swordfight.
Hey, you two! Wake up!
Can you hear this sound? What is it?
Maybe the Baekje army is attacking the fortress to rescue us.
That's right! Buh-Ryuh has brought the army here!
You fools! Do you ever use your heads?
Think about it! He went to cut off their heads, not to recruit them!
How stupid can you possibly be?
- You really want to go at it? - It's two to one, you know.
I can't even fight one to one, let alone two to one.
Someone's in your hair.
Over there!
- It must be the Baekje army of 10,000! - Retreat! Retreat!
Retreat!
Long live Baekje!
Long live the Commander!
I think someone's coming. Who won the battle?
Of course it's Silla. Baekje barely had twenty men.
So this is where our fates end.
The flower of my youth hasn't even bloomed yet!
Flower of your youth, my ass.
What about the flower of my middle-age?
Has that bastard abandoned us?
Let's abandon him too!
- What a disloyal fellow! - Shall I leave?
Buh-Ryuh!
Buh-Ryuh, you just got here! Don't go!
These two said you'd abandoned us, but I never gave up hope on you!
I told them you wouldn't do that. You would never abandon us.
But they hit me! You see my nose? They made my nose bleed!
Look! Look at me!
Buh-Ryuh?
Buh-Ryuh! Where are you going? You just got here!
Don't come to me. Don't come!
Don't come, I said. All right then, come but don't hit my nose again.
Now it's our turn.
We fought all night. You want to fight again?
You're amazing.
And you're a lunatic for being able to conquer this fortress with only 20 men?
Shall I let you rest a while?
Your sword made a big difference. Do you want to work with me?
I can give you a good position.
I don't want to be your subordinate.
I won't bow my head to anyone unless they're superior to me.
At Gajam Fortress, someone asked me to work under him.
I told him to get lost.
But here I am doing the same thing.
There is something strangely similar about us.
But what is your real name?
If you defeat me, I'll tell you.
Governor, we need to make our escape before they get reinforcements!
How could we have been defeated?
How can I report our defeat when I don't even know who the Baekje general was?
I will see his face for myself!
Governor, it's dangerous!
You scoundrel! I will have my revenge!
Kim Geum Su! Go and tell your brother Kim Yu Shin!
Tell him he lost the fortress to Yiri!
And while I, Gye Baek, live...
He will never be able to step foot on Baekje territory!
How much further to Guh-Yeol Fortress?
Another ninety minutes.
- Then let's go. - Yes, Miss.
Excuse me.
- A moment of your time. - What is it?
- Are you from Guh-Yeol Fortress? - That's right.
Then Sir Gye Baek must have sent you. What is it?
Commander Gye Baek has conquered Silla's Suh-Gok Fortress!
I am headed to Sabi to deliver the news!
He conquered Suh Gok Fortress?
He defeated an army of a thousand with barely twenty men!
How is that possible?
Wait, then what's going to happen to Miss Eun Go and the Crown Prince?
Your Majesty, Prince Euija of Baekje is here to greet you.
Your Majesty, I greet you.
Welcome, Euija.
How you must have suffered all this while?
Your Majesty...
Call me Aunt.
- Your Majesty! - It's all right.
I loved your mother, Seonhwa, very much.
If she was still alive, we would be able to meet often.
Poor boy. You never once had an opportunity to call me Aunt.
Aunt...!
Yes. Come close.
I wanted to see you, Euija.
Mother...
Mother!
Your Highness!
Your Highness, did something happen?
I... I saw my mother.
- Did you have a dream? - Yes.
But it was so real.
Your Highness, Kim Choon Chu wants to speak to you.
Send him in.
Welcome, Lord Kim.
- Please pardon my intrusion so late at night. - Not at all.
Please sit.
Your Highness, tonight I wish for you to speak honestly with me.
Do you mean I haven't spoken honestly with you before?
I can't help but feel that you are here to spy on Silla under the guise of peace.
How could that be?
No, because that is what I would have done in your shoes.
It's odd that you want to meet our people and deliver the grain.
I think you want to spy on our capital city while you travel around to help repair the structures.
You're a suspicious man.
Then will you do something to ease my suspicions?
All you have to do is prove that you truly want peace.
What is it that you want?
Take my sister Yongbo as your consort.
Princess Yongbo? Why is that necessary?
You called me the future King of Silla when I am not even of "Sacred Bone" ancestry.
What would happen if my sister was your consort and I became King?
Then we would be related by marriage.
I will await your reply.
Your Highness, he must suspect something.
Kim Choon Chu... He is our greatest foe.
Your Highness...
Tell him you'll take Princess Yongbo as your consort.
As you said, Kim Choon Chu is a dangerous man.
If you turn him down, he will use that as an excuse to deport us.
That's enough. I will not wed Princess Yongbo.
Are you worried about the Crown Princess?
Eun Go!
What am I to you?
You are my Lord. I have lived my life to serve you.
No, you've never lived to serve me.
You just needed me to fulfill your own goals.
Is that how you think of me?
I want to ask you the same thing. When will you understand how I feel?
Your Highness...!
When will you stop thinking of me just as Crown Prince? When will you stop thinking of me as your Lord?
Why don't you think of me as a man?
You know how I feel about you!
I've waited a long time.
The woman I want isn't Princess Yongbo.
It's you, Eun Go.
Forgive me, your Highness. But I am going to pretend this didn't happen.
You are my Lord.
If you permit me, I will serve you at your side as long as I live.
That is my answer.
That fellow sure is enjoying his chicken leg.
Where did that Buh-Ryuh go anyway?
Those men are going to eat all the meat and wine!
That guy is eating a whole pig by himself!
Maybe he forgot about us because he's drinking.
Something must have gone wrong.
Do you think they found out about him trying to help Silla?
That's right. It's your fault I'm a Silla spy now.
Hey, stop eating and take away these Silla spies!
They sure are enjoying their food.
Your attempt at spying ended up helping our cause.
The man who wanted to fight me has disappeared suddenly.
I'm talking about your chief. Do you know where he went?
Of course we don't. We've been waiting for him too.
You know, have we met before?
Where did we see him? I'm sure we did.
Don't ever come near my game again!
If you do, you'll become my game too.
Get lost.
That's right. You're the one that fought Buh-Ryuh...
That's right! He was with Buh-Ryuh at the Wi Je headquarters!
So what are you doing here?
What a strange coincidence!
Look, Dok Gae.
Dok Gae...? Do you know me?
- Do you? - I know you very well.
I know you so well I can taste your blood.
Why do so many people hate me?
I don't taste that good.
Who is Buh-Ryuh anyway?
Oh him... Well, I knew him when he was young from Sabi.
You really want to know?
I thought you had died.
Gye Baek.
Oh, so your name was Gye Baek!
Gye Baek... Gye Baek?
You're the Gye Baek that worked at the tavern?
Oh my goodness, Gye Baek!
I'm Yong Su, do you remember me?
I'm a man too! We'll serve you as our Chief!
Let us live now. But if you don't like us later, then kill us then!
- What are you doing! - Chief!
You defeated us! I'm Yong Su!
- You're that Yong Su? - Gye Baek!
- And Buh-Ryuh is... - Yes.
I... I'm Moon Geun.
Big brother!
Who you calling big brother?
I don't have a father or a younger brother.
The man I used to call Father caused my mother's death.
Big brother, that's not true.
- Father was... - Shut up!
Don't make excuses.
I saw everything with my own two eyes!
He would have let his own son to die.
But it was my mother and me being held hostage.
Look here, Commander.
Just keep your promise to fight me.
Isn't this better that it turned out this way?
With just one round,
we can end this ill-fated destiny of ours.
Don't be like this.
Do you know how long I've been looking for you?
I'm not your big brother!
And besides, tonight you'll join your father!
That night, Father made a difficult decision for the sake of the kingdom.
And ultimately, he sacrificed himself.
Stop your nonsense.
I don't care about what he did for the kingdom.
All I know is one thing.
My mother took care of you and your father...
... with more care than she did for me, her own son.
But...
He didn't even bat an eyelid...
He killed her.
Am I wrong?
Yes.
If it'll make you feel better,
then take my life.
Mother! Mother, don't die!
Don't...
... blame your father...
Still...
I'm glad I met you again.
Live quietly.
I don't want to see you ever again.
Tang?
That's what I said. He told us he was going to return to Tang.
That's why we were going to Silla with him and then cross over the border to Tang illegally.
Knowing Buh-Ryuh's... I mean Moon Geun's personality, he's definitely going to go to Tang.
Even if you follow him to Tang, how will you find him in that vast nation?
Just forget about him.
Yes, Yong Su is right. Buh-Ryuh will live a good life in Tang.
Now what I do with myself?
Do I go to Baekje, Silla or Tang? Or do I go to Goguryeo or Turkey?
- What do you think? - What are you talking about?
Now that we've reunited with Gye Baek, we have to be together with him!
We're finished with you!
Well, you have known him longer than me. But finished? Finished?
Why are you being so fierce with me? Do you want to go outside?
You are really taking it too far! Finished? Finished?
Sir Gye Baek!
Cho Young! What are you doing here?
His Highness and Miss Eun Go are in danger.
What do you mean?
I didn't know His Highness and Miss Eun Go went to Seorabeol.
Of course you didn't.
In any case, when Silla finds out about the defeat of Suh-Gok, the peace treaty will be nullified.
And I'm sure they will be made captives.
- Did you inform His Highness? - Yes.
I just hope he receives the news faster than the Silla court.
What do you think, your Highness?
You've done well.
Mutual use of Bang-Ang Fortress, civil education, building of Buddhist temples...
We have much to gain.
Now all we need is Her Majesty's seal. Well done, all of you.
This is all due to your hard work. Especially Eun Go, who solved the riddle of the peony painting.
Without her, our trip would have been a waste of time.
No, your Highness. This is all due to your virtue.
What will you do about Princess Yongbo?
I will not wed her.
Then this peace treaty will not be accepted.
I will tell Kim Choon Chu that I agree to the marriage.
But I will ask to go to Sabi for His Majesty's approval first. Then I will make another excuse.
What a waste!
Princess Yongbo is a renowned beauty! If you don't want her, can I have her?
- Your Highness, I have bad news! - What bad news?
A message just arrived. Here, please have a look!
Gye Baek conquered Suh-Gok Fortress. Escape immediately to Suh-Gok Fortress.
What did you say? General Heum Soon lost Suh-Gok Fortress?
Forgive me.
How dare he extend one hand to us in peace but strike us with another?
He smiles with a knife behind his back!
Take some men and seize Prince Euija!
Yes, my Lord!
I knew he was a formidable man. But it's better that it turned out this way.
I will not allow him to return to Baekje so easily!
- Find them! - Yes, sir!
- They must have left. - Pursue them!
Where are you from?
From Baekje.
- Let's go. - This is Silla territory from here.
- We know that. - There is no time to waste. Let's hurry.
Your Highness, it's Gye Baek!
Thank you.
I'm so glad you're safe. I was so worried I would be too late.
We didn't expect you to show up like this.
You saved all of our lives.
I am so happy you are with us.
Let us go to the fortress.
I am glad everyone is safe.
I never expected the conquest of Suh Gok Fortress to cause such a problem.
Yes, but you're the one who saved us too.
We heard that you used only 20 men to conquer this fortress.
Your accomplished a true feat!
His Majesty will be extremely pleased!
Congratulations on your conquest of Suh-Gok Fortress.
I can't believe it. How did you conquer this great fortress with 20 men?
You have grown into a great general.
For a brief moment, I didn't know whether to move forward on my instinct.
I had fear of failing.
Then why didn't you avoid the situation?
I couldn't. Because I avoid it once, I'll do it again.
Your courage and determination before great adversity
saved the people of this region and conquered this fortress.
I am so proud of you.
What? Gye Baek conquered Suh-Gok Fortress?
Yes, Your Majesty. He did it with merely 20 men.
Congratulations on your acquisition of Suh-Gok Fortress!
But the Crown Prince is in Silla! What has happened to him?
Don't worry, Your Majesty. His Highness escaped safely to Suh-Gok Fortress.
He is on his way back to Sabi under the protection of Commander Gye Baek.
- Summon the Justice Minister. - Yes, Your Majesty!
Why is your expression so tense?
It's true that Gye Baek accomplished a great feat. But the problem is His Majesty.
He should have gotten permission from His Majesty first.
Because of this, the peace treaty is void and His Highness has wasted his time.
It's true about the peace treaty, but our primary objective was to spy on Seorabeol.
That's not the only thing that makes me nervous.
Hooray!
Is that General Gye Baek?
He annihilated a thousand Silla soldiers with merely 20 men!
He saved all the villagers of Guh-Yeol Fortress!
Hooray! Long live General Gye Baek!
Do you hear this cheering? You are worried for nothing.
Yes, I hope you're right.
Long live General Gye Baek! Long live Baekje!
Your Majesty.
Welcome back. I am glad to see you back safely.
Your Majesty, have you been well?
Yes, I heard about your great accomplishment. I am proud of you.
I am honored, Your Majesty.
See? I told you nothing would happen.
An ulterior motive? Gye Baek has no such thing!
Are you certain he didn't know you were in Seorabeol?
He didn't know.
I'm not sure about that. It's true that he accomplished a great deed.
But I suspect his intentions.
He was sent to the outer regions, so he wanted to return here.
I doubt that.
But what if we find out that he did?
I cannot protect him if he did. He may be Mujin's son and a loyal subject.
He will have to be punished.
Your Majesty, is that necessary?
Did you not hear the people's cheers?
With the conquest of Suh-Gok Fortress, Gye Baek has become a national hero.
The cheering that should have been for you was directed at Gye Baek!
I wish everyday was like today.
Yes.
Now gather around!
I will tell you the story of how General Gye Baek
conquered Suh-Gok Fortress with only 20 men!
Now gather around! Don't just clap, throw some coins!
Good! Now gather around!
Now our General Gye Baek lets out a hearty roar!
How dare the Governor of Suh-Gok Fortress strike our people?
How dare he tread on our land?
I, Gye Baek, will conquer Suh-Gok Fortress with this bell given to me by the Heavenly Jade King!
And so, with only twenty of his men, he annihilates Suh-Gok Fortress!
Geum Su tucks his tail between his legs and runs like hell!
Do you like this story?
Bell from the Heavenly Jade King?
I wish that bell existed.
How satisfying!
You mean that General Gye Baek accomplished with that bell what the nobles of Guh-Yeol couldn't?
The nobles of Guh-Yeol Fortress?
You mean that bastard who left Guh-Yeol knowing that the villagers were going to starve to death?
He was struck down by General Gye Baek!
Now, do you want to hear how the General did it?
- Of course we do! - Not for free, you don't!
Isn't that General Gye Baek and Miss Eun Go?
All right, I'll tell you!
Let's go.
His Majesty is displeased. He is unhappy that you went against his orders.
Is that so?
He may issue a punishment tomorrow.
Punishment? Are you sure it wasn't a reward?
Everyone in the entire Kingdom knows that his accomplishment was monumental!
How can you say that?
I was expecting that. I will try to find a way out.
Yes, I cannot interfere in this. The two of you need to find a way.
I would like to propose a promotion for Gye Baek to Eunsol status.
What does everyone think?
It looks like he is going to reward him. Perhaps we were mistaken?
Just wait a while.
Your Majesty, what do you mean a promotion? I am not worthy.
It is only right that a hero is rewarded and a traitor is punished.
Do not refuse me.
Your Majesty, the appropriate action for Gye Baek is punishment, not promotion!
- What do you mean by that? - Yes, Your Majesty.
He defied your order to move the village.
Furthermore, he attacked Silla without your express consent.
It was fortunate that the conquest ended, but it could have resulted in a big war with Silla.
Because of him, the peace treaty with Silla was voided.
The Crown Prince's life was put in jeopardy!
Your Majesty.
Commander Gye Baek did all of this because the lives of the villagers were at stake.
The people of Guh-Yeol Fortress are aware of this.
He conquered Suh Gok Fortress not for his own gain, but to protect the people of Guh Yeol Fortress.
But his actions nearly cost him the life of the Crown Prince!
You were there so you should know!
But His Highness accomplished his goal.
The peace treaty was merely a ruse.
And because of the earthquake, Silla will accept our offer for civil education and rebuilding of their temples.
Even so, it is irrefutable that he went against His Majesty's direct orders.
- Now it's our turn to speak. - Yes, it is time.
Your Majesty, I humbly ask for your permission to speak.
Continue.
- Commander Gye Baek did not go against your orders. - What?
He was following the standard protocol for outer region military officers.
- Standard protocol? - Yes, Your Majesty.
It is standard practice for military officers of remote regions to act accordingly to the situation.
Commander Gye Baek acted according to the situation, rather than directly disobeying your orders.
Then why did he not send word first and obtain His Majesty's permission first?
I humbly ask permission to speak, Your Majesty.
If the answer was so simple, why would there be a protocol for outer regions?
If he had sent for your permission first, the outcome of this battle may have been very different.
If you punish him because of what he did when the situation called for it,
it will be unfair!
So Commander Gye Baek cannot be punished for foiling the Crown Prince's task and disobeying my order?
Your Majesty, Commander Gye Baek is also guilty of another crime.
In order to take complete control over Guh-Yeol Fortress, Commander Gye Baek killed Lord Jin Deuk.
I believe that he should be stripped of his titles and sent into exile!
Please wait a moment, Justice Minister!
Your Majesty, I will ask your permission to speak.
I am guilty of unintentionally ruining the Crown Prince's task and disobeying your direct order.
I acknowledge my crime and will receive your punishment accordingly.
But I will not acknowledge killing Lord Jin Deuk in order to gain control over Guh-Yeol Fortress.
Lord Jin Deuk abused his villagers and sent them to starve.
I struck Lord Jin Deuk only to protect the villagers.
I have done nothing wrong in this!
Even if I was put in the same position, I would do the same thing again.
This is not an easy judgment to make.
I will take time to deliberate on the appropriate judgment for Commander Gye Baek.
Damnation! What a mess!
Why is our government so eager to punish those who have done good?
They might as well be spies for Silla!
Why did you have to be so fierce in court today?
The nobles are out for your blood, and now you've succeeding in alienating them completely.
The Noble Assembly will meet in three days to discuss this issue, so we still have some time.
Because the people are involved, they will not be able to accuse him of high treason.
It does not bother me. Please do not be overly concerned with the outcome.
What are you saying, Gye Baek?
Don't worry! Everyone out there in streets are rooting for you.
- If something happens to you, they'll rebel! - Heung Su!
Watch your words! Do you want Gye Baek to be labeled an insurgent too?
It's because I'm so frustrated!
Please don't fight over this. I will resign and step down before the Noble Assembly makes me.
Gye Baek, just be patient.
I will meet with His Majesty and discuss your judgment.
I cannot do as you wish.
I will follow the judgment of the Noble Assembly.
But Your Majesty, Gye Baek accomplished a true feat in spite of great adversity.
But the nobles are determined to overlook that. How can we expect a fair judgment?
You still don't understand?
Even if the nobles defend Gye Baek, I fully intend to send him away to the remote regions.
I don't like the fact that he is near you. That is why I sent him to Guh-Yeol Fortress!
You knew that was my intention!
Your Majesty!
Tell Gye Baek this. Tell him to go to the outer regions and live quietly in peace.
If he does this, I will protect him against punishment from the Noble Assembly.
Your Majesty, how can you ask me to abandon my younger brother!
Do you think you are truly brothers because you are sworn by blood?
You and Gye Baek are not brothers, but master and subject.
A King cannot be equal to any other. That applies to everyone, not just Gye Baek!
Don't fool yourself.
I am doing what you want but is unable to.
Am I wrong?
- You want to gather the nobles? - That's right.
The two of you must help me.
I agree! There are many nobles who support the Mok family.
We must use this opportunity to draw them to our side!
I don't have any issue with protecting Commander Gye Baek.
But if we are too hasty, they may find fault with us.
They are all eager to reclaim their lost power.
This isn't just to save Gye Baek.
It was always our intention to bring stability to the kingdom by unifying the noble families.
But we must not give them money or goods. There must be another way we can get their support.
As long as there are no backhanded exchange of money, they cannot find fault with us.
In any case, please find a suitable place for everyone to gather.
I will take care of the rest.
The position of Prime Minister is currently vacant.
It will have to be a man worthy of that position who can unify the nobles.
Is there such a man?
He would have to be a man of virtue in order to be able to unify the nobles.
There is a man that comes to mind, but I will have to speak to him as he shuns society.
And...
These are land deeds. Use them at your discretion.
This is unnecessary. I still have money left.
This is all for the sake of our kingdom's unity. Please accept it.
I'm sure you'll find a use for them.
Did you send for me?
Welcome! I wanted to have a drink with you.
Sit.
You've gotten yourself in trouble despite the good you've done for our kingdom.
I am so sorry that I cannot do anything to help you.
Not at all. I know that you have to be unbiased.
Gye Baek, I am envious of you.
The people call you a hero sent from Heaven, and your brothers risk their lives to save you.
And you have Eun Go too.
I am only a burden to everyone.
I am bitter towards His Majesty.
His Majesty and I are both indebted to you and General Mujin.
And yet, he is cold-hearted.
What can he do when the nobles don't like me? I understand.
I thought everything would be perfect once I obtained this position.
But I am of no help to anyone. In fact, I'm a burden.
I endured all these years of suffering.
And even so, I have yet to have a peaceful night's sleep.
Even now, my heart constricts thinking about it.
You've had too much to drink. Please stop!
Your Highness!
Your Majesty... Please save my brother, Gye Baek...
My brother, Gye Baek...