Episode 1
Subtitles brought to you by Dong Yi Team at Viki
Early March,7th Year of King Sukjong's reign in the year 1681
Are you a fisherman?
Yes.
At this early hour... You are quite diligent.
I was about to leave. Come to this spot.
The bait is good here.
You're letting me know even that.
Thank you, Royal Prosecutor.
Do you know me?
Who are you?
Who are you that you know-
I'm scared.
Do you have nowhere to run to now?
What are you guys doing?!
Hurry up and arrest them!
Yes!
Did you realize it yet?
There's no place on earth for runaway slaves to escape to.
You're the one who thinks they have no place to go.
Servants are people, too.
Do you really think that people with two legs have nowhere to go? Does that even make sense?
Who are you? Who are you!
If I were going to tell you that, why would I have covered up my face in the first place?
Don't go after them anymore.
If you put away your swords now, I'll spare your lives.
What? You!
You're dying to be killed?
Follow me.
Who are you?
By chance... are you all...
...from that Swordsman Alliance?
Please escape the city through this boat.
That man will take you to safety.
By chance, are you from that Swordsman Alliance?
We heard about you.
From within our city, they all fight on behalf of the wronged.
Thank you. Thank you very much!
Hurry up! We have no time to waste!
Hurry up and go, and please, please stay safe and live!
They're safely on the boat.
I'll need to leave the capital for a little while.
Some of the fleeing soldiers might have seen my face.
Okay. Be safe.
Let's hurry and go.
The pursuers will be here soon.
What? What's the matter?
Nothing.
Subtitles brought to you by Dong Yi Team at Viki.
Okay! Let's begin!
Victory! Victory!
You two are on the final leg of the race.
Your route is to circle the fairgrounds and back. Got it?
Yes!
Today's winners will receive the molasses cakes as prizes.
Banchon commoners like yourselves have never had them before, have you?
But, what shall we do... only the winners get to eat the molasses cakes.
Dang, why is my opponent a girl?
One only knows what's in the pot after one opens the lid.
What did you say?
I'm telling you to do well.
But, what humiliation would it be for you to lose to a girl.
Victory! Victory! Victory! Victory!
Catch it, Dong Yi!
Win! Win! Win!
Excuse me.
Oh, my my!
Wait.
Aigoo! You little brats!
Win!
This year's winner is...
Chang-Mar, from Chang-Soo Valley!
We won, won
We won!
What?! What are you talking about?
What? Surely, finish first. What do you mean Changmar won?
You have violated the game's rules.
What rules? What rules did I violate?
You didn't come through the main road, but through a small alley!
That's why Changmar won!
No, that's not a violation.
You said we could use any fairgrounds road.
We won. We won!
Be quiet, you rascals!
If I say you didn't, then you didn't!What do you commoners know that you are objecting?
No, we won!
You! Be quiet! Go away!
Changmar won!
What? We won though!
This doesn't make sense! What is this?!
This is unfair!
What do we do, Dong Yi? Then, does it mean we don't get to eat the molasses cakes?
Stop~!
Here. Take your prizes.
Huh?
What is this?
What happened?
That is...!
Th-those little brats!
We got caught! Run!
Catch them!
You guys know where to go, right? Split up.
There. Just get after that girl.
Okay!
Uh oh! Where do we go?!
You guys go that way.
Okay.
And you guys go that way and search.
Okay.
Just wait. When you guys get caught-!!
Ha! I've never seen anyone who says "just wait" actually scared me.
Hey! Gae-doh!
You can't eat that! It's for the guys who couldn't come to the race today!
Hey, just one more. Okay?
Ugh. You! I'd have better off giving fish to a cat.
But, Dong Yi...
Ya! Are you crazy?! How can you drop something this-
I think he's dead!
Huh?
There's a person over there...!
What do we do, Dong Yi? I think it's a corpse.
No...I don't think he's dead yet.
When a person's dead, their skin color...
Guys, save me!
Please let me live!
Huh?
What did you say?
Sir. Sir!
Excuse me, are you all right?
Sir!
What did you say?
No, don't talk! You spilled too much blood already!
Wait a moment! Stay here, I'll bring people to help!
Wait a moment!
Where should I go?
Hurry! Hurry!
Over there! The man is dying over there.
Excuse me. Excuse me!
I think he is dead.
He is dead?
Huh? There's no way!
He was alive...
I'm sure he was alive...
What do we do? I'm sure he was alive!
What did you say?
What? The Royal Prosecutor Jang Ik-Hyun?
Yes, but that's not all.
The Minister of Justice Lee Joo-Ho and Vice-Minister Han Jung-Soo, were also found murdered at Angukdong and Daedong.
Governor...
How...how could this happen?
Oh! That's not how you do it!
The water-borne corpse is supposed to be wrapped with cloth,
and not with straw.
Oh, his tissues will be damaged if they do it that way.
Oh, look! He's not even gathering his shoes.
You wench! What do you keep mumbling about?!
Forgive me.
It's just that the corpse is not being handled properly.
What?
Isn't the corpse water-borne?
A corpse like that needs to be wrapped with cloth.
Look, his hands and feet are wrinkling.And, the warm weather will cause cell excretion.
Shut up, girl!
What do you know!
The child is correct.
You pathetic fool. You don't even know that.
Hurry and wrap the corpse with cloth as this child says.
Yes.
You're quite smart.
Where did you hear all that?
Your humble servant's father is the medical examiner for the dead bodies.
Ah. Is that so?
Yes.
Is this the child who found the governor?
Yes. She's the one.
Listen to me carefully.
If you answer well, I will give you a big prize.
Huh? A prize?
Yes. I will reward you.
So, answer everything as it happened. Understand?
Yes, Sir.
When you saw the elder, was he really alive?
Yes, Sir. He even said something.
What? He spoke?
Yes.
What? What did he say?
Um... that...
Oh. How frustrating. Hurry and tell me what he said.
Umm... that...
I couldn't hear him. He just moved his mouth.
What are you saying? Did he or didn't he?
I think he did...
but I couldn't decipher...
Oh, dang. I was happy for nothing.
Then, Sire, do I not get the reward?
Quiet!
Ha! What reward!You made me run here for nothing.
Ah! The reward is disappearing before my eyes.
What about the corpse?
Yes, it has been recovered.
What about circumstantial and surrounding field evidences?
Yes, they have been completed.
Time and location of the murder?
Uh... that... we haven't yet...
Yet?
Oh, my apologies. I will immediately.
What is your position?
I am Hong Jong-gu, the assistant police director.
Seo Yong-GiUseless and ignorant, yet you call yourself an assistant director. How excessive!
Excuse me?
As of today, you're no longer an assistant director, but a police cadet.
Excuse me... what?...
One should know one's abilities.
I'm going to examine the corpse.Go look for that person I mentioned.
Yes, sir.
Oh, Public Affairs Commissioner...
Um... Public Affairs Commissioner...
Brother!
Dong-yi! You!What are you doing here?
After the fairgrounds, I came by to go home with you.
The fairgrounds?
So, you weren't afraid when you saw the corpse?
I saw Father examine the corpses many times.
I also saw them in the books over there.
Oh you. You're fearless.
Children, let's eat.
Father, I'll take it.It's fine. It's fine. Sit down. Sit.
Father, do we have a problem with Dong-yi's fearlessness?
She's took on a boy and isn’t even flinching.
So what if a girl is fearless?
A bull isn't lured by strength alone.
What matters is the brain.
Right. Dong-yi is correct.
As long as one is talented, it doesn't matter if you're a girl or boy.Isn't that so?
But, a girl should have some femininity.
That's why you didn't make the Annual Greeter.
No, that's not why.
The Annual Greeter?
Yes, Father. Annually, the aristocrats select a kid dressed in silk clothes to greet their in-laws.
Oh, right. You were going to compete for the Chanpan family's greeter.
Yes, but I wasn't selected.
They said they only select from the aristocrats.
Commoners can't...
I really wanted to wear the silk dress.
Oh, right. Father, Brother, have some.
Oh! These are molasses cakes.
Yes, Changmar almost took away from me this afternoon.They're those molasses cakes.
They are so sweet and tasty!Have some.
Oh. These are rare delicacies...
Wow. This brother gets to enjoy these thanks to my sister!
Oh! It's sweet and tasty!
Is it tasty, Father?Yes, yes.
Father, get some sleep now.
Okay.
But the capital's events are troublesome.
They've killed all the top officials.
Yes, I heard that too, Father.
I wonder who did such a vile thing.
I'll go check the doors, whether they are closed or not.
Father, it took me five days to make this for you.
Father, you have to carry this always.Always.
Okay. I will always carry this.
Subtitle brought to you by volunteer at Viki
Who are you?
So you're Dong-joo?
Let him go.
He came with me.
Sir.
It's been a long time.
Sir.
It's been 5 years, isn't it?
How did you find this humble servant?
After all, aren't I the Public Affairs Commissioner?
Don't you think I can find a mortician if I wanted to?
But, why did you disappear without word then?
In my disappointment, I wanted to search you out immediately.
But, I waited because I thought you had your reasons.
Sire, you shouldn't mingle with a commoner like me.
Don't you know that it will affect your reputation?
Was I ever affected by that useless reputation?
Yes, you are a commoner.
But, in my heart, you're my mentor rather than a commoner.
Sir.
Is this commotion because of the investigation?
I'm not sure either.
They say the commissioner personally brought in a prominent person.
Really?
Is the "prominent person" that mortician?
How is it?
It is correct that the death is by the sword.
The sword struck the critical points. It was an accurate strike.
They said it was from a sharp professional grade sword. Is that correct?
Yes. That is accurate as well.
Well, at least, they're not completely useless.
What about the murder site?
Although the murder location and the place where the body was found seem same,
The governor was murdered elsewhere.
Yes. That is also what they have said.
But, that was all.
They couldn't decipher the exact location.
Commander, Sire. This corpse is water-borne.
To decipher the murder location only from a water-borne corpse...
It's possible.
That's why I called you both here to personally see it yourselves.
Where was the governor murdered?
Sir...
Speak.
I'm sure you know. Isn't that so?
Sire! He is merely a common mortician.
How can he...
The murder site was probably at Sanbando.
How so?
He is said to have gone fishing at dawn.
By that mere fact, you say it's Sanbando.
There are a few hundred lakes to fish.
But, there are less than ten lakes to fish for smelt.
There were smelt scales on his hand.
Also, with such a severe injury,
he would've died in the winter waters long before he reached shore.
But, the fact that he was alive means that the river was warm.
The river was warm?
Yes, sir. Today's weather was as warm as a spring gale.
That means the governor was fishing where smelts are found.
If the wind speed carried the waters at 2.5miles per hour (10ni),
the location it would have reached would be Sanbando.
Confirm his findings immediately.
Yes, Sire.
Right. So, it was that place.
We found it.
Drink.
This is your favorite tea.
Oh, you remember such a thing.
Seeing how you worked today, your deductions are still as keen ever.
This is why I say I can’t do investigations without you.
This case is not a simple murder.
There was a collaboration to kill off the officials.
Forgive me.
But, Sire, you already suspect who might have done this.
Your Lordship already had a hunch where the governor was murdered.
You summoned this humble servant only to confirm your hunches.
Yes.
You're right.
I think I might know who might have committed these murders.
Perhaps they might be...
the ones I have been chasing for so long.
Just what are you doing?
Who ordered such a thing?
It's me, Your Excellency.
What do you mean by that?
I might be the next target?
The top three southern officials have been murdered.
After the three, who do you think is next in line?
Look here, Commissioner.
This is just my inference.But, it won't hurt to take caution.
So this a factional murder against the South?
Or, are you saying this is the scheme of the West?
If so, then I cannot accept this.
Murdering their own political opponents!
This land's morals are not that depraved.
These murders are not by the Western Faction.
Some other people are attacking you.
Some other people?
By chance, do you know of the Swordsman Alliance?
Swordsman Alliance?'
Yes.
A secret order working on behalf of the people within the capital.
This murder is their doing.
Subtitle brought to you by volunteer at Viki
Sul hee
So, you're Choi Dong-joo's younger sister?
Huh? Yes. That's right.
I'm Sul hee.
The Queen Mother enters!
The Queen Myung Sung- mother of King Sook Jong
Brother! Brother!
By royal order!
Stop everything!
My Imperial Queen, by the king's command, we have come to ferret out the Swordsman Alliance's infiltration.
Please permit us to do our job.
I permit it.
We're honored in your kindness!
Listen!
Yes, sir!
Within this palace and mixed in amongst the people are the evil and the wicked members of the Swordsman Alliance!
Ferret out the Swordsman Alliance members right away!
Yes, sir!
What? What do we do?
-Brother.-Shhh.
What's happening?!
Sir!
What do you mean the slaves killed the officials?
It can't be.
I've been investigating the Swordsman Alliance for a long time.
They've assisted the runaway slavesby fighting off the police officers.
This humble servant has also heard of the Swordsman Alliance.
But, I've never heard of themattacking the officials for no reason.
The murder site of the dead governor you examined...
turned up evidence of the Swordsman Alliance's presence.
That can't be considered as evidence, Sir
These were recovered from the residences of the arrested men.
Can you still insist they're not responsible?
Oh Tae-seok
So, did you take care of the elders' corpses?
O Yoon- Yes
I was praying for a good afterlife for them.
They had all devoted their lives in the cause of us Southern scholars.
But, they were in their positions too long.
Not acknowledging the change of times, they were being too obstinate.
If we had left them alone, the entire southern scholars would have dug our own graves!
The old fools should have realized they've become useless and vacated the position themselves.
They have made me shed blood with my own hands.
Commander Seo is a competent man
Will he be duped until this is over?
If one holds a hammer in hand, everything looks like a nail.
His prolonged pursuit of the Swordsman Alliance will automatically direct his focus to them.
No matter how clever, he'll only look there.
If you take too long, you'll make a mistake!
So, expedite things as planned.
Yes, I understand, uncle.
How many of our men were captured?
There were twelve in all. But that's not all.
They're saying they'll ferret out everyone and even arresting the innocent people.
This is a trap and a frame-up.
Someone killed the officials and is now framing the Swordsman Alliance with the crime.
Let's go.
Brother has been acting strange since coming back from the palace
You girl!. At last, we caught you.
Dong Yi!
Gae-dol!
Save me Dong Yi, i am afraid!
Dong Yi!
You chintzy brat! You even came to our houses?
Quiet! Being a thief, what've you got to say?
I'm not a thief! That's not stealing.Those were rightfully ours from the start.
Be quiet! You're going to get it...
Don't! You'll get hit!
Here, I found it!
What?
Is that all?
And what's this?
Hey, bring him here!
Okay
Help me, Dong-yi! Save me!
Stop. Don't do this.
Dong-yi! Dong-yi, save me!
Gae-dol!
Help me, Dong-yi! Save me!
Dong Yi!
There were twenty total.
If you don't bring all twenty molasses cakes,he gets a strike for each missing cake. Got it?
Dong Yi!Let's go.
Gae-doh!
Save me, Dong Yi!I am afraid, Dong Yi!
Dong Yi!
This...
"Kang Jeong-hyuk. Court Guard."
If you have any useful information,
I will give you a big reward.
I will give you a prize.
Gae-doh, wait just a little longer. Just a little.
These pouches should've been found at all the others' houses too.
Yes, Sir
It is strange.
How could they have all of these in their houses?
Sir, we have a big problem.
Police Captain, just what is going on?
The investigation is not yet complete.But why are the courts transferring the prisoners?
If you transfer them, they will be charged as felons.
They haven’t been charged. You can’t do this, Police Captain.
Once the order came down, I had no choice myself.
Police Captain!
Please, think again about it,
You can't do this, Police Captain.
Sir, is the Investigator Jang inside?
Who?
This humble servant really has to see Investigator Jang.
Investigator Jang. Is he inside?
Did that girl really bring something?
Yes. She said she remembered what you said.She had a badge in her hands.
A badge?
Really? Where is she?
At the entrance gate.
Where is she? I don't see her.
Strange. I told her to wait here.
Sir!
Sir, we have a big problem.
What is it?
Just what are you saying?
A child who found the governor's body brought a badge?
The guard says it looks like one of the royal guard's badge
What happened?
I think I lost the badge the day I killed the governor.
When he was struck, he fell on me.
He tore something off my cloak. It must've been the badge.
What did you say?
My apologies. I thought I lost it elsewhere.
You fool! You call that an explanation?!Do you know the gravity of our mission for such an error?
Forgive me.
Find the badge immediately and get rid of the girl.If it lands in someone else's hands, we're all done.
Right this minute, get rid of the girl. Understand?
Yes.
How can this happen?
Let's go.
Yes.
It's a young commoner girl.
She must be within the police premise. Hurry and find her!
She's not here.
She's disappeared.
You're now making a commotion even here?
So...
What is it this time?
It is nothing.
Just a little problem pursuing a criminal. Nothing for you to be concerned about.
You're running all over my courtyard and you tell me not to concern myself?
So, the court guards don't acknowledge rank or have manners?
Forgive me.
I must be going. I'm in quite a hurry.
By chance, are you in a haste looking for this?
"Court Guard, Kang Jeong-hyuk."
As I know it, this is your badge. isn't it?
Ah, do you know...
The late governor asked to relay this to you.
Why are you just standing there?
Arrest him!
Yes.
Sir.
Inform the elder of what's happening. Now!
Yes.
Dong Yi!
Father!
Dong-yi, did you...
Is that child your daughter?
Yes, Sir.
Take a seat..
I met this child on my way to find you.
And she had this badge.
I was too rash.
I jumped to the conclusion too quickly that it was the Swordsman Alliance.
Sir.
But, there's another message from the late governor.
A message?
She said he gave her a hand signal.
Will you show us again?
Yes.
This is what he did.
It must be something important.
But we can't tell what it is by only this.
I had wondered if I'd be surprised by a commoner again.
And this time, it was your daughter who amazed me.
Did you say your name was Dong-yi?
Yes, Sir.
Right.
you're really smart and you've done us a great service!
I'm honored, Sir.
Dong Yi!
I'll be meeting with the heads of the police and detective squads.
Meanwhile, question Kang Jeong-hyuk and find out whom the other partners he has in these affairs.
Yes, Sire.
And you, carefully examine the evidence from the slaves' houses.
Yes, I understand.
This is probably the involvement of the various factions.
Maybe it was what the late governor was trying to convey.
I will do my best, Sir.
I'll leave it to you then.
You and your daughter are doing a valiant deed.
Really, thank you.
Right...
so this is how events turned out.
My apologies.
I had no idea it would turn out this way.
No, not at all.
These things happen.
This is the way it happens anyway.
The arrows don't always stick you from the front. Also sticks you from the back.
There's no need for desperation nor worry.
Uncle.
First carefully get rid of what snags our feet.
We can still do all things.
We mustn't forget that.
It's late in the evening. Do you think you can get there alone?
Oh, Father! I'm your daughter, Choi Dong-yi.
Alright. Be on your way.
Father, you come home early too.
Okay. Promise.
Then, I'll be on my way.
Okay. Be safe.
Here you are.
Thank you.
One, two, three, four...
I'll still have over ten left after I give them their share.
Hey, child.
Where do you live?
Excuse me?
Me?
Yes. Where do you live?
I live in Banchon. Why do you ask?
Banchon?
Yes.
Child,
don't take the shortcut through the Changsu road,
but take the main road, where there are many people.
Huh?
Why?
Didn't you just buy a lot of molasses cakes?I don't want anyone to follow you.
Ah, I see. Thank you!
What's the matter, Master?
It's nothing.
I feel bloodthirsty violence around that child tonight.
Huh?
I must be losing my spiritual power now.
Why do I see the rarest sign of heaven's helpon such a commoner child?
Oh, my goodness.
By chance, have you seen the mortician Choi?
Ahhhhk, look here! Look over here.
What's going on?
Isn't he that court guard?
Yes, sir.
What happened here?
I don't know myself, Sire.I was ordered to get him. But, he was dead like this
How can this be? How can this be!
Get him!
Let's get out of here!
Cheon-soo.
Sir, what's going on?
Why are they trailing you?
Dong-yi is in danger.
Huh?
Home, at last.
Are you the mortician Choi's daughter?
Yes, that's correct.
But, who are you?
Dong-yi! Dong-yi!
Dong-yi!
Dong-yi! Dong-yi!
Sir, Dong-yi is not in the village either.
Sir!
Send out the call for a meeting, Cheon-Soo.
Immediately.
Team Leader enters!
Team Leader.