If Soon-shin is defeated, he will be expelled.
But if he wins, his opponent must leave.
Who would like to go up against him?
How about you?
No, Master. How could I possibly compete with him?
He must be a man of great talent if he became your pupil without a test.
He must compete with the best.
I think Kyun might be his match.
What do you think, Master?
It's not a bad idea.
Very well. Kyun, you will compete.
Master!
You will compete on the fifteenth of next month.
Is this true?
Yes, I heard it loud and clear.
They all say this is a pointless match.
It's just a matter of time before Sir Yi is kicked out.
You must be troubled about having to expel your best friend.
But we can't keep him in the league no matter what.
It's my guess that the master feels the same way.
Why else would he approve you as his opponent?
He was looking for an excuse. I don't know what made him
take Soon-shin in, but he has realized that it was a mistake.
He just needed a justifiable reason to throw him out.
Eat up. Go on. Eat up.
I'm all right. You go ahead.
What are you talking about? I prepared this for you!
It's done just right!
Please eat. You have to be strong so you can practice.
take the military service exam and become a magistrate.
I'm not hungry.
Don't be so difficult.
Where are you going? Aren't you going to eat?
I'm going to get some air.
Dig in! It melts in your mouth!
What's gotten into him?
Did something happen, at the institute?
The master was looking for an excuse, an excuse to
throw Soon-shin out.
You wish to withdraw from the match?
Yes, Master.
Soon-shin is a beginner who just started training.
How could he compete with me?
I cannot remove a friend from the league with my own hands.
What makes you so certain that you can defeat him?
How can you predict the outcome before the fight?
Get out of here.
But, Master...
If you really wish to help a friend, prepare to do your
very best on this match! Do you understand?
Do you read with your fingers?
You're flipping the pages with your eyes on the wall.
I can't figure it out.
I can't figure out why Father did this...
My lady...
Hit me.
Master...!
What's your reason for not hitting me?
Are you worried about hurting me or are you afraid you will lose?
Is that the reason why you are refusing to compete with Kyun?
No one else has ever entered this institute without a grueling test.
Kyun was not an exception. But I made an exception with you.
It wasn't because I sympathized with your situation.
And I believe I made the right decision no matter what anyone says.
Master...
So don't let you mind wander and focus on your training.
Did you say Yi Soon-shin is about to be thrown out?
He'll be competing with Won Kyun of all men, so it's just a matter
of time before he is expelled.
Is that so?
He should've never been allowed to enter in the first place.
Right, brother?
Right indeed.
How dare a traitor's grandson pollute the revered institute!
Don't you agree?
I coudn't agree more.
I have a feeling you and I are going to be good friends.
Both of us will be entering government service soon.
We should meet often and build our friendship.
Yes, we should. I'm fond you as well.
Well then, return home safety.
I shall arrange another get-together soon.
No. I shall be the one to invite you next time.
That'll be great too.
Well then...
Return safety!
I won't let the bastard that humiliated me and my father
enter government office.
I will make sure he can't get back up this time...
- Byun-in. - Yes, brother.
Go to Baron Huh's estate and bring back Supervisor Kim.
Supervisor Kim?
Do you understand? Don't give him any room.
I understand, sir. Don't worry.
Looking for books, sir?
Yes.
These are all military strategy literature.
You must have a keen interest in military arts.
A friend of mine is preparing for the military service exam.
He needs some books, but I don't have much on military arts so
I thought I'd borrow some.
Would this friend be Yi Soon-shin by chance?
How did you know?
Then these books won't be much use for him now.
Oh my back! I think my back is going to snap!
How much more? Do we still have a long way to go?
We're going to be here al day!
I've had just about enough of that Supervisor Kim.
There're plenty others here, but he's making us do all the work.
When are you going to practice with all this work to do?
You couldn't go this morning either.
It's all right. I'll get this done quickly and go when I can.
There you are! There's someone here for you.
You know, that academy scholar we saw at the archery field.
It must be Sir Yu.
What are you doing? Don't keep him waiting.
I wonder why he's here.
Maybe he felt sorry for Soon-shin.
What do you mean?
Don't tell me you don't know.
Know what?
Your friend is about to be kicked out of the institution.
What? What are you talking about?
He's being forced to compete with Sir Won a month from now,
but they say he doesn't have a chance of winning.
That's absurd!
How could Soon-shin fight against such a strong man?
I guess you really didn't know about it.
I thought you were his friend. Why didn't he tell you?
But then, he's a nobleman. You may be friends, but he
couldn't share everything with a lowly peasant.
I don't want you to neglect the theory part of the exam.
Here's the Six Rules and Three Strategies to start.
I'll bring the rest of the military literature as soon
as I can copy them.
You've resolved to do this, so I pray for a good outcome.
You're so kind. I hope I don't disappoint you...
Disappoint me? Never.
I have all the confidence in you.
Let's wrap it up for the day!
How about a drink.
Let us bury the hatchet and relax a little.
No thanks. Go ahead without me. I'm going to practice a bit more.
Why are you training so hard lately?
You're not worried about the match, are you?
Yi Soon-shin doesn't even come close to you.
He's well aware of that, so he's not even trying anymore.
Do you train only to defeat an opponent?
Training and discipline is not just for competition.
Sung-ryon, what are you doing here?
You're training hard as always.
This is what I do.
I was at Soon-shin's.
He's the one who needs practice, but he was still preoccupied with work.
Couldn't you reason with your master?
This isn't the only place you can be.
There's no doubt you'll place first on the military service exam
with your talent, but things are different for Soon-shin.
Talk to your master once more.
Only you and your master can call off the...
The match will go on as scheduled.
Are you intent on having Soon-shin thrown out?
We haven't competed against each other.
Who will be forced to leave is yet to be seen.
Do you think Soon-shin can prevail against you?
Do you really think that's possible?
Are you going out to the archery field again?
Yeah.
Soon-shin, I...
am I really your friend?
I heard you were being forced to compete against Sir Won.
Is that why you were so worried and distraught?
Chun-su...
Why didn't you tell me?
Why do I have to hear this from someone else?
I don't blame you. What can I do anyway? I'm no help to you.
It's not like that, Chun-su. I just didn't want to worry you,
and telling you wasn't going to change anything...
Don't be like that. Not if you consider me as your friend.
Don't you feel better when you talk to someone about your problems?
Isn't that what friends are for?
Chun-su...
You better go.
If you have to do this, you should practice and do your best.
Spread your legs shoulder width apart.
Kyun...!
Anchor your legs down,
and tighten your lower stomach!
What are you waiting for?
Open your shoulders and pull the string with force!
No. no! Don't just use your arms? Use your whole body!
Use your entire body and draw your strength to your arms!
What are you looking at? Look at the target!
Pierce the target with your eyes!
Again!
- Kyun... - What are you waiting for?
I know you're doing this for me, but...
This is not for you. It's for me.
You may be a close friend, but you will be an opponent when we stand
on the platform. I don't want anyone saying that I defeated
a bungling greenhorn. My pride will not allow it.
Kyun...
Do your very best. Give it all you've got and beat me.
If you submit to defeat after a half-hearted effort,
I will not forgive you.
Andong, sir?
The baron must have high hopes for you.
He gave special orders for me to take you with us.
Pack your bag. It's a week's travel away but we'll be gone for a good
month counting the time to find the merchandise and negotiate price.
One month?
Start packing.
What?
You want me to see you to Andong in Soon-shin's place?
Yes. Supervisor Kim said I could with your approval.
Sir, may I come in?
Enter!
You may wait outside.
I'm begging you, Baron.
I told you to wait outside?
Yes, sir...
Is this how you do your job?
What did you say to that boy to get him so worked up?
Sir...
How am I going to trust you to do your job when you've got no eye
for people? That boy is not in the same league with Soon-shin!
He is dispensable in this company.
In fact, if it weren't Soon-shin, I would have never hired him!
And you think he can replace Soon-shin?
There you are!
Hurry. Baron Huh is looking for you.
What happened? Baron Huh seems quite upset.
I hear you're preparing for the military service exam.
Yes, sir.
I not tell you to keep your eyes on your job?
Forgive me, but...
Don't waste your breath.
So, do you think you can pass?
Don't give this man any work after seven o'clock.
Baron?
Give it your best shot.
But you'll have to take a pay cut for the hours that you miss.
Thank you, sir?
Sir, he can barely learn the business if he focused all his
efforts here. Why?
Oh dear... Learn to see beyond the immediate!
We are giving our money away to those who are preparing for
government service exam.
Without political backing, we merchants can't do business.
So why should I stop Yi Soon-shin?
If he passes the exam while working for me, I would be
acquiring a government official on my side without spending a fortune.
I have nothing to lose even if he fails because I'm not paying him.
What could be a better investment than this?
If Soon-shin were forced to go to Andong, he would've had to
give up on the match, and it would've been over for him.
Why did you have to meddle?
Ah, be quiet.
Supervisor Kim is out to get your butt!
You have some guts.
How could you go to the baron and confront him like that?
Soon-shin talks to him all the time. Why shouldn't I?
Good grief! How can you compare yourself to Soon-shin?
He's a high noble and you're a lowly peasant!
You come from different blood!
You just wait until he passes that military service exam.
Didn't you see the baron calling the magistrate's son "sir" and
kowtowing to please him?
If your friend passes the exam, that will be him!
What are you going to do now?
What are you going to do once your friend passes the exam and leaves
this place? You're here right now riding on his coattails,
but you'll be left high and dry once he's gone?
They'll have no reason to keep you here.
Why would they kick me out? I'm twice as strong as Soon-shin!
There're countless strong men out there.
More importantly, no one has survived here after getting
on the bad side of Supervisor Kim!
So take my advice and start looking out for number one?
You're back.
Where did you go? I was looking for you.
Why would you look for me?
I wanted to thank you for offering to go to Andong instead of me.
Are you drunk?
Why did you drink so much? Did something upset you?
You don't need to know.
Do you think this is going to make Supervisor Kim flinch?
You're so stupid! Stop it before he gets even more upset with you!
Stop wasting your time!
Money might work with him, but this is useless!
Good morning, sir.
What are you doing?
I was just...
Let's go.
Chun-su!
Have a good trip and be safe.
Yeah.
My lady! My lady!
What is it? What are you so excited about?
He's here! Here's here!
He's been here practicing since this afternoon!
Huh?
You know, Sir Yi! He's here early!
Really?
But... I'm no expert, but his archery skills are not so...
You're really something.
How can you think about competing with your lack of skills?
There's an old saying: "Don't look up at the tree you can never climb."
A man should know his limitations.
Young lord!
Have you been well?
What brings you here?
My master wishes to see you.
Me?
Here, let's drink.
I'm disconcerted about two of my best friends having
to compete each other.
So, how is the training going? Do you think you have a chance?
How could I even hope to defeat Kyun?
He's invested so much time and effort in martial arts.
But if you lose, you'll...
I'm not going to think about tomorrow.
I'll just do my best today.
The fact is, just being Kyun's opponent is an honor I don't deserve.
These are the rest of the Seven Military Books of Confucius.
What else can we do but do the best we can?
Thanks. You may go home now.
Yes, sir.
Kyun!
Oh, are you here to practice?
Come on up. Have a drink with me.
Drink up!
It was a moonless night.
Yes, it was pouring rain.
It was not an easy climb but you followed me to the end
and you didn't give up.
I was the captain of the Geunchung-dong Brigade,
and you were my most trusted assistant.
I miss those days...
I was overjoyed when the master took you in.
This is a golden opportunity tor you,
but I might...
Soon-shin, I...
I know, Kyun. You don't have to explain.
Yes. Let's forget all about the competition tonight and
enjoy some archery!
Shall we begin?
I'll go first!
It's your turn.
Shoot away!
I had my share of hard time as well.
I was so eager to hit the target that I pulled on that
darn string again and again until my fingers bled.
But the darn arrows avoided the red circle every time.
And for a while the target appeared as tiny as an ear on a needle.
It took me two years to hit the center.
Ironically, I was competing against the master.
I must have shot seven out of ten shots into the air.
Then the master suddenly yelled at me.
"Why are you trying to fight me? Your opponent is elsewhere!"
That's what woke me up. I focused and focused
until I couldn't see or hear anything around me.
And when I came to, there it was-right in the dead center.
That smells wonderful.
It's from Master Namgoong in Gonyang.
I see...
Is there something you wish to talk about?
No, not particularly...
You're always trying to hide how you feel.
But your eyes are full of questions right now.
Did you watch them again tonight?
I'm told they are best of friends.
You needed to test him and someone had to compete against him, but
did it have to be his friend? I don't quite understand.
I don't understand why you allowed such an unfair fight
when you cherish your pupils.
Yunhwa, warriors don't always fight under the same conditions.
There are weak opponents and there are fierce opponents
with unmatched strength. But they can't always
defeat the weak, and they don't always lose against the strong.
That is war.
Father...
I'm not always right, but this match will be an opportunity
of great learning for booth of them.
It is quite late, my lady.
Where might you be going at this hour?
I must be somewhere...
Alone without your servant?
I'm not going very far. Thank you for your concern.
Thank you.
There will be a good outcome. My father believes so.
... And so do I.
You will shoot two sets of five arrows.
Whoever hits the mark by a greater number will be the winner.
Once the winner is decided, all of us including myself,
will accept the result cleanly without dispute.
Let's go closer!
There's no doubt you will place first on the military service exam
whether or not you are here. But it's different for Soon-shin.
If you really wish to help your friend, you will do your best on this match!
I know, Kyun. I know how you feel better than anyone.
There's only one left to go.
This is it.