Was it really nothing like this?
To Lee Sun Joon, was the time that we shared together...
a mere nothing that crumbles at a small misunderstanding?
Listen carefully, Kim Yoon Shik.
I...
have no intentions of returning...
to the way things were.
The wounded Hong Byuk Seo (Red Messenger) has entered Sungkyunkwan school grounds?
Good thing... I'm alive.
If the Hong Byuk Seo is injured, he couldn't have gotten far.
It's all right.
Go.
I'll take care of myself.
This is how you take care of yourself?!
The Hong Byuk Seo...
I had wondered who the pathetic guy was. I had no idea it was Senior!
All your yelling was a bluff.
This is how you react to a wound?
It's okay.
I'm used to things like this.
You should be proud!
Senior.
Lee... Lee Sun Joon?
Did Lee Sun Joon also come to prepare for the exam like us?
To receive the qi from the virgin ghost.
How did he know?
This top secret info!
Seeing that Lee Sun Joon has come here...
Seems like this is a very reliable info.
That's right, you punk.
Without good family background or great talent, there's only one thing we can rely on.
What's that?
Luck.
Luck!
Let's go to Hyang Kwan Chung! (Incense Hall)
It must be Hyang Kwan Chung!
He won't be able to see a physician. If he wishes to at least treat it...
The place to hide at this hour...?
Only Hyang Kwan Chung.
S...Senior.
Don't worry. I've brought a doctor.
As soon as it's proven that he is the Hong Byuk Seo,
you are to notify the Ministry of War's royal guards immediately.
President!
Yeorim's fan?
Yeorim can't be the Hong Byuk Seo, right?
Gu Yong Ha hates anything that uses physical exertion.
It doesn't make sense!
Maybe... that is a great disguise of his.
Even in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." (Chinese historical novel)
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms"!
President!
I didn't get to see the patient's face.
But he was wounded on the left side of his stomach.
What are you doing here at this hour, still not sleeping?
I wanted to tell you...
an amusing story you might like.
Really?
I'm looking forward to it.
The Hong Byuk Seo was stabbed by a royal guard,
and came to hide inside Sungkyunkwan.
I see.
But tonight,
I came across a doctor who was rushing to leave.
He said that he had treated a man's stab wound at Hyang Kwan Chung.
And your fan was found at that very Hyang Kwan Chung.
Why did you go to Hyang Kwan Chung, Yeorim?
Aigoo, aigoo!
Look here... Wait, stop!
Did you think that I, Yeorim Gu Yong Ha...
was the Hong Byuk Seo?
I'll admit it.
At least for today, you were entertaining.
Can you continue to put in much effort in the future?
As for this fan,
I gave it to the page boys to be used as kindling to light a fire.
It must have gone all the way to Hyang Kwan Chung.
Look here!
Why don't you give up your hide-and-seek and get some rest tonight?
Your brilliant mind isn't working so well...
Due to your wicked greed to quickly reestablish your rights and position as student president.
I'll give you a piece of advice as well.
As much as you want.
In consideration of our past history, I'll kindly let it go this time, Gu Yong Ha.
But...
you should never insult me ever again.
Don't forget! I...
never give anyone a second chance.
You are no exception,
Gu Yong Ha.
As expected, the Hong Byuk Seo must be one of the Center Room rascals, President.
Hey!
Where could they be at this hour?
The Hong Byuk Seo, in his wounded state, must be in difficulties.
Where the heck did he go?
President, how about we go back to Hyang Kwan Chung again?
No!
No.
The game of hide-and-seek is over.
Each of you will be penalized five points.
Don't you know that it is long past bedtime?
The Hong Byuk Seo is wounded and is hiding inside Sungkyunkwan.
The Hong Byuk Seo?
The Hong Byuk Seo is an insurgent.
I believe you don't want Sungkyunkwan, this great institute of learning, protecting an insurgent.
However, Sungkyunkwan is off-limits to guards.
Even if it is the Hong Byuk Seo...
If it's the Hong Byuk Seo, we should search for him.
So...
Where is the Hong Byuk Seo's hiding place?
Are you still suspecting me?
Hey, this is...
The Hong Byuk Seo and I have no relations.
How many times have I told you?
Sungkyunkwan is off-limits to guards.
Unless there is a royal order from the king, no one can search a Sungkyunkwan scholar.
Even if that person is a Sungkyunkwan teacher.
That's because Sungkyunkwan is a sanctuary that studies Confucius.
And in order to freely gain knowledge and seek the truth as a long-time tradition of Joseon.
But... as student president, I have rights.
The student president position, the only position that allows a search of scholars,
is unfortunately vacant at this time.
Because of your own fault.
Remember, Scholar Ha In Soo.
From this moment forward, you cannot exercise your rights...
as the student president toward any student here.
If you violate this,
I plan on sanctioning your removal from office.
Fortunately, it looks like Ha In Soo won't be bothering us anymore.
Thank you, Senior.
That's for me to say, Daemul.
But how did you know?
About Geol Oh Senior being the Hong Byuk Seo?
And also about how this would happen today?
That punk...
is Gu Yong Ha.
For the past ten years, he's been following me around like a shadow.
Just say one more word, and...
I'm going to beat you until your side bursts open.
However, I'll overlook it.
Since your effort in making it back alive is commendable.
Oh, so nice!
What a guy!
What's with the dramatic emotions?!
Daemul, no one must know of tonight's events.
This guy...
is a criminal whose capture the king himself has offered reward money for.
Lee Sun Joon is no exception.
For his sake as well, that will be better..
I understood.
I lost him right in front of my eyes.
President...
There will be a next time.
Right now is not the right time.
Why?
Are you afraid that I will get my student president position revoked?
The Hong Byuk Seo is somewhere in Sungkyunkwan.
Good effort.
Until you're completely healed,
you shouldn't go to Moran-gak*. (*gisaeng's house)
Your Excellency.
Please keep your promise.
Before it's too late...
Just once...
I want to live properly as a human being.
Your Excellency.
You see...
We almost had that scoundrel Hong Byuk Seo in our grasp...
But then these swordsmen appeared like the wind out of nowhere...
You mean the warriors sent by the king?
How do you know...?
The king wants to protect the Hong Byuk Seo.
But for what reason?
The king is looking for the Geum Deung Ji Sa.
The Geum Deung Ji Sa is...
a letter written by the late king mourning Crown Prince Sado's death with remorse.
Even now, if the Geum Deung Ji Sa gets found,
we Norons will be judged as insurgents.
But Your Excellency,
the Geum Deung Ji Sa has been long gone.
You know that very well yourself.
The Hong Byuk Seo who is talking about the Geum Deung Ji Sa is a Sungkyunkwan scholar.
He then sent Jung Yak Yong to Sungkyunkwan.
And he himself frequently visits Sungkyunkwan.
Do you need further explanations?
Your Excellency.
What I'm afraid of is what comes next.
After taking control over us Norons by relegating us as insurgents,
what is the goal that the king wishes to accomplish.
- I estimated the building of the Hwaseong Fortress* to take ten years. - *built by King Jeongjo to guard the tomb of his father, Crown Prince Sado
But...
this pulley will reduce that time to three years?
That's right, Your Majesty.
You should stop smoking it.
I'm afraid it'll harm your health.
This is better than you who never listens.
Your Majesty.
Isn't this opium poppy*? (*used as a painkiller)
Your Majesty.
Since when...
did your condition worsen to the point where you can't...
endure the pain without having to use painkillers?
I've been found out sooner than expected.
Why didn't you say anything sooner?
Didn't I already say?
That I didn't have much time left.
Do I have to wait longer for those kids, Professor Jung?
Will you promise me one thing then?
If one day you should see their flaws,
Your Majesty...
Please put all the blame on me alone.
A teacher wills to act with the heart of a father.
The king can't lose to that.
No blame would be imputed to them for their flaws, whatever they be.
I promise, Professor Jung.
I'll come to the palace with them as soon as dawn breaks.
Your Majesty.
Give them the royal order to find the Geum Deung Ji Sa.
You can't even handle alcohol.
Why don't you stop it now?
I get it.
That we can't get along like we used to...
I understand.
So...
there is no need to always put up a scary face.
As you want,
we can just be "mere roommates."
Eat some of this and don't be angry, pretty scholar.
They're delicious dried persimmons from Gurim Village.
They were prepared for my young master's engagement party.
I brought them over specially for you.
I was just coming back with my young master's engagement date.
Seriously, I can't live because of you.
Look here, pretty-boy scholar is...
One, two, three, four... Do you know he is the 23rd one?
I'm talking about your study buddies who left because they couldn't stand your grumpy nature.
You have to learn to put up with a person's shortcomings.
Let's hear your side of it.
What is the pretty-boy scholar lacking this time for you to give him a hard time? Huh?
It's not because he is lacking...
My heart...
It's because my heart is overflowing.
Senior!
Senior, are you all right?
Shouldn't you still be resting?
If you move about already...
Senior! See! You shouldn't yet!
Are you trying to announce it to everyone?
"Here is the Hong Byuk Seo, so come and catch him."
See! Told you they are not just casual friends.
So that's why last night Lee Sun Joon looked like he saw a ghost.
It's worse than seeing a ghost.
When your roommates are in such a relationship!
Daemul, that rascal, was not a daemul for nothing.
He is one that doesn't distinguish between men and women.
What are you talking about?
What about Lee Sun Joon?
Geol Oh and Daemul... are what?
Have you heard? Geol Oh and Daemul are in "that" kind of a relationship.
Who said such a ridiculous thing?
It's true. Lee Sun Joon saw it.
Is he the type to lie?
Every night at Hyang Kwan Chung...
I can't bring myself to say it!
Anyway, Daemul and Geol Oh are no joke!
If Lee Sun Joon said it, what more is there to say?
Is it true that Geol Oh and Daemul like each other?
Lee Sun Joon witnessed it, so it must be true.
They're using the same room.
Is that something for a nobleman scholar to do?
And moreover, at Sungkyunkwan that serves Confucius.
What has this world come to?!
Lee Sun Joon wasn't the only one to see it.
I'm leaving.
Let's go together.
Homosexual?!
Does this make sense?
How unfitting at pure Sungkyunkwan!
And of all times, now... when I'm the Chancellor!
Nothing's been proven yet, Sir.
What if those stern Confucians find out?
They're going to have an uprising.
Then I'll be fired from my post and sucking off of my fingers.
How can you talk so leisurely right now?
It's already too late for us teachers to handle this matter.
Who put these up?
This is not something for a human to do!
This is so wrong.
Homosexuality?
Oh, the things Sorons do!
What?
What about Sorons?
You look like you're going to hit me.
- Am I wrong? - You bastard!
Let go while I'm talking nicely.
President.
Even if Sungkyunkwan's propriety and decorum have fallen to the floor,
you shouldn't resort to fistfights to resolve things.
There are rules and order at Sungkyunkwan.
Please revoke President Ha In Soo's suspension of office.
Please revoke it!
We scholars decided to bring this homosexuality scandal to the Student Council hearing.
Student Council hearing?
At the hearing, we'll determine the right and wrong of Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik,
and the appropriate punishment to be given in order to...
recover the reputation of Sunkyunkwan and its scholars.
Please grant us your permission!
I, President Ha In Soo, and the board...
seek to bring forth Scholars Kim Yoon Shik and Moon Jae Shin...
at the Student Council hearing for tarnishing...
Sungkyunkwan's reputation with a homosexuality scandal.
At the hearing,
the truth will be investigated and the right and wrong determined.
And if it's found to be true,
their names will forever be removed from the student list...
in order to preserve the reputation of Sungkyunkwan.
You better stop all this right now!
It is just a ridiculous rumor.
Was Sungkyunkwan such a silly place to be played by such false rumors?
Is it?
Because it's Sungkyunkwan,
we plan to determine the right and the wrong, Scholar Moon Jae Shin.
I'll give you a chance to clear your name.
Why did you go to Hyang Kwan Chung that night?
Just tell me the truth about what happened at Hyang Kwan Chung.
Then I'll cancel this inconvenient hearing.
Look here.
There really must be something you can't say.
What can it be, Geol Oh?
You can't say it because it is of a private bedroom nature?
You bastard!
If you have something to say,
show up at the hearing and clear your name, Moon Jae Shin.
This matter involves not just you.
The reputation of the Sorons hangs in the balance as well.
That's right!
You really saw us at Hyang Kwan Chung that night?
If it's about that matter,
I don't want to talk about it any further.
You don't really believe that I'm gay, do you?
I... I'm a guy.
How can I, as a man, like another man, Geol Oh Senior?
No way! That's impossible!
I see.
If you really regard liking another man as an impossibility,
then I suggest you behave more properly from now on.
Then, there wouldn't be any cause for people to misunderstand you.
I...
Why don't you decide the right and the wrong at the hearing?
Scholar Lee Sun Joon, I'll have you as a witness at the hearing.
Since you share a room with Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik as their roommate,
and you're the witness who saw those two at Hyang Kwan Chung that night.
Can there be a witness who's any more suitable?
No Sungkyunkwan scholar may behave against the authority of the hearing.
Not even the king or the nation's leaders can interfere,
and the authority remains with the student president alone.
I call you, Lee Sun Joon, as a witness.
Lee Sun Joon has been called as a witness for the hearing?
It's perfect, it's perfect!
By having the upright Lee Sun Joon to stand as a witness,
you planned it so that the handling of the homosexuality scandal...
will be regarded as fair and rule-abiding.
Is that what you're thinking?
Indeed, it would be a loss to have you as my enemy.
We get each other really well.
Do you really believe Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik...
are in an inappropriate relationship?
That night,
those two were embracing each other at Hyang Kwan Chung.
The reason has to be one of two things.
One of them is the wounded Hong Byuk Seo, or...
they're gay.
Neither is bad for me.
Whether they turn out to be the Hong Byuk Seo or whether they're gay,
Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik will have to leave Sungkyunkwan.
And Lee Sun Joon will have to turn his back on his roommates.
Lee Sun Joon?
Lee Sun Joon is fastidious and upright almost to the point of obsession,
and he's the Left State Minister's only son.
Do you think he'll just watch as this filth...
stains himself, no, his family's honor?
You really are amazing.
Over this matter, you plan to catch Geol Oh, Daemul, and even Garang?
There is one more.
If that happens, Yeorim...
There will be no one left by your side.
Hey, Noron!
Have you seen him?
Have you seen Daemul?
You're taking Professor Yoo's class on "Great Learning" together.
Where did this guy go, making me worry like this?
Worrying?
Is that how you do it?
Plunging the person you cherish into trouble, and causing others to point fingers at him...
Is that the kind of worrying you do, Senior?
If you really cared for Kim Yoon Shik, this shouldn't have happened.
Don't worry about it.
I'll take care of our business...
Then do it right!
I, too, don't want to be concerned with it any longer.
I asked you what happened at Hyang Kwan Chung that night.
Once a decision is reached at the hearing, even His Majesty can't reverse it.
If you tell me the truth, I might be able to help you.
Once the hearing starts, it'll be too late.
So tell me the truth.
Homosexuality can never be tolerated among scholars.
Your name can be forever erased from the student list,
so that you can't use the name Kim Yoon Shik to take another exam or government position.
Are you okay with that?
We... did nothing wrong.
That's the only answer I can give you at this time.
So... you're going to do as Ha In Soo wants?
Don't make a huge deal out of it.
It's nothing big.
Confessing that you're the Hong Byuk Seo now...
means having to die for committing murder, arson, and theft.
Is this your way of saving your brother's will?
Just think about confessing at the hearing tomorrow!
Then I'll kill you with my own hands.
With these tiny fists?
I'm in the process of thinking what's the best course of action.
Is the most important thing in that course of action...
what's best for Daemul?
This won't do at all. I'll call the president over...
and stop you from having to sit as a witness at the hearing tomorrow.
Don't you know what a scandal is?
If you're unlucky, you could get swept up in the scandal.
And moreover, a homosexuality one! It'll be deadly to you!
I understand that the nation's leaders and even the king can't interfere in the hearing.
- That is... - This is my business.
I don't intend to break the rules myself.
Then, do this.
Draw a clear line.
"Although we're roommates, I'm different!"
Show no weakness. You cannot sympathize with or defend them.
If you accidentally give them a reason to link you with the scandal, you're done for!
For a nobleman, homosexuality is no different from death.
Please take my advice to heart!
Hey, Daemul!
Of all the despicable things, why homosexuality?!
And moreover, here at Sungkyunkwan.
So dirty!
I don't know whether to say thank you or I'm sorry.
Tomorrow at the hearing, will you help me then, too?
Geol Oh Senior and I, we don't have that type of relationship.
In any case, we're innocent.
Then speak.
Tell me honestly what happened at Hyang Kwan Chung that night.
That... That...
It's for Geol Oh Senior's sake.
Can't you trust me and help us?
At this hearing, Geol Oh Senior is...
Do you understand the gravity of this situation?
If something goes wrong, you can spend the rest of your life stuck in a gutter.
And yet, even at this moment, you're...
worrying more for Moon Jae Shin than for yourself?
Sure, you can doubt me.
Since Lee Sun Joon is an upright man, you may not be able to understand.
But still,
I wish you'd believe me just once and help me.
I...
How far? How much more do I have to do?
Kim Yoon Shik, because of you, how much more...!
Do I have to do something this stupid? Pathetic, foolish things that are not like me?
Then what can I do?
The only person I can think of at this moment...
is Lee Sun Joon, only you.
- What is it with Lee Sun Joon? - Did you see how shameless Daemul was?
Is that fine?
Now go and start rumors.
That the man Sungkyunkwan's "Crazy Horse" Geol Oh has feelings for...
is you.
Mess with Kim Yoon Shik once more.
Then I don't know where these two arms might end up.
Cheers!
Here, here, here, here!
Don't worry about the costs of the food and liquor today.
Untie your belt and eat till you're full.
And at the hearing tomorrow...
Daemul and Geol Oh don't have such a relationship.
Huh? I'm Gu Yong Ha. I will vouch for them.
Drink up! Drink up!
Is it really because of us?
How Daemul's situation came to this?
Others have seen it too.
They saw it more closely than we did.
That's right, right?
Hey, we can't turn back at this point.
So, let's drink and die!
I'll pour you all a drink.
And at the hearing tomorrow,
vote in favor of them.
What is this? Are you buying the drinks to do that?
It's not necessarily that...
Yeah.
Hey, Yeorim!
It's all useless.
The fact that the hearing will be held means that the verdict is in.
Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik are...
This.
The hearing is tomorrow, and the voting hasn't yet started.
Who would dare oppose President's words?
Unless it's someone who wants to be the target next time.
- What are you looking at?! - Lower your eyes, you punks!
Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik will be stricken from the records forever!
Forever erased.
The people you should be buying drinks for... is them!
Consolation drinks!
Hey, drink up.
Then was the rumor really true?
That you will be the student president's brother-in-law?
You must be quite busy preparing for the engagement?
I'll definitely be back by curfew.
Well, is it like this?
I don't want to talk to anyone,
so don't mess with me.
You have the book open to say "Get lost!"
I'm reading it because it's fun.
If you keep saying obvious lies, it'll become a habit.
There's something exactly twenty times better than reading this book.
Twenty times better?
If you keep saying obvious lies, it'll become a habit.
This is a hundred times better!
Why do you do that...
The Hong Byuk Seo?
I've heard that it's dangerous and that you can die if you're caught.
Why?
For what are you doing this?
For what?
I've never thought about it.
Because I can't bear feeling suffocated.
Because if I don't, then I can't live.
To live.
I'm doing it to live.
What about you?
Aren't you the same?
- Someone once said that when you're up here, you can hear the breathing of ban-goog.* - *institution of learning/Sungkyunkwan
There was someone who used to say crap like that.
He told me.
That the doors to Sungkyunkwan aren't the doors into the king's palace,
but that they open into the poorest and most deprived part of Joseon, Banchon.
Oh, it's true.
It's really true, Senior.
I think it's because of that guy.
Probably because I feel someone should know...
that that guy walked to and fro on this earth.
Who is this person?
My older brother.
Kim Yoon Shik!
Yes?
Kim. Yoon. Shik.
There must be a way to not dirty that name.
And I'm sorry.
I wanted to tell you this before today ended.
I can't believe this day is coming.
The day when I, Ha Woo Kyu, become in-laws with the Left State Minister.
Lee Seobang*! (*addressing a son-in-law)
Learning how to concede is the most difficult.
I didn't come to this point of becoming in-laws with your family easily.
You're great, but you're too upright.
I'm saying it now because you're now my son.
What good comes from challenging the world?
Remember my words, Lee Seobang.
I'm giving you a top secret advice on how to succeed.
As a marriage gift.
It really feels like a dream.
I met you for the the first time here.
These days I feel like I'm living out a romance novel.
It'd be better to get married before it gets too cold, right?
No, that's not true.
We should get married around the time of the first snow.
Of course you must like it the best when spring flowers bloom, my lord.
The truth is I feel the same.
I'm sorry.
A new groom's face shouldn't be like that.
Seeing that you know in-laws are a difficult relationship, you have really become a man.
I know that the Minister of War doesn't please you.
I'm sorry.
He has useless greed, and he uses any means necessary.
So he might look rotten to you.
Then why?
He's someone who'll do anything for you.
It's not bad for a father-in-law.
Father, after the engagement ceremony,
I am thinking of withdrawing from Sungkyunkwan.
I'm lacking much, and not yet ready to prepare for a government position.
Since it's something you've decided,
I won't ask you any further questions.
All rise.
You may sit.
Today's hearing...
is to decide on the punishment for Scholars Moon Jae Shin...
and Kim Yoon Shik's homosexuality scandal.
Men and women are different.
For there to be homosexuality at Sungkyunkwan, a place that esteems propriety and customs,
it can never happen.
Thus, all the Sungkyunkwan scholars seek to preserve the reputation of Sunkyunkwan...
by forever removing your names from the student register,
disqualifying you from ever taking the civil service exam or public official positions,
and expelling you from Sungkyunkwan.
That's right! That's right!
I ask of Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik.
Is it true that you two bonded that night in an inappropriate way?
No, it's not.
Please believe us, President.
If it's not true, will you tell us what happened that night at Hyang Kwan Chung...
in front of all the scholars gathered here.
We were...
We were only...
Then we'll just have to listen to the testimony of the witness.
Scholar Lee Sun Joon...
Did you see Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik at Hyang Kwan Chung that night?
Those two are definitely gay.
Are they not?
The homosexual...
is me.
What did you just say?
The homosexual is me.
Brought to you by the Sungkyunkwan Scandal Soompi Team
THIS IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY AND NOT FOR RESALE
Translators: softy, blue, salasala, Snoopy's twinkie, questions987
Timers: AQUARIANUNICORN, Dai-chan
Editor/QC: thunderbolt
Under the authority of the student body president,
I order that Scholars Moon Jae Shin and Kim Yoon Shik take off their tops.
Everything will be all right if I take it off?
Lee Sun Joon? Have you seen Scholar Lee Sun Joon?
It's really true that Lee Sun Joon has quit Sungkyunkwan?
Go. Let's not see each other ever again.
So, are you happy, Garang?
Are you happy?
You...
I like you, Kim Yoon Shik.
Isn't that the pretty-boy scholar?!
It's certain that he can't take off his top.
Kim Yoon Shik!
No matter how hard I try, I can't stop myself from seeking you out.
Run away from me, Kim Yoon Shik.