Episode 21
I will not let Tang trample
on Goguryeo again even if I am six feet under!
All those who oppose the campaign will be slain!
I don't care if it's the king of this state army own son!
I will kill them all!
Every single one of them!
Exellency... !
Why do you look so shocked?
Do you think I'm mad? No, father.
Namseng and Joyoung,
the two of you must be on my side.
The worlds may turn against me,
but the two of you must never betray me.
Father,
I have never once disobeyed you.
And I never will, Father.
It doesn't take much to go from being a friend to a foe.
An ally can turn into an enemy overnight.
We must never turn our swords on our own
with our mortal enemy Tang watching us.
Remember that. Yes, father.
My father wasn't like this
before you showed up again.
Do you think you're above me now that you're a war hero
and my father's right hand man?
My lord,
Remember.
No matter what you think, I am my father's heir.
I will soon be the next Supreme Commander of Goguryeo.
Let's see
if you can get in my way like this then.
I must come down harder.
That's the only way I can control and lead this country.
It is to protect the country.
They may condemn me now,
but the future generations will recognize
my loyalty and patriotism.
Khitan camp, Yingzhou
General,
did you say increase the force of arms?
Why are you so suprised, Khan?
As you can see,
the whole tribe is in a state of devastation.
And with the winter around the corner...
You will achieve nothing
by working only when others work!
But General, Khan!
Khitan has suffered a huge loss in this war.
But instead of acquiring Yingzhou,
we're being critized by Tang!
Doesn't this make you angry?
Of course I'm angry.
But we must take care of our people first.
Oh, this is so frustrating!
Did I tell you to ignore the people?
We can take care of the people
and strengthen the military as well!
But general,
we just fighting a war. On the contrary.
The real war is just beginning.
Goguryeo may have won the war,
but they have suffered equal,
if not greater damage than we did.
We can't miss this opportunity!
If Li Kaigu succeeds in killing Yeon Gaesomun,
Khitan will spearhead the fight to destroy Goguryeo.
I am trying to prepare for that fight!
Any word from Li Kaigu and Chulin?
They should be in Pyongyang by now.
Let us put faith in them for now.
Once Yeon Gaesomun is gone,
everything will change.
Pyongyang fort
Clear the road!
Make way for the Supreme Commander!
Clear the road!
The Supreme Commander is coming through!
What can I do for you?
We would like to buy a sword. Just take your pick.
I'd like to have one specially made.
I'm too busy for special orders. Try somewhere else.
We need word carved on the handle.
One man guards the gate
and ten thousand men cannot traverse.
This way.
I'm Xue Jitou.
You're here for Yeon Gaesomun's head
and there's only three of you?
And one is a woman at that!
You got to be kidding.
Listen.
If you can kill Yeon Gaesomun,
I would've killed him already!
That is not your concern.
Just provide us with a place to hide.
Listen, Khitan girl,
do you think this is a game?
Go back to your tribe and milk your horses.
My father is the Khan of Khitan!
Oh who cares?
Look.
All I have to do is to cough
and this place will be crawling with my henchmen.
So do yourself a favor and... Silence!
I will not forgive you! All right,
I apologize, so put the aword away.
Tell her to put it away! I'm sorry!
We don't need your apologies.
We're on the same side! You don't have to do this!
I will cut off your head and throw it into the molten iron.
Get ready to die! Wait a minute,
I...
Mercy! I'm sorry.
I didn't realize who I was dealing with.
Don't hurt me.
Yeon Gaesomun's chief bodyguard, do you know him?
His name is Dae Joyoung.
How did he come to be Yeon's security captain?
Oh, Dae Joyoung?
The whole city knows about that lucky son of a gun.
He used to be a slave for the Supreme Commander's estate!
You mean Dae Joyoung is Dae Jungsang's son?
Yes, I told you.
Why are you so surprised?
But I has heard he was killed.
That's why I'm so frustrated.
From this moment,
I will fight for my parents.
And you will fight for Goguryeo.
Thia is our regrettable fate, my friend.
You've betrayed your country
and betrayed the trust of a friend.
You are no longer my friend!
You're right.
If you fail to stop me,
Ansi Castle will crumble.
Unbelievable...
Who know that my path would cross with the son of the enemy!
Dae Joyoung... Dae Joyoung...
What is it, Shin?
Nothing, sir. Sir! Sir!
General yang Manchun's missive just arrived from Ansi Fort.
A missive? Yes. sir.
But the content of the missive is what concerns me.
What do you mean?
I don't know the details,
but the mood in the palace has turned chilly.
What could General Yang Manchun's message be?
Reorganize the Liaodong army?
For what purpose?
His plan is to increase the force of arms at Bisa Fort
And strengthen the navy.
It seems he wants to strengthen
our defensive rather than the offensive.
It is unwise to reorganize the Liaodong army
at this time, Your Majesty.
What do you mean, Supreme Commander?
I couldn't agree more with General Yang Manchun.
The war has exposed our weaknes at sea.
I believe it is wise to reorganize the military.
I'm not saying the idea is wrong.
I'm saying that the timing is wrong!
But the time is now to strengthen our defense.
Goguryeo will never have peace
as long as Tang endures.
We must make a preemptive strike!
Supreme Commander,
no matter how I look at this,
another expedition into China is unfeasible.
That's right.
To mobilize for yet another warin this weakened state...
We are not the only ones weakned by this war!
The defeated country Tang is in a state
more vulnerable than we are!
If we miss this opportunity,
we will be invaded again.
Tang will invade us again
and again until Goguryeo falls!
That is why we must destroy them first.
Do you understand?
I am putting my life on this.
So those who want to stop me
will have to put their lives on this as well!
Supreme Commander! Your Majesty.
the eternal future of Goguryeo is at stake.
I beg you to put your faith in me.
General Dolbal,
you will return to Liaodong and relay my order.
General Yang Manchun is to organize
the Liaodong army in offensive formation
and increase the force of arms by two fold.
Ia that understood? Yes, sir!
The same goes for all of you civil officials.
Anyone who does not cooperate
will be punished in the name of Goguryeo!
Stay on your toes.
The fate of the country is at stake.
We are making new history!
Yeon Gaesomun's estate is just
around the corner from the palace.
You have to pass through the busy marketplace,
so carrying out an assassination won't be easy.
And since Dae Joyoung became his security captain,
guards have tripled.
I didn't think it would be easy, but...
It doesn't have to be done at the marketplace.
Can you find out about the security inside his estate?
Getting a couple of his servants to talk
is not a problem, but...
Find everything you can about the estate
the layout, security setup,
who comes and goes on a regular bases, the works.
I'll get on it.
Mogae,
I want you to track Yeon Gaesomun every move outside his home.
Yes, sir.
You're not thinking about breaking in are you?
I haven't decided on anything yet.
The only thing certain is that
Yeon Gaesomun must be killed
no matter what the sacrifice!
The civil officials are probably sitting
around grumbling right now.
How copuld they possibly fathom my foresight
with their narrow vision?
Would you like a drink?
Your exellency, you are noy well.
Don't start that again.
Wine will only mask the pain.
Allow me to call a physician.
So I can show him my wound
and kill another innocent physician?
A will make certain the secret stays protected.
If word about my injury gets out,
all of the civil officials will call out in unison
to establish friendly relations with Tang.
There will be all kinds of complaints.
And to quell the chaos,
I would have to draw my sword again.
A bloody purge will become necessary.
Excellency! I'm all right.
Don't worry about me and just focus on security.
I just hope Yang Manchun follows my orders faithfully.
With his cooperation,
conquest of Tang will be a walk in the park.
He is an amazing warrior.
You haven't told him about my injury, have you?
Have you against my knowledge?
How could I do anything without your order?
Good. I'm glad to hear that.
Yang Manchun can't know about me.
He could underestimate me if he did,
and that would be a major problem. .
... because I wouldn't stand for it.
Are you certain these are the Supreme Commander's words?
It's as I reported, sir.
Something isn't right.
The Supreme Commander knows
the state of our military better than anyone.
Albeit, we cannot defy his orders.
It's impossible to double the force or arms right now.
And if put the entire Liaodong army in offensive stance...
That would be too cruel and unfair to the people of Liaodong.
Our first priority is ti strengthen our defense line.
But General,
are we go defy the Supreme Commander's order?
It is the King's will.
Now is not the time to launch an aggression on Tang.
Reorganize the troops as planned.
Yes, general!
What's taking him so long?
This is Yeon Gaesomun's quarters.
It's furthest from the gate,
but it shouldn't be hard to infiltrate
through the hills behind the estate.
Killing Yeon won't be easy
even if you make it into his quartes.
The marketplace might be a better place.
You have to go into the tigers den to catch a tiger.
The problem is Yeon's guard Dae Joyoung.
We have to get him away from Yeon's quarters.
I'll do it.
It's directly related to your lilfe.
I will help.
Heck, I'll put on a mask and jump over the wall too.
It shouldn't be so difficult
if Dae Joyoung is lured away.
Now listen carefully.
I will get rid of Yeon Gaesomun's myself.
His Excellency?
He just took his draught and fell asleep.
I'm concerned.
He can't hide his injury forever...
What can we do when His Excellency's will is so strong?
Captain! Captain!
Go back and alert Gulsabiwu!
Tell him to stay where he is no matter what!
Yes, sir!
What's going on? It's an intruder!
An intruder? Where's Captain Dae?
He's on his way.
if he is spotted.
Captain Dae will be here shortly.
You and you will stay here and
the rest of you will come with me!
Yes, sir!
That way!
Follow them!
His Excellency!
Who sent you? Bu Kiwon?
No, he wouldn't dare.
Is it Yang Manchun?
Yes, it must be Yang Manchun.
Yang Manchun is the only one who can challenge me.
Not the Emperor ofTang Li Shimin or his son Li Zhi.
Yang Manchun is my one and only rival
that can intimidate Yeon Gaesomun.
Does he think I'm done for because I have a fatal condition?
Go ahead and cut off my head.
You will learn a secret that even Yang Manchun does not know.
I do not die.
Until Tang is brought down,
I will not die!
Until then I am an immortal god that knows no death or defeat.
Do you understand?
An immortal god of war!
How dare you!
How dare Yang Manchun attempt to destroy Yeon Gaesomun!
What happened?
Father! Father!
An intruder! We have an intruder!
An intruder! After him!
Father! Father!
Father, it's me, Namseng!
Please open your eyes!
Father! Anybody there? Guards!
Stop! Stop right there!
Stop!
Stop now!
Stop!
I said stop! Stop!
If you have guts to enter the Supreme Commanders quarters,
I would think you're not a hiding coward.
Come out and fight!
Good, that's better.
You're an unfamiliar face.
You came after my master's head?
I'll have you for snack tonight.
Attack!
Darn it!
My one and only outfit!
I'm going to have to skin you and make a coat out of you!
The bastard almost had me!
Darn it!
Good work. Chulin?
Don't worry. Everyone is back safe and sound.
Did you bring back Yeon Gaesomun's head?
Let's go inside.
Then it must be a fatal illness.
We don't have to bother killing him.
Mogae, Yes, sir.
I will write you a detailed report
about what happened here.
Tkae it to Yingzhou at first light.
Yes, sir.
This will bring Dae Joyoung down as well.
Everything turned out well.
How is my father?
I need to know. Say something!
How is His Excellency?
Why? Do you want my father to die? Sir!
How could you not say a word to me about his condition?
He didn't want the world to know about his condition.
Silence!
You have failed to protect my father.
You'll be punished to the full extent,
so prepare yourselves for death.
My lord,
let me be the one to execute them.
What? Assassins?
What happened to Yeon Gaesomun?
Is he dead?
They're keeping it a secret.
Not even their servants know.
Who would have the guts to go after Yeon Gaesomun?
This is trouble for us.
It's one thing is Yeon is dead, but...
If he is alive?
Tragedy will fall upon us like hellish thunder!
Hellish thunder?
Yeon is bound to think that
we are behind the attempt in his life.
There's more than enough motive,
so killing us all is just a matter of time.
Oh, dear, oh, dear! What do we do?
You must figure something out!
There is a way.
Actually, this is could potentially
become an opportunity for us.
What do you mean?
I know who attemped the assassination.
Who are they?
They are secret agents from Tang.
Secret agents from Tang?
I could arrest them right now if need be.
Then what are you waiting for?
Arrest them!
We must take them to Yeon Gaesomun
and prove our innocence!
Secret agents? Tang spies?
What if they get away?
Take me to them.
First I will have a word with them. Yes, sir.
What... can I do for you?
Where are they?
Where?
Xue Rengui?
Did you say Xue Rengui sent you?
Yes.
General Xue and I made a special tie
when he was here as an envoy.
If I wanted to hurt you, I woudn't be sitting here.
I give you my word.
If you cooperate,
you will get out here alive.
So, is Yeon Gaesomun dead?
I didn't kill him.
Your assassination attempt must have failed.
I said I didn't kill him.
You mean you purposely didn't kill him?
That's right. Why not?
How dare you!
That's a preposterous lie.
You broke into his bedroom and deliberately left him alive?
Khitan Camp, Yingzhou
What?
You mean Yeon Gaesomun is fatally ill?
It says here that he coughed up blood.
Coughed up blood?
Internal bleeding?
He must have received a fatal injury.
A fatal injury?
Perhaps it was your arrow!
Stop. It's useless.
There is no way you can reach him from here.
My wrath has already pierced the sky!
This is Xue Rengui's wrath!
Gaesomun, feel this!
I got him! I got him!
Your Excellency! Are you alright?
I'm sure of it!
My arrow of wrath pierced his armor
and punctured his lungs!
I, Xue Rengui, brought Yeon Gaesomun down!
Right? Am I right? Of course, general.
Numerous warriors witnessed him fall.
Yes, yes, yes...
Send a messenger to the imperial court with this news.
If Yeon Gaesomun dies,
Goguryeo will be without a pillar.
And you deserve all the credit.
You should go back to Tang
and get the recognition and honor that is due.
An inquiry is in process at the royal court.
It's dangerous to go back now.
I know it's not that what you deserve,
but it would be wiser to stay away for now.
Did I say anything? Darn it!
I'm not going back because I'm too good for them!
You can report everything
when Yeon Gaesomun is dead.
Yes, general. You are in no hurry.
I've achieved the impossible,
yet I'm reduced to being a fugitive!
Yeon Gaesomun,
if you're going to die, die quickly.
Just drop dead!
You mean you still have not located General Xue Rengui?
Xue Rengui has fled to avoid punishment.
He committed treason defying the imperial command.
This is inquiry is almost over.
Your Majesty, there are work to be done.
We must put the war behind us and move on.
Xue Rengui must be quickly brought
to justice if only for that reason
General Li and Su bear
the greatest responsibility for this defeat.
But lucky for you,
the two of you have been absolved from this inquiry.
You are in no position to incriminate General Xue.
We have nothing to respond that,
But I understand Your Highness
is aware of Xue Rengui's whereabouts.
Is this true?
How could that be possible? I do not know, Your Majesty.
I want posters put up all over the country.
Use many means to bring Xue Rengui in!
Yes, Your Majesty.
I'm sorry for having asked a man
of your high rank to travel to my house.
I was planning a visit to see how you are.
Ballsy bastard. .
breaking into my quarters and attempting to kill me!
Do you have any hunches?
I have given it much thought after hearing about the incident.
There is one man...
Who?
One wrong word can cost a man his life.
If I am not cautious...
You suspect Yang Manchun.
Yes, Your Excellency.
So did I in the beginning.
But now that think about it,
it's not him.
Then who is your guess?
Do you think it's me?
If the assassin is not captured,
I will have you killed.
Do you know that Liaodong has reorganized the military?
I've informed Liaodong of my plan to attack Tang,
so of course.
They've increased the force of arms at Bisa Fort.
They strengthened their defense
instead of switching to offensive formation.
They have defied your order.
What are you talking about?
You can confirm it yourself.
Yang Manchun has defied my order?
I think General Yang defied your order
with a different agenda.
A different agenda?
Popular sentiment is against the conquest ofTang.
If General Yang Manchun manipulates the situation,
he will have justifiable cause to rise up against Pyongyang.
Increasing force of arms at Bisa Fort
is the first thing he has done.
And we all know how important Bisa is.
The Tang force were able to lay siege
on Pyongyang in the lasy war
because they had Bisa Fort.
If General Yang uses the sea route that connects us to Bisa,
the Liaodong army can have Pyongyang
surrounded in a matter of days.
He might've deliberately defied your order
and waiting for your punishment
with every one of his soldiers ready to attack.
Excellency,
clearly yang manchun is your enemy.
His actions are irrefutable proof.
He sent the assassins.
Yang Manchun... Yang Manchun... !
Father! Are you all right, Father?
Excellency!
Get them out! Yes, sir!
Bastards!
Get them out now! Yes, sir! Get them out!
Move it!
Father, I brought Joyoung. Enter.
Leave us, Namseng.
Yes, father. Sit down.
Look at me straight.
I kept you near me
because I thought highly of your talents
and somehow make up for having you
in my servitude all these years.
Answer me truthfully.
Where is your heart?
Liaodong of Pyongyang?
Your excellency... !
Yeon Gaesomun or Yang Manchun?
I serve both of you in my heart.
The man behind the assassination attempt has been revealed.
Who is it?
Don't you know?
Why would I be at my wit's end if I knew?
Please tell me who it is
It's Yang Manchun of Ansi Fort.
Everything has become crystal clear.
It's Yang Manchun who wants me killed
so he could seize control of the state.
No,
General Yang would never!
I trusted a cat to take care of a fish.
How long have you been in secret contact with Yang?
I know everything.
Without you,
the assassin would never have been able to enter my quarters!
Excellency!
I am certain Yang Manchun was behind this.
Just answer yes, and I will let you live,
but I will kill you right here
if you continue to lie.
Now answer my question.
Was it Yang Manchun?
Did Yang Manchun order you to have me killed?
No, I acted alone.
I hired the assassins
and I left the gates wide open for them to come in.
What? You... !