Episode 25
Are you sure you can bring Namgeon back?
Yes, sir. I will bring him back.
Go.
And bring my brother back.
Yes, sir
Sa Bugu
Gulsabiwu
Heuk Sudol
What's the commotion?
I've come to speak to Lord Namgeon.
It is Lord Namseng's order.
There will be disastrous consequences
if you try to stop us.
Allow us in, High commissioner.
Please come in.
Lord Namseng must be quite concerned
about his little brother.
He's been waiting actually.
Come in.
What are you waiting for?
Aren't you coming?
Sir, Lord Namseng is very concerned about you.
I've been talking to the civil officials
about the state of this country.
Go back and tell my brother not to worry.
You must not remain here.
I beg you to come with me, my lord.
You mustn't return home.
Who knows what your brother is thinking right now.
What do you mean?
He sent for you several times while you've been staying here.
Why would he unless he doesn't trust you?
You will be interrogated if you went back.
He will grow even more suspicious if you stay.
Suspicious?
Does he fear I might push him aside and
bring Lord Namgeon to the seat of the Supreme Commander?
I assure you that won't happen.
But Namseng will never believe that.
There's no doubt he thinks that the lords of the court are
plotting to drive him out and install Namgeon.
You musn't go home.
- Your life could be in danger. - High Commissioner!
What are you trying to do?
You've trying to create bad blood.
What is your ploy?
Did you say ''ploy''?
Why don't you try being honest?
Isn't it true that Namseng is suspicious of his brother?
I will not send Minister Namgeon to his death!
You must go. If you don't...
why?
Did Namseng say that he would kill him
if he doesn't come?
There's nothing to drink inside.
I'll get you some water. Get back inside!
- Do you have to be so hostile? - Now!
Where are they?
They wanted to use the outhouse, so...
You idiot! Come with me!
What the heck!
Can't a man get some privacy when he;s taking a dump?
Aw, my legs fell asleep...
Aw, my legs...
Gulsabiwu!
Where's Gulsabiwu? Find that bastard!
What's the commotion?
It's all up to you, sir. Please trust me.
If he has no intent to harm you,
you don't have to meet at home.
There is a large temple outside the city
called Geunglak Temple.
How about arranging to meet there?
Yes, that would be a safe place.
What do you think?
Will you go and talk to Minister Namseng?
I will do as Master Shin suggests.
My lord,
I've done nothing to feel guilty of.
Tell my brother that I would meet him at the temple.
- Did you see him? - Yes, sir.
Then why did you come back alone?
He requests to see you at Geunglak Temple.
Geunglak Temple?
He wants to see me outside the city?
Yes, sir.
Why is he afraid to come to my house?
Something must be bothering his conscience.
- No, he... - I understand.
You're excused.
I said you're excused.
It's not what you think, sir.
What I think?
What am I thinking?
You mustn't distrust your brother.
Leave us.
What do you think, Sir Shin?
I think Bu Kiwon is conspiring with my brother.
If Lord Namgeon should come to the fore,
he will be your biggest rival.
My biggest rival?
My own brother my biggest rival?
That won't happen.
My brother would never make an enemy of me.
I just came back from Bu Kiwon's estate.
He is harboring the assassins.
Is this true?
It's that blacksmith.
I saw him with my own eyes.
If they're insisting on meeting outside the city,
they might be planning to use those assassins.
They might be after Namseng's life.
Yeon Namgeon?
The guest in the main wing is
Yeon Gaesomun's second son Yeon Namgeon?
I'm certain of it.
Why would Yeon Gaesomun's son be staying here?
Could something have happened to Yeon Gaesomun?
Li Kaigu
I haven't had a chance to look in on you.
Things have been quite hectic.
How much longer do you plan to keep us locked up?
That's why I'm here actually.
A great change is on the horizon.
Be prepared.
I will need you to draw your swords.
This is a long shot by any means.
The will of the lords alone cannot
make me the Supreme Commander.
I will talk to my brother.
And we will find a way to get
through this national crisis together.
Then all of the officials that sought
to bring you to the fore will die.
They risked their lives on you
because they believe peace and diplomacy is the key
to saving this kingdom not violence and war
And you, Namgeon, are the only one
who can make this happen.
But Master,
All hope of saving this kingdom will be lost
if you refuse.
And if Goguryeo falls,
you will be responsible.
You will be presented before the King tomorrow.
Be prepared.
The country's future rests on your shoulders,
the fate of Goguryeo.
Any changes in his state of mind?
He's stil having major doubts.
The fate of the civil officials is in Namgeon's hands.
We must make him the Supreme Commander
no matter what it takes.
He will solidify his resolve soon.
I hope so.
Is everything arranged according to plan?
Of course.
All of us will die if this plan falls short.
It must succeed.
Anhak Palace, Pyongyang
King BojangL 28th King of Goguryeo
Minister Yeon Namgeon bids you humble greetings, Your Majesty.
It has been a long time since our last meeting, Minister Namgeon.
Yes, Your Majesty. Have you fared well?
What? What are you talking about?
Namgeon is at the palace?
That's not all.
All of the lords and civil officials are with him!
What? The civil officials?
They are up to something.
Namgeon is my brother. I will take care of this.
But unless something is done...
I said I will take care of this!
Did you say Geunglak Temple?
Yes, sir.
Arrange the meeting as soon as possible!
Did you hear me?
I will do as you ask, sir.
If he will not come to me,
I will go to him.
Chang'an
- Wake him up. - Yes, Your Highness.
What do you want?
Are you going to beat me again?
don't you ever get tired, you evil bastards?
It's me, general.
Do you recognize me?
Your Highness!
What brings you all the way to this filthy place?
I never expected to find you in such a wretched condition...
Oh, this is nothing...
It's comforting to have Your Highness's visit
before my execution.
Your Highness, I must ask you a question.
By chance is there news of Yeon Gaesomun's death?
Either by injury from war
or perhaps by assassination?
But you will soon be released.
Pardon?
His Majesty has agreed to remove your title
but spare your life.
General!
Remove my title?
But I worked too hard to get to where I am!
There was no other way to save you from being executed.
I lost everything to save my life...
I'm alive, but I have nothing.
I'm but a living corpse...
General...
I lost everything...
- General, - Hongpei, you're back.
- How does it look outside? - Troops are everywhere, sir.
I knew it.
The Empress saved us,
but the others are still trying to kill us off.
What do we do now, sir?
We don't ahve much choice, you idiot.
We'll just have to hide here for now
and get out of the city when we get a chance.
Here, sir, this should keep you going for a while.
Oh, Steamed buns! It's my favorite!
Hongpei, these are delicious!
Was there anyone following you?
No, sir, don't worry.
I circled the city five times before coming here.
Circled the city? Why?
What do you mean why?
To shake off the tail just in case I am being followed.
You just made yourself more visible, you idiot!
Oh, don't worry, sir.
Are you sure no one followed you?
Don't you trust me?
Of course I trust you, Hongpei.
You're the only one who stuck with me through think and thin.
Hongpei,
we'll get a pretty hefty sum of money if we sell this.
But this is Li Kaigu's dagger that
he treasures more than his life.
I think it's about time we give up on
Li Kaigu killing off Yeon Gaesomun.
We have to think about our survival now.
Where would we go if we escape the city?
- I don't know... - General...
Would you stop calling me that?
I'm not a general anymore!
- General... - I'm not a general any more...
Hongpei, you said no one was following you!
I was sure no one was!
- You idiot! - General... !
Don't call me that!
Superior Commander!
You're determined to see me dead, aren't you?
- Get them out! - Yes, sir!
Let go of me!
You would've killed me long ago
if it weren't for the Empress.
I can still kill you if I want to.
What are you up to this time?
I'll tell you how you can reclaim your title.
Reclaim my title?
Is there a way for me to be a general again?
We can get you reinstated if you cooperate with us.
I'll do anything!
What do you want me to do?
All you have to do is to answer our question honestly.
We believe Empress Zetian is behind your previous escape.
Is this correct?
And is it true that the Khitan tribe is responsible
for our defeat in Goguryeo?
This is very important. Answer the questions.
What will you do if this is true?
Empress Zetian has become
a common enemy of all royal retainers.
This is our chance to put
the arrogant woman back in her place.
And some goes for the Khitan tribe.
They are always pestering us to give them Yingzhou territory.
We will wipe out the whole tribe while we are at it.
One word wil decide your fate.
Now tell us.
Are our assumptions correct?
Superior General,
I think I'll just go back to my home
in the countryside and till the land.
What am I supposed to say when you're way off?
What?
Where did you get this crazy idea?
Talk about making wild accusations!
Intractable bastard!
Guards, get this man out of here!
- Yes, sir! - General!
- General! Let go of me! - Stay out of our sight.
The next time we catch you, you're a dead man!
Superior General, let me finish the tea at least.
Ouch, that's hot!
Let go of me!
Yang Manchun: Lord of Ansi Fort
General, there is regretful news.
Gom Mojam sent an urgent message
that requires your immediate attention.
Is Yeon Gaesomun dead?
Did you know about it, sir?
Heaven grants us life
and Heaven takes it at will.
But his deep, commanding voice
will sorely be missed...
Sir,
it seems there is a situation developing in Pyongyang.
A situation?
Namgeon has joined hands with Bu Kiwon.
Namgeon and Bu Kiwon?
They think Bu Kiwon is using Namgeon
to revive the private military system.
Yeon Gaesomun's sons engaged in a power struggle?
His Excellency Yeon Gaesomun is still
Goguryeo's Supreme Commander on record.
We cannot openly intervene in the two brother's fight.
That's right, sir.
If His Excellency's death is revealed
to the people or to Tang...
Not the Tang Chinese
but internal division is our greatest enemy.
Yeon Gaesomun is gone and now this!
This is the worst situation Goguryeo could ever face!
I need each and every one of you to maintain your posts
and be prepared for anything.
Keep a close eye not only on Tang,
but be fully alert as to what is happening within the country.
Yeon Gaesomun is gone,
so now our duty has doubled.
The assassins?
They are in Bu Kiwon's estate?
I saw them with my own eyes.
They may have different mothers,
but they are brothers of blood.
Namgeon won't draw his sword on his own brother.
Things are different if Bu Kiwon is involved.
He is capable of manipulating
Lord Namgeon to do anything.
Then we should alert Minister Namseng
about this at once.
If we speak in haste,
we could be tearing the two brothers further apart.
That's right.
If we tell him and nothing happens,
we will only deepen the rift between the two brothers.
But heaven forbid Namseng would lose his life...
Help us, Master Gom.
I cannot tell him something that may not happen.
The only thing we can do is to be prepared for it.
If something does happen to Namseng,
the blame will fall entirely on you.
Preventing division between the two brothers
is priority right now.
Tell me what you have in mind.
What can I do to help?
It's already been decided.
Why are you trying to stop me?
You don't have a definite reason to go.
I am going there to speak to my brother.
It's dangerous.
Dangerous?
Why is it dangerous?
There is no reason for you to meet,
so there has to be another reason why they want you there.
I can't figure out
why they wanted to meet at Geunglak Temple.
Are you trying to say that
my brother may be trying to have me killed?
- You're excused. - Sir,
- Come in.
Shin Hong thinks it is dangerous for me
to go to Geunglak Temple.
What do you think?
I'm asking you for your opinion.
Has my brother become a threat to my life?
I'm sure you can answer that question better than I can.
You always give an unexpected answer.
Bu Kiwon is trying to bring Namgeon
to the seat of the Supreme Commander.
Namgeon favors appeasement policy
with Tang like the civil officials do.
So I'm sure they get along like old pals.
I'm trying to figure out what to do with Namgeon.
If he challenges my authority,
I will have no choice no matter who he is.
That's why I'm going to meet Namgeon tomorrow...
to get him to sever ties with Bu Kiwon.
The best I can do at this point is to reason with Namgeon.
Don't you think?
Yes it is, sir.
But if he rejects my advice of good will tomorrow...
I will have no choice but to kill him.
the preparations?
All is prepared on our end.
I will send a message to the temple once
they exit the city gate tomorrow.
It will be your job to end Namseng's life.
Li Kaigu
Chulin: Li Jinzhong's daughter
Geunglak Temple
Your Grace, General Gom is here.
Lady Sukyoung--
Master Gom, what brings you to the temple?
Minister Namseng is on his way here.
Minister Namseng?
Yes, Your Grace. And you?
His Majesty has not been well lately.
And with all the trouble in the state,
I started a hundred-day prayer
a few days ago staying at this temple.
I see.
It appears there was a funeral ceremony here.
Yes, it looks they are leaving now.
Your Grace,
I must urge you to return to the palace.
Return to the palace? Why?
Something dangerous may happen.
So please...
What do you mean something dangerous?
Stop!
You are entering the temple.
You must dismount and proceed on foot from here.
Don't you realize who this is?
- This is... - Never mind.
We are on the Buddha's ground,
so we must follow the Buddha's laws.
Dismount.
We're running let. Let us go.
- Not now, sir. - What do you mean?
Minister Namsen has employed assassins
to have you killed!
My brother?
No, my brother would never.
We must get you out of here!
What are you waiting for? Escort him!
It's a funeral procession.
Make way for them.
They're assassins!
It's a raid!
Protect the lord! Protect the lord!
Kill them!
Retreat! Get out of here!
Retreat!
After them! Don't let them get away!
- Are you all right? - I'm fine.
Go after them. Now!
- Chulin? - She's with Xue Jitou.
I got you covered. Go!
You're messing with the wrong man.
So let us go before I get mad.
You're insane.
You don't know who you're talking to.
I'm Heuk Sudol.
Whatever your name is,
you must be pretty stupid
if you don't understand what I'm saying.
- You imbecile. - What? Imbecile?
You look more boorish than I do!
What? Boorish? Bastard!
Darn it!
My own brother...
My won brother tried to have me kille!
Don't let it get to you, sir.
My brother wasn't like this.
what's made him change?
That means you have to change as well, sir.
It's greed for power
that's made your brother change.
But you have to change now
for this country and the people.
Your trusted brother has tried to have you killed.
This is the cold reality of what happens to men before power.
Why should you hesitate after what he's done?
It is for a just and highest cause.
This is the only road before you!
A just and highest cause?
A just and highest cause!
What happened to Namgeon?
- We lost him. - Lost him?
We searched the entire area,
but he was nowhere to be found.
We will put up notices and
send out the soldiers around the city.
No, we can't do that.
Why not?
We must capture him at once.
This is a sensintive matter between brothers.
Be wary of the eyes of the public.
You must approach this with caution.
We are interrogating the captured assassins now.
You shouldn't act until we have a confession.
Why didn't you warn me in advance?
I could not be certain.
And it involves Lord Namgeon,
so I feared I would commit a great offense
to both of you if I am wrong.
But he brought it to my attention.
A great disaster was averted thanks to Captain Dae.
That's right.
Captain Dae Joyoung saved your life.
It could have worked out the other way.
I could've been killed.
And once a man is dead, he is dead.
It is my lapse in judgment.
Please forgive me.
But I am alive.
And it's thanks to you.
I won't forget that.
How did this happen?
The assassination attempt has failed?
It's because of that Dae Joyoung again.
Dae Joyoung?
The rat interfered again?
- Where is Namgeon? - He is hiding in a safe place.
This is no time for us to be standing around.
Do something!
What did you say?
I struck that wench Chulin.
Is Chulin dead?
Where are you going?
- I must find the body. - It's no use.
I already searched the gorge.
Don't look at me that way.
She would've been a huge stumbling block for you
at one point or another if she lived.
If you can't get her out of your heart,
- it's up to me to... - Stop!
What's wrong with you? Calm down, for heaven sakes!
How could you leave Chulin to die and run away?
What was I supposed to do?
She was struck down in a blink of an eye!
I won't take this!
I barely escaped death myself!
I don't have nine lives!
What was I supposed to do?
You're a dead man!
- Stop! Don't do this! - Get out of my way!
Commander Li, please stop!
We must figure out a way to get out of here alive!
We're going back for Chulin!
You'll get all of us killed!
- Search every inch of the grounds. - Yes, sir!
Captain Dae Joyoung?
... Yes, Your Grace.
How long have you been standing there?
What a nice surprise it is to see you outside of the palace.
... Yes.
There was a commotion here this afternoon.
Yes, I heard about it from General Gom Mojam.
By chance have you seen any suspicious characters?
Suspicious characters?
Never mind.
Forgive me for interrupting your prayer.
- Well then... - Wait, Captain Dae,
What can I do for you, Your Grace?
I've been feeling quite frightened about spending the night tonight
with all the violence this afternoon.
I was just praying to Buddha
to send me protector for the night...
... and here you are.
If you'd. just until sunrise...
Of course, Your Grace.
Thank you.
Now I can relax and concentrate on my prayers.
I will be right outside. Well then...