Part 18 To the longevity of the
beautiful Princess of Nakrang.
To the prosperity of the emperor.
LlU LlNG / Minister of Han China Liu Xian's nephew Begin the performance!
Greetings Your Highness
the greatest beauty in the history of mankind!
LAHEE Choi Ll and Mo Haso's daughter ls there no other circus troupe but yours in this town?
You're Happy Joy Troupe are you not?
You're most gracious to remember us Your Highness.
Of course l rememberyou.
Thank you Your Highness.
CHA CHASUNG Leader of Troupe Happy Joy Not only you are beautiful but
CHA CHASUNG Leader of Troupe Happy Joy possess great intelligence.
We'll put on the best performance.
JAMYUNG Daughter of Choi Li and Mo Haso of Nakrang
Are you Puku?
l heard you call him ''Brother'' when you came in.
So you must be Puku and he must be your brother
lLPUM you couldn't come to live in the Palace.
Well...
We're... all like siblings...
just one big family.
Really?
Where is Puku?
Bring her. l want to see her.
She became a rich man's mistress.
lt's been two years already Your Highness.
She must've grown up to be a pretty lady.
She must be eating well as she had wished.
The first performance for the beautiful princess
is flame throwing!
What about the banquet?
lt's already begun
and there was no sign of the Han army in sight.
WU NARU / Hodong's Uncle Head of National Administration lt's too rash to say there's an assassination attempt.
We need more proof.
TAECHU Anotherfunny thing.
TAECHU Your horse came back.
What's weird about that?
He's a smart horse. He came back to the prince.
That's not it.
His horse was tied to the circus troupe's wagon.
PRlNCE HODONG
How dare you glare at the master of sword
with those lowly eyes?
Loweryour eyes!
l'm sorry l interrupted you.
This is very nice.
Metal of this quality... This is no ordinary dagger.
The world's best swordsman... lt's him.
The master of swords?
How dare he call himself the master of swords?
Well we have no time to waste.
Let's alert the princess.
Chu Balso what do you think?
CHU BALSO Envoy for southern district
l think it's best to wait and see.
What nonsense.
Sit back and watch her when the princess
is engaged to our prince?
This marriage is unlikely to happen.
Choi Li has been delaying his answerforfive years
and rumor has it he's formed an alliance with Song Okgu.
That's why we should catch the assassin for her
and expedite the marriage.
We'll be going up against Liu Ling.
lf anything goes wrong this trip goes to waste.
Bring me Wang Hol.
Right.
You'll alert him discreetly?
The master of swords will have an easiertime
achieving his task without Wang Hol present.
Your Highness.
lt's best to marry the princess
but if that's not possible getting rid of Nakrang's successor
will be our second best choice.
Bring Wang Hol.
Have a drink.
No.
Just one drink won't hurt.
Your evening won't be peaceful if you touch the drink.
General.
WANG HOL / Wang Jasil's brother Mo Yanghae's husband What brings you here?
Our prince wishes to see you for a minute.
l'm on duty to protect the princess.
But you have a brave warrior like Ha Hogae.
Surely you can happy a drink from me.
Will you be living in Nakrang when you marry our princess?
The princess will someday be the Queen of Nakrang.
Her husband must reside in Nakrang and support her.
Are you testing me to see
if l'm willing to live with my in-laws?
There are many who are curious.
l'm a tactless soldier
so l don't find such things interesting.
Please excuse me now.
lf you don't care for drink how about a sword?
Sword?
l've heard that Goguryeo's and Nakrang's swords are
very different in style.
Don't you want to see how they're different?
Even my wife was curious about your swordsmanship.
And you're touted to be the best swordsman in Goguryeo.
Of course l'm curious.
Then let's see for ourselves.
l'm here as an envoy not to fight you.
Are you afraid?
l don't know why you're trying to aggravate me.
Goguryeo and Nakrang are neighbors now
but we can turn into enemies tomorrow.
The fight might get easier
if l know the capabilities of the enemy leader.
lt's all right if you want to run and
save yourself the humiliation.
Even if you are the Prince of Goguryeo
you have gone too far.
Show him the swordsmanship of Nakrang.
Next the trick of all tricks!
Which is the real face? You'll never guess.
The mask changing!
l promise l'll get you out.
l removed the tiles on the roof.
HA HOGAE / Soldier
Lahee!
Lahee...
lt's all right.
Your Highness hold her hand.
BURYUNG lieutenant Wang Hol's personal guard She's also a woman.
BURYUNG lieutenant Wang Hol's personal guard Your Highness.
Princess! Princess!
Princess!
Lahee you're very lucky.
How did you hurt your hands?
The plate broke and... cut my hands...
Stop there!
General.
lt's a banquet hosted by Lord Liu Ling.
Don't make a scene.
l'm sorry Your Highness.
JlNYANG PALACE NAKRANG WANG JASlL'S CHAMBER
Are you all right now?
WANG JA-SlL / Choi Li's Second Wife Lahee's mother Something must've happened to Lahee.
You just had a bad dream because
the princess is away alone forthe first time.
Lahee and l have an invisible bond.
l can sense everything that happens to Lahee
no matter how far apart we are.
When will Hol's letter arrive?
lf he sent it the morning of the day he arrived
it'll arrive two days from now.
Why am l so nervous?
l feel as if my heart will burst.
Did you do that on purpose to save the princess?
How many times do l have to tell you?
l'm a prince who's left out in the cold.
l can barely protect myself
let alone the Princess of Nakrang.
Wang Hol...
l thought he became the Great General thanks to
his sister but he's not bad.
lt's only been five years since King Choi Li took the throne
but Nakrang is growing too fast.
Don't follow me.
The world's best swordsman.
You were a girl.
l had my doubt...
But you were such a strong swordsman so l had my doubts.
They were sharp daggers. Your wounds are deep.
lt's none of your concern Prince.
l think it is.
lf they climb the drape to the ceiling
they could escape through the roof.
Maybe you're being too presumptuous.
What are you saying?
You came through the roof in the middle of the banquet and...
You're just doing this because Hodong beat you good.
DO SUGl SOLDlER / Wang Hol's guard Dosal's son You idiot.
DO SUGl SOLDlER / Wang Hol's guard Dosal's son No one beats the general.
l'm pretty certain.
But who? Why?
They have no reason to assassinate the princess.
What? Who'd assassinate our princess?
l don't know.
There has to be a reason.
There could be a hundred reasons.
lt's just that we don't know what they are.
You think it was Goguryeo's doing?
Well...
We'll tighten the security around the Princess.
Do not take your eyes off herfor a second.
Yes sir.
l'm certain...
You said no money can buy your service.
So if it wasn't for money
why did you try to kill the Princess of Nakrang?
Don't pry.
Everyone has a story.
This is the bitterness of life you were talking about?
Not everything can be put into words.
Just as l can't understand your bitterness
you can't understand mine even if l tell you.
Then again listening doesn't necessarily open one's heart.
Why are you being so kind to a criminal?
lt's all in the point of view.
You'd be a grand criminal to Nakrang but to Goguryeo...
You could be a hero.
lt's all right.
You'd best not be seen.
General Wang Hol is a wise man.
Take me as your bodyguard... to Goguryeo.
No. You're too big of a burden.
You said l could be a hero.
She's the Princess of Nakrang our neighboring country.
l can't have you work for me.
GEUMCHANGSAN / Healing ointment made of clamshells The ointment is made with clamshells.
GEUMCHANGSAN / Healing ointment made of clamshells lt'll help the wounds heal faster.
Thank you.
And l'll take my horse back.
Then again everyone has a story of one's own.
Boss l'm sorry.
You did your best.
Who'd have known that general would drop out of the sky?
Could l have killed the princess if not for him?
l'm not sure.
l love Michu but...
l really want to save her but...
No.
No Puku. Don't cry.
You didn't do anything wrong.
You have nothing to apologize for.
Let's save Michu.
yes, let's do that.
Don't think about anything and just get some sleep.
We'll leave quietly before the sun comes up.
Prince Hodong doesn't want me.
He wouldn't take me as his bodyguard.
Goguryeo's prince knows about this?
l don't think he'll talk.
Things must be bad between Goguryeo and Nakrang.
Where will we go after we save Michu?
l don't think we can go to Goguryeo.
l'm sure there's a place for us somewhere.
l'll find something.
Let's go to sleep.
- General. - General.
Anything out of the ordinary last night?
Cats and mice coming and going...
Nothing happened sir!
l've been thinking all night.
Since we don't have any physical evidence
why don't we bring him in for questioning?
That's a good idea.
We have to beat the truth out of her.
lf Goguryeo is behind this we'll get them.
How dare they try to...
Take these to the ship.
lt's a report forthe king. The red one is for Sister-in-law.
No way. They can't leave me behind.
l should've given it back to him.
l'm sure somebody will return it to him.
This is Goguryeo pass.
That's mine. Give it back.
Ajade pass... lt's not something you'd have.
This belongs to royalty.
l found it.
Are you from Goguryeo?
No l'm from Dongmohyun.
What's your name?
Gilsang.
As in good fortune?
All right Gilsang l need to talk to you.
But l have nothing to say.
Maybe you don't need to talk but l do.
How did you come to be in possession of a royal pass?
Where did you get stab wounds on your hands?
They're not stab wounds. l've never been stabbed.
We can take always find out.
Follow me!
Have some of this.
Who are you?
His Highness is eating.
Who are you?
l came to see the prince.
l have no reason to see you again.
Take me as your bodyguard.
We already had this discussion.
What brings you here General Wang Hol?
A girl l was chasing came in here.
Her name is Gilsang.
Gilsang?
My name is Puku.
Puku the strongman who'd put King Xiang Yu to shame.
You're Puku?
l thought you became a rich man's mistress.
Then again what other woman could be so strong?
l was a dunce.
Please take me in.
lt's attempting but...
Your Highness
the great general of Nakrang wishes to see you.
You should go now.
l'll be your loyal bodyguard.
How can you be a loyal bodyguard
when you put your master in a bind?
l'll help lessen the bitterness of your life.
l appreciate that but it's not something you can do.
l know.
Only you can get rid of the bitterness of your life.
But l can help.
l can understand and make it more tolerable...
And if you can't?
l'll share the bitterness with you.
lsn't this too early for a visit.
Please give up the girl.
- Leave us. - Yes Your Highness.
She's my bodyguard.
Then may l assume you had a part in the assassination attempt
on our crown princess?
Think how you may but
bring a solid evidence before
you suspect the Prince of Goguryeo.
Don't blame me foryour failure to protect your master.
General Wang Hol!
We'll have a real match another day.
Nakrang's swordsmanship was quite interesting.
l also wish to learn more about Goguryeo's sword.
JEONGGWANG GATE WANGGEOM Message from General Wang Hol!
There was an assassination attempt on the princess?
Who would dare...
CHOl Ll / King of Nakrang father of Jamyung and Lahee lt's not for certain.
RYUGl / Minister General Wang Hol seems suspicious of Goguryeo.
A circus troupe called Happy Joy...
Happy Joy?
yes, Your Majesty.
The letter says
they hired the circus troupe to kill the princess.
MO HASO / Choi Li's First Wife Jamyung's mother Why don't we bring the princess back?
BUDAL / Second general l'll go!
BUDAL / Second general And if Hodong is indeed guilty
l'll cut his head off and bring our princess back.
Don't be hasty.
Death surrounds a king at all times.
lt's also a burden the crown princess must carry.
Your dream was right.
Do you think it was Prince Hodong's doing?
Your Majesty why did you come here all of a sudden?
l said l'd take your life if you made another mistake.
But l didn't make a mistake.
Who's the girl in that grave?
lt's Jamyung.
You dare try to deceive me?
Who's the girl in there?
lt's Jamyung.
Chiso do you wish to die?
Death is the only punishment for deceiving me.
NOHONGBAL Poison from honeysuckle root They're poison. Take them.
Your Majesty...
lt won't take long.
lLGAK/ Approximately 15 minutes You'll bleed from all your orifices
lLGAK/ Approximately 15 minutes and die within 15 minutes.
l'm... innocent.
l wish l could show you...
Be quiet. l don't want to hearyour whining.
But you saw her foryourself.
You saw the scar on her chest...
Take them now.
Shall l feed them to you?
Your Majesty...
l'm sorry l couldn't serve you till the end.
l'll wait foryou in the netherworld...
... and serve you again with all my heart...
Prince Hodong...
No. lt's not him.
l'm too ignorant to know better
but doesn't Goguryeo hold animosity toward Nakrang?
Hodong wouldn't do that
when he has more to lose than gain from it.
And the talk of marriage is still under discussion.
He has no reason to make an enemy of us when
Goguryeo might go to war with the Biryuna tribe.
l see...
lt was Happy Joy troupe?
yes, Your Majesty.
Happy Joy...
What is it?
Something about that troupe bothers me...
l must be immune to poison.
l'm really dying Your Majesty.
Please live long.
You can take a whole bag of it and it won't kill you.
Your Majesty.
lf you had really deceived me
l'd have killed you with real poison.
l'm most grateful Your Majesty.
Thank you Your Majesty.
Little girl who are you?
lt's Jamyung...
This is why you can't trust a man's eyes lips or ears...
l should've touched the scar on her chest.
Little girl who are you? Tell me!
That girl was Jamyung.
Your Majesty why are you doing this?
She's dead...
Jamyung is alive.
That can't be...
l must send a letterto Hol before the ship leaves.
MO HASO'S CHAMBER
Do you remember Happy Joy?
Of course.
DONGGOBl / Mo Haso's maid l saw them at Nabingwan in Dongmohyun
and they also came to General Wang's wedding.
Once was a coincidence
and maybe twice could also be a coincidence.
But thrice... it can no longer be a coincidence.
What do you mean?
The boat carrying Jamyung and llpum ended up in Dongmohyun.
And Happy Joy troupe is there.
Please free Jamyung from your heart.
She's no longer in this world.
Find out once more.
Find out how the circus troupe in Dongmohyun was
hired to perform at the general's wedding.
Donggobi you go and see Happy Joy Troupe.
l can't trust anyone anymore.
l'd go a thousand times and back
if it'll give you peace of mind l'll do anything.
Are you eating well Sister-in-law?
l'm pondering what to bring back foryou...
l'm doing well.
That's all he's written to me?
YULGUHYUN NAKRANG MO YANGHAE'S CHAMBER lsn't that enough?
YULGUHYUN NAKRANG MO YANGHAE'S CHAMBER The general is there on duty.
He can't spend all his time thinking about you.
There's another line here.
The food here is too greasy.
l'd love to have some of yourfish stew.
MO YANGHAE / Wang Hol's sister-in-law and wife l'm no kitchen maid!
MO YANGHAE / Wang Hol's sister-in-law and wife How dare he complain about food...
Anyway Hodong beat him... ?
l don't believe it!
lt's a humiliation for Younghojangwon!
How would he know how to win if he doesn't know how to lose?
But to have that Goguryeo...
You don't die of enemy but of your arrogance.
Hol has finally met his match.
He'll learn a lot from this.
DOCHAL / Minister You are right My Lady.
Of course. l'm never wrong.
But it is too bad.
Hol would have succeeded the throne if Lahee had died.
My Lady.
l'm just kidding.
Why not send a letterto your son Butung
and tell him not to help if Lahee lies dying?
My Lady please...
l'm only kidding.
You cowards!
Younghojangwon lost to Choi Li because you're such cowards!
Follow me.
Where are you going?
To buy fish.
But it'll be days before Master comes home.
l'll clean it and put it in the ice house.
KlNG DAEMUSHlN'S OFFlCE
Your Majesty did you call for me?
KlNG DAEMUSHlN Third King of Goguryeo Sit.
EUL DUJl / Senior Head Officer of National Administration You're most gracious Your Majesty.
lt's a report from Chu Balso.
There was an incident at Taesangwan.
lt seems that Hogok
the former general of the Nakrang army
was behind the assassination attempt on Princess Lahee.
We have decided not to get involved in the matter.
The banquet was brought to an abrupt end due to a
sword match between Prince Hodong and General Wang Hol.
l still can't be certain whether it was a coincidence
or the prince's attempt to stop the assassination.
l think it's fortunate Choi Li's daughter survived.
We still don't know what the Biryuna tribe is up to.
Should we should go to war with the Biryuna tribe
Choi Li would take the opportunity
to attack Goguryeo.
He would.
lf Hodong gets what we need from Emperor Guangwu
l'll appoint him crown prince.
Your Majesty.
EUGYUNGKWAN Eesponsible of royal ceremonies Prepare forthe crowning ceremony.
You're finally naming your successor.
My sincerest congratulations to you.
lt's too early to give up on Choi Li's daughter.
We have to do whatever we can to hold on to her
until Hodong's position is secured.
l will write to Hodong.
yes, Your Majesty.
SEONBl TRlBE / Tribe around Mongolia Have you talked to the Seonbi tribe?
Yes My Lord.
SONG OKGU / Chief of Biryuna Song Maeseolsu's Father You must gather a hundred of
SONG OKGU / Chief of Biryuna Song Maeseolsu's Father the most skilled soldiers.
SONG OKGU / Chief of Biryuna Song Maeseolsu's Father Chu Balso is a weakling
but Wu Naru and Hodong are master swordsmen.
l'm aware of it.
They'll take this route.
Discuss where to attack him with the chief of the Seonbi tribe.
l'll kill Prince Hodong.
How dare they install him as crown prince
before my grandson is born!
Hodong can't come back to Guknae alive!
We'll not fail the queen and the Biryuna tribe.
Why won't Muhyul kill Eul Duji?
He's become a cunning old fox.
YANGDEOK/ Lady-in-wait SONG MAESEOULSU King Daemushin's first queen Prepare to leave.
YANGDEOK/ Lady-in-wait SONG MAESEOULSU King Daemushin's first queen What do you mean?
l'm returning to the palace.
Your Majesty.
We must hurry.
But the king wouldn't take you back.
lt's too dangerous.
But l can't live in hiding forever.
Your Majesty at least until you give birth...
l have ears too.
lf Hodong is made crown prince...
There will be no place for my son.
lt's the chance l must take.
l'd rather die by the king's hands than Hodong's.
Prepare to leave.
l'll convince the king.
l must.
HAN CHlNA, MEETlNG ROOM Are you threatening me?
LlU LlNG / Minister of Han China Liu Xian's nephew l am the royal family who dines with the emperor.
The emperor is exhausted from countless wars and
has decreed he'll maintain friendly relations with
the neighboring countries.
And that is why he invited envoys from many countries
to his 10-year anniversary celebration.
What will the emperor do if he finds out you defied
his policy by making an attempt on Princess Nakrang?
My Lord...
Please release my brother and the others.
l beg you.
And please don't hold my teacher responsible for my failure.
ls that all?
l assume you'll assist Goguryeo in getting what we want.
You're a greedy man.
l hope you don't become the next King of Goguryeo.
You'll cause a lot of headaches.
l'll take that as a compliment.
About that girl...
l'm certain you'll regret taking her underyour wing.
No one knows the future.
But for now
l'm grateful to you for finding me a good servant.
l want to go see my brother now.
Don't worry. Liu Ling will keep his word.
And l'll have Taechu bring yourfamily to Goguryeo.
l thought you had changed.
He seemed like a nice generous person when he was little.
But why did he turn so cold?
But you haven't changed at all.
You're simple-minded.
There are many sides to men.
l've never been generous.
You saved my life as well as my family's.
A man who can save one life can save a hundred.
l don't know what your bitterness is
but l'm sure that didn't change the man in my memory.
Your Highness the king sent the letter.
l, hodong receive the royal letter.
l the King of Goguryeo ask you.
Why did you save the Princess of Nakrang?
You shouldn't have gotten involved.
lf it is your weakness that saved Choi Li's daughter
l'm very disappointed.
l'm also disappointed that you decided to kill her.
We still has use for her.
Take this opportunity to win her heart.
l, hodong will obey your command.
Chu Balso l need you to go to Princess Nakrang.
yes, Your Highness.
For dinner?
Aren't you tired of greasy food?
You worry about needless things.
lt's not as if Goguryeo food is any better.
lt's not fancy but it's mild in taste.
We'll be leaving for Luoyang tomorrow.
lt would be most delightful if the prince and princess of
the neighboring countries developed a friendship.
All right.
Since he gladly accepted my invitation to tea
l'll return the favor.
You're most gracious Crown Princess.
l'll do it Your Highness.
Your hands are still wounded.
lt's all right.
People are watching.
The Nakrang envoys will learn soon enough
if l don't cook the food myself.
l have to do it.
You are going to marry the Princess of Nakrang right?
Taechu told me.
You concern yourself with needless things.
ls it a woman thing?
Tell me how to make that soup.
l'm sorry Your Highness.
lt's one of the few things my mother left me.
And why are you...
lt should belong to my queen.
So it belongs to you.
Your Highness may l come in?
Yes.
You look radiant Your Highness.
Don't read anything into it.
l'm only returning the favor.
Let us go if you're ready. l'll escort you.
She'll be here soon. You may leave.
l'll wait on you.
l have something to say to the princess.
Your status doesn't allow you to befriend a princess.
Leave.
And don't linger around.
yes, Your Highness.
Where is Puku?
Bring her. l want to see her.
l have to tell her l'm Puku.
Even though l can't tell her l tried to kill her
l have to apologize to her.
l did such a horrible thing to the nice princess...
Your Highness!
The... Crown Princess... of Nakrang...
l'm... Wu Naru...
... the great general of Goguryeo.
l have heard a lot about you General.
lt is a pleasure to meet you.
l have also heard a lot about you.
Well what l want to say is...
Words fail me...
EXTREME BEAUTY Your beauty outshines the moon.
They are beautiful words.
l have never seen a greater beauty since
Princess Yeorang my wife.
My eyes were getting dim with age but it seems as if
you've cleared my vision with your beauty.
Welcome Princess.
Thank you for your invitation.
l didn't know what to bring...
You brought me flowers...
But you're the flower.
Goguryeo men must learn how to flatter women.
Peace at home means peace in the country.
Have a seat.
Give me a moment. lt's almost ready.
Did you make it yourself?
Of course.
l invite you so l cooked it myself.
You know how to cook Prince?
l learned it just foryou.
l'm looking forward to it.
l hope l don't find any pebbles in my food.
l'm sure the food will be to your liking.
l find abundant freshwater shrimp in the stream.
l put in lots of meat and vegetables too.
Try it. lt should be decent.
We're to eat from the same pot?
lt'll smell fishy if you serve it in a bowl.
Here.
Come on.
lt'll wash away the grease of the food here.
l missed you Princess.
Princess.
Hol you must check the chest of the girl
from Happy Joy troupe yourself.
See if she has a scar on her left chest.
You may think it's absurd
but the future of Nakrang rides on this.
Life of your niece Lahee
the crown princess of Nakrang rides on it.