Now, make your choice.
Will you live as Prince Choong Won's dog...
or as our leader's brother?
Why... Why would I...
leave the Royalty for Ah Mo Gae?
Because you do not want to live as a monster.
I heard our silver mine is now owned by Prince Choong Won...
and that you are begging for a management post...
at the Finance Office.
If you become one of us, it will not happen to you.
If we retrieve the silver mine back from Prince Choong Won,
we will share the profit from the mine with you.
You are a born businessman.
You know well enough which one is...
the more profitable business.
(Hong)
(The Rebel)
We could not have done it without Eop San.
- We had others. - I was merely participating.
What?
Are you all right? Are you not hurt?
I am fine. You should go.
The siblings lay dead together.
This shoe was all that was left.
Based on what I heard,
I think Gil Hyeon...
and Uh Ri Ni...
Do not tell...
Gil Dong.
But Master,
Gil Dong is holding nothing back...
and has people all over,
searching for Gil Hyeon and Uh Ri Ni.
This is...
between Gil Dong and me.
Now that Eop San is here too,
we will find Gil Hyeon and Uh Ri Ni in no time.
Of course, we must.
Goodness.
Hey. I said we can get...
It is mine! I am going to eat this.
Anyway, our little lady's role was huge.
That is right. Our chatterbox was of big help.
Gil Dong.
Pour her some.
To be honest, I do not like alcohol,
but it has gotten so cold. There is such a draft at night.
I thought a drink may help me sleep at night.
You should top it off.
That is right. Fill it up.
Give her a full bowl.
Go on. Pour.
Pour. Pour.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Cheers.
- Cheers! - Goodness.
So cold. Goodness.
- Watch her head. - Careful.
- My back. - Here. Here.
Goodness. Why did she drink so much?
Here. Goodness.
Why did she drink so much?
I think...
she likes you a lot.
It is not like that.
Who is a peanut?
I am not a peanut.
What is she saying?
I am not.
Why is she talking in her sleep?
Stop.
Hey.
You peanut.
Gil Dong.
I am too scared to sleep alone.
- Come here. - Come here.
Okay. You mean in here?
Darn it.
- Stupid. - Ugly girl.
I am not ugly.
You are ugly.
I am not.
Wait for me with these flowery shoes.
I will be back soon.
You promised that you will be back soon.
Uh Ri Ni.
Gil Hyeon.
Uh Ri Ni...
It is back.
Your strength is back.
Father.
Gil Dong.
It is okay. Forget it.
Forget me.
Forget Gil Hyeon.
Forget Uh Ri Ni.
Forget everything and fly freely.
You are different...
from me.
I did many things that were against the law.
That is why although people feared me in front of me,
they judged me behind my back.
But Gil Dong,
you are different.
You are different from me.
My Gil Dong will go to great places.
You will walk on a bright path.
You will become a great general...
and be rewarded by the King.
So...
forget it all.
Forget everything and live differently from me.
No.
They ripped your skin and broke your bones.
How could I do that?
How could I do that...
when I cannot find Gil Hyeon or Uh Ri Ni anywhere in Joseon?
Father.
I will not do anything before I get Prince Choong Won.
No.
I cannot.
Just watch.
Watch how I get him.
Park Won Il.
I finally remember the rumors I had heard about your grandfather.
When Prince No San gave his throne to his uncle,
many scholars turned their backs on the world.
(Prince No San lost his prestige after losing the throne.)
Your grandfather was probably one of them.
I heard he moved to the mountains with his son and daughter-in-law.
I guess you are his only remaining grandson.
Then have you been living in the mountains as well?
- My grandfather... - I...
should not have asked.
My apologies.
I have troubled you too much.
I should go now.
Would you like to take the state exam?
Your grandfather turned his back on the world, but you do not need to.
I shall help you study for the state exam.
I do not wish to take the exam.
Then why were you lingering by the brush shop?
Your grandfather left because he was disgusted by the corrupt government,
but that does not mean you must as well.
You should enjoy your youth as the others do.
You should study through the night and take the state exam.
You were born a man,
so you should enjoy the honor of serving His Majesty.
I shall go now.
My gate is always open.
Ikhwa-ri is a thing of the past now.
You could get quality silk from Ikhwa-ri in the past.
I heard the leader's men showed up again recently...
Are you coming from Ikhwa-ri?
What do you mean...
the leader's men have returned?
Who are you?
I know someone there, which is why I was headed there.
Ikhwa-ri is in shambles now.
The old leader's men did return not long ago,
but they were destroyed by Heo Tae Hak.
The men of Ikhwa-ri's leader are all gone now.
Then...
what about the leader?
The leader was flogged to death, and no one knows about his children.
Have you made your decision?
You promised me the silver mine.
Once we get Prince Choong Won, the profit from the silver mine...
shall be split with you.
Okay.
The district magistrate will be returning to town.
Take good care of him.
Did you tie him tightly?
Stay still, will you?
Goodness. Where is he?
Wait, will you?
You are so noisy.
Why are you so frightful?
Shall I recite a prayer?
Gross.
- There! - Here they come.
Let us do this.
All right.
Run!
Free the district magistrate first.
Yes, Boss.
- Untie him. - Yes, master.
Thank you. Thank you!
Your Highness.
I have practically returned from the grave.
If it were not for Heo Tae Hak,
I would...
have died by now, Your Highness.
Prince Choong Won seems to trust me again.
He is going to Hanyang soon to see the King.
When he goes to Hanyang,
use us as your porters.
We will handle the rest.
Master.
I learned to read when I was young,
but I was lazy when I grew older.
Can I...
pass the state exam?
I can tell a desperate man.
If you cannot pass,
it means I am a poor judge of character.
I am sure what I see is not just a pathetic man.
Does it taste good?
Yes, Mother. Please have some.
No.
Take the rest with you and share them with your friends.
Studying is difficult, is it not?
It is.
But I have to do it.
I will become an officer and be a good son.
Thank you.
Is your teacher doing well?
Is everything okay at the school?
There is a new student.
He is my age, and his name is Park Ha Sung.
Does he not have a father either?
He does not seem to have either parent.
I heard his grandfather moved into the mountains...
after what happened...
to Prince No San.
Why did your teacher take in someone like that?
Jeong Hak.
Do not get too close to him.
- What? - If he left...
because of Prince No San,
the King will not like him.
You will serve the King from close quarters.
You must choose friends selectively.
But...
I like him for some reason.
He seems familiar as if I knew him for a long time.
Listen to your mother.
I even changed your name so that...
you would meet virtuous people only.
Yes, Mother. Of course.
I shall introduce myself properly.
My name is Jo Jeong Hak.
Jo Jeong Hak?
Yes. I had a different name as a child,
but my father died,
and my mother gave me a new name.
- I am... - I know.
You are Park Ha Sung.
Pass the first two tests,
and the third will be taken in the King's presence.
I heard that...
the King decides on the theme.
I cannot wait to find out...
what it will be.
Your Majesty.
The Protocol Board requested you decide the theme...
for the state exam.
Also,
various officials, secretaries, and Confucian scholars...
petitioned that you not...
host the Buddhist ceremony to calm the spirits.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Follow the path of a noble man. - Follow the path of a noble man.
- Please interrogate... - Please interrogate...
- Second State Councilor Lord No. - Second State Councilor Lord No.
Your Majesty.
Lord No is clouding your judgment with his evil whisperings.
He is an evil subject...
and a petty man who mocks nobles.
Your Majesty.
Follow the path of a noble...
and distance yourself from petty men.
You must interrogate Lord No, Your Majesty.
- Interrogate Lord No. - Interrogate Lord No.
It is just a ceremony.
Monks sing to Buddha...
and burn pieces of paper.
Why does that anger them so?
What they want...
is not peace, prosperity, or honest politics.
They do not follow...
Confucius or Mencius' teachings.
They just...
want to say harsh things about others...
to show off and act as if they are above everyone else.
They have already forgotten...
all about their nation and its people.
All they want is honor.
Your Majesty.
As King, you are descended from the skies.
There is nothing you cannot say...
and nothing you cannot do.
Why do you murmur alone in your chambers...
out of fear of a few scholars?
(Seonjeongjeon)
Your Majesty.
I do not think today is the day.
- Let us go back. - Your Majesty.
I do not think I am ready.
Your Majesty.
You already are...
the master of this nation.
His Majesty the King.
Your Majesty, many Confucian scholars...
petitioned against the Buddhist ceremony.
They requested you interrogate Lord No...
who has put Buddha before everything else.
Your Majesty.
Lord No has tarnished your reign.
Interrogate him.
- Interrogate Lord No. - Interrogate Lord No.
I understand how the scholars feel.
My late father...
disliked Buddhism greatly.
I see why hosting a Buddhist ceremony for him...
would be considered disloyal.
However,
I already gave permission for the ceremony.
(This ceremony was believed to comfort the spirits.)
Why are you still opposing me months later?
If it is disloyal to go against the wishes of the previous king,
what is it to go against the current King's?
Are you saying...
I am not your King?
Are you saying the scholars protesting outside the palace...
do not consider me their King?
Do those of you who defend them...
also not consider me your King?
However young I may be to be King,
I can tell black from white,
right from wrong, and discern loyalty from betrayal.
Today, I will pick out those who are disloyal to me...
and will make an example of them.
Exile Lee Gong and the three scholars who wrote...
the blasphemous petition.
Ban their followers from taking the state exam.
Also, if any one of you...
defends the scholars after today,
I will not consider you my subject.
You made the right call with the authority of a true king.
- You made the right call. - You made the right call.
- Did you see it? - Yes, Your Majesty.
I saw it and heard it.
They could barely breathe...
in your presence.
Ja Won, for some reason, I think that...
I will be able to do well in the future.
Yes, like my father,
- I can be Joseon's... - Your Majesty.
The officials of the minor offices are now protesting.
(During extremely serious occasions, they protested.)
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Follow the path of a noble. - Follow the path of a noble.
- Interrogate Lord No. - Interrogate Lord No.
You sit on the high throne...
and do not heed our petitions.
I cannot hide my disappointment.
Do you believe you are so extremely wise...
that you need not listen to our counsel?
Even sage kings...
discussed issues with their subjects.
Your Majesty...
is not like those sage kings.
Why do you refuse to listen to our advice?
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Follow the path of a noble. - Follow the path of a noble.
- Interrogate Lord No. - Interrogate Lord No.
Prince Choong Won is going to Hanyang.
- I will escort him. - I will prepare for the trip.
No.
You will remain here and guard the silver mine.
I will hire some trustworthy men to accompany us.
But boss.
When I lived in the temple,
I painted monks and Buddhist drawings.
I was very good.
- You are really ugly. - I am not.
The head monk liked me very much for my talents.
A beard is enough. Please...
He said that...
I would one day become a great artist.
Look.
Ta-da.
You are so ugly.
Father, look at me.
I look like a porter.
Goodbye.
Gil Dong.
A long time ago,
do you remember what happened between me...
and Lord Jo's wife?
She reported that I had killed her husband,
and I was arrested.
After that, she came to me...
and apologized for being mistaken.
- Father. - But Gil Dong.
Do you know...
what really happened that day?
Did he say something?
No.
So Bu Ri, take good care of my father for me.
All right. Do not worry.
Also...
Look after yourself.
Get going.
Take care.
- Bye. - See you.
Gil Dong.
I will.
Where are they going?
I do not know.
You know nothing.
Jerk.
Where is Mo Ri?
He caught a cold and cannot accompany you.
Young men these days complain of such little ailments.
At a time like this...
I apologize.
Hello, Your Highness.
Step on my back.
You taught them well.
They are wandering laborers.
I hired them for a fortune.
Order them as you will.
Make way!
Prince Choong Won is coming through!
Does he have no conscience?
Gil Dong seems to fear nothing.
I am as worried as an adult watching a child play near water.
- Your Majesty. - Your Majesty.
- Follow the path of a noble. - Follow the path of a noble.
- Interrogate Lord No. - Interrogate Lord No.
- Follow the path of a noble. - Follow the path of a noble.
- Interrogate Lord No. - Interrogate Lord No.
They are...
the flags of Joseon.
They are the flags of Confucius and Mencius.
They do not consider me their King.
Ja Won.
Do you know why they belittle me so?
It is because...
- my mother was dethroned. - Your Majesty.
Cut 300 wild chrysanthemums...
- and bring them. - Yes, Your Majesty.
I will bring you the most fragrant in all of Joseon.
Master.
I believed you liked me when we met outside the palace.
Why are you so distant and unfriendly now?
You love another...
and dare to hang around the King.
Do this then.
We shall make a bet.
I heard hundreds of scholars protest every day...
and that the King is troubled by what is going on.
I know you must be...
greatly upset by this.
Give me...
just one chance.
I will comfort the King.
If...
I fail to be of any consolation,
then...
I will leave myself.
No, I will take any punishment.
Do you not wish...
to comfort the King?
(Hanyang)
Make way. Prince Choong Won is coming through!
Make way.
Prepare to enter the palace early tomorrow morning.
Yes, Your Highness.
Are you not the magic peddler?
Who? I believe you are very mistaken.
Do you not recognize me?
You helped me marry Master Lee.
I have not been able to have a son.
I was wondering where you were, and here you are.
You have the wrong man.
Who are they, and what do they do?
Did you not say they were laborers?
They are.
What is happening?
All I could remember is what you did and not your name.
What was your name again?
Right, you are...
- Here you are, madam! - My goodness!
What are you doing here, madam?
Put me down. Put me down immediately!
Ever since her husband left her,
she lost her marbles and talks gibberish.
She talks endlessly about wishing to have a son.
Poor you. What should we do with you?
Shut your mouth.
- She is heavy. - Let us go.
- We shall go now. - Bye.
There are all sorts of mad women...
in Hanyang, I see.
My goodness.
I thought things were going well. Why did she suddenly pop out?
You abandoned us and ran.
Hey, no one abandoned you.
You did. You did not go to the bathroom.
- Why are you back? - I am not back.
I was just, you know...
Passing by.
- This was a coincidence. - Come on, you followed them.
I did not.
Yes, I did follow you.
Everything that you did was all very dangerous.
It looked like Gil Dong was...
doing this and that, riding horses.
And I missed you guys.
- What? - What is he saying?
I missed you!
What is he saying? That's so cheesy.
My goodness.
This world was no fun when I lived life...
away from you guys.
He is right. It was no fun.
I missed you too.
- Come on, we are men. - But I am not saying...
I will help your scheme with Prince Choong Won.
- My goodness. - You are back.
Hey, how have you been?
- Did you tell him? - Yes.
However, His Majesty is busy with political affairs...
Did you tell him Prince Choong Won is here?
Please tell him one more time.
My goodness.
Is this where the King lives?
Is this really where the King lives?
Does His Majesty...
poop and have bad breath?
No way. His Majesty's breath cannot stink.
He probably does poop, but it probably smells different.
He is a human too.
Gil Dong had no idea how the world works.
Not all men are the same. My goodness.
However, he is running a little late.
His Majesty...
may be avoiding Prince Choong Won.
I am not sure.
You have been waiting for a while.
Please, come.
Your Majesty, I grieve with your loss.
Prince Choong Won.
It has been a long time.
But I am relieved...
someone like you have been enthroned in a time like this.
The people of this nation are rejoicing despite their sadness.
Come closer.
I should be here...
to serve you at a time like this.
But I am so far away from you.
I apologize for my disloyalty.
Yes.
When I was young,
you used to visit me often.
Do you remember that?
Yes. I should do that from now on.
I should move to Hanyang...
and begin to serve you.
However,
there is no place like that...
for you to stay.
- Am I right? - Yes, Your Majesty.
His town has great mountains and rivers.
It surely is a town for a noble man like him.
I would like to live...
in such a place if I could.
I just...
envy you, Prince Choong Won.
Did you meet His Majesty?
Prince Choong Won! Prince Choong Won!
Take this letter from His Majesty.
Why would I want to keep someone who has looked after me...
in times of difficulties so far away?
However, the officials are...
all desperately searching...
for anything they can use against me.
I am deeply disappointed...
that I cannot keep you close.
Your Majesty!
Thank you for your boundless generosity!
Your Majesty!
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
Thank you for your boundless generosity!
Your Majesty!
Thank you for your boundless generosity!
What did I tell you?
I told you His Majesty misses me a lot.
He will...
call me to Hanyang very soon.
Of course, Your Highness.
What is taking you so long?
Bring the entire bucket.
- Here. - Your Highness.
Here is your drink.
Wait.
Stepstool.
- Pardon? - You were my stepstool.
I will call you so from now on.
Goodness, Your Highness.
I am your stepstool from now on.
- Stepstool. - Yes.
- Have some. - My goodness.
Thank you, Your Highness.
My goodness.
Here is a stepstool that can drink.
You know what, Gil Dong?
Do you know...
what really happened on that day?
Do you think Lord Jo apologized...
because I was completely innocent?
That is not true.
It was not like that.
I have...
killed Lord Jo with this hand.
Father.
Father, please.
Look at me.
Look at me!
This is what it is like to go against your masters.
It only works when you get blood on your hands.
Once you get blood on your hands,
you can never go back.
And that is not all.
This fight will never end.
Lord Jo's wife...
was next to Prince Choong Won.
I must see Prince Choong Won...
get pointed and laughed at by many people...
as he pays for his sins under broad daylight.
Why did you not kill him?
It is too easy to kill him like this.
I should keep him alive.
I will let him live...
and make him regret the fact that he is not dead.
Since Prince Choong Won was born and raised in Hanyang,
I thought he would visit many places once he was here.
No one is looking for him and neither is he.
He only visits His Majesty.
Once His Majesty turns his back on him,
there will be no one here to protect him.
But I saw how he gave him a personal letter.
I do not think he was lying when he said...
he is acquainted with the King.
If he really has the King on his side,
how can we do anything?
Prince Choong Won will leave Hanyang in a few days.
Before we leave, we must meet a few of our people in Hanyang.
We will tell them that Father is alive.
If they decline to side with us,
lose them.
Hey, Eunuch Gu.
Are you not glad to see me?
Are you in here?
It has been a while.
You two are...
It has been a while.
Hello, Master Kang.
Goodness.
I heard our leader saved you...
from getting sold away as a slave.
I heard he took you in, fed you, clothed you,
and even made you a palace guard.
Of course.
That is why I have always...
- considered him like a father. - Then...
why did you ignore him?
There were rumors...
that he had offended Prince Choong Won.
We all know Prince Choong Won tried very hard to stay...
on the King's good side since he was a small child.
How can a mere palace guard like me...
Did you hear about Eunuch Gu?
Or the royal dresser So Chul?
I am sure you know very well.
Remember this. The King is far away,
but our leader's men...
are very close.
Hey, Gil Dong is a little different from our leader.
Yes. He rarely ever told us to lose people.
There is someone we need in the palace.
Since you can go into the palace,
give us information about that person.
Whom are we talking about?
The King.
You will leave to Hanyang for your state exam in a few days.
The topic this year will be...
given by the King himself.
Yes, I heard my friends talking about that.
The King enjoys poetry,
music, and hunting,
just like our former king.
That is why I have been learning the poetry and writings...
which the late king loved.
That is not important.
What is important is the King's heart.
Tell me what...
the King is like.
You must know the real King.
That is how you will pass.