You said the Hwachun woman was the Phoenix!
That was what we had hoped! I hoped it wasn't you!
What happens if I'm the Phoenix's you-know-what?
Then we have to kill you.
That land... How should I get it for you?
If I kill men, women, children and beasts,
then their land would become ours.
Their sons and grandsons will swear revenge on us.
Then we would fight again and kill and kill!
Murderers!
Kill him.
The Hae family of Baekje?
Because I'm supposed to be their daughter!
So the people who killed my parents...
Parents...
Put it out!
I can start the fire, but I cannot put it out.
Please do not hurt my child.
Stop!
Sa Ryang!
That girl...
She's my sister, isn't she?
The sister that my mother entrusted to me before you killed her!
You who know everything... Did you not know of this?
Did you get into trouble again?
Wait.
Silly girl, you can't grab a king from behind!
I... I always wanted to hear someone say this.
That I'm a little pretty...
You've always been pretty.
Irregardless of these clothes, you've always been pretty.
Your Majesty...
Your back smells really nice.
You didn't know that, did you?
Invaders!
I have come for the symbol of the White Tiger.
Older brother, it is me, Ba Son.
Did you bring them here?
Those men will kill you.
They're really going to kill you!
Older brother!
What will it take for you to tell me what you are now hiding from me?
Sujini has left... to turn her back on the world.
Episode 20.
Ho Gae's encampment in Khitan.
It is said that the king has already entered Khitan territory.
You must make a decision.
His message, that we will be considered insurgents if we do not return, was long ago.
Our 40,000 soldiers came all the way here and haven't seen battle once!
While the king's 4,000 men saw victory, we were merely bait!
Even so, I did not say anything.
And when you ordered us suddenly to move northwest, I never questioned you. Why?
Because I believed that you were the Joo Shin King.
What is it that you want to ask?
There are rumors that the king already possesses three of the sacred symbols.
Three of the sacred symbols?
The sacred symbols of Turtle Snake, Blue Dragon, and now Phoenix are all in the king's possession!
Impossible!
I, Juk Hwan, chief of the Iron Horse Warriors,
was there when the guardian of the Phoenix awakened.
I saw with my own eyes how she acknowledged Lord Ho Gae as the Joo Shin King.
But how can the king have...?
Is the king leading the soldiers himself?
That is what I have heard.
- How many? - The estimate is about 5,000.
He is going to call 40,000 of us insurgents when he has only 5,000 men?
Was the messenger you killed last month sent here by His Majesty?
His Majesty is done with you and your soldiers...!
That's right.
Did you make your decision then?
To be an insurgent?
Where are the men who brought these rumors with them?
What are you doing in there?
We are being held as prisoners.
Are you the guards for the king's messenger?
Why? Are you going to pay us our fee?
Are you the chief?
You're quite rude.
Follow me.
I hear you are a mercenary clan.
And you are the guards for the messenger?
That's right.
And...
And what?
You had another task. Spread rumors to decrease morale...
These fellows were creating a commotion just now.
I am certain they are here to rescue the blacksmith.
Blacksmith?
I, Jumuchi, will not mince words.
We had three tasks. First, guard the messenger.
Second, spread not rumors but the truth so that the soldiers know the reality of things.
And last, find the blacksmith Ba Son and... the person with her.
That's all.
Did you receive those orders at Gooknae Castle?
That's right.
So tell me. Not rumors, but the truth.
How is Gooknae Castle?
We have cleaned it up. Those Hwachun bastards have been eliminated.
And with the exception of a few, we rescued all the noblemen who supported them.
What of my father, the chancellor?
I told you we rescued them from the freaks!
And?
And what?
What about the Temple of the Oracle?
I don't know about that.
I left after we did the cleaning up.
How many of you are there?
- Quite a lot. - How much for all of you?
We are already under contract.
Did someone look for you to employ you?
His Majesty came to buy us.
The blacksmith said the same thing.
She said he came to her personally.
His personality forbids him to sit still.
And he prefers to play in low areas, and not high ones.
Take the blacksmith with you. But...
You will take all the men you have covertly planted amongst my soldiers.
If they are found later, their limbs will be cut off.
If you want to save them, take them with you.
Il Su!
Yes, sir!
They will never be on our side.
If we allow them to return to the king, we might as well surrender now.
I will take care of them.
Let's hurry!
Be careful, all right?
Chief! Stop idling around and let's go.
Prepare your regiment for movement.
Yes, sir!
Prepare your fastest horses.
Do you know how to ride?
If I'm already on a horse, I won't fall.
What about you, Ba Son?
Man Deuk! Take two of these horses and prepare them for the women.
Why, chief?
I learned something from His Majesty.
When to fight and when to run away.
Hurry!
All right, let's hurry!
Anyone who falls off their horse will be left behind.
Ride fast! Your lives depend on it!
Imperial army
I've cursed Ho Gae before, but that fellow's war strategy is amazing!
Look at this! These men were slaughtered before they even knew they were under attack!
And look, they killed the children too.
I don't approve of it, but I can understand their intention.
If they let anyone live, they would warn the surrounding tribes.
And if the news spreads, the tribes may rally together in defense.
So they killed to silence them and moved off quickly.
That must have been their thinking.
Your Majesty, we should move quickly as well.
According to the reports, hundreds of people from Biryu are gathering.
We may be the recipients of the wrath that is directed toward Ho Gae.
Right now, the King of Goguryeo is their greatest enemy.
We must move twice as fast so that we give them no time to prepare.
Dol Jok!
I am head of the Left Guard, Dol Jok.
Do you see all these decomposing bodies?
Yes, I do, Your Majesty.
I want to have a funeral for them. Help me.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! We are on a plain without any defenses.
All of our movements can be seen from miles away.
You think?
Of course!
Your Majesty! Do you want the enemy to attack you?
At this place where there are no rocks which we can use as defense?
Even if they attack us, would it not be after a few days of watching us?
2nd Lieutenant!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Find all the bodies.
Decomposing bodies will bring disease and this place will become a place of death.
Yes, Your Majesty!
You said you were at the border patrol?
Yes, Your Majesty!
The people of Khitan are supposed to have good eyesight.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Because they live on the plains, they can see farther than others.
- Advisor! - Yes?
You call yourself the king's teacher! Do something to stop him!
Don't you know him by now?
He is a discreet man who doesn't raise his voice.
But do you think he feels that way inside?
He is a king who does not heed the words of his subjects.
How can I block someone who went to Gwanmi Fortress by himself?
Sometimes I really want to tie him up.
Try it!
Talk is cheap!
Vicinity of Gooknae Castle, Goguryeo Hwachun hideout.
King Ashin of Baekje already trusts us.
Because he knows that we had a big part to play in King Jinsa's death while hunting.
King Dam Duk of Goguryeo has left Gooknae Castle.
If Baekje attacks Goguryeo now...
Have you changed your plans from before?
Was it not your plan to raise Yon Ho Gae as the King of Goguryeo...
and take control over both Baekje and Goguryeo? Am I wrong?
Persuade the King of Baekje to attack Goguryeo!
Tell him to reclaim the ten fortresses of Baekje as well as Gwanmi Fortress!
Tell him to come and devor Goguryeo!
That will not be easy.
Why is that?
The people who now guard the ten fortresses and Gwanmi used to be Baekje soldiers.
That is what I heard as well.
And not only that, those people chose to serve the King of Goguryeo over Baekje.
Civilians weren't attacked.
The first thing they did instead was to open the storehouses to distribute food.
Also, amongst them were fortresses that opened their gates first and invited the Goguryeo King in.
If they are conquered by Baekje forces, they will be executed as insurgents.
Therefore, even the women will be guarding the fortresses.
And King Ashin is smarter than what his age belies.
Even if I try and persuade him...
What was the reason we kept at the Baekje King's side for a hundred years?
If King Ashin wants to be respected by his people,
he must do something great for his country!
There is nothing greater than taking back Gwanmi Fortress!
I will obey!
I will go to Later Yan.
The reason why Dam Duk went northwest is because he thinks Later Yan supports him.
We cannot allow that to happen.
What is it that you fear?
Dam Duk thinks he can take all of Khitan.
And if he is able to take back Ho Gae's 40,000 men,
he will no longer be in my grasp!
Sa Ryang!
Yes!
You will stay with Lady Kiha.
Yes, elder.
There is something you must do when you are with Lady Kiha.
I prepared some porridge for you.
Where is that monster Hwachun elder?
He has departed. He has gone to Later Yan with his men.
Why didn't you go with him? Did you think I wouldn't be able to kill you?
You killed my parents and kidnapped me...!
It is easy for you to kill me for revenge.
I will give you my life anytime.
Will you go back to the temple?
But I think the temple is no longer safe for you.
As you know, Lord Yon has turned his back on Hwachun. He may try to kill you as well...
What did the monster order you to do?
He must have given you orders when he told you to stay with me.
Tell me what that monster wants you to do!
He told me to wait here until Lord Ho Gae returns.
It is dangerous for you here without the Hwachun...
And?
He wants you to find the fourth sacred symbol with Lord Ho Gae.
The symbol of the White Tiger...
The elder has lived too long. He has forgotten how humans think.
Do you think she's alive?
My sister...
She shed a lot of blood last time.
Sa Ryang...
Yes?
You've taken care of me since I was young.
Like a father. Like an older brother.
He cannot die. He is incapable of being killed.
His power is unimaginable.
If I asked you to turn your back on him,
would it be unfair on you?
Excuse me, are you waiting for someone?
He's not talking. Let's go.
How nicely they burn...
Don't you think so? The wood was adequately dry.
That's right. All the people of Khitan will be watching us from afar.
Your Majesty, we are in bright light while the enemy is in darkness.
Please give us the orders so that we can mobilize a defense force.
That would look strange, wouldn't it?
A funeral with weapons being brandished about...
The imperial army moved slowly. It was a very different army from the attack on Baekje.
Guh Mool disciple Hyun Dong - scribe.
The king took care of all the bodies first and then gathered the animals.
He ate the same food as the soldiers and drank the same wine.
And still the king could not sleep at night.
Even though his men begged him to sleep,
his inability to sleep worsened after he left Gooknae Castle.
Your Majesty...
Your back smells really nice.
You didn't know that, did you?
And so I told her, "Fine, go and commit adultery, woman!"
"But I'm going to bring back two women of Khitan, so don't complain!"
I'm going to...
Do what?
Did you sleep well, Your Majesty?
Did you sleep well too?
We won't take too long this time, so don't worry too much about your wife.
It's really salty today.
You're right, Your Majesty.
After Chief Dalbi disappeared, our meals have been terrible.
Your Majesty, we have sent out the scout troops.
We made seven teams head in seven directions...
and ordered them to report back before noon.
Well done.
Have you tried this? I think we're wasting valuable salt.
I will tell them.
Let us eat!
Let's eat.
Woman, are you alone?
Refugees may return to their villages.
We will give you food.
It is the order of the great King of Goguryeo.
Where is your family? Your fellow villagers?
Are you alone? There are no other survivors?
What is it?
I... bring a report for the king...!
Dal Gu, go and fetch the doctor!
Yes, Your Majesty!
We were attacked in the south by people of Khitan!
This is...
Where are the others?
I am the only one who survived...
Hurry, hurry!
Inform the men to be on high alert. Do it quietly.
Yes, Your Majesty!
General!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Do you recognize this?
This is from the Kidohari tribe. They are the second largest in Khitan.
Aren't the Kidohari tribe from North Khitan?
Yes, Your Majesty.
He is from one of the scouting parties.
People of Khitan are gathering at the crossroads.
They number about two thousand.
Do you know which tribe they are from?
We were far away when we saw them. We could not identify the tribe.
But it is certain there are two tribes.
It looks like the tribes are joining forces.
They would normally never do that, but this time they have.
The enemy is approaching faster than we expected.
They probably think there's a better chance of defeating Ho Gae if they join forces.
- Teacher. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Prepare what we discussed earlier.
Yes, Your Majesty.
General!
Yes, Your Majesty!
We will go and retrieve our fallen men.
Your Majesty, the enemy lies in ambush!
Prepare thirty flagbearers, and five levels of troops ready for combat.
Yes, Your Majesty!
General!
Yes, Your Majesty!
Do not move the soldiers without my orders.
They will move only when I order them to move.
Do you understand me?
I will obey, Your Majesty!
We will set out as soon as you're ready.
Yes, Your Majesty!
Are you going yourself?
I plan to.
Do you not trust your own soldiers?
There is no one else here, right?
I am the only one here.
It's not that I don't trust my soldiers. I don't trust myself.
Advisors, generals and scouts give me countless pieces of advice.
But it all boils down to my decisions.
And each time, I am filled with fear.
What if I make the wrong judgment...? What if I am wrong...?
What if I was being stubborn...?
Your Majesty!
I could lead all of them to their deaths.
Your Majesty... Would you turn this way for a moment?
I have fought in battles since I was fifteen years old.
When I heard the battle alarms, I was always the first one out fighting.
But...
I was always fearful of death.
But... Do you know something?
When I began to serve you, I thought for the first time that I would not mind death.
Your men out there... Their thoughts will be the same.
If it were for him, I would give up my life.
So...
All you have to do is be together with us.
Goguryeo's Gooknae Palace.
Did you already know?
Ever since His Majesty became king, he never sat on that throne in comfort.
Is that so?
I once asked him why.
He told me it was because he had yet to solve the homework given to him by the late kings.
Therefore, it was not yet his seat.
Take it.
I retrieved the chancellor's seal for you. So take it back.
Are you allowing me to be the chancellor of the Cabinet again?
I'm afraid I won't be at Gooknae Castle very long.
While I am not here, please take care of the country's matters.
Are you saying you are going to give me responsibility over everything?
I thought I did already.
I must go for an expedition. My soldiers are waiting for me.
Are you telling me that I have full responsibility...
over all the castles, fortresses and villages in Goguryeo?
The eleven fortresses and the 120 villages of Baekje...
Take care of them too.
Baekje may want them back,
so be sure to send reinforcements every once in a while.
Your Majesty, I'm certain I've told you this.
If I have to choose between you and my son,
I will most likely choose my son.
If that time comes, do so.
Right now, the country needs you, Lord Yon.
You are far better than me in politics. And I know that you are loyal to Goguryeo.
What do I have to worry about?
Lord Yon, do you know what Joo Shin means?
Did you say Joo Shin?
The land that we, the Baedal people, live in... That's Joo Shin.
If we are to reclaim all that land, I still have far to go.
You must help me take care of things here, Lord Yon.
His Majesty asked me to first introduce you to the scribes and tacticians.
Historians and tacticians?
They are new positions created by His Majesty.
He appointed scribes because he feels that recording history is vital to our nation.
And he appointed tacticians to take care of military matters.
Will you go with me now to meet them?
We are now preparing the gifts for Later Yan.
Baekje was His Majesty's greatest concern on his journey to Khitan.
The defenses at the ten Baekje fortresses and Gwanmi Fortress have not been fully restored.
Thus, he asked us to pay special attention to our diplomatic relations with Later Yan.
These are reports based on investigations into trade relations with Gaya.
And over there are reports on the diplomatic relations between Gaya and Baekje.
You're telling me that His Majesty ordered all these reports?
Yes. We send a report to him every three days and receive his orders for our next task.
Fortunately, our Guh Mool people have a fast messenger system.
Lord Ho Gae's encampment.
It is an urgent message from Lord Yon! We must deliver this to the commander!
My father, the chancellor of the Cabinet, writes the following.
He asks if we know what His Majesty intends to do when he arrives here with his troops.
He says that His Majesty is looking to sell us to the highest bidder.
What do you mean? It doesn't make any sense!
He plans to ally with the Khitans and attack us as insurgents!
How can he accuse us of being insurgents?
Are we going to just sit here and be attacked?
This is our king!
Just because he wants a personal victory against me,
he will sacrifice 40,000 of his own soldiers as insurgents,
and ally himself with the enemy. This is our king!
That is impossible!
I can't believe it!
There is nothing to think about! He has already discarded us!
But we can't fight back! What about our families back home?
We have no choice! We have already been labeled as traitors!
I, your Commander Ho Gae, declare this before all of you.
From this moment forward,
our men will no longer fight for a king who cannot...
differentiate between countrymen and the enemy!
From this moment forward, anyone who communicates with the king's army...
or listens to wild rumors and causes dissension will be executed on the spot.
Generals!
Do you hear me?
Yes, commander!
Because there are many tribes in one place, it will be chaotic and rife with tension.
Some of the more foolish ones may set out by themselves and attack us here.
Do not worry about us, Your Majesty.
Please take care of yourself on your journey.
I wish Jumuchi was here.
The men are all ready, Your Majesty.
Shall we go for some fun?
What?
We will be waiting for your return, Your Majesty.
Let's go.
Some fun?
Hurry! All of you!
Load the bodies on the carts!
This is the King of Goguryeo.
Geo Ran people, show your respect for him.
Are you men of the Kidohari tribe?
We are the first tribe of the northern sky, the Kidohari!
I heard that the Attila, the Khan of Khitan was also here.
This is my gift to Attila.
And my message to Attila is within.
Deliver it to him.
The lives of the Goguryeo soldiers you took...
should be repaid a hundredfold!
But our king is merciful and has saved all of you!
His Majesty knows everything about Khitan,
including where your goats are grazing!
If you are receiving reports, make sure they are accurate!
The men that serve His Majesty are the feared Iron Horse Warriors of Joo Shin!
Let these men through!
Yon residence.
The Oracle is guarded not by a priestess, but by an unscrupulous man, is she?
Even though there are many things we must have on our minds about each other,
let us forget about all of that and get directly to the point.
Fine.
Let us do so.
The grand elder of Hwachun has left for Later Yan.
My men and the Royal Guard have searched Gooknae Castle and found no trace of him.
This organization of Hwachun...
This organization...
I plan to take it over.
I don't think you know what kind of organization the Hwachun is.
It is an organization that has existed for over a thousand years.
Its headquarters is Abullansa.
It is connected to everything, and considered the heart of the spider web.
Are you saying that the Hwachun controls Bukwi, Jeonul, Later Jin and Gaya?
It has and continues to do so even today.
And as the head of Goguryeo's noble families,
weren't you under Hwachun's control in the past?
But... I am different.
Different?
The grand elder wants to possess Heaven's power.
But I only want the nation of Joo Shin to be created by the people with Lord Ho Gae.
Why are you telling me this?
If you are an oracle who blasphemes Heaven, I, Yon Ga Ryuh...
have the authority to remove you from your position.
But in order to do that...
I must first take back the sacred symbol that once belonged to me.
And one more thing...
I plan on giving White Tiger's symbol to Lord Ho Gae.
Will you help me?
I do not expect an immediate answer, but I will not be able to wait for too long.
Let me ask you one thing before I answer.
My son, Ho Gae... What is he to you?
Is this enough of an answer for you?
People were talking and saying a young man was waiting for Sujini on the bridge.
But you're really Sujini's friend, right?
She told you not to say anything!
It's all right. She's going to die anyway.
But she told us not to say anything!
I said it's all right!
Ahjussi, she's over there.
Is she still alive?
She's been asleep for a few days. She doesn't get up even if we shake her!
Are you sure she's not dead?
I can't find the cause. She seems to be shutting herself down.
Her pulse is so weak I can't even read it.
She's barely breathing.
I don't think she'll survive for long. I can't do anything for her. I'm sorry.
Hey.
My name is Sujini.
My Sae-oh...
Wake up.
He... He told me to bring you to him.
His Majesty's encampment.
General! The Khitan men are approaching!
It looks like an allied force of four tribes.
I am General Go Woo Choong of His Majesty's army.
I am Dutai of the Kidohari tribe.
I am from the Karakitai tribe.
I am of the Jildus tribe.
I am from Kulkustan.
I welcome you. I will listen to what you have to say.
I will listen to them myself.
I heard the chief of the Karaitai tribe has seen his first grandson.
Please deliver to him my congratulations.
I will deliver your message.
I will listen to the message from Attila, the newly elected Khan of Khitai.
The elders of Kidohari, Karakitai, Jildus and Kulkustan,
along with the Khan of Khitai send you this message.
At noon today, meet us at the place we designate.
The Goguryeo King can only be accompanied by seven men and seven horses.
How dare you! How dare you give us conditions!
Only seven men for His Majesty?!
One of the seven men...
is me, right?
Once is a mistake, but twice is a sin.
That's what they say.
I have to stay there.
Take care of my king.
Of course our dear king, Dam Duk,
intends to use unscrupulous methods to fight rather than directly do battle.
This is the last message left by Lord Yon.
Why?!
How could you do this to my father!?
I came to ask you to be the father of this child.