Brought to you by WITH S2 Written In The Heavens Subbing Squad
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- WITH S2 Presents -
- KING GEUNCHOGO -
- Episode 2 -
I am your son, too.
I, Yeogu!
Am your son!
I am your son!
I shall never become so hidebound as to forsake my own brethren.
If I only think of you and Yeogu,
painful throes pierce my heart like a merciless arrow.
The heavens bestowed an exacting calling upon you and I.
And you must not let anything sway you off that glorious path.
[*local deity protecting the community]
You know what they say about the Seonang God*'s tree?
That if you hang your undergarments on it and fervently pray for a groom,
it will grant your wishes and you will meet the man of your life.
So I guess you'll have to take off yours and hang them right away?!
Also...
If you bury your laundry by the Seonang God's tree and pray,
the menses will no longer bother you, and children will just...
How indecent can you get...
But it's true.
They say it can help you bear children.
Never set foot on this soil again!
Should you dare defy my command and come back,
I shall behead you before your mother and all our people,
and throw your spurious pate into the Ungni River!
How virtuous a ruler you are, Sire!
Enough to forsake your own son.
Your Highness!
- Ten Years Earlier (331), New Year's Eve Ceremony -
They're here!
My...
Wake up.
Yeogu!
You ungracious moppet...
How dare you desecrate offerings devoted to State Grandmother Soseono...
Even if they feasted upon her offerings, I am sure she will understand.
Are they not lovely?!
Are you all right?
Was it the horse, or were you the most deranged of the two?
Were you trying to kill me?
Knowing how well you can dive, I was sure it would not kill you.
And who would you possibly be, to show me such contempt?
Someone a lady of your distinction could not possibly know.
Seeing as you ride something as invaluable as that horse,
you clearly do not lack distinction yourself.
Are you a Mohe?
What are you waiting for? Take that off!
I am a lady of distinction, as you just said.
How much longer will you leave me in this indecorous state?
- Hanseong Royal Palace, Baekje -
Three thousand?!
Saori Fortress alone pledged 4,000 troops, and the Central Army another 6,000...
Is three thousand men an excessive request?
- Hae Nyeong (Left Councilor) -
Can you really compare Saori Fortress' thriving army with our depleted forces?
Your Majesty is undertaking a grandiose endeavor,
would I be so defiantly parsimonious to negate you a mere three thousand troops?
Your Highness!
Although I do wonder what help someone who can hardly walk could bring you,
I shall join you in battle as well.
You will personally take up arms?
So how shall I reward such fealty?
Wirye Palace has plenty of suitable alternatives to Councilor Hae.
[*Namdang: like Shilla's Hwabaek Council, an informal "roundtable" of top court figures]
So you want to regain your place in the Council of Nobles*?
How could I ever torment His Majesty with such a supercilious appeal?!
I was merely giving him a suggestion.
I shall endeavor to grant Wirye Palace the appointments you "suggested."
Their military strategy is so keen, they could easily rise to the rank of general.
If they are as suitable as you claim, then they should clearly be selected.
Sire!
Your grace is immeasurable.
I thought he would try to find every excuse not to comply,
but he was looking for a deal, after all?!
We might concede a few paltry council seats to those Wirye varlets,
- Jin Godo (Baekje Chief Marshal) -
but we shan't allow him to assert any influence over the army.
Would military support from Wirye Palace be really necessary?
I am not bringing Wirye forces there out of necessity.
Then?!
While engaged in conflict with Goguryeo,
Buyeojun would take advantage of every little opportunity.
Then, as hostages?
Chief Marshal, never lose sight of those Wirye troops.
At the first sign that they might foment ulterior motives,
behead Buyeojun immediately.
I shall fulfill Your Majesty's wishes.
- Tomb of King Bunseo (10th Baekje Ruler, Buyeo Jun's father) -
Fierce internal strife ravaged Baekje politics over the matter of succession rights.
Ever since King Onjo's reign, succession had been based on eldest sons,
but the 8th ruler, King Chogo's younger brother Goyi, usurped the throne.
After his death, King Goyi's rule was used as evidence by King Chaekgye...
and his fellow "Goyi Line" to contest the legitimacy of Onjo's descendants.
And since Biryu himself succeeded Buyeo Jun's father Bunseo to the throne,
it was inevitable that him and Buyeo Jun would become political rivals.
Will they keep their word?
Do you really believe that I would concede our military support for so little?
Then, why did you pledge those three thousand troops?
Thirty-eight years have passed since Biryu took the crown which should rightfully be mine.
Countless are the times I wished to end this infamy and take my own life.
But I could never so easily meet my demise.
For my great-grandfather, Goyi the Great,
my grandfather, Chaekgye the Great,
and my father, Bunseo the Great, would be watching.
How could I ever be able to face them in the netherworld?
"Of all people..."
"Of all people, how could you dare let them take that throne away from you?!"
Many times I have wished to pry this black heart of mine out of my chest,
and offer it to them in repentance,
but I endured it all for countless, ignominious nights instead.
The heavens always bestow an opportunity upon you,
so let us await until that day comes.
Should Goguryeo end this covenant victorious, Biryu will lose support of the nobles,
and we could certainly consider that a bequest from heaven,
but Biryu could vanquish them as well.
Why did Sayu agree to participate at all?
When it is clear he would never renounce Daifang, why join this meeting...
Embroiled in a conflict with Murong Huang of the Yan,
it is clear he could not afford to fight on two fronts,
so could not this covenant be a pretext to appease Baekje for the time being?
But will that be the only reason?
What other reason could there be?
If I were Sayu.
If I were Sayu...
What would you do?
Would I not try to slay Biryu?
- South Pyeongyang Fortress, Gangguk Palace (Goguryeo) -
You.
We greet Your Majesty!
- Sou (Mangniji, Goguryeo's equivalent of a prime minister) -
You are soldiers I personally fostered.
You are elite men of arms, the very best our army has to offer.
And the moment you set foot outside this palace,
you shall no longer be Goguryeo warriors,
but Mohe troops!
Who will bring honor to Goguryeo by beheading Biryu,
and bestowing his lifeless pate upon His Majesty?
Sire, you can count on us.
We are fully prepared to stake our lives, Sire!
We shall stake our lives and fulfill your command!
We shall bring you Biryu's lifeless pate!
I will remember you.
No matter what dire straits Goguryeo might be facing,
they are still the great north's most dominating force.
They could never use this meeting as a mere pretext to murder Biryu.
How could Sayu endure the humiliation?
He would become a laughingstock the world over.
There is a big difference between a hero and a ruler.
Afraid of besmirching their legacy,
heroes are constrained by a narrow path known as the mandate of heaven,
but there is nothing a ruler would not do, if it brought great benefit to his country.
But I still believe this time you are mistaken.
Methinks you so ardently wish for it to happen...
that you let that fervor misguide you.
- Yeohwa! - Milady!
Your Highness!
Milady!
Your Highness!
How could you abandon your keeper? You wretched wench.
Is reproaching Dandan what you should worry about?
Start by finding Yeohwa!
Your Highness!
You didn't injure that underwater?!
Were you pierced by an arrow?
Who shot at you?
You are according this lowly miscreant too much attention.
It's just because, judging by your garments, you can only be a Mohe or Goguryeo spy.
Your Highness!
Your Highness...
Your Highness!
Milady!
I suggest you leave.
Or if you have a death wish, you can always stay.
I wonder why everywhere I go, people want me dead.
With all that impudence of yours, I certainly can imagine.
Would you like to add yourself to the list, Your Highness?
You might have been the one who put me in peril,
but you also came to my rescue, so I shall pretend nothing happened.
I am humbled by your forbearance.
I shall now take my leave.
Come here.
Have you already changed your mind?
Quite haggard, are we not?
The wound will begin to fester,
so spread some cuttlefish bone powder on it at least.
And I suggest you stop staring at noble damsels that way,
if you wish for a long life.
I shall bear it in mind,
O ravishing princess.
You knave...
Ahh... Where on earth is he?
Did Payoon just fool me with his usual nonsense?
Hyungnim!
Here... Here!
Here, Hyungnim! Here.
Are you unscathed?
- Buyeo Mun (Buyeo Jun's 2nd Son) - Hae Geon (Buyeo Jun's Adopted Son, originally Hae Nyeong's eldest son)
Where did that impudent knave go?
He shall pay for this affront with his life.
He just fled.
It is a relief you at least made it here safely.
Providence blessed you.
What are you looking at?
Over there... That is Jinseung, right?
That's him, all right.
Then, the man by his side must be Prince Yeogu.
Yeogu?!
How could that be possible?
If Councilor Jin's son is rowing on his behalf,
who else could it be?
Father.
May you return victorious.
I leave the palace to you and your brother Yeosan's care.
Yes.
I wish you the best of luck, Sire.
- All right. - Father.
Leave the palace to me.
May providence be with you, Sire.
Father...
I was told Yeogu was leaving today as well,
did you not bid him farewell?
It is likely he might never get the chance to see you again,
you could have met him...
Yeogu never posed any threat to His Highness the Crown Prince,
and he is already facing enough suffering for being banished as it is,
so may you stop.
For even only a glance at my son,
and I would never be able to fight off the urge to follow him,
which is why I cannot even grant him a simple send-off.
Must you really keep tormenting me this way?
But what can you do?
When you give birth to such perfidy.
Consider it as atonement for his own sins,
and let your boundless forbearance help you endure it.
Are you disheartened?
Were he just an ordinary man, the love for his son would have come first,
but before he is your father, His Majesty is our ruler.
I have no father.
Yeogu.
And nothing you say will ever change that.
Just let it go.
Let me continue resenting my father.
As that is the only way your grandson will survive.
Yeogu...
Baekje does not seem to need you yet.
I would like Yeohwa and Yeogu to join in conjugal ties.
You will forgive me,
but how could I even think of marrying my child to someone destined to lead us all,
a boy supposedly born in the name of preserving King Dongmyeong's great legacy?
He is a wise boy, Yeogu.
He is now ten years old,
so His Majesty shall banish him to Liaoxi as expected.
But should you become in-laws with Yeogu,
there is a good possibility he might not be banished after all.
I shall not let Yeohwa be exploited that way.
Prince Yeogu cannot become my daughter's spouse.
They would never be suitable for each other.
Yeohwi Hyungnim has found himself a peer when it comes to drinking, female at that.
Was it not something you taught me, anyhow?
Why did you deceive me?
Was it all that amusing?
I have been banished.
Even if I said I was Yeogu, it wouldn't have made any difference.
How do you plan to live, now?
Well... Same as I've been living.
I will produce salt and trade it,
traverse the four corners and experience how far and wide this world is.
Should the occasional misfortune of meeting bandits occur, draw my sword and fight them.
Bask in a lady's embrace from time to time.
I will do just fine.
Will that be enough to quell all that resentment of yours?
You must return.
You should not so easily utter such words to a man.
It will only confuse him into thinking you might actually be infatuated with him.
Every year, the State Grandmother's ceremony brings you back to mind.
I wonder when was the last time we would together hide,
away from our parents' eyes.
I might have been banished, but I doubt it warrants such consolation.
My, how blessed I am...
I will come back one day.
When my father meets his demise,
his eldest son along with him.
I suppose by then you will be a decrepit old matron.
We will once again eat peaches together, one day.
It might not have been the most dignified way to do it,
but I was glad to meet you again.
- Saori Fortress, Baekje - (current Tosan, Hwanghae Prov.)
The combined Central Army, Saori and Wirye Palace forces,
for a total of 13,000 strong, have been divided into four units.
The first unit will cross the Jeumeun Yeoul,
and after gaining control of the smaller fortresses around the area,
will launch a frontal attack against Gomori Fortress.
The second will leave from the Horo River and position itself near Sabi River.
Goguryeo's naval forces are severely limited,
so they will not be able to stop their advance.
The third unit will hit Gomori Fortress from Mount Heogul,
enabling us to surround it.
Where did you deploy the fourth unit?
It will fortify here to protect our stronghold.
Your Highness and the crown prince can command the troops firsthand.
I suppose this old cur will get no chance to wield his sword in battle.
Even if that is the case, you will give us great support by remaining behind.
Once the negotiations break down,
we shall signal the troops immediately.
Once the order is given, we will lay siege upon Gomori Fortress.
I shall head to Jeumeun Yeoul and personally lead the first unit.
Tomorrow is the day.
I shall get our land back from Sayu at all cost.
Time to eat.
Honestly, what is this?
The moment we reach Liaoxi, a lavish banquet is in order.
What is with that silken lace, Hyungnim?
Still feeling queasy? As if you were from Goguryeo...
If I knew it would be such a torture, I would have joined that meeting instead.
They say those Mohe women are the end of the world...
Mohe?!
They're so slender and passionate...
Fu Gantai of the Mohe is in charge of security for this meeting.
So wouldn't their women follow them along?
If Fu Gantai joined forces with Sayu, then His Majesty is in peril.
I said turn the boat around, you fool!
Head back to Horo River!
I received orders to escort you to Liaoxi.
His Majesty's life is at stake,
and you still want to debate orders?
No need for all this uproar.
[*Deukan (east), Doseon (west), Gujiha (south), Ungjin (north), Gosa (central)]
Think they wouldn't have mobilized troops from all five provinces*?
And Yeohwi Hyungnim will be there as well.
Your Highness!
That old cur maundered battlefields his entire life, think he'd die so easily?
He told me to only come back after his death,
so this could considerably expedite my return to Baekje.
Hyungnim!
You knave...
Do you really wish to die?
I said go back to Horo River!
Just behead me and get it over with!
If being executed for defying His Majesty's orders is all that awaits me,
dying by your blade would not be as lamentable.
I ought to...
Hyungnim.
Are you really going to keep this up?
He still remains your father, and you his son!
Ahh... Me and my luck.
Of all the keepers I could serve...
- Swedulle, Mohe Territory - (current Cheolwon, Military Border Between Baekje & Goguryeo)
- Old Daifang territory, Goguryeo - Gomori Fortress
All preparations are complete, Sire.
The moment Biryu appears at that meeting hall,
his spurious pate will be rolling down.
Will Yeogu join his retinue?
He has long forsaken him,
would he bother bringing him along?
Sire.
Should that knave show up,
your humble servant shall slice him limb from limb.
- Swedulle, Mohe Territory -
His Majesty King Biryu of Baekje deigns you with his presence.
Rulers of Goguryeo and Baekje.
Fu Gantai humbly salutes you.
I laud your efforts.
Is it not my duty?
From here on in, I and my Mohe troops will escort Your Majesties.
In accordance with our treaty,
only thirty-three unarmed men per retinue can follow the participants.
It must have been a long and arduous trip.
I hope I didn't make you wait too long.
May you mount the carriage. I shall take the reins firsthand.
That would be most unbecoming for a Goguryeo ruler, Sire.
His Excellency is right.
His Majesty Chumo the Great would rise from his eternal sleep sweltered by fury.
I am a Go* as well.
[*Jumong's and the Goguryeo Royal clan's name]
I would rather push the carriage firsthand, if that is what it takes.
Your subjects are right.
We must never let customs of yore constrain us.
And Goguryeo and Baekje are brethren borne out of the same legacy.
Not to mention the fact that Baekje's ruler helped my late father...
repel enemy forces and reclaim Daifang,
so don't you question my treatment using obsolete customs.
- Saori Fortress, Baekje - (near the Goguryeo border)
Your Highness!
Your Highness!!
Yeogu is here.
Is that not Prince Yeogu?
Allow me to seek audience with the crown prince.
Your Highness.
Gu!
What are you doing here?
What if Father learns of this?
Brother.
His Majesty's life is in peril.
Providence...
is finally blessing Buyeojun.
I cannot help but laud you, Father.
How can a country's ruler engage in such perfidious subterfuges?
How vulgar...
We will have to give Sayu some time, then.
But Yeochan will surely try to deploy troops and rescue his father?
Had Yeohwi or Yeosan sought audience, I would agree,
but in Yeogu's case, things might be different.
His Highness has always been fond of Yeogu.
They are just like real brothers.
You know?
People never realize what cruelties they are truly capable of,
until they hit the very bottom.
Await here.
Only the two rulers, their subjects and seven guards can enter that place.
I shall join as well.
I will be by Your Majesty's side.
How can the king's son guard him?
All of Baekje's people serve His Majesty as his guards,
so I see no reason why I should not.
We must not hesitate a moment and head for that meeting.
Father's orders were to attack Gomori Fortress after their signal.
I was wondering if this old cur may be of service.
Go ahead and tell me.
Can you really violate that meeting based on such speculations?
His Majesty's life is at stake.
It matters not whether my speculations are right or wrong.
This meeting could avert a war.
If we let your claims guide us there, we might render all our efforts vain.
But meseems what Prince Yeogu said is right.
We shall not let that Daifang territory sway us, when His Majesty's life is at stake.
Did I ever suggest I wanted to sacrifice my father's life to gain that land?
Should anything happen to His Majesty,
you shall inevitably be held responsible.
They will wonder, why, while Prince Yeogu is staking his life,
is His Highness idling away here?
Will you be able to cope with the public's discontent?
Accord me some of your troops.
Do you really believe I am not as concerned about Father as you are?
Yeohwi and his guards are by his side.
They're some of the best men of arms Baekje has to offer!
And five hundred of our troops are protecting His Majesty from Swedulle!
They are elite troops as well.
Watch over His Majesty's stone tomb, then.
- Covenant Meeting, Mohe Territory -
Your Majesty.
Before we proceed, the people of Baekje must extend you their apologies.
We would like to officially apologize for the injury Prince Yeogu...
caused at the Jeumeun Yeoul.
Who, me?!
So you're suggesting I was injured in any way?
And where?
I was told an arrow hit your visage.
I see someone eager for fame spread such preposterous talebearing.
The heavens protect Goguryeo's ruler,
so could anyone dare to bring harm to him?
Your Highness!
- Young Master. - Your Highness!
Your Highness.
Where are you going all by yourself?
Your Highness!
Where is he going again?
Give it here... Come on...
I shall trail them.
No matter if they slay or only injure Biryu,
immediately notify me of the situation.
I must order my troops to return to Hanseong.
Yes, Your Highness.
The moment you see His Majesty's cup break, that will be your signal.
Do not hesitate and slay Biryu at once.
You truly resemble your father, the late former king.
It almost felt like seeing your father, twenty-six years past.
I am sure you're perfectly aware of it,
but your father's dexterity with the spear was renowned the world over.
That spear of his slew General Wei of the Daifang Commandery in a heartbeat.
Is that so?
Your Majesty!
I suggest we enjoy a brief moment of repose.
Did you come this far just for an amiable parley?
Why are you not giving the order?
The first to mention the Daifang territory will be put in a defensive position.
Why did you not throw out the cup?
Was he not reminiscing upon the former king?
Once Biryu is dead, where else will I hear anyone tell tales of my father?
If he keeps recounting his past with my father,
I cannot slay Biryu.
How dare you violate Mohe territory?
- Stop them. - Yes.
Catch them!
The Mohe were conspiring with them after all.
Geom!
I shall not share that Daifang territory with anyone.
So will you defy the former king's covenant?
If we hadn't brought up all the past long gone by,
Goguryeo and Baekje would still be brethren,
but if you decide to, then we are nothing but foes.
Sons must always fulfill their fathers' covenants.
From Sabi River to Myeonak, Daifang belongs to Baekje.
So you claim our land as yours?
You dare demand our land from me?
If it was a covenant from twenty-six years past,
that is when you should have settled it!
Why would you so spuriously obsess over it only now?
- Sire! - Father!
- Who's there? - Stop!
Who is that?
Stop him!
Guards, head to the meeting!
- It's a trap by Goguryeo! Move!! - Yes!
Baekje troops have penetrated our line of defense!
- Let's move. - Yes.
Baekje vermin... Hasten!
Your father haughtily forsook his mandate of heaven,
but I see his son took after him!
You infamous varlets!
Is this what you call infamy?
If it's for Goguryeo's sake,
I would gleefully abandon that mandate of heaven.
Guards, protect His Majesty!
Yes!
Escort His Majesty out of here!
Father, leave at once!
Slay those Baekje minions!
Protect the king!
Sire...
We shall go out and face them,
so hang tight.
One.... Two...
Three!
Sire!
You knave!
How dare you defy my orders?
Escort His Majesty and go!
Now!
Sire!!
Father!
Brought to you by WITH S2 Written In The Heavens Subbing Squad
This is a FREE fansub. NOT for SALE! Get it for FREE @ withs2.com
Subtitles by Anarchist
Fine Tuning: julier
Coordinators: mily2, ay_link
You lowly salt trader, how dare you?
Prince Yeogu has endured distress his whole life.
How could I possibly approve of someone like Yeogu?
Slay the crown prince and prepare to stage an insurrection.
You must survive... You must!
Why is Mohe chieftain Fu Gantai doing this?
It's because the Mohe's lives depend on it.
Let us head for South Pyeongyang and behead Sayu!
What are you trying to scheme, Yeohwa?
Prince Yeogu came at just the right moment.
Those Baekje vermin humiliated us!
Summon General Gonoja from Modigol.
Yeogu is dead.
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