THIS DRAMA IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
SOME ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARACTERS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
A beater?
You bastards schemed together.
All right.
Then I should take your head as well.
Seon-ho.
EPISODE 4 upload layarkeren.com
Goodness gracious.
I'm not Hua Tuo or Bian Que.
I can't bring a dead person back to life.
He's not dead.
He's still breathing.
He came here to kill us. Why save him?
If you have eyes, see it for yourself.
Everyone's dead.
Everyone got killed, except for the four of us.
Mun-bok!
Damn it.
What will happen if we save him?
What are you going to do with a burden that is as big as you?
Do not say that. He is not a burden.
He is.
He's a burden that will kill you as well as all of us.
Shut up!
To you, he's a friend. But to us, he's just an assassin.
If you don't agree, persuade us.
If you can't persuade us,
you must ask nicely
instead of throwing a hissy fit.
Please save him.
God damn it.
I beg you.
Jeez, this is ridiculous.
All right.
Let's see
if he's meant to die now or if he's tough enough to survive this.
Seon-ho.
What are you doing? Put the shroud on him.
Send him off in nice clothes so that your mother can smile.
Don't cry.
Yeon will be heartbroken if you cry.
Seon-ho.
Why did you come here?
You said you sent me here.
Then why are you in this mess?
What the hell
is happening?
Let me see your wound.
You are truly rambunctious.
I cannot outdo Father though.
He has mistresses all over the country.
Soon, I'll be confused as to who is my mother
and who is a mistress.
What brings you here?
Did your father send you?
Or...
are you here to humiliate me?
Because you are the one
whom my father loves the most.
And who knows?
If I escort you safely, he may praise me for it.
The wound is deep.
You need to get it treated.
Would you like a gag?
No, I don't need one.
What are those?
Sweetgum resin and draconis sanguis.
They're good for metal allergy, so I brought them.
You know who I am,
and you also knew this would happen.
Who are you?
You can easily get geumsangsan at apothecaries.
Sweetgum resin and draconis sanguis are usually used at kisaeng houses.
So you're a kisaeng.
Are all your siblings tigers?
None of you is a dog?
What do you mean?
What I mean is, not everyone at kisaeng houses is a kisaeng.
You did well, my lady.
Are we headed to the Northeastern Township?
That's right.
I think they know.
Let's change our route.
Shall we take turns?
You'll hurt your back.
She's as heavy as half a sack of rice.
I envy Yeon.
She has someone who can carry her home.
That's what I am saying.
The tides have died down,
and there is fog over the river.
We should cross the river now.
Let's...
go home.
We must leave now.
Sir.
What about the citadel in Uiju?
They let the main troops in.
The people wrote a song praising General Yi Seong-gye and sang it for him.
I heard some of them even threw petals at the troops to welcome them.
What about the King
-and Choi Yeong? -They left Pyongyang.
They are fleeing to Gaegyeong in a hurry.
You should stay here.
If you see
anyone crossing the river,
kill them all.
Including the slaughter squad?
I never sent a slaughter squad to their camp.
What about your son, sir?
Rest in peace.
Let's go.
-Here. -Let us help.
Let me ask you one thing.
What is it that we did wrong?
What is it that we have done so wrong that they are out to kill us?
We just need to survive.
That's how we can take revenge.
We mustn't let our guard down yet.
They even snuck into hell to kill us.
They won't let us live now that we're out of there.
They're coming.
It looks empty, sir.
You cannot cross the Amnok River without an oar.
Who ordered you to be on watch here?
I asked you whose order this was.
The Commander in Chief of the Right Army,
Nam Jeon.
That can't be.
His son is with us.
He told us
to kill his son first if we catch him.
What do we do now?
It's not like we can suddenly find gold in a mire filled with manure.
Watch what you say, will you?
"Manure," seriously?
I'm just worried, okay?
You prick. How dare you glare at me?
Go on your way.
I'll go separately.
Can we really get going?
What the hell? You piece of...
You're so selfish.
What do we do, then?
It's not like we have a horse or even a cow!
YI SEONG-GYE
UIJU
We should be able to get some medicine in Uiju.
But General Yi's army must be there.
We are practically walking into the tiger's mouth.
Do you wish to be eaten alive?
Do I sound like a dog barking?
Damn it.
This is nuts.
Let's hurry.
Jeez! What kind of rude bastard is barging in like this?
Gosh! Who are you guys?
My goodness. What is going on?
If pus comes out,
it means your intestines are rotting, which means you'll die.
You'll only live if black blood comes out, okay?
Oh, my. This guy will probably have to gulp down five bowls of poison
if he ever wishes to die.
You're okay now. Well done.
Sir.
I never asked for backup.
I've been ordered to assist you.
What?
-Assist me? -The Commander in Chief
told us not to return until we finish them all.
Let's go.
-Draw a mustache on "ten" -Draw a mustache on "ten"
-To make it a "tree" -To make it a "tree"
-A person holding a tree -A person holding a tree
-Becomes the surname, Yi -Becomes the surname, Yi
-Someone with the surname, Yi -Someone with the surname, Yi
-Will become king -Will become king
What does that song mean?
It means that someone whose surname has the character for "tree"
will become king.
-What? -In other words,
General Yi Seong-gye
will become king.
That's what it means.
That's ridiculous.
Who cares what the king's surname is?
Why bother making a song about it?
By the way, where did you learn
such incredible medical techniques?
-Enlist in the army. -What?
In about ten years, you will master
how to stitch up intestines
as well as limbs
that are shredded to pieces.
Gosh, I...
No, please...
He hasn't even budged in the last two days.
Doesn't he need to poop?
What's going on?
Kids.
Let me ask you something.
Did you see injured soldiers or suspicious-looking men?
-I did. -Where?
There are dozens of deserters
from Wihwa Island.
But they either got killed or starved to death.
Halt.
MEDICINE
You woke up.
I woke up hours ago.
I dozed off for a few minutes while looking after you.
Dozed off, my foot. I even heard you grinding your teeth.
Consider yourself lucky.
The sword didn't go through any major organs.
Whose fault is that I got stabbed?
Goodness.
The neck is three nyang,
so do you owe me about 100 nyang for saving your life?
You must repay me.
I traveled over 100 ri while carrying you.
Let's call it even.
All right.
After all,
it is hard to turn your life around.
I thought I had nothing to lose.
But I realized
I do have a thing I don't want to lose.
You realized it just now?
Hwi.
I'm talking about you.
I tried my best to hold onto it,
but I can't hold out any longer.
So I'm just going to let it go now.
Get some rest.
Why aren't you asking?
The reason why you were dragged there
and why I went there.
Let's talk another time.
It was all me.
I was the one who bribed the examiner
and sent you here.
Enough.
I had to get rid of the advance troops.
That's why I went there.
To kill you guys.
-Enough! -Just listen.
I'm not finished yet.
If you came to kill me,
why did you spare my life?
I was indebted to you,
so I repaid you.
That's all.
We fought
because we were ordered to. So...
So why...
That's what war is all about.
Where is Yeon?
Is she
still alive?
Where is Yeon?
She's dead.
What...
Come again. What did you say?
She's dead.
Yeon is dead.
Help her get well.
However, keep that fact hidden.
No one can know.
If anyone finds out,
I'll kill them.
Don't show yourself ever again.
That is the only way you can survive.
You say you sent me there, but I don't believe you.
I wasn't going to believe it even if it were true, but...
But the thing is,
I absolutely cannot forgive you for what happened to Yeon.
I'll go to your father.
No, don't.
I will stop you.
If you dare to stop me,
I'll teach you a serious lesson.
Why don't you get it?
You'll die.
I said, you'll die.
You and I
are no longer friends.
We'll be enemies if we ever cross paths again.
And I may kill you if that happens.
I guess you lost him.
The Commander in Chief does not forgive warriors who have failed.
I must either get the job done or take my own life.
I only have those two options.
I shall hold you hostage just in case I have to be ready for the latter.
I will use you to strike a deal with your father.
What if you get it done?
I'll move up to the senior fifth rank, and you'll be a colonel.
How foolish.
The slaughter squad consists of the Jurchens
because he doesn't care whether you guys die or not.
Just like the advance troops that consist of prisoners.
Shut up.
General Yi would never do that.
You can't see the truth
because you refuse to accept it.
That's why you don't even realize he deserted you.
Then what about you?
I am
just a tool that he is using to test
my father's loyalty.
Your son is with the advance troops.
He'd make the perfect hostage since he is your son.
I will take care of it.
No, I will handle it myself.
Both the chief guard and your son.
MILITARY CAMP OF CHOI YEONG, THE COMMANDER OF EIGHT PROVINCES
I will go forward. What will you do?
Choose.
Our country or your child?
I choose our country, sir.
Accept that you are abandoned. Only then you can live.
Just like how I accepted that my father abandoned me.
You need a new master,
and I need a sharp sword.
Join hands with me.
How dare you tell me
to serve you?
My father will devour me,
but I will grow my power
to rip him apart and free myself.
If I cannot ascend the throne,
I will become the ruler of the darkness.
Make your decision.
Will you die by his hand
or thrive in darkness?
Hey, I don't think we're going the right way.
-We are. -What are you talking about?
It seems we're going around in circles here.
I feel so dizzy.
He's a head full of hot air. How can I even trust him?
What do you think you're doing?
Who do you work for?
I used to serve Leader Nal-soe
in Mount Hambaek.
Nal-soe?
I've heard of that name.
He's a butcherly jerk who'd kill anyone without distinction of age.
I heard he was beaten to death by his underling.
Was that you?
Yes.
How did you know our birdcall?
There's no much difference in robbers' birdcalls.
I thought I'd be eating some horse meat today, but it's not going to happen.
Disperse.
Now that we're on your way,
can we owe you some food?
Let's call it a day.
All right. Let's go.
-Dad! -Hey.
Dad!
Why aren't you eating?
Don't you like the food?
Why are you crying?
I haven't sat down to eat for the past ten years.
It's just too precious to eat.
Go ahead and eat.
Eat till your stomach bursts.
Good gracious.
This isn't a chicken. It's a phoenix.
Is this your first time to eat chicken?
Thank you.
Let's eat.
Here. Have some more.
Slow down.
We travel only at night.
We haven't eaten all day.
-We have plenty of water. -My lord.
We can't afford to get caught.
No.
There are mulberry trees and cherry trees in the vicinity.
It won't take long.
Mulberries sound good.
I like cherries.
They seem to have been overindulged.
They've been starving only a day.
If it were two days, they would've eaten their own flesh
I give you 15 minutes.
Time it.
It's them. They are going up the mountain.
How many?
They were about eight to ten.
-Hui-jae, you take care of Bang-seok. -Ma'am.
We might die all together trying to save them all.
We have to save at least one.
Mother.
Stop crying.
A man shouldn't cry before a sword.
If you...
If you're held hostage,
use this.
I'm not giving it to you so you can fight.
Do you know what I mean?
Do you understand?
Yes, Lady Kang.
Go. Hurry.
Forgive me.
Please forgive me.
I'm at your service, Young Master.
The Goryeo capital has gone under.
We're going back.
You're so distracting. Will you stop?
What? Are you nervous?
Do you want to live here?
No way.
Your home was on a hillside. You can't stand a flatland.
There's nothing you can do down there.
What good is it to you that the country is overthrown?
It won't make any difference.
What are you talking about?
Is the country overthrown?
You know even less than me living in the heart of mountains.
That jerk named Yi Seong-gye or something overturned the nation.
Leader Kkae-kku.
You must've heard about the advance party of Liaodong.
The advance party?
What's that?
Well...
Never mind.
Tae-ryeong.
Take my mother
and brothers back home.
Yes, sir.
I will dare ride on horseback
carrying a sword and enter the palace.
I must see
the overturned nation
for myself.
I, Left Private Secretary Nam Jeon, address you, Deputy Commander.
Speak.
The King's family including his relatives have been imprisoned.
Commander Choi Yeong resisted intensely,
but he is being transferred here.
This nation
is now yours.
Watch your mouth.
The Royal Family and the regime are still intact.
How dare a vassal speak of such rebellion?
If that is true, then why aren't you taking my life?
Let me inform you once again.
This nation
is now yours.
Nam Jeon.
I was top of my class but I was never awarded with a decent job.
I led the troops and defeated the Japanese raiders,
but I was stuck managing the Royal Stables.
All because...
I swore my allegiance to you.
How is that right?
You retreated from Wihwado to put an end to those evil,
but my reason was different.
And what might that be?
A new country.
Killing Choi Yeong won't end this atrocity.
Kill the King,
his entire extended family, and those who follow him.
You must
wipe out the entire Royal Family
and give birth to a new world for this to end.
May you reign, General.
And let me be your sword.
If my idea is an act of treason,
go ahead and kill me.
You must learn to watch your mouth though.
"May you reign, General.
And let me be your sword."
Who are you? Han Xin or Bai Qi?
Chief of Royal Stables,
you will bow down lower from now on.
Learn to be more modest.
-How dare you-- -Now that you successfully retreated,
King U and Choi Yeong will die while in exile.
You'll have some ditsy others take the throne only to take it away.
A new nation will be born and you'll receive
an honorific appellation for your contribution.
You, the mere Chief of
Royal Stables.
Do not forget though
that Seo Geom
was supposed to be at my father's side.
Stand beside me
and do not dare to stand in front of me.
The new country isn't yours.
It's my father's.
It's my father's nation.
And...
also mine.
I have returned safely, Father.
Both mothers are unscathed--
Kneel.
The Minister of Personnel dares to address me while standing?
Assessing those only by their rank
makes you a lowly sixth rank officer as well.
Is that who you are?
No, Father.
When commanding underlings,
it's more important to know when to discard them.
Even if the gat itself is good, you can't wear it if there's no ribbon.
A vassal at your feet is of no use
but one at your knees is most useful.
Nam Jeon is at my shoulder now.
He is of grave importance, so do not belittle him.
If that's the case, then where do I stand with you?
At your feet
or at your knees?
You are my blood.
How could I possibly assess you in such a way?
Then,
why did you make me kneel like this?
I never told you to stand.
You never told me
not to either.
Bang-won...
All you had to do
is commend me for the work I did.
Then I would've believed
how you don't think of me
as one of your subjects.
Like I said, he's an insolent bastard.
Even thieves say goodbye
after robbing you blind.
I live at the foot of the mountain in Bihyeongol.
You're always welcome.
Thank you for everything.
You kept me alive.
Whatever you do,
stay safe.
Stay safe.
Heartless prick.
Hwi...
You call me way too much.
Don't trade the flower patterned shoes.
I'd...
rather hold onto them until they fit.
That means
I will at least live until I am older.
Soldiers will listen
and officers will take this to heart.
I, Deputy Commander Yi Seong-gye,
didn't retreat from Wihwado for my personal gain.
It was to save the people from getting slaughtered at war
and to save the court from its enemies.
Bear this in mind
and do your best to
console the people.
Was it truly for the people?
Then how do you explain the deaths of the advance party?
Are they not our people too?
Advance party?
One even existing is news to me.
Everyone knows about it but you then.
But it's also said that you sent a death squad
to eliminate all those that were still alive.
Please watch what you're saying.
No, you're the one who should hold your tongue.
How dare you kill innocent people!
How do you expect to deal with the aftermath?
Why are you ardently focused on a rumor?
It's not a rumor.
The King dispatched an advance party.
If the Deputy Commander didn't kill them, who did?
If Choi Yeong did wrong by planning an unnecessary war,
then you are too for getting those men killed.
I dare you to say that I'm wrong.
I, Adjutant Nam Seon-ho, address Deputy Commander Yi.
-Speak. -Soldiers fleeing from their duties
are considered as felons.
They were making their way to Ming,
so I eliminated them by means of military law.
Here are the list of escapees,
a letter that was circulated among them,
and a written surrender for Ming.
Show it directly to Mokeun.
Plot of treason, immorality,
murder, and even rape.
Which of these men do you think is innocent?
Keep it...
for light reading.
How dare a mere lieutenant...
While you were here being manipulated by rumors,
I risked my life on the battlefield.
I, this mere lieutenant.
Why you...
I'm happy you're back.
I'm glad.
We've been blessed.
Father,
I apologize for worrying you.
Do not say that.
I'm...
just happy that you're back in one piece.
You will not talk to your mother from now on
and speak down to her
if you need to.
You will reside in the sarangchae
but will not call me Father.
You aren't a noble or a slave, just a bastard son.
Disobey my orders
and I will brand your forehead and kick you out on the street as a slave.
Come.
Now!
Go.
Mom.
Please go.
Hwi...
will come for you.
Come in.
Should I get the door for you?
How did you know it was me?
Because you're the only one.
Who'd come for you?
No, who'd save Seon-ho.
Because of you, he's alive.
Thank you.
I'm here to ask a question.
-Answer untruthfully-- -People only lie
because they're afraid of what the truth will reveal.
I'm not scared of you,
so there's no reason for me to lie.
I shipped you off to the military.
However, the death squad wasn't formed to eliminate you.
You just happened to be there.
It was 500.
It was a whopping 500 lives that you killed for no reason.
There's nothing in this world
that can be killed for no reason.
In our hearts,
we bury the sacrifice of individuals for the greater good.
That's all.
My lord.
Come in.
He's a subject of mine.
Greet him formally.
It's nice to meet you.
Come on now.
Why are you staring at her?
Have you met her before?
I'll excuse myself then.
Yeon,
are you awake?
It's me.
Who...
are you?
So my name is Yeon
and I'm 16.
I had Epilepsy and my father was punished by being dipped in a cauldron.
And on top of that, I even lost my memories?
That's right.
Her life must've been
so difficult.
My life,
I mean.
How did you manage?
Just hearing about your life is suffocating enough,
so how did you endure the pain all those years?
Oddly enough, her epilepsy vanished since that day.
It probably went away along with her bad memories.
Don't you dare talk about her.
Then here's my question.
Why didn't you tell her the truth?
Tell her that you're her brother
and that she's your sister.
It's your sister whom you love dearly.
Try pleading or begging with her. Who knows?
Her memories might come back.
-That's enough. -You still don't get it.
We hold back the truth because we're afraid of the consequences.
Just like you are doing now.
I said that's enough.
Killing me will be as good as killing Yeon.
There's no way to leave with her either.
Even if you succeed, where will you take her?
Will you hide in the mountains or on an island?
Yeon will have to be on the run with a man she doesn't know.
Is that what you want?
Then go ahead.
Do it.
What are you waiting for?
Enough!
I will care for her and make sure she lives decently.
She might end up marrying into a noble family.
What is it that you can do for her?
As if I don't know your intention.
You're holding her hostage.
You're threatening me with her life.
Finally, we're on the same page.
Devote your life to me
and Yeon
will live a life of luxury.
Can we talk?
Have we...
Have we met before?
Not before today.
It seemed like you knew me.
I'm sorry then.
Does Lord Nam...
treat you well?
He's like a father to me.
I'll...
see you around then.
Killing me will be as good as killing Yeon.
Devote your life to me...
This is how people are.
Those who left came back willingly.
They will never leave again.
Of course.
They shouldn't have to.
This is your room and these are your possessions.
It's too much.
I only wish I could give you more.
My lady--
You will always be by my side.
Unless you abandon me yourself,
I will always have you by my side.
Stop.
You are now beneath me.
That right there is your spot.
It's your father I made a deal with.
My father's orders go to you through me.
Once the deal is final, you will be paid.
And is that price
my sister?
Back out of the deal
and a blade will be thrown
at your sister.
You bastard!
You listen to me.
If you lay a single finger on her--
You're the one who failed to protect her, not me.
If you keep this up, you won't be able to yet again.
What do you want from me?
He is Bang-won, the fifth son of General Yi.
Take a good look at him
for he will steal this nation.
You are to gain his trust.
And then?
You'll kill him.
SPECIAL THANKS TO KIM YOON-SEO
I finally know
that powerless justice is of no use.
You were reckless today,
but you won't be tomorrow.
There's an uncomfortable truth and a generous lie.
Keep an eye on those who seem too kind to you.
I hear you're called a minister in a frock.
And I hear you're called the King wearing a gat.
Don't you know me?
Keep in mind that it's the country that changed,
not the world.
Roughnecks and officials all have the same colored blood.
Bloodshed is inevitable. What follows is the real issue.
Get him to talk and win over the King.
I will kill him and win over Bang-won.
Some are bound to shed blood.
It just won't be us.
Who else knows?
Now and for years to come, it will only be you.