THIS DRAMA IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS
SOME ORGANIZATIONS AND CHARACTERS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS
Where's the secret letter?
Where is it?
Twelve years ago in 1380.
Is it true that you
made a pact to assassinate General Yi?
If it is, it will destroy this family.
He's involved.
Verify it instead of just speculating.
EPISODE 8
My lord.
Find Hwi and bring him to me.
If you fail to find him until sunrise,
I will
slay you first.
There are only two people who can hit the target
over 400 steps away from it.
One of them is His Majesty,
and the other one is you.
Are you the one who hit His Majesty's target
with an arrow?
Please calm down.
"Hide your anger and hold it in."
It is what you told me in the past.
I asked you if you did it!
Yes, I shot the arrow.
However, the order
came from Bang-won.
Bang-won?
He ordered me to tie a letter to the second arrow
and told me what to shoot with it.
Even a single lie will not be tolerated.
Yeon is with you, so I'd never lie to you or do anything foolish.
I will report everything Bang-won does to you,
so please do not doubt me.
I will obtain the information I need through someone else.
You will only be used
as a sword.
This might destroy my family.
I will stop it at all costs
and slay the mastermind behind it all.
I truly hope that you aren't the one who plotted all of this.
There was a young woman at Hwi's house,
and that woman
met with Nam Seon-ho?
They went to Nam Jeon's residence together.
It is out of my hands now.
It went to someone who needs it more than you do.
Your goal is revenge,
but that person is trying to save a life,
so he needs it more desperately.
Was it Hwi who received
my mother's letter?
I asked you if it went to Hwi.
Such a matter is always kept confidential, and the recipient shall never disclose it.
Have you forgotten our rule?
The person that he is desperately trying to save.
Was it Yeon?
I cannot answer that question.
Take Gyeol with you.
You may kill anyone who tries to harm Hui-jae, regardless of their ranks.
I will obey your orders, ma'am.
Protect those you need to protect.
Meanwhile, I will protect you.
Whether you can survive or not is up to you,
just like when I was deserted in Liaodong.
It must be nice to have
a father high up.
However, the order came from Bang-won.
It is my fault.
My hesitation is to blame.
I let myself be bogged down by friendship and family.
That is why this happened.
I won't hesitate any longer.
No more.
TAVERN
Jeez, you eat like a horse.
Look at you stuffing your faces.
Why are you holding a scythe in the middle of the night?
Are you a praying mantis?
I'm going to chop your heads off with this.
Hey, stop running your mouth.
Go chop some horse fodder, you stupid mantis.
That's a perfect tool for it.
Where is Hwi?
Why do you ask?
His Highness wants us to track him down.
Do you know this saying?
"The silent shall be made to talk by getting their mouths ripped open"!
Hey, hurry!
Catch them!
Did Bang-won break the deal?
-We'll see. -This is so frustrating.
Can't we just send the secret letter to the Office of the Inspector General?
Nam Jeon has full control over them, the Privy Council, and the royal guards.
He'll snatch the letter.
Goodness gracious.
Even hares should be caught one by one.
How are we going to take down Nam Jeon and Bang-won at once?
Hwi.
What brings you here?
Are you all right?
The Prince is trying to track you down at all costs.
We barely managed to escape.
I used the King to put pressure on Nam Jeon
and had him doubt Bang-won.
Him looking for me is part of my plan.
What will you do now?
The secret letter can only be put to use through Bang-won.
I will make him use it no matter what.
That is the only way we can take down Nam Jeon
and save Yeon.
The moment he finds out that you're a spy, everything will be over
for you
as well as for us.
How may I help you?
I am here to see Inspector Nam.
I will wait here.
Sure.
Is anyone
inside?
Who are you?
Why are you lurking around my chamber at this late hour?
I'm...
Do you...
know me?
I must have come to the wrong place.
I'll be off, then.
It doesn't seem to be the case.
If you know me,
please tell me anything you know.
Help me, please.
You two have never met before.
She is here to see me.
It was the best solution.
No, you're just giving an excuse.
Had you truly done your best,
Yeon would have been by Hwi's side the whole time.
Then my father would have killed them both.
This was the only way
to keep Yeon safe.
You are holding her hostage, not keeping her safe.
You are holding her hostage to control Hwi.
Now, I understand
why Hwi tried to hide everything from me
and why he seemed so desperate.
Are you sneaking out again?
My lord.
I clearly told you that you need my permission to do anything.
I suppose you look down on me.
Where did you go when you snuck out?
Who did you meet?
Don't tell anyone you came here. Especially not Nam Jeon.
Got it?
Why are you shaking?
Are you having a seizure again?
Or...
have you regained your lost memories?
Let her go.
You are such a fool.
Let's go inside.
Yeon.
I must
meet Hwi now.
I don't care where he is.
I must see him now.
You said that punk, Ganggae, witnessed the secret letter, right?
Right, so we must not kill him.
We will take him to Bang-won in one piece along with the letter.
Nam Jeon will also look for him
now that he knows about the letter.
You didn't find the letter?
No, my lord.
What about the girl?
I killed her to silence her for good.
Get ten men who are not likely to cause any trouble.
What should I do with them?
Find a man named Ganggae who used to be a palace guard.
There is something I must hear from him even if I have to rip his mouth open.
Hey.
You look like a mutt that just saw a kennelman. Why do you look so scared?
You heard it too. Bang-won wants us killed.
Don't you worry.
I'm sure we can find a way to survive.
Listen.
Back in 1380...
Must you bring it up again?
What if someone hears it?
I told you we'll be screwed!
I absolutely won't die alone.
Trust me. Nam Jeon can't kill me.
I saw everything
that happened.
It's a raid!
Jeez, those sons of bitches.
Kill them!
Why are you doing this to me?
What will you get for killing me?
Pipe down.
I won't kill you,
so just come with us.
Give this to Madame Seol.
Don't look back. Just go, okay?
Son of a bitch.
Is that him?
He's the man
who killed my mother.
-Hey. -Gosh!
Don't move,
or I will cut her head off.
Shoot.
Just do it!
I remember now.
My, look at you all grown up.
I didn't even recognize you.
I guess I got lucky because I didn't kill you back then.
Are you all right?
Hey, why are you being like this?
I was just following orders, that's all.
Nam Jeon.
It was Nam Jeon.
Nam Jeon ordered me to bring the secret letter to him.
That son of a bitch told me to kill everyone.
Spare my life. Don't kill me.
Don't kill me, please.
Don't. Please!
Your real enemy is the mastermind behind him.
He will send another assassin,
and I won't be able to help you then.
Make your choice.
Will you deal with another assassin,
or will you stay alive
until you can assassinate your enemy?
Good.
I have
killed that man hundreds of times in my head,
but I couldn't actually kill him
because you will need him to save Yeon
even though he killed my mother.
I'm sorry.
I did not know.
This is where I floated the lantern for my mother.
I did it for you as well.
Your lantern floated away,
but you returned
like a miracle.
My mother's secret letter
is now yours.
I came to tell you this.
You must've been lonely all alone.
It's been tough, hasn't it?
Stop carrying all the burden by yourself.
Share the burden with me.
And let's be together.
You see,
I do not want to lose anyone ever again.
Especially you.
I've now entered
the world you're living in.
Bang-won's whistling arrow was shot from the mountains.
Whistling arrow?
What does Bang-won get from making His Majesty doubt him?
Nothing.
Even the slightest doubt will make His Majesty cut ties with his own children.
The letter that was tied to the whistling arrow
put both Bang-won and Father in danger.
Who is benefiting the most from this?
His Majesty.
Or...
the one who has the secret letter.
Do not forget
that plans crumble if the right steps aren't taken.
Someone is after my head.
That person will kill me, you, and ruin our family.
The one who shot the arrow must have the secret letter.
Identify yourselves!
We are here to carry out the royal order
to temporarily confine the Director of the Privy Council.
I will
obey the royal order.
My lord.
-Search the house. -Yes, sir!
How dare they!
His Majesty is warning me.
The King is threatening me to show me
that he can trample all over me and even kill me whenever he wishes.
Inspector Nam was stripped of his position,
and you are threatening Nam Jeon now.
Bang-won is out of control.
Why only corner us?
When will you install Bang-seok as Crown Prince?
Be patient.
There is a right time for everything.
When will that "right time" be?
What if something bad happens to Your Majesty--
How dare you.
Since you are being awfully frank with me, I will be straightforward as well.
Do you think I chose Prince Uian
because I am fond of him?
Not at all.
I chose him because he is the youngest.
The younger the Crown Prince is, the longer I can stay on the throne.
So just be patient and wait quietly.
And do not
raise your voice in front of me ever again.
I shall obey Your Majesty's orders and lower my voice.
To Your Majesty, this may be just about staying on the throne for longer.
But to me, this is something that will decide whether my son can survive.
A mother can do anything to protect her child.
Thus,
I will not wait quietly.
Who are you? Identify yourself.
I am Nam Seon-ho, a former inspector.
Let his Majesty know.
You cannot enter as you've been stripped of your position.
You trespassed.
The secret letter about assassinating the traitor!
I know where it is.
Go tell His Majesty.
Now!
"The secret letter about assassinating the traitor"?
That traitor is probably me.
Who has the letter?
First, please promise me
that you will not harm me and my family under any circumstances.
You will dare to strike a deal with me?
No, I am begging Your Majesty
to please spare my life.
Go on and tell me.
The secret letter
is in Prince Jeongan's hands.
If that letter is disclosed,
Your Majesty will have to kill me and my father.
Then who will fight against Prince Jeongan?
Your Majesty should install the Crown Prince
before Prince Jeongan discloses the letter.
Use the letter to keep my father under Your Majesty's thumb
and exile Prince Jeongan to someplace outside of Gaegyeong.
I will take care of the letter.
What will I get from keeping your father under my thumb
and ousting Prince Jeongan?
Me, Your Majesty.
You?
Prince Jeongan used to be your closest aide,
but he was replaced by my father.
Please let me serve you
by your side.
I will protect your throne with my life.
If the letter is ever disclosed, our deal will be broken.
I will accept it.
Anyone outside?
You called me in, Your Majesty?
Let Left Second State Councillor Bae Geuk-ryeom,
Right Second State Councillor Cho Jun,
and Associate State Councilor
Jeong Do-jeon in.
I'll discuss with them
before proclaiming the crown prince.
Halt the plan.
Speak words I can understand.
The original copy of the secret letter.
I know you have it.
Bang-won wouldn't bring the secret letter to His Majesty.
He will just use it to threaten his father for a long time.
That's who Bang-won is.
You will only get manipulated and ditched just like you did in Liaodong.
If they find out that you're spy, you'll be dead.
I'll be dead either way.
It makes no difference to me.
Just stake it on me.
I'll bring it to His Majesty. And...
I will save both Yeon and you.
Don't play the hypocrite.
You're just pretending to help us to protect your family from extinction.
You just want to have it all.
I'm just trying my best.
You can either denounce me as a spy or kill me.
It's your choice.
So you go ahead and try your best
just like you said.
Keep an eye on him.
I'll join you with Hwi at the mud hut.
Okay.
Chi-do.
I'm going to kill him.
He killed the mother in front of her kid.
And he tried to kill the kid in front of the mother's dead body.
He's worse than a brute.
Jeong Beom.
Don't worry. I'm not doing it now.
If I kill him now,
I can't get Yeon out.
Mom.
Did I do the right thing?
Please tell me it'll be okay.
Did you...
know all about it?
How could you not tell me
when you knew it was Nam Jeon?
You said you didn't want to lose a dear one ever again.
I feel the same way.
I already failed to protect my only friend.
So I wanted
to protect you no matter what.
It's okay.
Everything will be okay.
You did the right thing.
NO ENTRY
How dare you
make me look like the enemy!
That's how
I got you in this game I set up.
And there's no way out now.
I can
simply kill you to get out of it.
Who is it you are after?
Me or Nam Jeon?
Director of the Privy Council,
Nam Jeon.
Why are you after Nam Jeon?
He shoved me off to Liaodong,
and even sent the death squad to kill me. That's what Nam Jeon did.
You're the only one I can count on
to get rid of Nam Jeon.
That's why I brought you into this.
So you used me for your personal revenge?
There's no way Nam Jeon and I can coexist.
Is it possible for you?
His Majesty
will weigh Nam Jeon and you in both hands
and end up choosing Nam Jeon.
And you will
eventually meet your death outside of Gaegyeong.
Who can...
dare to throw me away?
Who would
dare to ditch me?
Your Highness, an urgent telegram from the palace.
His Majesty commands
the princes, subjects, and officials of the senior third rank to come to court.
I guess
my game has already begun. No,
I'd like you to go see it for yourself.
The lockout is off.
You may proceed to court.
What did you find out searching through the place?
We didn't find anything.
We were just ordered to turn things inside out.
Both the inside and outside of you.
Lord Nam.
Second State Councillors and Executive Councilors proceeded to court last night.
It seems His Majesty has finally come to his determination.
I'm also
curious about his decision.
Between Bang-won and me, who will be thrown away?
Or...
both of us?
Hey, Bang-won.
Bang-gan.
I heard even the mutts in your place are so disciplined, and I guess it's true.
Your soldiers seem so vigorous that His Majesty wants to tackle them.
He can barely sleep wondering when you'd throw him out.
Please watch what you are saying.
I mean,
my soldiers are about to be wiped out because of you.
I'll take care of
the issue.
All I want you to do
is stay silent.
I'm telling you
to behave prudently.
Take it easy.
I'm a man of few words.
All right then.
Once he gets stabbed in the back,
he'll be afraid of me.
Proclaiming the crown prince
is setting up the basis of a nation.
And it's the same as laying
the foundation of a millenary dynasty.
Prince Uian.
Yes, Your Majesty.
As a talented warrior and an outstanding scholar,
you will be able to assist in this nation's formation
as well as preserve the Royal Court and the nation.
I hereby announce you as
the new Crown Prince.
Thank you for your boundless generosity.
-Thank you for your boundless generosity. -Thank you for your boundless generosity.
The Royal Family and my vassals, hear my words.
Serve the young Crown Prince with nothing but loyalty.
Up until the crowning event,
all crimes except treason, conspiracy, and murder,
will be forgiven regardless of the gravity of the offense.
Thank you for your...
boundless generosity.
As I have shown good faith,
you should disband your private armies
and show gratitude by washing off your guilt.
If crimes are revealed to have been committed
even after today's announcement,
I will not show such mercy.
I'm sure this is upsetting for you.
How may I appease your wounded heart?
You were never recognized as a founding member of this nation,
so how about 500 men from Gabyeolcho?
What do you say?
Didn't you order us
to disband our private armies?
The King's men belong to the Royal Court.
How about Commander of Jeolla Province?
Are you chasing me away
now that I'm of no use to you?
What?
Your Majesty,
I have always been front and center
in the founding of this nation.
The blood I shed for you
has seeped into my skin like tattoo ink.
"The Crown Prince has been selected,
so I don't need you anymore.
You are to leave Gaegyeong and preferably die there."
That's what you're saying.
Jeongan--
Your Majesty.
What in God's name did I do so wrong?
I know you.
You crush and trample on what you can't have.
Won't you do the same for the Crown Prince title?
You don't know.
You don't know me at all!
I will not back down until I have what I want. I will not give up either.
That is why
I will...
not even take a step out of Gaegyeong.
Your life's dream
has been fulfilled.
Congratulations,
Mother.
I owe it to you.
If he had better brothers,
Uian wouldn't have had a chance at being Crown Prince.
It's astonishing
how the Crown Prince still hides behind his mother's skirt.
Your Highness,
a skirt can't shield you from your enemies
or be the weapon you need. So,
hiding behind it
won't do you any good.
How dare you.
Good day, then.
I almost forgot.
You're been promoted to Commander.
Enjoy the scenery down south and be generous to the people.
Mother, you make sure you hold on to the throne tight.
Prince Uian might've taken a seat on it first,
but...
he won't be able to keep it.
He will
as long as I'm alive.
How are you going to handle Bang-won?
Today is a good day.
Worries should be dealt with some other time.
Once the Crown Prince was selected,
you promised to disband private armies
and kill Bang-won.
He is also of royal blood.
One can not make hasty decisions.
The position of Crown Prince is like a candle in the wind.
The people can challenge his authority
and the other princes will drool over his crown.
We must make a move before Bang-won does.
Can you...
handle what you just said?
I will,
so make your move right away.
The one
who hesitates will die first.
Is it your plan to drive me out of Gaegyeong
and have me killed?
I had numerous chances
to take your life.
Even this is one of them.
Everyone wishes to kill you but I will make sure you live.
Go ahead
and take my hand.
You're the one who dragged me to the edge of the cliff,
but now you're telling me to take it in order to survive.
Do you really think I'll put my life in your hands?
Nam Jeon has invited you to the Crown Prince installation ceremony.
Turn him down.
You should attend.
I will now show you the plan I have laid out.
See it unravel
and decide if you want my help.
Come on.
Stop staring at him. Your eyes will pop out at this rate.
Is it because of that name?
Sam-rye, was it?
Was she your wife or your betrothed?
My wife.
She was beaten to death
for challenging her master who tried to rape her.
We had a baby who was still breastfeeding.
It was killed
for crying too loud.
My goodness.
Have you come to?
Jeong Beom, please. You can't kill him.
Then I won't kill him.
I need more investigators.
For what?
I will put Nam Jeon under surveillance and kill him.
It'll take too long.
The key to the Secret Letter Room.
It can't unlock all secrets of this world,
so it's far better than some investigators.
Why are you giving this to me?
There's one condition.
Protect Ihwaru.
When you're in trouble, Ihwaru will protect you in return.
Are you choosing me as your successor?
You are the only person who can lead this place.
But I'm a nobody...
Today, the Crown Prince was announced.
There will be chaos.
What actions will you take?
Where there's chaos lies an opportunity for big scores.
I will lower myself, read the situation,
profit on a higher level with minimum risk.
That is why I choose you.
-Right? -Goodness.
Here you go.
Have a drink.
Please enjoy.
Let's have a drink.
I am standing,
so who are you two sit there
with your legs crossed?
Sit.
I am the current master of this room,
so there's no need to let a guest get to you.
I'd rather not have a showdown at a celebratory event.
Please have a seat.
Why did you invite me here?
I need to know so that I can choose to drink with you
or flip over that very table.
It seems like you're the one who've been flipped over.
The position of Crown Prince is no longer within reach
and you'll soon be stationed somewhere outside Gaegyeong.
Aren't I right?
Traveling down south will probably be boring,
so let me provide you with a feng shui expert.
Have him find a nice spot where you can rest forever.
Fifth Royal Secretary, watch your words.
He beat Poeun to death, remember?
He could always do the same to you.
Goodness, how terrifying.
Should I?
Go ahead.
Enough!
You just crossed a line.
You're the one
who crossed it first.
My lord!
You must see this.
"An evil subject of Goryeo
lives on as a treacherous subject Joseon.
How devastating is this?
November 23, 1380,
one pledged his false loyalty by shedding the blood of his comrades.
I hereby report Director of the Privy Council Nam Jeon.
The King...
must...
execute Nam Jeon."
This was your doing.
Kneel before His Majesty and beg for mercy.
Who knows?
He might let you live.
Without proof, this appeal will be nothing but a rumor.
When the time comes, the proof and witness will be provided.
And when...
is that time?
I will be the one to set the date.
His Majesty must see it at the palace in front of everyone else.
That way, he won't be able to bury it.
How interesting.
Well,
count me in.
Bang-won has the secret letter.
His Majesty will know once day breaks.
If Bang-won tells His Majesty...
Bring Hwi over.
Right now!
If Bang-won hadn't stopped you,
would you have killed me?
I knew he was going to.
This was his way of testing me.
Then let me put you to the test too.
Kill Bang-won.
Tonight will be your one and only chance.
If he's still alive when day breaks, it'll all be over.
Me, my family, you,
and even...
Yeon.
We'll all be slaughtered.
Killing Bang-won is a suicide mission.
However, your sacrifice will save Yeon which should be enough.
It's poison.
Dip the tip of your arrow in it.
He will die even if the arrow grazes him.
Mark my words.
An assassination by a disgruntled soldier.
That's how Bang-won's death should be known.
Keep your promise...
regarding Yeon.
I will.
So don't get any ideas.
My man will keep an eye on you.
I shall
oblige.
Round up some of the guards.
Once Bang-won dies,
we will charge into his residence.
You are holding Yeon hostage to control Hwi.
Now, I understand
why Hwi tried to hide everything from me
and why he seemed so desperate.
Don't tell anyone you came here.
Especially not Nam Jeon.
Why are you shaking?
Or have you regained your lost memories?
Hwi!
Yeon!
You know my name?
I bought them in hopes that you only tread on flowery paths.
Hwi...
My brother.
Your Highness.
What is it?
I was suspicious, so I did a background check on Hwi.
And?
According to his records, he has a sister.
So?
That sister is Nam Jeon's hostage.
Nam Jeon's hostage?
That's right.
Is eliminating Nam Jeon his goal or is he working for Nam Jeon?
I will figure it out myself.
Where is
Hwi?
There's something you must see first.
YI BANG-WON
All the red threads are pointing at me.
I am the target.
He has
joined hands with Nam Jeon in order to kill me.
I will reinforce our security and hunt Hwi down.
I don't care
whatever it is he has anymore.
Kill him.
-Chi-do? -Things have gone sideways.
Bang-won was at the hut. He found everything.
You fucking spies!
I will fight them off. Go.
-But Chi-do-- -Go!
Be careful.
Fucking morons.
You gave him the order?
The whole world now knows.
In order to save this family, Bang-won must die
and the secret letter must be destroyed.
You did this to save our family?
You only made it worse!
You're actually here.
I am.
I'm here to kill you.
SPECIAL THANKS TO KWAK SUN-YOUNG
I remember everything.
From the beginning to the end.
So your sister is what began this all.
And the ultimate goal.
Promise me that you'll look after my sister.
I will save you from here, so let's leave.
Let's leave this hellhole.
Ihwaru sides with no one.
It can not be owned or subdued.
I am now Madame Han of Ihwaru.
If that is the dream,
I'd rather not wake up.
I promise I'll be back.
Leave.
Let our paths
never cross again.