Original subtitles

I wished you were different.

But you purposefully approached me

to execute King Wang Go's order.

Where did you promise to meet the smugglers from the Yuan dynasty?

Are you not here to steal the salt as well?

Just take it and go.

Who says he is here to steal the salt?

He is...

an investigating censor assigned here by the censorate.

If you answer my question, I will spare your life.

Otherwise, I will behead you right here right now.

Kill me.

What?

Did you say you would spare my life?

Do you think I will buy that?

Go ahead and kill me!

You think I will not kill you?

Please do not kill him.

He did not do anything wrong.

He got himself involved in salt smuggling for our sake.

We have been using the money we made from smuggling

to bring back our sisters, who were sold off to the Yuan dynasty.

Please do not kill our captain.

Tie him up and do not give him any food or water.

Yes, sir.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN INJU

This way, Your Highness.

What? They got Seung-nyang?

The Crown Prince found out about our plan, even the littlest details.

Only Seung-nyang and I

know about the location where the deal will take place.

This only proves that Seung-nyang is the traitor.

No, that is impossible.

He pledged his loyalty to me when I took him in.

He would not even hesitate to take his own life

if I ordered him to die.

If not him, then who?

A simple test will show...

if he betrayed me or not.

A test?

Is he King Wang Go's man?

Your hair is all messed up.

You are going to talk anyway, so stop being stubborn.

I am sure you do not want to die like this.

He is not the mole.

Gosh, you are one stubborn punk.

I might as well just beat you to death.

King Wang Go...

is worried about you.

He is the mole.

Get rid of him.

It is King Wang Go's order.

Come on!

Wait outside.

Do you want some tea?

It is just right to drink now.

Have some.

Put it away.

Do you not think it is ironic of you to work for King Wang Go

who sells Goryeo women off to the Yuan dynasty?

Under the Crown Prince's order, I am investigating Goryeo nobles

who have been collaborating with the Yuan dynasty.

If you tell me where the operation will take place,

I will let you and your men go.

What do you say?

Help me and--

One of your men is working for King Wang Go.

Who is it?

We must catch him first.

Tell them to tie me up again.

Hit me.

Is anybody out there?

You little...

Tie him up to the tree.

We will execute him in the morning.

Yes, my lord.

-Get moving! -Yes, sir.

-Are you all right, Your Highness? -He could have hurt you.

It says Seung-nyang will be executed soon.

I will not let him die like that.

Tell Seung-nyang to give them the location.

Your Highness, what is your plan?

I need you to mobilize the forces.

Your Highness.

If we mobilize the royal forces instead of my private army,

we can keep the traitor in the dark about our plan.

Yes, Your Highness.

If it is not Seung-nyang, who could be the one working for the Crown Prince?

We will find out soon.

I will do whatever it takes to find out who it is.

His Highness has given you permission to leak the location.

He will have soldiers lay in ambush there.

Tell them the location, and your assignment is over.

What about the merchants from the Yuan dynasty?

They are hiding in Haewol Lodge near Byeokrando Port.

King Wang Go has promised

to reward us if we get the job done.

Good luck.

There.

The mole has finally revealed himself.

I will go kill that scum now!

We need to keep him alive for now.

Pardon?

Kneel!

Are you willing to tell us the location now?

I will, on one condition.

I am listening.

Let my men go free and promise me that you will not go after them.

All right. Now, tell me.

Where are they meeting?

There is an abandoned village near Byeokrando Port.

An abandoned village?

If you leave now, you can get there by dawn tomorrow.

He tried to kill you, my lord.

He is not to be trusted.

Take me along.

You can kill me if the information turns out to be false.

We will split into two groups.

Jeom-bak, choose ten swift men.

Yes, my lord.

You should stay here and keep an eye on his men.

Should you not bring more men with you?

We are dealing with Yuan merchants here.

They will suspect us if we go in a large group.

We do not have much time. Get moving.

Move, you scum.

Please be careful.

Move along!

How could you betray King Wang Go?

Shut your mouth, you scum!

How dare you betray me?

There is an inn called Haewol Lodge near Byeokrando Port.

You should go there and capture the merchants.

Tell me your reason.

Why did you inform the censorate

and risk your life to help me?

I only did what I had to do.

Work with me.

Become one of my men and help me.

-And I will-- -No.

Seung-nyang.

Stick it in.

What does the message say?

If it works out,

we can wipe them out without even lifting a finger.

What?

He wants us to send backup forces?

Apparently, the Crown Prince has recruited thugs in the area.

If we don't send backup, we could get outnumbered by them.

March there with all your men immediately.

-You must arrive there before he does. -Yes, Your Highness.

-Get moving! -Yes, sir.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN INJU

Hurry up.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

We do not have much time. Hurry!

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

It is strangely quiet.

Find out where the governor is.

Yes, sir.

The governor has already been attacked by the Crown Prince!

Attack!

They are the traffickers! Kill them all!

Kill them all!

Do not back down!

Kill them!

Everything is going just as you expected.

I shall get going then.

Wait.

Let me ask you one more favor.

I know it will be dangerous, but I need you to bring me something.

-Seung-nyang, what happened? -They had been wiped out.

All of your men are dead.

Dead? How is that even possible?

It was Mak-son.

He betrayed you.

Are you sure?

The censorate is on the way.

We must get rid of the ledger first.

Mak-son...

That son of a bitch!

Seung-nyang.

How did you manage to survive?

Kill me, my lord.

I thought I ought to die at your hands.

Burn it.

Do not leave any trace.

Yes, Your Highness.

You must leave here before they get here, Your Highness.

What?

Are you telling me, the King of Simyang, to run away?

-Your Highness. -Your Highness.

I will head to the Palace.

-Summon all the officials to the Palace. -Yes, Your Highness.

Summon all the remaining soldiers

and have them stop the Crown Prince from returning to the Palace.

Buy me time, whatever it takes! Sacrifice all your lives if you must.

Yes, Your Highness.

Crown Prince...

Crown Prince!

I am the King of Simyang!

I will not go down like this.

I refuse to go down!

Did you get it?

How did it go with the Yuan merchants?

His Lordship has arrested them all and is on his way back with them.

You have done your country a great service.

Is there anything you want?

You deserve to be rewarded.

Say anything.

Can the censorate help locate people too?

Are you looking for someone?

No, never mind.

How could you barge in like this?

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has passed away.

What are you talking about?

What are you saying?

He was smuggling salt with some thugs

and got killed by the soldiers who were out to bust the smugglers.

Your Majesty.

That cannot be true.

The Crown Prince is dead?

I cannot believe it.

The court is demanding Your Majesty to name your successor.

You must take action and reinstate the authority of the royal family.

I cannot believe it.

How could that happen to him?

Your Majesty, have King Wang Go succeed to the throne.

I cannot stand seeing you suffer anymore.

Crown Prince...

No...

Crown Prince...

Hold your ground!

Hang in there a little longer.

Soon, King Wang Go will become the King of Goryeo.

What did that dirtbag just say?

He is referring to abdication.

King Wang Go must be trying to make my father abdicate his throne.

You should hurry to the Palace.

Make way!

We should go!

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's misdeeds

have done grave damage to the royal family and the court.

If the subjects find out about this,

there will be chaos.

Abdicating and leaving the throne to King Wang Go

is the only way to avert the crisis.

Please take heed of our words, Your Majesty.

-Please take heed of our words. -Please take heed of our words.

Hear me.

As of today,

I am stepping down from the throne.

The one...

who will rule Goryeo in my place--

How is he here?

Why do you look so surprised?

Have you seen a ghost or something?

Crown Prince!

You are alive!

Pardon me for making you worry.

I heard King Wang Go told you that I died trafficking salt.

I am sure King Wang Go can also tell you

who has been smuggling salt to the Yuan dynasty

and who tried to frame me and get me killed.

I do not know what you are talking about.

I was not smuggling salt.

It was you, King Wang Go.

Do you have any proof?

Let us see it.

Be patient. My men are bringing the Yuan merchants here.

Your Majesty, Crown Prince is insulting me

without any proof.

Please name your successor, Your Majesty.

-Please name your successor. -Please name your successor.

-Please name your successor. -Please name your successor.

Here is the proof.

Do you not know that eunuchs are not allowed in here?

Do you know what this is?

This is a ledger of King Wang Go's contraband.

Seung-nyang, was it you?

In the Yuan dynasty,

Goryeo salt is considered more valuable than gold.

If word gets out about this, you will lose their protection.

Explain yourself.

Why can you not say anything?

Is it true?

Yes.

It is true.

Do you know what I did with the money I made from salt smuggling?

On behalf of this incompetent Crown Prince,

I used the money to send tribute to the Yuan dynasty for reliable guarantees

of peace and security for Goryeo.

I am guilty of high treason.

Take my head as the law requires.

What?

I did not even hesitate to violate the law

because I believed I was doing the right thing.

Your Majesty, please command them to behead me right now.

I, Chief State Councillor Choi Guk, deserve to be beheaded as well.

I, State Councillor Kim Yeon-gang, offer my head.

I, Deputy Minister of State Park Hak-gi, offer my head as well.

I, Minister of Personnel Hong, offer my head.

I, Minister of War Yun Ha-heon, offer my head as well.

I will announce the successor.

The Crown Prince will rule Goryeo from now on.

As my final command as the King,

I grant King Wang Go a royal pardon.

Father!

We cannot afford any chaos.

Hear me and obey.

Congratulations, Your Highness.

-Congratulations, Your Highness. -Congratulations, Your Highness.

Seung-nyang?

He brought King Wang Go's ledger?

Yes, Your Highness.

Where is he?

He left for Inju.

He must still believe that I am a censor.

I expect so.

Bring him here. I want him with me.

PATROLLING MYRIARCHY: GORYEO'S LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

Yang is dead?

A maid who was dragged there with Ok-bun

sent me this letter from the Yuan dynasty.

They were...

CHIEF OF PATROLLING MYRIARCHY

...killed ten years ago.

So that was what happened.

Chief.

This is a complaint from the merchants.

Chief?

There has been an increase in the number of thugs.

Those scumbags...

"The Wild Dog"?

They mostly work near the port.

Investigate on that gang first.

Arrest them if they cause trouble.

Yes, sir.

Is Chief okay?

Captain, run!

-Captain! -No.

-Captain! -Run.

Make way.

You must be Seung-nyang.

Why are you doing this?

The chief of the patrolling myriarchy has ordered us to root out the thugs.

Which one is Seung-nyang?

Him.

Do you know what you did wrong?

Tell me.

Why did you arrest us?

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Nine.

Gosh.

He is as tough as they say.

As well he should be.

I, Yeom Byeong-su, have been appointed to the Patrolling Myriarchy

to root out all the thugs in Inju.

-Open it. -Yes, sir.

Do you know what you did wrong now?

I can guess.

Tell me what you did wrong.

I am guilty of...

being born to lowly parents.

I am also guilty of being born as a subject of a weak country

and protecting myself to survive.

Lastly, I am guilty of meeting someone as vile as you.

What? How dare you!

-Release them. -Chief.

Next time you get arrested,

you will face harsher punishment.

What is this?

They hid their daughters to help them

escape from being sent to the Yuan dynasty.

Did the chief authorize this?

Sir,

we have to maintain order.

If we let them get away with it,

not only the chief but we will also get punished.

Where are you going with these thugs?

Where did you steal this from?

From the residence of that vicious chief...

How could you?

I told you we do not steal things.

My apologies, Captain,

but they beat us for nothing.

Get out.

Let's go.

"Ki Ja-oh"?

Your father...

is still alive.

Go to Gaegyeong,

and find...

a man with the same ring from the Ki family...

Mom.

Do not die.

Mom!

Mom...

Father.

It is me, Yang.

Father.

Father, it is me.

Father.

The exam lasts for five days.

Those who pass will have...

the honor of serving at the fort.

Show us what you have got.

Chief.

Is that...

Chief, it looks like we have got ourselves a decent one.

Congratulations, punk.

It is an orderly's uniform.

You are on duty at all times.

Thank you, Chief.

An orderly?

Is that not a bit too early?

His ability is enough to be a battalion commander.

Do you not think so?

A BATTALION COMMANDER COMMANDS 1,000 SOLDIERS

GAEGYEONG, GORYEO

Exactly.

His Majesty is entering.

Your Majesty.

Congratulations on your coronation.

-Congratulations, Your Majesty. -Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Please let us drink this congratulatory drink with you.

Everyone is waiting.

Before that, I will announce 11 edicts.

What do you mean, Your Majesty?

On what are you trying to put a ban?

Announce it.

"Hear and obey.

To strengthen the power of this nation,

the nobles and subjects

must obey the following 11 edicts.

There shall not be any corruption involving tax and tribute payments.

Assets that the nobles illegally obtained shall be reverted to the Treasury.

The size of private armies shall be reduced to half.

Failure to do so will be considered treason.

The system that has been ensuring titles and positions

for the sons of the nobles is now abolished."

Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?

Rescind these 11 edicts.

Please revoke your decision.

-Please revoke it. -Please revoke it.

That is enough!

In my time with the brigands,

I learned about your corruption and evil deeds.

Chief State Councillor Choi Guk

profited from the spoils system in his province.

State Councillor Kim Yeon-gang

made a married woman his concubine

and killed her husband.

Deputy Minister Park Hak-gi

illegally benefited from tax payments.

Minister of War covered for his men who sneaked out weapons

and benefited from it himself too.

The Six Boards, the Three Chancelleries, and even the Royal Secretariat...

I have evidence for all of your corruptions and evil deeds here.

I am innocent, Your Majesty.

Just kill me.

All right.

That is fair enough.

Step forward and go with your scheme again.

I will kill you myself.

Remember this.

As long as I have the ledger that proves each and every corruption of yours,

I can charge you for your deeds

and punish you according to the law.

How did it go?

Did you hear anything from the Yuan dynasty?

The Grand Councillor wrote you a letter himself.

The Grand Councillor did?

What does it say?

The Yuan Emperor's brother has been exiled to Goryeo.

How is that good news?

We have the means to bring down that little upstart...

right here.

Your Majesty, Chief Ki is here to meet you.

Let us in too.

Chief Ki Ja-oh reporting to you, Your Majesty.

The Yuan Emperor's brother will arrive at the Inju Port soon.

The Yuan Emperor's brother?

Escort him and his company to Gaegyeong.

If anything happens to him,

those responsible will be put to death.

I shall obey your royal command.

THE YUAN IMPERIAL PALACE IN YEONGYEONG (MODERN-DAY BEIJING)

The exiled prince will arrive in Inju soon.

YEONCHEOL, GRAND COUNCILLOR OF THE YUAN DYNASTY

You say there is a mountain?

Yes, Mount Myobang spans from Inju to Gaegyeong.

Mount Myobang.

So this is...

where we bury him.

They might get there in three days, two days if they rush.

His death on Goryeo soil...

will be our excuse to wipe them out.

We can get rid of the Imperial Crown Prince

and take control over Goryeo at once.

Your plans have no rival, Father.

You know what Goryeo is like.

This tiny country

had tortured us for 30 years.

They will always be a threat to us...

if we do not wipe them out completely.

Right as always, Father.

That worthless Imperial Crown Prince...

can at least be useful in death.

Darn.

We even have to ride out to greet the exiled prince?

Tell me about it.

Of all the ports of entry, why ours?

You said he is a prince?

He is the Yuan Emperor's brother.

I wonder what he did wrong to be exiled.

We should get going.

THE YUAN CROWN PRINCE'S ENTOURAGE IN EXILE

Your Imperial Highness, is anything bothering you?

GENERAL BAEKAN

-Are you General Baekan? -Yes, I am.

I'm Chief Ki Ja-oh of Inju Patrolling Myriarchy.

You have had a long journey.

Patrolling Myriarchy?

How could they send a mere chief to greet His Imperial Highness?

-Lead the way. -Yes, sir.

Let us go.

Halt. Halt the procession.

We will camp out here tonight.

We will camp out here. Get ready.

Deputy Minister Chang.

It is still bright out. We still have a long way to go.

His Imperial Highness is fatigued.

What a weakling.

He has done nothing throughout the trip.

Something is off.

What is?

He refused to disembark yesterday, saying he was feeling ill.

Perhaps, he has noticed something.

I doubt that.

Would the next emperor

have been exiled if he were so observant?

General, our government office is just a little further down.

Perhaps, we can escort your procession there.

No need.

You are in Goryeo now.

His Imperial Highness's safety is our responsibility.

We will decide, and you take responsibility.

The government office is right down there, so why camp here?

It is odd.

None of the Yuan soldiers

has seen His Imperial Highness.

-Is that true? -I heard it myself.

We must stay alert.

If anything happens to him,

we will be held responsible.

This is Mount Myobang.

If we leave early tomorrow, we will get there before dark.

-What about the brigands? -They are already in place.

I should not have taken this assignment.

How can we disobey Grand Councillor's orders?

The late Emperor adored me very much.

Killing his son with my hands...

He has already gotten on the wrong side of the Grand Councillor.

He is as good as dead anyway.

General Baekan, are you inside?

What brings you here?

I am afraid we cannot leave in the morning.

What are you talking about?

His Imperial Highness is too ill.

Look here.

I will go check on His Imperial Highness myself.

Are you too ill to move?

I feel nauseous and my head aches.

I just cannot keep on riding the carriage.

Goodness.

I have a favor...

to ask of you, General Baekan.

Of me?

-Go on. -Last night,

I dreamed of my late father.

The late Emperor?

He told me to ask you for help

in times of trouble.

Will you do me a favor?

Please go on, Your Imperial Highness.

I am craving dried persimmons.

Pardon?

Dried persimmons?

I cannot forget the taste

of Goryeo dried persimmons.

Can you go get some for me?

Your Imperial Highness!

We are not here on vacation.

Please do me a favor.

I am sure I will feel better once I have some persimmons.

I will go get some for you.

Will you?

Thank you, Deputy Minister Chang.

Get nicely dried ones

with extra chewiness.

Gosh.

His pulse is slow and weak.

He is not faking illness.

He is even craving dried persimmons. He is too dull to notice the situation.

Uncle Baekan.

I do not think we can climb up the mountain by tomorrow night.

Send the brigands that we are delaying a day.

Okay.

Dried persimmons?

I cannot believe he asked for them at a time like this.

It is safe to eat, Your Imperial Highness.

You should eat it all.

You have not eaten in days already.

You might really get sick.

Put all the leftover food

in the chamber pot.

What do you want?

Are you from Goryeo?

I am.

My name is Seung-nyang. What is yours?

My name is Kkoe-bo.

Kkoe-bo?

What a funny name.

You think your name is not?

I have a question.

Is His Imperial Highness's condition serious?

Tell me what is going on in His Imperial Highness's barrack.

I do not want to get in trouble by running my mouth.

Meet me tomorrow night on the east side of the camp.

I will find a place for you to stay

and wait for you there.

I will excuse myself.

Deputy Minister Chang.

I am scared.

I am too frightened...

to even breathe.

This is the only way for you to survive.

Greet him?

He has been exiled from the Yuan dynasty.

How could you suggest me to go and greet him?

He is the Emperor's brother.

He may likely be the next emperor someday.

You must greet him

-and show your courtesy-- -Before you discuss courtesy toward Yuan,

have courtesy toward Goryeo first.

Are you not the officials of Goryeo?

However--

King Wang Go, tell me what you think.

Should the King of Goryeo ride out to greet a barbarian prince in exile?

There is no need to do so.

He is the Emperor's brother,

but he is foolish and indecisive.

He is not worth your time and respect.

You indeed are the only official who suits the King of Goryeo's caliber.

I may ride out with my sword to cut off his throat,

but I will never go out to greet him myself.

That is decided.

"The King of Goryeo"?

He might get dragged down from that throne soon,

so how dare he call himself the King of Goryeo?

-Are you going to assassinate-- -Watch it!

The time is coming.

That arrogant little pup...

will face an end soon.

I am going to go greet the Imperial Crown Prince.

Muster the men and get my armor.

What do you mean, Your Majesty?

That old snake told me not to go greet the Imperial Crown Prince.

You know what that means?

Does this mean what the former king wrote in the letter

is actually true?

There is no doubt.

They sent the Imperial Crown Prince into exile to kill him.

And they will frame us and hold us responsible for it.

That means...

They will try to dethrone me first.

What are you waiting for? There is no time to waste.

Congratulations.

Things are finally going your way.

A true king deserves the throne,

not some whining little puppy.

Do you not think so?

Quite right.

Your Highness!

The King just rode out with his soldiers.

What are you talking about?

I do not know much, but he was dressed for battle.

For battle?

-In full armor? -Yes, Your Highness.

I am sure he did not ride out to kill the Imperial Crown Prince.

Maybe he figured out our plan.

It is too late anyway.

There is no way

he can make it there by tonight.

Is tonight the big night?

That was quite smart of him,

but luck is on my side.

Poor little thing.

Get up, Your Imperial Highness.

It has been two days now.

How long will you lie there?

My persimmons are not here yet.

Where did Deputy Minister Chang go to get those darn persimmons?

I will not take even a step outside

unless I have my persimmons.

It is not time for whining, Your Imperial Highness.

Bring me my persimmons.

I want to eat soft, chewy dried persimmons from Goryeo.

I cannot believe this.

Kkoe-bo, go get a military uniform.

-Pardon? -Do not let anyone find out.

-Go now. -Yes, Your Imperial Highness.

We will change the plan.

Call the brigands here.

Are you saying...

Tonight. We should end it tonight.

Understood.

Well... You look great.

Now, lie down.

Your Imperial Highness.

Hurry. Time is running out.

Yes, Your Imperial Highness.

Stay here until the morning.

When the sun rises, change out of those clothes and run away.

Your Imperial Highness.

Who are you?

I am...