Original subtitles

Get some dried persimmons while you are at it.

Did you not hear me--

-Who are you? -Seung-nyang.

Who sent you?

Please do not go.

Do not leave me alone.

-What happened? -There is an assassin.

There was an assassination attempt.

Search the perimeter.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

-What about the Imperial Crown Prince? -He is safe.

-Go report it to the Chief. -No, sir.

I will stay here. Please report it to the Chief.

What? Oh, okay.

Chief.

Did you find anything?

We searched the whole island,

but we only found fishermen and their wives.

I am sure I wounded his arm.

We checked all the soldiers,

but did not find anyone with such a wound.

There is nowhere to hide on this island.

I am sure he is hiding somewhere.

How is the Imperial Crown Prince?

He just fell asleep.

He seems quite shocked. Could you prepare some medicinal tonic for him?

Okay, sir.

-Stand guard here. -Yes, sir.

Seung-nyang,

come with me.

What is wrong, Chief?

You look...

so much like your mother.

Why did you pretend not to know that I was your father?

Yang.

-Chief... -What do you call him that?

He is your father.

Yang, you have brothers in Haeju.

I will have you meet them soon.

There is no need to.

I like how things are right now.

Seung-nyang.

The Imperial Crown Prince must be looking for me.

Please excuse me.

You...

Leave her.

It is only natural for her to resent me.

She lost her mother

and went through so much alone all these years.

Seung-nyang.

Seung-nyang.

Do you know how desperately your father looked for you?

-After your mother died-- -I cannot...

cause him trouble.

I was once selected to be sent to the Yuan dynasty as a tribute.

Do you not know of the punishment my family will face

if I get caught living as a man?

I just...

want to stay by his side as Seung-nyang.

So please act like you do not know anything

and help me live as Seung-nyang.

No... Father...

Father, no...

Your Imperial Highness.

Are you okay?

-Please drink it. -Put it away.

Teach me how to fight with a sword.

I am not joking.

If you teach me how to fight with a sword, I promise I will leave you alone.

I am not allowed to do anything

other than providing assistance to you.

So you are turning this into a battle of wills.

Fine, we will see who wins.

What are you doing?

If I die, you will have to face the consequences.

Are you going to wait until the assassin cuts your head off?

All right, then. I am going to attack now.

You are letting the assassin know that you are attacking?

You would have been dead if it had been my sword, not my fist.

You lost your legs just now.

You lost your head this time.

You are already dead.

I refuse to die.

I will survive.

Darn it.

-Your Imperial Highness. -What?

You are bleeding.

-What? -Blood...

-Blood! -Blood!

I am bleeding.

Your Imperial Highness, what happened?

I told you never to leave his side.

I cannot let this slide.

Tell me what exactly happened.

-It is all my fault-- -I tripped and bumped my head.

He did not do anything wrong.

If you want to blame someone,

blame the stone I tripped on.

Whenever I see that stone,

I cannot help but grind my teeth in anger.

For what reason have you summoned me here?

An assassin is on the island. Are you aware of that?

I had no idea.

I am the King of Goryeo, and you are the vassal of Goryeo.

You sit on the throne,

and I stand here.

I cannot turn a blind eye to a vassal,

trying to hand over the country to the Yuan dynasty.

How could you accuse me of something like that, Your Majesty?

You are trying to make Goryeo a part of the Yuan dynasty.

How is that any different from committing treason?

Your Majesty.

You should not hide behind the people of Goryeo to secure your throne.

What did you say?

How long do you think Goryeo can resist the Yuan dynasty?

Perhaps another ten years or twenty, if we are lucky.

However,

what will you do about the suffering your people will have to endure?

Do not use my people as an excuse to hide your filthy ambitions.

The people of Goryeo are suffering from famine.

They have been nothing but skins and bones since long ago.

Soon, even their bones will become brittle.

They will end up collapsing to the ground

like rotten corpses.

Do you really not know who brought this upon the people?

Do not think you are the only one who cares for the people.

What saves the people

is a practical solution not that ideology of yours!

Your way is not the only way.

I can forgive you for siding with the Yuan dynasty,

but I will never forgive you for disrespecting Goryeo.

Remember which country you serve.

Disloyalty deserves no mercy.

Understood?

There.

How was that?

You barely hit the target.

Do you think that is easy?

Stop running your mouth and show me what you have got.

What is that?

How shoddy.

It will take forever for that mere baby arrow

to reach the target.

Please do not brag about your archery skills to me.

Darn it.

Goodness.

Whether it be with a sword or a bow and arrow, I can never beat him.

Goodness.

It is me, Seung-nyang. Allow me to enter.

Here are some fresh clothes.

Where are you going?

Come here.

Massage my feet.

Here.

There, there.

There you go.

That is right.

A little harder. Good.

I think I can beat you in horse riding.

What, did you just laugh?

Did you just laugh at me?

I am quite experienced in horse riding myself.

Silence!

We, the Mongols, are the best horsemen in the world.

We are the descendants of Goguryeo people, the great horsemen of the era.

No one can beat us when it comes to horse riding.

Do you want a race then?

Get two horses ready in secret.

I do not want to get beaten up to death.

Are you backing out?

Yes. I lose.

Hold on.

This is not an order but a request.

Please get the horses ready.

It is too suffocating to spend every day in here.

I just cannot stand it anymore.

I want to ride a horse, feeling the wind in my face.

So can you please get me out of here

at least for one day?

We have not caught the assassin yet.

Please. Just this once.

Please, I need some fresh air.

I cannot grant your request even if you put a blade to my neck.

You always say no to me!

When will you ever do anything for me?

I can do anything for you as long as it does not jeopardize your safety.

Fine. I will just kill myself.

That was close.

Are you up for it?

The one who gets on the boat first will win the race.

Good.

You know nothing about horse riding.

Fix your saddle first.

Goodness.

Are you using trickery to win since you cannot beat me with your skills?

There is no way I can beat you.

I had no choice.

I will not race with you ever again.

Father...

I do not want to die.

I want to go home alive.

I will return...

and avenge your death...

and my sufferings...

no matter what.

Why did you have to leave me so soon?

How could you leave me alone in this harsh world?

Father...

I miss you, Father.

Father...

Father!

Father!

Father!

GOVERNMENT OFFICE ON DAECHEONG ISLAND

Welcome, Your Majesty.

-Welcome. -Welcome.

I appreciate your hard work.

Where are the Imperial Crown Prince and Seung-nyang?

That is...

Is something wrong?

I could not find the other horse.

We must head back now.

Although we started off on the wrong foot,

you are the only person I have by my side now.

Listen. If...

I survive and sit on the throne,

I will not forget you.

I do not care if you do.

But if you become the Yuan Emperor,

do not take Goryeo people to Yuan to make them concubines or eunuchs.

I am sure you know better than anyone else

what it feels like to be separated from one's own family

and to die far away from home.

Will I ever be able to...

leave this island alive?

You must do, for the good of Goryeo.

You do not know anything.

You have no idea how cruel and merciless the people who sent me are.

I am sure they will try to kill me.

You do not understand...

the fear it brings upon me.

Your Majesty. What brings you here?

Have you lost your mind?

The assassin is still out here.

How could you leave the garrison without permission?

My apologies, Your Majesty.

You do not need to apologize.

I wanted this,

so do not scold him.

I am hungry.

We should hurry back.

Where is the other horse?

It ran off.

Rise and get on my horse.

No.

Ride with me.

What are you waiting for? Get on.

It will be uncomfortable for you.

Have a safe trip, Your Majesty.

The assassin must be near.

Be on full alert.

Suspect those around you as well.

I will, Your Majesty.

The Imperial Crown Prince seemed quite odd.

Is it not hard to assist him?

It is rather fun.

I am relieved to hear that.

May I ask for a request?

Go on.

The Imperial Crown Prince has not been eating well.

I will have a skilled cook sent from the royal kitchens.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

And his clothes are a problem too.

He has no seamstress.

I will send someone for the job too.

Anything else?

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Seung-nyang.

I will be standing guard tonight.

Go get Seung-nyang.

He...

He is with the King of Goryeo.

He is not taking Seung-nyang with him, is he?

He is watching you on the King's orders.

It is better if he is reposted.

I have finally grown fond of him.

I will go get him myself.

Then, I shall excuse myself now.

You should spend the night here.

Why are you surprised?

The assassin is still out there.

I should not leave the Imperial Crown Prince's side.

I am going to send the Chief Royal Guard there.

He is more experienced than you are, so there is no need for you to worry.

Seung-nyang, are you inside?

Yes, I am here, Your Imperial Highness.

May I come in for a second?

You may.

Perfect timing. I wished for a drink as well.

I will pour you a drink...

for all your hard work.

No, thank you.

You will let your king pour you a cup, but not me?

I need to be on duty.

I guess he needs your permission to drink.

You may.

I will have just one drink, Your Majesty.

He is such a nice servant of yours.

Seung-nyang.

If I ever get to go back to the Yuan dynasty,

would you come with me?

I guess you need his permission for it as well.

Let me take Seung-nyang with me.

He would never leave my side

even if I force him to.

I see.

What do you say, Seung-nyang?

It is late. I shall bid Your Majesty good night.

You are supposed to take me with you.

Thanks for the drink.

Seung-nyang!

Was my dinner too salty?

What is it that makes me parched all day?

THE YUAN IMPERIAL PALACE IN YEONGYEONG

-Take them outside. -Yes, sir.

What now?

Where are you taking us?

Baekan.

I need you to finish your duties.

Pardon?

They took him to Daecheong Island.

That is where we attack.

Are you ordering us to assassinate him ourselves?

No.

You two will not be enough to kill him.

I will send soldiers there.

I will have them disguise as Goryeo soldiers and strike the island.

Father.

This scum is not eligible for such an important job.

Send us there.

We will bring the Imperial Crown Prince's head to you.

Instead,

you must wipe out life on the island.

Make sure there is no one who can be a threat to us.

That is the only way to blame this on Goryeo, understood?

-Yes, Father. -Yes, Father.

The Grand Councillor is a terrifying man.

What should we do

when the Yuan soldiers arrive?

We will have to assist them in striking the government office.

Yes, Your Highness.

They still do not know that you are the assassin, do they?

Do not worry.

No one will suspect me, including Ki Ja-oh.

Pardon?

Are you telling me to search my men as well?

Someone could be betraying us right under our nose.

We must suspect everyone.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You should give up on learning how to shoot pyeonjeon.

Even a pretty boy like you know how to shoot it.

It is not as easy as it looks.

Teach me one more time.

Straighten your bow arm

and put pressure on it as if you are pushing the mountains.

Pull your arrow back

as if you are pulling a tiger's tail.

Do you now understand?

Well, yes. I think I get it now.

As if I am pushing the mountains...

And pull it as if I am pulling a tiger's tail.

Do not laugh.

What is he up to?

-That punk... -Leave him.

Seung-nyang.

Why do you get angry when you see me with the Imperial Crown Prince?

That is...

I just do not like the Imperial Crown Prince. That is all.

Is that all?

But somehow, I cannot believe you.

Do not smile at me like that.

Why do you ask me not to smile?

I told you. Stop smiling like that.

This is an order.

Do not smile like that ever again.

Seung-nyang, I said stop.

Do not smile!

Are you all right, Your Majesty?

-Go get some sleep. -Your Majesty.

Forgive our disloyalty.

I sincerely apologize for not noticing

what Your Majesty has been going through.

What are you talking about?

Seung-nyang is a man.

-So? -We can find you

the sweetest young maid in the country.

How could you fall for a man, of all...

How could you lust after a man?

What?

Lust?

Have no shame, your majesty.

It is not your fault.

We are to blame...

What are you talking about?

Do you think I am lusting after Seung-nyang?

You are not?

I am glad to know that we were wrong.

Get out!

Get out right now.

Goodness.

How dare they think that I lust after Seung-nyang?

He is not taking Seung-nyang with him, is he?

I will dispatch the royal forces stationed in Inju here soon.

Come straight to the capital when they arrive.

Yes, Your Majesty.

All you need to do is do your duty.

Do not grant any of the Imperial Crown Prince's requests.

You do not need to do him a kindness.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Be accurate and powerful.

Byeong-su.

Yes, sir.

This was found in your room.

It contains elm tree bark which is used to treat wounds.

Explain why it was in your room.

Are you suspecting me of being the assassin?

That is not it.

We are just asking you about the medicine.

What?

Are you feeling uncomfortable?

Explain yourself.

How did you get your wound?

Must I explain?

You had better make me understand.

I was hurt in training.

Look here. Do you take us as fools?

Who hurt you then?

I did.

I accidentally hurt him during the training.

All the men saw it.

Is that enough to make you understand?

Relax.

We are all sensitive since the assassin incident.

I will excuse myself.

It is not him.

Keep an eye on him just in case.

I just need to hang in there one more day.

After tonight, I will no longer need to take the risk of being the assassin.

To make up for our mistake last time,

we must bring the Imperial Crown Prince's head back to the Yuan dynasty this time.

Still, this is going too far.

I am amazed by how persistent he is.

He has no choice.

If he keeps the Imperial Crown Prince alive,

his position will be threatened sooner or later.

Do you also think that the Grand Councillor killed

the late Emperor too?

Why else would he be so frantic

to see the Imperial Crown Prince dead?

Come to think of it,

I heard the Emperor's illness is deepening.

-What? -If the Emperor dies,

the Imperial Crown Prince will succeed the throne.

Right.

That explains the rush.

The Imperial Crown Prince has to die before the Emperor does.

We will arrive at the destination soon. Get ready to disembark.

None of us know about the island.

Is someone from the inside helping us?

Just keep your mouth shut and carry the banner.

Do not say that.

I am here as a general of this mission.

Silence.

Did you forget whose fault it is that we had to come all the way here?

Baekan.

Be grateful that you are still alive.

Of course.

I shall repay the Grand Councillor...

for his mercy one day for sure.

GOVERNMENT OFFICE ON DAECHEONG ISLAND

I am here on the King of Simyang's order.

Stand down.

-I am Yeom Byeong-su, sir. -What about the Imperial Crown Prince?

He is deeply asleep.

How many gates are there?

There are two main gates on the north and the south.

-There are also three side gates. -Where's the Imperial Crown Prince's room?

It is near the north gate.

We will go through the north gate.

Baekan, take the south and side gates.

Okay.

Lead the way now.

Chief!

Yeom Byeong-su is gone.

What? What are you talking about?

He did not show up for his shift, so I looked for him,

but he is nowhere to be found.

He must be the assassin. Search the beach now.

Yes, sir.

What is this sound?

Sir, we are under attack.

-At this hour? -Are we at war?

But they are Goryeo soldiers.

What? They are Goryeo soldiers?

Attack!

We are taking the Imperial Crown Prince's head!

You must not let them take it first.

General Baekan?

What is going on?

Where is the Imperial Crown Prince? Lead the way.

Wait, why do Goryeo soldiers want me dead?

They are not Goryeo soldiers.

Get moving!

That is the Imperial Crown Prince. Kill him.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

-Get him! -That way!

Go get him!

Climb over the wall now.

It is too high.

Do it now!

-Climb up the wall! -Move!

No.

-Seung-nyang! -Seung-nyang.

What about you?

-Go on now. -No.

I will not go by myself. Take my hand.

I said, go!

Your Imperial Highness.

Your Imperial Highness.

Seung-nyang is in there.

Close the gates.

Bar them and move out.

Seung-nyang is inside!

Lock the gates before they get here. Now!

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

Seung-nyang is still inside!

Jump over the wall. Hurry, Seung-nyang.

-Seung-nyang, are you listening? -I am listening.

What are you waiting for? Get the Imperial Crown Prince.

Yes, sir. Follow me.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

I am going to...

rip you into pieces myself.

Mom!

So...

it is you.

You killed my mother.

What are you blabbering about?

I am unarmed.

Rip me into pieces or do whatever you want with me.

Do as you please.

How dare you insult me like this?

Pick up your sword.

Fine. I will grant your wish and kill you.

If that is what you want,

I will do as you wish.

Seung-nyang!

Seung-nyang...

We should get moving.

Go through the back gate!

Escape through the back gate.

Your Imperial Highness.

Deputy Minister Chang.

General Baekan.

Surrender and we will spare your life.

We will show no mercy if you resist.

Lower your weapons and give us the Imperial Crown Prince.

We have a mission we shall execute no matter what.

We may lose our lives here,

but we will go down in history.

Is that not the greatest mercy that can be bestowed upon us?

Are you with me?

-Yes, sir! -Yes, sir!

Protect the Imperial Crown Prince, Seung-nyang.

We trained for this.

Break their line!

Fire.

Fight back!

Do not let anyone get away!

There is a boat over the hill.

Take the Imperial Crown Prince off the island.

What about you, Chief?

All of us will die if I go with you.

I cannot go without you.

Obey your father.

Father...

Seung-nyang!

You must stay alive.

You must stay alive and protect the Imperial Crown Prince.

That is my final wish, Seung-nyang.

Get them!

Go!

Father...

I am sorry, Seung-nyang.

My daughter...

Get the Imperial Crown Prince!

Stop them!

Spread out.

-Find them. -Get them now!

-Get them. -Find them.

We are almost there.

Please hang in there for a little longer.

My heart is about to burst.

Get up!

There.

No...

Give me a crossbow.

Seung-nyang!

Push!

You seem more tenacious than you look.

General Baekan...

Your long journey...

ends here, Your Imperial Highness.

This is my last service to you, Your Imperial Highness.

Take your life yourself.

That is the only way you can maintain the honor of the Imperial House.

If I am so destined to,

I shall take Your Imperial Highness's life.

Look at me.

Tell me who I am.

The late Emperor chose me as his successor.

I am the heir to the throne.

Kill me, and you will live as the Grand Councillor's loyal dog.

But your family...

will be cursed for killing an imperial heir.

Now...

slay me with your sword.

Drench your sword with an imperial heir's blood.

A dragon without a throne is no better than a snake.

My brother is dying.

He will not last long.

If I hold out a little longer, I will be the owner of the throne.

Even if I do not kill you, someone else will.

I will not die.

My sixth great-grandfather,

Genghis Khan,

is watching over me.

Genghis Khan...

Dang Gise will be here soon.

Promise me this.

You must survive

and show me what you are capable of.

Heaven will not forsake the dragon, the heir to the throne.

You are my emperor now.

Do not forget me, Your Imperial Majesty.

Will you not regret this?

The moment the Emperor dies,

that little fool will be the owner of the throne.

If I must gamble,

I prefer to take more risks.

In the worst-case scenario,

I may lose my life, but if things go well, I will have all the power in my hands.

What are you doing?

Fire. Fire now!

Get another boat now!

Yes, sir. Follow me.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

I almost caught them, but they eventually got away.

I would have brought more men with me if I had known--

Baekan, you son of a bitch.

You are a useless idiot!

No...

No!

Your Majesty, are you all right?

I had a nightmare.

What was it about?

My late mother...

was surrounded by demons.

Your Majesty, this is Mu-song.

You may enter.

King Wang Go left for Inju last night.

Inju?

It is strange how he snuck off only with a servant at night.

And for Inju...

Something must have happened on the island.

Tell Jeom-bak to gather his men and find out what happened.

Yes, Your Majesty!

Dang Gise.

The King of Simyang is here.

Is it true that the Imperial Crown Prince got away?

We found their boat nearby.

How could you handle things--

Now is not the time to play the blame game.

Establish a base camp and search the area.

Yes, sir.

Set up the camp.

Where should we go?

We should head to Gaegyeong.

What? Gaegyeong?

What for?

We should let His Majesty know that you are still alive.

Goryeo is not safe

as long as the King of Simyang is cooperating with them.

We have to keep moving.

Wait, Seung-nyang.

You little...

All this happened...

because you cooperated with the Yuan dynasty.

Where are they?

How could you betray your own country?

Shame on you.

I will take him to Gaegyeong.

Why would you take him to Gaegyeong?

You do not need to worry about anything.

I will rip out his tongue, so he will not be able to say anything.

Yeom Byeong-su will do the talking on your behalf.

What are you up to?

You still do not get it?

You will be the one who led the attack on the Imperial Crown Prince

on the King's order.

You little...

Have you no fear?

Kill me.

Just kill me now!

Kill me!

Drag him away and rip out his tongue.

-Get moving. -Kill me.

Bring him!

Father, look this way.

Father, please.

Please look at me.

Father...