Original subtitles

[tense music plays]

Once he realized we were closing in,

he decided to make Jae-yi his prisoner, hold her captive to force my hand.

Which indicates he acts under orders.

And a specific objective that will ensure the young mistress's safety.

We must capture him and get answers.

Someone is pulling the strings and we need to know who.

But more importantly--

[Mu-jin] He must be exposed for the imposter that he is!

It is the only way to repair your tarnished reputation

and regain your authority in the guild.

And by claiming that he is a fraud,

you also wish to be reinstated as grandmaster of this household?

I only wish to expose the truth.

For I am in possession of proof that he is not Hongrang.

Show it, then,

this proof you have.

Whatever it is, I demand you present it.

And I demand

to be rewarded for finding it.

What?

You were quick to turn on me once already, were you not?

I will reinstate you, then.

[Mu-jin] That is not nearly enough.

I ask for proper compensation.

State your conditions.

[tense music builds]

Disown me.

Because I love your daughter.

Disown me…

so that I can marry Jae-yi.

[dramatic music plays]

[music stops]

DEAR HONGRANG

[foreboding music plays]

There is written proof that Hongrang is not who he says? [gasps]

That cannot be.

He has been caught in a web of lies.

Woven by

my husband,

his lowly stake, and his filthy daughter.

They have conspired against my son

to drive out the true heir and take over the guild.

I suggest we make haste to thwart your husband.

He has assembled a force to kill your son, my lady.

He cannot die.

You are to retrieve my son safely.

You cannot allow those assassins to lay a hand on him.

Assemble your men this instant.

You must save Hongrang, no matter the cost.

As for the wench he is with,

kill her.

[Kkot-nim] How could you let this happen?!

Such a disappointing lack of duty.

You were supposed to protect him, but also watch for transgressions.

This would be an unfortunate moment for us to lose him.

Without the partition deed

we are no longer in position to remove Sim from his stronghold,

even with proof of his wrongdoing and who supports them.

Without that deed, we are no match for the Min Guild's resources.

We cannot battle on all fronts.

[tense music plays]

Do we have any word from our leader?

[sighs]

The orders are for us to find Hongrang and to bring him back at all costs.

We are also to consider this as an opportunity

to discover who is pulling Chief Merchant Sim's strings.

You keep close watch of the chief merchant, brother.

As for you, Deputy Leader, you cannot allow

Chief Merchant Sim or Min Yeon-ui's forces to find Hongrang before you.

You must pit them against each other.

Fuel their mutual hatred and rivalry.

Create false leads and bring them to clash to delay their progress.

Understood. Do you believe Hongrang will return of his own accord?

What matters is his return, not the manner in which he does.

But Sim Jae-yi shall not return.

Get rid of her and disguise it as Min Yeon-ui's doing.

[gentle music plays]

[dramatic music plays]

-That way. -[man] Come!

Hyah!

Ha! Ha!

[dramatic music continues]

[music fades]

[Jae-yi] So much hardship.

And hopelessness.

I disagree.

Because now I understand…

[romantic music plays]

…just how much I was holding back all this time.

And how deeply…

I desire you.

I would accept any fate that allowed me to be close to you.

All I need is to be by your side.

You are my home.

But you are far from yours.

Perhaps you regret this.

Which is why it is hard.

Perhaps it is too hard.

Is that why you feel hopeless?

Not at all. Now that I have ridden far enough from those walls,

I can see certain things so much more clearly.

What bothered me was not the harsh words and cold treatment

that I endured from Mother or my father's indifference to it.

Or his exploitative actions,

his judging my value.

I endured all of it…

because I had never known otherwise.

Then you came,

and what was truly too much for me to endure…

was that I could not show you

how much I loved you in that household.

So even if things become more difficult and feel hopeless at times,

and I find myself regretting this decision…

my heart will endure each instant.

[romantic music continues]

I will survive with you,

side by side, exactly as we are tonight.

[music fades]

Shh!

[ominous music plays]

-After them! -[all] Yes, sir!

[music fades]

[Yuk-son] We must be the first to find them!

[tense music plays]

[man groans]

[groaning]

Take their weapons and clothes and catch up to us.

Forward.

[panting]

[tense music continues]

-Spread out on the flanks! -[all] Yes, sir!

-[deputy leader] Scour every inch! -[men] Yes, sir!

-[deputy leader] See anything? -[man 1] No traces.

-Over there? -[man 2] Nothing, sir.

[man 3] The grandmaster's forces are approaching.

[deputy leader] We must go back down.

[tense music continues]

[music fades]

[Jae-yi] I know that you wanted me to leave with you for my own good.

You have always watched over me.

I also believed that it was the best choice

for myself and everyone else.

But I was wrong…

[gentle music plays]

…because now I finally know where my heart is.

Hmm.

If I could control one moment in my life, this would be it.

Because what I want most right now

is to be with Hongrang.

The woods?

[Jae-yi] I know that it is heartless of me to ask,

but I hope that you can live not for me or Father,

but for yourself.

Once Hongrang and I disappear,

Father will have no choice but to hold on to you.

But please,

do not put all of your trust in him any longer.

How wrong you are.

What I most strongly desire

is not to inherit the guild.

And the person I always trusted

was you above all others.

[breathing shakily]

My heart belongs to you.

But you do not see how.

Or choose not to.

Because you prefer not to see this truth.

[man] Grandmaster, sir.

We have suffered many casualties.

[somber music plays]

[foreboding music plays]

The Soul Reaper, he is responsible for these deaths.

No, my lord.

This seems to be the work of Yuk-son's men.

This confirms they will stop at nothing. We need to find Jae-yi quickly.

Yuk-son has no interest in bringing her back alive.

Find a way to distract his men from their mission immediately.

If I may, sir.

I say this with much respect. Our mission is to capture the assassin.

Finding young mistress cannot override that.

I do not only want to find her.

I intend to reclaim her.

[indistinct chatter]

[music stops]

Here you are, miss. Thank you.

[indistinct chatter continues]

[foreboding music plays]

[man strains]

[deputy leader] Get rid of Jae-yi before Hongrang comes back.

[foreboding music continues]

[horse neighs]

[tense music plays]

-Mm! -[chuckles softly]

Jae-yi!

[dramatic music plays]

-Hyah! -[horse neighs]

[dramatic music continues]

Hyah!

[music stops]

[Hongrang breathes heavily]

[foreboding music plays]

[music fades]

This girl…

I suppose I see a resemblance.

Did she say where she was going?

No, but she asked if there was an inn near here,

so I sent her over that way to the inn outside the village.

I thank you. Move out.

You did well.

Should anyone else ask about her,

please tell them the same thing.

[gasps]

Of course, my lord. [chuckles]

[gentle music plays]

[breathes heavily]

[grunts]

[Jae-yi winces]

[Jae-yi breathes shakily]

You said you could live

and that you would be fine with me by your side.

[Jae-yi breathes shakily]

[music fades]

I will hold you, and you must endure.

Fight through this for me.

-[man] Find them! -[soldiers] Yes, sir!

[foreboding music plays]

[Mu-jin] The foot of the mountain?

[man] We found no traces of them there, sir.

[tense music plays]

[groans]

You found traces of blood there?

Yes. And a poison arrow, also, with a trace of blood.

Which means we have to assume one of them is suffering its effects now.

Look for plants with antidotal properties, search from there.

-We should be able to find a trail. -Yes, sir.

[horse hooves clatter]

-Go! -Hyah!

[tense music continues]

Seize him!

[knife slices]

The target is hit!

[horse neighs]

-Hyah! -[horse neighs]

[Yuk-son] Over there!

[music fades]

[gasps]

[panicked breathing]

[gentle music plays]

Search up here.

I ask you

to stop the hunt.

My orders are to ensure your return with us.

I will. I promise to return when I'm ready.

You've betrayed our trust.

-Why would we accept your word? -Her life is in grave danger.

If she dies, I will take my own life the instant she takes her last breath.

I only want to get her somewhere safe.

I will make my way back after that. All I can give is my word.

Please take it and leave.

I beg you.

[gentle ballad plays]

Go, then.

Jae-yi!

[ballad continues]

[breathes heavily]

[gasps]

[ballad continues]

[screams, grunts]

[music fades]

I provided you with dozens of the best mercenaries in the region

and you still let them both get away!

My apologies for this failure,

but Yuk-son and his soldiers are causing us trouble at every turn.

Do not blame this on others!

We knew that Her Ladyship would try to interfere.

She has made us look like fools and lowly amateurs.

-We should be three steps ahead! -We are closing in on the target.

-Your patience will be rewarded. -I must take action.

I cannot stand around waiting like a child.

Get the horses.

[foreboding music plays]

So Hongrang

is not your son but an imposter?

He is.

Huh.

For the long years since he went missing,

I have encouraged your search with men, resources, and riches.

And you arrive here uninvited

to ask for us to find your daughter this fraud has taken?

I beg you for your benevolent assistance, Highness.

[laughs]

Of course.

Benevolence for your impertinence.

I have shown you favor

due to your willingness and ability to consider the higher values.

Yet you dare to forget your place as a lowly merchant

and display such insolent demands?

The nation's resources have been at your disposal for 12 years!

Do you think you deserve more?

Your Highness, I beg you for mercy.

If you recognize your offense,

leave this instant.

I would like to make amends and offer you a unique apology.

Allow me to be the one to reunite you

with the yin and yang artwork you lost.

[music fades]

[Hongrang] Careful now.

Can you manage?

Yes.

[gentle music plays]

[man] There is an unoccupied house on the mountaintop.

It appears that you had no choice but to journey this far into the mountains.

I trust that you have your reasons.

[gentle music continues]

[chuckles softly]

Hmm.

[gentle music continues]

[music fades]

[sighs happily]

Come here, beloved spouse.

[chuckles]

Why would you call me that when we are not married yet?

Because I think a beloved spouse is someone you always want close.

Will you… be that for me?

Beloved spouse, please come lie down.

I want to see you up close.

[gentle music plays]

[Hongrang] For years

and years.

Eternal.

[music fades]

[somber music plays]

[sighs]

[gentle music plays]

[cries softly]

I promise…

I will not do that to you.

I will not make you feel lonely.

I will not keep you waiting.

I will always return home.

Home is at your side now.

Where you are.

You will always return?

[gentle ballad plays]

Eternally.

[Jae-yi] How is it?

Do you like the taste?

Mm.

[chuckles softly]

You need your strength. Eat all of it.

[both chuckle softly]

-You must be thirsty. -Mm.

[ballad continues]

Oh! It's floating away!

[chuckles]

[yelps]

[Jae-yi chuckles]

-Catch! -You rat!

[both laugh]

Wait! I think I twisted my ankle!

[Hongrang] Ah! Enough!

-Stop! Here. -[Jae-yi laughs]

[ballad continues]

[music fades]

I have never looked at the stars

with such peace and wonder as this.

I would look at the sky for countless hours

sitting on that roof at night,

but I have never seen the stars as beautiful as they are now.

[Jae-yi chuckles softly]

[gentle music plays]

May I ask you,

what is the first thing you would say

if you saw your little brother again?

[Jae-yi] Mm…

"There you are."

Really?

"There you are"?

As if things were still the same

and I had not cried for him

all of these years.

How thoughtful.

And welcoming, as if he were simply home where he belongs.

I… hope he feels that.

[gentle music continues]

Hold out your arm.

How beautiful.

Just like you.

You like it?

Then please think of me when you see it.

I am right on your sleeve now.

So if you ever find yourself

feeling afraid

or anxious,

and you do not even realize that you are in pain,

but your wound is bleeding again,

look at this.

Look at this flower and remember that I am by your side.

[chuckles softly]

[gentle music continues]

Excuse me.

Do you

perhaps sell hairpins?

[music fades]

[eerie whooshing]

[eerie whooshing]

[groans]

[breathes heavily]

[coughs]

-There you are. -[Hongrang coughs]

What is wrong?

I swallowed a fly. [coughs]

One moment.

[Hongrang coughs]

[foreboding music plays]

[Hongrang coughs]

[coughs]

[foreboding music continues]

[sighs]

[foreboding music continues]

-What brings you to visit, sir? -I have a gift for you.

Sweet punch with ginger.

-You are very kind. -[music stops]

-We do not have a gift to offer in return. -Please do not worry, and enjoy.

[sinister whooshing]

[foreboding music resumes]

You bastard. What have you done?

[yelling]

[ominous music plays]

[man yells]

[tense percussive music plays]

[man strains]

[tense percussive music continues]

[yells]

[Jae-yi whimpers]

[yells]

Hmm?

[Hongrang] Are you all right?

Do not worry. I am right here.

[tense percussive music continues]

[yells]

-[yells] -[gasps]

[tense percussive music continues]

[foreboding music plays]

[Jae-yi whimpers]

[music fades]

[gasps]

Young mistress, what have they done?

Is she still alive?!

[Yeon-ui] Hongrang!

My son! [grunts]

How dare you? Get out of my way this instant!

-Away with him. -Hongrang!

What are you doing? I want to see him! My son!

How dare you do this to him? Give me my son!

[Yeon-ui strains]

[breathes heavily] Why are you treating my son like a prisoner?

Give me my son!

Hold your tongue!

[Yeon-ui gasps]

Tell all those assembled here

what you really are.

You will obey my order.

[scoffs]

[chuckles]

[Yeon-ui whimpers]

No!

[somber music plays]

[Yeol-guk] Whether you tear or break his limbs off,

it does not matter.

But as for his torso,

you must leave his back unharmed.

[man] What is on his back?

[exhales]

[panicked breathing]

[somber music continues]

[Hongrang] I could not tell you. I was too ashamed.

Even for myself,

I was hideous.

Contemptible.

[dramatic music plays]

[music fades]

[dramatic music plays]

[music fades]

[gentle ballad plays]

[music fades]