Original subtitles

Previously...

They can't make a deal with Lee Do.

Lee Shin Jeok must be stopped.

Go and halt it at once!

RIGHT NOW!

Chapter 17

These letters must never go into the world.

Contact Lee Shin Jeok immediately.

What?

Right-State Minister has already entered the palace.

No matter what you have to do, you must relate the message to him.

Got it?

Sir!

What's going on?

An urgent message.

Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

That is...

Right-State Minister.

A moment.

It's Bonwon's command to halt it.

Lee Shin Jeok. [ Right-State Minister, Level One ]

What do you mean?

In the end, all that... was His Majesty's plan.

You must not accept the deal.

It seems he also put in an order to have the officials return to their posts in court.

Hey, what the heck are you talking about?

His Majesty's plan?

I don't know anything either, only that it is an urgent order.

Your Majesty.

Prime-Minister Hwang Hui and Right-State Minister Lee Shin Jeok are entering.

Your Majesty.

We've related the message to your subjects before today.

Have you come to a decision?

Throughout the night...

I've agonized over it without sleeping.

In the end, I...

Your Majesty.

Your humble subject also thought deeply throughout the night without slumber.

In regards to the opposition from the officials toward Your Majesty's letters...

Your humble subject has not the confidence to persuade them.

What are you about to say right now?

I've come to the conclusion that I do not have the pretext to persuade them in the first place.

Therefore, your humble subject shall...

So that the upcoming state exam can be carried out without an inch of laxity, I shall gather the officials.

And work hard to have them attend their court posts.

Please grant your royal permission.

How did it go?

I did as you said for now, but what in the world is going on?

I don't know the details either, except to relate the next order.

What next order?

He said to bring the exam theme that will be used tomorrow.

Exam theme?

Why did RIght-State Minister change his attitude suddenly?

What exactly is the reason?

I don't know either.

Why suddenly...?

Milbon.

Milbon is manipulating this circumstance?

Right now, Milbon and the aristocrats concur.

Whether the aristocrats speak for Milbon or Milbon speaks for aristocrats...

is not something separable.

Ride a horse at once

and go find Lee Bang Ji in Hamgildo.

Why the master?

Lee Bang Ji's strength is needed.

Do you think Lee Bang Ji would join our cause?

Don't we have Kang Chae Yoon with us?

The fact that Lee Bang Ji took in a disciple is a perplexing matter in itself.

He isn't someone who would do so.

Surely he holds an affinity toward Kang Chae Yoon.

And that's the reason he sent his subordinate to Kang Chae Yoon too.

Go and relate to him that Kang Chae Yoon has joined our cause.

Then, even if he doesn't join us, he will come.

What about Kang Chae Yoon?

To verify the validity of Kang Chae Yoon's words, I am looking into various channels.

Until now, I have not come into anything suspicious.

That punk's goal...

is to kill the King, did you say?

Yes.

That punk said so himself.

Lee Do.

I was ready to go as far as giving up Jiphyunjeon...

to promulgate the letters!

What's wrong?

That final hour when I didn't even know if Gwangpyung had died or not,

I offered Gwangpyung to them for that decision!

Giving up my Jiphyunjeon to choose promulgation of the letters,

it was going to be my once in a lifetime decisive win!

But those guys rejected it!

They didn't take it!

Exactly why?

How? For what reason?

It's the theme for tomorrow's state exam.

We were on the verge of getting it achieved.

Hence, why did you halt it?

In exchange for the promulgation of letters, we get Jiphyunjeon abolished.

It was our golden opportunity to materialize the power of State Council.

That was the King's stratagem.

What stratagem?

A stratagem to promulgate the letters.

Bonwon!

Why are aristocrats aristocrats?

Why do you ask that suddenly?

Try and answer, Lee Shin Jeok!

Why are aristocrats aristocrats!?

Because they are scholar-turned-bureaucrats versed in Chinese characters and Confucianism, right?

Yes.

They've become the core of power...

since China's Sung Dynasty.

Confucian scholars became bureaucrats and they came to rule the nation.

Understanding Confucianism was a key.

Knowing Chinese characters was a core.

That is why we...

unlike the nobles of previous dynasty, Goryeo...

we do not rule the nation through blood and hereditary successions.

Through state exams,

these aristocrats picked by their skills,

are the ones who run the court.

That is...

Joseon's ideal.

Yes, but?

So?

Don't you know?

Writing and power go hand in hand.

All the Sino-affliated nations,

are established in that hierarchy. However!

However...

If the letters are promulgated,

that root will wobble.

The King is trying to shake it.

The King, in abandoning that beloved Jiphyunjeon of his,

you don't think he will demand anything?

Various offices to speed up the circulation of letters, without a doubt,

and likely the state exam as well.

He may ask for those letters to be written then, too.

This matter,

is one that will shake the system of officialdom itself. Don't you know that?

The power of writing will be shared to all and order will be collapsed.

And the nation will enter into chaos.

Look at Phags-pa!

No one will use it.

A world where everyone uses writing?

That is the same as sun rising from the west!

Didn't you say that, Bonwon?

These are letters that will make the sun rise from the west!

Milbon is... no...

If Jeong Gi Joon inherited the will of Jeong Do Jeon,

then the target has to be Jiphyunjeon for certain.

But why did Jeong Gi Joon...

knock away this opportunity?

For what exactly?

Then he has a different aim?

Your Majesty.

It could just be a trial of strength.

Moo Hyool,

when you engage in a swordfight,

what if you make a great blow but the blow misses?

What happens?

Then an enormous counterattack

will probably come.

Right.

When a great blow misses, it divides life and death.

Right now, my one great blow missed.

What exactly is it?

What counterattack

is coming?

Letters that will make the sun rise from the west?

Yes.

What does that mean, Bonwon?

A delusion that everyone believes impossible...

Letters that will materialize it.

Are they such great letters?

What kind of letters are they then?

Show us.

These letters... no one, no matter who, can know them.

If someone learns them, whoever it may be,

these letters are capable of spreading like an epidemic.

Right, great!

Let's say every citizen knows these letters.

Does that make them government officials?

In this Joseon, the nation of aristocrats and Confucianism,

not even Chinese characters but those letters,

just because they know them a bit, they can operate the government?

Those who learn these letters,

will keep Chinese characters away.

And if Chinese characters are kept aloof,

Neo-Confucianism will be kept away.

Then?

Even if it's not immediate,

in a few hundred years, it is hard to say.

Neither Chinese characters nor Neo-Confucianism,

those things who don't even know the Three Bonds and Five Relationships (Confucianism),

a world where they become bureaucrats may come!

Is that it?

Once they know writing, they will naturally know the joy of reading.

If they know the joy of reading, they will wake up.

Once they awake,

they will know the joy of writing.

Bonwon! For what...

In addition! Once human beings know the joy of writing,

they will want to express themselves to the world.

And that is how power will shift. Don't you know?

Right now, Lee Do...

is about to hand power to all the people.

Lee Do is trying to do such an irresponsible deed!

Lee Do loves the people?

Tell him to shove that joke.

When the King or the officials do wrong, they are held accountable.

But if a citizen does wrong, what do you think will happen?

Will you say that the citizens are accountable,

and replace them all?

You exaggerate and jump too much.

Even if that really happens in reality,

Bonwon or me, will we live another 50 or a 100 years?

Even if it materalizes, it will be after a few hundred years.

So in a few hundred years,

it's okay for Joseon and Neo-Confucianism to disappear?

Did you lose your sense of reality after living as a boor for too long?

Why are you like this exactly?

If the world where everyone writes comes,

the aristocrats will lose power,

and if aristocrats lose power,

then Neo-Confucianism can't lead Joseon.

And if Neo-Confucianism can't lead Joseon,

then Joseon...

is ruined is what that means.

The letters

must be blocked.

Then?

Bonwon, you really believe stopping the letters

takes precedence over materializing a de facto parliament system?

It is not a matter of which is first.

This is a matter of life and death!

Your Majesty.

Do you conclude that they have become aware of the letters?

If that is the case,

just what might happen in the future...

How are those scum aristocrats?

They can't even see an inch in front of them but they dare to spearhead Joseon?

Those clueless punks...

how are they Neo-Confucianists spearheading Joseon?

However...

Bonwon you must pull them all with you.

Milbon members' personal goal must be the same as Milbon's goal right now.

But for you to say that getting rid of the letters takes precedence over a de facto parliament system...

You don't know either, punk?

When Gaepayi and Yeondu learned writing in just two days, why were you so startled?

That's because... To teach children Chinese characters,

why do we have them finish the Thousand-Character Classic first?

And next, have them finish Minor Learning and Mindful Examplar first,

before we teach them composition?

Because a person without refinement should not be writing words.

Because writing

is a weapon.

What will happen if those who are not cultured write at their whim?

Then words can carelessly kill or save people.

That is how scary writing is.

But this writing Lee Do made,

can be learned in just two days by uncultured people.

Right.

When you punk saw Gaepayi and Yeondu,

you instinctively felt that terror.

Lee Do is trying to put out that colossal thing into the world.

However!

How is it that those aristocratic punks don't know that?

He's lived as a boor for so long, he's lost his sense of reality. Isn't that right?

What exactly is the likes of those letters,

that we would lose power because of them?

If you look and foresee into the future, he isn't wrong.

What?

As Bonwon says, the reason we can dominate the citizens, is because of the strength of writing.

So?

Because we know writing, we rise in prestige, have dominion and stand above the citizens.

But if Yangmin (commoners), Nobi (slaves) and Cheonmin (low-births) all come to know writing,

in the end we will be sharing the power we grasp.

You don't know what power is?

Power is power because it can be exchanged for something!

Once we have established the de facto parliament system,

we can just change the issue of the letters to suit us.

To give up our goal just to block some letters?

There is no reason to commit such a foolish deed.

Those who hesitate before power will not gain power in the end.

Instead they will fail by that power.

The reason why Teacher Sambong made Milbon is

for the sake of the aristocrats to continue their hold on power.

But you know that!

What, the deal was halted?

What are you talking about?

It seems likely that Milbon knows about the letters.

The letters?

You mean the deal was really halted over the letters?

They must have come to understand

what might happen once His Majesty's writing entered the world.

They must believe the citizens will snatch their power.

Why would the citizens snatch their power too just because they know some writing?

But it's true! Do we become a noble or an aristocrat just because we know writing?

Whether we know writing or not, the low ones are still low ones.

But it seems the aristocrats don't view it so.

Hence they will do whatever it takes to stop the promulgation.

His Majesty also said this won't end here.

[ Sungkyunkwan Academy ]

Nothing particular happened at the exam plaza?

Correct.

I've received no report.

Prime-Minister Lord Hwang Hui is entering.

At this year's Sogwa (preliminary) exam, there were a total of 17,025 test-takers.

These are the selected answer scripts among them.

May Your Majesty appoint the first-place winner.

I can't tell which household this man is from.

But his learning is high and his insights are outstanding.

To know that Joseon has such a talent is such a joy.

Then... I name this man as the first-place winner.

First-place winner, Seo Yong.

You must be from a prestigious household.

So then,

which household's son are you?

This humble person...

What?

This humble person is a slave living in Banchon, named Seo Yong.

Banchon?

Banchon?

How?

A slave?

What?

Who's living where?

Slave of Banchon, Seo Yong.

A slave?

What?

Though I've learned writing since my youth, I had no place to advance.

However,

I heard Your Majesty created letters,

creating a world where everyone knows writing.

So I came.

I've demonstrated all my talents to Your Majesty.

I have no regret even if I die.

That!

So this was it,

Jeong Gi Joon.

This is the biggest incident since the founding of Joseon.

How could a slave intrude into the exam plaza?

And what? Make the first-place grade?

Hey, even when Jang Yeong Shil was given the Daehogun title,

"How can a slave be entitled Daehogun. Please show discernment, Your Majesty!"

There was Your Majesty here and there everywhere.

A complete panic all over the palace.

Yeah!

Me too. To hear a slave took place first,

I don't feel so great either.

That's what I'm saying!

I suffered so much to follow my mom's dying wish to come all the way here.

But now even a slave throws his spoon on my rice bowl?

His Majesty also said it won't end here.

Writing?

Is that truly,

such a big deal?

It looks like all the Confucian scholars heard and stood up.

That's what I'm saying.

A slave? What is to become of Joseon?

The national law allows up to a Yangin (commoner) to take the civil exam.

And even though we have a few like Yoon Sang of Sungkyunkwan who passed despite being a Yangin,

we've never had one to place a grade.

However!

A slave? And a grade of first-place at that?

This is something that can never be!

Since we've had the incident of His Majesty placing Jang Yeong Shil into the title of Daehogun before,

we have an incident of today, isn't that right?

It's nothing for you all to fuss over, so be quiet.

How will you settle the matter?

Slave Seo Yong will face the law.

The Royal Investigation Bureau is to send him to Tamra Island at once.

Minister Lee, why do you have no answer?

Yes, I shall see to it done.

In addition, it is not a matter that will gain from yacking. So treat it as a slave without a sound mind,

intruding the exam plaza and that's it. Everyone understand?

Yes.

What are you trying to start, Jeong Gi Joon?

Chief Scholar.

What are you talking about?

To put the second place as the first-place-winner?

It was the State Council's decision.

Furthurmore, Slave Seo Yong will be sent to Tamra Island, so everyone is to remain silent on it.

What?

You mean to say you will bury your head in the sand like an ostrich?

The story of slave Seo Yong is already widely dug around the palace.

How do you intend to soothe the resentment of the aristocrats and the fury of the scholars?

The national discipline derranged by that punk,

how will you fix it?

This is a palace matter.

Because His Majesty said he was creating letters,

a mere slave came to violate the court!

This is precisely,

because His Majesty's writing can make a slave fit for a government post.

This is a warning that even a slave can become the Prime Minister!

The promulgation of the letters can, on no account, happen!

Your Majesty,

slave Seo Yong will be dispatched to Tamra Island at once,

and I will dispose of the matter so that it will not expand.

Now the matter will soon go into slumber.

Please appease your worries.

This is not the end.

They will certainly not stop here.

Jeong Gi Joon.

How far will you go?

You scum!

You scum was told to copy the book! Were you told to read to learn?

It wasn't me.

Aren't you trying to disdain the aristocrats like Seo Yong?!

It's not so!

That punk Seo Yong is out of his mind.

You shitheels!

Aigo.

We deserve to die.

My Lord.

You punks are looking at the likes of these books to disdain the nobles like the slave Seo Yong!

My Lord, please spare us.

Just because you are Sungkyunkwan slaves and you enter and dwell in Sungkyunkwan, have you dared to embrace such traitorous minds?!

Neo-Confucianism isn't some learning made to be read by the likes of you lowly slaves!

Cho Tak, you've seen that look before, right?

It's the gaze we saw in the battle fields.

When all the comrades die and you're left alone to go nuts. It's that look.

It's true.

It's that gaze.

For slaves to know a little writing... is that such a...

thing that makes the nobles so furious?

Did Milbon aim for this chaos?

This incident, not to mention the scholars, but the entire aristocracy are thrown into anger.

It is not anger.

It is terror.

But they themselves might think they are enraged.

However, it is because they deem writing their knowledge and authority,

and their sole domain.

They feel terror instinctively and that's why.

Then, you mean this is not the end either?

Then is promulgation an impossibility?

I will have to employ a different strategy.

However,

I need to prepare emotionally.

What do you think of this incident?

Joseon is ruined.

It is a matter that should never and could never happen.

Are you prepared for it?

Of course.

I had planned to come forward, even without your order.

It's scary. Isn't it like we're going to war?

I mean if,

the world that everyone knows writing comes...

How can a day like that come?

I mean, if it comes.

If it comes, then will that day when a slave can make a grade on the civil exam come too?

Well a slave is not allowed by law, so no.

But a Yangin (commoner) would be okay, right?

Well if it comes, then those who've studied and wanted to fart a bit would go take the civil tests.

Then a whole lot more commoners would pass the test, compared to now, right?

Then, is that really so colossal?

What's wrong?

I'm sorry.

That bloodthirst we felt.

Was that scholar?

How does a scholar possess such a...

You guys go back to the palace first.

I'll be there soon.

Is everything ready?

Yes, sir.

Why are you chasing us?

How are you doing this?

I wasn't chasing you. I was just going my way.

[ Sungkyunkwan Academy ]

I saw the scholar who killed the slave Seo Yong.

We're here to arrest him so move aside.

Now!

Therefore, that which is called "Joseon"

is a Neo-Confucianistic nation and the aristocrats of this nation will be the officials to push Joseon to excel

and are charged with the guidance to lead Joseon.

Scholarship and governance is in accord with the aristocratic ideal. Only those who are cultured can serve in the government.

However what is the state of our Joseon right now? Creating Sino-defying letters...

creating a world where everyone uses writing!

Soon it will lead to the violent shaking of Neo-Confucianism and bureaucracies that are Joseon's roots.

Stop there!

Hencefore, I, Park Se Myeong, as a Confucian scholar of Joseon, representing the entire aristocracy of Joseon and Confucian scholars

disposed of the slave Seo Yong who partook in the civil exam.

For the sake of duty and loyalty,

I offer my life.

May you live eternally, Joseon!

Get him down. From there!

What...

Oh my...

That everyone knowing writing...

is cause for wrath from such a young scholar?

Enough to give up his life?

Isn't it?

They are people whose only strength is in writing.

As autopsy is to me and the sword is to you, Sir.

The reason Garion is Garion is because he's good with autopsies, right?

That is the only thing I have.

Isn't it more extreme for those lords?

They must not know about the identity of our letters.

If they should find out about the letters,

just what hindrance might occur against promulgation,

cannot be estimated.

The King, my father, is also,

putting his life on the line for this work.

Much more so than us.

Much heavier is his wager.

Just like Orabeoni, you're wagering your life

on killing the King.

I've wagered mine on creating writing.

If they know writing, the people will gain strength too.

Though rice won't appear,

they will know how to make more rice.

Though they won't become a noble,

they won't be bullied by the nobles so powerlessly.

As I saved you, when you escaped from the jail to run,

I fought against my father, the King.

And that was the beginning of all that is Lee Do.

And now the end of me, Lee Do is...

creating writing.

Was this such an

enormous thing?

The letters His Majesty created.

To have those letters come into the world.

Dahm...

Did you know it from the start?

At first, I didn't know.

At first, when His Majesty said he was going to create an easy writing,

whether it would be successful or not, I was just happy.

Just imagining it...

was already so blissful.

However, His Majesty,

really did create an easy writing.

And watching them come to near completion,

I began to feel uneasy.

These letters, more so than I had thought,

they were much easier.

Though I felt full in my heart,

I felt apprehension on one side.

For the lower ones,

this good thing that is great in imagination alone;

this good and easy thing for the lower ones,

would the upper class like it?

I really didn't know this was such a difficult thing.

If writing was created,

then it's enough to get it publicized and used.

But even before the letters are out, the knocking to death is already happening.

Watching them drumming all that fuss.

Now,

a steady promulgation is going to be difficult.

It must be Milbon.

Milbon is manipulating the situation from behind.

Milbon,

Jeong Gi Joon needs to be captured before this situation ends.

Where Jeong Gi Joon is,

or what he looks like... no one knows.

Lord Jo Mal Saeng, too,

he only knows his face from when he was around 20.

Lord Jo Mal Saeng?

Someone who puts Moo Hyul at a disadvantage, too,

there was a high-skilled warrior.

Lee Bang Ji.

That bodyguard warrior of Jeong Do Jeon who was Joseon's best swordsman, I mean.

But Orabeoni...

That...

wish, I mean.

Right... wish.

After I catch Jeong Gi Joon,

I'll tell you after I catch him. Okay?

Moo Hyul chased after Lee Bang Ji who disappeared, but he returned, having lost.

Teacher. Teacher is the key.

[ Northern territory Hamgildo ]

You must be Yoon Pyung's henchman.

Where's Yoon Pyung?

Bonwon has given the order.

Hence, I came to relate it to you.

I am not a Milbon.

Tell me it's an order one more time,

and you'll die.

Teacher. One more time,

you call me teacher,

and you'll die too.

Didn't we agree to never see each other again?

Jeong Gi Joon or you punk?

I will tell you the message from Bonwon.

Bonwon wishes you to join the cause.

Far from it!

Did you send someone to me last time just to say the likes of that too?

Get lost!

You know Kang Chae Yoon, right?

Kang Chae Yoon has joined hands with Milbon too.

Lee Bang Ji?

Yes, the one who used to be Jeong Do Jeon's guard warrior.

That Lee Bang Ji, I mean.

How do you punk know Lee Bang Ji?

He used to be my teacher.

What?

You mean you punk used to be Lee Bang Ji's disciple?

Yes.

What is this fated connection?

No, it must be an ill-fate.

Do you suppose Lee Bang Ji is a Milbon or not?

Since he's your teacher you should know better.

I know of nothing.

That Teacher used to be Jeong Do Jeon's guard warrior,

I only found out from Lord Jo Mal Saeng not long ago.

And also, what exactly happened on that night in year Mooin that swept him away,

That he couldn't guard Jeong Do Jeon, I mean.

His whereabouts afterwards has been a mystery.

Whether he is engaged in Milbon or not is unknown.

But regardless of Milbon, Lee Bang Ji is a surviving traitor who is a remnant of Sambong clan from Mooin.

For him to conceal his whereabouts is a given.

The assassin named Yoon Pyung who killed the scholars...

that scum uses the teacher's martial arts.

What?

What do you suppose the story to that is?

Wouldn't it mean that the Teacher knows Jeong Gi Joon?

Hence?

If I can meet the Teacher, I should be able to ask about Jeong Gi Joon.

Do you know where Lee Bang Ji is?

Actually not long ago, Teacher sent someone to me.

If I trace his identity,

there should be a way.

However, before that, what matters to me,

is to find out what the Teacher's relationship with Milbon is.

If the Teacher is truly deeply engaged in Milbon,

for me to meet him,

could actually spoil the mission.

Hence, tell me, please,

about the Teacher and regarding Milbon's past.

I mean, everything you know, Guard Commander.

He did seem startled upon hearing about Chae Yoon.

However, he did not come with me.

He will come.

Lee Bang Ji will certainly come.

The night of Mooin affair,

Grand King Taejong,

attacked the house in Namwon where traitor Jeong Do Jeon resided at the time.

You must know that he had everyone put to death.

Yes.

However, the Teacher, who was the bodyguard,

was not there, I heard.

Do you know the reason for that?

There was a woman.

The woman Lee Bang Ji loved who was also,

Jeong Do Jeon's woman.

You mean, he loved the master's woman?

Something like that.

Grand King Taejong, on that night,

thought the biggest obstacle in attacking Jeong Do Jeon,

was precisely the existence of Joseon's best swordsman, Lee Bang Ji.

Hence,

he needed to pull Lee Bang Ji out for a little bit.

He had that woman kidnapped.

And he had Lee Bang Ji alerted to that fact.

Lee Bang Ji, upon hearing that news,

left Jeong Do Jeon's side,

in order to go and save that woman.

Drop your sword, Lee Bang Ji!

Just stay here for a little bit, until the work is ended.

Then, I will not harm this woman.

Hurry and go.

Go and save Teacher Sambong.

Hurry!

NO!

Then? What happened?

That woman died in Lee Bang Ji's embrace.

Even as she was dying, the last words she said,

"hurry and go"

"and save Sambong."

Lee Bang Ji went to Sambong belatedly, but indeed the work there was done as well.

Neither his own master, Jeong Do Jeon,

nor the woman, did he protect.

That guilty conscience...

is what drove him to disappear.

Right.

But why do you know it so lucidly, Guard Commander?

The night of Mooin affair,

what do you suppose I was doing?

At the time,I was a teenage warrior still wet behind the ears.

My first field day was precisely that night.

Hence, you know it in much more detail than Lord Jo Mal Saeng.

Minister Jo...

said the Teacher suddenly disappeared.

As to why he disappeared...

or where he went to, he did not know.

Lord Jo Mal Saeng?

Yes.

How can that be?

The one I just told you about, the one who had his sword on the woman...

the one who was given the mission to stall Lee Bang Ji was none other than Minister Jo.

Minister Jo.

Teacher had that past to him?

His guilt for failing to protect Jeong Do Jeon.

That was his reason for living like that?

Then what is his relationship with Milbon?

Hey, where are you trying to leave to?

You're trying to go somewhere again?

Did you leave a letter again?

I'm not letting you go!

Don't go! Don't go, I said!

What's with the silly act? I already reported to Royal Guard Commander.

I'm leaving to go find someone, so I'll be gone a few days.

Who are you trying to find?

Lee Bang Ji!

My teacher.

What... how long has it been?

What brings you here so late at night?

He appeared.

What has appeared?

It seems you've forgotten since you gave me the order so long ago.

The man who pours alcohol on the tomb and mourns has finally appeared.

[ Banchon ]

Who are you?

You don't look like a Banchon person. What business do you have here?

Why this old man...

Aigo, who could this be.

How long has it really been.

What is all this? Stuff it.

Hey now, look at that speech manner of yours.

When I'm the Bonwon of Milbon.

I raised you on my back. Don't know?

Right, right. I did go to you a lot calling you mister.

Let's go in and talk some.

You came to talk, right?

Stuff it now.

Before you croak.

Hurry and put the sword down.

Wrong move and we'll all croak.

Here, now.

Come on.

What's behind that wall?

You have a pet beast or something?

Indeed Lee Bang Ji. You are not dead.

You sense it all, right?

Shall I get a cup of tea for you or something?

Or a cup of alcohol?

Stuff it.

Let's get to the point.

What is this talk that Kang Chae Yoon joining hands with Milbon?

Just as the words mean.

Kang Chae Yoon has joined course with our Milbon's great cause.

Jeong Gi Joon!

Are you like this because you trust what's behind that wall?

Answer me straight.

That disciple punk of yours named Kang Chae Yoon.

That punk doesn't have to

live futilely like you is what I thought.

Those who grasp the sword getting tangled in the affair of the high-ups

is the most futile-living of all.

It's the most cowardly living actually.

Despite having skill and erudition,

abandoning the world and living in seclusion,

isn't that the nastiest living?

Like you!

Just what kind of Joseon you punk

or what political system you create,

someone gets snatched

and someone snatches.

Someone steps

and someone gets stepped on.

The high-ups call that the great cause.

But that is still that.

In the end,

it's all dog rubbish.

Should the one who lusted after the master's woman and abandoned the master,

should that betrayer say such a thing?

So..

When will you be back this time?

I'll have to go and see.

But this time, even if I can't find him, I'll come back in three or four days.

I feel hungry suddenly now that I'm leaving for a long journey.

You've got nothing?

That piglet stuffed everything so I have nothing.

And Angsung-daek must be asleep too.

Should I go down and try to wake her?

Nah.

I'll stop by Garion's on my way out and ask for some dried meat or something.

But anyway, that Park Po...

take good care of him in the meantime.

Don't you worry.

Hey, Chae Yoon!

Be careful of your body.

Lee Bang Ji.

That night, you...

If you hadn't been tempted by a woman and left your station,

Sambong could've escaped the crisis.

If only he could've escaped from Namwon's house,

he could've regathered his strength and turned things around.

You are the one... who changed history.

You scum...

ruined Joseon's history.

Regarding that, I have nothing to say.

I offered my head before you guys,

and I asked you to kill me too.

But you wanted to make a deal.

Yoon Pyung...

To make that punk into a killer.

Hence, I did that and the transaction is over, no?

A deal merely to that degree,

do you think it will atone for your offense?

Do you really think so, Lee Bang Ji?

What do you want from me?

Together with Kang Chae Yoon,

join together with us, Milbon.

Chae Yoon really...

became a Milbon?

That you are Jeong Gi Joon,

does he know?

Not yet, of course.

And he didn't become a Milbon either. Yet.

So you mean, don't tell him and don't interrupt?

He spurts out venom outwardly,

but he is a boy who is as frail as can be.

He is not someone who should meddle in politics.

Politics?

Kang Chae Yoon wielding his sword inside the palace

means he's already involved, no?

Since we have the same target, we are doing it together.

What are you talking about?

What palace?

Do you really not know?

Kang Chae Yoon's been grinding his sword for the past decades in order to seek revenge!

You really don't know where that sword is aimed at, huh, Lee Bang Ji?!

It's Lee Do!

Kang Chae Yoon came to kill the King.

Hey, Garion!

Oh, what brings you here so late at night?

I'm about to go on a long journey.

But I feel peckish here, you see.

Do you have some dried meat or something?

It doesn't have to be beef. Like dried pork or something.

Give me some then!

Yes, of course, I have some.

Come in for a bit, please.

Sure, sure.

Come inside, please.

Aigo, you had a guest.

Yes, a brother I knew from a long time ago.

He's stopping by after a long absence.

Brother, since it's a fate regardlessly, so go ahead and greet him then.

This is Sir Kang Chae Yoon who is a palace guard.

Yup, I'm Kang, a palace guard.