Original subtitles

Is it me that you want?

If that is heaven's will, go ahead and kill me.

What can you possibly blame on a newborn infant?

I shall take that child.

The heavens bestowed an order upon me,

but it's something I couldn't possibly do myself.

What are you muttering about?

What could that divine revelation be, to force such a cruel act on you?

His Highness the Prince…

was born with the curse of leading this country to its downfall.

He will kill his own brethren,

cause his mother and father's deaths,

and, in the end, even suffer the fate of slaying his own child.

Speak no more!

How can so many curses fall upon a simple child?!

How could a mere mortal fathom the will of the gods?

I…

merely conveyed their message.

Your Majesty!

Only you, the son of heaven, shall hold the dagger which slays him.

For Goguryeo, its future fortunes!

You shall take that dagger,

and strike this nefarious curse into oblivion.

- I can't do that. - Your Majesty!

No need to fall prey to the guilt of killing your own child.

You can just say it was something my acolytes and I caused!

Carry out your duty!

Aren't you the King?!

Are you going to allow the claws of darkness…

to engulf this country's future, just because of personal attachment?

Sorceress!

Sorceress!!

Your Majesty.

For all the dreadful things I had to say,

forgive me.

May you…

follow the will of the gods.

Your Majesty.

Where is the sorceress?

Why did she kill her acolytes, and take the prince inside?

Your Majesty!

The sorceress is dead.

Give her a proper burial.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Episode 2

For such a lowly merchant like me, Episode 2

For such a lowly merchant like me,

enjoying a thermal bath in your presence…

is like achieving one of life's most ambitious goals.

I see you fool still do not know where your talents can bring you.

With your skills,

not just me, even sharing a bath with His Majesty would be no surprise.

Ohhh! You're just flattering me.

What do you think?

What are you referring to?

I'm asking you what you think is the reason…

King Yuri spared me and the chieftains.

Wouldn't that be obvious?

People from Wu and Yue* hate each other,

*Ancient Chinese states People from Wu and Yue* hate each other,

People from Wu and Yue* hate each other,

but if they meet a storm while riding the same boat,

they can't help but join forces.

Bitter enemies can't sink the boat they're both on.*

*Wu Yue Chun Qiu, Wu and Yue on the same boat - Art of War reference Bitter enemies can't sink the boat they're both on.*

Bitter enemies can't sink the boat they're both on.*

Wouldn't those be King Yuri's exact feelings?

Buyeo and the Han are right behind the corner,

so he'll placate his murderous thirst and tolerate your presence.

I was most surprised myself.

The same King Yuri I pictured as a bungling poltroon, used military success…

as a political tool, and won over the people with his benevolence.

Who could have ever imagined it?

The tide of public sentiment has changed.

- Public sentiment?! - Yes.

I'm saying, the people are now all on his side.

Right!

And I could change that tide like a boisterous storm,

if I only wished.

Ehhh… no matter if we're dealing with someone like you, that…

Sangganim!

What is the matter?

The sorceress is dead?!

Yes.

She killed all the guards,

and apparently took her own life.

King Yuri blocked access to the shrine,

and forbade all the acolytes to speak on the matter.

But, what is really strange is that…

the imperial robe His Majesty was wearing on his way out…

was stained in blood.

Sangganim.

It might not have been suicide. King Yuri could have killed her.

Whether she took her own life or perished under Yuri's blade,

doesn't concern me at all.

Just the sole decision of sealing access to the shrine…

could fatally influence the fulfillment of our goals.

Gather our people right now.

Don't let the ministers from the palace spot you.

Understood?

Yes, Sangganim.

Mahwang.

I shall show you the true nature of public sentiment.

We sealed the shrine and are keeping an eye on the acolytes,

but our efforts will not be effective for long.

What happened, Your Majesty?

Your Majesty.

Please, tell us.

What was the sorceress's revelation about?

Leave me alone.

Your Majesty!

I said leave me alone!

His Majesty continues to keep quiet about this.

I don't know how to react.

If the truth reaches the Sangga or the chieftains' ears,

they won't stay put about this.

They might have gotten on their knees in front of him,

but deep inside, they certainly…

are consumed by the flames of vengeful anger.

Chief Minister.

Alert the ministers to keep an eye on the chieftains.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty.

It's me, Guchu.

Come in.

What's the matter?

We're experiencing singular occurrences inside the palace.

We found blood inside the water.

The other villages are the same.

We can't understand why, but livestock was found dead.

Due to this chain of nefarious happenings,

people are showing concern,

thinking it might be the heavens' punishing hand.

More than calamities, we should be concerned about public sentiment.

People already know the truth about the terrible tragedy at the shrine.

Even more severe…

is the fact people believe Your Majesty might be involved in all this.

Your Majesty.

If the people turn their backs on you,

the chieftains will plot treason once again.

Tell us what that divine revelation was all about.

Uhh… this is crazy.

How are things going?

Ahh… yes. We're almost done.

Awww… this smell.

What is it?

It does look like barley,

or maybe not.

Ahh… you crazy fool, that's so nasty.

It's barley indeed, Your Highness.

- Barley?! - Yes.

The harvest recently ended,

so you'll find this all over the place.

You crazy fool! Spit that out right now!

Spit it!

Your Highness…

Oh?!

Hey!

It's arsenic.

They mixed it with the barley.

Then…

what about Gong Chan?

This small dose won't kill a man.

He shall soon regain his consciousness,

so you needn't worry.

Gong Chan!

Gong Chan!

Where can you find this arsenic?

The only people using this kind of strong arsenic in Goguryeo…

is the Biryu clan.

Just as you imagined,

public disturbance has begun.

Well done.

After they learned of the sorceress's death,

the enraged people have started believing King Yuri killed her…

and brought the gods' anger on our country.

A public revolt could be on the horizon.

It could indeed.

The time has come for me to seek audience with Yuri.

I need to see His Majesty.

He's meeting the Sangga from the Biryu clan, now.

Several nefarious signs of the gods' anger…

are engulfing our very existence as I speak.

But Your Majesty…

decided to seal access to the shrine, our only link with them.

May I inquire what the reason is?

The day access to the shrine was blocked,

you headed there yourself, to learn of the newborn prince's fate,

and the same day, people witnessed blood on your vest.

What on earth happened there?

Reveal to the people that such rumors…

are nothing but blatant hyperbole, Sire.

By any chance,

did the sorceress reveal any terrible curses…

regarding the newborn prince's destiny, enticing your blade?

Don't waste time with wild speculations.

The sorceress…

wasn't killed, she took her own life.

Tell me.

What was the sorceress's revelation about?

How terrible could the prince's destiny be,

to drive the sorceress to make such a gruesome decision?

Your Majesty.

We just got word that Her Majesty lost consciousness.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

Mother.

What happened?

Your Majesty.

The fever was too high,

so Her Majesty…

You must save her!

You must save her at all costs!!

I'm mortified, Your Majesty.

My dear.

Queen.

Sangganim.

I got word Her Majesty has just perished.

Organize a Council meeting right now!

Yes.

It's been three days already.

I'm worried something might have happened to him.

Your Highness!

The Sangga from the Biryu clan is summoning the other chieftains.

- Chief of Security. - Yes, Your Highness.

Summon the troops right now.

Yes.

Sangganim.

What is the matter?

Prince Haemyeong and his troops have surrounded us.

What is the occasion, Your Highness?

This is what we found inside those dead crows' stomachs.

Take a good look.

You're not telling me you're here…

to suggest a new line of business for yours truly?!

What people feared to be the hands of the gods…

punishing those animals in the capital,

just like that,

was merely a result of poisoned grains.

It must have been someone's plot.

Not only the crows which died at the palace,

all the livestock which died for no reason,

and the blood found amid the water.

I know very well…

it was something perpetrated by one of you illustrious gentlemen.

What are you insinuating?!

I know that individual created this nefarious happening…

to spread fear of ominous curses among the people,

and is causing unrest with intent to harm this country's future.

That is quite the strained hyperbole I'm hearing.

We were merely conferring over the Queen's burial.

Does acting like a proper subject pose any problem, may I ask?

Have you forgotten your loathsome past already?

Until the funerary rituals are complete,

you and all the chieftains shall be confined.

Your Highness.

That is unnecessarily harsh.

You stay put.

If that is your wish, we can't help but follow it. But!

Don't forget we chieftains are grieving over Her Majesty's demise.

Sangganim.

Are you really going to accept this?

There is nothing to worry.

Even without moving a single finger,

rumors shall spread as swiftly as a migrating storm in no time.

Both these nefarious events, and the death of Her Majesty,

will be considered heavens' retaliation…

for the sorceress's murder,

and people will fear the ominous destiny of the newborn prince.

Prince Haemyeong is keeping an eye on us, lest we summon our troops.

But he doesn't know that scarier than an army of a million men…

is the acrimonious fervor of the people…

turning their backs on the royal family.

What is all this?!

Your Majesty.

If the people turn their backs on you,

the chieftains shall plot treason once again.

Tell us what the sorceress's revelation was.

His Highness was born under the ominous fate…

of causing this country's downfall.

He will kill his brethren,

cause his mother and father's deaths,

and in the end,

even kill his own son.

Only you, the son of heaven, can carry out this duty.

For Goguryeo, its future fortunes!

You shall slay the newborn prince…

right now.

Your Majesty.

Sangga.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I shall no longer deny this country fell into turmoil…

because of the sorceress's death.

You asked me what her revelation was?

Yes.

I shall give you that answer now.

The sorceress…

said the newborn prince…

was born under the curse of causing Goguryeo's downfall.

That the only way to eradicate this curse…

was for the son of heaven to slay him with his own hands.

So, I shall kill the newborn prince…

and expunge heavens' indignation.

Your Majesty!

Is heavens' will worth following,

when it demands that a father kill his own son?

Just because he was born under an ill-fated star,

you can't kill your own son!

What I shall put an end to is not my son's life…

but the ominous flames of the curse engulfing this country!

Open the shrine's gates,

and let the ceremony's preparation commence!

Your Majesty!

You shan't do that!

Chief of Security.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Imprison the Crown Prince.

Your Majesty!

What are you waiting for?! Get him out of my sight!

Father. Father!

You can't do this!

How can you do something like that?!

Father!!

Father!!

What are you waiting for?!

Start the preparations,

and urge the people to participate!!

I never imagined His Majesty would do that.

Sangganim.

The people have turned their backs on him.

Continuing on our path…

You foolish man!

You still don't understand?

Yuri will slay his son and save Goguryeo from the claws of oblivion.

Who is ever going to join our cause?

I…

lost to King Yuri.

Oh… Princess.

I'd like to see my brother. Can I?

Of course. Come this way.

What's his name?

He still doesn't have one.

Baby. I'm your sister, Seryu.

Now…

I shall… like a mother…

protect you.

Your Majesty.

Father.

Seryu.

I promised my brother.

That I'll protect him instead of our mother.

It was a most clement thought,

but this baby shall leave for a faraway place.

Faraway where?

A place you don't know, very far away.

He shall soon leave,

so bid him farewell.

This is my gift to you.

Later… if…

I forget how you look,

when I see this necklace, I shall recognize you.

Then, you need to call me Sister.

Uh?

So long, my dear brother.

Hey.

Is he really going to offer the newborn prince in sacrifice?

Yes, for sure.

Really?!

Yes!

How can he do that, unless he's gone crazy?!

But… where did His Highness go?

Here…

lies the son of heaven's newborn child.

With his blood…

I shall break the curse smothering our very existence.

May the acolyte of the shrine come forward and carry out her duty.

What are you waiting for?

Do you wish to go against the will of our gods?!

If you can't do it!

I shall take care of it myself!

Bring me that sword, Daebo*.

*Daebo: highly ranked official in early Goguryeo;

during Yuri's early reign, Hyeopbo (also of MBC's Jumong) had this role

Do it.

I said do it!!

Heed my words!

I shall carry out the will of the gods myself,

and put an end to their blustering wrath!

Still!

May this be the last day I take back my word,

because the next man questioning my rule after tonight…

shall spill the blood I will use to quench the gods' fury!

Is that understood?!

Right as the ceremony was completed,

public unrest has started fading out.

Call the Chief of Security.

Yes.

They said he'd be unconscious until dusk.

But…

also that in case he wasn't conscious by then,

we wouldn't be able to bring him back to his senses.

Your Majesty.

I escorted His Highness here.

Bring him here.

From now on, that child…

is no longer my son nor your brother.

*Region where creation of Goguryeo began; current Liaoning province Take the child and head for Jolbon (former Jolbon Buyeo*).

*Before Shilla adopted them centuries later, Go there, and raise the child as a rootless commoner*.

only nobles in the Three Kingdoms used family names Go there, and raise the child as a rootless commoner*.

only nobles in the Three Kingdoms used family names

That child is no longer of this world,

so his name shall be…

Muhyul, for he no longer has a beating heart…

nor warm blood in his veins.

You, as well, shall cut all your ties with him.

Such is the only path which can save Muhyul's life.

Bear it in mind.

Father.

Leave right now.

Hye Ap!

Hye Ap, where are you?!

Hye Ap!

I told you…

I'd never see you again, Your Highness.

I…

have a favor to ask you.

I leave this child here… Please raise and protect him.

Who is it?

I…

can't tell you anything, so don't ask.

Just…

know this child's name…

is Muhyul.

If that child ends up creating another bond between me and you,

I can be of no help. Take him back with you.

It won't.

From this moment on,

I shall cut all my ties with this child.

I shall never come back for him,

so take care of him for me.

You, in front!

Hey!

Did you call me?

Let's take a break, shall we?

Yes!

Bandits!

Where?! Where?!

Your Highness!!

Ahhh… you almost scared me to death.

Jolbon Fortress

Aren't you tired?

Of what?

You've been here in Jolbon for over a decade,

and that… uh… "Crown Prince" moniker.

When are you ever going to become our ruler?

I see your tongue is as viperous as I remembered.

Why ask me that, when you can…

enquire on this matter with our man in Gungnae Fortress, His Majesty?

When am I going to be called back?

Let's hear some news of Buyeo.

If I can speculate,

I'll say Buyeo will attack Goguryeo within the next few years.

And I don't mean localized warfare we experienced in recent years.

An extensive campaign against us.

That would mean the end for Goguryeo.

There is no way Goguryeo can stop Buyeo's advance…

with their current military might.

I see you don't spare details even in front of the Crown Prince.

Don't you know me?! I don't engage in empty prattle.

It's a possibility you shan't dismiss.

I've heard a most peculiar story in Buyeo.

Ever heard of the Black Shadows?

Black Shadows?

Yes.

I've heard it's King Daeso*'s secret army. (*Buyeo king)

Apparently they're a fearsome army King Daeso…

has built in order to assassinate foreign rulers and their families.

Some of those people might have infiltrated Jolbon already.

You must be careful, Your Highness.

May I inquire about something?

It's been so long since the Crown Princess died.

Why are you still living companionless?

You still haven't forgotten Hye Ap?

Hye Ap

Chief Decorator.

It's time to examine the eastern murals.

Muhyul!

Maro!

Muhyul!

Maro!

Are you really going to do it?

Don't be afraid, and just do as I tell you. Muhyul

- Ahhh… my apologies! - What the hell?

Are you all right?

Be careful.

Here! We'll start with the bets!

Come here and place your bets!

Hurry up!

A little more! Go!

Yes! Go! Go!

Start!

It's the fifth in a row.

We've lost 50 nyang* in silver coins already. (*monetary unit)

Are you going to let them keep it up?

Let them go.

Thank you.

Wow… how much is this?

We probably won back all we lost,

and another 50 nyang in addition.

Should we go for another round at the Samwon alley?

You know whose territory that is.

Why? Don't want to?

Ahh… it's not that.

We need to go back. What if the Chief Decorator catches us?

I will leave those caves.

What?!

I don't want to spend my life painting murals inside a cave.

I want to travel all around, from Sushen to the Han empire.

Why, is she going to let you do that?

I'll run away, if needed.

What's wrong with you?

- Hey. - Uh?

Some people are following us.

Don't look back.

Out of the way!

Who are you?

Who the hell are you?!

Muhyul.

Ww…www…who… Who… are you?

Why, you don't really know?

Wh…what's wrong with you?

You should know what's wrong as well.

Give it back.

Should I cut your wrists to get it?!

This shan't suffice.

Search them!

Chief!

Not this one.

Let's go.

You bastards!

Give it back!

Let's stop now.

Let them continue.

By now, they would have learned their lesson.

Untie them.

What did I tell you?

People committing baneful misdeeds outside,

have no right to paint murals.

This is where the sacred tomb of His Majesty King Jumong lies.

In such a numinous place,

people committing such direful mistakes like yours…

shall be punished.

Until the dire legacy of your deeds escapes your thoughts,

you shall be confined here.

Imprison them.

If I don't deserve to paint murals,

I can just stop doing it. Isn't that right?

Let us get out of here.

Muhyul!

What are you muttering about?!

What are you doing? Take them away!

Let us go.

I prefer my direful fate outside,

than being caged like a beast in this place.

I said I don't want to live here anymore!

Shut your mouth! Get going!

Here.

Have some of this.

Let's eat.

You can have it.

I'll escape from here.

Stop that and just calm down.

If they catch you,

they will beat you to a pulp this time.

You're even good with those murals,

a little bit of patience and you could become an official decorator.

I never wished to become one.

If you're afraid, just stay here.

Hey… Muhyul!

Who's there?!

Mmm…Muhyul!

Muhyul!

We need to let the Chief Decorator know!

If we go back, they'll realize we tried to escape.

The troops will stop them.

You haven't seen a thing.

Understood?

Let's go.

Muhyul!

What if they can't stop them?

Then, everyone inside the cave will die!

We should at least tell the Chief.

Muhyul!!

Chief!

Chief!

Aren't you two supposed to be imprisoned?

Head for Jolbon Fortress, and convey this to Prince Haemyeong.

Show them this, and they shall let you meet him.

Hurry up!

You.

Don't even think of going out of here.

Where is the tomb of Jumong?

Where?!

Answer me!

I shall send you away.

Take Maro with you, and leave this place.

I have something left to do.

Where are we going?

I'm Gweyu.

From now on, your life is in my hands.

His Majesty, King Daeso, wishes the Goguryeo king…

to come to Buyeo, and speak directly to him.

What is that insulting drivel?!

Go there himself?!

It's King Daeso's doing, for sure.

They said the one who can find the burial relics of King Jumong…

shall rule the Northern lands for years to come.

King Daeso must still believe that revelation.

There is only one emperor in the Northern lands!

None other than His Majesty, Daeso.

If you can't find that sword,

I shall burn Goguryeo to ashes!!

No matter who it is,

if the situation requires, I shall do it.

We can't die this way.

I need to survive this!

Muhyul! Muhyul!

What happened to Muhyul? Is he dead?