Original subtitles

Haven't you heard? King Yuri is subjugating the Gisan tribe.

When he comes back here, he'll surely use that against us.

I shall not accept the chieftains' tyranny any longer.

We shall turn the tide.

We're going to attack Gungnae Fortress.

Treason?!

King Yuri will never come back to Gungnae Fortress.

Your Majesty!!

I'll take the former king's example, and forgive you.

Instead, send me your eldest sons.

I just got word the queen gave birth to a prince.

Tell them I'll escort the prince to the shrine.

The prince was born under the ill-fated star which will cause Goguryeo's downfall.

The people are uneasy, saying it's a sign from the gods.

The queen fell unconscious.

He will kill his brethren…

cause his mother and father's deaths,

and in the end, even kill his own son.

I shall kill the prince, and quench the gods' anger.

I shall carry out the will of the gods myself,

and put an end to their blustering wrath!

Take the child to Jolbon…

Go there, and raise the child as a rootless commoner.

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.

- Who is it? - His name is Muhyul.

Where is Jumong's tomb?

Where?!

Where is it?!

Muhyul!

If you don't answer me this time…

I shall begin by slaying him.

Where is the tomb of Jumong?

His Majesty Jumong's ancestral shrine is a numinous place.

Heedlessly violate it and you shall all meet your demise.

I shall be the one worrying about life and death.

All you need to do is lead me there.

Episode 3

When you enter the shrine, you will find the Heavenly Sword among Jumong's ancestral relics.

- Bring it. - Yes!

What is going on?

Didn't I warn you already?

That if you violated it carelessly, you'd die.

Strange devices… are all over the place.

You will have to go in yourself.

It'll be useless.

I would be killed myself, even before reaching the shrine.

If you don't enter that tomb right now…

I shall behead you.

Wait!

I'll do it.

I will go get the Heavenly Sword.

Muhyul!

Chief Decorator.

I will do it.

Don't do anything so stupid.

If you violate the shrine…

you will befoul His Majesty Jumong's honor.

Dying here would be better than such affront.

How can a dead's man honor matter so much?

I have lived my entire life inside these caves.

I can't waste my life this way.

I shall survive.

I'll survive…

and save your life as well.

Muhyul. Muhyul!

Mu.. mu… Muhyul.

Let's go back.

What if the Chief Decorator finds out?

She told us to never enter this place!

If you're afraid, you can leave.

Who dares to violate these sacred grounds?!

What are you doing here?

Me?

I'm protecting His Majesty Jumong.

Do you spend the day making those things?

Care to take a look?

Take a good look.

These are my so-called "mysterious devices."

Even Haewol wouldn't get passed these.

Who is Haewol?

A long, long time ago, he was a subject of Dangun Wanggeom*. [*legendary founder of Gojoseon, predecessor of Goguryeo]

He was a renowned master at making these devices.

Looks like he died.

You lead the way.

We shall no longer violate the shrine.

Kill me.

Chief Decorator.

Does it hurt anywhere?

I'm fine.

And Muhyul?!

Where is Muhyul?

Did anything happen to him?

Isn't the shrine full of devices, prohibiting anyone from entering?

Then…

what happened to Muhyul?

Is he dead?

Your Highness.

I shall find out with my own eyes what happened to him.

Get out of the way.

Muhyul!

Muhyul!

We found this next to them.

It's Hangnyeongcho* powder.They've probably used it to hide their identities in case they failed. [*Extremely poisonous plant]

Also, inside their armor, they were wearing sheepskin covering the skin of horse mammaries.

This is what Buyeo troops use to combat the cold even at night.

Considering all these circumstances…

these are surely troops sent by Buyeo's king Daeso.

Buyeo Fortress

These are the most recent recruits who joined our guards.

Choose the most skilled among them.

They shall be responsible for protecting my life,

shouldn't I attest first hand what kind of skills they possess?

I shall engage in combat with you, for once.

Your Majesty.

Considering the age difference…

they'll be beyond your compass, Your Majesty.

What are you going to do if I win?

I shall hand you one hundred of my finest slaves.

That will suffice.

If I lose…

I shall give you the same amount.

Choose one for me, then.

These men were chosen among the best our army has to offer.

They also received special training.

Your Majesty, this could cause you an injury, and…

You still treat me like an olden artifact, you're just asking for trouble.

Choose one.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You have my word.

Beat me, and you shall be promoted to battalion leader.

But, if you lose…

I shall behead you right here.

Let's begin.

Your Majesty!

I'm fine. Give this man what was promised to him.

Ahh… yes.

I lost, so you'll have a hundred of my slaves.

I feel like I used witchcraft on you, Your Majesty.

It makes me feel uneasy.

Instead, I shall bestow a most challenging task on you.

I'm waiting for your orders.

Tour the entire frontier, and report to me on the state of our frontier defense forces.

It shall be done, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

What is the matter?

The head of the Black Shadows has returned from Goguryeo.

What happened?

I am asking you!

We failed, Your Majesty.

The rest of your men?

They all perished.

Your Majesty, placate your fury!

It took us years just to find Jumong's burial place.

Think of the effort I went through to find that Heavenly Sword.

Is this umbrageous debacle all we gained?!

How much effort we went through to create the Black Shadows?!

How can they perish so woebegonely?

If we cannot find the Heavenly Sword…

I shall foist the flames of war upon Goguryeo!

Gungnae Fortress (Goguryeo Capital)

[Maekgung: bow created by Mohe minorities in Goguryeo] This bow was made with spindle tree, has much better range than average bows,

[Maekgung: bow created by Mohe minorities in Goguryeo]

and is more efficient in ambushes. [Maekgung: bow created by Mohe minorities in Goguryeo]

How long would it take to arm the entire Central Guards with this bow?

It depends on how quickly we can secure ox horns,

but it shall take at least two years.

Yeojin.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Go get your sword.

I shall examine how your swordsmanship has progressed.

Get the sword I gave you.

Yeojin

What are you waiting for? Go get the sword. Lady Miyu (Consort of King Yuri)

The sword you bestowed upon me…

is not in my possession, Your Majesty.

It's not in your possession?!

Are you telling me you lost it?

I have no propensity for martial arts…

so no amount of training would see any improvement.

Therefore…

I took the sword you gave me…

gave it to the workshop master,

and made what I wanted out of it.

How can a Goguryeo prince trivialize his sword?

I told you to treasure that sword with your life!

What on earth did you attain from such trifling squander?

Isn't this an ornament?

I made it myself, Your Majesty.

I gave the sword to the workshop master,

and learned how to make ornaments.

With these skills…

you could become workshop master yourself.

If Your Majesty grants me permission…

I would like to enter the workshop as an apprentice.

I shall make all the ornaments for the rituals myself.

Nonsense.

Your Majesty.

Give Yeojin a chance to show his skills.

With no duties on his shoulders,

he's wasting time with capricious bilge.

If you only wish to…

you can enter the workshop, and create our ritual tools.

That, too, is a valuable pursuit.

Yes, I shall do my best.

Ornaments?!

A Goguryeo prince squandering his time for such chicanery!

It is what I desire, Mother.

Don't dishearten me any longer!

Haemyeong is surrounded by enemies.

If anything would happen to him…

who do you think would inherit his title, as Crown Prince?

You are the only one.

So…

please, stop wasting your time on such nonsense.

You shall guard near the ritual post entrance, you will enter the caves.

If I see a single blind spot,

you'll see your head kissing the ground.

Move!

I arranged security.

But, what's the Chief Decorator's relationship with Prince Haemyeong?

The Chief Decorator Hye Ap used to be an attendant of Prince Dojeol*. [*King Yuri's first son, died on 1 AD]

What?!

If you mention Prince Dojeol…

isn't that the deceased brother of His Highness the Crown Prince?

[Ladies-in-waiting during ancient times would be buried alive with their deceased "master"] After Prince Dojeol perished she was about to be buried with him*,

[Ladies-in-waiting during ancient times would be buried alive with their deceased "master"]

but His Highness saved her. [Ladies-in-waiting during ancient times would be buried alive with their deceased "master"]

Because of that, His Highness…

has always been wrongly accused of lusting after his brother's woman.

Couldn't they like each other?

I brought reinforcements, and secured the shrine's perimeter…

so you can stop worrying.

Hye Ap

Haemyeong Hye Ap

I have been…

too negligent with you. I have been…

too negligent with you.

I thought staying away from you would be a form of protection.

But now I shall not pretend to ignore you any longer.

Just…

let things stay as they are.

Hye Ap!

Have you already…

forgotten all the pain and humiliation…

you had to go through because of me?

I don't want to…

become an obstacle to you, Your Highness.

I have something to ask you.

What is Muhyul's true identity?

He even passed through the shrine's devices even I couldn't muster,

and brought back the Heavenly Sword.

I knew he had an uncommon past,

but I can't explain this situation myself.

Who is Muhyul?

What is his relationship with you?

Now…

I can't tell you anything.

You shall find out when the time comes,

so don't ask me anymore.

I don't think I can hold Muhyul here any longer.

He wishes to go out to the world.

I no longer shall stop the curiosity and desire he has to go out and explore the world.

Now…

I shall leave him on your care.

Where are we going?

Wherever we go, it must be better than those caves.

Aren't those decorators from the sacred caves?

They shall now become Jolbon soldiers.

What?!

I will entrust those boys to you…

so waste no time and make them strong men.

They have never held a sword in their life,

but you shall spare no effort, even if it means harsh training.

It shall be done, Your Highness.

What are we supposed to do here?

Hey, Muhyul.

This feels a little strange. Maybe we made a mistake coming here.

Just be silent and wait.

You can call me Gweyu.

From this moment on, your every movement, life and death will have to answer back to me.

In other words, I could easily kill you,

or save your life.

Here. Shall we begin?

Boys.

[*Lower ranked military position in early Three Kingdoms] Yes, Chamgun*!

[*Lower ranked military position in early Three Kingdoms]

Hand two swords to these fellows. [*Lower ranked military position in early Three Kingdoms]

Hand two swords to these fellows.

As you can see, they're real swords.

You are free to slay me with those swords.

But if you can't do that…

then I shall be the one to kill you.

So?!

Let's begin.

You decline such a propitious offer,

so now my turn shall come.

Send these two to the stables.

I can't take this anymore!

Did we escape the caves for this?

All we do is clean horse manure, launder clothes,

there isn't a single good thing that happened since we left!

I'll just go back.

Muhyul, let's go back, uh?

If you want, go.

I have something to do here.

What?

For starters…

beating that Gweyu.

It's all I'm thinking about.

All I'm worried about is how to beat him.

Are you insane?

He's the most skilled fighter in the entire army,

how are you going to beat him?!

One day… I'll do it.

And when is that day going to come?

Do we need to live this way until then?!

As you wish!

Hey… Muhyul.

Look, it's those fools.

Don't you remember what they did to us last time?

I'll get my necklace back.

Think he will just hand it to you?

If it's just you and I, we can't beat them.

Don't worry.

Why didn't you tell me, you little…

Let's go!

Look who's here!

Aren't these those rats from last time?

But what's wrong with their clothes?

Looking at their attire, they've probably become soldiers.

Soldiers?!

So Goguryeo is accepting anyone these days.

But, tell me. What's the occasion?

Give me that necklace back.

This?

Come and get it.

Hey… I'm warning you.

While we're just talking, give it back.

I don't want to see any more blood on my hands.

The thought scares me just as much.

So, just get out of my face quietly. Uh?

Give me back my necklace!

Why did you do that?

Do what?

Didn't you promise to help us?!

Indeed.

But…

I didn't know those were street thugs.

For someone like me, Goguryeo's Chamgun,

would wasting time with thugs look becoming of my status?

If it's just street thugs…

you could easily take care of them.

That's right, you fool.

It's that gaze I wanted to see.

I now saw what I wanted…

so I shall start your training from tomorrow.

Gungnae Fortress

The influence of merchants in Gungnae Fortress is flourishing.

The problem is that this could threaten His Majesty.

The Sangga from the Biryu clan controls most of the market,

while the rest of the chieftains partake on whatever is left.

The more the chieftains enrich themselves,

their greed for the throne shall escalate as well.

How can I help you?

- I've heard you've been to Hwangnyong*. - Yes. [Proto-Three Kingdoms tribal state north of Pyeongyang, North Korea]

I returned just three days ago.

I knew you'd instantly eye one of the best pieces. [Seryu]

Out of all those bows,

how did you manage to spot the one from Hwangnyong?

How much is it?

Just give me fifty nyang.

Brother!

Seryu.

Didn't I tell you wandering outside the palace alone is dangerous?

Always staying inside here is stifling.

It feels like becoming a caged bird.

The time to marry has finally come, I see.

I'll have to find a suitable candidate.

There is already a man I like.

Do I know him?

Of course.

The Lord of Jolbon Fortress.

Are you making fun of your brother?

The shrine was violated?

Who is responsible for such a heinous act?

It must be the Black Shadows King Daeso sent.

Black Shadows?!

Yes.

For the last several years, King Daeso has been building a special army called Black Shadows,

to infiltrate the Han and Goguryeo.

They're skilled in both martial arts and speak multiple languages.

They're a secret army that only answers to King Daeso.

Your Majesty.

The shrine of His Majesty Jumong is a sacred place,

and only a selected few inside our country know of its existence.

Only one person would go as far as trying to violate it.

Buyeo's King Daeso.

If King Daeso found its location and sent a secret army, what do you think his intentions would be?

It must be because of His Majesty's Heavenly Sword.

For a long time, King Daeso…

has been believing the divine revelation that…

said the man holding such sword would rule the Northern territories.

When he holds that sword, he will try to subjugate Goguryeo.

If those are King Daeso's intentions…

shouldn't we prepare countermeasures?

Is the Chief of Security out there?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Summon Baegeuk right now.

That man is Baegeuk.

He's the adoptive son of the Biryu clan Sangga,

he's been proclaimed Ubo* by His Majesty. (*High ranking post in early Goguryeo. Had control of military resources. Also called "Usang")

A mere adoptive son of the Sangga was proclaimed Ubo?!

How can he entrust such a crucial post on the Biryu clan?

I manifested concern to His Majesty myself…

but His Majesty seems to deeply trust him.

His Majesty has been discussing most major state affairs with Baegeuk, as of late.

At the moment, the Han are engulfed in turmoil both in and out,

so they can't pose any threat to Buyeo.

If amid this turmoil Buyeo decides to invade Goguryeo,

we will be helpless.

Your Majesty. It's me, Tae Cheon.

You may enter.

Your Majesty.

An envoy from Buyeo has arrived.

My most heartfelt greetings, Sire.

I brought a missive from His Majesty, Daeso.

His Majesty Daeso…

to strenghten friendly ties between our two countries,

is summoning the King of Goguryeo to Buyeo,

where he shall deign him audience.

What is this impudence?

Summoning His Majesty the King?!

[*proclaiming oneself emperor meant claiming authority over the entire area] There is only one Emperor in the Northern territories*,

[*proclaiming oneself emperor meant claiming authority over the entire area]

and that is only His Majesty, Daeso. [*proclaiming oneself emperor meant claiming authority over the entire area]

and that is only His Majesty, Daeso.

For a long time, Goguryeo kings designated themselves as Taewang*, [*"Great King," akin to emperor]

under the pretension of being ancestors of the Son of Heaven.

But His Majesty shall not tolerate this profanity any longer.

Be silent, you impudent fool!

How dare you utter such vile remarks?

Stand aside.

Meet His Majesty,

and accept Buyeo as your brother nation.

That is for Goguryeo's sake.

Summoning Your Majesty to Buyeo!

That is an outrageous demand.

Then, we shall be ready for war.

His Majesty being summoned to Buyeo,

amounts to a thinly veiled declaration of war.

Did you say declaration of war?!

Then, we shall fight!

We certainly can't compare with Buyeo's military might,

but we shan't endure such humiliation without any retaliation.

Your Highness.

I know very well King Daeso's demand is unconscionable.

But…

if we stand against their declaration of war,

we will end up playing right into King Daeso's hands.

It's a dire situation,

but trying to rile up King Daeso at the moment…

shall bring no benefits to us.

What the Ubo said is right.

Your Majesty!

If you heed King Daeso's demands…

it will be like self-appointing ourselves as vassals of Buyeo.

Whomever I'm dealing with…

if I can gain anything from bowing down to someone, I shall do it.

I shall answer Buyeo's summon…

so convey my wish to the Council.

Yes… Your Majesty.

My name is Baegeuk.

I should have introduced myself to Your Highness before,

but the situation never permitted it.

I don't know how you earned His Majesty's confidence,

but I don't trust people from the Biryu clan.

The reason His Majesty entrusted me with this post…

was to ease dissention among the Royal family and the various clans.

Doesn't the situation demand for unity on all fronts?

As you said…

although we shall unite in resolving this impasse,

the Biryu clan has always harbored venomous intents.

Recklessly manifest those intents…

and I shall not forgive you, so be very careful.

Yuri is really going to Buyeo?

Yes.

I suggested him to do so.

It was a most unsound judgment.

What do you think Yuri kneeling in front of Daeso could mean to us, benefits or losses?

By accepting Buyeo as our brother nation,

Yuri will reinforce his authority.

That would only mean all our ambitions would vanish like dust in a windy night.

Bear in mind that before acting as Goguryeo's Ubo, you're one of us.

Follow Yuri to Buyeo, and use this chance…

to observe King Daeso's disposition and Buyeo's situation.

Yes.

How much do you trust Baegeuk?

I can't figure out what his plans really are.

That is exactly why I adopted that boy.

He can conceal every and all desires.

So, despite being my adopted son,

he's gaining Yuri's confidence.

Ahhh…. I really…

His Majesty is going to face dishonor, how can you act like this?

Ever heard the saying "Sa Shin Sa Ho?"

It means breeding the tiger while acting as a prey.

That is what Yuri is doing for Prince Haemyeong.

While Yuri is taking care of that…

I shall stretch my arms over Buyeo, and make some good money.

Buyeo Palace

King Daeso

My greetings, Your Majesty.

You went through an arduous trip. I appreciate the effort.

Drink jade wine, and you shall find perpetual youth and longevity.

Adorn your robes with jade, and you shall elude illness.

May you enjoy long life and prosperity.

Goguryeo….

is like a separated, younger brother of our nation.

Seeing one's younger brother again, spontaneously asking for help is a most auspicious event.

Embrace our brothers with courteous hospitality and not a single blemish.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Perpetual youth and prosperity, you say?!

I grew up treating Jumong like brethren,

so you would be my nephew.

You can call me uncle, from now on.

I shall earn plentiful lessons from you, Uncle.

I feel like reconvening with a lost nephew.

From what I hear, the day Jumong died, a yellow dragon appeared.

Jumong rode it and ascended into heaven.

Is that true?

It is nothing but talebearing the people created.

It must have been.

Would the son of a man be allowed into heaven?

Even the mighty Jumong roaring all creation met his demise.

Power is a most transient beast, after all.

But, if you foment ambitions for that transient power,

you shall accept Buyeo as your brother nation.

Then, you shall avoid any conflict with us.

Will you heed my words?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I shall accept Buyeo as out brother nation.

How could I believe the words of Jumong's son?

In that case…

I shall prove you how stouthearted my word is.

Today, I shall verify how much you have improved through training.

If anyone dares to joust with me, come forward.

I shall make no excuse. If anyone can subdue me,

I shall give you one month of my allowance upfront.

Look at these miserable scoundrels.

Come forward.

Anything goes, for real?

Of course.

Are you sure?

I said yes, you fool!

You decide the weapon.

Swords, sticks…

Even headbutting shall be fine.

From now on, I shall transfer you to frontier defense.

What?!

Why, all of a sudden?

Because I said so!

Fools… always blabbering.

Is this retaliation for losing to Muhyul?

You fool! What do you take me for?

It's the frontier between Goguryeo and Buyeo, so you shall finally wake up.

You could be killed by Buyeo troops, without anyone knowing.

Hey… isn't this better?

We've been wasting time shoveling manure…

if we're part of frontier defense, nobody will bother us.

We'll find out when we get there.

Don't worry. No matter who's there…

I'll take care of them.

Here you are.

The lard?

Lard?!

Hey, you fools.

Do you make a fire just with firewood?

Shouldn't you spread lard before?

We just brought what they gave us.

Go get the lard.

You're telling us to walk all the way back?

If I say so, just go.

Hey.

Gweyu, that man, is trying to fool us. Right?

Ehhh… really!

I'm not going back.

Kill me if he has to!

I can't take this anymore.

It's them.

Those fools…

That… is the frontier.

They're not trespassing, are they?

Let's go.

Where?

You know we are in Buyeo territory?

Just wait.

Mmm… Muhyul!

What is it, again?!

My necklace.

Ahh… is he crazy or what?

I guess this won't do it.

You even saw us smuggling goods,

so you shall die.

Drop your weapons!

Chamgunnim*! Chamgunnim. [*deferential address]

We're in trouble.

Muhyul…

Muhyul was taken prisoner by the Buyeo frontier guards!

Summon the troops.

Your Highness!

Don't you know that if they treat him as a spy, he will be sentenced to death?

I shall send an official message first.

I'll negotiate with the Buyeo Defense Guard's commander.

Even before you get to the negotiating table…

they'll kill Muhyul.

Buyeo Frontier Guard

If you tell the truth,

I shall spare your life.

Did Prince Haemyeong send you?

I told you already.

I was following smugglers…

and passed the frontier.

L-Look.

Wake up!

Look!

From this moment on, Goguryeo and Buyeo shall be brother nations!

Muhyul!

Haemyeong savagely slaughtered my troops?!

Are you trying to jest with me?

Don't you realize what you've done?

Goguryeo risks a war thanks to you.

And we're not sure what could happen to His Majesty.

My dream is to pay them back for all they did.

I can only hope you'll make that dream come true with me.

What kind of man is His Highness?

Did I… receive special attention?

It is him.

Come forward.

His father is in Buyeo, why did he do something so dreadful?

Does Haemyeong wish for your death?

Does he lust after your throne?

That boy shall meet his demise right in front of you.

Be careful.

What we shall do together is reclaim that land. That is our payback.