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Khutughtu Khan is dead and buried.

El Temur gloats for all to see.

The day the Khan's Vow is read,

the heavens will roar and blood will flow.

Who...?

Who are you to challenge me?

Episode 16

I didn't expect to see you here.

The appeal got to the inner office.

It must be someone close to me.

Him? Ambition, but no brains.

He's not capable of doing such a thing.

It can't be Wang Yu.

Then... not...

The Dowager is my only competition.

But it's not her style.

She's not one to reveal her plans to an enemy.

I don't know.

I just don't know.

Sire!

[2-to-1]

[2-to-2]

If I win, you must never see Sungnyang again.

If I win, Sungnyang leaves the palace for good.

Nope. She's excluded from your stakes.

According to who?

According to me.

- Stop him! - Sire! Sire!

That...

My Liege!

My Liege...!

My Liege... My Liege...

Knocked out in one blow.

My Liege... My Liege...

Detain the appeal staff.

Sir?

Hurry.

Easy, easy...

How is he?

The doctor will know best.

But it doesn't seem serious.

He'll be up soon?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Try not to worry.

How could this happen?

Now tell us.

How did THIS get in with the appeals?

As heaven is my witness, we don't know.

Lord Zhang.

I delivered what we got in.

I wouldn't dare do otherwise.

Kill them if you like.

Continue until they say what they know.

Sir.

How is the Emperor?

He just woke up.

It's my fault. I should have been more careful.

It looked to me like you were aiming for him.

Just a feeling.

It was all over your face.

Anger, if I'm not mistaken.

Were you watching me so closely?

The Emperor suggested the match.

It's part of the game. You can relax.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

El Temur must be furious by now.

Well done.

Sire.

The red is the same as those used in talismans.

The writer tried to cover his handwriting.

He used either a lefty or an illiterate.

That appeal was sent to the Emperor.

Their way of saying they can get to me anytime they like.

Mocking me, saying they're close at hand.

Does the Blood Vow really exist?

They must have been there when Khutughtu Khan died.

When I learned about the Vow I had all his staff and concubines killed.

All save one.

Who?

His head eunuch.

What do you know about him?

His name is Jokho. An expert with the staff.

Anything else?

Family or...

He's from Koryo.

Go on. What is it?

I caught the plague from Kopsol's corpse.

You understand?

His corpse was disposed of in the Koryo village.

Then brought to the palace later.

Kopsol's corpse may have been brought from the Koryo village.

Is this true?

Yom got sick from the corpse and the village has the plague.

Search the village.

Someone knows something about the Vow.

My Liege, you must do something.

At least this ointment...

I said I'm fine.

Leave me.

My Liege.

My Liege.

Get out. Out!

Out, out, out-out-out!

Yes, My Liege.

Nyang.

Not you.

Put the ointment on him.

He listens to you.

Gently.

Please put on the ointment.

If you don't...

...I'm leaving.

Wait, wait.

Happy?

You like seeing me hurt?

No. Never.

You wanted me to lose.

I saw you cheering for Wang Yu.

That's how I ended up...

Easy, easy.

You're being unfair.

You wanted me to win?

It's hard to put the ointment on when you keep moving.

Sheesh.

Lie at least.

'Sure, I wanted you to win.' Would it kill you?

'Sure, I wanted you to win.'

Happy?

Yeah.

That's enough.

Ugh, my whole body aches.

Massage my legs.

Well? Go on.

My Liege, Her Majesty.

Send her in.

Leave us.

I saw Lord Zhang on my way here.

El Temur is furious over a certain appeal.

A appeal?

Now listen very closely.

Your late father was not killed by a sudden illness.

Yes, I know.

The world we want may come faster than we expected.

How so?

If we can find that Vow,

El Temur will be exposed for the traitor he is.

How his heart must have ached...

To write it in his own blood...

Now is not the time for anger or tears.

You need the eyes of a falcon, the heart of a snake.

What should I do?

First, feign ignorance.

Whatever you do, don't look for the Vow.

I understand.

A change of clothes.

Sungnyang.

Huh? Sungnyang...?

I'm no longer good enough to serve as your guard.

I know you were holding back.

It looked like he was trying his best to me.

Sire, why did Sungnyang ignore you and run off with Bang?

Sungnyang is here?

Slip your notes in the folds of the clothes.

Good work, Sungnyang.

What's next?

The King hasn't said yet.

Let me know what he wants.

I will.

Now off you go.

Sire.

Explain yourself.

Why did you give this task to Sungnyang?

Sire.

It wasn't his fault.

I didn't ask you.

A mistake could have cost your life.

So I asked Bang to let me do it.

Because I knew I could.

Sungnyang, can't you see how I feel?

It worked out perfectly.

What did I do so wrong?

Never let me see you again.

Sire?

Don't look for me, don't think of me.

I will never see you again.

Dismissed.

Sire.

I said dismissed!

Now this I don't get.

Why drive her away?

Don't you see?

It's for her own good.

She just wanted to help you...

Enough. Dismissed.

I'm sorry, Sungnyang.

I'm still weak. This is the only way I can protect you.

Forgive me.

Go on without me.

Did you cry?

I'm not in the mood to talk with you so step aside.

Lady Pak's belly is swelling. You know what that means?

Your crime is swelling with it.

Don't cry because of others.

Cry because of me.

If I can't have you, I'll ruin you.

Every part of your life.

Understand?

This is a dark, ugly place.

Move, move it!

Move.

The village headman.

Name.

Makseng.

A corpse was taken from here a few days ago.

Look around. We have corpses to spare.

That's not an answer.

Would you prefer we torch the village?

The man in question wasn't from here.

Some men took a body from the well.

Who were they?

They were a ways away. And my eyes aren't so good.

Have any foreigners been visiting lately?

Perhaps.

Lie to me and forget the plague.

You'll face my sword.

No, not at all...

The king of Koryo!

You're sure?

He said he is the deposed king.

You sent for me?

What were you doing in the village?

Why did you risk the plague?

What business took you there?

My failure as a king was what brought them there.

To see my people.

What's a plague compared to that?

Is that all?

Their lot is pitiful. I gave them my reward.

Or can't a deposed king care for his own?

The village is part of an investigation.

Watch yourself.

What sort of investigation?

Never you mind.

People of Koryo live there according to our ways.

Of course I mind.

I wouldn't want doubt or suspicion...

to come between us.

You may go.

You seem quite fond of him.

He is talented and dangerous. All the more reason to keep him close.

Don't you know anything?

What did El Temur want?

We have to stir them up more.

They'll be on the look-out.

No more appeals.

We'll find a way.

Try to eat even if you're not hungry.

Did you go to the village?

Yes but all we learned was that Wang Yu has been there.

And? That's it?

Look after yourself.

You may die any day.

Moron.

I've lived using tact all my life.

That village holds the key to Kopsol's death.

Super. So eat already.

Hey.

Get me out of here.

I have to get out.

So you can spread the plague?

Wait! Jocham!

Let go, I swear!

Jocham.

Jocham!

I've got to live.

I have a future now.

I won't die in here.

More tea.

Nyang.

You look sad.

I know the feeling.

Angry. Sad.

Everything in-between.

How about a drink?

Nyang.

Sit.

My Liege, she's beneath you. Me on the other hand...

You make me lose my appetite.

Get out.

Go on. We're not to be disturbed.

You, too.

We should have thought of this before.

We're both upset. Drink all you like.

Drink.

Go on. That's an order.

We made the opening attack. Now we have to follow up.

But how?

How can we further upset El Temur and the palace?

Sire.

When you were Crown Prince I came here and saw something wondrous.

Wondrous?

A magic trick from the west.

It might help...

Tell me more.

He made the writing disappear.

Disappear, you say?

Yes. Right before our eyes.

Quite a trick.

Can you learn this trick?

Daidu is full of magicians.

It's there for the asking.

Make writing... disappear...

I swear.

My Liege, it's late.

Dismiss Nyang and...

Any more out of your mouth...

and I'll tear you a new one.

See that?

Whatever I am anywhere else, here I'm a real Emperor.

Easy now.

You've been drinking too fast.

You're awfully cute when you drink.

Argh.

Can't even use chopsticks.

Here.

Ahhh.

'Ahhh.' That's an order.

Ahhh.

Whatever. Forget it.

Ahhh.

Ahhh.

I like you better drunk.

Here.

This was a good idea.

We can let it... all out.

Let me ask you something.

Don't hold back.

You still...

...want to go back to Wang Yu?

Or do you like it here with me?

It's all right. Say what you feel.

You're too much.

You still can't see how I feel?

Sungnyang.

I just wanted to help.

How could you...

You're mean.

So mean.

Sungnyang.

Hey.

Wake up.

Sungnyang, wake up.

Sleep here tonight.

Sire.

Sire...

Wang Yu again.

It doesn't matter.

I'll never let you go.

Never. Not ever.

Ugh. It's not like she'll know.

No, no, way too sleazy.

That's it for now.

Heh-heh, I'm tipsy.

He seems to be in great pain.

Why wouldn't he be?

He adores Sungnyang.

Oh no!

What happened last night?

My Liege, time to get up.

Her Imperial Majesty.

Is he up?

Your Majesty, what brings you here?

I was out walking and thought I'd drop by.

Announce me.

But... I cannot.

Cannot?

Fine, I'll wake him myself.

He is...

...at his imperial toilet.

Toilet?

Just so.

Too many persimmons, I'm afraid.

I'll be outside. Call me when he's done.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You gave me a heart attack.

Your pardon.

My Liege, My Liege.

Get up, quickly.

Sungnyang... mwah...

It's me.

Creep me out. Creepy eunuchs.

Blech.

My Liege, Her Majesty is here.

Wh-wh-what? The Empress?

- Yes. - Why did she come so suddenly?

She has your written word. Leave her be.

Welcome.

You've been drinking.

I couldn't sleep.

With two glasses, I see.

Who was here?

Why do you ask?

Why? Shouldn't I ask?

I'm still not myself.

You should go.

You reek of alcohol.

What did you talk about last night?

How awful I am?

Or were you granted his imperial favors?

You dare stare...?

We drank. That's it.

You're the ones that want to learn the trick?

Are you the magician?

One moment.

...Wha...?

Watch closely.

- What is this? - How did you...?

Don't be shocked.

The secret is in the ink.

It's a special mix from the west.

Moisten it and the ink disappears.

Sell it to us.

Take it.

You have more?

More?

Ink that won't smear when wet.

Of course I do.

Can you do us a favor?

Can you leave the capital today?

We'll pay you.

It's a deal.

Look at that.

What are you going to do with it?

You know what the Yuan fear above all else?

The curse of the heavens.

I'll rain it down upon them.

How's the weather?

Storm clouds are gathering.

The heavens are helping us.

Dare you use your own writing?

Most of it will disappear soon enough.

Incident report.

A son goes missing.

The father spews forth blood in a vow of vengeance.

Why do you keep switching inks?

He dared not reveal himself after reading the villain's letter.

In the end the boy died and the criminal was arrested.

En route to the regency, the father hit the criminal three times with a mace.

A generation was lost.

His house is in ruins.

I leave to you to decide if it was just or not.

Where is the civil affairs office?

Outside the Ministry of Justice.

Find an outsider to submit this anonymously.

They cannot know this comes from us.

- Yes, Sire. - Yes, Sire.

I'll write another one so post it in the main square.

So everyone in Daidu knows.

What is this?

What's that about?

Some father killed his son's killer.

That's life. People are the worst.

Let's go.

Sir.

Look.

- What's happening? - The ink is fading.

Wait. Why are only those words left?

'The father... blood vow... reveal...'

'The regency... three generation... in ruins.'

What?

When the father's Blood Vow is revealed...

within three generations the regency will be in ruins.

How was this done?

I was surprised myself. It's a trick.

A trick?

A magic trick from the west.

Round up all the magicians in the capital.

Yes, Regent.

It's him.

He's trying to break me.

Making a fuss, looking for the Vow.

It's all come to naught.

They're more persistent and terrible than we thought.

But what are they after?

Not the Vow, not with what they're doing.

It makes no sense.

Why are they stirring things up?

First we'll get the magicians and stay on El Temur's good side.

The magician left?

Not to worry.

He lives in the west. He's gone home.

We've fanned the flames.

Now we wait.

We can still be burned by the sparks.

Be careful in what you say and do.

- Yes, Sire. - Yes, Sire.

El Temur, I will see your house in ruins.

What now?

A thief caught sneaking around the village.

Most thieves feel so bad for us that they LEAVE clothes.

Send him on his way.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Sir, let me live here.

We can't afford more.

I'm also from Koryo.

Hm?

They're after me. I have nowhere to go.

I caught the plague.

I'm barely alive.

Please, help me, sir.

What brought you here?

I was charged with bringing the female tributes.

You're a nasty fellow who captured helpless girls then.

I'm like this because I tried to free them.

Trust me, sir.

Lock him up.

I'll decide tomorrow.

- Sir. - Sir.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, thank you.

Thank you.

Move.

You're a bold one.

After what happened the other night...

you're not talking.

What happened exactly?

You don't remember?

Like this...

My Liege.

Mother.

Here. Look at this.

What is it?

Lord Zhang took it from the square.

Allow me.

'The father's blood vow revealed.'

'The regency ruined in three generations.'

A bold stroke.

An all or nothing move.

But he faces El Temur.

One mistake and...

Sire, I need to tell you something.

Nothing I want to hear.

Sire.

Do my commands mean so little to you?

Let's go.

- Bang. - Yes, Sire.

I can't help Sungnyang. But you can.

Yes, Sire.

We must convene the court to discuss this.

You cannot.

Cannot?

The Blood Vow isn't a secret anymore.

It as much as screams El Temur's name.

It's all just talk without the Vow itself.

She's right.

No one would dare go against El Temur without hard evidence.

Can't do this, can't do that.

I just have to swallow what he did to my father?

The fight has just started.

With this the court will come to our side.

We have to be patient.

Someone is helping us.

But who?

I can't figure that out.

He's like a ghost.

It's frightening in a way.

The posters are all over the palace.

Not just here.

The people are talking about the Vow and you...

The Dowager?

She's been visiting the Emperor.

If she manages to sway the court...

I've weathered worse storms.

I always find a way.

Talahai, summon the Emperor.

Muster your men.

- Yes, Father. - Yes, Father.

A little closer.

So your father left a blood vow?

And someone is using it to choke me?

R-R-Regent.

Don't move.

It could mean the Emperor's life.

Now tell me.

Surely you've heard something about this?

I don't know anything.

Believe me. I don't know a thing.

What you know or don't know is irrelevant to me.

What matters is that some scum are trying to use you.

R-Regent...

People say I've installed two emperors.

So why not a third?

What should I do?

Tell me, sir.

I've always done what you told me.

Please...

Tell me what to do.

Die.

Or at least act as one dead.

Are we clear?

I understand.

Of course. Whatever you say.

Stand down.

My Liege.

Well? Escort His Majesty out.

The eunuchs and maids will tell everyone.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

They warned me with their little poster. Now I'm warning them.

The imperial throne suits you, Father.

Nyang.

Go to him.

He has no one else to offer him comfort.

Father.

Father.

I said I wanted to be alone.

What do you want?

I'd just as soon you didn't see me like this.

My eyes are closed.

My ears covered.

I see nothing.

Hear nothing.

Sit back. Relax.

Sire.

Isn't that Sungnyang?

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The Khan's curse?

I fear no curse of a dead man.

I'm right here. Fear MY curse.

Regent.

Many will be glad to see you dead.

Sire.

Your close relationship is easy to use to my advantage.