Original subtitles

-=Episode 25=-

Yeo Un, you are here.

Sky Lord, you have never once taught me lessons.

You stopped any insubordination and ordered only to become an assassin.

Anyhow, isn't this the path you chose?

Yes, this is the path I chose.

So,

from now on, I will do it my way.

Whether it's the heart, or life...

I want to have it all.

To be Heuksa's new Sky Lord,

I need to take the current Sky Lord's life.

Yes, it's about time.

Then you are willing to come with me?

I will not hide, and will also not hide anything.

An assassin and a martial artist...

what are the differences between them?

If there is blood I can take,

I will surely do it.

That's really a good expression.

The look in your eyes now belongs to that of an assassin,

who controls the life and death of other people.

This is the true expression an assassin should have.

The only thing left for me is the path of an assassin.

That is it, surely...

Haven't you caught the heavens in your hands?

Un... Don't follow the path of my fate.

I won't follow it.

I am no longer an assassin.

I will give up the path of an assassin.

I will give up all of that, Dong Su.

Hey, what are you all doing?

Child...

Please go back.

Cheon, for the mistake of deciding to kill me,

you cannot escape from the Reaper.

Don't come closer.

No, don't come closer.

Don't come any closer.

Ajussi.

I'm really sorry to you.

Go... go back.

Ch... Child.

Don't let tears wet your beautiful face any more.

It's all right. I am all right.

Farewell, Cheon.

Ajussi... Ajussi.

Joseon's best swordsman,

Baek Dong Su, who is it?

Here.

You should just retreat a step.

Retreat one step.

Why are you telling me to retreat? Retreat what?

- You should retreat if I tell you to retreat. Why are you talking so much? - You fellows, am I not asking you who Baek Dong Su is?

All that screaming... It is really annoying.

Jin Ju, you just go deal with them!

Didn't I let you retreat a step?

Give me a break. I am also busy here.

Then, are you looking for a real swordfight?

Are you Baek Dong Su?

Really... 20 Yangs.

Tw... Twe... Twenty Yang?

So the word hasn't reached you?

Over there... There.

Do you see that box?

Fistfight, 5 Yang.

Wooden sword, 10 Yang.

Real sword is 20 Yang.

Let us lock hands!

Aigoo.

Then...

When you feel all right, please come again.

-=Naju in Jeollanam province=-

Young man, what is your name?

I am called Baek Dong Su.

Baek... Baek Dong Su.

Look here! This is sir Baek Dong Su!

-=Heuksa Chorong=-

Sky Lord.

Welcome here.

-=Baekmyeon Seosaeng=-

-=Jang Tae San=-

Please pay your respects.

Heuksa Chorong's Sky Lord

moves like a shadow

and kills, as I know, but...

You really are young.

The previous Sky Lord was already defeated by me.

Are you saying he lost to you?

Now, do you feel willing to go along with me?

Are you fellow the Sword Saint disciple?

You are right so far.

Then, let me see a bit of your skills.

Double-edged sword.

The length is 6 feet and 5 inches and the weight is 3 geun.

Too heavy to hold, isn't it?

You fellow...

Shall we continue?

Ajumma.

Please bring me another bowl of rice soup.

Yes.

Double edged sword?

Isn't that Yeongsuk?

-=Yeongsuk: Baek Dong Su's Chinese style courtesy name=- . Isn't that Yeongsuk?

-=Yeongsuk: Baek Dong Su's Chinese style courtesy name=- .

Hey, what are you doing here?

I'm have been on a trip to see this beautiful country and paint,

but here... in Naju, who do you think I would end up meeting by chance?

Dong Su.

Hey, Yang Cho Rip!

That it's a chance meeting was a lie, I take it.

If I may say what I see...

certainly there is some problem in the palace.

Right?

Half a month ago,

because of one famous shaman's words,

the whole of Hanyang turned upside down.

What does it show?

Prince Heir has to die.

Only with the Prince Heir dead, can the country be prosperous.

Even with a sword on your neck, you should speak without changing your mind.

On top of the shaman's words quickly spreading everywhere,

bad omens have continued to happen in the palace too.

A voodoo doll was discovered outside Prince Heir's Palace.

Was it done by the shaman?

Yes.

The doll was made by that shaman.

But we still haven't found out who brought it in the palace.

But the real problem is that,

that shaman, even till death, kept on saying the same thing.

Only with the Prince Heir dead, can the country be prosperous.

Only with the Prince Heir dead, will this land of Joseon prosper!

Although we don't know the whole story,

aren't things fine by now?

That... It won't be that easy, it seems.

Your Majesty.

-=Yeong Ju=-

Your Majesty, isn't it a red meteor?

. Mmm...

-= Yi San (Later King Jeong Ju)=- . . Mmm...

It's already a troublesome time due to that fortune teller's words. -= Yi San (Later King Jeong Ju)=- .

It's already a troublesome time due to that fortune teller's words.

-=Gim Han Gu: Queen Jeong Sun's father=- . It's already a troublesome time due to that fortune teller's words.

It's already a troublesome time due to that fortune teller's words.

Why is there an ominous meteor also falling by the palace?

From that day onwards,

His Majesty has been suffering from colds

and he still remains in bed.

But what is there that I can do?

I don't have the ability to catch a meteor.

Dong Su, during the time since you left to wander,

a gambling house started in the city.

A gambling house?

Male or female, young or old,

if you can fight, you can join.

The average wager is even more than a 1000 yang.

Moreover, though there is no evidence,

His excellency Hong Dae Ju,

has invested in this gambling house, as per rumors.

Dong Su.

We have got the horses ready.

Take a look.

The past hundred years are kept here in original form and never moved.

These swords form the living history of Heuksa Chorong.

Heuksa Chorong to be disbanded?

Is it really true?

You can go along with me.

But I won't force you.

This won't be easy, is what I am saying.

Isn't this the Heuksa Chorong with a 100 years of history?

Even if there's an imperial order for the disbandment of Heuksa Chorong,

the nobles and merchants who have contact with Heuksa Chorong,

are too many. Our roots are deep.

I know.

If it is not uprooted,

when I am not there,

others will only build it up again.

Therefore,

even the roots need to be removed.

Even if you put your life on the line, there is no guarantee you can do it.

Will you help me?

Sure enough,

eating well makes me feel really strong.

I've inserted a needle into an acupuncture meridian.

Though your abilities to fight are all gone,

after a while,

you will not have problems in still living a normal life.

The Sky Lord has left.

The Sword Saint has also left.

Now the only one left is Baek Dong Su.

Sparkle, sparkle... Shining!

Your Majesty, that one shaman was speaking nonsense.

-=Queen Jeong Sun=- . Please don't worry too much.

Please don't worry too much.

You don't need to worry.

Only with the Prince Heir dead can the country be prosperous?

It is so hard for me to even say something like that.

Are you all right, Your Majesty?

Prince Heir, His Majesty is unwell and wishes to rest for a while.

It is better that you go back today.

Yes.

The royal heart is clearly wavering.

Defense Minister,

the plan can't have any errors.

There was the shaman's prophecy, and I made the meteor fall too.

We should proceed with the next step.

Seventy percent?

Even if we split it evenly, we would still lose heavily.

If we give you 70 percent, are you telling us to starve to death?

The geumnanjeongwon all of you have would be permanent, you thought?

-=Geumnanjeongwon: special privileges given by the county to businesses in the later Joseon period to resist market turmoil=- . . The geumnanjeongwon all of you have would be permanent, you thought?

-=Geumnanjeongwon: special privileges given by the county to businesses in the later Joseon period to resist market turmoil=- . .

If not for the Defense Minister, what could be immediately abolished... -=Geumnanjeongwon: special privileges given by the county to businesses in the later Joseon period to resist market turmoil=- . .

-=Geumnanjeongwon: special privileges given by the county to businesses in the later Joseon period to resist market turmoil=- . .

That geumnanjeongwon.

Listen carefully.

No more discussion. It is 70 percent.

Do you understand?

I quit.

I don't care who is supporting from behind or whatever.

I can't continue doing this!

I too am of the same thinking.

If someone here wants to decline,

please decline right here immediately.

So, you're saying that the Sky Lord personally came forward?

Yes, no mistaking that he had a clearly resolute look.

Though it came a bit late,

as the saying goes,

the wheat plant only lowers its head when ripe.

Right now, the Royal Army barracks, the Military Guards, the Weaponry Office...

The Training Commander and the Head of every Army barrack...

Summon them to the entertainment house.

Yes, Father.

Your Excellency,

what about the Royal Guard barracks?

The Royal Guards' Captain

is Seo Yu Dae whom I badly want to kill and shred to pieces. You don't know that?

How did it turn out?

The wound is not deep, and it was treated quickly.

I also told him to leave Hanyang.

If he wants to save his life,

he will never again enter Hanyang, even half a step.

What is that?

This is the ledger listing the Noron officials who got kickbacks from city merchants.

There are about 200 people.

200?

Not just the officers of the third rank and below.

Second rank and higher military officers,

and local leaders from other regions are also there.

There is something that you two can do for me.

Feel free to tell us.

You know about the gambling house that came up recently?

I have heard of it.

The one who is funding the gambling house,

is His Excelleny Hong Dae Ju.

There has to be a secret plan.

You both can go and investigate.

Yes, I got it.

I got it.

Sky Lord,

About that man Baek Dong Su...

With sir Hong Guk Yeong and painter Gim, he was passing through Cheongju,

and should be in Hanyang before too long.

You must watch their every move and report to me. Do not lose focus.

Yes.

So you are here?

Baek Dong Su.

I will become Joseon's best assassin.

My thought, first of all, is to rise to that position.

The next one for that,

will be you, Dong Su.

Dong Su!

Captain.

Ah, yes.

Why were you running around everywhere?

You have no injuries, right?

Yes.

You brat, has running away from home become a habit?

All this while, have you been well?

Without you brat here, how can I be well?

Come over here.

Brat.

Dong Su, I've been thinking of you.

Good.

Captain, we will go to the palace to meet His Highness.

Good, quickly go to the palace.

But why do you need to leave already?

I mean... Would you be having to go?

I've made some delicious food.

Oh...

Still playing... Quickly go to the palace.

Ah, yes.

I will save some for you.

Good, then I will take my leave.

Then you have heard about it, right?

Yes.

I'm really worried about His Highness Prince Heir.

Right, what about this gambling house?

Gambling house?

Jin Ju recently has been quite active at the gambling house.

What? Jin Ju?

I will take you there.

Buy tickets! tickets! You can get in only with these tickets!

Only with these tickets can you go inside.

1 Yang, it is. 1 Yang.

Here... It will run out quickly, so buy it quickly... Quickly.

Who is doing it, today?

Pyeongchang Valley's scarface king Yogmo ssi and Namchang Valley's chieftain Hwang...

Come buy tickets! Tickets!

Victory.

Next is a battle with real swords.

One game, 10 Yang.

Fighters enter.

Start!

Stop! Stop!

Victory!

Good job!

Thank you.

Father.

Sir, what are you doing here?

Sir?

What are you doing, brat?

First let us go outside.

You brat!

Come here!

It hurts!

You want to know from me where the fighters live?

What exactly are you after?

Why be like this? I came knowing all about it.

Didn't he buy some powerful fighters,

that Defense Minister?

You fellow, that is preposterous...

This thing's popularity is always rising.

I don't know if it would fall. It will only go up.

Come closer.

Keep going this way.

Father! Let go.

What is this?

Father, you also know, right?

Right now, the trade group is short on funds.

With the city merchants holding us by our necks,

we will all be starving to death soon.

Then what can I do? Sit and wait for it?

Father, look, it's at least 100 Yang, 100 Yang.

You're still not ashamed about it.

It hurts.

How can you treat a grown-up daughter like this?

Baek Dong Su!

Yeongsuk, you're here.

Yes.

This isn't for my sake.

Miss, say something to help me!

Ah really...

It is true.

Not only us.

The nearby vegetable suppliers, traders from Gaesong and spot dealers from Pyongyang,

are also having to shut down due to extortion by the city merchants.

Then, do we have any idea why?

Yes, I personally saw Hong Dae Ju's sons exit from the gambling house.

Really? Those bastards...

Then the rumors must be true.

Anyhow, aren't you already past the marrying age?

how long are you planning to keep acting like a boy brat?

Learn a bit from Leader Yu.

Seeing your face, makes me think of Sword Saint hyeongnim.

The weapons' strengths and weaknesses are written to fine details.

But...

Yes, rather than as the martial arts of common people,

this should be taken as the army's martial arts.

This was as per His Highness Prince Heir's order.

Is everybody doing fine?

Who are you, fellow?

Your skills seem scary good.

I came to ask a very small favor from all of you.

Here it is...

What do you think?

If you cut off Baek Dong Su's hands and feet, you'll get double that.

Cut his head off, and it's ten times.

It's a deal.

All right and also...

Just treat this as an extra revenue and keep this a secret from the Defense Minister.

We got it.

Miss, over there!

-=Yu So: Decorations made with colorful needlework=- . . Is the yuso ready?

Ah yes. -=Yu So: Decorations made with colorful needlework=- . .

-=Yu So: Decorations made with colorful needlework=- . .

Let's go.

You still don't have it?

Preparing more than 100 geuns of yeoncheol...

-=Yeoncheol: Iron that can be made into new swords=- . . Preparing more than 100 geuns of yeoncheol...

-=Yeoncheol: Iron that can be made into new swords=- . .

If you give 3 more days, I will certainly have it ready. -=Yeoncheol: Iron that can be made into new swords=- . .

If you give 3 more days, I will certainly have it ready.

You brat, are you taking the Defense Minister's order lightly?

No, no, I'm sorry, I messed up. It is a grave offense by me!

I committed a grave offense.

What? Yuso and yeoncheol?

Yes.

Though the price has doubled lately, they are still not in stock.

Yuso and yeoncheol?

They are clearly forging swords.

Seeing the quantity, it doesn't look like just one or two.

If it is to be used by the Gungisi,

-= Gungisi: Joseon-era Government office where weapons were made=- . If it is to be used by the Gungisi,

the Defense Minister's henchmen wouldn't be going to buy it. -= Gungisi: Joseon-era Government office where weapons were made=- .

the Defense Minister's henchmen wouldn't be going to buy it.

The Defense Minister is surely making weapons.

That Defense Minister bastard. What trick is he thinking of now?

You go and find out. Somehow it will come out if you look into the gambling house.

Yes.

Defense Minister.

-=Gen. Chong Yung Cheong=- -=Gen. Su Eo Cheong=- . Why is General Seo Yu Dae not here?

-=Gen. Hullyeon Do Gam=- -=Gen. Eo Yeong Cheong=- . Why is General Seo Yu Dae not here?

Why is General Seo Yu Dae not here?

His Majesty's royal body has still not recovered.

How can the Royal Guard Captain come here?

Did you pass on the word?

-=Seo Yu Dae : Royal Guards' Captain=- . I sent up the earnest request that Your Highness would like permission to meet.

I sent up the earnest request that Your Highness would like permission to meet.

But there is no response.

I am grateful for your work.

Yes, Your Highness.

So, did you bring over that Baek fellow?

Yes. I briefed him on what happened over this period.

Now, it is time to start the investigation.

Dark clouds... The dark clouds that bring typhoons.

Come on, come on. Let us all have a cup together.

What's wrong? Does the wine taste odd?

This is the wine I specially prepared for all of you.

Come on, come on. Let us all drink a cup.

Your Excellency, it is bitter at first.

But the aftertaste is good.

What the Lords of Heavens drink,

can't be tastier than this.

Sure enough, it is the best.

Is that so?

What are you doing? Fill the cups with wine.

Your Excellency, they drank plain water and said it was great wine!

Wasn't that really a curious scene?

My Queen.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Call the Prince Heir over.

I... even with a small illness like this, can't seem to get up.

I cannot handle the political matters anymore.

Your Majesty Grandfather, how can you speak of being tired?

You must get strong. And then stronger.

It's not like that.

Your Majesty.

Prince Heir, your age is already suitable for daericheongjeong.

-=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- . Prince Heir, your age is already suitable for daericheongjeong.

-=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- .

Your Majesty Grandfather, what are you saying? -=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- .

Your Majesty! -=Daericheongjeong : The Crown Prince holding court when the king is ill or too old to attend it=- .

Your Majesty!

I will issue an edict. You prepare mentally.

Your Majesty Grandfather.

Daericheongjeong?

Your Majesty, such a thing cannot happen.

Defense Minister, it seems the matters need to move ahead of schedule.

Are you done looking into it?

Yes, the skills of those people at the gambling house are pretty ordinary.

However, those with martial arts abilities are being bought over.

They are currently seeking fighters.

Doesn't it mean that they will no longer be solely relying on Heuksa Chorong?

Sky Lord, everything is ready.

Follow me.

This fake Royal seal... Where do you plan to used it?

Are you curious?

-=Gim Gui Ju=-

-=Jeong Hu Gyeom=-

-=Hong In Han=-

The fake Royal seals were placed in front of the Noron officials' homes?

Can you guess what this means?

One earlier night, His Excellency Hong Dae Ju invited the military captains for a drink.

It was not wine in the cups, but just plain water.

Plain water?

Yes.

What's interesting is that

the military captains who drank the water,

didn't get angry.

Instead, they drank the wine and praised the flavor as not bad.

This is to confirm the loyalty of all, starting with the military captains.

Yes. So, the Royal seals given to the Noron officials are also...

to test their loyalty.

The loyal officials will look for His Majesty.

The rebels will look for the Defense Minister.

Isn't it a treasonous plot!

Moreover,

this time, seeing how careful his acts are,

it is not just to cause harm to the Prince Heir.

The Noron officials who received the Royal seals...

will not be able to sleep tonight.

This is an advance payment.

If you win, you'll get double.

If you lose, you get only this.

I don't need the money.

Take it. In case you get injured, don't you have to find a doctor?

Victory.

Baek Dong Su?

It was that fellow, no doubt.

It is what I expected. Proceed without losing focus.

Yes, Father.

Are you inside?

So to say, were these fake Royal seals sent by you, Defense Minister?

How dare... then, are you testing us now?

Defense Minister, what exactly is your devious plan now?

This is Her Majesty's idea.

Her Majesty?

From his sickbed, His Majesty suggested daericheongjeong.

-=Hong Bong Han=- From his sickbed, His Majesty suggested daericheongjeong.

From his sickbed, His Majesty suggested daericheongjeong.

So, before we make a move, we need to identify who is with this, and who is against.

Moreover,

those Noron officials that aren't here, will receive their proper fate.

What is the matter?

His Excellency has received information that someone wants to commit treason.

Wha... What did you say?

Your Excellency, isn't this a Royal seal?

Having gathered all the military captains, they're certainly preparing a military coup.

You showed up? Then please come out.

I haven't seen you in a long time.

Just tell me in plain language.

Why are you being so rude to me?

Anyhow, aren't we comrades on the same boat?

I haven't forgotten my agreement with Your Excellency.

Have a drink.

Is it a treasonous plot?

If it is not a treasonous plot, why would Your Excellency grovel like this?

You got it. So I certainly need your help.

What is it, that I need to help with?

You are anxious!

First of all, there is a guest you need to see.

Daericheongjeong? Is that true?

Yes. Although the order hasn't been given yet, it is fully decided for sure.

Because of this, the palace must be in a mess.

If it was only this mess, there would be nothing much to worry.

From the looks of the Noron officials' moves, they seem to be up to something.

Once the royal edict is given, it'd be done. What else can they do?

These are the people who killed His Highness the Prince.

Whatever they are up to, cannot be taken as too strange.

Then, you will be leaving tomorrow again?

Yes.

Really?

It's been a while since we drank together like this.

You are here after a long journey. First, drink some wine to wet your throat.

Your Excellency, is there something for which this person again came to Joseon?

I'm afraid it is the same reason as yours.

What is wrong with you both? It should be a good day to feel happy.

There is a place you both would certainly like.

Tomorrow you have to give me some time for that.

Jin Ju, do you really have a reason to go?

You talk too much.

You just come and follow me.

Come, come, come.

Today, from among Joseon's masters, only the best of the best will fight here!

Come on, put down your betting money!

This is not child's play. Be careful.

Do not worry.

Smiling, huh! You would be smiling here?

Today, will be your memorial day.

Isn't he the Sword Saint's disciple?