Original subtitles

Kim Jun suggests that they will ultimately send one of the Overlord's trusted aides.

To lower your guard and engender trust.

He suggests we hold that aide hostage.

My lord, Yi Kongju.

Choe Junmun and Ji Yunsim are here from the Overlord's residence.

My lord, Choe Junmun and Ji Yunsim are here from the Overlord's residence.

Your orders?

My lord, Choe Junmun and Ji Yunsim are here.

My lord, your orders? Shall I send them in?

Your orders? Shall we take them and find a way out of this?

No. They have the military behind them.

If they don't return, their soldiers will march on us.

That's not the way.

Escort them in.

Yes, sir.

Sit.

Lord Choe, the Overlord is dying.

Please come with us.

Time is pressing.

You're the eldest, shouldn't you be by his side?

Naturally, of course.

Allow us to escort you. Shall we?

No, I have some things to prepare.

I'll follow after.

But Lord Choe…

I'm more impatient than you.

But affairs of state demand my attention. I'll deal with them and go when I can.

You're dismissed.

I'm your escort.

I have legs and men.

What do I need you two for?

I'll be along, you can go.

Pak Songbi, escort them out.

Gentlemen. Lord Choe will come at his discretion.

We'll wait outside your gates.

I told you I'll come in my own time.

You can go. As you say, I'm the eldest, the first born.

I have no reason not to go, and if I did, I'd be a laughingstock.

If you feel that way, we'll be going.

We hope to see you soon.

Let's go.

Oh, General Song.

Yes, sir. I came the second I heard you were here.

Always the reliable one.

Lord Choe must depend on you quite a bit.

Perhaps. The Guard Corps are the best of the best.

We'll escort him.

You have, what, 500 men here?

General Choe here has over 20,000 in the capital precincts alone.

You go ahead and escort him.

Let's go.

If the slave is right, they'll send someone else to escort you.

Perhaps even your brother himself?

No. Choe Hyang is too much of a coward.

It will be Kim Dokmyong next.

Yes, sir. I had the same thought.

Ryu Songjol is the only one left of the four, but he's useless.

It's definitely Kim Dokmyong.

Yes, Kim Dokmyong.

He's greedy, crafty and a coward.

In that case, is he..?

He may be our way out.

He may well be our only way out of this mess.

Yes, sir.

My father's signature on a blank scroll.

We must be careful what we write.

Our fates depend on it.

We have to get Kim Dokmyong.

Well, Astronomer? What do you read in the stars?

Your pardon, Overlord…

It's all right. Speak.

Last night Mars was over the capital.

Tomorrow at midnight a nobleman will die.

Tomorrow at midnight?

Yes, Overlord, so it is written in the stars.

A nobleman will die.

And the weather?

Bright and sunny all day.

Good. A perfect day.

All right, you can go.

Yes, Overlord.

Tomorrow at midnight.

Only one day left.

Well, then, the time has come to take the last pill.

Yakson.

Tomorrow at dawn call for the court musicians.

And the usual chancellors and such.

I'm going to have one last great feast.

Yes, Overlord.

Life is all too short.

The last pill…

Yes, when I go, I'll go without regrets.

I shake off this mortal coil and leave Koryo to itself.

Tomorrow at midnight?

Yes, lord.

My father's time to leave this world has come.

But twice we've sent for my brother, and twice he's refused.

What now?

Just as Undersecretary Yi suggests.

We can't solve this without mustering the soldiers.

That's all you ever say, soldiers, soldiers. Can't I get it through your heads?

We can't touch Choe U until he comes out.

We can't rush. We have to be patient.

Calm. Discreet.

Why use a pole when the persimmon is already ripe?

But lord…

Chancellor Kim, you go. At dawn.

Lord?

You're always with my father.

Choe U will believe you, follow you out.

Well, if you put it that way, of course.

I'm aware that we're out of time.

If my brother doesn't come this time…

Then we do as Yi Jangyong suggests.

We'll muster the men and end this.

I did all I could do, extended him every courtesy.

For now, return to your men, keep them on alert.

And await my orders.

Yes, sir.

The men are ready to deploy?

Need you ask?

Generals Ryu and Choe have men in ambush on the road to Anheungni.

We've mobilized 20,000 men...

at the capital under the auspices of training exercises.

You think we'll need 20,000?

The end is always bad.

It never goes easy.

My brother knows that. Why is he making it worse?

If he just feigned ignorance and gave up, it would be better for both of us.

But now…

I have to muster the men.

What about here?

Generals Ryu and Choe are lying in ambush on the road to Anheungni.

Are we really going to war, sir?

So it would seem.

Brother against brother. Power is a scary thing.

Too true.

As you know, we're vastly outnumbered.

This battle will decide our fates. And our lives.

That's a fact.

But, listen, be that as it may, how are the wedding plans coming along?

Who can think about a wedding at a time like this?

Why, you looking?

- Huh? - Want me to set you up?

No… oh, no. In my position, are you kidding?

I asked first…

Move out.

This may be the final battle.

We're ready.

At least we'll die fighting.

They've sent for him twice now.

What are we waiting for?

Shouldn't we attack first?

That's no better than tossing eggs at a stone.

Like I said the other day, if we can buy time, diffuse the situation…

I find myself agreeing with General Jusuk.

It's too difficult. We need to take a step back, give ourselves time to plan.

If we could do that, we would have by now.

Now it's life or death.

But we're not without an option.

You have a plan?

Yes. We have one last option.

If it fails, we'll follow our lord to a glorious end.

But if it succeeds, it will save us all.

What is it?

I'll tell you.

But it's a gamble.

- We'll need plenty of rice balls. - Yes'm.

Looks like something's happening.

Something, as in, war with Choe Hyang?

So I heard.

Word is, Choe Hyang has so many troops our lord doesn't stand a chance.

Ugh, salty, blech.

Uh-oh, looks like a fight.

Exactly. A fight against Uncle Choe, I bet.

We better get out of here.

Manjong.

We have to look out for ourselves.

If it's a fight, it's obvious our side will lose.

We have to save ourselves.

No, Manjong, that's what you said at Heungwang Temple.

- But-- - But!

Our job is to get out of here.

We wouldn't be any use to them anyway.

All the same.

We should get Wola and go.

Who'll look after her if things go bad?

- Wola. - Hello.

Your color has improved since you left the kitchen.

Ah, well…

You certainly get around.

You know Choe Yangbaek?

Kim Jun's teacher, commander of the slave brigade.

Yes.

He's in love with you?

Did he say that? Did he?

No, not that I've heard.

Who told you..?

Oh? Maybe he never got around to telling you.

Anyway, don't get all excited about your wedding.

Remember this…

Too much good fortune and people might get jealous.

The medicine will get cold. Off with you.

Thank you.

What was that about?

Choe Yangbaek's in love with her?

Yes. He broke my heart.

I guess he'll never be mine.

I had hoped there would be no blood spilt between the brothers.

But it's not to be.

Surely not. Father and Grandfather are both very wise.

Be patient. Nothing is going to happen.

Are the wedding plans progressing?

Ah, yes.

Your wedding plans are good for our house.

Kim Jun has to survive to get married, after all.

Well said. Everything in order.

We've prepared the trousseau accordingly.

Isn't that right?

Yes, Your Grace.

As you ordered, linens, clothing, everything her household will need.

Is that so? Everything's already prepared?

Yes, Miss. Just so.

Very nice for a slave girl.

I've never heard of such a thing.

Your pardon, Miss.

It's hard to believe.

For Lady Choe, who in many ways is like an empress, to give a slave away in marriage.

It's unheard of.

Why are you acting this way?

We've got the rat in the trap, why do I have to go?

If you want power, you've got to be cold.

What? Calm? Discreet? Sheesh.

You there. Where are you off to?

Aren't you court musicians?

Yes, sir. To the Overlord's residence.

The Overlord? What for?

He's hosting a banquet this afternoon.

A banquet? What? For the Overlord..?

On whose orders?

The Overlord's, sir.

The Over..?

But he's at death's door. A feast?

You're sure about this?

Of course.

All the great lords will be there.

Pardon us.

No. It can't be. It's absurd.

Who heard of such a thing?

No, no, I have to see this for myself.

A feast at a dying man's house? What's going on?

Turn around. We ride for Anheungni.

- Sir. - Let's go. Hurry.

Hm?

What is it?

Ov-Overlord.

Have you lost your senses?

Why are you scampering around staring at me?

Overlord, how on earth..? How did..?

How did what? Hm?

Overlord.

It's got to be a trick. You're completely recovered.

I can't believe it.

That's life for you.

You wake up, shake it off… and you're as light as a feather.

Dokmyong.

Y-y-yes, Overlord.

Bring your friends to dinner.

Tonight I feel like drinking.

Huh? Yes, Overlord.

Good.

Heh, little weasel, acting all aflutter.

- Oh, General Kim. - Yes, Chancellor.

When did the Overlord get better?

He took a nap, woke up and shook it off.

I'm as surprised as you.

Ah, I see, how the…?

- You. - Yes, sir.

With me.

What's that again?

Hold on, my father is up and having a feast?

Yes, quite so, lord.

What's the world coming to?

He had a few days left and now he's up and about.

It's unheard of. How did this..?

What now? Time is of the essence.

This changes everything.

We have to review our plans.

No.

Stranger things than this have happened.

The Overlord will die, just as we thought.

There's the astronomer's prediction. Tonight at midnight.

But… but look at the reality.

My father is up and about.

It won't last long.

A final gasp, that's all.

Be strong. Don't waver.

Tonight it will be over. All of it.

You're right.

Chancellor Kim, go see my brother.

Tell him our father could die at any moment.

Alert the men to be ready at my command.

We move ahead as planned.

Yes, sir.

I'll be back.

I don't like this, not one bit.

This wasn't in the runes at all.

A dying man sits up, calls for musicians and a feast?

Oh, no, what would Choe Sanbo say to this, I wonder?

Sabaha, sabaha…

Yap!

Yop!

No…

No, no… no…

So he sent for musicians?

Yes, so I'm told by the gentlemen in the market.

Musicians, dancers, the entire court, or so they say, Venerable.

A banquet indeed.

Isn't that odd?

Hyesim came here specifically because he was dying.

Quite so.

Life is full of surprises.

A dying man heading a feast?

As to that…

No one knows the ways of the world.

Leave the world to itself.

You have the Tripitaka to worry about.

The great work will be in your hands.

What was that?

I plan on shaking off the world, studying in a hermitage.

Think you can catch me like that?

Oh no, you don't.

Attention!

After all the tedium and boredom, the day has finally come.

After tonight, everything will change.

Exactly. It's been a long wait.

I'll tell you something. That Choe U has more backbone than Choe Hyang.

What can we do?

We're risking our lives, our positions.

Our clans will be ruined if we fail.

In that case, shouldn't we be keeping an eye on the Overlord and Choe U?

Quite right. The Overlord may breathe his last any second.

I have messengers on a rotating basis.

Good thinking.

All this wondering is frustrating.

Welcome.

So the Overlord has recovered? That is good news.

A banquent, even? He must be back to his old self.

So it would seem.

Come in, please. The Overlord should make his appearance soon.

You men. Escort the lords.

Sir.

Choe Hyang.

Yes, Father.

Why are you alone?

Choe Junmun, Ji Yunsim, Ryu Songjol, they should all be here.

Yes, Father. I'll send for them.

But how is this possible?

- How did you… - … get up and about, you mean?

Why, is my being up and about a disappointment?

Not at all.

You have the same look on your face as Dokmyong.

Yes, Father. Out of surprise. And joy.

Oh? Well, I'm pretty happy myself.

As though I could mount a steed and wield a sword again.

We'll finally have a formal celebration again.

See to the guests. Off with you.

Yes, Father.

Attention!

It's like Kim Dokmyong said. We have to think this over.

No, sir. We've gone too far now.

But you saw for yourself. Father is back to his old self.

Stay strong, sir. It ends today, as planned.

You need to seize control.

Report.

Lieutenant-General Choe Junmun sent me to assess the situation.

My father is his old self again?

So I'm told.

Kim Yakson's note indicates it's all planned,

using a special pill a monk gave him.

As the astronomer said, today is his last.

Kim Dokmyong?

On his way, as expected.

General Ryu, that looks like Chancellor Kim.

On his way to see Choe U.

I doubt it will make any difference.

I'm not so sure. Chancellor Kim might just pull it off.

He's quite persuasive.

He managed to cozy up to the Overlord all these years.

If he does coerce Choe U out, we can't hesitate.

We'll take his head…

and end this once and for all.

Overlord, welcome back.

Thank you all.

Life has its ups and downs, wouldn't you say?

The day is waning. Let's begin.

Yes, Overlord.

Take your seats.

Well? These are the leaders of our country.

You girls, serve the gentlemen.

Yes, Overlord.

Serve the Royal Chancellery.

Serve the Secretariat of State Affairs.

Personnel, Treasury, Rites, Public Works, the Royal Secretariat, everyone's here.

Thank you.

Today is a day to celebrate.

Yes, Overlord.

Well? Let's have music.

A little something to drink too, huh?

Yes, Overlord.

Here. A toast.

Good. Good!

What's happening at Anheungni?

Is Choe U there?

Sir, Choe U hasn't arrived yet.

But Anheungni is hosting a banquet.

A banquet? As in, a BANQUET banquet?

The Overlord has recovered.

He's what-now? Have you lost your senses?

How can a man that's dying host a banquet?

It's true, sir. All the chancellors are there.

They're what? How can that be?

Did Lord Choe Hyang give you a message?

No, sir. Nothing in particular.

Wait, that's… um, what? A banquet?

A banquet, what..?

Chancellor Kim?

He went to the Guard Corps to fetch Choe U.

A surprising turn of events.

If the Overlord is better, that changes everything.

But Choe Hyang sends no word…

Something isn't right.

Let's send another messenger.

- You, there! - Yes, sir.

You go. I don't believe this guy.

Go to Anheungni and report.

Sir!

How..? How can this be..?

Yes, sir?

It's me, it's me. On my way from Anheungni.

On the Overlord's orders. Is Lord Choe in?

Yes. If you please.

Right. It's been a long trip.

A visitor from Anheungni.

Kim Jun, announce him.

Yes, sir.

Lord, a visitor from Anheungni.

Lord, a visitor from Anheungni.

Kim Dokmyong. I come on behalf of the Overlord.

He's at death's door. Shall we go to see him?

- The Overlord… - Silence!

How dare you come spreading your lies?

Well? Take him!

Wait… what? Now hold on!

What are you..?

They're traitors!

Kill them all!

You heard him! Kill them!

My lord, lord, spare me, spare me.

I didn't do nothin', I never…my lord!

Well? Kill him!

Halt.

Yes, sir.

Take him inside.

Yes, sir.

Wh-what is this?

Can't you tell?

The secret orders my father gave to me.

Or don't you remember that scroll?

Yes, I remember.

He's long since known the four of you were traitors.

He ordered me to deal with you.

Kim Dokmyong.

M-my lord.

What does it say?

All of your clans are to be destroyed.

Only you are to be spared, in deference to your many years of service.

You see my father's signature?

Yes, lord.

Were you all foolish enough to think you control Koryo's military?

They'll turn on you with just one word from my father.

I'm told my father has recovered his health.

Don't tell me you didn't know?

- I…I knew. - So!

Then you know what my father's next order will be.

Isn't that so?

Unless you plan on attacking my father?

Oh!

How could you say that?

Everything has changed.

Read the scroll again.

Everyone is to die…

Everyone but you. Tell me.

Will you do your duty and help me?

Or die with the other traitors?

Help me and I'll make you prime minister.

Huh?

The second highest post in the Royal Secretariat.

My father is feeling better. He's sure to approve.

The Prime Minister, no less.

I can see it now. You'll be Prime Minister.

You wake up, shake it off… and you're as light as a feather.

Dokmyong. Bring your friends to dinner.

Tonight I feel like drinking.

Yes, Choe Sanbo DID say I'd be prime minister.

And the Overlord IS back on his feet.

And this IS his signature.

And he DID spare me, didn't he?

And the second-highest post IS the prime minister, oh yes…

Viceroy Kim.

I know it's not easy, in light of your loyalty to Choe Junmun.

You can go.

My father has ordered you be spared.

You can go.

Men.

Yes, sir.

We march on the traitors.

Muster the men.

Yes, sir.

And let no harm come to Viceroy Kim here.

On the Overlord's orders.

Yes, sir.

We have our orders.

Muster your men.

Tonight we go to war.

Yes, sir.

My lord… my lord!

I was blind.

For the Overlord to think so highly of me…

I was a fool, out of my mind.

Forgive me and I'm yours to command.

You swear to serve Koryo?

Need you ask? Give me a chance.

The Overlord is up and about.

If not for the Overlord's scroll, I would have committed treason.

I will serve you. Give me a chance.

Give me a chance, my lord.

Thank you.

I accept your pledge.

You honor me.

You honor me. Thank you, my lord.

I want as little blood as possible.

I want to disperse the troops and take only those responsible.

Will you help me?

Need you ask?

I'll take the lead. I'll lead the way to end this.

This… this…

is Koryo's Prime Minister.

Pak Songbi.

Yes, sir.

Give Viceroy Kim every assistance in serving this great nation.

Yes, sir.

My lord… my lord, my lord…

What? So his earlier report was true?

Yes, sir. The ministers are all there.

I saw it with my own eyes.

And no word from Choe Hyang or Yi Jangyong?

They were inside. I didn't speak with them.

So the Overlord has recovered.

Doesn't his recovery change everything?

Do we postpone?

Or do we march as planned?

General Choe… March?

The Overlord is back. If we march, it's rebellion, pure and simple.

Who will answer for that?

It's infuriating.

We need more information.

I swear…

We should check on the ambush.

Perhaps they have orders.

Orderly, check on the men in ambush.

I want a full report.

Yes, sir.

Move out.

I appreciate your helping Lord Choe.

I was blind, that's all. I'm not a bad man.

I listened to those traitors and was fool enough to believe their lies.

You'll be well-rewarded when this is over.

I'm not doing this for a reward. But I didn't mind what Lord Choe said earlier.

Ahem. “Let us go.”

To pull this off we have to fool them completely.

General Ryu's ambush, that's the key.

Let us go.

Pak Songbi and Kim Dokmyong taking point.

I admit it worries me.

No one reads people like General Pak.

He's the best man to ride with Dokmyong right now.

And General Kim Gyongson?

Bypassing the ambush and marching toward Anheungni.

Overlord, looking at you now, you've got another two hundred years in you.

Yes, not 200, 1,000, 10,000 even.

Listen to you. What would I do with myself?

Drink, drink.

Yes, Overlord.

But some faces are missing.

Choe Hyang.

Yes, Father.

Usually I can't get rid of them.

Why don't I see them now?

Choe Junmun, Ji Yunsim, Kim Dokmyong…

Where are they?

I sent for them. They'll be here soon.

Oh? Will they?

Drink. That's it, drink, drink.

There. It's Chancellor Kim.

- Prepare for battle. - Sir.

Not many torches. Maybe Choe U isn't with them.

That's that then. So much for coming on his own.

We'll have to march.

If we'd attacked from the start it would be over now.

What a waste of time.

Chancellor Kim?

That's me. You've done well.

Where's Choe U?

Isn't this General Pak Songbi?

Just so. Marching ahead to clear the way for Lord Choe.

Wait a minute, what are you still doing here?

Still?

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Didn't you get the order to cancel the training exercises and stand down?

What?

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

Didn't you hear about the Overlord's miraculous recovery?

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

You didn't get the dispatch yet. That explains what you're still doing here.

When I left all the nobles were gathering at Anheungni for a feast.

The Overlord has ordered all of us to attend.

What do you take us for?

It's absurd. Who ever heard of such a thing?

Whoa, whoa.

Aren't you General Choe Junmun's orderly?

Yes, sir.

Report.

The Overlord has recovered and is hosting a feast.

In the absence of further orders, I was told to report your intentions.

Didn't I tell you?

We're all shocked. That's why the dispatches are late.

The Overlord was quite explicit.

“Dismiss the training exercises and come to the feast!” That's what he said.

You sounded as though you saw it for yourself.

You were at Anheungni?

Yes, sir. The Overlord is up and hosting a feast.

I saw it for myself.

Now, now, now, let's get going.

Dismiss the men.

Let's go celebrate with the Overlord and knock back a few.

Oh, now, it's the Overlord's orders.

Even Lord Choe Hyang is there.

Uh-huh, well, then.

I couldn't believe the chancellor here.

But with the general's aide, as well?

What can we do? Stand down.

But, sir, something is off.

Off?

Yes, sir. It's odd that we haven't heard a word about such an important event.

Shouldn't we dispatch a messenger to assess the situation?

A messenger?

Yes, sir. If you please.

If it checks out, it won't be too late to dismiss the men.

I'll dispatch someone.

Orderlies. Send word.

Sir.

Send word to Anheungni.

- Send it now. - Sir.