Original subtitles

Look up the two young lords?

A matter of state?

Then...

Does he want me to see which of them should succeed him?

The thought is terrifying, to ask me, me, to choose? Is that it?

No, I must be wrong.

Is this to test my intentions? Is that it?

No, no, there's nothing to discuss, the young lords are immoral, worthless.

Yet, he told me to look them over.

Still, those two illegitimate sons are all he has left, his last hope, so to speak.

Saying it's an affair of state means he's looking at one of them as successor.

But why... Why entrust it to me?

I see.

He wants to see what I'll say.

He made up his mind before sending me here.

He knows what he wants.

And he knows what I must do.

Are you asleep? It's Gapi.

Right. Come in.

Well, anything to report?

Yes, sir.

What's this Im Yon like?

Is he worth the trouble of saving?

He's quite a character.

Known for his great strength and chivalry.

Really? Pak Songbi intimated he may be innocent.

Not innocent so much as "all-man".

Some petty official violated Im Yon's wife.

So, Im Yon beat him to death.

He killed an official?

But the death penalty?

The official in question was the magistrate's brother.

People say he was ranting, raving. He couldn't wait to pronounce death.

The magistrate is a piece of work.

He exploits the people. If they complain, he takes their land, property, everything.

Where is Im Yon now?

In prison. The sentence will be carried out at dawn.

I see. Can we see him?

Yes, sir. We thought you might want to, so we bribed the guards.

Then let's go.

Who are you?

Are you Im Yon?

What if I am? You don't look like provincial stooges.

What kind of talk is that? You're no market thug.

What?

State your business. I don't know you.

You're to be beheaded at dawn. You don't seem upset.

Life is what it is.

Am I the only one in Koryo to be killed for no reason?

If I'm unlucky, I die. If I'm lucky, I walk. It is what it is.

Why did you beat an official to death?

He ravaged my wife. What man wouldn't?

You know Song Onsang?

The general sent you?

I served him for years. When we beat the Mogols at Jinchon.

You were of the ninth rank?

What does it matter now? In a country without law?

Where are you from? You're not from Kosong.

Correct. General Song asked the Guard Corps to look in on you.

See you soon.

Hey, wait! You can't go without telling me your names.

Wait!

It's not easy running a province without the Guard Corps' support.

Who are you again?

This is Viscount Kim Jun.

Who? Viscount who-now?

We heard about what you're up to on the way here.

Exploiting the people, seizing their food, their animals, their lands.

Everything.

What? What's that?

Not to mention the women you've "confiscated".

Who are you? I agreed to meet you cause of the Guard Corps.

Who do you think you are?

And then...Im Yon killed your brother for raping his wife.

But, you passed sentence without weighing the evidence.

Enough! Enough of your lip!

I'm the magistrate. Who are you, huh?

Viscount Kim Jun.

And who is Kim Jun?

Scum! Living in the sticks, all you know is how to exploit your own people.

The viscount is on the Overlord's personal staff.

Not that a yokel like you would know that.

The Overlord? The Overlord's what?

Kim Jun?

So, shall we kill you then talk to Im Yon?

Or will you release him now?

The Overlord...?

You're that Kim Jun?

The Seal of the Guard Corps.

Now I see. You're Viscount Kim. My eyes aren't what they used to be.

Forgive me.

Enough talk. Tomorrow morning you will resign your post.

Resign...?

Im Yon will be released immediately.

He's a condemned man.

You're resigning tomorrow.

What do you care if he's condemned or not?

Do you choose exile?

Or would you prefer your family be stripped of all titles and sold into slavery?

Or do you choose death?

I see, whatever you say, sir.

I'd just as soon have you act like Im Yon had been executed.

With no one the wiser.

Understood?

Yes sir...

I can walk out?

Come with me.

You must be famished, we'll get something to eat.

What are you waiting for? Come on.

Father, thank you for saving me.

What? Father?

Yes, Father.

I lost my parents at a young age.

I swore if I met a great man, I would call him father.

The viscount is 40 and you're what, 30 or so?

"Father," are you kidding?

No, sir. Think of me as your son.

Be a father to me.

There's no time for this.

You have a death penalty on your head. We have to go. Move out.

First swear to me that you're my father.

Swear it or I won't move.

Father, I'm your son, Im Yon.

This isn't the time.

How old are you?

31, sir.

Enough. We have 10 years between us. What's this "Father" stuff?

Get up.

No, I can't. I'm begging you, Father.

This guy, I swear, there's no time.

- Sir, we have to go. - All right.

Fine, get up, let's go, then we'll talk.

Just my luck, stuck with a son. I'm not even married yet.

Yes, Father.

Father, how did you find me?

Kim Jun and Im Yon.

Records indicate they weren't far apart in age.

Nevertheless, Im Yon served Kim Jun as a father.

But, who knew that the day would come that Im Yon would be the death of Kim Jun.

Shall we?

By the way, Father, I had some fine men with me when we fought the Mongols.

- Oh? - Yes, Father.

When I was on General Song's staff, we were inseparable.

More than comrades. We were brothers.

There, look. There. That's them.

- Brother! - Sir, sir!

Pay your respects. Our father. Kim Jun of the Guard Corps.

Sir, yes sir.

Kim Hongchui. This is Cha Songu.

Think of us as your sons.

Rowdy kids you've got, wouldn't you say, sir?

I suppose so. Let's move out.

Sir.

Well? Clear the way.

Yes, sir. This way, sir.

This way.

Make way, make way.

Halt.

- Sir. - Yes?

The sun is just rising. What are you doing on the mountain?

Searching for food.

For food? On the mountain?

Wild berries, greens, roots, things like that.

- Is that so? - There's no food locally.

When you're hungry, you'll take what you can get.

When there's no grain, they scrounge in the dirt.

Cholla and Namhae have it better. They have it bad here.

This is the Guard Corps' responsibility.

When people are left to scrounge and beg, their leader's are to blame.

High or low, no official can ignore his people.

Overlord, are you all right?

I'm fine, I'm fine, something caught in my throat.

My stomach's upset is all.

I'll send for the doctor.

No, no, I've been drinking alone too much.

It's affected my stomach.

What did the chancellors say? About the succession.

I'm embarrassed to say that most of them favor Kim Mi, sir.

Kim Mi?

Your wife's son, Oh Seungjok, has many supporters too, of course.

But, not nearly as many as Kim Mi.

And you?

I haven't decided yet.

Really?

Something on your mind? Something can't bring yourself to say?

No, sir.

No one reads people like you do.

One's birth right is a terrible thing.

Sir?

One's station in life.

As much as I'd like to promote Kim Jun.

I'm not sure I understand...

Suppose I promote a former slave. Who would follow him?

Or my sons, Manjong and Manjon.

They're worthless, it's true, but they're still my sons.

But, in all their discussions, no one suggested my sons as successors.

It's because their illegitimate.

Now what is it you wanted?

We support you, Lord Kim.

In the succession discussions.

That's dangerous talk. Watch what you say.

Not at all. The Overlord insists on open discussions.

We put your name forward.

I wish you hadn't.

Why not?

My late mother commanded that I take no official post.

Look what happened to my father.

This is different.

The Overlord is naming his successor. And you're closest to him.

You have a claim on your mother and your father's side.

Perhaps, but meeting like this can lead to misunderstanding.

We'll take our time and talk this over.

You can't just show up like this.

No one mentioned Manjong or Manjon.

Not surprising, looking at them. That's why I banished them.

But who else can I name as successor?

Kim Jun is qualified, but after Songi...

Head Lady, it's absurd.

I know how scary the Overlord can be, but this?

Try not to be upset. The Overlord knows what he's doing.

He knows? This from the man that strips my father of his rank?

Then gives him some honorary title?

Your Grace, coming this far is one thing...

But, it's best to steer clear of the court.

Even so, to send my boy to the Imperial College? That's my father's idea?

Puni, some cool water. I'm beside myself with worry.

Your Grace.

Every day it's, "blah, blah, blah" but he never really listened.

He changes overnight, just like that.

And now? He has the chancellors decide?

Seungjok.

People are happier if they let go of ambition.

I've been kidding myself.

How so?

I've served the Overlord for years.

He never does anything without establishing defenses.

Defenses that can hurt others, or kill them.

Why are you...?

I have a bad feeling is all. He sent for me and asked if I value my life.

A few days ago I stepped down from my position. I value life over title.

Go to the Imperial College.

Disappear in your books.

Disappear and live.

It's strange.

Dae Jipsong sends for his grandson, works to get him a posting...

then just gives up?

Perhaps he heard something?

No, no, even if he did, the timing is wrong.

The Overlord wants formal discussions on the succession.

But he runs off with his tail between his legs.

It is strange. General Oh Seungjok is going to the Imperial College.

He's the right age, but still...

What about his official duties?

Something isn't right. Something, I don't know what.

But, I'll find out.

So, the chancellors are in favor of Kim Mi?

Yes, Sire.

That's not a bad thing for the Imperial House.

The son of Kim Yakson and brother of the Crown Princess.

Quite so, Sire.

But the important thing now is what the Overlord is planning.

But he has no heir.

What's there to think about? He needs a man of ability.

It's not that simple.

The Overlord sent his most trusted aide, Kim Jun, away from the capital.

Viscount Kim? To where?

Presumably to look over the Tripitaka.

But he was given some sort of secret mission as well.

The succession is as important as life itself to the Overlord.

Discussion is one thing, sending the viscount off is another.

I suspect he is merely assessing the tone of the Corps and the court.

It's just my opinion, but I think he may be sending for his two sons.

His sons are the lowest form of scum.

But they are his sons. They're his own blood.

This is pathetic.

For the emperor to be fretting over who will be the next overlord.

All the same, keep your eyes open.

Kim Mi being named successor will be of great use to us.

Yes, Sire.

Well, doctor? How is she?

I'm sorry, she's not regaining strength.

She's wasting away.

Then you have to help her.

We prepared medicine.

But, her body is rejecting it.

Listen, darling, why won't you try? Pull yourself together.

I'm sorry.

Your brother's name has been put forward as the Overlord's successor. Nice, huh?

No. He can't be involved with the Guard Corps.

Not in light of how our parents died.

He can't...he can't...

Excellent tea, General Pak.

Thank you.

So how may I help you?

General Pak, we've all served the Overlord for years.

Yes, that's true...

You've been given greater responsibilities...and greater worries.

Do you have a point?

I just don't know what's become of the Corps.

The Overlord discussing his successor and all...

He should have decided that long ago.

My point exactly. I suggest Oh Seungjok.

He's the Overlord's stepson. He's really the only choice.

But, people seem to be in favor of Kim Yakson's boy, Kim Mi.

Are politics for everyone?

Why did Kim Yakson fail so miserably?

He didn't understand politics. Indecisive, wavering, a weakling.

The Overlord saw that.

But, Oh Seungjok is different.

He's young, but he's noble and bright.

Sir...

Yes, go on.

We've served the Overlord for years. Old ties run deep.

Old ties, quite so. The stuff of life.

Oh Seungjok has gone to the Imperial College. He's a student now.

He and the Overlord are far estranged.

Dae Jipsong has resigned his position for an honorary posting.

You see what that means?

What?

You two are very close. You meet often. You take my meaning?

The dawn hears the birds, the night the mice.

Dae Jipsong understands everything.

It's frustrating that you don't.

But is that the end of it?

The Overlord is quite fond of his wife's boy. We expect great things.

Pretend you don't know anything.

I've helped you all I can.

I can do no more.

Of course, of course.

Yes, of course, I understand.

Inside, General Yu Jong is speaking to Kim Mi on our behalf.

Let's petition the Overlord to choose Kim Mi.

Hear, hear!

Right, in the strongest terms. Kim Mi deserves to be the next Overlord.

Hear, hear!

The younger men are behind you. It's the will of the people.

I'm still too young. And I don't have my uncle's support.

The Overlord isn't a political appointment.

We merely want to convey our choice to the Overlord.

Give us permission.

We'll sign a petition and present it to him.

But Uncle Kim?

Is this your choice. Not Kim Kyongson's.

You men!

What are you up to?

Rabble-rousing in broad daylight?

Disperse immediately.

Lord Kim, you're a great hero.

We merely wish to escort your nephew into the Guard Corps.

Enough! Disperse before I make you disperse.

The Overlord asked your opinion, not to mill about like sheep.

Disperse.

What's this about, Mi?

You, General Yu Jong.

Explain yourself.

It's for the good of Koryo.

We're here to ask Lord Kim's permission to convey our wishes to the Overlord.

You!

Disperse. You're putting his life at risk.

Disperse. I said disperse!

Or would you rather I make you leave?

Well? Well?

Let's go.

For now. Before he bursts a blood vessel.

They shouldn't be allowed in the house.

Mi, listen now.

You could die, understand?

You can't associate with that riff-raff. Don't you know the Overlord yet?

Very nice. A great work, very nice.

Yes, sir. I had no idea the Tripitaka was such a big undertaking.

True. Kim Jun's old master, Abbot Subop, is overseeing it all.

Wow. Really, Uncle?

All of these engravings will go by boat to Kanghwa.

A trip that would take a month over land is made in 10 days.

Amazing. Truly amazing.

Silly boys...

Quite a pair.

Abbot, he has been sent for a progress report.

Abbot, it's Musang.

Musang is here.

Musang, life is only a dream.

Return to your old life.

Don't waste your life chasing illusions.

Through the Tripitaka I have finally come to know Buddha.

Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form.

Abbot.

Move out.

Viscount Kim Jun?

Yes, sir. It's been too long.

You've given so much.

Not at all. It's worth it.

Now I have to go back.

Really?

I've done what I can with engraving here on Namhae. We've made enough progress.

I can go to Kanghwa to ensure its completion.

Yes, sir. I saw that things are wrapping up here.

A great, great work. It's all been like a dream.

On the one hand, a terrible war.

Yet without it, we never would have done this great work.

Now that you're here, I hope you'll stay a few days.

Thank you, but I have my orders.

We'll be back.

Overlord, blood...

- Sir. - I'm fine. Stop fussing.

Pak Songbi, I read these.

Yes, sir.

Loudmouths, hanging around Kim Mi's house.

They don't care about Koryo, they just want power.

What, they send me a petition?

Dozens of them, it seems.

Young hotheads, that's all.

I just asked their opinions.

Now they send this thinly-veiled threat if I don't choose Kim Mi.

- General, these hotheads. - Yes, sir.

Round them up and toss them in the river.

Sir, they're young. There are 35 of them. Youthful high spirits...

Nothing drowning in the river can't cure.

They pester Kim Mi, form a group, send this and threaten me?

If I let it slide I might as well slit my own wrists.

Well, you have your orders. Send for Choe Yangbaek.

Sir, if you could reconsider?

They'll end up traitors anyway. Better to root them out now.

Well? Dismissed.

Yes, sir.

Send for Kim Kyongson and Kim Mi immediately.

What kind of law is this? He asks our opinion and kills us for it?

What did we do wrong?

He planned this. It was all a trap.

Exactly. To see who supports Kim Mi.

Treason? How is this treason?

Choe Yangbaek.

Take them away. It has to be done by sundown.

Choe Yangbaek.

Well? They're traitors.

Weight them with stones and drive them into the river.

- Move! You heard him. - Sir.

Choe Yangbaek... Yangbaek...

- Mi. - Yes, Grandfather.

And Kim Kyongson.

Overlord.

There's nothing I hate more than a protest group.

Secret meetings, secret plans.

There is no need for due process, not when it comes to rebellion, no need at all.

Sir, it wasn't rebellion, they wanted to support me...

Silence. The Overlord speaks.

Mi, they said it's you or nothing, they met with you, and then...

They threatened me!

This is no simple petition. They were using you for their own ends.

- Kim Kyongson. - At your service.

Send Kim Mi to take his vows at a temple. Understood?

It's the only way he'll survive. Understood?

They should have been careful. This is a bloodbath.

That's the problem with loudmouth kids. They don't think.

But to kill so many of them?

What can we do? Overlord's orders.

I didn't think he would go this far.

He's getting on in years.

Perhaps. But, I know this much...

Kim Jun was sent to Kyongsang.

One of his tasks is to find the Overlord's two sons.

And while he's there to smooth things over with them.

Overlord's orders.

I suspect Kim Jun knows exactly what kind of man our next overlord will be.

Wouldn't you say?

What? What are you staring at?

Something stuck on my face?

You!

Well, well, what big shoulders you have.

Shut your trap. If you weren't guests, I'd give you what-for.

Would you? What-for what?

So that's what-for.

Enough, Im Yon.

Yes, sir. Just having a little fun with glare-boys here, Uncle.

Again with the "uncle" stuff.

Just a friendly call, you say?

Yes, Abbot.

Abbot-shabbot. You see this?

Mongol stuff looks great, so I wear it.

Well? Pretty fetching, huh?

Sure, Young Lord.

Young... Lord?

Haven't heard that in a while.

After being ordered to shave my head and all. Some father I've got.

I heard some talk on the way here.

The people of the region aren't happy.

Why?

It may have something to do with the 50,000 sacks of rice you're hoarding.

Hey, if they borrow, they have to pay interest, right?

You pulled the same thing back when you were in Cholla.

- If the Overlord knew? - If he knew?

The local do-gooders have already sent tons of letters to him.

Why haven't they arrested me already?

Anyway, you had a long trip.

How about a little party? Maybe a drink or twenty?

I'm not entirely without conscience.

About Wola...

I know it's a long time ago but, I really did think she was your sister.

I wasn't playing. I really wanted to marry her. You should know that.

I had no idea she would kill herself, I mean, seriously.

Well? A drink?

No. I have someplace to be.

You're going? You should at least spend the night.

We have a history, after all.

I'm on duty. I'll see you again, Young Lord.

Geez, I swear, you won't drink, won't spend the night.

Oh well.

Listen, Kim Jun, do me a favor.

If the Overlord is thinking of sending for us...

Tell him I'd just as soon stay here.

He already abandoned us.

I'd be uneasy with that old tiger breathing down my neck.

I like it here.

Tell him that for me. I heard how you're so close and all.

Yes, Young Lord.

You need traveling money? Here...

No, we have plenty. I can't accept.

Until we meet again.

Look, Kim Jun.

You came all this way, we should...

I'm counting on you.

Kim Jun's not one to waste time. "Just a friendly call?"

Something's strange. If it's a Tripitaka review, fine, but why come here?

And you'd think he'd hold a grudge about that Wola business.

Is he going to see Manjon?

Chop-chop.

Yes, Abbot.

Abbot-shabbot, you've got a trip ahead. All the way to Cholla.

Yes, Abbot.

Go see my brother Manjon and give him a message from me.

Father, this Young Lord Man-jerk or whatever, why is he wearing Mongol clothes?

Good question.

I swear, 10 years fighting the Mongols and he starts wearing their clothes?

Can you believe it? Filthy rags of a barbaric race.

I can't understand how he could take 50,000 bags of rice from his own people.

Abandoned or not, they're still the Overlord's sons.

- Father. - I hate being called father. Enough.

Don't say that, Father. You can't turn away your own son.

Am I right, Uncles?

Great, now I'm cursed with this weird nephew...

Good luck, sir.

You look like you're pretty strong.

But try not to show off so much.

You know who we are. Particularly the Viscount here.

There have only been two champions in the history of the games.

One is my father. The other is Choe Yangbaek of the Guard Corps.

News travels fast.

You other two didn't do so well, but at least you showed up.

Move out. Cholla is a ways yet. A long ways.

I knew you're strong and a fighter. Your mouth is a surprise.

Life is to be lived, Father. Shall we?

Sure.

I killed my daughter. I sent my grandson to a temple.

People think I'm cruel.

But, it was the only thing I could do.

Kim Jun will do the rest.

He'll choose Manjon over Manjong.

He's only human and Manjong killed his woman.

After this Manjon will owe Kim Jun.

He'll bow to him and, ultimately...

Kim Jun will run the Guard Corps.

Overlord, if I may?

Enter.

The refreshments for your guests.

There are a number of new promotions.

We should get to know each other.

Yes, Overlord.

Oh, is Seungjok enjoying the Imperial College?

Yes, Overlord. He enjoys studying.

What? You think I should have kept him here?

Not at all. He loves going to college.

You know how he loves his books.

Yes, yes, so he does.

Ah, they're here.

- Well, well. - There you are.

I trust you've all been well?

- Of course. - Shall we?

Overlord, your servant, Choe Ja.

I brought the chancellors as you requested.

Welcome, welcome.

Yu Kyong, sir.

Choe On, sir.

Yu Neung, sir.

Our respects, Your Grace.

Thank you. Please, enjoy. If you'll excuse me.

Head Lady, see to our guests.

Yes, Your Grace.

Sit, please.

We know how busy you are. Thank you for this.

Not at all.

You are the future of Koryo.

I'm old and don't have much time left.

It will be up to you, Choe Ja, Yu Kyong, Choe On, Yu Neung...

to coordinate between the Guard Corps and the court.

I asked you here to that end.

Enjoy, please.

Thank you, Overlord.

Now, a drink.

Kim Mi in exile and over 30 men killed?

And now he's drinking with the new chancellors?

Yes, Sire. To solidify their loyalty to him, no doubt.

Such a mass killing must have been planned.

To eliminate anyone that would threaten the Guard Corps.

And Kim Jun's trip to Kyongsang must be about the Overlord's sons.

It's quite clear at this point.

Is that so? Dragging this country down to the level of his bastard sons.

Yes, yes, so my father and stepmother are doing well?

Of course.

And I understand you're looking over the Tripitaka?

I appreciate you taking the time to look me up.

Yes, Young Lord.

Right, right, music to my ears.

Being called "Abbot" is wearing, I can tell you.

It would be.

I'm told you're up to your old tricks again.

Oh, I never!

I have to earn a living, I have a mark-up, of course.

Are the rumors that bad?

Yes, Young Lord. Deadly, in fact.

To the point of an uprising, I'm told.

It's...it's that Pak Won character.

He loves spreading rumors.

He fought Kim Kyongson at Naju. He's so...

But that's not me. I'm different from Manjong.

- Young Lord. - Yes?

Do you want to go to Kangdo?

Kangdo?

The capital?

Yes.

Kim Jun, save me. Take me with you.

You can save me.

I'll... I'll bow to you, anything you want.

You're older than me. I'll be proud to call you brother, you know, between us.

We're both orphans, illegitimate, right?

Please...take me to Kangdo.

Please...I'm begging you.

Take me with you. Please...!

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