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Has he lost his senses? Sending this in times like these?

What about the messenger?

He said he's illiterate.

I sent him on his way.

You did what? He must be stopped.

He can't read, he doesn't know what it says.

If we stop him, it will make things worse.

Not so. He came here because he was suspicious.

He accused his lord, he's not to be trusted.

Who knows what he'll do next.

You're right. He said he wanted his freedom.

I doubt he's going back.

We can't allow Kim Kyongson to be hurt. Find the messenger.

He left hours ago.

No. Send your men. Move before this gets worse.

- Nothing? - No, sir.

Go that way. Search the market and alleys.

Yes, sir.

You cover the city gate.

Give the guards a detailed description and find out if he left or not.

Yes, sir.

No.

Find out if he's been to the Overlord's residence, but do it discreetly.

If it's Guard Corps business, odds are he'll go there.

Yes, sir.

It's too late. If we haven't found him by now, it's too late.

Far, far too late.

I failed. I should have held him.

We'll kill him and that will be that.

Informing on his master is awful, yes, but to kill him?

Whatever we decide, he can't be allowed to tell what he knows.

I agree.

Things are getting out of hand.

Cover up what you can, but there's no getting around it.

Dragging Pavilion women to see him, beating them to death!

If we're not careful a great hero will be killed.

This letter is high treason.

Kim Mi will pay, of course, and so will Kim Kyongson.

Suppose the letter were to disappear?

We can't do that. That would be betraying the Overlord.

Kim Kyongson's life is more important.

It would just look more suspicious.

"Why exactly was it destroyed?" You see?

I'll call on Kim Kyongson. This requires more thought.

If Kim Mi's servant went to the Overlord...

But if he has, as is likely, we'll need a plan.

So, you came straight here from the Guard Corps, is that it?

Yes, sir. It just seemed strange to me.

Kim Mi sending a secret message. No small thing.

I understand that. I would never lie, not here.

I see. Follow me.

Sir.

You say Kim Mi frequently rails against Koryo?

All the time. Screaming, grabbing his chest, "Kill them all," on and on.

He told you to deliver it to Kim Kyongson? Twice now, you say?

So you got suspicious?

Yes, sir.

So you took it to Pak Songbi and he said it was just an ordinary letter?

Exactly.

I see. Something isn't right.

Take him away.

Yes, sir.

What will happen now?

Go your way. We'll look into it.

Yes, sir.

Something stinks, that's for sure.

I need to go to the Guard Corps and talk to Kim Jun.

The Overlord asked about Oh Seungjok and Kim Mi.

Lord Jusuk, as well.

Blood will flow over this.

Kim Kyongson is in danger.

But I can't let this pass. I won't deceive the Overlord.

What should we do?

My idiot nephew has gone too far.

So it would seem.

And it appears his messenger has gone to the Overlord. My men can't find him.

They wouldn't. He thinks he'll get his freedom out of this.

We have to do something, but what?

We could destroy the evidence, of course.

But we both know the Overlord.

He would just be more suspicious. It would make it worse.

Exactly.

Instead...

Attack is the best defense.

How so?

Teach the little fool a lesson.

By forwarding the letter?

Yes. The Overlord has a suspicious nature.

Resolve it now to prevent it getting any worse.

Betray my own nephew?

Tell the truth and the Overlord won't insist on capital punishment.

Betray my nephew to save my own skin?

It has to be dealt with before it gets out of hand.

You must. There's no other way.

Perhaps.

Perhaps... but that's not my way.

And the Overlord isn't likely to welcome me.

How do you mean?

Not likely at all.

If either of you ever does something like this again

the Overlord won't be so merciful.

Well? You heard your sentence.

Kim Kyongson!

You can't do this.

I'll remember what you did here, count on it.

I'll kill you.

This requires thought.

I have a bad feeling about this.

I wanted to talk with you about it first.

I'll look into it and we'll talk again.

Mi has really done it this time.

Little fool.

The messenger went to Choe Yangbaek?

Yes, sir, just as you say.

They're holding him now.

This is bad. And getting worse, I swear...

Where is our father?

He was calling on Kim Kyongson but should be back by now.

He may be home now.

Is Kim Mi a moron or just a blithering idiot?

Sending an untrustworthy messenger, stirring things up, I swear...

He'll be home soon. Please come in.

No, no, it's not fitting, not with him gone. Oh, no...

Well, look how you've grown. Already a little general.

Time sure does fly.

Your daughter must be growing up fast, too.

Well, you know, I was a bachelor too long, it was time I had a family.

Uga? What are you doing here?

Here he is.

I'd like a word.

Oh?

Come in.

My lady, shall I prepare refreshments?

- Yes, and quickly. - My lady.

Viscount, let's not make this worse.

Give me the letter.

Now.

Whether it gets worse or not is up to you.

Are you up to doing a good deed?

You call betraying the Overlord good?

It's not betrayal. It's clearing up a misunderstanding.

The Overlord trusts me. I won't betray that.

Like I said, a vassals serves his lord even unto death.

This endangers Kim Kyongson.

The problem started with Kim Mi.

Why should Kim Kyongson be hurt?

That's not true.

With your help, we can make this all go away.

No we can't.

Where is the letter? With Kim Kyongson?

Yangbaek...

I hate coming to an old comrade's house about this.

You have until tomorrow.

Send me the letter.

Understood?

You've changed. This isn't Yangbaek talking.

I haven't changed, you have.

Ever since you took over the Guard Corps.

How dare you betray the Overlord?

Yangbaek!

It gets better every time I hear it.

So the generals were all meeting at Kim Mi's house?

Yes, Overlord.

Not just once or twice, either. They met there often.

And ultimately wrote a petition to the Overlord.

Well, I can see a lot happened while I was at the temple.

Yes, sir.

Tell me everything.

About Oh Seungjok...

Of course, anything.

My father said to treat him as a brother.

Which is absurd, seriously...

We don't share a drop of blood, much less a family name.

- True, but your stepmother... - What about her?

So some tramp who married the old man?

You know who my mother was.

People...

People called her a courtesan.

My brother and me, we never called the old man, "Father."

"Honorable" this, "Honorable" that...

My mother wasn't even treated like a human being.

And that's... that's how she died! I was just a boy!

The whole world condemned her!

You don't know!

- Yes, sir. - Overlord.

Is my stepmother my mother? A tramp from the House of Dae?

So, "Her Grace" runs the ladies of the Guard Corps, so what?

Oh Seungjok as the successor?

That's treason. Treason!

And... old Jusuk works with Dae Jipsong to nominate the brat?

That was close. We nearly had an Oh sitting in the Choe's rightful place.

It's true. Close, indeed.

Dae Jipsong is just a greedy blowhard, but Jusuk was a bigger problem.

In fact, the truth is...

Well? In fact what?

There are rumors that Lord Jusuk is still meeting people, stirring up trouble.

Who? Where?

- Everywhere... - Spit it out!

High treason, indeed. He's been mustering troops.

Even before the Overlord died.

Really? And who is he meeting?

You know, too. Speak up.

Ah, well, the thing is...

Kim Kyongson...

Kim Kyongson?

Yes, and Choe Chungmyong with the Imperial Dragon-Tiger Guards.

And there's talk about Pak Songbi.

He met with Pak Songbi?

Yes, so they say.

Where's Choe Yangbaek?

Overlord, reviewing the troops, sir.

All my so-called retainers know about this.

And never said a word.

Fine.

I'll start with the House of Dae.

- You, there! - Overlord.

Have Viscount Choe Yangbaek bring Dae Jipsong and Oh Seungjok to me.

Yes, sir.

Traitors... traitors all...

Where should I start with them?

Choe Yangbaek said that? He demanded the letter?

What did you say?

I didn't say anything.

A man must serve his master. Don't be too hard on Yangbaek.

This is serious. I don't see a way out.

I think you're right.

The only way to put out this fire is for Kim Kyongson to see the Overlord.

And to explain.

But you said he won't do that?

Yes, based on his reaction.

Always something...

Why can't Yangbaek just cooperate?

Some comrade he turned out to be.

Talk about petty!

You think Viscount Kim will send the letter?

If he doesn't, say the word and we'll march over to the Guard Corps.

This is your time, sir.

Kim Jun needs to learn a lesson, and you're the teacher.

Silence.

Enough of that talk. We're comrades.

But, he kept getting promoted over you. Even now.

Viscount Kim runs the Guard Corps.

Enough, I said.

You sent a detachment to Dae Jipsong's home?

Yes, with Hoga.

The Overlord wants me? And Seungjok?

Yes, sir. No one told me anything. But I have my orders.

If you please.

But you must have some idea...

You'll find out soon enough.

Wait here.

I haven't done anything...

And why you?

I don't like it, Grandfather.

What can we do? We have go to.

Suppose... he found out I used to meet with Jusuk to discuss you?

Sir? Then we're in trouble.

That slime Jusuk running here, there, everywhere, mouthing off...

He must know.

Sir?

Soldiers or no soldiers, we have to give up.

It's that mouth of his. And now we're stuck.

What? The Overlord sent for my father and my boy?

Yes, Your Grace.

Oh Seongjok's steward sent word that your son is going there now.

He won't have sent for them to chat.

He's far too vindictive to forget the past.

So it seems.

But it can't be allowed.

Not my son...

- Puni. - Yes, Your Grace.

Send someone. Find out what's happening and why.

Yes, Your Grace.

This doesn't bode well, I know that much. Not well at all.

Head Lady. Go find Viscount Kim.

Ask him what's happening.

Yes, Your Grace.

What's happening? What?

Oh Seungjok and Dae Jipsong are seeing the Overlord?

It's no ordinary visit. Choe Yangbaek sent his men to collect them.

No...

I thought this Kim Mi business would come first, but this is Oh Seungjok.

Did you and Viscount Choe resolve the Kim Mi question?

No. He's waiting for us to send him the letter.

It's so frustrating.

Choe Yangbaek got to that messenger first.

It's all in his hands now.

But what good will come of his seeing this through?

Either way, Kim Kyongson has to be told. It's his decision.

He'll want to think, but the longer he waits, the worse it will be.

The time has come.

I have to decide, one way or another.

My nephew may be right.

What is the point of unconditional loyalty?

Risking your life for your country, only to come home to a house in ruins.

It's true, Jusuk had a point.

Everyone knew what would happen to the Corps.

The end of Koryo...

And of me.

I don't have long now.

- Now look here. - Yes, Overlord.

You didn't age well.

Yes, sir, it crept up on me.

Too old for all this, is that it?

Yes, Overlord.

I hear that this grandson of yours thought he might run the Corps.

Not at all. We are less than dirt, we would never presume...

Which is why I sent for you.

Dirt is as dirt does.

You wanted my position, huh?

So let me ask you this.

If Oh Seungjok here had my position, wouldn't you have killed me?

Isn't that so?

An Oh on in the Overlord's chair would have been the end of the Choe house.

Isn't that so?

Never. We would never, sir.

Look here.

You're my grand-pappy in a way.

- Sir? - But don't get your hopes up.

A stepmother is not a mother.

Seungjok.

Yes, Overlord.

What was your rank again? General, was it?

Yes, sir. The late Overlord granted it.

Exactly!

You were given a phony rank and you wanted my chair?

That's a capital crime! Treason! Treason!

Spare me, spare me.

The late Overlord said to treat me as a brother.

Please be kind, sir.

Brother?

You're no brother of mine.

Not by blood, not by family name.

Listen, the Oh clan should sit at home.

Not... mess with the Guard Corps.

Planning a coup, are you?

Never. Never, ever, I swear.

I'll resign my commission immediately.

Tisk, tisk,

Look at you. Pathetic.

But it's too late.

You missed your chance to resign by a mile.

What can I do? I can't rule the Corps looking over my shoulder all the time.

Overlord. Forgive us.

We never plotted against you, Overlord.

You met with Jusuk.

Yes...

For drinks, that's all it was.

What did you talk about?

Here, here, let's drink and talk.

Come on, hold it up.

Jusuk wanted the boy here as Overlord.

Did you suggest it?

Jusuk said it first.

- But that was just? - Enough, enough.

- Enjoy your drink. - Yes, Overlord.

- Viscount Choe. - Yes, sir.

It's getting late.

- Take them away. - Sir.

Oh, and I'll spare you in light of your service to my father.

Overlord.

Retire to your hometown.

And toss Oh Seungjok into the sea.

Overlord! Kill me instead. Seongjok has done nothing.

Overlord, spare my grandson.

- Spare me. Spare me, please. - Overlord.

Once a traitor, always a traitor.

Well? Take them away.

Well? You have your orders.

Overlord, Overlord! Kill me instead!

I'm to blame. Overlord!

Spare me, spare me!

Proof that ambition has a price, oh yes.

Well, now, who's next?

Jusuk?

The old man is banished to the country.

He leaves tonight. The boy is to be tossed into the sea.

Yes, sir.

Weight him with stones and toss him in.

Yes, sir. Well? You heard him.

No, you can't! Overlord!

Seungjok never did anything! Kill me!

Grandfather.

A thousand curses on your heads. You won't get away with this, none of you!

Send for my mother, someone! Mother, Mother!

Is the Overlord in?

Yes, Viscount.

What did they do?

- They're traitors. - Traitors?

- Dae Jipsong and Oh Seungjok. - What?

No... I must see him.

- Here we are again. - Here we are.

- There you are. - Is he in?

He's just leaving.

You have the letter?

That's up to Kim Kyongson.

He wants to speak with the Overlord.

He needs more time.

Any more time would be disloyal to the Overlord.

What happened to Dae Jipsong and his grandson?

You see that old fart shaking?

Oh, Viscount Kim.

Overlord, if you'll excuse us? Have a good night.

Yes, go.

What brings you here so late?

You ordered Dae Jipsong and Oh Seungjok to be killed?

Yes. I found out they're traitors.

It's not true.

I just said they are.

Then there must be a full inquiry, according to the law.

It's obvious they're guilty, there's no need.

Not so.

The Overlord must comply with the law.

They may be executed only after due process.

Not with traitors, there was no need.

You stick to politics.

Leave law and order to me.

Overlord.

This isn't right.

Dae Jipsong is head of an old and respected family.

And Oh Seungjok is Her Grace's son.

It's all done. Dismissed.

- I'm tired. - Overlord.

You're dismissed. Don't pester the Overlord.

He said he's tired.

I'm drunk. We'll talk later.

I'll say it again. Time is up.

I want Kim Mi's letter.

What? Soldiers took my Seungjok to the sea?

Yes, Your Grace. I saw it with my own eyes. I couldn't believe it.

No! the soldiers mean to kill him?

Yes. They said to weigh him down with stones...

Your Grace...Your Grace...

That vile filthy little...

His father fresh in his grave and already...

Oh no...

My father? What about him?

He is to be banished this very night.

No! So that's it, he wants our whole family dead.

That vile...

Did you see Viscount Kim?

Yes. He had already left to talk to the Overlord.

And there is still no news?

No, not my boy, not Seungjok.

I have to see the Overlord. I have to, now...

Your Grace, Your Grace.

Your Grace.

It's a living hell... The Guard Corps is hell...

Let's go. My boy is dying!

Spare me, please, spare me.

Spare me, please.

- Well? Move out. - Yes, sir.

Don't! Spare me, please.

Please, don't...no!

My mother... My mother won't forgive this.

Spare me, please, please.

- Man the oars. - Sir.

Please, please.

Look, don't do this.

Someone! Anyone! Help me!

Her Grace went to the Overlord's house?

Yes, sir. It's getting worse.

Why attack his stepmother's family, of all people?

For better or worse, Lord Dae is an old retainer.

And Oh Seungjok is a general.

And the Overlord's brother, in a way.

The late Overlord's last wishes have come to nothing.

The problem is condemning innocent men to exile and death.

It disgraces the Corps.

Rather than fixing things, it will breed resentment and fear.

Can Kim Jun do anything?

The Overlord may just be getting started.

I worry for Kim Kyongson. Dae Jipsong is the spark to the flame.

What is it? What happened?

The worst has come, darling.

And... I'm guilty of a terrible crime.

How do you mean?

I just am... I just am...

Oh dear...

May I help you, Your Grace?

Stand aside. I need to see him.

He's sleeping.

Then announce me. Tell him his mother is here.

Good evening, Your Grace.

Viscount Choe.

Yes, Your Grace.

No one is closer to the Overlord than you.

How can you let this happen?

Wake him up. Announce me. Now!

Your Grace, the Overlord is asleep.

What's more important, his sleep or my son's life? Now move!

Open the door. I said open it!

Overlord. Her Grace is here.

Open the door! Now!

It's a bit late for a social call.

Where is my son?

Who?

Ah... Oh Seungjok?

You're too late, I'm afraid.

He's a traitor.

Give him to me. Not my boy, not him. Bring him here!

I told you he's a traitor. The law is the law.

You! Have you no fear?

Your father barely in his grave and you do this? You scum!

Spare my boy. Send some men. Save my son!

Now listen to me!

You think because you were my father's wench that you're my real mother?

What?

Be thankful I let you live at all.

Goodnight.

No! Save my son. Spare him.

Calm down.

Choe Yangbaek, how could you have changed so much?

My husband trusted you.

Your pardon. I have my orders.

Save my son, my boy, save him.

Listen, he's my son...

- Your Grace. - Your Grace.

You there. Send for a doctor.

- Your Grace. - Assist Her Grace.

Mother! Mother!

Save me, mother! Mother!

Listen to me. The stones aren't tied tight.

- What? - Quiet.

The tide is going out. Leave Kangdo tonight.

You, there. Toss the traitor into the sea.

Yes, sir.

Spare me, spare me!

- Turn about. - Sir.

He's still scum. Overlord or not, he's a bloodthirsty scum.

I hope he can swim.

These are evil times.

This was wrong from the start.

It's my fault. He's no overlord. Better a fool than a clever man.

I should have chosen Manjong.

I was blind. Blinded by the memory of Wola.

This is my fault.

Im Yon has been waiting.

Father, aren't you going to work?

I'm taking today off. Let them know.

Sir?

Yes, sir.

What about the letter?

The deadline Viscount Choe gave you is long past.

Dismissed.

Yes, Father.

You're not going in? Aren't people waiting?

Leave me for a while. I need to be alone.

And what's this about a deadline? A letter of some sort?

Guard Corps business. It's better you don't know.

Alright.

What now?

Right, the biggest problem is Choe Yangbaek.

Him and his two adjutants.

What about them? What?

Another dawn and still no word. What is Kim Jun thinking?

Whether Kim Kyongson comes in person or not, we need that letter.

It's my duty to the Overlord.

My duty, right or wrong.

Kim Jun has changed. How dare he?

No. I have to move fast.

Not Kim Jun. Kim Kyongson.

- You there. - Yes, sir.

We're going to Kim Kyongson's house.

He'll know what it's about.

Tell him I want what he has for the Overlord.

Yes, sir.

What? Are you... are you sure?

Oh Seungjok was killed last night?

And Dae Jipsong exiled?

So I understand.

For what? What did they do?

- Treason. - Treason?

What treason?

I don't have the details, but he was once nominated as successor.

The Overlord had ordered a debate.

He did it out of spite. He framed them because he could.

Ridiculous! Ridiculous.

Dae Jipsong's daughter. She's his stepmother, isn't she?

And yet he killed her son?

Yes, Sire. Ridiculous isn't nearly strong enough.

That's not all. He's a vile, licentious lout.

What is Viscount Kim doing?

Isn't he meant to stop this kind of thing?

I called on him. I suspect he's still at a loss.

The Overlord can't be controlled.

But isn't Kim Jun the regent? Doesn't he really run things?

Dae Jipsong is an old and trusted retainer.

Exiling a man like him...

And killing Oh Seungjok?

Who knows what this means for the Imperial House?

Please be patient.

Viscount Kim will come up with something.

Dark days... dark, dark days.

Wait, say that again.

Now hold on. Who was killed? Who was exiled?

Dae Jipsong was exiled. His grandson was drowned in the sea.

But why? For what reason?

They say it was treason...

But how could he, with his stepmother still alive?

This is no simple crime. This is treason.

The worst charge of all. Who dares defend traitors?

What traitors?

Just because his name was debated for successor? That's treason now?

Terrible, terrible.

Lord Jusuk.

Me? What?

The Overlord wants you. Shall we?

What does he want me for?

You'll see. Shall we?

Escort the gentleman.

Wait... wait!

Move out.

- Lord. - Lord!

Why me?

What did I do?

This is getting serious, Lord Jong.

Quite so.

Now is the time to steady the people. Not the time for this sort of thing.

The Overlord is your nephew.

Perhaps a quiet word?

Perhaps. If only it would work.

As you ordered, sir.

Oh...

If it isn't Lord Jusuk?

How may I help you, sir?

You have to ask? Think I called you here for a drink?

Look around you. I'm sure you can figure it out.

How do you mean?

Listen to you.

So much for being lenient to the old fart.

What do I mean?

Overlord.

You really don't recall colluding...

with Dae Jipsong to make Oh Seungjok the successor?

Or...

Running here and there telling people to muster troops?

Overlord, would I do that? This is a misunderstanding.

Kim Hyojong.

You command the Night Patrol. Tell the truth.

Did you muster troops on your own?

Or at Jusuk's urging?

I merely listened to Jusuk. I refused to muster any men.

Liar!

You can't frame me. When did I say to muster your men?

Who did you meet besides Dae Jipsong?

Kim Kyongson. Oh, and the late Choe Chungmyong.

- As friends, to pass the time. - And!

Pak Songbi, I believe?

On official business. We have to meet now and then.

You can choose your own death.

The sea... or the sword.

Which is it to be?

Not me. I told him I wouldn't do it.

Lord Jusuk, it's your choice.

This is wrong. I never, not me!

Viscount Choe.

Yes, sir.

Kill them. We're done here.

Take them away.

Get up.

Overlord, I'm innocent.

Overlord!

Now for you.

And you and you and you. You're all dead!

Viscount Choe sent you?

Yes, sir.

For what?

The Viscount said you would know.

Really?

He said you have something for the Overlord.

Oh. I see. You may go.

Tell him I'll call on the Overlord myself.

Yes, sir.

The time has come. Time to go.

The bloodbath has started. And it's my turn.

It's getting out of hand. We have to do something.

I'm thinking, can't you see that?

He sent for Kim Kyongson.

Kim Kyongson?

He's reaping the whirlwind.

What should we do? It's Lord Kim.

We have to stop him. Somehow.

I'll go to the Overlord. He must be stopped.

And I have to do it.

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