Original subtitles

[Episode 19]

You couldn't kill him?

Was it Baek Dae Gil or Prince Yeoning

who made your sword waver?

Yi In Jwa's adoptive daughter... (Kim Che Geon)

sacrificed herself.

King Sookjong

For the crime of being unable to carry out the royal order,

this lowly servant will pay with his life.

Kill me, Your Majesty.

Truly

this is a tenacious ill-fated relationship.

Prince Yeonryeong (Yi Hwon, King Sookjong's sixth son)

Be resentful towards your father, the Current Crown.Yi In Jwa

Now either I, Yi In Jwa, will die,

or the Current Crown will die.

One of the two.

In order for this to end, one of the two needs to die.

I will surely slash the neck of the Current Crown.

Go into the afterworld and await your father.

Your Highness!

Oh, my...

You do not wish to die, do you?

No, sir.

This instant, please take Prince Yeonryeong's body,

cover the scar, and dress him in a burial robe.

Yes, sir.

Moo Myeong, you prepare the coffin, and summon Mother Hwanggu.

Yes, My Liege.

First call the Soron faction to Prince Yeonryeong's residence.

Where is His Highness?

H-H-He is in his room.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, this is Kim Il Gyeong. (Jo Il Soo, Kim Il Gyeong, Choi Yi Seok)

No, how are you...?

Okay, please enter.

What are you scheming? Why are you in Prince Yeonryeong's residence...?

That's!

- Your Highness! - Your Highness! - Your Highness!

- This... - Your Highness! Your Highness! Your Highness!

Was this your doing?

I'M ASKING YOU WHETHER IT WAS YOUR DOING!

Pay your proper respects.

This...

The Current Crown's life is at an end,

His Highness the Crown Prince is seriously ill.

Even if he does ascend to the throne, could he last a year?

Wasn't Prince Yeonryeong a thorn in the side of both the Soron and Noron factions?

So was it you who disrupted the royal bloodline?

Do you have evidence that I did it?

Soon the Noron faction will arrive.

The Sorons have nothing to lose.

It is a golden opportunity

to expel Prince Yeoning and fatally weaken the Norons.

You are crazy. Even if you're crazed, you're completely insane!

Do you know why!

I met you first, Your Excellency.

A sharp sword.

I will put a sword into your hands. So with those hands,

how about you do away with the Noron ministers?

The sharper the blade, the greater its power.

You don't know if with my sword, you can cut off the Norons in one blow.

Shut up!

What are you hesitating for!? You must arrest this fellow immediately!

Benefit the Crown Prince

and protect Joseon.

There's no time.

What should be done?

What do you mean what should be done about something that angers both the heavens and the people?

Arrest the criminal immediately.

Wait.

Isn't it already spilled water?

Your Excellency. Perhaps...?

Your Highness, this is Prime Minister Kim Chang Jip.

Tell us what happened.

Answer me honestly

Tell them you saw a young man.

I-I-I s-saw a young man.

Prime Minister Kim Chang Jip

Yi Yi Myeong

Do you suspect Prince Yeoning?

Speak for yourself, Your Excellency.

How can it be known without any evidence?

If the situation should become a bigger issue,

the attacks will be directed toward Prince Yeoning.

For you ministers who were standing there so plainly in the room of the deceased Prince Yeonryeong,

to corner Prince Yeoning with this!

Who would benefit most from Prince Yeonryeong's death?

If this is how you are going to behave, then I will not just stand still and watch it.

That's what I'm saying.

If Your Excellency convinces Prince Yeoning,

I will diligently be sure to convince the Crown Prince.

To form an alliance...?

If the situation should become a bigger issue,

the attacks will be directed toward Prince Yeoning.

I would like to suggest you return.

Have you looked into the whereabouts of His Highness Prince Yeoning?

His quarters are always empty. He even eludes his guards. (Left Prime Minister Yi Geon Myeong)

There is not a thing to be seen or heard from him.

Bring out more liquor.

Prince Yeoning (future King Yeongjo)

Is there no one there?

No one...

Baek Dae Gil, my gambler brother.

You're really drunk.

I am not drunk.

In the end, I've been left alone.

Please get up. I'll take you home.

You too will leave soon.

Everyone has left.

Everyone I like

eventually leaves, one by one.

Royal Mother, too.

Dam Seo, too.

♪ The image of your back receding ♪

♪ I shall not wave a hand ♪

♪ For as long as we both exist under the same sky ♪

♪ We will definitely meet again ♪

Your Highness!

♪ As just a short distance afar ♪

♪ As long as I breathe and my heart beats ♪

♪ My heart will always be by your side ♪

♪ May you never forget ♪

Dae Gil, what's wrong?

It's nothing.

Was she your fiancée?

What is it, the mourning mood?

It's something he can't say.

Even if I just look at Dae Gil's face, I know very well.

I won't say I'm sorry.

- However... - Master, aren't you the one at fault here?

Because Dam Seo had chosen that path.

But...

What did Dam Seo do wrong?

Innocent Dam Seo has died.

Cry it out.

You'll feel better if you cry it out.

You must cry in order to laugh again.

Including the mother I just barely met again,

why is it that it happens to me, every single time.

Why must I... be the only one to lose people I love?

I couldn't protect them.

I couldn't protect them, you hear?

You did as much as you could.

Acute indigestion? Have you confirmed it?

Confirmations have been done by the Police Bureau and the Palace Physician's Court.

This lowly servant also confirmed with his own two eyes.

Has this been reported to the Royal Father?

Your Highness, I did go to Yoonbok Palace.

However His Majesty's illness is grave and I could not make the report.

Tomorrow, as soon as the sun rises, I will tell him personally.

Minsters, please put special care into Hwon's funeral.

Yes, Your Highness.

I can't believe we are working together during our lives, Your Excellency.

There will be no occasion to work with you all again in the future.

Anyway, we have to be united as one voice tomorrow.

Though His Majesty's anger would be a problem, it is also obvious that Prince Yeoning will be overly emotional as well.

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Hwon.

Move aside! Move. Step aside!

Wait, what the heck is going on?

His Highness Prince Yeonryeong has passed away.

His Highness Prince Yeonryeong has passed away.

What? His Highness Prince Yeonryeong kicked the bucket?

Yes.

I mean, what casket are you asking me for this late at night?

Our gambling house isn't a place where we serve corpses on platters, either.

He sure orders me to do all kinds of unusual errands.

So. Are you going to give it to us or not? (Hwang Jin Gi)

No matter what a lunatic you are, collecting His Highness's neck is something we shouldn't do.

Really, this is driving me crazy.

Won't I be maimed just for giving you a coffin?

Oh, no. It's not like it's a common person. It's the prince.

It's already a fixed game. Would I die just because I fold a card?

- Listen carefully, okay? - Yes.

From this point on do not miss a single move of Yi In Jwa.

Understand?

No.

We need to drill out a way to live, don't we?

His Highness Prince Yeoning has...

Oh, no, at such a young age.

His Highness Prince Yeonryeong has... aigoo

Have you heard about Prince Yeonryeong?

How could something like this happen to His Highness Prince Yeonryeong?

Prince Yeonryeong has passed. (Jeong Hee Ryang)

My Liege, are you really planning on plucking the Current Crown's neck?

The tree is already dead.

What kind of carving should be done on that dead tree?

It's not like a pile of dirt can support a crumbled wall.

I was just going to wait until he died naturally,

but he's persisting and spreading a rotten smell.

So there's no other option than for me to personally pull out the roots.

Postpone it for just a moment.

The king is due to draw his last breath, so put away your sword for the moment.

Prince Yeonryeong is dead?

They say it was caused by acute indigestion.

I checked directly myself, Your Majesty.

At least bring me his body.

Your Majesty, how can a corpse be brought into the Palace?

That is impossible.

Since the Current Crown's life's thread is at its end, put away your sword...

Is that what all you wanted to tell me?

I, Jeong Hee Ryang,

will join your cause.

I'm saying that I too will participate in the bloodshed.

To become a King

is your personal desire. Have you abandoned it?

Yi and Jeong, unite in aspiration.

If you have indeed abandoned that desire,

then swear this blood oath.

This is mine.

In case there's an off-chance... let's keep each other's.

If an unpleasant circumstance were to come upon me

you are to take my blood oath

and seek my other half.

He will help you. (Park Pil Hyeon)

Then what do I need to give in return?

You don't need to give me anything.

You

abandon me.

Hurry.

Crown Prince.

I have something to say to you.

Crown Prince.

Why are you just covering up Prince Yeonryeong's death?

Our younger brother's sudden death. There are many aspects that are questionable.

Please transfer the case to the Police Bureau, and reveal the cause.

Did you not hear?

The cause of death was acute indigestion without any external injury, as I heard.

How are you so sure it was acute indigestion?

Is that your true feeling?

The Noron and Soron factions have unified on the issue,

so the cause of death must be acute indigestion,

even if it is just for you.

There is no benefit.

Revealing the death of His Highness Prince Yeonryeong,

does not benefit Your Highness in any way.

Who takes his brother's death

and calculates costs and benefits?

Your Highness.

Who would benefit from His Highness Prince Yeonryeong's death?

Do not say you guys...

for me...

Seeing that the Norons and Sorons have unified over the issue,

the cause of death must be acute indigestion.

For your own good.

Whoever's hands were stained by blood,

Your Highness must reflect again, and reflect yet again,

waiting for an opportunity.

Opportunity?

Your Highness. This is a time of trials and tribulations.

As they say, bloodshed in the royal court will lead to flooding among the people.

Don't you know?

Your Highness should

focus only on what lies ahead.

Dae Gil, look over there.

Aigoo, do you know what kind of object it is to me?

Aigoo! Let go!

Sir! Please save us! Sir!

Aigoo! Look at that!

As soon as Prince Yeonryeong dies,

they are confiscating everything, saying they are royal assets.

Prince Yeonryeong said they were so pitiable

that he helped them out with more than a penny or two.

How will he live for now, if they take all of it!

Give it up!

Get away.

My Lord.

No.

Hwon,

I am sorry.

There's nothing more I can do.

Isn't this quite the example of wearing hemp over silk?

"Wear hemp over silk": show the virtue of humility

What brings you here?

Born as a prince, but just one house with only two or three household assistants.

The land and assets, all distributed to the people,

while he himself made his meals

of rice gruel and soy sauce.

Truly, it pains my heart.

Condolences like yours are not needed.

But I have something to say to you.

Since the one person who was the bloodline of the Three Jongs (heir to Kings Hyojong, Hyeonjong, and Sookjong) is dead,

there are only three people left.

The throne has come much closer to you now.

What are you saying?

There are three people in the Three-Jong bloodline for the throne?

I guess you still didn't know.

The Crown Prince and I,

who else is there?

There is one more person.

Do you think I would trust what you say?

Your deceptions.

It is someone you know very well.

What?

Very closely,

he is watching over you.

Such sickening words.

I can't listen to this anymore.

No way, can it be...?

No, it can't be.

It isn't so.

Come.

Next.

Come.

Father.

Yes, it's me.

Are you okay? Not hurt anywhere?

Don't forget what I said to you that day.

Your life belongs to the people.

Don't be careless with it no matter what, got that?

About that,

I need you to find out something for me.

Traitor Jeong. I must see him.

This, give me three.

Here.

Welcome.

When I heard that you were looking for me, I was hesitant to show myself,

whether I should go to you first

or I should wait.

Yi In Jwa was the culprit who killed Prince Yeonryeong.

Did you already know it?

Then do you also know Prince Yeoning is trying to cover up Prince Yeonryeong's death?

Why would Prince Yeoning do that? Do you think I will believe you?

King Sejo who ascended to the throne after killing Prince Nosan.

King Taejong, who ascended to the throne after killing his brothers during the two times of the wars among Princes.

The royal court is like that.

When a bloody wind blows through the court,

the citizens cry tears of blood.

If you draw a sword, you'll be a traitor.

If you don't do so, you become an animal.

Do you understand now?

The reason that treasonous coups never cease in this country.

Having a traitorous mind is for the good of the people?

You can see the people's bloody tears now.

Are you going to pour water into a jar with a cracked bottom,

or are you going to slash the rotten ministers' necks?

If I ally with you, what will change?

There is no one but you

who can start a rebellion and become king.

Tell me. To become king, how many people do I have to kill?

Since you are of the King's bloodline, it's not treason.

You are just taking back what was taken away from you.

Yi In Jwa and I can't. But for you,

I mean, you don't need to step on anybody else's corpse to ascend.

Are you confident that you can stand idly by and watch such a rotten and corrupt court?

If you ally with me,

I will give you Yi In Jwa's neck.

I'll await your answer.

Yi In Jwa and I can't. But for you,

I mean, you don't need to step on anybody else's corpse to ascend.

Since the one person who was the bloodline of the Three Jongs (heirs to Kings Hyojong, Hyeonjong, and Sookjong) is dead,

there are only three people left.

He is someone you know very well.

He is watching over you

very closely.

What's your reason for hiding the cause of death of Prince Yeonryeong?

It's Yi In Jwa. It's Yi In Jwa's doing. Don't you know?

That's just a guess.

Do you have proof?

What?

Since Royal Father is in critical condition,

it is an urgent priority for the current royal court to stabilize the nation's affairs.

Though if it's sad...

Stop it!

Are all people of royalty like this? A brother has died; how can you be so calm?

What? Stabilizing the nation's affairs?

Doesn't human obligation come first?

Politics is

like that.

Do you know the weight of royalty and the royal court?

One by one for every single thing...

I have no room to be sad.

Tell me the truth. When your younger brother, who was blocking your way, died,

didn't you feel relieved to have shaken off this uncomfortable burden? Am I wrong?

Then, have you, without even the slightest lie,

been completely honest?

I have never lied. Not even once.

Who is your biological father?

Why aren't you saying anything?

You said you have never lied.

So tell me.

My father is only Baek Man Geum.

I asked

who is your biological father.

Then is it true that you met the traitor Jeong?

Baek Dae Gil is probably meeting with the traitor Jeong now.

Why did you hide...

that you are the son of Royal Father?

Why did you hide it? What was there to gain

that you have stayed by my side? Answer me!

Why is that important? Whether my father is the king or Baek Man Geum...

If I had known you were of the Royal Father's bloodline,

I would never have relaxed.

I would not have left you by my side.

I know now.

I know now, what the Great Cause Yi In Jwa cried for so much is.

This country is so very rotten.

Your Highness is not so different from them.

I don't know who he is, but he's certainly of high rank.

What do you mean "of high rank"? He's just a thief.

It's certain someone must have done something to take back Prince Yeonryeong's assets.

Usually, the inspection of assets starts a half-month after the funeral.

Seeing that it is happening on the day of the funeral without inspection

means someone must have done something.

Do you know the weight of royalty and the royal court?

One by one for every single thing...

I have no room to be sad.

Are you going to pour water into a jar with a cracked bottom?

Or are you going to slash the rotten ministers' necks?

There's a place I need to go.

How will people who lost their rice bowls (livelihoods) live?

They'll eat even plant roots in the mountains, won't they?

Move the stuff inside.

They gobble up all of them.

Grains, assets, everything...

Originally, Prince Yeonryeong's assets belonged to the government.

It's not against the national law.

Is it lawlessness or law?

Knocking the people down?

What kind of a national law is it?

I... will ally with the traitor Jeong.

You all have clearly seen this country is getting corrupt.

There are always such corrupt rotten people, no matter what.

Why are you trying to step forward? Why you?

Why do the commoners suffer the difficulty every time?

The corrupt rotten nobles eat well and live well.

But why are the commoners downtrodden and forced to suffer every time?

Because we don't have power.

The commoners don't have power.

So although we know it,

just pretend not to know. I can't do that.

Did you bring your answer?

First, you cut off Yi In Jwa.

If I do it,

what are you going to show me?

What you have desired so much...

I'll become the King.

I'm saying I'll become the King.

Are you serious?

Wait and see whether I'm serious or not.

Follow me.

Come in.

Greet him.

You all may leave.

Yes.

Every day, all the information from inside and outside the palace

is collected here.

Is that all you want to show me?

Tonight at Haeshi (9–11 pm), we'll have a big business transaction.

At Haeshi?

You said you'd join the thorny path toward the Great Cause. So show us your sincerity.

You do this transaction yourself.

Me?

Are you afraid to soil your hands?

Indeed, if something goes wrong, you won't be safe either.

Since you've boarded the same boat, you should row too.

One hundred nyangs as promised.

Take it as soon as possible.

Hey. You have to work as much as you get paid.

What?

Show us the goods yourself.

Done?

No, not yet.

We have to return them to their original owners.

You are not the owner of these goods.

They belong to the people.

What are you doing not sweeping them away immediately!

Halt!

Kim Che Geon.

I came here to take your traitor's neck that I couldn't take during the treason in the year of Jeongchoon.

You! Drop your swords.

The fellow, Jeong Hee Ryang wrote a blood oath with Yi In Jwa. Didn't you know about it?

Why are you telling me that?

I have to find the way to survive, too.

If I have to, I'd rather choose to hold the strong rope.

The person who got Prince Yeonryeong's assets and stuff returned

is Jeong Hee Ryang. I'm certain about it.

Even the rice in the government stores that was saved for the meager springtime,

and people's bloody money are involved, too.

How?

I wasn't originally interested in being King, nor in being a traitor either.

It's my crime and my mistake. The guy who lacked the capacity of King from the start...

Listen to me carefully. I, Baek Dae Gil, have only one great cause in my heart:

to make those holding weapons take up sickles and hoes.

Make a nation be like a nation, and the people be like people.

Shut up!

I saw apprehension in your eyes.

I can't stain your hands with dirty blood.

You've worked hard coming all the way here.

Aigoo. Sir!

Sir! Sir! Sir! Sir! Sir! Sir! Sir!

I told Prince Yeoning.

Is that it?

You caught the traitor Jeong in the act and even got clear evidence

Royal Father will be really impressed with you.

It's not for the King.

Acting for the sake of the people is the king's duty.

What are you looking for?

Evidence of the conspiracy with Yi In Jwa.

From start to finish, my goal is Yi In Jwa.

The blood oath! What happened to the blood oath?

It seems that they couldn't find the blood oath.

Find it.

Find the blood oath this instant!

Baek Dae Gil

arrested the traitor Jeong, you're saying?

Yes, Royal Father.

That punk fulfilled my longtime wish.

Summon him.

How do you plan to lead your life in the future?

Are you going to keep living as a gambler in the streets?

May I speak honestly to you?

I want to receive

the compensation for all the pains of enduring

the brutal and bumpy past times.

However, regardless of Your Majesty or His Highness the Prince,

I'll live a life rewarding myself in my own way

as this nation's subject, Baek Dae Gil.

Come closer.

Yes. Your Majesty.

Yeong Soo.

Yes. Your Majesty.

The elder brother should be like the elder brother,

The younger brother should be like the younger brother. That's the way it is.

That is a basic moral obligation which holds the world up.

Impress it deep in your mind.

Yes. Your Majesty.

Should I be a subject?

Or be an elder brother?

His Highness the Crown Prince is coming!

I heard you arrested the traitor Jeong.

Yes. Your Highness.

Then I'll take my leave.

If you ascend to the throne,...

Your Majesty. What nonsense are you speaking.

Hear me out.

If you become a King, like this,

if you, who have no heir, become a King as you are,

without any doubt, the Norons will attempt to enthrone Prince Yeoning.

What are you going to do with Prince Yeoning?

Will you let Prince Yeoning live or be killed?

That's what I am asking.

The fate of a Prince is

to win the war among the princes in order to survive.

The fate of a King

starts when his father the King passes away. That's the way it is.

Answer quickly.

Baek Dae Gil.

With that child,

you can't make him a foe or an ally.

Just as a broken roof tile can't ward off the rain.

Since he has a different path,

just accept each other's fate.

I'll keep it in mind.

Before I go,

I'm planning on opening a way for you to survive.

Therefore, always behave neatly and smartly.

Someday, the person who'll sit on the throne,

and engrave this nation Joseon in posterity

will be you.

Really,

life is a moment.

Your Majesty the King, please come back! (The King passed away.)

Your Majesty the King, please come back!

King, please come back!

Your Majesty the King, please come back!

Your Majesty the King, please come back!

Your Majesty the King, please come back!

♪ Will I be able to see when time stops? ♪

♪ Will your heart be by my side then? ♪

♪ Longing for you even if the tears well up ♪

Appoint the Crown Prince Yi Yoon to be the new King.

I'll install Prince Yeoning as the Crown Prince.

Let's take this opportunity to push it to the regent.

Do I really not look like the King in your eyes?

Where is the blood oath that Jeong left with you?

I don't need the gambling den or anything,

so let's go to the end!

Yi In Jwa is scheming something.

- I'll assist the Crown Prince. - The palace atmosphere is amiss.

F Right now, arrest all the Noron ministers who joined in the treason!

What kind of trick is this?

What are you doing

not arresting the special cavalry officer?