Original subtitles

Attack!

Stop them!

Defend the fort!

Fire the arrows!

Master, the battle has begun.

There'rev only several hundred of them.

Sudal won't hold up for very long.

No, he will not. Not with General Hong at the van,

and Generals hwan and Lee at their flank.

But do not take them lightly. Sudal is no ordinary warrior.

That's right. He is also Kyun-hwon's sworn brother.

Is that a fact?

That is my understanding.

It is a fact. Imagine how much Kyun-hwon must adore him to have

made him his sworn brother and entrusted him with this region.

Stop them!

Defend the fort!

Fire the arrows!

Charge forward!

Attack!

Climb the wall!

Attack!

General Hong! General Hong!

We've been badly hit!

Too many soldiers are injured!

This wall is inpenetrable!

General! The resistance is too strong!

We need to re-strategize!

Unbelievable!

How could they resist with such force when they have

less than half of our manpower?

Let us withdraw the troops for now!

We can not continue!

General, give us your command! We can not continue!

Yes, we must retreat!

Do not be intimidated by the rabbles!

Stop them! We can do it!

What are you waiting for?

Retreat! Retreat to the base!

Just as I thought!

Did you think that you could defeat me?

Not in your life! You will never penetrate this wall!

Commanders!

Yes, General.

The enemy will return. Reorganize your troops.

General, we've suffered great casualty.

Less than 300 soldiers remain.

There are no wars without bloodshed.

We still have half of our force intact.

We can preserve this fort. Round up the soldiers!

Yes, General!

They are truly a determined mob

I've fought countless battles, but never before come across

such determined force!

Sudal... He is indeed worthy of his repute.

It seems he is not only a master mariner, but a

superior commander on land as well.

..I am ashamed to face the supreme commander.

I've witnessed the battle.

Sudal's Geumsung Fort was truly unshakable.

I am ashamed beyond words, General.

No. The enemy leader is an exceptionally superior commander.

Now you finally understand Sudal's distinction.

But all of your efforts will be in vain if you fail to seize

that fort by tonight. Kyun-hwon is nearing us.

Let us discuss another strategy.

We must find a way. Sudal...

Sudal is a temperamental man. Why not lure him out of the fort?

Lure him out?

A few belittling remarks should do the trick.

Ah, if it isn't the little sucking Hong Yu!

What brings you to my presence?

You won last night's battle!

You are an excellent commander. I will grant you that.

Let us spare the lives of our men and settle this

with a duel, you and I!

What?

I suggest you cut the joke and return to your mommy.

Prove yoursel if you're so sure you can win!

What's the matter? Are you scared?

What? Scared?

You dare say that Sudal is scared of you?

Get out of my sight before I kill you.

Then what's holding you back? Come out here and fight!

Get out of my sight, I said!

Coward! You're nothing but a coward, Sudal!

Don't be fooled, General. It is a trick to lure you out.

I know.

What's the matter, you coward? I challenged you to a duel!

Do you hear me, Sudal?

Do not fall for it.

But that bastard is calling me a coward?

Do not let them fool you.

Sudal the coward! I am waiting!

Get out of my face, or you won't live to regret it!

Do not go, General.

I'm challenging you to a clean match!

You just made a death wish!

General!

I know exactly what they're trying to do.

I'm only going to work up a little sweat.

General!

I'm coming to get you, Hong Yu!

I'm glad you're finally acting like a man.

I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!

How dare you try to trick me!

Where are you running off to?

Fine!

Fine!

I'll take all of you at once!

Amazing... He is truly a superior fighter.

Call back our generals. Their lives are at risk.

This isn't working...

Sound the drums! Call back the generals!

Come back, cowards!

I'm not fished with you yet!

Insidious fools!

Sudal is a peerless warrior much like the legendary Lu Bu.

He is an extraordinary warrior as I've mentioned.

Kyun-hwon fought him 3 times and won 3 times to acquire him.

You mean Sudal succumbed to Kyun-hwon three times?

Yes. Kyun-hwon acquired Sudal's true submission by bring him to

his kness three times and forgiving him.

If that is true, how strong is King Kyun-hwon?

Astonishing...

This is proving to be much a difficult task...

But we can't waste anymore time. Soon the night will fall, and

we risk defeat if we don't conquer the fort by morning.

What to do...

They're outnumbered by ten to one, yet they still stand firm.

Unbelievable...

Another day is passing. If we can make it through

tonight, His Majesty's army will arrive tomorrow.

But General, the enemy is too strong and too many.

We can do it. We can resist them one more day.

All of us must be prepared to die for honor if they should

attack tonight.

Die for honor... Yes.

If I can amend my mistakes with my blood, I shall do so gladly.

Yes! Let us die here with honor!

Where are we?

We've crossed Hadong, Sungpyung, and now approaching Bosung.

How frustrated I am! How much further is Geumsung?

It is another full day of travel, Your Majesty.

Another full day? We do not have that much time!

Report the conditions of other borders.

All outposts have been notified of the state of emergency, and

put on special alert.

Shilla has not made any further moves, and Koryo's invasion is

limited to Geumsung, so other regions are relatively safe.

Your Majesty!

From where do you bring news?

We come from Geumsung and Kangju, Your Majesty.

What news do you bring?

Invasion forces have seized all villages of Geumsung.

What?

General Sudal has retreated to Geumsung Fort after the military

base was captured, and he eagerly awaits your arrival.

You mean the fort has not been lost?

No, but tonight is crucial.

The enemy forces outnumber us by far.

We must go. We must hurry and help Sudal.

Sudal, hang in there a little while longer.

Report the situation in Kangju. What happened to Prince Shin Guhm?

He has returned to the Imperial City after Kangju

Castle was captured.

We must get to Geumsung soon. What is delaying the procession?

Can Sudal hold on for another full day?

Do not fear, Your Majesty.

Sudal will preserve the fort through the night.

Let us hurry. We do not have much time. Hasten the march.

Yes.

Speed up the procession!

Speed up the procession!

The sun has started to set.

We must conquer that fort by tonight.

Who will lead the battle this time?

I will take the van.

Allow me the chance, Supreme Commander.

No, give us brothers a change, Master.

Yes. The three commanders have not been given a chance because

they are directly under General Wang.

Brother, why don't you make a concession this time?

Nonsense. I will not!

They've proven their valor and excellence at the Battle

of yangil. Let us trus them to lead this battle to victory.

Fine. The three commanders will lead this attack.

Prepare the troops!

Yes, General.

The remaining generals will lead the auxiliary troops,

and strike with full force on command.

Inspect your troops and take stand by position.

Yes, General!

Capturing that fort will bring Geumsung Invasion

to full execution.

Geumsung fort will be the greatest gift we can offer to His Majesty.

Your Majesty, we've traveled all day without rest.

I beg you to seek a short repose.

My heart is too anxious to rest.

We've traveled far and seen much today. Have we not, Ahjitae?

Yes, Your Majesty. I fear your majesty may be tired.

It is a matter of building a foundation for an everlasting

kingdom. Nothing could tire me.

What is your feeling about Chulwon?

The more I see the more I am assured that is the right

place to establish our roots.

I am glad that you think so.

We have much to do now since the site for the new imperial palace

and the imperial city walls have been decided.

Yes. It will take tremendous labor and sacrifice to build

a foundation of a kingdom. But Chulwon will forever be

remembered n history along with your revered name.

Let us stop here briefly.

It seems attendants are in need of rest.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Escort the emperor! Set up the temporary shelter!

Your Majesty, Iheard there was a messenger a short while ago.

Yes, it was a messenger from the advisor at the palace.

It seems General Wang has seized all of Geumsung.

Allow me to congratulate you, Your Majesty.

It is hard to believe. The world will be stunned.

General Wang is my brother. My proud brother...

Advisor also mentioned another matter, I believe...

Yes. The crown princes now require a mentor, he said.

I agree as well.

Who will be assigned that task?

Advisor is recruiting a man that Master Huhwal has recommened.

I believe his name was Park Yu.

Park Yu, Your Majesty?

Yes. Do you know this man?

Yes, Your Majesty. He is an excellent scholar.

We once studied under a same master.

Is that so?

Then is he an extraordinary scholar as you are, Ahjitae?

Your Majesty is too kind. I am no more than an ordinary man.

But Park Yu is a stubborn character.

It would serve well to be aware.

Yes. Most intellectuals tend to be somewhat inflexible.

Nonetheless, having many learned men at the court

will strengthen our kingdom.

And Your Majesty, Geumsung invasion has stunned the

world once again and displayed your awesome power.

You must make full use of this momentum and show our people

that you are the Maitreya of salvation.

Our citizens are already fully aware of that fact!

His Majesty must have absolute authority, and absolute worship

of the people in order to built a new empire.

I am speaking of strength that will make His Majesty

tower above the rest!

That makes good sense.

Timing is everything. Seize this chance to push forward

and solidify the foundation for a new empire.

Yes, I will do so.

Everything is already going in that direction.

I will realize the dream of the Great Empire of the Orient.

It is an honor to meet you.

Your name is Park Yu, is it not?

I've sent numerous invitations after hearing about you from

Master Huhwal. I'm glad you finally accepted my request.

I am humbled by your kind reception.

Choonchun born Park Yu would later be bestowed the royal

surname by Wang Guhn, and become Wang Yu, the progenitor

of the Haeju Wang Clan.

Erudite of his time, he served as the pedagogue of Goongyae's

two sons. After Ahjitae came into the scene, Jongkahn repeatedly

solicited him, and finally succeeded in recruiting him.

How do you see the current condition or our kingdom?

This humble man would not dare comment on such grave a matter.

Your modesty is extreme. Please give me your opinion.

I've been out of touch in hermitage for many years,

but I am aware of the trouble this kingdom is faced with.

Do continue.

I've been told that a scholar named Ahjitae is causing serious

turbulence in the court.

Yes, it is a fact.

Ahjitae is indeed a high scholar. But he is also an intractable

and self-righteous man with unrealistic ideals.

You are correct. He is in Chulwon as we speak with

His Majesty about relocating the capital.

His ideals are so grand, that he sees the three kingdoms as

merely a small pond.

Yes! How right you are!

He and I once studied under a same mentor in Tang.

He was a gifted man, but he held such radical and dangerous

views that our mentor once said that he feared Ahjitae might

lose his life before realizing his intent.

Yes. He has shaken up the entire court.

You must watch him closely and anticipate his moves.

He is a hard man to figure out.

You are absolutely right.

Let us work closely together from now on.

First, I'd like you to oversee the twin prince's education

although they are still very young.

It is never too early for education.

Good habits and hard work yield good results.

If they embark early upon the search for truth and knowledge,

they will discover the path to becoming a wise ruler.

You're right again. I've reported your arrival to His Majesty, so

everyone will welcome you. Let us work closely together.

I hope I do not disappoint you.

A mentor? But the princes are only one year old!

They're mere infants!

I'm told it was His Majesty's command.

I've heard as well. You speak of arrival of scholar Park Yu.

Yes, Sire.

What kind of education? How?

I am told that the pedagogue and the nannies will reside

with the princes in a separate royal estate.

Nannies? A separate estate? They have a mother and everything

they need right here! You mean the boys will be taken away?

It appears so, Your Highness.

I will not allow that.

I have seen what happened to Madam Bukwon and her son.

The boy eventually vanished after His Majesty sent him

away to Myungju Castle. I will not allow that! Never!

Please calm down, Your Highness. No such command has been issued.

A man that is to raise my sons has already entered the palace!

His Majesty is fully capable of this!

He has been growing increasingly distant from me.

I know him. That is how he is.

But not this. I will not let this happen.

It seems all is going well in Geumsung. I am greatly relieved.

It couldn't go wrong after all the hard work.

Would you expect any less from our master?

No one could pull his off but Cousin Guhn.

But he has yet to conquer Geumsung Fort.

That is right.

Lord Yu's influence was the key element in this mission.

He gave us tremendous assistance.

Yes, but many other nobles contributed as well.

Yes, yes...

Lord Yu's support was indispensable indeed.

Sire, Lord Yu or Jungju has arrived.

We were just talking about you, Lord Yu.

Please come inside.

I hope you don't mind my unannounced visit.

Of course not. Please come in.

Prepare some refreshments.

Yes, Father.

Allow me to pour you a drink.

Thank you.

Let me express my gratitude for your full support once again.

That's quite unnecessary. We're all people of Paesuh.

Of course.

I'm just one of many who want to support General Wang.

I've watched him grow up since he was a little boy.

Yes, you did.

There is something I'd like to discuss with you...

Please do.

For many years, I've watched General Wang's engagement to

Lord Kang's daughter who is now Her Majesty the empress.

And I was quite frustrated as I, too, had wished to be

in-laws with the Wangs of Song-ak.

That is long forgotten past.

Not so.

Pardon?

As luck would have it, their engagement was broken off,

and I've been patiently waiting since that time.

Lord Yu, I don't quite understand...

I will confess.

The night before General wang set sail for war,

I had my daughter serve him in bed.

Pardon me?

That is unfathomable!

It was purely of goodwill.

What became of it?

Fortunately, General Wang has promised my daughter's future.

My goodness! Is that right?

I hesitated much before coming here today.

I did not know how you would feel about this.

I owe you a thousand bows if that is true!

We shall prepare a wedding!

It is much long overdue!

You do not know how concerned I've been over this matter.

Thank you very much!

Then may we become in-laws?

Of course! This is truly a joyous affair in our family!

Nephew will finally be wed!

Let us drink!

Your father has gone to Song-ak to discuss your future.

We are hastening the preparations so that

you may be wed soon upon General wang's return.

But it is unknown when his work in Geumsung will be done.

No, but it won't be long.

We need to,prepare now so that there is no delay.

I'm told General Wang is doing an excellent work in Geumsung.

Yes. But Geumsung is the last thing on my mind right now.

I am just anxious to see you tie the knot.

He has given me his word. You need not be anxious.

How can you be so nonchalant?

Who can I trust if I can't trust him?

Rest assured, Mother. All will turn out well.

General, the night is deep. It is time to issue your command.

What has you so deep in thought?

That man Sudal... A warrior of his caliber

would do tremendous service if he came to our side...

Is that the thought that has you preoccupied?

Men of war like us develop a keen sense for one another.

True warriors acknowledge each other's merits and

desire to be close.

Like two lovers' desire to be close?

Yes. The desire could be even stronger.

Is that why you've been alone all this time?

...Perhaps.

Are all preparations complete?

Yes.

The time has come.

This is our only chance. Value your lives.

And conquer this fort without fail.

Yes, General!

Proceed!

Seize the fort!

Yes, General!

All forces attack!

Attack!

General, the dominion will be forever altered after tonight.

War for unification will enter upon a whole new phase.

Your name, along with Geumsung, will stand out above the rest.

And your day will come.