Original subtitles

Not all those who become monks become disciples of Buddha.

Only when he is in your heart you become his true disciple.

The roots of human torments are not easily removed, but

it is a worthwile attempt to peer into the world of Buddha.

Are you prepared?

Yes, Master.

Begin.

Father, Mother... Please forgive me...

There is no other path left for me.

Forgive me...

Where could she have gone?

I am truly sorry, my lord.

We've searched everywhere, but she is nowhere to be found...

What are we to do?

How reckless it is for her to do this without first

inquiring about the details!

A man who she wholeheartedly trusted has brought back

another woman. How could any woman not be devastated?

Do not defend her, wife.

She should've remained calm and contemplated the situation

instead of reacting in this reckless manner!

You push their relationship from the beginning.

What do we do? Where could she be ?

She could be lying cold somewhere...

Do not utter such dreadful remark.

Then what could have happened to her?

My lord, General Wang has arrived.

General Wang? You may be excused.

Yes, my lord.

See the general in.

What audacity to show up here! What could he possibly say to us?

You must not display any resentment toward him.

Lord Yu awaits you.

Please go inside.

Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please receive our bows.

Father-in-law?

I've vowed to marry Lady Buyong before I left Jungju.

And Lady Doyoung was informed as such in Geumsung.

Yes, I was clearly informed.

And I have vowed to serve Lady Buyong as my elder.

She will be the general's first wife after their wedding.

Thank you...

Receive our bows.

How distressed you must be...

We will find her and bring her back. Please be assured.

But we do not know what has happened to her...

I am to be blamed for not communicating the

situation clearly. But we will find her.

Yes. And I will serve her with utmost respect.

His Majesty has vowed to find her. Please remain patient.

Thank you. I appreciate your comforting words.

Escort, His Majesty has asked for the empress.

From the imperial chamber?

Yes. Please inform.

Your Highness, Attendant Jin brings you word from

the imperial chamber.

Enter.

What word do you bring, Attendant Jin?

His Majesty has requested your presence at the imperial chamber.

I wonder for what matter he calls...

Bekjae is re-mobilizing their military force, you say?

Yes.

They may attempt an aggression, in retaliation for losing Naju.

Yes, they may...

It is imperative that we make a preemptive strike

before they attack us.

So that is why you request a meeting with General Wang.

Yes, Your Majesty.

But General Wang is much in need of rest.

It has merely been days since he returned from the battle in Naju.

But his presence greatly sway the morale of our soldiers.

Indeed that is true.

Then where should our next target of aggression be?

I believe this is where we should strike next.

Sangju?

Yes. Sangju is controlled by Kyun-hwon's father Ahjagae,

and the two have a very hostile relationship.

Yes, I am aware of their discord.

We can use this to our advantage, and...

Strike Ahjagae?

No. We can get more out of their hostility.

We will leave alone Ahjagae's fort, and seize all other

surrounding forts in Sangju.

And provoke even further animosity between them.

That is an excellent idea.

Seize Sangju, and create internal conflict in Bekjae's

royal house to boot.

Yes.

It is a good plan, but I'm afraid I maybe overworking General Wang.

Your Highness.

It is good to see you again, General.

Yes, Your Highness.

I must tell you, your wife from Naju is quite beautiful.

Let me congratulate you again.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I feared you may never get married, General.

I am truly glad...

Thank you.

Are you headed to the imperial chamber?

Yes.

Let us go.

To what do I owe your calling, Your Highness?

There is a matter that requires your service.

The maiden who is to be General Wang's first wife

has been missing.

I've ordered a search, but please oversee the matter, Empress.

That isn't necessary, Your Majesty.

You are my brother. That makes the empress your sister-in-law.

It's only right for her to be involved in the search.

Don't you agree, Empress?

Yes. I will do as you ask.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Highness.

Then that is settled.

Your Majesty, General Eunbu.

Enter.

I've come at your summoning, Your Majesty.

Yes. I've asked the empress to oversee the search for

Lord Yu's daughter. I want you to issue a nationwide

announcement and find my sister-in-law.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

Time is of the essence. Since her family was unsuccessful

in finding her, I must get involved.

General Eunbu, carry out my command at once.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will be going to Chulwon, so prepare the entourage as well.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Eerything will turn out well. Join me in my trip to Chulwon.

I want you to witness the massive construction for

our new capital. And we shall talk about our next

military mission on the way. Right, General Bok?

Yes, Your Majesty.

But i'm sure General Wang is more anxious about finding

his bride right now.

Attention all citizens of Majin!

Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Lady Buyong,

the daughter of Minister of Finance Lord Yu,

and the spouse of Great General Wang Guhn, will

come forth and speak! You will be generously rewarded!

Yes... Bond of love is by nature hard to sever...

She will not make good monk, as it is not Buddha that

occupies her heart...

Please help me to forget.

Remove my worldly desires.

Please erase his memories from my mind...

Chulwon is not very far from Song-ak.

No, it appears not.

Many are worried about the public works in Chulwon, but

that is due to lack of confidence about themselves.

You cannot expect results without work.

General Bok is hoping you'd go to the front once more.

I will go anywhere my service is needed, Your Majesty.

I wish I could grant you more rest. But what glory it would

be if you continue to boost the public spirit with continued

triumph while I conclude the public works in Chulwon?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Chulwon is a remarkable place. You will be quite pleased.

But continuing wars have put our citizens and officials

in state of exhaustion.

I know. But this is an extraordinary time.

What we do now will decide the course of our future.

We must endure hardships and complaints.

Goongyae had stabbed a portrait of King Kyungmoon during one of

his tour of the kingdom, you say?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Why do you find that peculiar? They are enemies, after all.

But our informers suspect Goongyae is somehow connected

to the royal house of Shilla.

The royal house of Shilla?

Yes. I am told that Goongyae had once gone to Chiljang

Temple in Jukju years ago, and referred to an old female

monk there as his mother.

Perished Yangil's subjects who recently allied with us

are currently probing into the matter.

Why?

The monk Goongyae referred to as his mother is know to be a

woman of Shilla's royalty. If this is true, that means a royal

blood of Shilla has become the ruler of Koguryo's descendants.

Yes, you are right... I recall Goongyae's

encounter with Shilla's Prime Minister Wuihong in Surabul.

What is all this commotion!

An unforgettable enemy has returned after twenty years.

Surely a little commotion is due.

Do you now lnow who I am?

How could I not...?

Yes. They seemed to have of a secret between them.

If Goongyae is indeed Shilla's royalty, it would be an outrage

to his people that they are being ruled by their enemy's descendant.

And it would explain why Goongyae has renamed Koryo to Majin.

And it would create an internal conflict.

Precisely, Your Majesty.

Proceed with the investigation. This is quite intriguing.

Report the military status.

We are exerting pressure on Shilla from south and east.

Although Shilla has not been subjugated, most of its

territory is under our influence.

We must quickly capture Surabul...

I beg you not to rush. It is time to give rest

to our soldiers and keep Majin under close observance.

I am anxious.

What if Goongyae captures Surabul before we do?

We must subdue Shilla instead of capturing it by force.

Our profits will be greater if we can do that.

Shilla has endured for a thousand years.

They will not submit to us.

Your Majesty's great name holds sway over the entire continent.

They will eventually submit.

In what time?

Using military force is the best and easiest way,

but i will grant you to try your way first.

Your grace is immeasurable.

What? The vice prime minister has suspended military pursuits?

Yes, Neunghwan.

A single defeat has him cowering for with intimidation!

We should be fortifying our army and thinking about

recpturing Geumsung! How frustratingthis is!

Nothing gets done right since he came into command

of the Ministry of Military!

This is not a good move... Why is he doing this?

It seems he is also concording a secret mission.

Remember yangil's subjects that surrendered to us through Sudal?

Yes

Vice Prime Minister has given them a secret order and sent

them into Majin.

I am quite frustrated, as His Majesty does not discuss

matters of importance with me lately...

We are His majesty's sworn brothers.

i will speak to him about his increasing distance to you.

No, that would be useless.

We must remain patient until His Majesty comes to us.

Darn!

it has been too long since I last saw you last, son-in-law.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

Won't you look in on your mother-in-law in your frequent

visits to the palace?

Of course, Your Highness.

I am quite frustrated and concerned about the affairs

of this kingdom.

I beg you not to be overly concerned.

His majesty has not once visited my quarters since

Geumsung was taken. He is constantly with madam Kobe.

Please look upon it with magnanimity, Your Highness.

How he has changed...

He ignores my sons like strangers, and dotes on

Kobe's child.

One always dote on children had later in life.

This phase will pass.

But consider his father in Sangju.

After he took his second wife, he became estranged with

children born of his first wife.

it is the stepmother who came between them.

Yes, I am aware.

Father is an incorrigible man.

His son has become an emperor, yet he couldn't be more aloof.

Many are concerned about that very matter.

Bekjae would expand, and Sangju would protected

if only they could reconcile...

This is why I need your help.

Support my sons, and keep me informed of all things.

Of course. You are my mother-in-law, Your Highness.

I will visit you more frequently.

Thank you.

Let us prevent this royal family from being pulled apart.

That arrogant fool has lost Geumsung to Koryo!

Father they are no longer Koryo but Majin.

Whatever they are, this is truly amusing!

Geumsung now belongs to Goongyae!

Goongyae bhas snatched the heart of Bekjae!

Amazing! What exciting turn of events!

Yes

How pompous he was flaunting himself as the emperor!

Why do you utter these words?

He is my brother and your son, Father.

Why must you always defend him, Daeju?

Am I wrong to defend him? He is the emperor of Bekjae

with boundless territory and a powerful military.

How could you mock him when you are his family?

You are right. But this is an incredible news.

Yes, he is a, emperor. But his dignity took a dive overnight!

He needs to be humbled

He has always looked upon me like I am beneath him.

Yes, he has. Kyun-hwon is to be blamed for everything.

Mother!

What was the name of the general who captured Geumsung?

Was it Wang Guhn?

Yes, Father.

Goongyae is blessed with brilliant men under him.

kyun-hwon must've kicked and screamed in vexation.

General wang is a sworn brother to Park Suhlee who

visited us some time ago.

Yes, that's right.

He introduced himself as a subordinate to Wang Guhn.

I wish I could meet this man.

They are our enemy, Father!

But theu were good to me.

They even paid their respects with a visit on my birthday.

There is no hostility between us. Isn't that right, Wife?

Of course not. There would have been an aggression a

long ago if that were the case.

Park Sulhee seemed in love with you when he was here, Daeju.

Not I, Father. He is only an enemy to me.

Your only interest is in warfare like men!

It is no wonder you are still unwed.

Hustle!

Hustle!

Move!

What causes the delay?

That wall was to be completed by today!

Aren't you doing your job, Supervisor?

Forgive me, Scholar Ahjitae. Accidents are increasing,

as laborers are pushed beyond their capacity.

Accidents, you say?

A few injuries and deaths are to be expected in an enterprise

of this scale and importance!

Push them! Complete the wall even in they must work all night!

Yes, Scholar Ahjitae.

Move it!

Move it!

Hustle!

Welcome, Your Majesty.

I appreciate your toil, Ahjitae.

Each day is delightful, Your Majesty.

Yes, I share your sentiment.

This is for the future of our kingdom.

Our labor will be well worth it.

Yes, Your Majesty.

General Wang and Bok, do share with me your feelings.

It is a tremendous construction.

Laborers look exhausted.

Yes. it is hard work, and there are no praises or

rewards for their services.

But every great public works project require sacrifice.

This is the quality I admire about you, Ahjitae:

your determination and strenght to pursue your goal.

Your Majesty is too kind.

Allow me to lead you to the encampment.

Yes

Brother Guhn,

Yes, Your Majestty.

What are you thoughts?

It is a tremendous project. I am truly awed.

The construction must be completed this year so we

may relocate next year.

Do you intend to relocate the capital next year, Your Majesty?

It is best to be swift once decision is made.

Chulwon will be our new imperial city...

It is at the center of all three kingdoms.

An excellent location indeed.

And in regard to our next military mission,

Yes, Your Majesty.

General Bok is hoping you would go to Sangju.

Our forces are already in Jukju, and Sangju is very close.

Yes. I am well aware of the strategic importance of Sangju.

Capturing that region will cut off Bekjae's northward expansion.

There's more. It is where Kyun-hwon's estranged father is.

With a little strategy, there will be much to again.

I understand.

Causing an inner conflict will prove to be very effective.

It can yield greater result without a war.

Then General Wang will depart for Sangju when we return to Song-ak.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Ahjitae has reminded me of how remiss I have been about

holding a Buddhist mass.

I am the living maitreya that my people worship.

I cannot be remiss about enlightening my people.

Your Majesty is the living Buddha and the father of our people.

And faith is the strongest toll to bring people together.

That is correct. it is my duty to reveal the world of

Maitreya, and show them the joy of life without possession.

General Eun,

Yes, Your Majesty.

Inform all subjects to attend my Buddhist mass, and issue an order

for all monks in the country to preside over this mass.

Yes, Your Majesty.

General Wang will go to Sangju, and I will pacify

the public with a mass while the new palace is being built.

It is perfect. All will go according to planned.

I feel assured when I look at you, Brother.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.

Let us do our best. Let us hold hands and work together.

Uncle, has there been any word?

No. It seems she left home with no intent of being found.

It doesn't look good.

His Majesty has ordered a national search for Lady Buyong.

Public notices are posted everywhere.

Not only that, the Empress is personally over seeing the

search operation.

We must find her.

Since you operate many merchant organizations, please use your

sources to search for her.

Of course.

We must tightly bind with Jungju for the sake of our future.

I appreciate your earnest involvement in this, Doyoung.

How could I not be? Lady Buyong is to be

my elder and the first matron of this clan.

It is your lack of jealousy that I am thanking you for.

It is for selfish reasons, as harmony at home gives me

peace, and success of my husband brings me honor.

The yu's of Junju is a powerful clan.

And my father is also a man of influence in the southwest.

We must all stand behind the general.

The nobles of Paesuh will unite behind him once marital tie is

established with Lord Yu. And their support will grow

in strenght to provide a solid foundation for the future.

You are indeed an exceptional woman!

What wind carries you all the way here, Huhwal?

Homeless wandering monk goes anywhere he pleases.

Sukchong,

Go on.

I saw a maiden that the whole country is looking for.

As did I.

She is the daughter of this country's Minister of Finance.

So I've heard.

Why is she here? And when did she shave her hair?

She will leave in due time

What am I to stop her when she seeks temporary refuge?

I feel pity for her. What is love anyway?

Why does she abuse herself that life is but a fleeting dream?

She bows three thousand times a day.

In any case, Huhwal,

Go on.

Koryo has turned into Majin at the decision of the emperor.

What importance does a name have?

You gave away Myungju Fort to King Goongyae

years ago, didn't you?

Do not bring up the past!

The emperor is holding a mandatory a public mass.

As all disciples of Buddha should.

I am tirsty from the long travel. Bring me some wine.

You haven't changed a bit. It is already being prepared.

Huhwal, do you think the emperor is the true Maitreya?

Why?

He was one in the beginning. He truly was a living Buddha.

But it seems he has grown distant to his people

and filled his heart with greed.

Why do you bring up something the whole world already knows?

What is monarchy? What is power and politics?

First you use the people to get to the top,

then you hurt and exploit them to stay at the stop.

That is physics of political power.

Now hurry up and bring me some wine.

He is not Maitreya. I know!

He is merely a madman possessed by greed for power. Am I wrong?

Just bring me some wine. Let us drink the night away.

No...Goongyae is not Maitreya...

Assemble the subjects and order a public mass?

Yes, it is His Majesty's command.

General Wang will be sent to Sangju soon upon his return.

That is good...

But this Buddhist mass must've been Ahjitae's idea.

It is the only way to pacify the disgruntled citizens and

subjects. He is quite clever.

The condition in Chulwon is worse than we expected.

Injuries are increasing, and many laborers are running away.

This is being rushed much too fast.

How I wish this was pursued when the kingdom is more settled...

What shame... Meeting Ahjitae was a tragedy...

Since we're on that subject..

An arrangement has been made to eliminate Ahjitae.

It must be a thorough job.

A mistake could bring dreadful consequences.

That importance has been emphasized.

Your Majesty, this is where the Imperial Audience Chamber

will be. The framework is already complete.

Expedite the construction.

It must be completed within the year.

Of course. This way, Your Majesty.

This will be the twin princes' manor.

This way.