Original subtitles

Who are you?

Take off your mask!

Are you all right, Admiral?

The guards are all dead.

Who were the others? They came to your rescue.

They used native flying tiger style of sword fighting.

Flying tiger style?

It's a style used by the King's Royal Guards.

You mean they're from the palace?

They must be His Majesty's eyes.

I wonder. Are they here to protect an important military leader or to

keep an eye on a malefactor who committed impiety against the King?

Speak with discretion.

You're displayed contempt for the Royal court deceive and defied

Your King, and deserve no less than death for your impiety.

However, in consideration of your past merits of war,

I grant you reprieve.

The men that were sent to watch Yi Soon-shin have disappeared?

That's why there is no word from the navy headquarters...

Your Majesty...

I suspect they were bought off by Yi Soon-shin.

You mean they were won over by Yi Soon-shin

like those people in the city!

Your Majesty...

Is this a lost cause?

General...

Is there no way to return home?

We tried bribing a Ming general and we tried sending ninjas.

Must I bury my bones here in Chosun?

Leave.

General...

I don't want to see your face so get out of my sight!

Am I to pay for my sins with my life, Lord?

I have lived by the sword, so am I to die by the sword?

Let me congratulate you on your victory, General.

At last we can save my father-in-law.

General...

Give us safe passage to Japan, or retaliation will continue.

Kwon Yul and Yi Soon-shin...

They are close associates,

so my warning will soon be delivered to Yi Soon-shin.

He will have no choice but to

clear the path if he wants the killings to stop.

No, he won't clear the path.

First I intend to remove Yi Soon-shin's arms and legs one by one.

And when he only has his body left,

I will suck the life out of him with my own hands.

What do you mean, General?

You'll see.

Soon he will feel like he lost one of his legs.

Commander Yu Jong abandoned Gumdan

an retreated to the edge of Soon-chun?

If the east defense line crumbles,

Soon-chun is only a stone's throw away.

Yu Jong is not going to hang around.

Wakizaka Yasuharu...

The army already has its hands full trying to stop the Japanese

coming from Sachun, and now Yu Jong has retreated...

I guess a joint-attack is no longer an option.

It won't be an easy fight.

How many Japanese vessels have you spotted around Sachun?

Approximately 300, sir.

On top of that it's Wakizaka Yasuharu...

Wakizaka... The second he gets in touch with Konishi,

he will attempt a joint attack on us.

Commandant Yi...

Yes, sir.

Double the reconnaissance.

We must hold Wakizaka back until Konishi is destroyed.

Yes, sir!

Lieutenant Na...

Yes, sir.

Are there any local fishing boats that can be fitted with weapons?

Well, the ones that I have seen are quite small.

Perhaps we could contact the local merchants

and utilize the merchant ships.

Admiral, how about having a meeting with Admiral Jin Lin?

If we could secure his full support, the result could be far more

effective than retrofitting the merchant ships.

They are inferior compared to the strong Ming war vessels, but

they are not much to look at, but flat-roof galleys are best

when you're sailing along the serpentine coast of Chosun.

We just built these two. They are my gift to you.

What do you seek in return?

Why are you giving me these galleys?

I believe you will not bring shame on these galleys.

Sharing one's weapon on the battlefield is like sharing one's fate.

I'd like to share my fate with you.

Share your fate?

The fate of Chosun and Great Ming Empire is in our hands.

Yi Soon-shin gave you his galleys as a gift?

I can no longer be a spectator in this war

after accepting this token of solidarity.

I intend to join Yi Soon-shin's fight to wipe out the Japanese invaders.

Look, Admiral Jin...

Why? Is that a problem?

You have retreated from the front,

so chances to render meritorious service will be hard to come by.

No, no, we're thousands of miles from Ming, so if you just pickle

those heads that the Japanese paid you off with and take them back to

the Emperor, I'm sure he will make you a merit subject.

Get to the point.

Medals of honor are won on the battlefield,

not in the back room through shady negotiations.

Admiral!

I've been a soldier for thirty years, but it's a lesson I learned

not long ago only after paying a very high price.

Two thousand heads from the Japanese...

it's not cheap by any standards.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare my men for the battle.

I am General Yu Jong's messenger!

Read aloud.

Read, I said. It is a letter from General Yu Jong.

"It is questionable whether or not Admiral Yi Soon-shin

sincerely wants to defeat the Japanese.

The Ming forces have suffered a great loss in the last battle,

and entire blame is to be placed on Admiral Yi

whose only concern is self-preservation..."

Your Majesty, this is...

Continue.

"I ask that you remove Yi Soon-shin from command..."

Read on.

Your Majesty, this is a conspiracy!

A conspiracy?

"What is Yi Soon-shin saving his huge navy of 20.000 for?

The King of Chosun must watch him very carefully."

Do you still think this is a conspiracy?

If Your Majesty does not trust your warrior,

how are we to defeat the Japanese and how are we to

defend ourselves against the true intentions of Ming?

I beg you not to question Yi Soon-shin's loyalty.

You mean don't be swayed by the Ming Commander's word

and decide for myself?

Very well.

I shall dispatch an emissary and investigate the truth for myself.

Your Majesty...

Will the Supreme Commander yield and lay down his arms?

He would not have begun the fight

unless he felt it was absolutely necessary.

Then he will make enemies of Ming Commander Yu Jong,

and defy the royal command...

Is there anything I can do?

It's all up to Yi Soon-shin now.

I just hope and pray that his loyalty

will win over the emissary's heart as well.

I will be conducting an investigation on the cause

of the defeat of the battle on October 3rd.

Defeat?

That is absurd!

I will be questioning your men first.

You may leave us, Supreme Commander.

You have no right to tell the Admiral what to do!

Commander Woo!

Two thousand dead, thirty battleships destroyed...

That's more than three times the casualties you suffered

in the 21 battles you fought combined.

This is defeat without question.

We suffered some damages, but the damage we did to the enemy...

I'm not asking for your opinion.

Just answer my question. Yes or no?

Well, that's...

Why did he place the Ming Navy at the front

when they are unfamiliar with the waters of Chosun?

He did not place them at the front.

They broke away from the battle line on their own against orders.

Ah, so that's what happened.

The Supreme Commander did nothing while all 30 Ming vessels that broke

away from the battle line were getting crushed by the enemy.

That does not sound like a competent leader. Does it?

We sent retreat signals several times, but they ignored them.

That's even more serious.

Admiral Jin obviously does not trust his judgment.

How could he possibly defeat the enemy

when he doesn't have the trust of his ally?

Unbelievable! This is too funny.

You are before the Royal Emissary! Watch your tongue!

Do you even know what a war is?

Men die here by the dozens everyday.

How could you, pencil-pushers, know anything about

losing your men and your comrades?

Silence!

Cut this crap!

How dare you!

What is the meaning of this? This is the King's messenger!

We have fought with our lives to defeat the enemy.

But the ministers of the royal court

seem to do a lot of thinking and talking.

Emissary, I just hope what you and the royal court is doing

benefits this country.

Let us go.

Yi Soon-shin and his men are just as arrogant and insolent

as they said they were.

Their lack of discipline's another reason why Yi Soon-shin's

authority cannot be acknowledged.

I find you are indeed responsible for the defeat in the battle in question,

and I am left seriously doubting your competence.

Moreover, you have committed a grave crime

deceiving the King with a false report.

Thereby I order you to relinquish command of the Chosun Navy to

command of the Navy to General Yu Jong of Ming as of November 1st

and transport the naval fleet to the headquarters in Gogeum-do.

Emissary, the enemy is before us.

It's the royal command.

If you defy me, I will be forced to take you back to the capital.

It is you alone that I trust and depend upon,

so let there be no lapses in defeating the enemy.

It is the royal command.

Relinquish the right of command to General Yu Jong.

If you defy the order, you will be taken back to the capital.

Bastard! How dare they treat the Admiral like a criminal!

They can't trust his competence as a leader?

Hand over the right of command to Yu Jong?

No way! I refuse to serve that man!

We can't be emotional about this.

We are dealing with a Ming General.

The King has commanded us to follow his orders.

We can't defy the King again. Then the Admiral will be...

You're right about that.

So are you suggesting that we walk away when the enemy is before us?

We can't act in haste, Commander Woo!

Be quiet!

This government is pathetic!

Is power meant to be abused?

If they have the power to strike down the Admiral,

why don't they destroy the enemy?

Commander Yi, restrain yourself!

Getting angry won't solve anything.

Why don't you be honest?

You just don't want to die.

Are you just sick of this war?

Commander Woo!

That's enough!

We have to put our heads together and find a way to get through this.

But instead you're fighting among yourselves!

An internal strife...

A royal emissary at Yi Soon-shin's camp?

The enemy camp is shaken up?

Perhaps Heaven is giving us a final chance.

In the art of war,

supreme excellence is in breaking the enemy without fighting.

Do not attack when the enemy is waiting,

and shake them up even harder if they are shaking.

I shall send Yi Soon-shin a gift.

Blame Yi Soon-shin for deserting you!

Blame the Admiral? Never! Not even in death!

My only regret is dying here without killing you first!

Bastard!

Wait! I might find a use for him.

Strike!

Wait!

We need a courier to deliver our gift to Yi Soon-shin.

Send him back alive.

Yes, sir!

Strike! Let me die! Let me die, you bastards!

That's our ship! They've released the hostages!

The hostages have returned!

What's going on? It's the hostages!

Isn't that Lt. Suh?

Oh, what have they done to him?

Lieutenant! Lieutenant!

Lt. Suh...

Commander!

Lt. Suh...

Lt. Suh!

Father...!

You no-good bastard! Why did you come back?

Why did you come back in one piece alone?

Bastard!

You're a soldier and you should've died like a soldier!

Why did you come back alive alone?

You no-good bastard!

My men are back, sir. I will take them.

It's the emissary, sir.

It's truly heartbreaking.

Admiral, follow Commander Yu Jong's order and turn the fleet around.

Let there be no more needless sacrifice.

If we turn around, greater sacrifice will follow.

Do you wish to be a hero that badly?

What do you want so desperately

that you'd defy your king and sacrifice your men to acquire?

The royal court claims it wants peace and so do I.

If there was a way to achieve peace without this fight,

I would choose that path.

But that is not the case.

If we let the enemy retreat, there will be no peace.

Admiral, I am a man who genuinely care about you.

Last year when you were stripped of your rank and wen to battle

without an official rank, I had cried for you.

I don't want that to happen again.

Admiral, abide by the King's wishes.

Doesn't His Majesty want the enemy destroyed more than anything?

I believe that you are innocent!

But there are those in court

that still remember your impiety against the King!

This log contains a list of crimes

committed by you and your direct subordinates.

If you insist on being stubborn

I have no choice but to turn it over to royal court.

And this time, it won't end with you being dishonorably discharged.

Lives of your men are at risk as well.

Many will get hurt.

Speak with discretion!

Do you believe that you can

control my men's fate with a piece of paper?

Think carefully about what's best for you and your men.

I know you will make a wise decision.

Help me...

Help me to make the right decision...

Show me the way so that your death does not end in vain...

So that the blood that our people have shed in the last seven years

does not end in vain...

Show me the way...

I didn't come back alive so I could watch you doing this to yourself!

What's wrong with you?

What am I supposed to do if yo behave like this?

We're ready. We can launch an attack any time!

Let's get them!

Is that where they are? In that direction?

That's right, sir!

Don't even glance at that direction. Don't even think about fighting.

There you are.

Don't just stand there. Come on in and sit down.

Sit.

I didn't come here to make trouble for you fellows.

I came here to find away to protect you and protect the

Supreme Commander as well.

I'm almost done.

Are you suggesting that we stop the fight?

Don't you know why we must fight?

Yes, I do, sir.

Then?

Sir, why are you trying to risk everything for this fight?

I am not talking out of fear.

You know what will happen to you and all of us who serve you

if you defy the king's command.

The war will soon be over.

But the royal court will not stop questioning us.

If you defy the emissary and resume hostilities, it

is tantamount to admitting that we are plotting treason.

What are you saying, High Commander Yi?

Have we been risking our lives with treasonous intent?

I am speaking to the Admiral.

You're suggesting that we sit back and let the Japanese sail

right out of our seas so that we care not falsely accused of treason!

Commander Woo!

Admiral, you mustn't listen to this cowardly nonsense!

Admiral, you must be prudent.

All that the Japanese want is safe passage home.

I urge you to take a step back for now and seek another opportunity.

What are you saying?! We must wipe out those bastards now

even if that means being accused of high treason!

What do you want, Commander Woo?

Do you want all of us to be convicted of treason when this war

is over after risking our lives every day for the past seven years?

State your identity!

You are...!

Admiral! Spare us, Admiral!

Admiral, please spare us.

My mother, my mother is dying...

I heard she was calling out my name in her deathbed...

I swear I was going to come back. I swear I wasn't running away!

My pregnant wife is due in a few days...

... and she doesn't have anything to eat.

I know there isn't much I can do, but I just wanted to look in on her...

Please forgive me, Admiral!

We made a mistake.

We know we committed a crime, but please forgive us just this once!

Spare us, Admiral! We committed a terrible crime! Spare us!

I sympathize with your situations but deserters cannot be tolerated.

Admiral...!

Execute them and hang their heads at the gate!

No, Admiral! Please!

Discipline is strictly enforced and disobedience is not tolerated.

Let this serve as a lesson to all!

Admiral, why are you doing this?

Is this really necessary?

Without discipline, order will crumble.

And without order we can't fight the enemy.

I would do worse to stop the order from crumbling.

Do you think this is a pointless fight as well?

I have buried countless subordinates at sea...

They were all equally valuable lives...

I would trade my life for theirs if I could...

It belonged to Lt. Choi.

Kill me instead!

Lieutenant...

I grabbed my superior officer, so kill me for insubordination!

Cut my head off and hang it with the others!

What is this despicable behavior? And you call yourself a warrior?

Do you think I'm alive because I didn't want to die?

Do you think I didn't think about killing myself?

I saw everything.

Lt. Choi's head coming off,

our men getting their noses and ears chopped off...

I saw everything!

But I stayed alive. It's not because I didn't want to die.

I came back because I cannot die until

I make sure they pay for what they've done!

So I came back to fight

I can die later, so I came back to fight!

But look at you!

Who are we supposed to trust on the battlefield?

Lt. Suh is right!

Snap out of this and find your strength, Commander!

Obviously you have a death wish.

The commanders have gathered.

They are going to turn the fleet around!

He's been out there for four hours now.

If we lose our focus, our men will lose their morale.

Sooner or later, we will come face to face with the enemy fleet of 400.

If you ask me, it's inevitable.

But we are only 1/4 that size. If we are outnumbered and low in morale...

That is precisely why we have to let them go this time and seek

another opportunity in the future.

Darn! Is that our only option? Will the Admiral agree?

We have to persuade him.

Are we turning our backs on the Admiral?

He has never turned his back on us.

Lt. Woo, who took you back when you returned from Chilchun-ryang

after getting your entire fleet destroyed?

Who cast aside his pride as the superior

to gain your trust, High Commander Yi?

We said we would not refuse any challenge no matter how impossible

it seems if it is with the Admiral. Have you forgotten?

Who embraced you with tears when you escaped the enemy camp and

came back after being held hostage?

I wasn't captured. It was a part of the strategy...

For the past seven years, we've always been with the Admiral.

But in the last few weeks after the battle on the third,

we've been drifting away from him little by little.

I resented him too.

I told him that I couldn't obey a commander who won't

let me rescue my men and I yelled at him.

But was it only because I care about my men?

I wonder now if may be I, too. wanted to avoid the fight if I could.

We all know why we can't back down...

that if we back down now, this war will never end...

and that is why the Admiral cannot stop this fight.

That's why no matter what happens, even if every one of

us refuse to fight, the Admiral will fight alone without us.

That's the difference between us and the Admiral.

Admiral...

We've come to take you back, Admiral.