Original subtitles

SUBTITLES BY VIU

(Episode 29)

You...

are responsible for the life of...

every single person in Joseon.

I understand...

what you are trying to say.

However,

I shall go.

If I let Ga Eun down to save my own life,

I will...

no longer be the same.

Your Highness.

How can a man who cannot protect...

the woman he loves protect the people...

of a nation?

I did not think he would,

but he came to save you.

Sheathe your blades and welcome our guest.

I failed to find and kill you many times.

Did you show yourself for a woman?

You abducted a lady to get me out of hiding.

That is so out of character.

I am here as you wished.

You can let her go.

I admit that you have guts.

Lock her up in the secluded house.

- Yes, master. - Yes, master.

Let go of me. Get your hands off me.

Escort her with respect.

She is not someone you can treat harshly.

Dae Mok kidnapped Lady Ga Eun?

Yes, he did.

Why did he do that?

I think...

he used her to get to the real Crown Prince.

On hearing that the Crown Prince got out through Shinmumun Gate,

Dae Mok was infuriated.

Would it not help...

if Dae Mok were to get rid of...

the Crown Prince for you?

Get my disguise.

He has not yet harmed Lady Ga Eun. You should wait...

I cannot leave her with him...

for a second.

I shall go and get her!

What flower do you wish to be?

You were out there...

in the wind and frost for years.

Is it not time you bloomed?

It was unable to bloom because it was in a greenhouse.

Is that not interesting?

A flower that blooms amid the fierce wind and frost..

is a true flower.

SUBTITLES BY VIU

My flower...

will bloom once you and your Pyunsoo Group...

is gone from Joseon.

A Joseon without me and Pyunsoo Group...

What is it you truly...

want to gain by toppling me?

Power with which to rule the world?

Fame to last throughout history?

If not that,

do you want to...

avenge your parents?

I will topple Pyunsoo Group,

and bring upon us a new era.

A new era?

We share the exact, same goal.

What is Joseon to you?

To me,

Joseon is a poor nation.

Only the king and...

a few nobles enjoy a good life.

The rest are poor.

There is no way such a nation is a good one.

If we continue like this,

how long will Joseon last?

How many of the poverty-stricken people do you think will survive?

Will you join me...

and become a wise king...

who will make Joseon a powerful nation?

A powerful nation?

The goal you just shared...

is just like mine.

The problem is that...

you do not take responsibility...

for the process or the result.

Children are dying so you can...

bring upon the Joseon you want.

People are dying so you can line your pockets.

You just sit and watch from afar.

You do not take any responsibility.

Irresponsible power is more devastating than war.

For as long as you manipulate others,

you have no right to talk about bringing upon a new era.

"Right"?

"Right"?

I cannot believe that came out of the mouth of a man...

who was lucky enough to be born a royal.

You are the one...

who has no right to be king...

or to discuss a new era.

What do you mean?

Do you really know nothing?

Your late father and I...

used to be comrades.

He joined me...

and assassinated the previous king.

That is correct.

I assassinated the previous king...

and made your late father the king.

However, he was an ingrate...

and shunned me.

Now, tell me.

Who has the right and who does not?

Who is really the traitor?

Who should take revenge on whom?

Dae Mok! I cannot believe anything you say.

Assassinate the previous king?

My father would never have...

You look like him.

You look a lot like...

the traitor who stole the throne.

I tried so hard to find and kill you but failed.

Did you really come to me merely for a girl?

I came as you wanted,

so release her.

He killed my father.

Whether or not he dies...

does not matter to me.

If you want to change the world, you must make compromises.

Join me.

If you marry Hwa Gun...

and join me,

I will make you King.

If you do,

my dream and future will become yours.

Do you know...

how to catch a wolf in the north region in the winter?

You place a bloody knife...

along a path where the wolf walks.

Then the wolf, drawn to the smell of the blood,

start licking the blade of the knife.

Its tongue becomes numb...

and continues to lick the blade, not knowing it is cutting its tongue,

until eventually, it dies.

Are you saying...

my offer is like a bloody knife?

If I let the sweet offer of power draw me in,

I will eventually...

end up that way.

Are you refusing to accept my offer?

Now,

will you kill me?

No.

First, I will kill Ga Eun...

before your very eyes.

She will experience the worst pain any human being can experience.

Then I shall kill her.

I will kill you afterward.

No, Grandfather!

Return to your room!

Grandfather, please spare His Highness.

You are the head of Pyunsoo Group.

And who is he?

Who do you think he is?

He is the son of the previous king, Pyunsoo Group's greatest enemy!

And yet, I tried to welcome him in.

But he refuses to join Pyunsoo Group,

become my grandson-in-law, or join me...

and become king.

What should I do?

Grandfather.

Grandfather.

Fine. I will give him one last chance.

You convince him yourself.

If that still does not work,

do not beg me to spare his life ever again.

Your Highness.

Pyunsoo Group has a longer history...

than Joseon.

It is impossible to eliminate it entirely.

Do not try to eliminate Pyunsoo Group.

Take it over instead.

Use the money...

from Pyunsoo Group as your foundation,

and use its power and authority...

to take control of your Joseon.

Please do that.

My lady...

Your Highness. Take me...

and take Pyunsoo Group.

It is not for Pyunsoo Group, but for Your Highness.

Please...

join my grandfather and become king.

I shall stay by your side and help you.

My lady.

I am...

in love with another woman.

So please,

do not...

try so hard for me.

Your Highness.

I am not saying...

I will become the queen or your woman.

You may put the woman you want to sit beside you.

I shall become the next Dae Mok and give you Pyunsoo Group.

All you need to do...

is say you will accept me and that you will...

join my grandfather.

I apologize,

but I cannot do that.

I am not asking for your heart.

Just say you will do it.

Do you not understand?

I am giving my all to love you.

That is why.

I have received your sincere love.

I cannot offer you lies in return.

Do you think...

my grandfather will spare your life?

SUBTITLES BY VIU

Hwa Gun.

My lady, Master Dae Mok has given us an order.

It is your fault.

What are you doing?

His Highness is about to lose his life because he tried to save you.

Will that man die?

"That man"?

His Highness risked his life for you and you call him "that man"?

That man killed my father.

Whether or not he dies does not matter to me.

You really know nothing, do you?

To think, His Highness...

What do I not know?

You say His Highness killed your father?

Fine. Think that and continue to hate him for the rest of your life.

What do you mean?

If the Crown Prince did not kill my father,

then who was it?

Crown Prince.

Are you not the one...

who killed my father?

You could not persuade him, could you?

Grandfather.

Please let the Crown Prince live.

If he goes through the initiation, I will let him live.

Prepare the Crown Prince's initiation.

Yes, Master Dae Mok.

Grandfather.

What if...

he refuses to be initiated?

Then he will be killed.

Hwa Gun, your grandfather...

gave in to you as much as he could.

Do not worry.

I have a plan.

Once he is initiated,

the Crown Prince will be part of Pyunsoo Group.

I will cure the Crown Prince from being poisoned.

However,

only Grandfather knows how to make the antidote.

Do you think I have been wasting my time...

as the leader of Pyunsoo Group?

Trust me.

You do not have the right to be enthroned.

You do not have the right to promise the future either.

Your late father and I...

used to be comrades.

He joined me...

and assassinated the previous king.

Father.

I came to get you.

Why did you come...

to save me instead of the Crown Prince?

He asked me to save you.

Lady Han, we have no time to lose.

Let us go.

I cannot escape alone.

- Lady Han. - I have something...

I must hear from the Crown Prince.

I have...

a difficult favor to ask you.

Even if I see Dae Mok,

he will not...

let Ga Eun go easily.

Ga Eun...

is the bait to catch me,

but she is also...

the bait to control Sun.

Then why?

Chung Woon.

It will be difficult...

for me to leave Pyunsoo Group alive.

However, it is not the case for Ga Eun.

Once they have me,

their watch over Ga Eun will weaken.

Please save her then.

- Your Highness... - Please.

Chung Woon.

Once you are in a safe place,

I will save the Crown Prince.

You must escape now.

I have one thing...

I must ask.

Who killed...

my father?

The one who beheaded Deputy Magistrate Han...

was me.

I put on the Crown Prince's mask.

I beheaded your father.

It was you?

You killed my father?

The Crown Prince tried his best to save your father.

I should have told you earlier.

However, the Crown Prince told me not to.

My plead for forgiveness is overdue.

I sincerely apologize.

Master Dae Mok.

Why did you take Ga Eun away?

I will do anything you tell me to.

Please return her to me.

You are too late.

The Crown Prince already came to save her.

Once I let her go,

he promised to be initiated...

and join Pyunsoo Group.

If the Crown Prince joins Pyunsoo Group,

what will happen next?

Let me think.

You will not be wearing the mask much longer.

Do you plan to...

dethrone me...

and enthrone the Crown Prince?

Master, I have only been loyal to you so far.

Why do you plan to dethrone me?

My granddaughter likes the Crown Prince.

If my granddaughter marries the Crown Prince,

it will be a good idea to give back his throne.

Master Dae Mok wants to see you.

The fake King said...

he will be a loyal king to Pyunsoo Group...

once I let go of his woman.

Shall I let her go...

with that man?

Why are you not answering?

Do you not want to save Lady Ga Eun?

Does her safety not matter?

Do you not want to see her leave with me?

Sun.

- Ga Eun... - She probably escaped already.

No matter how much you run,

you cannot escape Master Dae Mok.

Chung Woon! Chung Woon!

I apologize,

Your Highness.

We locked her up again.

While you were buying time,

was your man planning to save her?

Did you think you could fool me?

Chung Woon!

Dae Mok!

If you hesitate longer,

you will lose your loyal man.

Master Dae Mok!

I will go through with the initiation.

I will join Pyunsoo Group.

I will do anything you ask me to. So please...

Please save Chung Woon.

No.

No, Your Highness.

Please let Ga Eun go.

I shall release her...

when your initiation is over.

(Stay tuned for episode 30.)

Are you all right?

Sun. How are you here?

I came for you.

Wait a little while. I will get you out of here.

Sun. You must save the Crown Prince first before me.

Who?

Save whom?

His Highness tried to save me, and now, Dae Mok has him.

Please, we must save him...

Did you forget already...

that he killed your father?

Why do you want to save the Crown Prince who killed your father?

He is your enemy, is he not?

His Highness did not kill my father.

It was a man named Chung Woon who killed my father,

not the Crown Prince.

Sun. We must save the Crown Prince.

Please help me. Please?

I understand.

Trust me...

and wait here.

Your Highness, His Majesty is here to see you.

Your Highness, Dae Mok has abducted Court Lady Han.

What did you say?

I had been too afraid of him,

and did everything he asked.

However, he abducted my woman.

I cannot forgive him this time.

He keeps disrespecting me. What should I do?

That is why...

you should have joined me, your mother, instead.

Do not worry too much.

Your mother will do whatever she can...

to save her from Dae Mok.

Thank you, Your Highness.

I shall trust and depend on you alone from this moment forth.

That is a wise decision, Your Majesty.

I have an announcement.

The Queen Dowager, after conducing several rounds of selection...

and narrowing it down to the three final candidates, has chosen...

the Third State Councillor's daughter, Choi Yeon Joo,

to become the queen.

She has sent an order to crown her queen right away.

Set a date,

and prepare for the royal wedding.

Congratulations. You will become the King's father-in-law.

Thank you.

- Congratulations. - Thank you.

It is a relief.

At least no one from Pyunsoo Group will be the queen.

I heard you have not eaten at all.

Your initiation is tomorrow.

You must maintain your strength.

Is there any way to find out...

where Chung Woon is?

I heard he is locked up somewhere,

but I do not know where.

SUBTITLES BY VIU

What about...

his eyes?

He probably went blind.

Many things will change...

after tomorrow's initiation.

However,

I will do whatever it takes to obtain an antidote for you.

I do not...

give traitors a second chance.

If anyone betrays Pyunsoo Group,

even if it is my own granddaughter,

I will not forgive that person.

Think about it.

What is truly the best thing for your master?

My lady. I have found a place where the antidote may be kept.

- You have? Where is it? - Do you want to go now?

His Highness' initiation is tomorrow.

I must find an antidote as soon as possible.

If we leave now, we can return by tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow afternoon? His Highness' initiation...

I heard his initiation will not begin until 11 o'clock.

You will be back in time.

Okay then. Let us go.

I...

This is poppy wine.

Every 15 days,

if you do not drink this poppy wine,

you will feel your heart rip apart and die.

We finally get to initiate the real Crown Prince into the group.

Drink it.

No.

Do you plan to drink that and become their loyal dog?

Please do not drink it.

Please do not drink it especially if it is for my sake.

Why do you care about me?

My father died because of you.

I will resent and despise you for the rest of my life!

I am sorry...

you lost your father because of me.

Ga Eun.

Promise me that...

if I drink this,

you will release her.

I promise.

No.

No, master.

No, Your Highness!

I know that you did not...

kill my father.

So please,

do not drink that for my sake.

Unless you want to watch her die first,

drink the poppy wine!

Your Highness, please...

State your name.

I am...

Joseon's Crown Prince...

Yi Sun.

Blood?

I specially gave you...

three poppy pills.

One is enough to get anyone addicted...

but three...

will kill anyone on the spot.

No.

Dae Mok.

Your plan...

was to kill me.

Do I seem like a monster to you?

No.

The world we live in is like a pit of fire...

and I am just a man fighting it.

This nation which shoves its own people into...

a well of despair.

It created a monster like me.

No!

No.

Master, stay awake.

Master.

No.

No.

From the moment I first saw you,

with...

with all my heart,

I have loved you.

No.

Master.

Master.

Master!

Master!

No. No.

Master!

Master!

Hwa Gun, where were you?

The Crown Prince's initiation is over.

What?

It cannot be. I was told it would start at 11pm.

Father. Where is the Crown Prince?

Where is he?

I have not seen him since the initiation.

Gon.

Are you still...

loyal to me?

I asked...

if you are loyal to me.

I am...

loyal to you.

And you dare...

tell me a lie?

If I did not,

I was told you would be harmed.

Did my grandfather...

tell you that?

Yes.

Did he...

kill the Crown Prince?

I believe so.

Find him immediately.

Find the Crown Prince!

If you do not,

I will kill you.

Congratulations, my lord.

You must be pleased.

Congratulations.

Third State Councillor.

The Office of Astrology selected an auspicious date.

It seems we shall become in-laws very soon.

Your Highness.

Please look fondly upon my daughter and look after her.

This is such a great day.

Has he not yet returned?

Not yet.

Why did you not inform me sooner?

I could have stopped him.

Even if you had tried, he would not have listened.

Where are you going?

Minister of Personnel and his assistant. Step forward.

I heard you assisted greatly with the selection process.

I shall pour you both a drink to thank you.

SUBTITLES BY VIU

I believe...

you remember the advice I gave you.

You are...

so loyal to me now.

Do not go any further.

I do not wish for you to be hurt.

Remember my advice.

How dare you!

I believe you are drunk.

- Clean this up! - Your Majesty.

You fool!

You spilled the King's wine. Have you lost your mind?

My lord.

It was not me.

You spilled it.

- The King's wine. - Me?

Was it really me?

Your Majesty.

I deserve to die.

Forget it.

We are celebrating, and I wished to thank you.

I shall not punish you.

However...

I do not want to see your faces anymore today.

- Please pour me a drink once again. - Let us leave now.

- Kill me instead. - Let us go out.

Just kill me...

- I cannot leave like this. - Goodness.

- When will I ever get to drink it? - Drink with me.

Please...

It is not time to end the banquet yet.

Why are you leaving already?

That is what I want to say.

Master Woo Bo got drunk and...

I do not think it is a good idea for us to join the banquet.

Is something wrong?

I have a bad feeling about it.

Goodness.

I see.

Your Highness.

Since today is a day to celebrate,

I shall pour you a drink.

I would love that.

I shall pour you a drink too as your future son-in-law.

Today is such a happy day.

I shall pour a drink to all of you...

who are here for the banquet.

- Thank you for your generosity. - Thank you for your generosity.

Let us drink.

Master Dae Mok is entering the room.

You are here without any notice.

What brings you here, Dae Mok?

I came here myself...

to let you know of something.

- Goodness! - Gosh!

Please spare me.

I will never betray Pyunsoo Group again.

Please spare me, Master Dae Mok...

You all just drank poppy wine.

Now, if you do not eat...

Pyunsoo Group's poppy pills once every 15 days,

you will die.

How...

dare you!

Chief Eunuch!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Her Highness seems to be unwell.

Escort her to her residence now!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Goodness.

Dae Mok!

Dae Mok, you rat!

You...

Your Highness!

I will not forgive you!

I will never forgive you!

Your Highness...

I will not forgive you.

Your Highness!

Do you wish to escape from here with that girl?

If you do,

you must do something for me yourself.

You have become the real king now.

I announce this to all the officials.

It is forbidden for a king's mother's relatives to gain power.

However, the Queen Dowager attempted to gain influence...

by making her niece a queen.

Thus, for her sin,

she will be confined in the west palace.

Head of the Bureau.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I instate you...

as the head of Supply Office, the second-rank official.

You now have the authority to produce currency...

in addition to your role as head of the Bureau of Water Supply.

Thank you for your boundless generosity, Your Majesty.

This cannot be done, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

If you grant the Bureau the authority to produce currency,

it means you are permitting the distribution of counterfeit money.

He is right, Your Majesty.

Please revoke your royal command.

- Please revoke your royal command. - Please revoke your royal command.

Minister of Personnel.

Are you going against the royal command?

Your Majesty.

Please punish those who look down upon you...

and the palace immediately...

so that the country will see a clear example.

Listen to my royal command,

Minister of Personnel and Second Minister of Personnel.

It is only right to exile you...

for despising me,

but I shall show you mercy.

You will be dismissed from your positions as punishment.

You will not be allowed to enter the palace ever again.

The Queen Dowager's power toppled down in one day.

Dae Mok has all the influence now.

The balance of power is broken.

There will be bloodshed.

We need to come up with a countermeasure.

What happened to the Crown Prince?

You cannot...

meet with the Crown Prince anymore now.

There is...

no more hope left.

I came to escort you, Lady Ga Eun.

Let us return to the palace together.

Sun, what about him?

What happened to Master Chun Soo?

He is alive, right?

He passed away.

I could not save him.

I am sorry, my lady.

The Queen Dowager is powerless now.

Pyunsoo Group...

has finally taken control of the country.

But be assured.

I shall do whatever is necessary...

to protect you.

Did he...

really...

pass away?

Yes.

No...

No.

I...

I still have so many things to tell him.

(The Emperor)

Search thoroughly.

It is Dae Mok's world now.

You know that things have changed, right?

There must be something that only I can do.

He is acting like a king.

You will be made the King's concubine soon.

Sun, do not do anything.

I will take from you as well.

I must take after you, Grandfather.

I owe someone a debt that must be settled.