Original subtitles

The final meeting between the King of Joseon and the Ming envoy Huang Yan...

To maintain strict security, the Royal guards

the palace maids will be kept 100 paces back.

That's when we strike.

Stand at ease!

Mission complete, sir!

We've completed the training exercise, Prime Minister.

Good work.

The Hall of Great Peace? Not a chance!

I insist! As well, your King will dismount before Venerable Huang exists, and...

Not possible.

The Six Ministries Plaza!

Gwanghwamun.

And it will not be the King but the Crown Prince who greets him.

The King of Joseon!

His Highness cannot take one step from the Hall of Administration!

Then there will be no diplomatic reception!

Let this be clear.

It is Ming China that rejected this reception.

It appears most faithful retainers of Joseon and Ming are gathered here.

Please take a small break before you proceed.

The Conference Hall is hot from the heat coming from this room.

Try it.

Tea?

Ming has the best tea in the world.

It's ginseng tea.

Joseon is known for ginseng.

If it suits your palate, I will pack some for you to take home.

Is there anything else we can get you?

This reception is unacceptable!

That is not for you to decide.

Prime Minister, Join us.

I will appeal to His Majesty to reject this conference.

Let's talk inside.

Crown Prince cannot be made a son-in-law of the Emperor.

Must I have you dismissed from your post for you to stop and listen?

Perhaps it's my old age. I'm craving sweets all the time lately.

Try some. It's delicious.

It's my position that we cannot recieve the envoys until

they sent a writ of investiture of the Crown Prince.

You're taking about making an enemy of Ming.

Are you saying we have to go hostile on Ming from now on?

I'm talking about preserving our national pride.

When? After the population of Joseon is reduced by half?

Pardon?

Contempt against the Royal envoy is contempt against the Emperor.

The hot blooded Emperor Will turn the my he has assembled to suppress

the Mongols on us.

So you'd have our Crown Prince become the son-in-law of the Ming Emperor?

If we must we must.

Do you have no pride?

And no conflict of interest either, I imagine.

Conflict of interest?

You are a high minister of this state.

It is undutiful to put the interest of

Your daughter, the Crown Princess, the before the interest of the state.

This makes all of you rebels.

Rebels, sir?

It is traitorous to overlook a lamp when darkness has fallen in the palace.

Get the punishment rack ready after your duties are done.

How dare you weep!

You're not a woman just because you've been emasculated!

Do you want to die right now?

What am I to do with you incompetent men?

You can't even properly lock the doors after cleaning!

Get a hold of yourself, boy!

Snap out of it! Snap out of it!

Why, that's...!

Do you know this man?

It's Deputy Kim Byun of the Palace Guard, sir.

Palace Guard deputy?

What great grudge could a palace guard bear for the royal house

that he would hang himself here in a sacred audience hall?

What are you standing around for?

Bring that reprobate's body down at once!

Yes, sir.

No, no. Call your men in for that.

I want you to send the guards to this

man's home at once and arrest his entire family.

His family and kin will pay for this

treacherous crime of defiling the sacred palace with their lives!

I don't think so.

I beg your pardon, sir?

The criminal that defiled the palace and his family must...

It's bad enough he's been murdered, but wipe out his family and kin?

Murdered? What makes you think so?

Take a look at this rope.

You don't need a long rope like this to hang yourself.

Someone used this rope to hoist him up there.

You have an overactive imagination.

That is my hope as well.

Alert the Palace Dispensary and order an autopsy immediately.

- Death by poisoning, you say? - Yes, sir.

You're back.

No one has seen Kim Byun tonight.

Not one?

He was off duty today, so he was not in the palace.

Then how did Kim Byun get...

He could've been killed outside and brought in?

That means someone broke into the palace!

Who goes there?

Let's go.

Explain.

It is with deepest regret that I report...

Skip the small talk.

On the crossbeam of the audience hall...

I know.

Who is the dead man?

Deputy Kim Byun is his name.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty...!

Your Majesty...!

Where is he? Lead on.

This man has defiled the sacred palace.

He does not deserve the King's personal attention.

Just lead the way.

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

His hands.

I want to see his hands.

Your Majesty!

Kim Byun... It is him.

Who deployed the soldiers of the Three Armies Command?

For what purpose?

What's the problem? Have you all suddenly become mute?

Minister of Military must notify his whereabouts at all times.

If you had not been remiss, you would've already been alerted.

Your Majesty...

This is an extraordinary circumstance, but it is... unfitting for the King to come

to the Palace Dispensary and inspect the victim personally.

Is it fitting that you, the Prime Minister, have allowed a murder

to take place in the sacred palace?

It is a murder of one petty deputy that does not call for this ado, Your Majesty.

Your title and rank, who do you think gave them to you?

Me?

Or do you think you earned it all by yourself?

Your Majesty...

You would not be here today if it weren't for the men that died for you in silence.

Administrator of Memorials.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Send Kim Byun back to his home.

We worked him hard...

Instruct the Ministry of Rites to give him a decent funeral as well.

Your wish is my command.

You fool!

You no-good idiots!

Get your swords out! What are you waiting for?

Take them out and shove them down your necks! Do it!

- General... - You don't want to do it?

They do you want to be thrown into Han River instead?

How many soldiers do we have in the Palace Guard?

Four hundred!

You can't handle this little situation yourself

that you had to call in the Three Armies Command?

I don't know what to say, sir...

You better not! You better not have anything to say!

Withdraw the soldiers of the Three Armies Command?

I've already issued the order to Central Army Chief Yi Sookbun.

You can't.

The palace walls might have been breached.

Don't forget there is a diplomatic reception tomorrow.

We cannot withdraw the soldiers from the palace.

What's more, I'm going to recommend that martial law be declared in the city.

Martial law?

Yes.

Are you out of your mind?

Prime Minister.

You want to tell the whole world that there was a murder in

the palace where security is supposed to be ironclad?

The Ming envoy will pack his bags before we start the negotiations!

Lord Hwang, an urgent message from the Palace Dispensary.

What is it?

Touch his back right here.

It feels like beeswax.

If my guess is right...

This is incredible!

They made the inscription and covered it with beeswax.

This is a method used by Yuan spies to warn their enemies.

Yuan spies?

Then... could Ming be involved in this?

"Can you save the King in the making?"

Is His Highness inside?

I asked you a question.

Well, um...

His Highness is not in the East Villa?

Your Highness, it is dangerous for you to be out here.

There is such a commotion in the palace that I needed to get out.

There's nothing like target practice to forget your woes...

Please return to the East Palace now.

Heaven forbid if you should become a target to malefactors...

I wouldn't be a man if I couldn't protect myself.

Your Highness...

You don't need to worry.

Your Highness...

They snubbed the King and did not go after the Crown Prince?

Then who in heaven's name are they after?

I've sent guards to homes of each prince for now.

What brings you?

Prince Choongnyeong is missing?

Oh no!

What is this? Does this mean Prince Choongnyeong is the King in the making?

At least the culprit seems to think so.

Does Choongnyeong have the faculty?

Must you be charged with treason to come back to your senses?

Treason?

You called Choongnyeong a King in the making when

we already have an heir apparent!

Did I say Choongnyeong is a King in the making?

I am analyzing the secret message!

Stop.

How can you argue at a time like this?

Prime Minister,

we must declare martial law.

A Royal Prince is missing.

Martial law will not be declared.

Your Majesty, the safety of a Royal Prince is at stake.

Safety of Joseon comes first.

The Ming envoys are the prime suspects as it stands.

Your Majesty, we must investigate the Hall of Great Peace.

The Hall of Great Peace?

Keep your hands off.

I want no disruption until the negotiation is reached.

He will not attend to the safety Prince Choongnyeong?

Hall of Great Peace?

Should I have ordered an investigation?

Would that ensure Choongnyeong's safety?

Of course not.

If I were the Emperor, I would not write such an easily discipherable message.

You truly are a wise man.

You can see through the heart of the Ming Emperor.

But why are you so dim when it comes affairs of this pint size palace?

Your Majesty...

Who is it?

Who is this vile character that blatantly violates the palace

and displays contempt against the royal house?

Why can't you answer?

Because hasty judgement will bring misfortune.

But you do know who the enemy is?

Yes. But there are too many to pick from.

Prime Minister.

There are countless enemies that covet your throne.

The abdicated King in Indeok Palace,

the exiled prince Banggan,

and the regional aristocrats the lower three state

where our governing power do not reach...

Don't forget the Japanese and the barbarians.

Your Majesty...

Prime Minister is an easy job.

All you have to do is to know the Kings enemies.

Swinging the sword is not my job.

Prime Minister.

Remember.

Neither the throne nor this state Joseon belong to me.

Your Highness! Crown Prince, Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Is it true?

Leave us. Were discussing state affairs.

- Father. - Leave us, I said.

This is the audience hall.

You may be the Crown Prince, but politics is not your game yet.

He is here to attend to the safety of his younger brothers not politics.

Please clear the room.

Am in the middle of discussing state affairs.

Royal attendant, are you outside?

Bring me all of the lamps hanging in the gallery.

Your Highness...

My Queen.

Will you clear the room?

Or shall I have, them light up the Royal Chambers?

What atrocity is this?

How terribly concerned you must be.

Yes...

Son-in-law is a son as well, and Prince Choongnyeong is missing.

This is got to be worse for you his blood relative.

What evil person could have done this?

Do you have any idea?

We will have to conduct an investigation.

The culprit could be closer than we think.

Well then, we have a lot of work to do.

I don't like their atitude. It's as if they suspect us.

Can you blame them?

Prime Minister?

Where is your dignity as the mother of the state?

All is well when there is harmony at home.

My duty as a mother comes first.

Duty as a mother?

It's not something I hear from you often.

Place the city under martial law right now.

Send out every soldier we have and order them to find Choongnyeong.

The military does not exist to protect a prince.

Is it because he is not a child of the concubine you love?

That is a ridiculous remark.

If that is not the reason, I do not understand what you are doing.

My decision would be the same no matter which child is missing.

A beast with a human face.

That's what you are.

You are not human. You can't be human.

Are you just finding that out?

Pardon?

I gave up on living my life as human a long time ago.

On that day that I decided I would be the King of this state called Joseon.

You did your part pushing me and hounding me to rise to the throne.

You should've been prepared for this then.

That night...

The three of us were together that night...

The Second Princes Rebellion: Conflict over the throne between Taejo's two sons Bangwon and Banggan

which ended in Bang-won's victory and rise to power as the third King of Joseon.

Drop the sword.

I do not wish to strike my brother.

Attack!

Attack!

The night Uncle Hoean and Father fought that bloody battle for the throne...

the night that Uncle Hoean's took us hostage...

We were together.

Kill the hostages and throw their heads before Yi Bangwon!

That's the only way to break them!

Did you protect your brothers?

But tonight he is alone.

Choongnyeong has no one...

Your Highness...

I will not forgive them.

If anything should happen to Choongnyeong,

I will not forgive Father and the ministers who neglected to protect him.

And I will personally slay those who harmed him!

Was it you?

Not just anyone can kill an officer of the Palace Guard and hang

the body in the audience hall.

And to lure out the prince without being detected,

you would at least have to be his uncle.

Are you going to turn me in?

Where is Prince Choongnyeong?

You...

You didn't do this.

Did you, brother?

What would I have to gain by doing this?

A warning. You're sending the King a warning.

There has been two bloody rebellions for the throne.

But His Majesty has been noticeably negligent lately toward the Queen's

family that delivered the throne to him by swinging their swords.

So you became angry at the King.

Angry at the King?

Then I guess you could be the culprit as well.

Pardon?

You occupy a lofty position second only to the King.

You can control everyone except the King

when a Prime Minister should able to influence all of

the King's decision like that nefarious Chung Dojeon.

Lord Min!

We are on the same boat.

You are under just as much suspicion as I am.

Don't even think about dragging family into this.

Whoever is behind this, you are the one with most to gain.

Since you are the only one the affronted King will trust and rely on.

Why don't you send Choongnyeong back home now?

The King will want to give you half of his authority in delight and relief.

It's exactly these kind of futile ambition you have

that makes me more suspicious of you.

I don't even dream about sharing the royal authority with the King.

Do you know why?

Because I know that His Majesty would never share his authority

even if he has to kill every last one of his sons.

Did you wish to see me?

About the Prince...

Don't worry so much. We will hear good news soon.

But if, Father...

If it's true that the Prince is been kidnapped...

It's likely it was done by someone he knows.

Why didn't you bring this forward sooner?

Who could the Prince had to meet so late at night?

Where is Prince Choongnyeong?

Where did you take the Prince?

"... Someone I must meet." It's a very obscure description, isn't it?

Princes have barely any contact with the world.

Their family is all they know.

Who could the Prince possibly venture out to see in the darkness of the night

without thinking twice?

There's only one man.

One man who is not a member of the royal family and

yet can go in and out of the Royal Villa as he pleases.

That's you, Yi Su, the mentor to the Royal Prince!

Advise the King to leave the seat of power.

And if you can,

tell him to drop the name of this country Joseon as well.

That confirms your treasonous heart.

I am not treasonous, you are.

What did you say?

Completely disregarding the authority of the King?

Isn't that treasonous?

You are showing complete disregard for the King's sword.

And it is no ordinary sword.

It did its share of work in bringing down Goryeo and erecting Joseon.

That's not all.

This is the word that incapacitated King Taejo.

It's a powerful sword that struck

and killed meritorious subjects and even brothers of blood.

Most importantly, isn't it the Kings sword that is

firmly supporting the throne right now?

But you're here insisting that the King's mighty sword could not

hold back an ordinary scholar and placed the Prince's life in danger.

Is the sovereign King of Joseon to be slighted in this manner?

Royal Attendant, are you there?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Call Sangin.

Your Majesty.

I'm sure you know about my son.

Yes, Your Majesty...

I've never asked much from him.

"Don't study so hard. Play hard. But always take care of yourself."

That's what I taught him.

But I guess my teachings were not enough.

Your Majesty...

You're going to have to step in for me.

If you come through, I might get another chance to teach my son right.

I will obey your command with that in mind, Your Majesty.

I don't know what to say...

Kim Byun was your most cherished subordinate.

His death must be hard for you to deal with...

The safety of the royal house comes before my personal feelings.

And...

Don't get yourself killed like Kim Byun did.

I will keep that in mind at all time, Your Majesty.

It's too bad I couldn't see the frightened look on Yi Bangwon's face.

It's for the Kill. Good work.

That ought to serve as a good warning.

Yi Bangwon that fool...

He should know now just how vulnerable the palace walls are.

Now it's time to show him how meaningless the royal robe is

that he picked up and put on himself.

This is just a start.

Where did I go wrong?

Jachi?

Ilji, I have to go outside the palace.

Outside?

We have an order not to leave the palace since the murder, remember?

That's why I need your help.

I'll take care of the guards somehow,

so if the Royal Attendant comes looking for me,

tell him I'm in bed sick from the trauma.

All right?

Jachi! Um Jachi!

We have to go to Soongshin District now!

What are you talking about?

If we don't bring Prince Choongnyeong back safely tonight, we're both dead!

Take your hands off of me!

Kneel!

How dare you!

I said kneel.

I have not been taught to kneel before a knave!

And were you taught to yell while you're trembling like a leaf?

Do you wish to die?

I will have you killed for this contempt!

You will! How when your trembling so hard?

Do you want this dagger in your hand?

Your hands are shaking so hard you can't even swing it.

Give us your father's name!

Not in your life! It is a name too exalted for your recreant ears!

Just kill the boy.

What's this?

It'd for the goods. Take it and do as I say.

No, thanks.

Judging from the kid's appearance, his family must be loaded.

I'm not done with him.

His family is not just loaded they control this state.

Foreman Jeon...

It belongs to the Royal house.

Only a Royal Prince can possess it.

Kill him at once! Or you'll end up dead.

Come on. Place your bets.

Here.

That's big money.

We work our hands to the bone, and...

I wonder what kind of work you boys have been doing when

you're not in the militia anymore.

Give us a break. Do you really have to ask?

Who do you work for? Is it Lord Mim Mugu?

No, no!

Then is it the power hungry regional lords?

Talk! Where did you take the Prince?

Stop! I don't know what you're talking about.

We had nothing to do with this!

Someone else caught the big fish.

You're barking up the wrong tree!

What did you just say?

Talk!

Come on, be nice.

You were one of us before you made your way up.

Even us muscle men have trade ethics.

Do you want to lose a hand?

Or should I emasculate you? Now talk!

Darn it!

Boss.

How did it go?

What's wrong? Did something happen?

Pack up.

Boss...?

We're going to bury them and get out of this town.

Let go!

Let go of me!

Let go!

I said let go!

Get up!

Open the gate!

Your Highness, we must hurry...

Your Highness!

You made it. Have you fared well?

As you can see, I'm not in a position to exchange greetings.

You're accusing an innocent man without any proof of wrongdoing.

Proof?

Can you protect the King in the making?

This is undeniable proof that you are behind this crime.

It's rare to see this kind of handwriting.

In fact, there is no one but you in this city

with such fluid and eloquent writing style...

Unless the men of Dumun-dong cam back to life.

Dumun-dong: District where 72 surviving retainers of Goguryeon who opposed the

founding of Joseon had previously resided. founding of Joseon had previously resided

You must be in need of money.

I just want to catch the culprit.

Your Highness!

Your Highness, I think we lost them.

We can catch our breaths now.

You don't have to be scared anymore.

I'm not scared!

Who said I'm scared?

That's a strong punch.

It's a good sign. You're not hurt.

I was so afraid I may not be able to protect you.

Confess.

Who did you conspire the kidnapping with and what are you after?

I'm not a fool who wastes precious ink on untruthful statements.

Untruthful statements?

Prince Choongnyeong is not a King material.

He does not have what it takes to be a sovereign.

I'm a Prince!

And you are my subject.

You can't protect me.

Who do you think you are?

Your Highness...

It is the prince that protects his subjects and his people.