Original subtitles

The gale is strong and the clouds are dark.

We should pitch a camp and take shelter.

Yes, Your Majesty. I fear a storm is approaching.

A storm? What distress when we just began our journey!

Your Majesty, moisture will aggravate your condition.

You must take shelter and keep warm.

I am fine, so do not fuss.

It's getting dark,Your Majesty. We should pitch a camp at once.

Yes, Your Majesty. It will start to rain soon.

Fine, if you so insist.

Men, pitch the camp. We will rest here for the night.

Pitch the camp.

Yes, Supreme commander.

Oh, it's freezing...

I'm afraid you are catching a cold, Your Majesty.

How odd...

I was perfectly fine this afternoon, but now I'm shivering.

Moisture exacerbates the boil, Your Majesty.

It would be unwise to travel on to Unju.

I've cautioned you never to say this again!

How wretchedly the winter rain falls...

We began preparing for this battle in September, but it

is already end of November.

Isn't it strange that the rain falls in this cold weather?

Puss has collected again in the boil. Would you take a look?

Yes, Your majesty.

Your Majesty, you are in no condition to go to the

battlefield. I beg you to heed my advice.

This is a very important battle. I will not go back.

It will be better tomorrow. I have a slight cold today.

Do not try to talk me out of this battle. Now, take a look.

Yes, Your Majesty...

His Majesty was in discomfort when we left the palace.

Vice Prime Minister, it is fact His Majesty is not well.

We do know that he has a boil on his back, but

what do you think about this?

A boil is nothing to worry about.

But the royal physician's presence and the secretive

treatment suggest that it is not a simple boil.

But His majesty is a strong and healthy man.

Besides, he would not have come with us if it were a

serious problem.

That's right. His Majesty is not a man that would let

a boil get in his way. Our problem is this weather.

It looks like the rain might continue. How frustrating...

The physician is with Father?

Yes, Brother. He was frequent seen in Father's chambers at

the palace as well. The word has it that the physician tried

strongly to dissuade Father from coming to this battle.

This is not to be taken lightly if that is true.

I know. And Unju is still afar... This is a problem..

Father must come with us to Unju and you must show him

what you've got once and for all. Only then, Father will doubt you

no more as the right heir to his throne.

It's your chance to settle this matter once and for all, Brother.

Geum-kang, Brother-in-law Park, and Vice Prime Minister are all

here with us.

Remove all of our fears and all of father's doubts as they watch.

Slay the king of Koryo in their presence.

The swelled river has us paralysed.

The key to his battle is getting there first and securing position

on higher ground. This is a tremeendous setback.

All roads are blocked. It's been raining for the three days

like we are in monsoon season.

This is a most unexpected problem.

Whereabouts are we?

This is village of Namchun named after the river blocks

our path now.

Oh dear...

Bekjae army should be well on their way to Unju.

Unju is much closer to them than it is to us to begin with.

Yes...

Rain...Winter rain...

This is the heaviest rainfall I have seen in my life.

What to do... What to do...

His Majesty is on the road and the weather is not cooperating.

I know, Mother.

I don't understand why he had to go to this battle himself.

It is because Bekjae king is to be there.

All battles have been matched fairly so far - our prince

against their prince, our king against their king.

Yes, but it is also because the outcome of this battle is

critical. It will be no less difficult than Gochang battle.

And just imagine the frustration this rain must be causing him...

I know...

- Royal advisor, - Yes, Your Majesty.

You are learned in astrology and divination.

When will this rain stop?

And can we win this battle after this delay?

The rain may continue for another day or two.

As for the prognostication of our army's fortune, stars tell

me that you will meet two noblemen of the south who

will help you to realize a great victory.

Is that right? Two noblemen? Realize a great victory?

I hope the stars are right, but it seems farfetched at this point.

We've been stuck here for three days.

First to get to Unju will have a greater advantage.

Bekjae's capital is closer to Unju to begin with.

Victory can't be guaranteed.

It's true. Things are rapidly turning against our favor.

We'll be lucky if we can hold back the enemy let alone win

the battle.

We will prevail. You shall see.

Two noblemen will come to His Majesty's aid.

Whoever you are talking about, we are already beyond rescue.

Identify yourself.

The name is Suh Mok. I live on this riverbank.

This is His Majesty's camp. What is your business?

A friend of mine in Geum River informs me that His Majesty

might be in distress and sent me here.

What might this friend's name be?

Yi Chi is his name, the castle lord of Jun-eui.

The lord of Jun-eui? Do you refer to General Yi Chi, one

of the great generals who led our troops to victory in Naju?

I believe so.

Please wait right here.

Inform the royal guards. His Majesty has a visitor.

Yes, General.

I had the honor of serving under General Yi in Naju.

He was an incredible navy commander.

Wait right here. There will be an authorization soon.

The castle lord of Jun-eui? General Yi Chi has sent someone?

Yes, Your Majesty. Will you see him?

Of course. General Yi is an unmatched warrior who fought

with me in Naju as well as a patrician whose family has

governed Geum River for generations. Send him in at once.

Send Lord Suh Mok in at once.

Yes, General.

Suk Mok humbly bid you greetings, Your Majesty.

Welcome. I'm told you were sent by General Yi Chi.

Is it true thatn you reside on this riverbank?

Yes. My family has governed Namchun for generations.

Your Majesty is in distress, and I have come to help.

A nobleman has come to aid indeed!

Indeed!

Your Majesty's army would have drowed tonight had I not come.

Everything on this field will be swept away without warning

if it continues to rain until dawn.

Goodness!

You must evacuate this area at once

I know this river like the back of my hand.

I will guide you to shallow waters.

Goodness! We could've all drowned sitting here and

grumbling about the rain.

Lord Suh is not simply a nobleman, but a savior.

Hurry, Brother Geumpil. It will soon be dawn.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Alert your troops! We will cross the river before dawn!

Yes, General.

Wang Guhn safely crosses the river and makes a narrow escape

from death thanks to the lord of Namchun Suh Mok.

Grateful for this favor, Wang Guhn would later bestow a new

name of Yichun to this village.

Yichun is an abbreviation of Yisupdaechun, which is an idea

found in the Book of Changes that contends that a man highly

cultivated in Knowledge, virtue and character can rise above the

barrier of Great River and render service that benefits universe.

This name illustrates the depth of Wang Guhn's gratitude and the

seriousness of the dilemna he was rescue from.

- Royal Advisor, - Yes, Your Majesty.

I am quite amazed by your augury.

We could've died had it not been for nobleman Suh Mok.

Then who might the other nobleman be?

That I do not know. But he is somewhere on our path.

Let us trust is words and wait with anticipation, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty

Goodness! Who is this? This is General Yi Chi!

Yes, Your Majesty. It is Yi Chi of Jun-eui.

I received word of your southward march to Unju and feared for your

safety due to menacing weather.

We were caught in terrible dilemna in Namchun.

But your friend Suh Mok came to our aid.

He comes from a distinguished family that has governed

Namchun for generations.

We have much in common, so we've remained good friends.

Choi Jimong said two noblemen would come to our aid, but no

one believed him. Everything looked hopeless and grim.

Conditions are not very encouraging in Geum River either.

The river has been flooded by heavy rainstorm and roads

have been cut off.

But rest assured. I will safely guide you to Unju from here.

Thank you. General Yu Geumpil is in command of this battle.

Greetings, General Yu. We've met.

Good to see you again. You must be more familiar with Unju since

it is closer to your juridiction. Let us work closely together.

But of course. I, too, am a servant of this kingdom.

I brought 100 of my elite men to fight with you on this war.

Your words give us reassurance, General.

Yes. Your voluntary service demonstrates to your loyalty.

You are too kind to say so.

Your Majesty, I will guide you from here.

You may discuss it with General Yu.

General Yu, I've inspecting Unju region very carefully.

Bekjae's main army is yet to reach Unju.

Is this true? We are running behind due to the rainstorm.

It is hard to believe Bekjae army has not reached Unju.

But it's true. My men continue to watch for them.

We're almost there, but the enemy is still not in sight. Puzzling...

Perhaps they've run into a problem.

In any case, this is good for us.

Let us talk further on the road.

Yi Chi: He would later be renamed Yi Do by Wang Guhn and become the

progenitor of Yi of Yae-ahn. One of the warriors of Naju battle,

his family had governed the Geum River region for generations.

He would also play a major role in bringing Unju battle

to victory along with Yu Geumpil.

The rain has seized, but the wind remains strong.

It is suddenly winter

The roads were icy this morning. The weather is rapidly changing.

This is not a good sign

I don't understand. Why aren't we moving forward?

Unju is just a short distance away, but we are still here.

My men are wondering what is going on.

You know very well why. It is because His Majesty is not well.

The troops will lose their spirits before they have a

chance to fight. We must proceed to Unju now without His Majesty.

General Yaesul has a point. We cannot continue to hesitate.

Koryo army is coming. The side that arrives first and obtains

more knowledge about the battleground has the avantage.

Advisor Jonghoon is right. Let us take action, Supreme

Commander. We've been delayed here for four days now.

They're right, Brother. We must do something.

The physican says father needs a few more days of rest.

My hands are tied.

You are the supreme commander. You have the final decision.

Only the king has the final word. I am simply the spearhead of the

operation. Besides, Unju battle was His Majesty's idea.

According, he has the ultimate command.

He must be there to witness the victory. Don't you agree?

Yes, but...

Father has wagered everything on Unju battle.

Our national pride is at stake on this one match.

That's right.

This is our only chance to secure a channel for northern expansion.

Our defeat in Gochang has blocked all paths in the east, and Unju

is in front of us as the only possible route in the west.

His Majesty insisted on this fight because of this reason.

I don't understand the vice prime minister's reticence

on this dilemma.

Neither do I.

That troubles me. He was against this operation from the start.

Yes. He is a man who never begins a project without

absolute confidence.

I'm sure he has a lot on his mind right now.

You should call an officer's meeting since you are the

supreme commander, Brother.

I never knew carbuncles could cause such serious problems.

Many have lost their lives by this disease.

The moisture has exarcerbated his condition.

I tried to stop him, but he would not listen.

Why couldn't you stop him prior to our departure?

Repeatedly I tried, but His Majesty silenced me.

I had no choice.

What now?

Are we do remain here forever or take Father back to the palace?

It would be best to take him back, Your Highness.

Ice has begun to form, and our troops are

ill prepared for the cold. Worst yet, the word of His

Majesty's condition has spread throughout the camp.

This operation was a stretch from the beginning, Your Higness.

Then let us go back. It is not too late.

Unju can wait.

Geum-kang, what are you saying? Go back?

Father

I must have dozed off. How long was I asleep?

It's been four days, Your Majesty.

Four days? Four days?

Prince Geum-kang is right, Your Majesty. Permit us to go back.

It is unreasonable to pursue this battle.

I trembled in rage when Gochang fell.

How do I stop Koryo from further aggression?

Luckily, Shin-guhm successfully attacked Yaesun River and

gained back some of our lost spirit.

If we don't push forward now, we will surely slip back again.

We must go to Unju.

There will be a next time, Your Majesty. Your health comes first.

We must go, I said. We must go. There is no time to waste.

I am 67 years old. I will soon be 70.

Next time? When would that be?

When would be the next time when Koryo continues to march south?

Father!

Order the troops to march forward.

Stop hesitating and go. It is the king's order.

I will not return to the palace like this.

The wind will not relent...

The winter has come without warning after the rainstorm,

Your Highness. I am concerned about the troops at the front.

Yes. Cold weather complicates the battle.

Shin-guhm must prove himself this time, but the weather

is against him...

Rest assured. He fought impressively in Yaesung River.

I am more concerned about His Majesty's abscess.

Yes. He made it worse by taking it lightly and hiding it.

I hope he will be all right...

His infirmity on the battlefield is trouble for my Shin-guhm...

I hope he will be all right...

Father's condition has become worse due a cold.

Unju is only a day of travel away. What do you suggest we do?

We've come here to fight so we must fight.

Let us go. His Majesty has ordered us to march forward.

Though Prince Shin-guhm is in command of this operation,

His Majesty is with us, and he is not well.

To contend with our biggest enemy in this state would be unwise.

I agree with General Park. The winter has suddenly set in, and

Unju is a rough mountainous region where the late arriver

is likely to be ambushed. I advise reconsideration.

His Majesty has put the fate of the country on this battle

and put Prince Shin-guhm in command once more after his

triumphant return from Yaesung River.

Not only that, he has publicly promised Prince Shin-guhm the

next throne upon success of this mission.

That is irrelevant to this discussion, Brother.

It goes to support the importance of this battle.

Father seeks to secure the kingdom's future by this battle.

And that is why he has come all the way here in his condition.

We cannot go back.

Father has already ordered us to execute the mission.

Unju is only a day away. Command us to march forward.

His Majesty is very ill, but he has given us an order.

We must obey.

I agree. It is absurd to go back.

I agree as well.

So do I.

What is your opinion, General Kim?

Our victory would mean nothing if something were to happen to

His Majesty. I think we would be wiser to go back.

This war will continue no matter what. General Kim,

Park and Vice Prime Minister is correct.

The odds are already against us. I urge you to call it off.

Call it off? When did fearless Geum-kang turn into a coward?

Father can be looked after separately.

Do you suggest we run from the enemy?

Father has ordered us to fight. Do you wish to defy him?

I am surprised coming from a son who swallowed his eyeball

for it is a gift from his parents.

This is different. Beyond personal desire for fame, it is injurious

to the nation to pursue a miision that is untimely.

Desire for fame, you say? Who do accuse of having desire for fame?

Stop this childish bickering at once!

- Vice Prime Minister, - Yes, Supreme Commander.

What is your recommendation? Everyone wishes to fight.

The decision is yours, Your Highness.

Father wants us to fight, and I, too, want to wrap up

my strggles once and for all.

Let us fight.

Let us fight. We are going to Unju! To Unju!

Strike the camp! We are going to Unju!

Hustle!

Your Majesty, I urge you again. You mustn't proceed to Unju.

The infetion is spreading closer to the spine.

Rest is your only treatment.

There is no time. There is no time for rest.

Your Majesty, we will proceed to Unju.

You will be transported im comfort.

Help him.

Yes.

Be careful.

Be careful, Your Majesty.

Is there something you'd like to say?

Yes.

Please, Your Majesty.

Who wanted to go back?

Pardon?

Who was for and who was against going forward?

Geum-kang, General Pard and the vice prime minister wanted

to retreat, but I insisted that we must obey your order.

I will transport you in safely.

Of course...This is a decisive battle for you after all.

If you want your wish fulfilled, show me victory. Victory!

Let's go.

Yes...Geum-kang is the one indeed...

Only Geum-kang, General Park and the vice prime minister

truly cares about me.

A decent son would try to stop me no matter how stubbornly I insist.

But instead they take a dying father to the field of slaughter.

How could I call them my sons?

All they see is the throne. The throne...

Koryo army should be nearing Unju by now.

But we will win this war! Proceed at breakneck pace!

You have your order! Rish you men, General Padal!

Hustle! It is an order! Proceed to Unju!

Father , Unju battle is just as important for me as it

is for you.

I want to prove myself to you beyond any doubt.

And I want to claim the throne you've promised.

Bear with me, Father. I will prove myself without fail.

And I will claim the throne. The throne!