Original subtitles

Master!

Dissolbe my own kingdom? How dare you suggest this!

Isn't that the only choice if it cannot survive?

You are Master Dosun's disciple. I have appointed you my royal

priest, but you are closer akin to Wang Guhn.

Isn't that why you are here?

Master Dosun was born in Bekjae and I was born in

Surabul of Shilla under the royal family name of Kim

By no means do I belong to Koryo.

But Master, how can I surrender to Wang Guhn?

Isn't that what you are suggesting?

Yes.

Master!

All of Buddha's disciples have a common mission.

That is to deliver all sentient beings from pain and distress.

Wars must cease in the Three Kingdoms. The suffering must end

And it requires your decision, Your Majesty.

That is what I have come to tell you.

I'm sure myriad of thoughts are going through your mind.

I will retire to my quarters now.

Rest comfortably.

The night is deep, Master.were you in His majesty's attendance?

Yes, what brings you out?

I've come to bid you goodnight.

That was unnecessary.

A letter has come from His Majesty's father in Koryo.

Lord Ahjagae is still alive?

Their tie will not break...

You may deliver the letter.

Pardon?

...Yes, Master.

The stars are especially bright tonight...

You say this is from my father?

Yes, Your Majesty.

I kept it hidden from General Padal's sight. Well then.

Could it be true that my father is still alive?

Son, you have been a good ruler of Bekjae.

But you are also my child. I did not shun you becase

you became an emperor, but because you denied your blood

and left my care. I am now nearly 100 years old.

Kyun-hwon, I realize I've been nothing but a source or trouble

to you, but I am terribly pained by the news of your recent grief.

I rejected you many years ago, and now I am told that your

son has cast you out. What great sorrow this must be!

You've now lost your son and your kingdom.

The King of Koryo is a virtuous man.

I will ask him to tend to your welfare. Consider deeply.

Ask Wang Guhn of Koryo to tend to my welfare?

What does he mean? what does he mean?

Wang Guhn? Wang Guhn?

Is this the only way? Is this my only choice?

Shin-guh, don't you see?

There isn't a soul who thinks you can win the mastery of

the Three kingdoms!

Don't you see, you fool!

Hear me, subjects.

Yes, Your Highness.

We've reorganized our government, and strengthened our military

following the revolution. Thankfully Koryo shows no

sign of movement. But they will not be stagnant for long.

That's right. After a long calm comes a fierce storm.

We already know where we must fight next.

Yes, Your Highness. We've identified Illi-chun as the

next battlefield. We must prepare ourselves for this fight.

Our military has undergone an extensive expansion under General

Neungyae and ShinDuk's command. We have nothing to fear.

Then the troops are ready and the location is set.

This battle in Illi-chun will be the biggest battle in our history.

Yes. A total of 200.000 soldiers will clash.

This will be a decisive battle ends the war.

Your Highness, since General Shin and I took over the military, our

navy, ground troops and cavalry have become stronger than ever.

Koryo is no match for us.

Our focus should be on internal unity and order.

Internal unity and order has already been established.

Our problem is that this kingdom is without a king.

His Majesty is in treatment for an illness, and Prince

Shin-guhm has been our acting potentate for many days.

Despite our repeated urgings to rise to the throne, His Highness

continues to hesitate. We need a powerful king to lead our

troops against Koryo. Rise to the throne, Your Highness.

I agree with the Prime Minister. Heed our advice, Your Highness.

Stop this. The prince has already expressed his feelings about this.

But the throne mustn't be left bare for too long.

This is our responsibility.

We ought to be ashamed of ourselves for letting this go on.

Your Highness, do not let there be discord due to this issue.

Ascend to the throne.

Ascend to the throne.

Stop this!

Ascend to the throne. Ascend to the throne.

Wang Guhn? Wang Guhn?

I'd rather take my own life than surrender to him!

Your Majesty, the physician is here for your treatment.

I will let him in.

Send him away.

Your Majesty.

I am a dying man. I do not wish to seek anymore treatment.

You mustn't think like this.

I am not going to the physician and plead for life.

I am already as good as dead.

Send the physician away!

Yes, Your Majesty

Why are you doing this? You must live, Your Majesty.

You cannot give up. You must punish evil Shin-guhm and

comfort the spirit of our poor son Geum-kang.

Comfort him? But how? How can I comfort Geum-kang's soul?

You can go to Koryo.

Koryo?

You've lost your kingdom, your most cherished son and your most

loyal subject. And you said yourself that Shin-guhm had

no chance of winning the mastery of the Three Kingdoms.

So I should turn to Wang Guhn?

As the royal priest has said, it is fitting that you bring

the kingdom to a close yourself if the fall is imminent.

Fitting?

How long can you survive in this confinement?

Soon we will die. Both of us.

Wouldn't you rather to go Koryo? You've already lost everything.

But Madam.

Koryo has captured the lead in the fight for mastery.

It is a fact you cannot deny.

Your help can expedite the unification of Three Kingdoms.

And you can punish those cruel beasts that killed their own

blood and took your kingdom.

You cannot give up like this. It is not over.

Punish the evil and see the grand enterprise to the end.

The king of Koryo had once declared brotherhood with you

and called you Foster Father.

And you've always referred to him as Brother Wang Guhn.

Brother Wang Guhn... Brother Wang Guhn...

Observe, Your Majesty. This is our naval force

that was once destroyed beyond regognition by Bekjae.

As you can see, our strength has been completely restored.

Yes, indeed.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The glory of Koryo's navy is still alive in every way.

It was our navy's Naju landing operation that put us on the map.

Now that our navy has been restored, the ground troops

will be our next problem.

Yes.

Our final battle with Bekjae will take place on land. The navy will

transport military supplies and provide backup support.

Minister of Military, how are our ground forces?

Our ground troops are divided into cavalry, archery, lancer

division and the engineer corp.

Our training at the present time is focused on field operation as

opposed to siege warfare. Would you like to see them at work?

Let us go.

We are trying to persuade King Kyun-hwon to come to us,

but a battle is unavoidable. We must be prepared for that day.

Yes, Your Majesty.Everything we do is geared toward unification.

We must use both strength and strategy to break down the enemy.

That's right. There can be no mistakes.

I urge you to annex Shilla prior to the final battle with Bekjae

if only for the morale of our soldiers and our people.

I agree. A definitive action is required against Shilla.

Shilla rules in name only. They are the least of our concerns.

In fact, hasty action can generate the public criticism.

Our concern is Bekjae.

I am thoroughly impressed. The morale of the soldiers

has soared since General Bae took over the military agency.

Your grace is immeasurable.

They are prepared to strike on your command, Your majesty.

His Majesty is inspecting the military at this very minute.

I've summoned the royal consorts today to talk about the order

of the royal house.

Disorder in the royal house creates confusion in the entire kingdom.

Infighting in the royal family is shaking the foundation of

Bekjae right now.

Quarreling royal consorts are to be blamed.

Don't you agree?

I could not agree more, Your Highness.

His Majesty has total of 29 wives including myself.

And princes and princesses are countless.

A small spark starts a great fire that destroys all.

So pay close attention,

Yes, Your highness.

It is too much comfort that breed discord and veiled enmity

among siblings and wives. Just as His Majesty works

day and night for the kingdom, we must continue to cultivate

virtue and improve ourselves. Is that understood?

Yes, Your highness.

Princes and princes will devote themselves to their studies.

Sloth will not be tolerated.

It won't be long before Koryo unifies the Three Kingdoms.

And I fear that the royalty of Shilla and Bekjae might mock us

and call us ill bred.

So I am ordering the wives to relearn your code of behavior.

And we must instill image of dilligence and humility.

A silk farm will be built and silkworms to be bred.

The consorts will pick mulberry leaves, breed silkworms and

display only the most exemplary behaviors. Understood?

I am calling for a change in the royal house.

Yes, Your highness.

Unification is drawing near.

Bekjae will crumble and Koryo will begin a new era.

We wives must be prepared for that day as well.

Yes, Your highness.

The clock is ticking... Time is passing me by...

Perhaps the subjects are right. Father may never change his mind.

Then what is my option?

I will not last on the throne if I ascend without his permission.

But then again I cannot wait like this forever...

I am damned if I do and damned if I don't...

There will be no order in the royal court if this continues.

Many are disturbed about Prince Shin-guhm's hesitation

especially the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Neunghwan was His Majesty's lifelong

and most faithful follower. But he turned on His Majest and

led the revolution against him. Do you know what this means?

I don't understand.

He thinks himself not a subject of Bekjae but the master.

Mother!

It is true. I'm sure Shin-guhm is aware if this as well.

He must be eliminated once unification is achieved.

He administered the state affairs from behind the king.

He considers himself the real head of state. He always has.

I am quite disturbed by General Neungyae's change.

He insists on the impossible.

All would be for the best if his wish were realized.

His Majesty would be abdicating his throne by proper process.

But it is wishful thinking. Master Kyungbo is with His

Majesty now, but chances are nothing will change.

We can't let this go on.

We must do this another way if the prince continues to resist.

Is there another way, Prime Minister?

Our worries would be over if His Majesty were to die.

Prime Minister!

He is a doddering old man now. If he continues to be a throne

in the flesh, we must eliminate the throne.

But how could we?

Shi Huang of Qin dynasty killed his own father after learning

the truth about his birth. It was for the welfare of the kingdom.

But it is a horrible thought.

What is worse? The loss of the kingdom or a death of an old man?

I don't mean to suggest we do this now, but I just don't

see any other way.

Pardon? Did you say you would go to Koryo, Your Majesty?

Yes.

Will there be no regrets?

No!

Merciful Buddha...

You do realize this will change the world.

Yes, I do. Yes, I do.

Merciful Buddha...

I will go. I have given this much thought.

Like you suggested, I will reap what I have sown.

I want to see the end of Bekjae as well as the unification of

the Three Kingdoms. I want to see it before I die.

Do you realize you will be losing everything?

Yes.

Master, His Majesty has come to this decision after days

of deep contemplation.

Master, the kingdom I have built has already crumbled in my heart.

And my so many desires have vanished.

But although everything has crumbled and vanished, I must

reap what I have sown. Was that not your suggestion?

Then would you like me to make contact with Koryo?

Yes. Please advise Wang Guhn that I am coming to Koryo.

Very well. Your decision will deliver the people of

Three Kingdoms from distress.

Well then, you will require assistance in order to escape.

Who might we turn for help?

Help?

Yes, Your Majesty.

There is someone that comes to mind.

Let us give it a shot.

Yes, there is someone...

Where are you off to in such early hour?

Are you leaving us for good, Master?

Yes. We must return to Oakryong temple now that the memorial

service is complete.

Is that right?

Master, why must you leave so suddenly?

I have stayed long enough.

I cannot leave my temple unattended for much longer.

Please stay a while longer, Master.

That is all right.

General Padal, was it?

Yes.

Thank you for everything.

Thank you, Master. Return safely.

- Brother, - Yes, Master.

Take well care of His Majesty.

I am told you have a big event coming up.

Yes, we built a new Maitreya Temple.

Construction will soon be complete.

I see. Then there will be a celebration, of course.

These soldiers are working very hard. Make sure there

is enough rice and wine for them on the day of the celebration.

Of course, Master. I thought you might ask.

Well then, I must go.

Return safely, Master.

Now I am relieved.

The truth is I've been nervous since the day that monk arrived.

So have we, General.

We were ordered not to over interfere or over restrict them.

Give the guards longer breaks between shifts from now on.

There won't be anymore surprises.

Yes, General.

Master, why must we leave so suddenly?

It is not sudden. The great chance has finally begun.

Pardon, Master?

All of this was foretold from the beginning.

I need you to go to Seung-pyoung.

What is there for me to do in Seung-pyoung?

You will meet General Park Young-kyu and deliver a letter.

Let us talk on the way. We have a long road ahead.

We may need to acquire a horse.

Yes, Master.

It's all over now...

Master Kyungbo is already on his way to deliver my message.

Everything is over. Bekjae is done.

Only thing left todo isto witness Wang Guhn's unification.

And witness the treacherous bastards' doom...

They will die by my hands.

I will kill the bastards that destroyed Bekjae and took away

everything from me...

What? Master Kyungbo is done?

Yes, Your Highness. We just received the report.

Darn...I was counting on him.

His attempt to persuade my father must've failed.

But tried what he could for a while.

He may be the royal prest, but Father isn't one to be

easily persuaded. It will take time.

What is the condition of our troops?

They pledge their loyalty to you with high spirits, Your Highness.

It is time begin positioning ourselves for battle.

At Illi-chun?

Yes. Set aside His Majesty for now.

We must focus all attention on the final battle with Koryo.

We will do so as you advise. This is an ending of an era.

I will command the final battle myself.

Yes, Your Highness. We lack nothing against the enemy.

If we break through Illi, we can advance forward and place

the flag of Bekjae in the northern frontier.

Yes. Let us forget about my father.

Our problem is Koryo. Let us strike Koryo.

- But Your Highness, - Do speak.

All of your subjects are calling for your ascension to the throne

especially the Prime Minister.

Yes, I know.

Prime Minister has assumed the burden of the administration

for you, Your Highness. We require your resolution.

Yes, I know.

From Geum-san Temple?

Yes, General. Master Kyungbo has asked me to deliver this letter.

This is His Majesty's personal handwriting!

Pardon? Is it from my father?

Yes, this is undoubtedly His Majesty's handwriting.

Heavens! "..leave Geum-san Temple and go to Koryo?!?

What do you mean?

He wishes to escape.

Would that be possible? He is being heavily guarded.

He wishes to go to Koryo, Madam, Koryo.

Thank you, please retire and rest.

No, I must be leaving tonight. Master Kyungbo awaits my return.

Return safely.

What am I to do, Madam? This is unthinkable.

His Majesty wishes to escape confinement and go to Koryo.

And he requests my assistance.

He trusted you and turned to you for help. You must help him.

But that would destroy your brothers Shin-guhm, Yang-guhm

and Yong-guhm.

But my father is more important to me. My brothers have deposed

my father and imprisoned him at a temple. It is unforgivable.

Madam.

And they have also cast you out. I cannot forgive them.

Bekjae cannot sustain without my father.

My foolish brothers fell for the coaxing of evil subjects

and destroyed everything. If my father wants to leave

Bekjae and go to Koryo, you must help him.

But Koryo?

Do not hesitate.

My father will do what he wants with or without your help.

You will regret it if you do not help. Help him, sire.

All you have to do is send a few quick men.

You won't be directly involved. Please help him. You must.

Fine. If that is your wish I will not hesitate.

Caretaker!

Yes, sire!

Come in.

I have a rather difficult job for you to do.

No job is too difficult if it is for you, my lord.

Your life lay be put at risk.

Give me your order, my lord.

I need you to take a few of warriors and to go Kimjae.

Yes, my lord.

Leave a few fast men behind. They have another job to do.

Yes, my lord.

Assemble a group at once.

Yes, my lord.

Brink up! It's been too long since we were able to relax.

Yes, I think we were overly tense about guarding the emperor.

Yes. His Majesty can hardly move about in his condition.

But you never know. We must not neglect our duty.

In any case, I am relieved now that Master Kyungbo is gone.

I could not relax having an outsider in the compound.

At last I can sleep at night.

Yes, General.

Let's drink!

Go? Go to Koryo? To Koryo?

I am going to Koryo.

The Great Emperor of Bekjae Kyun-hwon is going to Koryo...

to Koryo...

Shin-guhm, do you know what you've done?

Do you know that I am shedding tears of blood?

Your Majesty...

My son has driven a stake through my heart!

My son is making me shed tears of blood...

That fool!