Original subtitles

Shin-guhm, you haven't left the imperial city!

No, Father

Why not?

I am forced to step up and take Your Majesty's place, as your

illness and old age weakens the order of the state.

What?

How could I leave when villainous subjects are trying to undermine

our foundation and belittle the royal house?

So I took it upon myself to suppress them.

What?

I launched a revolution to punish the treacherous mob.

Father, forgive me for this belated report of the execution

of tresonous subjects.

Belated report of the execution?

Who did you kill?

I've executed Brother Geum-kang who wickedly coveted the throne

and Vice Prime Minister Choi Seung-woo his aide.

What? Geum-kang? The Vice Prime Minister?

Yes, Father.

How could you?

No, this can't be true. You couldn't have killed

your own brother and the Vice Prime Minister of this state.

It is true.

True? True, you say?

Your Majesty, Prince Shin- guhm reports the truth.

The revolutionary army has seized control of the city, and the

entire kingdom is preparing for the enthronement of the new king.

Neungyae, how could you!

What? The enthronement of the new king?

Yes, the new king will take over the kingdom, as Your Majesty's

illness is grave.

Yes, Father. I've stepped forward to preserve the glory

of this kingdom you have built.

Forgive me. You will be sent to a peaceful retreat where

you will live out your life in comfort.

You bastard!

This can't be true!

Geum-kang can't be dead! Vice Prime Minister can't be dead!

Where is General park whom I put in charge of the military?

You bastard! Did you kill your brother-in-law as well?

I spared his life as his crimes were lesser than the others.

Father, you must leave now.

Leave? Where would I go?

Shin-guhm, are you in your right mind?

How could you no matter how much you wanted the throne?

Forgive me, Your Majesty. We must escort you out.

- Escort the emperor! - Yes!

Let Go! Let go of me at once!

Shin-guhm, how could you!

The carriage is ready. He will be taken directly to Geum-san

Temple from here under General Padal's care. This way -

Let go of me! I am the Empress Dowager! Let go of me!

Prince Geum-kang! My son Geum-kang is tp be the Emperor!

Where is he? Geum-kang!

Wretched wench... The Empress Dowager?

Your Highness!

What did you say? Did you call yourself the Empress Dowager?

Geum-kang is to be the Emperor?

Your Highness! Please spare his life!

Please spare Geum-kang!

The criminals have already been executed.

What? Is my son already dead?

Your Majesty! Your Majesty

Our son Geum-kang is dead! Your Majesty...

Empress, did you take part in this affair as well?

Yes, Your Majesty.

You miserable...!

I've watched the destruction you father's dotage caused.

You inherited his folly. It was my duty to support

the revolution for the future of the kingdom.

You brought this on yourself.

Empress! How could you!

I've spared Madam Kobe's life so that you may have someone

to look after you. It is my last act of kindness.

That vicked wench!

Take him.

Yes, Your Highness

Send Madam Kobe and her servants with him.

Yes.

And the royal physicien to look after him as well.

Yes.

Escort the emperor!

Father, rest comfortably.

Shin-guhm, you bastard!

Rest comfortably...

Forward!

His Majesty's time has done. The world is yours now.

Expedite the enthronement.

How could he! How could he!

And so, Kyun-hwon was deposed from the throne of his own making

by his son. Historical records depict this moment like this:

"Kyun-hwon was in bed when he heard loud cries from the palace

garden. Upon inquiry about the noise, Shin-guhm replied,

'Warriors rejoice as I, the eldest of your sons, have come

to replace the wintry king who brings disorder to the kingdom.'

Soon after, he sent his father to Geum-san Temple and had Padal

and 30 other warriors guard him."

What in heavens could be happening?

This is so frustrating!

It's a rebellion. Many are certain to have lost their lives.

We could be next. Am I right, General Park?

Yes. They held nothing back when they rallied the regional armies

for this. Chances are they won't let us live.

This required a long planning, but they kept us in the dark.

That's right. They left us out and plotted all this on

their own. But why?

Should't they have at least discussed it with us?

Her majesty the Empress!

Hear me, subjects.

Prolonged illness has rendered His Majesty unfit to administer

the state affairs. But the regime must be preserved.

As the elder of the royal house, I have asked the eldest prince

Shin-guhm to lead the state. So be noted of this fact.

Yes, Your Highness. Your grace is immeasurable.

I appear before you now to expedite the restoration of

order and to declare that the revolution was both appropriate

and indispensable. I hope for no misinterpretation.

Yes, Your Highness.

His Majesty has been moved to a place of convalescence

where he will continue to receive treatment.

Consequently, Prince Shin-guhm will rule this regime hereafter.

Discuss and report the necessary procedures.

Yes, Your Highness.

The revolution is a success and His Majesty has left the palace.

The throne remains vacant. Ascend to the throne, Your Highness.

Ascend to the throne.

Ascend to the throne.

The enthronement is not imperative.

The people do not understand why this had to happen.

The throne is already mine. I will ascend once I have

acquired full understanding and acceptance of my people.

No, Your Highness. The throne cannot be left vacant.

Ascend, Your Highness.

No. Father is gone and Geum-kang and Vice Prime Minister is dead.

I will stabilize the state and ascend to the throne properly.

This is unecessary, Your Highness.

No, Prime Minister.

I tolerated tremendous pain to win His Majesty's approval

but failed. But I do not want people to say that I expropriated

the throne from my father.

This kingdom is already mine. I am the master of Bekjae.

Are there objections?

No, Your Highness.

Then adhere to my wish. It will not take long.

I will restore order and stability before ascending

to the throne. Until then, my father will remain the

symbol of the state. That is my wish. Any objections?

We will abide by your wish, Your Highness.

A king must possess virtue first and foremst. I had no choice but

to take a few lives, but the rest will be treated with mercy.

The commander of the miltary agency who is also my brother-

in-law will be sent back to his homestead.

Prime Minister, please handle this matter personally.

Yes, Your Highness.

And give Generals Yaesul and Kim Chong a chance to serve

the new government.

Yes, Your Highness.

We must work hard together to rebuild the country.

We must kave internal stability in order to fight our final

fight with Koryo. And I need your support.

Let us revive this kingdom together.

And rally unified support of the regional lords as well.

Your grace is immeasurable, Your Highness.

Shin-guh's revolution was a success, but he did not ascend

to the throne right away. He needed time to justify his

actions and win acceptance of the public and the regional lords.

So he cautiously turned down the throne and acquired only

the real power.

I am here to relay the order of the kingdom's new master.

General Park is to return to your homestead immediately.

What happened to the emperor?

He has left the city for recuperation.

How about Prince Geum-kang and Vice Prime Minister?

The criminals have been executed.

Executed?

Yes. They are criminal of high treason who attempted to seize

the throne. His Highness orders General Yaesul and Kim Chong to

join the new order. Go to the assembly hall immediately.

Our lives are spared. We've done nothing wrong after all.

Prince Geum-kang alone got out of line. Right?

I suppose...I am thoroughly confused...

Unbelievable...The world has changed overnight...

This can't be happening. It has to be a dream...

Geum-kang is dead...Vice Prime Minister is dead...

His Majesty is anxious! Speed it up!

Bastard...

It won't be long, Your Majesty. Geum-san Temple is not far.

Speed up the cortege! Hustle!

I am asking the two generals for help.

It is for the country.

General Yaesul? General Kim Chong?

...Yes, Your Highness

I had no other choice. It was for the country.

We must contend with Koryo and that is why I made this decision.

But, of course. I just wish I had been made aware sooner.

But I will support you to the best of my ability.

Thank you.

General Yaesul, do I have your support?

Bekjae needs you.

Isn't it your wish to crush Yu Geumpil of Koryo?

Yu Geumpil?

Help me.

Well, how could I defy you if your purpose is to defeat Koryo?

I will serve the new order. And I will crush Yu Geumpil.

Thank you both.

Thank you. You are the pillars of this state.

Indeed you are.

There is much to be done. We must reorganize the

military and devise our strategy to defeat Koryo.

Our border has been pushed back to Il-li after our defeat in Unju.

Any further regress ion would signal the fall of the kingdom.

We are at a critical juncture. The military must perform.

Yes, General Shin.

We are rewriting history. Together we will unify the

peninsula and realize the dream His Majesty failed to fulfill.

Speed it up! How much further to Geum-san Temple?

We're almost here. It's right up ahead.

Oh, there it is!

Is the head priest expecting us?

Yes, General. It's a classified affair, so arrangements are made

in strict secrecy.

Yes, of course. Move along.

Welcome.

We've prepared a secluded villa in the woods for you.

Lead us.

Yes. This way-

His Majesty has arrived.

Feed the furnace and prepare the bath water.

Yes, Master.

Let's go!

Attention, monks and soldiers,

we've been assigned a special task to take care of the

ailing Emperor.

His Majesty's movements are matters of absolute secrecy.

Anyone who reveals his whereabouts will be punished

by death.

So let your monks be warned, Master.

Yes, General.

Soldiers, you will guard this villa around the clock.

His Majesty must not be allowed to take one step out of that

gate, or you will pay for your negligence with your life.

No one is permitted to leave this yard including Madam Kobe,

escorts, attendants and all imperial servants. Is that clear?

Yes, General.

Return to your posts and carry out your duty.

You may go.

...Yes. Well then -

Your Majesty, please have some food. You haven't eaten all day.

How could I eat?

But you must eat and get your strength back.

Get my strength back?

I lost my kingdom and my son is dead.

Vice Prime Minister my lifelong friend is dead.

Geum-kang is dead...Vice Prime Minister is dead...

Your Majesty...

I built Bekjae with my blood, sweat and tears,

and that bastard Shin- guhm is destroying it...

That bastard...

So this is how it ends... Bekjae will collapse...

So this is how Wang Guhm seizes the Three Kingdoms...

What? A military overthrow?

A military overthrow in Bekjae, you say?

Yes, Your Majesty.

That is the report from our informants in Bekjae.

King Kyun-hwon's fourth son whom he selected as heir to

his throne was killed as well as Bekjae's military strategist

Choi Seung-woo.

Unbelievable!

Royal advisor,

Yes, Your Majesty.

your astrological forecast is truly amazing.

Thank you.

Just as you predicted, there was a rebellion in Bekjae.

But how about King Kyun-hwon?

Is there anything you can tell us about him?

Judging from his birth details, he is still alive.

His lifeline has not reached its end yet.

Is that right?

Prince Shin-guhm has seized royal power, but there are no report of

King Kyun-hwon's death. I will render further investiigation.

Our greatest enemy Bekjae has undergone a political change.

We must discuss our next move.

Yes, let us discuss the matter with the subjects.

Yes, Your Majesty.

What? An emergency meeting has been called a the assembly hall?

Yes, Your Highness. It appears to concern a pressing matter.

A pressing matter? Is this a domestic problem?

I don't believe so, Your Highness.

But subjects of all ranks have been summoned.

It must be something very important...

In passing I heard it is about an event that occured in Bekjae.

An event in Bekjae? What could that be?

There has been a military overthrow in Bekjae.

Such was the predictionof the royal, and indication

of trouble was evident. It's time we had an official

discussion. What is your opinion, General Yu?

Confusion in enemy state is good news for us, Your Majesty.

I urge you closer in-depth investigation.

We've won consecutive victories againstBekjae and pushed back

their line of defense to Il-li.

Why not seize this chance to deliver a decisive blow?

Yes, Your Majesty. I believe this is the perfect opportunity.

So do I, Your Majesty. Allow us to take up arms.

Bekjae is facing a crisis, Father.

The time is now for unification.

Allow us to move the troops, Your Majesty.

But Your Majesty, a change in enemy state does not necessarily

mean our benefit.

Like General Yu said, further investigation is due.

I agree.

It will not be too late to act after learning all the facts.

Your Majesty, Master kyungbo has told us that the time was

drawing near. Perhaps that time is now.

Yes, perhaps you should send another envoy to Oakryong

Temple in Mt Bekgae.

An excellent suggestion. We should consult with master

Kyungbo once more while continuing our investigation in Bekjae.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Permit me to go this time, Your Majesty.

You, General Wang Choong?

Your Majesty, if you would allow this old man the honor, General

Wang and I will visit Master Kyungbo together and closely

examinate the state of Bekjae.

But you are the Imperial Guardian of this state.

Besides, the travel is too long for a man of your age.

Give me your permission, as I am still strong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The Imperial Guardian is still in sound health.

His visit would display your respect for Master Kyungbo.

That is true. Are you sure you do not mind, Imperial Guardian?

I would be honored. I may be seventy years old, but

I am as fit as a man in his twenties.

Well then, General Wang Choong will accompany you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Shift of power in bekjae does not necessarily mean our benefit.

It is possible they could become stronger.

We must strengthen our defense and be on alert.

Yes, Your Majesty.

An overthrow...Killed his on brother and seized control....

How is that humanly possible? In any event, let us gather

more information about Bekjae and pay Master Kyunbo another visit.

The royal advisor will go as well.

As you wish, Your Majesty.

The royal guards will proceed with the intelligence efforts,

and the military agency will put the troops on alert.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The unification is around the corner.

A military overthrow...

It's proof that Bekjae is finally starting to crumble.

Yes, I believe so. Don't you agree, Advisor Choi?

We've worked tirelessly for decades for unification.

The opportunity is finally knocking at His Majesty's door.

Test your augury on Master Kyungbo.

Look into his heart and see why he helps our kingdom.

I may have yeyes for divination and astrology, but I'd be struck

by lightening if I tried to steal aglance into a high monk's heart.

I guess even a divine prodigy has fears.

There was an overthrow, Master. No one knows the whereabouts of

King Kyun-hwon, and his son Geum-kang was killed.

Was anyone else hurt? My guess is there was.

Yes, Master. Vice Prime Minister Choi Seung-woo was killed as well.

He has asked me about the future on his last visit with the king.

The king did not understand my reply, but Sir Choi did.

Merciful Buddha...

What do you mean?

Master Dosun's prophecy is coming true...

The time has come.

What a pity..The king of Bekjae was a rare hero.

But these are limitations of mortals...

A man cannot see the future no matter how great his strength.

Merciful Buddha...

A son tears down the tower of virtue that his father

has built...The sun finally sets on Bekjae...

There are no reports of resistance from regional powers.

That was our greatest fear.

We have issued a statement that the emperor is in a

retreat for convalescence.

You were wise to ease into power by taking proper steps

instead of rushing to the throne, Your Highness.

But to rule the kingdom, the throne must not be weakened.

I advise you to ascend to the throne without delay.

I will not rush.

Koryo is watching us waiting for the right moment to strike.

We could not defend ourselves unless the throne is occupied

and stability is restored.

Koryo will not be quick to move. We have our eyes on them as well.

How is my father?

General padal is keeping him safe abd comfortable.

I just hope he comes around and gives us cooperation.

He does not understand me. He does not understand...

Forgive me, Your Majesty.

I must drain out the puss every day.

What can I do when you say there is no other way?

Go ahead. Either my back will give or that carbuncle will burst.

This is awful, Your Majesty...

What is a measly carbuncle when a son steals his father's

throne, locks him up at a temple and kills his own brother?

Squeeze it out! Give it all you've go!

Forgive me, Your Majesty..

Yes, do it! Squeeze it out!

Harder! Harder!