Original subtitles

[Episode 18]

I, Baek Dongsoo,

receive the royal command.

Being a royal horseman will allow you

to gain easy access to the palace.

So get to the bottom

of the incident promptly.

Yes, Your Highness!

The fake ginseng was

supplied by the Black Assassins.

The queen fell unconscious

after drinking the fake ginseng tea.

So this incident not only poses a problem to me,

but also to your Black Assassins organization.

Don't you think so?

Do you know your wrecked ship

contained 1,000 pounds of our fake ginseng and 500 rolls of fabric?

In consequence, we endured enormous financial loss.

Moreover, the queen fell unconscious.

If the incident blows up further, there's sure to be greater damage.

That's why I'm asking for your opinion.

What are you going to do about it?

Your Highness, are you alright?

[Queen Jeongsun]

What happened to me?

[Kim Hangu (Queen Jeongsun's father]

You fainted after drinking the ginseng tea the prince served you.

Listen.

Yes, Your Highness!

I have not woken up yet.

I beg your pardon?

Do I have to repeat it?

You heard me, so leave.

Yes, Your Highness.

Father, since I skipped a meal, I'm hungry.

What should I do?

So the Black Assassins will withdraw from this matter.

What did you say?

In the first place, we didn't take the initiative on this.

And since the warship was wrecked,

the government should take care of this case.

Although the loss of ginseng

and hemp is unfortunate, anyhow, they cannot be recovered.

If I'm wrong, please tell me.

You received the royal command, so you must do your best.

Yes, Master.

Sir, I'm sure I can be of help in revealing the truth of this incident.

No, it's too dangerous.

Please don't refuse.

At least once, I would like to be of help you.

Do as she says.

She's sure to be of help.

What's wrong with him?

I have no idea, either.

By tomorrow, I'll be normal.

I'll be my old self again.

Then I won't leave them alone.

I'll kill them all one by one in the cruelest and most painful ways.

How is your wound?

Get ready to leave.

I'm not eating this because it's good.

I'm only eating because

I need to get better to get out of here faster.

Mister...

What's the matter?

How many people have you killed with that sword?

What do you want to know?

Never mind.

Don't answer me.

Do you want to say you're sorry for the lives taken by this sword?

Or do you just want to say that

the smell of blood from my body is disgusting?

I just wanted to say that I feel sorry for my mom.

Are you going somewhere?

Yes.

First, I want to look into the ginseng transactions by the merchants.

Are you going to accompany him?

Yes.

Then I'll see you later.

Okay.

If you're going to the marketplace, take Miso with you.

Since she knows the market well, she'll be useful.

Hurry up and put away your stuff.

I'll wait for you here.

What's the matter?

I'm so proud of Dongsoo.

But for some reason,

a part of me feels empty and misses the old immature Dongsoo.

Young miss, let's go.

How do you feel?

The poison is still in her body.

To you sir, I'm always indebted.

How are you?

Young miss, come quickly, it's over there!

Mister, how is your business going?

What nice ginseng this is!

I just received this ginseng.

This is the best ginseng in Joseon. Here, smell it.

It's really nice.

Young miss!

Where was this ginseng brought from?

Seeing you recognize good ginseng,

you must know something about herbal medicine.

You don't seem to be from the police bureau.

Who are you?

Hey...

My lady just wants to ask you something!

We're not here to accuse you. So don't worry and please tell us.

Yes.

This item is exclusively reserved for the merchants of this marketplace.

However, this ginseng is...

This is Gyeongju ginseng to be sent to the palace.

[Nasam: High-quality ginseng from Gyeongju]

What?

Hong Gukyeong took the used ginseng grounds?

Yes.

You're just asking to hasten your death.

I have no other choice but to kill you.

You, who felt responsible for

preparing the ginseng tea, decided to commit suicide.

Lord!

How could you do this to me?

The messenger hasn't arrived yet?

Excuse me?

No, he hasn't arrived yet.

He is late.

By now, there should be lines of merchants here.

I don't think they will come today again.

Haven't you heard?

Heard what?

The queen collapsed after she drank tea made from the fake ginseng.

[Josam: Imitation ginseng made from Bellflower]

What?

The queen?

That's right...

Are you waiting here for the merchant ship that brings ginseng?

Who are you?

I beg your pardon?

Did you say a warship and not a merchant ship?

How do you know it was a warship?

Because there were navy seamen on the board.

I have to go back to the palace for further investigation.

Young miss, you should go home.

It stinks of burnt ginseng.

What are you doing here?

Why are we burning this precious ginseng?

I'm sure that's ginseng.

It's probably the fake ginseng brought into the place.

What shall we do?

It looks like all of it.

It's not all of it.

Come with me.

What did you say? [King Yeongjo]

You said the warship was wrecked?

Your Highness, it wasn't even a small to mid-sized warship,

[Geodoseon: Small and fast warship constructed like a barge]

but a large vessel which can hold 100 soldiers and 800 sacks of grain.

[Maengseon: Large, mid-sized and small vessels used in battle during Joseon]

Therefore, unless it was

a cannonball, the warship

could not have been cut in two.

So it seems certain that

the ship was attacked by foreigners.

Did you say foreigners?

That's correct, Your Highness.

I've received a report that Japanese piracy has been more frequent these days.

If the Japanese pirates are involved, it's not a simple matter to pass over lightly.

Minister of Defense, you should thoroughly investigate this incident.

Yes, Your Highness.

Lord Hong!

Do you really think Japanese pirates are involved in this incident?

Of course.

Other than them, who would dare do such a thing?

Surely, the ship that transported

ginseng from Gyeongsangdo is not the wrecked ship in question.

How can you speak of it as fact without confirming whether it is true?

By the way, how is the queen doing?

She's still unconscious.

It is a grave problem.

She must recover as soon as possible.

Then for now.

Do you think the power in your hands will last forever?

It won't be long.

It surely won't be long.

How are you still laying like this?

Hurry and get well soon!

Grandmother!

She's still unconscious.

Grandmother, I came to give you greetings.

Please recover quickly and welcome your grandson.

Who sent you here?

No one sent us, sir.

We simply received a report that someone is living in this abandoned house.

So we came here to check.

Don't come back here again.

My lady, are you thinking about Jinjoo?

Like Chunsoo, she has a long life line.

Don't worry about her.

How do you feel?

I feel much better.

I hear the palace is in an uproar.

Yes, the queen fainted

after she drank fake ginseng tea.

Fake ginseng?

Yes.

The fake ginseng brought into the palace will have been supplied

by the Black Assassins through the Minister of Defense.

Really?

Things are getting more complicated.

This wooden board is birch used mainly in building the ship's hull

and this arrow is the kind used by the Japanese.

So where did you get them?

These are parts of the training equipment used for our military.

Training equipment?

But Lord, what are you going to use them for?

We should always be one step ahead.

Do you understand?

Ah, yes!

Are you sure this arrow was shot by Japanese pirates?

And this wooden board came from the wrecked ship?

Yes, Your Highness.

Considering the material

of this wooden board, it came from the wrecked warship.

As for the arrow, that is

none other than the arrow Japanese pirates use.

However, the tip of this arrow is rusted.

Your Highness, metal arrowheads

rust easily when exposed to salt water and oxidize in less than a day.

Your Highness, this is clearly a provocation and threat to Joseon.

However, this evidence alone isn't enough to accuse the Japanese.

Select former navy officers

and investigate this affair more thoroughly.

I, the Minister of Defense, Hong Daejoo,

will put my life on the line to find out the truth of this incident.

You do that.

Your Highness, I have one request to ask of you.

What is it?

Your Highness!

Lady-in-waiting Kim committed suicide by hanging herself.

What did you say?

Since the queen fell ill because of the tea she made for her,

she must have killed herself taking responsibility for it.

Who are you?

My name is Hong Gukyeong. I'm a government officer.

I'm executing the royal order of His Excellency the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince?

May we see the ginseng you store here in the royal pharmacy?

Ginseng is so precious that we don't use it often.

However, we have about 10 pounds of ginseng here.

Your Excellency, considering they burned the used ginseng grounds

in the royal kitchen, I'm sure the queen drank tea made from fake ginseng.

Plus, ginseng from Gyeongju is sold in the market place.

[Nasam: High-quality ginseng from Gyeongju province]

And merchants were waiting for

the wrecked warship to buy imitation ginseng.

In consequence,

the wrecked warship is closely related to this fake ginseng incident.

They're clearly linked.

Please don't worry, Your Highness.

I will look into the matter further and report to you.

As for the suicide of lady-in-waiting Kim, I'll look into it.

Please do so.

Yes, Your Highness.

Why have you not ask about that young lady for a while?

Did something happen to her?

No, sir.

I wondered if you had let her go from your heart.

She's not someone I can let go of.

These are the used ginseng grounds.

Where did this come from?

This is part of what

Hong Gukyeong took from the royal kitchen.

Lord Hong and that young lady are closely tied.

And she, who is knowledgeable about ginseng,

must have realized that this is fake ginseng.

I've prepared a place in the ship going to Anheung.

If you need it, just let me know.

Thank you, but there's no need.

You don't need to be involved any further.

Guhyang, give me some wine!

Give me some wine!

She looked at me as if I was a leper.

You brat, have you also forgotten your manners?

If Master Chun saw you begging for your life, he wouldn't be able to hold in his laughter.

Yes, it's laughable.

Even I think I'm laughable.

Go ahead and laugh.

In return, bring me some wine.

I don't even need any appetizers.

I need strong liquor to keep me drunk all night...

Give me some strong liquor!

Give it to me before you go!

What do you think a disabled person can do?

I got to have some wine at least!

All you have left to do is find solid evidence and close this case.

Did you say the warship was wrecked off Anheung?

Yes.

Go.

Once you get there, you'll find the answer.

Yes, I understand.

I'll go with him.

If you go, who will run your business?

Jinjoo can run the business in my place.

Even so, what help will you be there?

Although I could be of help.

I'm knowledgeable about ginseng, so I'll definitely be able to help.

Then go.

It'd be better than sending Dongsoo alone.

Yes, sir.

Then I'll leave with the lady tomorrow.

We'll have to leave early tomorrow morning.

So please get ready by then.

Then we'll be back.

Okay.

Kwangtaek, those two, don't they look great together?

Jinjoo!

Mister!

Back off!

Get back!

Stay inside!

Did you hide treasure or something?

Yes, treasure more precious than my life.

Today, I'll have to cut your life short.

Are you sure you can do it?

Follow me!

Hurry and get away!

I won't die!

I have no intention of dying and leaving my daughter behind.

Hurry and go!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom, Mom!

Mom, stay with me!

Mom!

Now, is this enough?

Baby, take your mother and get up.

Mom, get up!

Get up!

One thing is for sure.

Between you and me, one of us will make his grave here.

Then it won't be mine. It'll be your grave.

Mom!

My baby, I'm okay.

Mom!

Mom, get up!

How about we stop for today.

It'll take three to four days to cut your throat.

I'll be back...

Stay with me, Mom.

Mister, please save my mom's life!

Go call for a doctor.

Yes!

Mom, I'll be right back.

Gaok.

Then it should take at least 15 days.

That's right.

In my opinion, you're the biggest problem.

What?

Don't you think so?

The capital has been quiet all along.

How is it that, as soon as you come back, all kinds of accidents pop up everywhere?

Don't you know the expression

“A pear drops when the crow flies from the tree”?

Sheesh, are you showing off your knowledge in front of me?

The ship's arrived!

Stop right there! Stop!

I got on just in time!

Why did you change your mind overnight?

I need you to answer my question first.

So you want me to guarantee her safety, right?

I will.

Lord Hong, you must keep your promise without fail.

You go first.

I'll follow you.

You look great together.

By chance, do you know... that tomboy?

Tomboy?

Hwang Jinjoo?

Ah, yes!

Hwang Jinjoo, right. Jinjoo!

Give it to me quickly!

Here you are. You shouldn't run if you can help it.

Yes, goodbye!

Oh my...

These lovely legs...

If you run like that, your wound will get worse.

You startled me!

What are you doing here?

I don't have time to play with you.

Then!

Please take it easy and walk slowly.

But that man... What is she doing here?

When I saw her two days ago, she had hurt her ankle.

Is she alright now?

I heard she's in Kaeseong now.

I beg your pardon?

Did you say Kaeseong?

I heard he sent Jinjoo to Kaeseong...

Something must have happened to her.

Where is Gaok?

Do you mean... The Crown Prince sent you here?

Yes, the Crown Prince ordered me to assist you two.

Do you at least have an ability that will be of help?

I do draw quite well!

[Seo Yoodae]

What are you burning on a hot day like this?

It's nothing.

It smells like some kind of medicinal herbs.

Are you perhaps Admiral Seo Yoodae?

Yes, I am.

I'm the Mayor of Anheung.

What brings you here?

There is something you should check.

It looked so suspicious that I stored it for the time being.

What is it?

It's gone!

It was full of ginseng.

Ginseng?

Yes, sir!

Why does this case stink?

It seems I'll have to interrogate

every thug in your prison to get to the bottom of this.

You fools! [Anheung Police Bureau]

Is it true the warship was wrecked because of Japanese pirates?

If you tell what you saw as it happened, everything will be alright!

You fools!

This place is far from Jeju Island

where Japanese pirates are often seen pillaging.

So I already know they're not interested in this place!

Why would they come all the way

here to pillage a warship at that?

Tell me the truth!

Don't say anything.

Otherwise, I'll take it that you want to die.

The warship sank just after the crack of the canon!

It was Japanese pirates for certain!

It was Japanese pirates!

You fools!

This is your last chance!

If you lie to me, it won't be unfair if I kill you on the spot!

So give answer me straight!

Admiral, spare us!

Spare us!

Tell me the truth.

Was it really Japanese pirates who destroyed our warship?

Yes, sir.

You scoundrel!

Did you think you'd be able to avoid death?

For having lied to me, you will have to pay for your crime.

You scoundrel!

Stop!

With what cause are you trying to behead them?

What brings you here?

Admiral Seo Yoodae, receive the royal order.

Alright, Admiral Seo Yoodae will be

suspended from his post until this incident is clarified.

First, we have to look

for the eyewitnesses.

Listen, I have a question for you.

He's an interesting man.

Yes.

However, shouldn't we go to the police station first?

It'd be useless to go there.

In a case like this, they're either deeply involved or possibly being threatened.

There's an old man who works every day

near the place where the warship was wrecked.

You must have found the boxes washed up by the waves.

No, there aren't any.

Do you want to live?

Excuse me?

Yes, sir.

Leave this place right away!

If I see you again, you'll be a dead man.

Yes, sir!

Sir, let me ask you a question.

Old man, what brings you here?

You little brat, what are you doing here?

Don't tell me you retired here after quitting your beacon station job.

You rascal, you still haven't come to your senses.

Suspended?

Do you mean the Minister of Defense himself came down here?

That's right!

That's how I was suspended in person!

You've been suspended from your post as admiral.

How can you laugh?

In my lifetime, this is the third time I've been dismissed already.

Now that our only eyewitness has disappeared,

it will be hard to find any evidence.

Baek Dongsoo?

Yes, sir.

I was trailing Admiral Seo and he was there!

What is he doing here?

And he's with that nun girl and another man.

What do you want me to do?

Kill them.

You...

Don't say anything.

What about Jinjoo?

She's safe.

Don't worry about her.

I'm sorry.

Jinjoo, that child...

She's... Not your daughter.

I told you not to say anything.

It doesn't matter even if she's not my daughter.

It was her who made my dying heart beat again.

That's enough.

Gaok, you asked me to protect her, didn't you?

I...

I know I'm going to die.

I have a favor to ask you.

Do you miss Kwangtaek?

In my heart, there has been only you.

But in your heart, there is only Kwangtaek.

It's okay.

Thank you.

Please hurry!

Gaok!

Sir...

Why are you looking at me like that?

Be a little stronger.

Didn't I want it so much?

Didn't I ask you to come with me?

It's not too late.

Hurry and get up.

And be with me!

I can't let you go!

You can't go!

I won't let you go!

Thank you.

No, you can't...

You can't go...

I wanted to be like the wind.

With you... I wanted to leave for the mountains, fields, and sea together.

With you... I wanted to leave for the mountains, fields, and sea together.

Will you do that with me?

You can't!

You can't.

You can't leave like this!

Gaok!

Gaok! Gaok!

Gaok! Gaok!

Please stay here tonight.

Then why don't we have a drink between us guys?

You'd better rest tonight.

Let's do that then.

I don't want to cause a disturbance.

Your life will end first.

Are you not able to sleep?

Why are you still up at this time?

It's dangerous here.

Since you are not sleeping, how can I sleep comfortably?

You must be tired from the long boat journey.

Why don't you go in and get some rest?

I don't want to...

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

It was just my imagination.

Yes.

Sir, did you come here with the Minister of Defense?

Yes.

Can't you just go back?

I'm also just doing my job.

Sir!

I know this is not what you wanted to do.

You don't have to stay with them anymore.

The only place where I can stay is with the Black Assassins.

What?

You couldn't even kill one person?

I'm sorry.

Because Master In got in the way.

Do you mean Yeo Woon?

Lord Hong, you must keep your promise without fail.

We're going back to the capital tomorrow.

Now, end this case.

What do you mean by end this case?

Get rid of the source of possible troubles.

Kill them all.

Fire, fire!

Admiral, the Minister of Defense seems to be suspicious.

All the large quantities of ginseng have disappeared

from the marketplace since he arrived here.

Mayor, sir!

My lady, why are you wandering around in the middle of the night?

I was just taking some fresh air.

Forgive me.

Sir!

Admiral!

Aren't you?

Admiral, all my seamen were killed in their prison cells.

What did you say?

Then how did you save your life?

Just tell the truth.

Is it you, Yeo Woon?

Your bloodthirst is overpowering.

Lord Hong, I've spilled too much blood.

How could those words come from the mouth of an assassin like you?

But why didn't you keep your promise?

Are we talking about that woman?

Do you risk your life for a woman?

Today, I'll take your life.