Original subtitles

[Episode 23]

This is the place where we’ll first ambush them.

They're the thugs we bribed.

They’re all as good as sacrificial lambs.

Hurry up and let’s go!

Yes, sir.

If we let them kill our thugs, they'll keep moving thinking they're safe.

However, our second ambush group will attack them.

Ambush!

Dongsoo, escort His Excellency!

Your Excellency, you must get away from here.

If they save their skin at the first ambush,

they won’t have any other choice but to pass through that deserted village.

Then we’ll behead all of Prince Yi San’s bodyguards.

Then when are you going to kill Prince Yi San?

The procession will likely move through the village.

However, they won’t be able to meet them.

And here, we’ll behead Prince Yi San.

Ambush!

Escort His Excellency!

Escort His Excellency!

Your Excellency!

Your Excellency!

This is a coat of armor.

[Coat of Armor: Made of pitted leather scales from deer skin]

Your Excellency!

I’m alright.

So don’t worry.

Your Excellency!

I’m alright.

So don’t make a commotion.

You, Woon!

Baek Dongsoo, escort His Excellency!

Allow me to escort you, Your Excellency!

I’m coming with you, Your Excellency!

Hurry up and go!

We’ll take care of Woon.

Be careful!

Your Excellency!

Woon, why have you changed like this?

Give up!

No matter how strong you are, you can’t fight all four of us!

Do you think so?

Please, just go away!

At this point, only a few bodyguards or anyone else will be left.

So the ones that lived through the fight

will go here!

They'll run to the relay station for horses. [Kim Hangu]

However, our Grim Reapers will be lying in wait for them at that juncture.

This is the rendezvous point.

Your Excellency, let’s take a brief rest here.

Okay.

I knew you would come first.

Back off!

He’s the Japanese ambassador from Daemado.

Prince Yi San, you should die here.

You villain, is it your governor who sent you here?

Since he doesn’t want to start a war with you,

he wouldn’t have done that.

I told you to back off.

I underestimated you.

I apologize.

Your Excellency, can you handle a sword?

Of course.

You, step back.

Yes.

Your Excellency, despite his physical power,

he has never learned martial arts.

Find his weak point instead of fighting him head to head.

Dongsoo!

Are you okay?

I’ll see you next time then.

Stop there!

Let them go.

What?

Why did you let them get away?

We'll just suffer more casualties.

The security of His Excellency comes first.

That's right.

Your Excellency, are you alright?

Are you okay?

Yes, I’m pretty strong to begin with.

What if we miss our chance to kill Prince Yi San here?

By chance, if all three attempts are met with ill success,

then it will be the relay station.

[Relay Station: Transport and communication agency between the capital and provinces]

[Used for relaying royal orders, carrying out administration and facilitating transportation]

This place will become Prince Yi San's grave site.

The relay station, you say...

You’re late!

Right, something happened...

Woon, that villain...

I was going to control my temper...

But now I can’t.

You scoundrel, how dare you?

Do you want to die here?

You villain, look here!

Execute the royal order!

That’s a relief.

Your Excellency!

Please get up!

It's already over, so don't hold onto regret.

We’re late.

Let’s hurry up!

Your Excellency!

We won’t go to the relay station.

What do you mean?

It'll be safer to take a detour through the mountain.

Did you say relay station?

Aren’t you underestimating your enemies?

I beg your pardon?

What if instead of passing by the relay station, they move through the forest?

I didn’t think that far.

My Lord, to go by the relay station is the shortest path.

And don’t you think they would go there for horses?

I’ll get going.

The queen and I’ll be looking forward to hearing good news from you.

[Relay Station]

We haven’t heard from them by now, so it's certain the plan had a setback.

I’ll get going first.

Hey, you!

I heard you’re the best swordsman aside from

Master Chun and the swordmaster.

How about you clash swords with me?

If you want to die, I won’t stop you.

Do you mean... You’re one level better than Baek Dongsoo?

If you want to challenge me, I’m ready any time you want.

Didn’t you dispatch your soldiers

to the Royal Tomb of the late Crown Prince Hyojang?

[Hyojangneung: Grave of Crown Prince Hyojang (Royal Tomb after King Jeongjo's ascension)]

Local provincial soldiers guard the Royal Tomb of the late Crown Prince Hyojang.

So we can’t do anything there.

He’s going to kill me!

My Lord...

Any way you look at it, it was Baek Dongsoo.

Your Excellency, are you safe?

Yes, it’s all thanks to you.

[Seo Yoodae]

Let’s go, Your Excellency.

His Highness is waiting for you.

Yes.

[King Yeongjo]

So was your journey without any accident?

Yes, Grandfather.

Since you have been registered as the late Crown Prince Hyojang's son,

no one will make an issue of your legitimacy.

He met with His Highness.

[Queen Jeongsun]

Oh my, our Dongsoo rendered a meritorious deed!

I'm so proud of you!

Aunt Jangmi even cooked some meat for you.

I’ll set the table, Officer Hong.

You wench! Listen to you flirt!

You went through a lot of dangers.

Did anyone get hurt?

No, Kwangtaek.

Dongsoo did a great job again!

Do you mean Woon was there?

Yes.

However, he didn’t kill anyone?

He must have been lonely and suffered a great deal.

If you run into him again, you guys should help him.

Help him so he can come back to us.

Do you understand?

Yes.

Woon, why have you changed like this?

Please stop drinking.

Do even you feel I’ve become a monster?

What do you mean?

Did you meet with your old friends?

If this work pains you so, why don’t you just give up doing it?

Are you also telling me people can change their own destiny?

What is destiny?

Please take care of your heart first, Master In!

Kwangtaek, Kwangtaek!

Jiseon, where is Uncle Kwangtaek?

Master Kim went to the palace at dawn.

To the palace? Without saying anything?

What about Dongsoo?

Did he go with him?

Yes.

Since you came to see me,

I suppose you’re here to say goodbye to me.

Yes, Your Highness.

What is the state of your health?

I know my condition better than anyone else.

Please don’t worry about me.

I see.

You told me you wanted to

spend the rest of your life with the woman you love...

Did you confess your feelings to her?

I’ll leave with her and go to a place where no can find us.

I heard you went to greet my grandfather.

I said farewell to your grandfather.

Farewell?

Are you leaving somewhere far away?

Yes.

I will never set foot in the capital again.

I’ll miss you, swordmaster.

Your Excellency, please keep talented men near you and focus on your education.

Please have sympathy for your subjects and establish the law of the country upright.

Please let me hear about your great achievements no matter where I am.

Yes, I’ll become a good king you won't be ashamed of.

Master Kim!

Are you coming back?

Please come back.

You should take good care of His Excellency.

Yes, sir.

I don’t think you'll lose against Chunsoo.

But can't I go with you?

This is something I must do all by myself.

Really...

Aunt Jangmi said she will bring dinner for you.

So she wants you to come home early.

I see.

Where is Jinjoo?

I told her not to go running around.

So she'll be nearby.

Why are you looking for her?

If you have something to tell her, I’ll go get her.

No, it's fine.

Sir...

Jinjoo has something to tell you.

So please give her the chance to tell you before you go.

Something to tell him?

It seems you guys are all hiding something from me.

What are you doing here?

My fa...

Fa?

How is Uncle Kwangtaek doing?

Why don’t you go see him?

Did you do something wrong?

No...

I don’t know what it's about...

But tell him everything before he leaves.

I’m sure he’ll come back safely.

But we don’t know when he’ll come back to us.

At least have a meal.

Mom!

Did you come?

What are you thinking about so intently?

I beg your pardon?

It's nothing...

Everyone is waiting for you inside.

Jinjoo.

Yes?

I don’t want you to use your sword.

If you use a sword, you'll always have blood on your hands.

I want you to live a normal and happy life.

Everyone, please have a seat.

Jangmi made all this.

Samo, why don’t you get married before you get too old?

What are you talking about?

She’s too good for you.

Don’t let her go.

Please stop talking nonsense!

And please come back safely!

I’ll be looking forward to the news that villain Chunsoo lost his head.

Please have a glass of wine.

Okay.

Young miss, are you here?

Please come this way!

Please sit here.

Sheesh, it’s so weird.

Why do you like a tomboy like her?

What?

So what? You look like a shriveled up piece of dried radish.

Who, me?

Dried radish! He looks just like one!

That’s enough!

Please have a glass of wine.

Would you like a glass?

Dongsoo, come with me for a moment.

Master, are you alright?

I’m fine.

You may know this, but when I was young

I made a blood pact with my four best friends.

[Baek Sagoeng (Baek Dongsoo's father)]

[Yeo Chosang]

[Jang Daepo]

And when I met Crown Prince Sado who had dreamed of the northern campaign,

I swore my loyalty to him.

However, I wasn’t able to protect him.

My destiny seems to end here.

Your Excellency!

That was not your fault.

Since he passed away,

I promised myself a thousand times

to protect Prince Yi San until he becomes the next king.

I plan to do the same.

I feel reassured.

Even though I can't stay with His Excellency,

you must protect him.

You’re still strong and healthy.

Why are you speaking as if you were weak?

The world belongs to the younger generation now.

You should serve him and help him build a world worth living in.

There's a chill in the air.

Let’s go back inside.

Master!

What’s wrong with you?

Nothing.

Why are you acting as if I'll never see you again?

Please tell me you will come back.

Life never happens the way we wish it would.

Did you say Master Kim said farewell to His Highness?

Is it true?

Yes, Father.

He had an audience with His Highness the King.

And then he visited Prince Yi San’s residence too.

With the thorn in our side gone, we could easily have Prince Yi San's head...

Prince Yi San's head? Now, watch your mouth!

How many lives do you think you have?

As long as Baek Dongsoo is with him, it won’t be easy.

If Master Chun takes the swordmaster's head, I won’t be disappointed.

However, if Master Kim kills Master Chun and comes back alive,

we have nothing to gain whether he stays in the capital or not.

Then what shall we do?

Of course, we must kill the swordmaster.

This is a contest between the best swordsman and best assassin.

No matter who survives, would he come out whole?

Gaok, who are you waiting for?

Is it Kwangtaek, or me?

What if that girl catches a cold there?

Dongsoo, you go inside first.

Yes, sir.

Didn’t sleep at all?

No, I didn’t.

I don’t want you to send me off.

Master!

Master, thank you for everything.

Your disciple will never forget you until the day I die.

Although that won’t happen...

And shouldn’t happen...

No matter what happens, I’ll wait for you here.

I’ll wait for you, on my knees, until you come back.

So you must come back.

And when you come back, you must stand me up.

Fa...

Fa...

There's a name I haven’t called you yet...

There's a story I haven’t told you yet...

When you come back,

I’ll call you that name as much as I want, Father.

Has Kwangtaek already left?

Captain!

Come!

Is he already gone?

Yes.

He left without saying a word!

The farewell party was pretty loud last night.

I guess he wanted to leave quietly.

I’m not worried he won't take Chunsoo's head.

But how could he leave so lonely like that?

His whole life has been so lonely though.

Even so...

Uncle Samo, this is for you.

What is this?

Samo, my beloved brother!

I’m so sad to leave you behind.

Kwangtaek...

You and Jangmi are alike in so many ways.

If you guys get married,

you’ll live a happy life.

I have always been grateful to you.

As you have taken good care of Gaok, please take care of Jinjoo.

Hong Gukyeong, you’re smart,

however, you often miss the small details.

Make a habit of checking the details before you plan something.

Royal guards are the best warriors in Joseon.

Be proud of yourselves and

risk your lives to protect His Excellency Prince Yi San.

I feel so sorry to both you and your father, Daepo.

I couldn't do enough for you two.

I don’t want you to learn martial arts because I don’t want you to get hurt.

Kwangtaek, really...

Why did he say those things as if he's never coming back?

Jinjoo, Jinjoo!

I wanted to call you this name until my throat grew hoarse.

However, I’m leaving without even calling your name.

Nothing would have made me happier than to be there at your wedding ceremony.

However, I don’t know if that day will come.

Jinjoo, don’t be sad even if I’m not with you.

I’ll be watching over you, holding hands with your mom.

We’ll protect you.

So don’t cry because of your father.

Did Dongsoo say how much longer he’ll stay like that?

I won’t move a step until my master comes back.

That’s not bad.

We don’t have anything to eat for our dinner.

Let’s go fishing.

Do you mean he already left?

Yes.

Do you know where he went?

I don’t know where he went, however,

he seemed headed toward Samgaksan mountain.

I didn’t know you were such a good cook.

My cooking skills improved while cooking for Jinjoo.

Didn’t she say anything to you when you left?

Considering she doesn’t express her feelings out loud,

she’s like her mom.

Please eat!

Keep an eye on that butcher.

Why can't you catch even one fish?

That should be enough.

Let’s go home now.

So you fished without hooks.

He’s on the northern ridge of Mount Samgaksan.

Father, I’ll dispatch soldiers around there.

Send your best archers.

Yes, Father.

If you fail to kill them, you will be executed.

Yes, sir!

Mount Samgaksan?

What are you going to do?

Royal soldiers are no match for them.

Why are you sitting there like that?

I have a bad premonition.

Bad premonition?

Why?

I don’t know.

I just have a bad premonition.

I feel weird, Father.

Nothing will happen.

Don’t you know he’s the best warrior in Korea?

If you wait for him here, he’ll come back soon.

That's not even strong liquor.

It’s because I haven’t drunk in a while.

Aren’t you sick somewhere?

I’m afraid it’s not I, but you who are sick.

Shouldn’t I wait for you until you're in good shape?

Are you worrying about me?

Thank you.

Drink your last glass of wine and let’s get some sleep.

It’s so quiet in the palace.

While it's quiet like this, you should focus on studying Chinese writing.

Yes, Grandfather.

But why is your face so worn with care?

Is it because Master Kim has left?

Yes.

Why didn’t you tell him to stay?

He suffers from stomach cancer. [Banwi: Stomach cancer]

We can’t do anything about it.

I beg your pardon?

Grandfather, did you say stomach cancer?

Master Kim suffers from stomach cancer.

What?

Did you say Master Kim suffers from stomach cancer?

Yes, sir.

We don’t even need a trap to catch the tiger.

That’s not true.

He’ll be looking for a place to die.

If he’s going to die anyhow...

Withdraw your archers immediately!

I beg your pardon?

Now...

Yes, sir.

Why are you withdrawing?

If he’s going to die anyhow, they say nothing good comes of stirring the pot.

Dongsoo!

Dongsoo...

Dongsoo, Lord Kim suffers from...

Did you say stomach cancer?

His Highness the King told Prince Yi San so.

Then how will he kill Chunsoo in his condition?

At this rate, Master Kim will get killed by Master Chun.

Shouldn’t we go and stop the fight?

Where do I have to go to see Master Kim?

Captain, tell me the truth.

I don’t know...

Captain!

I don’t know!

Samo!

Dongsoo!

Let go of me!

I'm going with you.

The weather's fine today.

Go ahead and drink.

Are you ready?

Are you alright?

Do you want to rest for a bit?

I’m fine.

Why don’t we get some fresh air?

Show my scar to Dongsoo.

Uncle Kwangtaek left so many things to Dongsoo.

Did you say you will take Master Chun's head?

If you have a good idea, let’s talk about it together.

Is this enough for you?

I can feel the heavy burden my father carried all his life.

This is will come to harm you.

Have this spear melted and destroyed!

Shoot!