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~ Episode 31 ~

Deokman!

Deokman!

Deokman...

Mother?!

Mother.

Mother!

Deokman!

Mother!

Deokman...

Deokman...

It is you, right?

You are my mother, right?!

Where have you been?

Where?

Deokman...

I thought you had perished.

That you suffocated...

That the desert storm had killed you.

It didn't.

I survived.

I was alive.

Aigoo...

She even speaks, now.

Tell me about it.

Seeing Her Highness must have helped her speak again.

- Mother... - Deokman.

Mother...

She managed to meet her, in all safety!

Tell me about it.

That is such a relief...

What a relief!

So, indeed, was she truly...

the other twin princess?!

Deokman...

Mother. Now tell me.

What happened to you?

You look lovely.

Like a princess.

Mother.

I said speak to me.

Later.

Chilsuk, I saw that man come.

Did you come back together?

What happened to you? How did you become princess?

Mother...

He was the one who saved me.

What?

Chilsuk?!

When I fell into those quicksands,

he clasped that rope.

He did?

So he struggled to catch you until the very end?

I cannot say...

Must have been in the frenzy of the moment.

So, what happened? What?

Deokman.

What?

This all...

whelms me with such happiness and joy,

it does not even feel real.

Mother.

Let us talk about that later.

Later...

Yes, Mother.

I will do as you wish, Mother.

How did you regain your speech, and manage to escape from Mishil?

Indeed... I wandered far and wide,

but not finding you was afflicting me with remorse.

Sire...

Go ahead and tell me.

Her Highness is not aware of all my vicissitudes, is she?

That I returned to the palace,

was captured by Lady Mishil...

You are right.

She doesn't.

Then...

I wish for things to remain as such.

It brings you concern.

Should Deokman learn of your being taken here,

and of what Lord Eulje and Mishil did to you,

and all the quandaries you had to suffer...

Her Highness is now a princess.

Concern for a lowly slattern like myself shall not becloud her thoughts.

Even her childhood was spent worrying about her wretched mother.

She grew up like a man, an adult.

Your Majesty might have entrusted her to my care,

but Her Highness was actually...

the one who looked after me.

Don't say that.

It is what filled her with vehement resolve.

She is so fierce,

resilient...

You raised her like a princess.

Sohwa.

You have my utmost...

my sincerest gratitude.

Should I even devote the rest of my days to requite it,

how could your benevolence be ever compensated?!

My gratitude, Sohwa.

My gratitude.

Her Highness met Sohwa?!

Yes... That is what happened.

And how did you manage to allow...

That... Suddenly, a man appeared before us.

It was Munno.

That man was Munno.

Munno has made his return.

Know how long I wished for it?!

Let us sleep together, like in the desert.

Now... we cannot do so.

Your Highness is a princess now.

And I am just a servant.

I don't care. Let us sleep together.

We cannot.

But, Your Highness.

I think I saw Lord Munno.

What?

Lord Munno?!

Yes.

I was about to face terrible consequences,

and meseems that the man who rescued me was Lord Munno.

Are you telling me that Deokman was acknowledged as princess...

by amending that secret scripture?

That is why...

I told you to meet her firsthand.

But also that she concealed the eclipse to everyone,

and even ended up inveigling Mishil?

Yes, that is what...

Where had you been?

Not to mention...

the fact she promised to disclose the almanac, to convince Master Wolcheon?

Yes, Master.

I knew she would surprise even you.

That is the kind of specimen she is.

One of keen stratagems and limitless ambitions.

Only such a person would announce she will make herself king.

Say what?

Make "herself" king?!

Yes.

Is she not a woman?!

She must have intended helping her spouse to the throne,

considering she is now a princess.

It wasn't that.

She will, firsthand.

*Paedo: Mencius' concept of a legalist, utalitarian meritocracy led by an absolute ruler

She will become king, and let merit and virtue* guide her choices.

Munno has made his return.

As that Bidam's swordsmanship was already concerning me,

I was the one who sent Chilsuk on his trail.

Does that imply that Bidam was Munno's pupil?

Yes.

Then...

Are you telling me Munno closely observed Deokman's movements?

We cannot hazard any averment on the matter, but...

This is no laughing matter.

Should Munno return to the Hwarang ranks in order to aid Deokman's cause,

*Cheomseongdae: Stone observatory in Gyeongju, first of its kind in Asia

then it will not be as simple as debating the construction of the Royal Observatory*.

I concur. Should the construction begin immediately,

we still could not predict any timeline,

but this is a matter of much more pressing and real urgency.

Hwarang...

Should the Gukseon emerge, the Hwarang...

*Leader of one of the two major Hwarang "sects" (Gukseon is on the other side)

We should hasten and nominate a new Pungwolju*,

particularly considering that Hojae's term is coming to an end.

Yes, that is right.

Bojong is his second in command, so, in accordance with traditional practices,

he shall be proclaimed the new Pungwolju.

Yes.

Also,

may you entrust the Hwarang to Chilsuk.

To Chilsuk?!

Yes.

Overseeing the Board of Military Affairs...

leaves me little time to observe how the Hwarang operate in detail.

Foster strength and unity amongst our Hwarang ranks through Chilsuk?!

Yes.

Also, Chilsuk has manifested aversion for Munno more than once.

Just as you instructed,

I concealed the fact we held Sohwa captive until the very end.

Yes.

Summon Chilsuk.

Is that...

what Sohwa thought of me?

It is me, Bojong.

Her Highness is looking for you.

Now that Deokman has been acknowledged as princess,

there is no reason His Majesty should bring harm to Sohwa.

Would he not allow Sohwa to remain by Her Highness's side?

Meseems you were not made for each other.

Deokman will surely not see you in a positive light.

I am concerned about your welfare.

Of course you are acting on my behalf,

and your concealing the twin was His Majesty's fault,

so become the Wonsanghwa.

Wonsanghwa would mean...

Leading all the Hwarang as their master.

Furtherance of the Hwarang's fighting skills will benefit our nation.

And should you be entrusted such paramount responsibility,

Her Highness will not be able to harm you in any way.

- I shall reflect upon... - Also.

Under the guileful repute of Gukseon,

don't you think Munno has amassed way too much influence?

What does he possess that you lack?

We cannot be sure whether Munno will be reinstated or not,

but I wish for you to be entrusted a role like that of the Gukseon.

Accord me some time.

Sohwa...

Your Highness.

May you enjoy a soothing repose.

I shall rest where I belong.

Sohwa!

Did you...

regain your voice?

Sohwa...

Yes.

I know you will despise my presence,

but let us just...

find a secluded mountain village, and spend the rest of our days together.

I have no answer myself...

on why I so fervently cling to you.

So, you will accept?

Yes.

A wise decision.

I shall accord you the most wondrous return to Hwarang ranks.

Did you not spend over two decades on foreign soil for my sake?!

In the end,

was being by Lady Mishil's side...

my only true calling?!

Wait...

Seeing you earlier...

surprised me.

So indeed you can speak.

Yes.

It is a malady you gained by losing your daughter...

Anyhow, I am glad for you.

Seeing you so surprised by my presence,

it seems memories from the desert came to mind.

Only because...

you rescued and escorted me all the way here,

was I able to meet Her Highness again.

My gratitude.

We both shall now return to where we originally belonged.

Yes.

Me, as a servant by His Majesty and Her Highness's side.

While...

I will return under Lady Mishil's command.

Lord Chilsuk's investiture ceremony shall soon begin,

so make haste.

Any way we could aid you?

All preparatives are completed.

Will you leave that seat empty?

Leave it as it is.

That is the Gukseon's seat.

Even if it always remains empty?

We leave it there as a sign of respect for the Gukseon.

Ehh Ehh... I really ought to...

This is no place anyone can enter.

What is all this commotion?

Yes! This varlet here is spuriously misbehaving.

- Ohh! - Ohh Ohh... Again!

- Where are you trying to go? - You seemed wise enough to heed my words.

Does this look wise to you?

I told you to stop and leave this place.

- Hey, hey! - Yeah, go ahead.

Leave at once. This is no place anyone can enter.

He still does not seem to get it?!

Only Hwarang nobility is allowed inside these premises.

So leave... there...

It's not some feast you join to gorge upon this and that!

- Indeed! - After you.

I know that.

Free the way.

"I know that. Free the way."

You little knave!

Is that how you impersonate an elder?! What if you enrage him, you knave?

"I know that, free the way." That's how you should say it!

You still don't get it, do you?

Hey... this won't do it.

- You just deal with it. - I got it...

You can deal with this much, I hope?!

Ahh... Hey... Stop worrying.

What do you take me for? When I...

- What are you, looking down on me? - He's going...

There. Let's get going.

Here... Time to go.

He's a tough fellow.

Let's get...

You take care of him.

Let's go!

Let's move.

Let us move!

Let us move!

Ahh... put that down and push harder, you bear.

I said harder!

This varlet keeps trying to enter...

Who dares to cause a commotion on a day like this?!

Her Highness, the Wonhwa and Lord Chilsuk will soon join us!

Yes... We were just about to send him away.

We will deal with it.

As you wish.

What is this?

How t... How the hell did I end up here?!

Don't ask me.

We... flew here.

You know Lord Chilsuk quite well, I trust?!

Yes.

I certainly do.

We share a most striking history together.

Had His Majesty alerted us all on the existence of a twin,

such striking history would not have happened.

And only for this nation's sake did Lord Chilsuk and I go through such efforts.

I plan to proclaim Lord Chilsuk as Wonsanghwa,

and foster our Hwarang's fighting skills.

I have heard.

May you impart upon them all the fighting skills and dauntless pertinacity...

you employed in seeking me out.

I am sure our Hwarang will dearly benefit from such resolve.

Meseems the preparatives have been completed.

Let us rise.

It's not that.

I...

Now... at the exhibition hall...

You insolent varmint...

How dare you violate this sacred place?

What are you Hwarang waiting for?

Stop this varlet at once!

Now!

What on earth happened?

This man inside caused a commotion.

His skills are remarkable.

Open the gates.

Open them.

- Yes. - Yes.

We are treating a pandemic here.

I must ask you to leave.

The circumstances force us to remain here.

That man...

Yes.

At Yangji-gol.

Is he not that physician?

That is the man.

The one who suddenly interfered, when I was sent to deal with Sohwa.

How many moons have passed by...

It is indeed a long time...

Gukseon.

Yes, a long time indeed, Your Highness.

But, tell me,

what do we owe this sudden visit to?

I was merely passing by,

but I surmise today marks the Wonsanghwa's investiture.

I am relieved to see that seat is still empty.

Yes, it certainly is.

We had long prepared to welcome your presence here,

so it is only natural you shall join us.

How long it has been, Your Highness.

Why did you?

What is the reason?

One and only is the question I shall pose you.

However,

many a retort shall you grace that question with.

Looking back in time,

many are the endeavors we together devised.

Under King Jinheung's command,

we together marshaled the Hwarang system at the core.

Not to mention your support in the dethronement of King Jinji.

You even engaged in conjugal ties with my paternal cousin,

which allowed your clan entry into noble lineage.

I did.

And so the son of a Gaya princess became true bone thanks to Your Highness.

So why did you do that?

Why did you aid His Majesty, allowing the twin to escape?

And why,

of all junctures, did you choose this moment to return to the palace,

right as such twin returns as our princess?

That man was the Gukseon, Munno?!

The one we inveigled like that?!

They said so!

Ahh... We had some good times at the table thanks to him!

You little...

Is that all you can think about?!

We even met Deokman...

No, no...

We even met Her Highness thanks to him.

Should we not at least pay our respects, then?

Pay our respects...

Ehh...

You two are really...

But, I heard he just sent all the others flying.

Did he really?

I even heard he was flying in the air.

I am just telling you what I've heard, but that was a demigod.

A demigod of martial arts.

So, what, did demigods meet each other?

What's that supposed to mean?

They're saying he's now meeting with Lady Mishil?!

The Gukseon, Munno?!

With Lady Mishil?

The father of the consort you arranged for me,

Lady Yoon's father.

*General (historian from King Jinheung's rule)

That is, my father-in-law, Lord Geochilbu*.

He was a man I deeply respected,

someone who accorded me spiritual guidance.

When I was but a Hwarang, during King Jinji's reign,

the same Lord Geochilbu earnestly asked me...

whether I could just follow your lead.

I am sure he did.

And that is because Lord Geochilbu shared principles and purpose with me.

Yes.

Considering King Jinji had no intention of continuing our past rulers' great legacy.

Not long after, Lady Maya suddenly returned,

and became Queen, forcing you to renounce such title.

What are you trying to imply?

On the very day the twins graced this world,

Lord Geochilbu burned away in the flames of dissolution.

And?!

Are you...

fomenting suspicions about me?

I am not.

I was merely befuddled by such occurrence,

and I suffered as a result.

I thus left the palace, and fell into aimless maundering.

So does the conclusion of such wandering explain your return?

No.

I explicitly returned to the palace to put an end to it.

To end...

your aimless wandering?!

I shall supervise this Pungwolju competition.

You ran away to escape from the Gukseon?

Yes.

*Zhejiang Province (fortress was erected by the Sui in 591 A.D.)

He told me to wait in Hangzhou*, and that he would soon come for me.

But I actually took you along,

and ran away.

Why?

I did not want to see you return to a Shilla dominated by Mishil,

and His Majesty had just told me to save your life.

Also, by raising you,

Your Highness felt like my own daughter.

But, that pupil of the Gukseon.

Yes.

By any chance, is his name Bidam?

Yes.

What is wrong?

Nothing.

I just recalled hearing that name.

Bidam.

Do you like this child as well?

Bidam...

This princess will one day become your partner.

What?

What are you talking about?

Fortuitous as it may seem, I think this is what my calling might be.

What?

The heavens bestowed upon me the child who will contend Mishil's might,

along with Mishil's son.

Turning this princess into a sagacious and virtuous queen,

and King Jinji's descendant, Bidam, into the royal son-in-law,

*Wangjae (short for Wangjwa Jijae): man possessing virtue to assist the king

nurturing him into the Royal Aide*.

But... he is Lady Mishil's son!

The son she abandoned.

The son His Majesty King Jinji entrusted to my care.

But...

He shall accomplish the grand vision King Jinheung could not fulfill.

That is what...

is written in these children's stars.

What kind of person is that Bidam?

Are you curious?

No...

It's just that his deportment is a bit peculiar and unpredictable.

Are you sure he was not aware of your identity when you first met?

Yes. Even when he learned the truth, he was not particularly shocked.

Munno wants to oversee the Pungwolju competition?!

Yes.

It is not such a cumbersome proposition.

According to traditional mores, Bojong can become Pungwolju as current second-in-command,

but with Princess Deokman in charge of the Hwarang,

it could be cause for controversy.

However, should the Gukseon preside over the competition,

we need not worry about that.

Not only the Gukseon, but no one else will have any reason to complain.

You are suggesting that Bojong's skills will gain him the victory?!

Yes.

And that the Gukseon would never engage in subterfuges or unfair practices.

Indeed, as that is not part of the Gukseon's nature.

Then,

all the nuisances Munno's influence has created...

could be swept away with only a strike?!

Yes.

Have you come to a decision?

Yes.

I shall accept your proposal.

May you oversee the Pungwolju competition.

Yes.

I shall fulfill my call with fairness.

How could it be otherwise?!

However, Gukseon.

Yes, Your Highness.

Never you mind.

You may leave.

Yes.

If you will excuse me...

Your Highness.

*Bidam's childhood moniker as prince

Did you not ask him about Hyeongjong*?

Back then, King Jinji entrusted Hyeongjong to Munno's care.

And we also found out it was Munno who took him away.

Abandoned offsprings do not concern me.

Don't you know?

Attachment is but a superfluous whim to me.

Does that Bidam concern you?

Shall I discreetly trail him?

Do not squander time with such balderdash.

Announce the competition.

Yes.

Ohh... a competition!

A competition!

In accordance with Hwarang traditions,

we shall hereby select the fifteenth Pungwolju.

This Pungwolju competition shall be overseen...

by the leading light of our Hwarang ranks, Gukseon Munno.

The competition shall be divided into three events,

*Place where retired Pungwolju and Hwarang could meet, erected by Mishil

with the first one beginning in three days at the Yeolseon Hall*.

I expect all Hwarang to muster all their strength and passion,

and give their all for this competition.

The Gukseon will oversee the competition?!

*Female Hwarang leader, Mishil

Not the Wonhwa*?!

Tell me about it.

And why would it concern you?

Even before the competition starts, its conclusion is evident.

And what is that supposed to mean?

Is it not?

Has Bojong Rang ever lost a competition before?

That is something nobody can predict.

We might have all engaged in duel with him,

but Yushin Rang never fought with him before.

Make it to the top.

I shall pray for us to engage in duel.

So we shall.

Wow! Seen that? Seen it?!

That gave me chills!

Know what is the most remarkable of spectacles?

What?

Fire. But even more remarkable than that...

is witnessing a duel!

Ahh... I cannot wait for that.

Ahh... You miserable...

Only when the skills are comparable can it be a worthy spectacle.

What?!

You still are way too inexperienced to have witnessed it firsthand,

but it might not last very long,

and it is far from a remarkable sight.

Why?

Ahh... you little runt...

Bojong Rang was born for this kind of competition.

So who is ever going to contend with him?

Yushin Rang, Alcheon Rang?!

They should not even show up to begin with.

You paltry fool...

He's from your camp.

That's what you think,

but our Yushin Rang...

One million twenty-one!

One million twenty-two!

He trained that way all this time.

Indeed, right from his childhood.

I told you...

One million twenty-one!

- You little... - One million twenty-two!

He just wasted time prancing around doing that asinine tomfoolery!

S...Say what?!

What did you just call our Yushin Rang's training?

All right, all right. Ahh... you fool, already all fired up.

Asinine indulgence, is that better?!

As...Asinine what?!

Hand me that. This fool seems to have no respect.

You fool.

How dare you talk to Yushin Rang like that?

- Asinine what? - All right, you fool. Call it what you want!

After looking for you from the Taklamakan Desert,

I finally get to meet you.

So you came to Gyerim looking for me?

Yes.

I thought you were my father.

Did you?!

Yes.

I now know you are not,

but it still feels like it.

As if at last I've met my father after endless wandering,

and it whelms me with resolve.

Your Highness.

I hear you challenged Mishil's divine authority,

and were later acknowledged as princess.

Yes.

And you altered the secret scripture.

Y...es.

I am well aware that you wished to return that authority back to the people.

I saw the site for the Royal Observatory myself.

What defines a ruler, in your mind?

What do you believe to be the grand vision Shilla's ruler should foment?

Of course, I am deeply saddened by what befell Her Highness Princess Cheonmyeong,

and I am enraged by Lady Mishil's conduct.

However...

Wrath might kindle the path leading you to the throne,

but alone it shall never fulfill that grand vision.

On the contrary, it is amongst the most perilous sentiments...

a ruler can display.

Because it will lead you to seek retaliation.

What are you trying to imply?

I cannot approve of your intent to become king.

Manifold are the reasons,

but what I just explained is the first and foremost one.

Hence, I shall not accord you my support.

But if you are willing to take it to the end,

may you prove it to me.

Whatever it is you possess which Mishil lacks.

If it is my support you need, obviously.

How could you do that?

Why did you avoid me and run away?

Know how many of our plans your departure ruined?

Do you mean Her Highness's marriage?

You cannot.

You are well aware whose son he is!

So how could he ever join Her Highness in conjugal ties?!

But a mere servant's observation as it may be,

I still believe it is unfeasible.

His Majesty wanted her to leave the royal family,

and survive away from the palace as a normal person.

And that she could never marry Bidam.

Ma...Marry?!

Princess Deokman and me?!

Do you still believe that?

I cannot say.

So was their destiny,

and I believed it to be my calling,

but because of you I was not able to raise Her Highness.

And Bidam... was not what I believed him to be.

Was it because of that?

And he still...

Bidam!

Bidam!

Bidam...

Bidam!

Bidam!

Bidam!

Bidam!

Bidam!

Bidam!

Bidam...

Bidam! Bidam!

Bidam... Bidam!

Bidam... Bidam!

Bidam!

Are you all right?

Bidam...

Bidam!

Bidam!

Master!

That's right! Is everything fine?

Are you hurt in any way?

I slaughtered them all!

What?

Marry Princess Deokman?!

And who could I possibly be...

Should I join Deokman in conjugal ties,

would I gain Shilla's throne?

What do you believe to be the grand vision Shilla's ruler should foment?

Of course, I am deeply saddened by what befell Her Highness Princess Cheonmyeong,

and I am enraged by Lady Mishil's conduct.

However...

Wrath might kindle the path leading you to the throne,

but alone it shall never fulfill that grand vision.

Deokman.

What is so deeply populating your thoughts?

It is nothing.

Just this and that.

But...

when will Chunchu be brought to the palace?

Did we not send for him quite a few days past?

I share your concerns.

Why? Do you wish to see him?

The thought of it is alluring,

but it also daunts me.

Daunts you?!

Why is that?

Should I not beg him for forgiveness?

And why would you need to?

Because of me,

did he not lose his mother?

Deokman...

Do not even say that.

How could you bear such...

What is troubling you?

It is nothing.

It must be because of the first event of the competition.

Yes.

*"Do your best, and leave the rest to divine providence."

People say JinInSa DaeCheonMyeong*.

You should never let it get the better of you.

Here...

What is this?

Just leave it there.

We made it last night, to help you out with the competition.

Cling! Cling! Cling!

Victory! Victory.

Lord Munno is already at the Yeolseon Hall!

What?

How could this happen?

Let us move.

The Gukseon is already at the Yeolseon Hall.

Let us get going.

All right.

As previously announced,

Gukseon Munno will decide the rules and subject of this first competition.

The martial arts duels which always decided past Pungwolju competitions...

will be saved for last.

The Gukseon shall hereby announce the first competition.

You must have all passed through the gates before reaching this place.

Yes, indeed we did.

Yes, we did.

Then, you must have seen it.

How many people not properly bedecked in Hwarang attire...

did you notice, on your way to the Yeolseon Hall?

A total of six people.

Two people's frontlets did not indicate any affiliation,

three wore non-Hwarang garments,

while the last one was carrying the kind of sword we do not employ.

Correct.

And this was the subject of the Pungwolju competition's first event.

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~ On The Next Episode Of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK

What would the man in command do?

Always observe the entire area.

Perfect. The first event of this competition...

What kind of person was my father?

You cannot.

You cannot join Bidam in marriage.

This is the second event.

How can he act like this?! What kind of subject is that?

It might prove advantageous to Lady Mishil.

The second event...

Did Yushin Rang tell you to find out for him?

Why would the Gukseon use something Mishil already knew?

There is something strange about this.

Lord Seolwon was of humble descent,

Lord Munno was not of true bone,

and Lady Mishil was nothing but a woman.

You must reach the post of Sangdaedeung.

I must find out about Lord Geochilbu.

Something perturbs me about this.

Lord Geochilbu seems to worry for nothing.

The last event is a duel!

I wish to become Hwarang as well.

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