Original subtitles

General.

Do you know who has come out of the Palace just now?

Our men have sent us a message.

That wench, Seung-nyang,

has come out of the Palace.

Get my soldiers ready.

Yes, General.

Your Majesty.

I just received a message from Yeon Bisu.

Imperial Noble Consort Ki is in danger.

Protect Her Grace.

Who is it?

Who sent you here?

Finally...

The heavens have finally answered my earnest prayer.

Dang Gise.

I am going to scatter your blood and flesh over my father, Tanashilli,

and Tapjahae's graves.

I should say that to you.

You are my mother's murderer.

Tonight,

I am going to take revenge

for my mother's painful death.

Your Grace, we will handle things here.

Please secure your safety.

I will take her. Stay where you are.

When I dragged you here as a tribute woman,

I did not finish you off. That is my eternal regret.

Fine.

Go ahead. Kill me.

Fine.

I will rip you into pieces.

Retreat!

Imperial Noble Consort Ki is in danger.

We must go now. Wang Yu is coming.

Go after him!

Are you hurt?

I am all right.

Get him!

You assholes!

Get yourself together!

General.

General, you must stay conscious.

General, pull yourself together.

We have no choice. We must get out of here.

Okay.

Did you lose Dang Gise?

I searched all the lodgings Yeon Bisu told us,

but we could not find him.

As long as he stays in the capital, he is bound to be caught.

Have the elite force search every corner to find him.

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Have you made any progress locating the secret fund?

It is not at the tin mine.

What do you mean?

I believe he had used the place to deceive others.

The fact that Dang Gise is in Yeongyeong means that we are on the right track.

The Grand Councillor has begun looking for the fund with full force.

Do you not have any clues regarding the fund?

I heard a strange song in the mining town.

A strange song?

-King Eight-Eight has disappeared -King Eight-Eight has disappeared

-He went to a swallow's nest -He went to a swallow's nest

-To catch the swallow -To catch the swallow

-He only pooped at the nest and left -He only pooped at the nest and left

-When will we dig... -When will we dig...

The fact that it has been passed down for a long time

and that it is only sung at the town

tells me that there is something.

Could you write down the lyrics of the song?

I will write them for you, Your Grace.

Bayan, do you remember what I told you the night

before you came to the Palace?

Yes, I do.

Why have I made you the Empress?

You told me to take over the Imperial House,

so I could be of help in making the world you dream of.

Tell me the world I dream of.

You told me that you dream of making the Yuan dynasty strong

and having the world ruled by the Mongols.

I heard that your first night with the Emperor did not go well.

Imperial Noble Consort Ki's influence over him

is greater than I had imagined.

Not only does her influence run over him,

but she also has all the authority of the Inner Court.

I am aware.

First, you must gain control over the Imperial Office of the Treasury.

I heard that

the fund was used by the military, so there is not much left.

I will supply the fund.

I understand, Uncle Baekan.

Your adversary, Imperial Noble Consort Ki, drove Tanashilli out of the palace.

Can you handle her?

I already have a plan in mind.

"King Eight-Eight."

"Swallow's nest."

"Field."

"The worlds of the living and dead."

What do all these mean?

I do not think these are clues for the secret fund.

It is about their misfortune.

Your Grace, Her Imperial Majesty will hold an assembly.

An assembly now?

Is there anything you would like to tell me?

May I ask why you are interested in the secret fund?

Someone entered my office without my permission

and only read ledgers about Yeoncheol's assets of all the books.

Why do you believe that it was me?

No one but you would take an interest in it.

If so, I am sure that you would know why I would be interested in

the secret fund.

I would like to hear it

from you, Your Grace.

I am still in charge of running the Imperial Office of the Treasury.

As it will be returned to the treasury,

I have every reason to take an interest.

If you wish to read them next time, please make an official request to me.

I will be happy to comply with your request.

I will.

I do not believe she has an ulterior motive.

It is too hasty to jump to conclusions.

She is the only one...

whose mind I cannot read.

He has not gotten the wind of it yet.

He can even see right through the heart of the most unreadable person.

Please be careful.

Yes, Your Grace.

It is not difficult to please me.

Please follow these two rules.

Respect the hierarchy of the status.

Do not break the orders I give out during assemblies.

Do you all understand?

Why do you not answer?

Her Grace has arrived.

Hello, Your Grace.

-Hello, Your Grace. -Hello, Your Grace.

Please accept my greetings. I am Imperial Noble Consort Ki.

I have heard many great things about you.

I was curious about you.

You indeed have the intelligence and beauty.

You are being too kind.

This is not an empty compliment.

I can see why His Imperial Majesty has not shown any affection

on the other concubines.

Someone like you has gotten the full attention of His Imperial Majesty.

How could anyone dare take that away?

On top of that, I heard you have been managing the Inner Court.

You have managed the Imperial Office of the Treasury very well.

I am very fortunate

to have someone like you next to me.

I want you to hold the assemblies on my behalf.

-Your Imperial... -Your...

That is against the rules.

Of course, Your Imperial Majesty must hold--

I am asking you for a favor right now.

How could I run it when I am not confident?

-However, Your Imperial Majesty-- -Did everyone hear?

Just it has been before, Imperial Noble Consort Ki

will continue to lead the Inner Court.

I want all of you to come together and lend a hand to Imperial Noble Consort Ki.

Your Imperial Majesty, why did you make such a decision?

Imperial Noble Consort Ki will act more arrogant than she does now.

Did you see how she scowled at me?

-She scowled at you? -You do not know.

She did not say a word, but she was threatening me.

She threatened you?

The concubines and other female attendants

do not perceive me as the Empress.

They have already schemed together in order to ostracize me.

Imperial Noble Consort Ki is more than capable of pulling such a trick.

I am afraid of her.

I would rather give up being the Empress.

I do not have the courage to fight against Imperial Noble Consort Ki.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -Your Imperial Majesty.

Your Imperial Majesty!

She is so softhearted.

This is great.

What do you mean?

Tell Her Highness what you have heard just now.

Okay. I will.

Do you think I did not know that you were Empress Dowager's people?

When a stork and a clam have a fight, the fisherman gains from the fight.

Good luck with fighting against Imperial Noble Consort Ki,

Your Highness.

King Eight-Eight has disappeared

He went to a swallow's nest To catch the swallow

He only pooped at the nest and left

When will we dig our field And have full stomachs?

The world of the living is scarier Than the world of the dead

The world of the living is scarier Than the world of the dead

Can you think of any clues?

Let me sing it one more time.

-That is all right. -King--

I think we might be going into a wrong path.

We should look for the Eagle House's leader instead.

Or we should catch Dang Gise and get it out of him.

I have not seen Yeon Bisu lately.

After finding out we are working with Imperial Noble Consort Ki,

she has changed her stance.

-And what about Dang Gise? -We are searching the capital.

However, there is no trace of him.

Make sure you check everyone.

-Yes. -Yes.

Do not forget.

One of his eyes is injured. Got it?

-Got it. -Got it.

Check everywhere.

Dang Gise is causing trouble for us.

We should get rid of him and leave here.

Without Dang Gise,

we will never be able to find the secret fund.

Do you think

the Eagle House's leader will help him when he has no influence?

It is an either-or situation.

We can either abandon him or steal it.

We will not lose anything by waiting.

Pardon?

The leader is here?

He has allowed your presence.

Follow me quietly.

This is Master Yeon Bisu.

It is an honor to meet you.

Dang Gise is looking for the secret fund

Yeoncheol had hidden.

By any chance,

do you know the location of the fund?

He does not know either.

Then how should I deal with Dang Gise?

I will get rid of him if you give me your order.

He wants you to spare him.

I understand.

My eye...

It hurts so much. I cannot stand the pain.

Please hang in there, General.

Have you heard from the leader...

of the Eagle House yet?

We will hear from him within today.

We are going to move out.

Once you return,

I will tell you where the secret fund is.

From now on, I will entrust all the decisions

regarding military operations and funds with you.

Father.

You shall be the grand councillor of this country.

Do you...

trust me now?

There was not a moment that I did not trust my son.

You are my firstborn.

If I do not trust you, who will?

Father.

Go.

Kill Yeoncheol's daughter!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-No! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

-Kill her! -Kill her!

My dear sister.

Please forgive your incompetent brother.

I am sorry.

Father...

My dear brothers...

Where are you?

I am scared.

Dang Gise...

Seung-nyang...

Even death is too generous for her.

But I even lost an eye to her.

This misery...

and this humiliation...

is more painful than losing an eye.

General.

I have told her.

And yet, she is not visiting me in my chamber.

I can understand.

I openly promised her that I would make her the Empress,

but I failed to keep the promise.

Is Golta outside?

Golta!

-Yes, Your Imperial Majesty? -Where is Golta?

He has informed that he will come in later for a personal matter.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I am here.

My old mother is ill.

I have been too lenient toward you lately, have I not?

You have been lazier these days.

Please. That is not true, Your Imperial Majesty.

Gosh.

Goodness.

-Prepare a shadow play. -Pardon?

May I ask the purpose of your request?

I have been thinking long and hard.

Yang must have been more disappointed than I am.

I would like to please her.

Your Imperial Majesty, you have done enough for Her Grace.

You must show Imperial Noble Consort Ki the supremacy of the Emperor.

All you need to do is follow my order. I did not ask for an opinion.

I only shared mine...

as I was frustrated with your actions lately.

Golta.

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. As you wish.

I have looked through the ledgers of Yeoncheol's assets.

I have not found any clues about King Eight-Eight.

There could be a code that we are not aware of.

Look at the lyrics carefully again.

Your Grace, Her Highness is on her way here.

Welcome, Your Highness.

On what...

do I stress the importance in the Inner Court?

You stress importance on customs and rules--

If you know,

how dare you try to desert the Empress and hold assemblies?

Is that what Her Imperial Majesty has told you?

If I say yes,

will you drag out the innocent Empress

and teach her a lesson?

I believe there has been a misunderstanding.

-I have not-- -You are occupying

Heungdeok Palace as an Imperial Noble Consort.

Even the children must be aware of your influence.

This is not a misunderstanding.

I will transfer all the authorities I have given you to the Empress.

Give back the ledgers and the seal for the Imperial Office of the Treasury.

Give them to her.

You must respectfully comply with the Empress' orders...

and faithfully follow them.

-Do you understand? -Yes, Your Highness.

I will.

The Empress has outsmarted us.

She pretends to be innocent and stabs others in the back.

We must not take her lightly.

Right now,

the Empress is the farthest thing on my mind.

However, you lost your authority to her.

I do not care about the empty vault right now.

I can let her keep the Treasury which is practically empty.

I will...

keep the fund in the secret room of my chamber.

Your Grace, Eunuch Golta has arrived.

He may come in.

What brings you here?

His Imperial Majesty has requested your presence

at Yeonchun Pavilion for a shadow play.

Tell him that I cannot go as I do not feel well.

His Imperial Majesty has made an effort for this.

Please decide wisely.

I advise that you attend it.

I just had a meeting with the Empress Dowager.

This is not what I had intended.

I feel like I have put you in a predicament.

It really troubles my heart.

I am fine. Please do not worry.

I was right about you.

I realized at first sight that you had a generous heart.

There you are.

Your Imperial Majesty, what brings you here?

I came to get you in case you refused to come.

I was on my way to Yeonchun Pavilion.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -The preparation is over.

-Let us go now. -May I ask...

if there is an event today?

That is none of your concern.

I am sure the Empress likes shadow plays too.

Please invite her too.

Your Imperial Majesty, I also--

This play is all for you, Yang.

I will inform them to play it twice.

You may watch it later once we have watched it.

Please do not let it get to you or feel jealous of her.

That would mean defeat.

Actually,

I do not care for shadow plays.

Is that so?

Then this has turned out--

I must take a nap as I am exhausted.

Is she benevolent or dense?

I cannot read her.

If this happened to the late Empress, there would have been hell to pay.

Your Imperial Majesty.

I will closely observe until when you will continue...

to favor Imperial Noble Consort Ki.

What are you thinking about so intently?

It is nothing.

Do you have trouble that you cannot tell me?

It will start now.

"King Eight-Eight. Swallow's nest.

Field. Between the living and the dead."

I am sure the lyrics mean something.

What do the lyrics mean?

People are watching.

Please face forward.

It is more exciting and fun

to watch your face than the play.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -Pay attention to the play.

I will watch you.

When the hands break away, the shapes change.

And when those hands come together and break away,

they take up another shape.

That must be it.

That is the secret of the song.

That is it.

You still have not located the secret fund?

I am trying to trace the Eagle House.

As they are scattered around, it is difficult to locate them.

Jadan.

Mobilize all the troops to catch them.

I am sure that they know the whereabouts of the fund.

Yes, Grand Councillor.

Where is His Imperial Majesty now?

A while ago, he watched

a shadow play with Her Grace at Yeonchun Pavilion.

It seems he is always under her sway.

Request him for a private audience at the Court.

Right away.

Taltal.

It is about time that I achieve my long-cherished dream as a general.

Was it that boring to spend time with me?

I watched the shadow play,

had a meal, and drank tea with you.

However,

it felt like your mind was somewhere else.

It does not feel like I am spending time with you.

I am sorry, Your Imperial Majesty.

I am feeling unwell. I must go back to my chamber.

Do you no longer like me?

Or are you still sour about not becoming the Empress?

-That is not the reason. -If that is so,

just tell me why you are acting all distant to rid of my frustration.

Your Imperial Majesty.

The Grand Councillor has urgently asked for a private audience.

You may...

leave now.

Your Imperial Majesty.

Where does he want to meet?

He has asked to meet you at the Court.

Why did you request to see me?

I, Baekan, would like to offer my counsel.

Go ahead.

I wish...

to support you to become a greater emperor than Genghis Khan and Emperor Kublai.

How dare you compare me to them? That is absurd.

Your Imperial Majesty, Yeoncheol is watching you from the netherworld.

Please get free of Ki's sway

and bear a great cause.

"Ki's sway"?

Watch your tongue, Grand Councillor.

-Your Imperial Majesty. -Your attitude...

is the same as Yeoncheol's.

Please acknowledge my sincere heart.

My long-cherished dream

is to subjugate Ilkhanate and Chagatai Khanate,

and to rule over Goryeo as well.

Are you telling me that you wish to have a war of conquest?

Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.

To declare a war of conquest, we need a large amount of money for the military.

The people of the Empire are starving to death.

That is ludicrous.

Yeoncheol had saved a huge amount of money...

to fulfill his selfish desires.

I have not become the Grand Councillor

in order to enjoy wealth and glory.

For Your Imperial Majesty,

I will dedicate my life in the battlefield.

I will prove the dignity of the Great Yuan to the world once again.

Please bear this cause with me.

Please acknowledge my loyalty to you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Grand Councillor, you are indeed the true loyal subject and general.

Although I lack in many ways,

I will join your cause.

I swear before the heavens.

Your grace is beyond measure, Your Imperial Majesty.

The Grand Councillor is plotting something awful.

If the Grand Councillor gets hold of the secret fund,

Goryeo might end up in big trouble.

Your Grace, I do not follow.

-Bring me the paper and the ink. -Yes, Your Grace.

"King Eight-Eight."

Does that mean "intact"?

To complete King Eight-Eight,

there must be another letter for "eight."

"Gold." That makes up the letter for gold.

Your Grace, the location of Yeoncheol's secret fund is...

We did find where the fund is hidden,

but it will not be easy to claim it.

I hear one of the masters of the Eagle House is working for Wang Yu.

-Do you know about him? -It is a she.

-It is a woman? -Yes.

Her name is Yeon Bisu. She has helped Wang Yu many times.

Your Grace.

I am Yeon Bisu.

Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.

Please explain why you asked to see me.

Sir.

She is waiting for you inside.

I asked her to join us.

Did you find anyone following you on your way here?

Please do not worry.

By the way, you have asked to see me urgently.

Yes, I figured out the location of the secret fund.

Where is it?

Just as you predicted,

the secret was hidden in the song about King Eight-Eight.

What does it say there?

Your Majesty.

I cannot believe it is hidden there.

It is a hardship after a hardship.

The Grand Councillor plans to find the fund

and declare a war of conquest.

He is planning to acquire Goryeo as a part of the Yuan dynasty.

What?

I understand he is the Grand Councillor.

It is impossible to carry out without the Emperor's sanction.

Unfortunately,

His Imperial Majesty has given his approval.

I cannot let them take the fund.

By the way, why did you invite Yeon Bisu to our meeting?

I was informed that...

she was against our joining forces together.

How can I not?

I will get a lesser cut.

You do not deserve a part of the cut.

She has located the secret fund.

Will this suffice now?

Imperial Noble Consort Ki has figured it out.

Anyway, she is indeed exceptional.

I get that she figured it out, so where exactly is the secret fund?

-Please tell me. -If you are curious,

you should study how to read too.

Gosh, how petty.

A thug just needs to know how to use a fist.

Was she the Seung-nyang you mentioned?

You once told me

that there is someone you long for.

That is in the past.

I have gotten over her long ago.

When I saw you look at her,

your eyes said differently.

It is late. Go get some rest.

Guard the Grand Councillor.

If you wish to know where Yeoncheol's fund is,

come to Mansu Lodge four hours later.

However, you must come alone.

I will go.

I must go since the sender knows my face.

We do not know the identity of this person.

What if he is after your head--

Then the arrow would have lodged in my neck.

Do not worry, Taltal.

Betraying Wang Yu was the right call,

but if the leader also considers you as a traitor...

Do not worry.

I have a plan.

Please leave your sword with me.

I am Yeon Bisu of the Eagle House.

You look familiar.

Have we met before?

I have seen you a few times here and there.

If you know the whereabouts of the secret fund,

I do not understand why you would want to tell me.

I would like to make a deal with you.

Tell me what you want.

I would like to gain control of the Eagle House.

First, get rid of the Yeongyeong branch of the Eagle House.

-Is that all? -After that,

sign a contract that allows me...

to monopolize the trade...

of all the supplies in the Palace.

On that contract,

the Emperor's seal must be stamped.

Where is the secret fund?

If you fulfill two conditions that I have asked,

I will tell you then.

How can I be certain that your information is indeed reliable?

You are not the only one...

in the Palace who wishes to get hold of the secret fund.

I can give you the contract with the Emperor's seal.

It will be hard for me to locate the Yeongyeong branch of the Eagle House.

In this book, you will find everything about the organization.

Among the places that are written in this book,

Dang Gise is taking shelter.

When the Eagle House crumbles down,

and when you bring me the contract with the Emperor's seal,

I will tell you the location of the secret fund then.

Hello, Grand Councillor.

Grand Councillor!

You have not requested my audience. What brings you here?

Please give us privacy, Your Grace.

Look, Grand Councillor.

I am enjoying my time with her.

This is an urgent and important matter.

I will excuse myself.

-Carry the Prince. -Yes, Your Grace.

Thank you, Your Grace.

It will not take long. Wait outside for a moment.

What is all this fuss about?

Someone who knows the location of the secret fund approached me.

Everyone, give me privacy.

Your Grace.

I have given you my order.

Her name is Yeon Bisu.

She demanded to take down the Yeongyeong branch

of the Eagle House and exclusive rights to trade with the Palace for the location.

Are you sure her information is reliable?

Yeon Bisu approached Baekan.

Inform Wang Yu right away.

Yes, Your Grace.

This way.

I am here since you said it was urgent.

-What is going on? -You think I know?

No one told me anything because I cannot read.

This is really upsetting.

That is why ignorance is accompanied by disappointment.

That is why people study hard.

Thank you for coming.

If I may, what is this about?

Why did you tell me to rush here without wasting a single moment?

You will see once you go inside.

Is it good news? You look happy.

What is this?

Open it.

Goodness.

Are all these crates filled with the chao?

-How much does it amount to? -Do not be surprised.

-These are all counterfeits. -Counterfeits?

Fake money?

A while ago, we took these from the Eagle House in Yoyang.

What do you plan to do with these?

Take these counterfeits to the mining town.

Pardon?

Why would I move useless counterfeits to the mining town?

Do not ask me that.

Since I am illiterate, I know nothing.

You little...

Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort Ki has sent a message.

Yeon Bisu has given Baekan the information about the location of the fund.

What?

Then did she betray us?

-Mu-song. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Take the elite force with Jeom-bak

and catch the men of the Eagle House.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Let us go.

That wench. I am going to crush her.

Goodness, so much has happened.

I cannot believe she betrayed us!

Who are you?

Who are you? How dare you attack us?

Let go of me, you jerks!

Are you not in the Eagle House?

Asshole.

Who are you?

Take all of them out.

What brings you here?

Dang Gise has been spotted in the capital.

He has been under the Eagle House's protection.

I just ordered the elite force to apprehend him.

Where did you get the information?

My subordinate found something.

It is the same book you have received.

We were just about to leave in order to apprehend them too.

You made our work easier.

I will get the seal for the contract.

I want you to interrogate them.

As you wish.

The gates are all closed right now.

We can flee tomorrow morning.

What happened to the Eagle House?

Is that not obvious?

They are dearly paying for harboring a rebel.

What? A rebel?

How dare you run your mouth?

What? Am I wrong?

It is all your fault.

-How dare you! -General, calm down.

Get down.

Over there. Is that not Yeon Bisu?

Something is off.

Everyone in the Eagle House was arrested.

Only she got away.

Stay here.

Let me go tail her.

I will come with you.

This is the contract you asked for.

You are the only supplier for the Palace.

If the leader of the Eagle House finds out that I betrayed,

my death will be inevitable.

I will keep it a secret.

Do not worry, and tell me.

Where is Yeoncheol's secret fund?

The tin mine?

Yes. In the mining town,

there is a blacksmith's workshop where rocks are melted into tin.

What?

It is inside the storage room of the workshop.

The workshop.

Storage room.

What?

The secret fund is in the mining town?

We could not see what was right under our nose.

We missed it when it was right in front of us all along.

We only checked the abandoned mine.

I had no idea that it would be inside the town.

We must take it before Baekan gets hold of it.

Go find out a way to get out of the capital.

Yes, General.

It is not at the workshop?

Are you telling me that the secret fund is somewhere else?

This plan...

will only work if you pretend to be a traitor.

Instead of sharing Yeoncheol's secret assets with me,

you will give me the Yeongyeong branch

and the exclusive rights to trade with the Palace.

It is a good deal for me too.

Will you accept my offer?

Your Grace.

Then...

The secret fund...

is here.

-King Eight-Eight has disappeared -King Eight-Eight has disappeared

This song must mean something.

What? The secret fund is in the mining town?

That must be it!

Go get wagons.

-That is enough. -Because of you,

many of us are being mocked.

They say I am incompetent, and Her Grace is a witch.

Your Highness.

Yang, I will not go down in history as a foolish Emperor.

We have no time to lose. Set out now.

There cannot be any mistakes.

Uncle Baekan.

This will be our last time.

What do you mean?

I plan to return to Goryeo soon.

Will you reclaim your kingship at last?

Make sure you burn them all.

Taltal has figured out that the secret fund is hidden here.

We must hurry.

Subtitle translation by Won-hyang Son