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You fool!

Go visit Gi Cheol's mother...

and apologize?!

If you can only wait...

If you can just wait for me,

I will endure any and all humiliations.

Would Buddha have wanted this kind of world?!

If Pyeonjo is a wicked monk,

this world is nothing but hell!

Your Majesty!

You can't go to Gi Cheol's residence!

Who might you be, trying to kill me?

I see you haven't changed at all.

Shin Don

Episode 21

Don't let anyone realize His Majesty is here.

Yes.

Owner!

What are you waiting for?

I said bring us some drinks and meat!

Yes! Coming right now.

Let me pour you one to start.

You man!

It's been so long since we've met,

do you plan to waste time on formalities?

Anything else I could serve you?

The best side dish for drinks is a pretty lady, don't you agree?

Listen here! This man knows how revelry tastes like.

Marvels of beauty who can match Yang Guifei's splendor populate our humble abode.

populate our humble abode.

Guifei: Consort Yang Yuhuan of Tang Dynasty, one of ancient China's "Four Beauties"

Bring them in.

Yes, Naeuri!

You man!

If one pours you one, you should pay back the favor!

More, more, more! Fill it to the brim!

My apologies.

You need to spill some to taste the flavor.

Your Majesty.

Listen to you.

I came looking for you to have a drink together.

I was so curious about how you've been doing.

You don't know how pleasant it was to see you today.

Why are you looking at an old-time friend that way?

Have some.

Here we are!

Take good care of them!

These are kind-hearted gentlemen you're dealing with.

So if you treat them well, things could change for you as well!

things could change for you as well!

For tonight you shall be my Yang Guifei.

You're saying he headed for a brothel with men who tried to kill him?

It wasn't just your average acquaintance.

You shouldn't trust Pyeonjo, my Lady.

He's becoming more and more suspicious.

Start off by finding who's the man Pyeonjo is meeting with right now.

Yes, my Lady.

We let him in on way too many secrets of ours.

Shouldn't we act with prudence?

Even if we slay him after gathering some more information,

it won't be too late.

You renounced the cloth?!

You did the right thing.

Why abandon this beautiful world, just to find refuge up the mountains?

This fellow just renounced the cloth.

So you were a monk?

I knew it. You looked way out of place sitting here like that.

You man!

I said I missed you, that's why I'm here!

You can be frank with me.

Here.

- Is this the place? - Yes, Naeuri.

This place's owner is not your average specimen.

You shall reprehend him for good, this time.

Who is the motherless tomfool who owns this place?

Yes!

Oh oh! Naeuri, you deign us with your presence!

You fool. Who gave you permission to run a business here?

We shall take this fool to our state compound, so close the doors here!

Yes!

Here! Everyone out!

Get all those wenches as well!

Look!

There's a limit to breaking one's conviviality.

What do you think you're doing?

Seeing your demeanor, you look like a refined specimen.

While I'm just talking, avoid any disgrace and just head home.

That's what I'm saying.

You look like refined gentlemen yourselves,

so let's hear the reason why you want to close the doors here.

The owner of this place hasn't paid a single penny

he owed to us, and continues to do business, so

he's nothing more than a thief.

What's so haughty about the state military compound, to levy taxes on people?

to levy taxes on people?

Listen to this man, he's drunk already!

You dare sit and drink there, not knowing what the compound is?

If I shall explain what it does...

It's nothing more than a bunch of Lord Deokseong subordinates, stabbing good-natured people in the back, with the pretense of collecting taxes. Isn't that right?

stabbing good-natured people in the back,

with the pretense of collecting taxes. Isn't that right?

What?! You impudent!

Just leave us.

Lord Deokseong is soon coming back after running scared to Yanjing.

A wrong retort and he'll be in deep trouble, just like you.

Take these fools away, and teach them a lesson!

Yes!

You fool!

What are you doing?

Get those fools now!

- Yes. - Yes.

Please spare us, Naeuri!

I messed with the wrong people!

You fool!

Taking advantage of Lord Deokseong's clout, did you think the heavens would let your calamitous behavior go unpunished?

did you think the heavens would let your calamitous behavior go unpunished?

Who is the gentleman inside?

Didn't I talk of the king, you fool?

Ohhh! Spare us, Naeuri!

We shall serve the man inside like the heavens, Naeuri!

Naeuri!

Naeuri!!

Why did you rile up the masses and block my way?

and block my way?

Was throwing rocks at the Queen your doing as well?

How could I do that?

Then why did you try to stop me, this time?

How could that be just my wish, Your Majesty?

It was the people's wish?!

Your Majesty.

When Lord Deokseong returns, how do you plan to deal with him?

Don't tell me you're planning on apologizing to him as well?

Your Majesty.

Every time I think of you sitting on that throne, tears cloud my eyes.

I think of you sitting on that throne,

tears cloud my eyes.

Those court officials, worrying only about their own safety and their enriching ways.

Would they know what you really wish for, Your Majesty?

Then do the people really know what I wish for?

Every time they speak, officials will cry in adulation, saying you shall fight the Yuan, kill the collaborators, and become a mighty ruler.

saying you shall fight the Yuan, kill the collaborators,

and become a mighty ruler.

But, is this...

But, is this really an advice borne out of concern for your authority?

Would the Yuan's opulence last for a thousand years?

In no time, the Han Chinese will kick the Yuan out, forcing them back to the Mongol plains.

forcing them back to the Mongol plains.

The collaborators will go through the same fate.

Killing them all would be a most satisfying quick solution,

but what would that change?

The Yuan would send envoys to rebuke you, and ask you to take responsibility.

If that doesn't suffice, they might send their army and invade Goryeo.

Then how would the court officials react?

They'd say your extreme behavior caused all this, and keep blaming you.

and keep blaming you.

Wouldn't that be what the people want as well?

Your Majesty.

From dawn to dust, from every single chimney of those powerful court officials, the smoke of rice being boiled echoes all over.

powerful court officials, the smoke of rice being boiled echoes all over.

The smell of meat screams illusions in people's ears.

Precious and rare items from various lands populate the market.

And the boudoirs of powerful clans clothed in rare silk are filled to the brim with luxurious goods carried by slaves.

are filled to the brim with luxurious goods carried by slaves.

Doesn't the serene sound of peace's piping times resonate in the air?

of peace's piping times resonate in the air?

But...

look back just for a brief moment.

It's been long since any smoke came from the people's houses,

and farmers outside the capital have a hard time, even living off of tree bark and sparse roots.

even living off of tree bark and sparse roots.

Your Majesty.

There is only one thing the people wish for.

Forget about three meals a day.

They'd love to have even a single one, feeding them properly.

How could they ever dream of silk robes?

That is exactly why we shall fight the Yuan.

The Yuan's usurpation has to end, so that we can feed our people.

How do you plan to ever fight the Yuan if you keep starving the people?

if you keep starving the people?

Your Majesty...

You feed our people first.

I feed the people first?!

You still haven't gone to sleep?

We were waiting for you.

Run away!

They're going to kill us!

I'll happily die in your place... so just run away!

She's waiting for you inside.

We won't harm Won Hyeon.

My apologies.

I can't trust you

so I keep having people follow you.

Who did you just meet?

His Majesty the King.

Didn't I tell you?

That we met in Yanjing, and became the best of friends.

and became the best of friends.

Am I supposed to believe that?

I have never heard...

I have never heard of a king sharing a friendly relationship with lowborns.

His Majesty is different.

If it was a spy, I could understand.

You know too many secrets about us.

Leave me here and run away!

I've heard them exchanging remarks about killing us!

Shut your mouth!

I see you are full of suspicions, my Lady.

full of suspicions, my Lady.

I had similar experiences in the past.

A high officer of the court was bragging to me, that with a single word he'd turn things upside down, so we grew close.

that with a single word he'd turn things upside down,

so we grew close.

Thanks to that, without much fanfare, half of our people died without trace.

half of our people died without trace.

From that day after,

I vowed not to associate myself with people holding the keys to power.

holding the keys to power.

Didn't I tell you His Majesty is different?

Enough to heed the advice of a lowly monk like me.

If that weren't the case,

would he have come looking for me?

So, what did you two confer about?

Did he tell you he'll join hands with you,

and get rid of all court officials?

My ties with His Majesty have regained vigor today,

so just wait.

I shall advise His Majesty on how to change things for the better.

things for the better.

My Lady!

What should we do with this man?

Untie him.

Just for trusting my words, my gratitude.

my gratitude.

If it weren't for Master Wolseon,

I would have killed you two already.

Uh?

What happened to your head?

Did His Majesty really come looking for you?

What did he tell you?

Are you curious?

The owner of this residence is a scary woman.

- You never know what could... - If she planned to kill us,

would she just stop at intimidating us?

Explain to me what he said.

Why did he come looking for you?

He said he'll discuss state affairs with me.

Is that true?

Of course it is.

Did you meet Pyeonjo?

Yes.

Among the people who tried to stop me earlier today, I saw him as well, so I asked around and met him.

I saw him as well, so I asked around and met him.

It was a good choice, Your Majesty.

If that man was officially ordained,

how happy would that have made me?

What are you saying?

Because Pyeonjo's mother was a temple slave, he couldn't be ordained.

he couldn't be ordained.

If I could have just a single man with Pyeonjo's mind next to me, I wouldn't feel so lonely.

just a single man with Pyeonjo's mind next to me,

I wouldn't feel so lonely.

So what if he's not a real monk, or if he's a slave?

or if he's a slave?

If he shares your thoughts, having him at your side is all it takes.

having him at your side is all it takes.

Would the court officials allow that?

They'll raise a storm like bees, and make a row about it.

This is what Pyeonjo said.

That we shall first feed the people, if we plan to fight the Yuan.

if we plan to fight the Yuan.

Isn't that right?

If a ruler doesn't take good care of his people, they'll feel no reason to heed his word.

they'll feel no reason to heed his word.

He's too rare and precious a man, to remain buried in obscurity.

to remain buried in obscurity.

Please come in, Your Excellency.

I've heard Her Majesty was looking for me.

Please, after you.

Were you looking for me, Your Majesty?

I've heard the people who tried to stop His Majesty, when he headed to Lady Lee's residence to apologize, are still held in the traitors' prison.

when he headed to Lady Lee's residence to apologize,

are still held in the traitors' prison.

That is correct, Your Majesty.

Didn't I say to free everyone?

We let go all the people who blindly chimed in already,

but anyone who threw rocks or attempted arson...

Free those people as well.

Pardon me, Your Majesty.

If we free them as well, what would become of His Majesty's authority?

I thought you were full of compassion, Commander.

I've mistaken you.

Free everyone.

That is not possible, Your Majesty.

They tried to stop His Majesty.

Is that so inexpiable a sin?

What the people tried to stop wasn't just His Majesty's sortie.

They did that in spiteful angst toward Lord Deokseong.

Pardon me, Your Majesty.

No matter what the reason might be, blocking His Majesty's way is unacceptable.

blocking His Majesty's way is unacceptable.

So Jung Se Woon kept lashing out at the Queen?

Yes, Your Majesty.

He's more than capable of that.

No matter how much I think about it,

I can't really understand this.

The reason why those people tried to stop His Majesty was because they couldn't endure any more scorn directed his way.

was because they couldn't endure any more scorn directed his way.

How can that defy His Majesty's orders?

It's not just that.

Why should I have to hear that just because he's the son of a slave, Pyeonjo cannot serve His Majesty closely?

Pyeonjo cannot serve His Majesty closely?

What does one's upbringing matter, in choosing personnel?

Don't just laugh, tell me.

If His Majesty shows too much cordiality to the people, it would be unbecoming of someone with his grandeur.

it would be unbecoming of someone with his grandeur.

Grandeur?!

Is imprisoning innocent people fruit of the same grandeur?

One shall rule by the power of kindness.

Wouldn't the people accept him with sincerity, then?

Your Majesty, the weather is cold.

Wait until it changes for the better and

Innocent people are suffering in prison.

Let's go.

Her Majesty headed for the traitors' prison?!

Yes, Your Highness.

To do what?

To console innocent people, I've heard.

Innocent people?!

We have Buddha in the palace, I see.

Being imprisoned unfairly is already hard to digest.

You're not even curing their wounds?

Let me express my apologies, Your Majesty.

- Eunuch An. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Call physicians from the court to cure these people,

prepare some warm food, and feed them to their satisfaction.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Spread these among the people, don't let anyone without.

Yanjing / Empress Gi's residence

Please come in, Your Excellency.

Thank you for all the hard work.

Thanks to you, I can go back to Gaegyeong, screaming my lungs out in intimidation.

screaming my lungs out in intimidation.

What did I ever do?

It's Her Majesty's grace you should be thankful for.

The king even went to our residence, and bowed down in regret?

and bowed down in regret?

Yes, Your Excellency.

Marvelous job.

Just marvelous.

I shall never forget what you did for me.

Please come in, Your Excellency.

See what I was saying?!

How is that fool going to go over Her Majesty's head?

Do you think that's acceptable?

When you head back to Goryeo, lie down in remorse and don't make a single sound.

lie down in remorse and don't make a single sound.

Stop causing trouble, that's what I'm saying!

How can you say that, Your Majesty?

Don't make a sound and lie down in remorse?!

Why would I possibly do that?

Outside of our issues with Goryeo,

we have enough headaches to deal with.

Is the Yuan empire in such difficulties?

That's why I told you to leave Goryeo to me.

If I become the king there, wouldn't all your worries disappear in a beat?

wouldn't all your worries disappear in a beat?

Does anyone else hold the keys to heaven?

My nephew shall soon become the emperor.

why couldn't his uncle become King of Goryeo?

That's why I can never have a sound night of sleep with you around!

Think the King of Goryeo...

Think the King of Goryeo went to bow down to our mother because he was afraid of me?

Then, are you saying he's scheming something else?

Worry about protecting your head, for starters.

When you come back, that shall be their first target.

protect my head?!

How would Prince Gangneung achieve his goals as long as you're still alive and kicking?

as long as you're still alive and kicking?

What is that supposed to mean?

Ahh... really!

Listen, Eunuch Park!

No matter how hard I try,

I can't understand what Her Majesty is saying.

The King of Goryeo will try to kill me?!

What is that supposed to mean?

Would that possibly happen?

It must be something she said out of disquietude.

Look, Eunuch Park!

The Goryeo royal family is a bunch of beggars.

Small trees who shall thank good weather protecting them.

The royal coffers are empty,

how are they going to face off against the Yuan?

If I just wanted,

I could gather soldiers numbering in the tens of thousands.

What is the reason I should fear the King of Goryeo?

If you're a man of such means, why don't you try to make peace

No need for that!

When I come back to Goryeo!

I shall have a life and death struggle with him.

Just wait for me, you fool!

Let's see who prevails!

Brother!!

Oh! Isn't that Gi Ryun?

I've come to escort you, Brother!

So, is our mother in good spirits?

Good spirits? These days, she need not envy even the Queen Dowager!

Really?

Your Majesty!

You needn't worry!

In no time, this land shall be ours!

Ahh... My back... my back!

Oh! Many thanks.

And who are you?

I'm Court Lady Kim, serving Her Highness the Queen Dowager.

Ohh... right. I shall remember you.

Please, come in.

Ah... my back.

Does your back hurt?

My back hurts?!

After spending so many nights forced inside that prison,

my healthy back couldn't help but snap under such stress.

Oh! Such a pity! It must have been quite painful.

Bring Her Grace a pouf to sit on.

It's fine. I'm just fine.

I can endure this much.

Oh... then, as you please.

There's nobody in the palace.

Looks like you suffered for nothing.

I shall step forward and check on things myself from now on.

I was thinking the same.

When my older son comes back from Yanjing,

I shall step forward and keep an eye on things.

Oh... that is a most judicious idea.

We think alike, after all.

Speak to me.

How should we react when Lord Deokseong returns?

When he comes back, wouldn't his arrogance grow worse?

That must be the case.

Any plans on the matter?

Lee In Bok

Did you have anything in mind, Your Majesty?

I have no appropriate plan, so that's why I'm asking you.

What do you think, Chief Minister?

We can't just let him do as he pleases!

So, what would you do to stop that?

The more I think about it, it's suffocating me!

Ohhh... really.

How could you say that?

It's suffocating you?!

Then why did you just keep your mouth shut?

That's not what His Majesty meant, when he said that.

It's not what he meant?!

We need to kill Lord Deokseong, and he was asking you about that!

Look at you!

Are you saying that His Majesty would do that, after bowing down to Gi Cheol's mother?

after bowing down to Gi Cheol's mother?

That's what I've heard.

Uhhm... that...

Lord Ikjae! What is he talking about?

That's what I'm hearing myself.

What we shall do after killing Lord Deokseong...

That's what he was asking about, isn't it?

What plan could we possibly have?

The Yuan would probably send an army.

So that's what is irritating us.

Let's go.

Think that would quench my anger?

You just wait.

When my son comes back,

this damned palace will turn into a wasteland!

Don't worry, Brother.

Jo So Saeng from the Ssangseong Commandery must be here to meet you.

Jo So Saeng

Lord Deokseong.

I am the Chief General of the Ssangseong Commandery, Jo So Saeng.

It must have been a most arduous trip.

Such hospitality you're showing me!

My gratitude!

Ssangseong Commandery

Here, have some yourself, Chief Jo!

- Here! Let's have a toast! - Yes.

The moment I heard the new king insulted you,

you don't know how perturbed I was.

Even the thought of gathering the army and heading for Gaegyeong crossed my mind more than once.

crossed my mind more than once.

I'm just thankful for that thought.

Thanks to you, am I not coming back to Gaegyeong safe and sound?

Her Majesty must be inflamed with rage.

Don't even tell me!

She's lost a brother, how do you think she'd react?

You shall pay back that debt.

If you help me out...

Don't even say that!

Just a word from you, and I'll send troops to the capital!

So it's a promise!

Who did you say you were?

Lee Ja Chun / Lee Seong Gye's father

The Chief of Guards of the Ssangseong Commandery, General Lee Ja Chun.

But, how come I still haven't heard a word from you?

He's a very quiet person, so

That shouldn't be so! In the presence of a guest!

Here, here, here!

Let me pour you a drink.

I don't drink, Your Excellency.

Ohh ohhh! Listen!

A general who can't drink?!

Here, have some.

My apologies.

Aren't you just refusing to drink, instead?

Forgive this man, Your Excellency.

He gets drunk only smelling these drinks.

How is it possible

- Seong Gye. - Yes, Father.

Listen to everything they say inside.

Lee Seong Gye (future founder of Joseon)

Yes, Father.

In no time, Goryeo will be hit by a wind of revolt.

So... I need your help.

If so, Her Majesty shall repay your efforts with benevolence.

No worries, Your Excellency.

We can make Goryeo submit even with the Ssangseong Commandery's troops.

I'll count on you, Chief Jo!

Here, have some!

Gi Cheol is at the Ssangseong Commandery?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Wasn't Ssangseong part of our land?

Correct, Your Majesty.

During the war with the Mongols,

two men called Jo Hwi and Tak Cheong killed local magistrates sent from Gaegyeong, and submitted to the Mongols.

sent from Gaegyeong, and submitted to the Mongols.

Ever since that, Ssangseong Province has been under Mongol control.

Your Majesty.

Reclaiming the Ssangseong territory is of utmost urgency.

Is it just Ssangseong?

We shall reclaim all of Goguryeo's old territory.

In its prime, Goguryeo's territory extended far into Liaodong and Manchurian territory

far into Liaodong and Manchurian territory

Your Excellency.

What did His Majesty say?

Did he tell you to get rid of Gi Cheol?

He must have smelled something, since he's confined at the Ssangseong Commandery, not moving a beat.

since he's confined at the Ssangseong Commandery, not moving a beat.

If His Majesty gives his consent,

I can have troops watching the road back to Gaegyeong from there, and get rid of him at first sight.

and get rid of him at first sight.

I'll wait for the right time, and tell him that.

Your Excellency!

We shouldn't allow him to set foot in Goryeo!

How much can she like this?!

You'll have to take care of Ban Ya for me.

Yes. Don't worry, my Lady.

Ohh! Look at that!

You like it that much, Master?

Of course I like it!

I thought you'd miss her, so I brought her here.

Of course I miss her!

I've seen her grow up under my eyes.

I knew you'd appreciate it.

You're leaving her to us?

I just thought it'd be best if you raised her.

Ahh... that, I can certainly do.

But it looks like she didn't quite grow on you.

Of course she did.

Then?!

She grew on you much more, Master.

But I sent you Ban Ya exactly for you to grow fond of her.

Is that the same reason why you introduced me to Pyeonjo?

Eh?! Ah... that...

I'm just jesting with you.

You still can't trust Pyeonjo, right?

If you had any connection in your past lives, you must have been married!

you must have been married!

Your Excellency!

What's going on?

Is that true?

Yes, Your Excellency.

What are you waiting for? Announce my presence.

The Queen Dowager and Master Bou are inside.

This really...

Well done.

If Master Bou becomes Royal Preceptor, it shall give strength to you.

it shall give strength to you.

I shall be grateful for recommending me.

My gratitude.

From the moment I was coming here from Yanjing,

I planned to nominateyou, my Master.

Now that I think about it,

your fate together first started in Yanjing.

Yes, Your Highness.

Give new vigor to Buddhism, Master Bou.

That's how we shall become strong again.

He left the Ssangseong Commandery a few days ago, and is heading back to Gaegyeong.

and is heading back to Gaegyeong.

Maybe he smelled something already?

He's just being careful.

Think of how many people would want to kill him.

Then, should we proceed as planned?

Lord Deokseong?!

Yes, Your Majesty.

There's not a minute to waste, Your Majesty.

Give us your consent.

Your Majesty.

We shall kill him before he sets foot back in Goryeo.

By chance, last night I saw you staring at the moon.

I saw you staring at the moon.

It was such a charming sight.

Who could have imagined it?

That inside that charming figure, murderous intent could be brewing?

murderous intent could be brewing?

We can't spare Lord Deokseong.

What the king can't do, I shall take care of.

I shall take care of.

Your Excellency!

Did he give his consent?

Lord Seongsang!

Stop worrying, Brother.

Who would dare attack us?

Think of the list of people who would love to slay me.

Be vigilant.

Welcome back, Your Excellency.

Aren't you General Jung, the Commander of the Guards?

I'm following His Majesty's orders to escort you safely back to the capital.

to escort you safely back to the capital.

Really?

To protect me, His Majesty sent me the Royal Guards?

What a most pleasant surprise!

Greetings, Lord Deokseong.

I'm fully prepared to welcome you back.

Brought to you by WITH S2 Written In The Heavens Subbing Squad

Main Translator & Timer: MisterX

Timing QC: Victory

Editor/QC: thunderbolt

Coordinators: mily2, ay_link

Drink it!

Brother didn't listen to me, and headed for the palace!

He'll surely face something terrible!

Let's see who wins this.

Wang or Gi.

You fools!

My father was a butcher, killing cattle and pigs!

So!

He was treated like cattle, you damned fools!

Today Your Majesty didn't act like a king.

What were you afraid of, to act in trickery?

Trickery you said?!

Do I look like such a ruthless man to you?!

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