Original subtitles

- There you are. - Yes, hello.

- How have you been? - I'm doing great, thank you.

Goodness, hello. Why are you so late?

Gosh, let me help you.

Will you? Thank you so much.

What is wrong? Do you feel sick?

Hey, do you feel sick?

Are you okay?

Goodness, somebody help! Somebody call some help!

Hey, wake up!

My goodness!

The city will already be frantic by now.

That means we have no time to waste.

What do you mean the city will be frantic...

and that we don't have time to waste?

Prince Mil Poong.

Do you want to turn the world upside down?

If you want to turn the world upside down,

you must plunge the world into chaos first.

Then that chaos...

will make people...

question the King's worthiness.

Did you say there's a plague starting from Chungcheong Province?

That's what the messenger said.

It is currently quickly spreading in Jeolla Province as well.

But this isn't the season for a plague to easily occur.

That's why I'm saying that it's an unidentified plague.

- Right now... - Your Majesty!

I think you should see this immediately.

Plague patients are suddenly being found in the capital city too.

In the capital city?

I think they show the same symptoms.

Impossible.

Impossible!

Immediately call in every officer of Border Defense Council.

I want the head of Hanseongbu, Chief of Police Bureau,

the leader of Hwalinseo, and the leader of Haeminseo.

Tell everyone to come in within 30 minutes.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Quickly move the patients inside. Hurry!

Doctor.

The patients seem to be in a critical state.

Where did a plague like this suddenly start from?

Over here. Here.

You should go inside.

A plague that started from Chungcheong Province...

already spread to the capital city, Hanyang?

How?

How could it spread so quickly?

So the night has come, and the moon has risen.

The new district magistrate suddenly untied So Yang's clothes.

At that moment...

That's it for today. Okay.

Come on. How can you stop right after untying her clothes?

It's tantalizing.

Do you want to know what happens next?

Come back tomorrow if you want to know what happens next.

That's it for today. Go back home now.

- Goodbye. - Okay, goodbye.

There aren't many people today.

Are my stories becoming boring these days?

- I don't think that's it. - Storyteller.

Hello, Gun Tae. I'm glad you're here.

Are my stories bad these days?

When he untied her clothes...

Is this too obvious?

Come on. It isn't the time for this.

- Hurry. - What? Why?

Quickly scatter the people in the market.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

- Okay, go home, everyone. - Aren't they from Hanseongbu?

- Come on. Go home. - What is going on?

Darn it.

So it was a plague. Darn it.

What? A plague?

What are you talking about?

- Hurry. We don't have time. - What?

Okay. Let's quickly move the children first.

- Okay. - Okay.

Captain.

Are any of the children showing symptoms of illness?

A few of them are coughing, but it doesn't seem like the plague.

But we're still not sure.

- Don't keep them with the others. - Yes.

And feed plantain to the coughing children.

- You should go. - Yes, sir.

- Captain. - Captain!

- What is it? - I heard from Gun Tae.

There are signs of a plague within the capital city?

It isn't just the capital city.

It started first in Chungcheong and Jeolla Province three days ago.

- What? - But...

how could it spread to the capital city in three days?

The palace must be a mess too by now.

His Majesty should come up with a countermeasure.

We have to gather as much information we can.

- Do you understand? - Yes, sir.

- Let's go, Storyteller. - Okay.

A plague has occurred right after the coronation of His Majesty.

What unfortunate situation is this?

Don't even bother to get up.

I'll start the meeting immediately.

Do we have any time to lose?

Chief Royal Secretary, bring me the map.

Yes, Your Majesty.

According to the reports, the plague started from Chungcheong Province.

After spreading to Jeolla Province, it reached the capital city.

But how could any ordinary plague spread so fast like this?

I'm sorry, but just a moment ago,

a messenger arrived to tell us that the plague has spread...

to all Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang Province.

Are you saying that the kingdom is being engulfed in the plague?

Stopping the plague from spreading is our top priority right now.

Department of Justice should send 300 men to each area...

and control the patients' movements.

Yes, Your Majesty.

How many patients are there in Hwalinseo?

We're currently counting them.

How can you still be counting?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

Chief Justice, immediately count the patients of Hwalinseo...

according to their age and gender and report every 15 minutes.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Hanseongbu and the police bureau must control the people in Hanyang.

And since there will be an inflation due to the plague,

Minister of Taxation should prepare enough rice...

through Gyeongsiseo.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Why don't we send staff officials to the provinces...

and manage the situations?

Follow the Chairman of Congress's advice.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Everyone must've experienced a plague before.

If we don't quickly response to it,

we'll lose countless, innocent lives.

I will make sure to end this plague in the early stages.

I hope everyone will help me...

with everything you can.

- Inscrutable are the King's favors. - Inscrutable are the King's favors.

Move the elderly and children to the west wing.

And move the women to the east wing.

The total number of patients until now is 58.

Why must we report this every 15 minutes?

That's what we should've done. We've done it wrong until now.

Okay. Hurry, everyone!

You can't enter if you have nausea.

Go to the nearest Hwalinseo.

I can't go in when my house is right there?

Will you disobey His Majesty's orders?

Listen to me carefully!

If any of you show symptoms of the plague from this moment,

you may not enter the capital city!

This is the King's orders!

How could a plague spread so quickly?

His Majesty must be very worried.

Luckily, the palace is making a quick response to it.

Don't worry too much, Your Highness.

Your Highness, your light meal for noon has been brought.

How could I have a light meal in this situation?

Tell them to take it back.

You shouldn't do that, Your Highness.

You should take care of your health even more in this situation.

Bring it in.

Just a moment.

Do you feel ill?

I saw you cough earlier.

No. It's just a light cold.

This is the guide on plague preventions...

for Hanyang and the provinces?

As you ordered, the Royal Infirmary...

hastily prepared it by referring to "Plague Preventions".

But why isn't there a Korean version?

Excuse me?

How many commoners know how to read Chinese letters?

Immediately make a Korean version...

so that the commoners can read it too.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Sit. I've called you two because I had...

something to discuss.

Your Majesty, did you say Prince Mil Poong...

escaped from his place of exile?

That's right.

Saheonbu inspector Yoon Hyuk just sent me...

this message.

How can this happen?

How can this happen?

How can you guard a traitor in his place of exile...

so poorly?

I apologize, master.

The first person to disappear from his place of exile...

was Wi Byung Ju, former executive inspector of Saheonbu.

And Prince Mil Poong also managed to escape.

It probably happened when things were chaotic after my enthronement.

I think he waited for a time like now,

when there is an epidemic.

What do you mean he waited for an epidemic?

Do you mean they were expecting an epidemic to break out?

A month ago,

Cheongju's government officer Jang Gi Ho came here.

An unknown illness broke out in the military base...

and he took care of it.

I remember that incident too.

Thanks to Cheongju government office's quick response,

it was resolved.

Right.

That was when I was ruling vicariously...

so I remember it clearly.

There were several people with an unknown disease in Cheongju.

But the government office reacted quickly...

and it was completely eradicated according to a report.

That is a relief.

Then why...

Read the letter more carefully, Chief Justice.

Do you not feel that something is strange?

The disease symptoms are similar.

What do you mean similar?

That unknown disease in Cheongju.

It might be the same disease that is spreading now.

Is that what you think?

I am not sure...

but the symptoms are too similar.

Do you mean the disease that was eradicated...

is spreading throughout the country?

That means it might not have occurred naturally.

If this trouble...

was caused by someone's wicked intentions...

I am talking about...

that possibility.

Could it be...

Prince Mil Poong?

Do you think this is related...

to Prince Mil Poong's escape?

Prince Mil Poong?

Did His Majesty ask for your help?

No.

He caused the late King to die.

- How can we work... - Stay silent for a minute.

What do you mean Prince Mil Poong?

Your Majesty, if this disease...

was caused by conspiracy...

I know.

I know what confusion will ensue if this gets publicized.

That is why I wanted to see the two of you privately.

I know you have no trust in me, Chief Justice.

I know that I cannot ask you to trust me.

But the kingdom is in crisis.

We do not know how much worse...

this crisis will grow.

So,

set aside old feelings...

and work with me.

Share your wisdom with us.

Not for me,

but for the government...

and for the people of this kingdom.

7:15am.

Patients at East Hwalinseo.

45.

West Hwalinseo, 59.

7:30am.

East Hwalinseo, 51.

West Hwalinseo, 64.

At...

7:45am...

How much longer?

How dare you...

make me walk in the mountains!

You did not even prepare a horse.

Goodness.

Who is that punk?

Why is he being so arrogant?

He is Yi In Jwa.

He is the son of a fallen family during the late King's reign.

He is also a descendant of Prince Im Young.

So,

you are still a royal.

Salute, general.

Salute.

What are all these people?

How have you all been? How about the mountain base?

Everything is fine. We will guide you there.

General?

Mountain base?

General.

General.

- General. - General.

- One. - One.

- Two. - Two!

- Two! - Two!

How is the statement coming?

It is complete.

So has that punk...

been preparing for a revolt over a long time?

Since the moment Namin fell apart,

he poured in all of his family's possessions.

But I did not know it was this big.

With this scale and preparation...

You two.

Follow me for a minute.

I have something to show you.

A metal movable type.

Are you even making movable types here?

To accomplish a great deed, you have to shake the people.

Not only the capital city,

but the whole kingdom will be in chaos by now.

We are now going to write a statement and spread it.

What does it say?

It is probably an assault on Yi Geum the King.

It is a warning not to intrude.

In this mountain base,

you cannot do anything...

without my orders.

Your orders?

A warning?

How dare you order me around like that?

- I am... - You are...

someone who used to be of royal blood,

but got degraded due to having committed treason.

What?

Listen to me carefully.

The only reason I brought you here regardless of that...

is because I need your title...

to justify the rebellion.

So just stay still and take good care of yourself.

I will...

take care of the rest.

I...

will do...

whatever you order me to do,

General Yi In Jwa.

If I can bring down the King and take revenge,

I will...

gladly risk my life.

How dare he look down on me?

He is nothing but a hillbilly.

What are you doing?

Get lost.

You can go back and continue licking his feet like a pet dog.

Do you think I got on my knees because I wanted to?

You must persevere to take revenge.

I will do anything...

to go back to where I was.

And you must do the same.

You must use their strength.

You must retrieve what you lost.

If you have not given up on the royal throne, that is.

The royal throne?

My...

royal throne?

- The well? - Yes.

Wait.

This telegram also stated...

that they found something strange with the well near the market.

The well?

See if there are any other places that stated the same thing.

Other places?

Here. There is one right here.

It says the well in the Saeteo area also started tasting weird.

- The Saeteo area? - Yes.

The same goes for the well in Samcheong-dong.

That well is used...

by the people in the palace.

Yes, that is correct.

Why are the wells starting to taste strange?

- Storyteller. - Yes?

I want you to look into the list of all the patients.

Okay.

Do you think there could be a problem with the wells?

That means it might not be a plague.

It is too early to come to a conclusion.

We need to check before we tell His Majesty.

Okay.

By any chance,

have you heard any news?

Are you talking about Yoon Young, the woman who disappeared?

I sent out flyers to the peddlers who travel around the country.

But I have not heard anything from anyone.

- I see. Okay. - Okay.

Can we have another bottle of alcohol?

Do not drink too much.

Are you leaving?

How much do I need to pay?

Two yang.

Goodness, excuse me.

Gosh, what are you doing?

I was right.

It was her.

What are you talking about?

Remember how the famous roughneck in Hanyang...

sent out flyers...

saying he is looking for some woman?

I think I saw her.

- Are you serious? - I just saw her leaving the inn.

You must hurry.

Do not leave out a single place.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

- Hurry! - Yes, sir.

What are you doing?

Let's run.

Who in the world wrote this?

Honey. Honey.

Look at this.

This is unbelievable.

- Is this true? - What is going on?

My goodness. Over here!

I found something strange on the palace wall.

"The reason a plague broke out in the country is..."

"because the late King is crying tears of resentment."

"His Majesty stole the throne..."

"by murdering our late King."

- I apologize, Your Majesty. - I apologize, Your Majesty.

What were the king's guards and police bureau doing...

until someone stuck this hideous note on the palace wall?

I have no excuses to make, Your Majesty.

I apologize for saying this, but we were short on manpower.

So no one could go on night patrol.

What kind of nonsense is that?

You do not even have the right to wear your uniforms!

- Stop. That is enough. - Your Majesty.

I want both of you to go outside...

and sort out the mess in the city and the palace.

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

You must fire them immediately.

If the people of the country turn their backs against you,

the situation will only get worse.

What do you think will happen if I replace...

the leaders of the administration when the people...

are in chaos?

But look at the scale of that hideous note, Your Majesty.

I believe it's an organized crime.

Like you said, I think there could be a scheme...

Chairman of Congress.

That is exactly why I do not wish to fire them.

If the people of the city...

notice any signs of treason,

the chaos will only get worse.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

I have an urgent message.

The Queen Dowager...

Queen Dowager, how do you feel?

You must stay awake.

You must stay strong.

Your Highness.

Your Highness...

Royal physician.

Your Majesty.

Did you say the Queen Dowager seems to have gotten the plague?

I am very sorry to say this,

but you must not enter the Queen Dowager's palace.

You must go back immediately.

Your Majesty.

Royal physician. Royal physician!

Yeo Ji.

Female Inspector Cheon?

Why are you here?

Why did you...

Your Majesty.

Why did you enter the palace?

I told you so many times.

Once you become a court maid, your life as a normal woman...

is over.

I...

didn't want you to become like that.

But I wanted it, Your Majesty.

I wanted to support your beliefs and be together in this palace...

than to live as a normal woman.

- Yeo Ji. - And...

you have no idea how relieved I am right now.

Even Master Mun Su isn't here now.

I may be lacking,

but I can still protect your side.

Yeo Ji.

Oh, brother. Have you seen this?

Did you see that too?

He may be a half-brother and may have wanted the throne.

But how could he kill his older brother?

That is what I am saying.

I heard he used poisonous wolfsbane on the late King.

This is why the kingdom is declining.

Did you see the hideous note?

It said everyone in the city will die.

There will be punishment from above because of the King.

Goodness, brother. Punishment from above? Is that true?

It is true.

Punishment from above? Really?

There will be punishment from above.

Punishment from above!

Get this out of here.

I am going to bring my father out of here.

Do you not know that patients cannot leave this place?

Do you mean he should die here?

The King even killed his brother.

How can you guarantee that this medicine...

does not contain wolfsbane?

Right.

Wolfsbane?

Do you know why this horrible disease is spreading?

It is because the King has sinned and punishment is being held.

But do you know what the King is going to do?

The Queen Dowager has the disease...

and he will take her to the temporary palace.

All he wants to do is save himself.

He gave up his people!

It is his fault.

We contracted this disease because of him.

- Master, save me. - Save me!

Master! Master!

What?

Move. Move!

Calm down.

So the patients are refusing to take the medicine?

They want to leave Hwalinseo?

Inscrutable are your favors.

All the doctors are doing their best. But...

3 days since the outbreak in the city. 9:30am.

Patients at East Hwalinseo, 94.

West Hwalinseo, 102.

If we do not stop the spread, the capital will be done with.

Do you not know?

Three days since the outbreak.

If we do not contain the disease,

the city will be pandemonium.

Step back, all of you.

I told you to step back!

Move! We want to live too.

We cannot die remaining in the city.

Does that make sense?

You were selling rice just yesterday.

I am saying I do not have any because I really do not have any.

A bunch of people came and took all of it.

Then what should we do?

- Just sell a little bit to us. - I said I don't have any!

- Give us some rice. - Please, come on!

- I do not have any. - Come on!

- I said I do not have any! - Please!

General, it is news from the city.

What is the atmosphere like in the city?

Are you curious?

They will not have a choice.

Nothing is more powerful and easier to use than fear.

Judging from this, it will be 3 or 4 days at most.

The King will not be able to hold out because of the people.

That is when...

our work begins.

With a tap, everything will fall down.

That precise moment is coming.

What do you want me to do?

What can you do?

Pardon?

Just sit back and watch.

I gave you a spot simply because you are a Namin.

But I want to...

"Just sit back and watch"?

That will not do.

I need to have a stake in this...

if I am going to have a larger pie.

He used wolfsbane that is used for poison...

and killed the late King.

Is he even human?

He is a beast in human flesh.

That kind of person is sitting in the throne.

He's full of pride, right in the middle of Hanyang!

That is enough.

You do not know anything.

What?

Are you talking to us?

I am saying,

do not babble without evidence.

Do you know how hard he tried to save the late King?

You do not know anything.

He is scary.

Gosh.

Wi Byung Ju?

How did he get here?

Junior Second Rank!

Junior Second Rank!

My lord, Junior Second Rank.

Inspector Park.

What brings you here?

It's a relief you're here. Where is the Chief Inspector?

Are you sure it was Wi Byung Ju?

I clearly saw it with my own eyes.

Fortunately, I remembered that you two were nearby.

That's why I ran here.

He should've been executed by now.

- How could he? - Wait.

Then does that mean Prince Mil Poong is there too?

What?

Prince Mil Poong...

What kind of situation...

is His Majesty in right now?

Do you know what is happening in the capital city...

and in the Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang provinces?

Of course.

The plague and hideous notes that is deceiving His Majesty.

We were also unable to sleep here.

These incidents are clearly strange.

I think His Majesty...

might be in grave danger.

How is the situation in the capital city now?

I'm sorry,

but the groundless rumors are only making it worse.

Groundless rumors?

My apologies,

but there are rumors that claim you're escaping the plague...

and going to a temporary palace.

- What? - I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

The safety of the people must be prioritized.

Send out newspapers as soon as the sun rises,

and tell them that these rumors are groundless.

Yes, sir.

You two should go out now.

Newspapers are read only by the nobles.

How could that settle the people?

But in this situation,

what more can you do?

We should gather forces...

and prepare ourselves against a riot.

That would be better.

Your Majesty.

There's something I must tell you.

Is this from Dal Moon?

Yes, Your Majesty.

He wishes to see you as soon as possible.

Tell me, Dal Moon.

What's that about the city wells?

What is it that you wanted to tell me?

Look at this, Your Majesty.

Donginbang.

Setang.

Samcheong-dong.

There were multiple wells including these places.

To confirm things,

Gun Tae, the storyteller, Jang Dal, and Ah Bong helped me.

These aren't just several houses.

- Is this the list? - Yes.

Let me think just a moment.

Okay.

Excuse me.

Let me ask something.

Did anyone become ill after drinking from this well?

I'm sure.

Most patients taken to Hwalinseo...

drank water from these wells.

Samcheong-dong and Sungjaejong?

Yes.

It's a well the palace kitchen uses sometimes too.

We also confirmed...

that the palace kitchen drew water from that well a few days ago.

That must be why...

Queen Dowager...

Your Majesty.

This may not be a plague.

Someone might have...

The wells...

may have been poisoned.

But why?

Who or what group would try to shake me up like that?

The people...

Don't worry.

We made sure you weren't followed.

Welcome, Vice Minister of Work.

I brought a message from General Yi In Jwa.

Welcome, Vice Minister of War.

Confidentiality is guaranteed until the end, right?

Of course.

General Yi In Jwa...

is very happy that you're joining his plans.

As you said,

these are traces of poison, Your Majesty.

I will never forgive this.

How dare they do this...

to make the people suffer?

I'll never forgive them.

Is everyone here?

Due of the emergency in the city,

all inspectors and investigators will be teamed up,

and will be sent to Hanseongbu and the police bureau.

I've been shivering since yesterday.

What is he saying?

"Gosh, I've been shivering since yesterday."

That's what he said.

Oh, you've been shivering?

So what?

He's coughing.

I'm the only son after five generations in my family.

So if I get sick,

my old mother will fall into great sorrow.

You're really making me fall into great sorrow.

How can you understand that?

There's an idiot in my village who speaks just like him.

No, it's a friend.

- Let's go. - Yes, sir.

I wonder...

where Master Mun Su is in this situation.

I wonder that too.

He would spare nothing if it was about His Majesty.

His heart must be crumbling inside.

- Let's go. - Okay.

There's certainly something going on.

Wi Byung Ju must've been dead by now.

But he's still alive.

A plague has suddenly spread,

and hideous notes are being systematically distributed.

You think there's a conspiracy to harm His Majesty.

I must find what this is about. I'll chase Wi Byung Ju.

You two should go to Hanyang...

and tell His Majesty about this.

Let us through!

Look. More people are gathering here.

Can you at least let the children leave?

This might lead to a riot.

We will try our best to stop them.

Step back!

Step back right now! Step back!

If you all have eyes, I am sure you already saw...

how chaotic the city has become.

This is all happening because of His Majesty.

It is because His Majesty killed our late King...

and lost the trust of our people.

- Goodness. - That could be right.

Are you going to stay still and do nothing?

Is this really the best you can do for this country?

We have been waiting here for 30 minutes now.

Why isn't His Majesty here yet?

Did he not tell us that we have no time to waste?

The patients are refusing to get treated,

and the people of the city are about to start a riot.

We need to come up with a plan.

How are we going to calm our citizens?

Someone needs to step up and hold responsibility.

Who? Who in the world would willingly go there?

Will you go?

What are you doing? Go check the Royal Palace.

Yes, sir.

What are you talking about?

Why are you, Junior Second Rank Cho Hyun Myung,

and Park Mun Su resigning?

You must let us do this, Your Majesty.

You must abandon us now...

to lead the kingdom.

Your Majesty.

There is no need to feel apologetic...

or hurt.

You should not feel that way if you know how happy I am...

to walk this path.

But this is what I wanted, Your Majesty.

I wanted to support your beliefs and be together in this palace...

than to live as a normal woman.

Yeo Ji.

You have no idea how relieved I am right now.

I can still protect your side.

For the people who left for me.

And for the people who stayed only for me.

I cannot back down...

for their sake.

I will stay here...

and fulfill the king's duty.

- Let us go. - Yes, Your Majesty.

What did you just say? His Majesty just left the palace?

Chief Royal Secretary.

- Well, the thing is... - Answer the question.

Where did His Majesty go?

No way.

Did His Majesty go to...

- Move! - Let us go!

Step back!

You cannot enter the Hwalinseo unless you are a patient!

We cannot trust our country nor the Hwalinseo.

I must save my friends and family!

Please let my mother out of there.

I cannot let her pass away inside.

We should keep pushing so that we can get inside!

I heard the Hwalinseo added wolfsbane in the medicine!

Did you not hear me? I said, step back!

You need to stop pushing!

Wait!

- Let us through! - Get out!

- Wait. What is that? - Open up!

Where?

We are going to leave!

I cannot let my father die.

Get out of the way. You will not disobey the King's orders!

I do not care about the King's orders!

His people are about to die right now,

but he left all by himself. He does not deserve to be the king.

His Majesty is here!

Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

What are you doing?

I want the doctors and nurses to help the patients get back up.

How could you make them kneel when they are sick?

Is he your father?

Yes, he is, Your Majesty.

Please get up.

You are not well. You should not be kneeling on the ground.

Inscrutable are the King's favors.

I know what you are all afraid of.

I also know about the hideous note all around the city.

I know how scared you all are...

about this illness.

However,

I, the king of this country,

will never abandon...

my people.

This illness is not a punishment from the above.

You will be able...

to get better no matter what.

So I hope you will all have faith...

and believe what I just said.

I...

will not take...

one step out of this city.

I will stay...

with my people until the very end.

That so-called King is quite clever.

There will be a change of plans.

Give orders to everyone immediately.

There must be a third person who planned this.

Who in the world could it be?

Are you saying there is a spy in the city and the palace?

You said you were getting ready for a rebellion,

but you did not even notice a rat peeking around!

You are getting scared over nothing.

- Are you ready? - This will not be easy.

Is there some kind of other problem in the palace?

Right now, I cannot...

predict anything.

You have no idea how long it took for us to prepare all this.

We will overturn this filthy world...

regardless of how much we will have to sacrifice.

I am definite that his goal is to start a rebellion.

Yi In Jwa, how far have you come?