Original subtitles

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION

CHILD ACTORS AND ANIMALS WERE FILMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SAFETY GUIDELINES

I am not your foe.

The King's royal bloodline is.

Then, why?

Why do you attack me?

That is a mighty crock of nonsense…

He's fleeing?

Stop right there!

The Ghostbane Stone.

We do not know when he will be back. We must get out of here.

Gangcheori.

Never let go of that Ghostbane Stone.

These were discovered with Yeo-ri.

BONFIRE

It is the same one, Your Majesty.

It is the same talisman used to summon the Eight-foot-tall Ghost.

Noble Elder Pung-san.

He is clearly the Yapper.

The evidence is undeniable. Do not just stand there.

We must catch him now!

Because of him, Yeo-ri--

His Majesty already gave the command to the Capital Garrison troops.

That cave and shrine area are being searched as we speak.

Unfortunately, the cave is much too vast and intricate,

so the search will take some time.

And the Association?

Yes, it has already been shut down.

All the fortune tellers and servants close to Noble Elder Pung-san have been detained

and Chief State Councillor is overseeing their interrogation.

Thank goodness you are safe.

Are you all right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Right. Thank goodness I am safe.

But it is odd.

Why did he not kill me?

What are you doing?

Then, should I just let her go free? She knows everything.

We cannot kill the bait.

Quietly take her out through the drainage gate.

He called me bait.

I am the bait.

What was he trying to catch with me as bait?

This place is crawling with soldiers.

What do I do now?

Noble Elder?

Warrior Deity?

Your Majesty.

Where is Pung-san's shrine?

It is this way.

This is it, Your Majesty.

This was the hidden passageway to Pung-san's shrine.

Noble Elder.

Noble Elder!

Oh gosh.

What in the world is going on now? I cannot believe this.

Noble Elder. Please wake up.

What is that?

Forgive me.

We tried sand and water to put it out, but it was momentary.

The embers keep coming back to life.

All of you

may leave.

Your Majesty.

We cannot, Your Majesty.

We cannot leave you alone.

Leave me!

Yes, Your Majesty.

We will remain in the vicinity.

I will kill you all!

This bloodline will be

uprooted by my hand!

You scoundrel…

kept me in a choke hold for many years.

Where are you hiding?

Wicked spirit!

Reveal yourself at once!

I have come in person because I have something to say to you!

I have denied your existence time and time again.

I did not want to believe it.

I just thought it was all bad luck and grievous tragedies!

I tried to believe it all happened because my virtue fell short

as the King.

However, I now know without a doubt.

You are trying to massacre me and my whole family!

These emotions that I have felt,

unyielding rage and unrelenting fear,

I now know that you have relished in them.

Reveal yourself this instant!

Step forth and face me if you will.

I will never back down.

I will never kneel before you.

I will look directly into your eyes

to face you and fight.

I refuse…

to bow down to you!

I am not your foe.

The King's royal bloodline is.

Then, why?

Why do you attack me?

You do not need to be concerned.

It is unnecessary.

What do you mean?

What am I not to be concerned about?

Ghosts are known for their cunning remarks

and their lies.

They use them to leave people distressed.

When would you have ever nurtured ill will against the throne?

I know.

Then, why are you so lost in your thoughts?

The Eight-foot-tall Ghost knew everything.

He knew I fell to the ground

while trying to ascend during that war, a century ago.

As if…

he witnessed it himself.

Then,

he was really born the day you fell to the ground?

The air is chilly. You should go back inside.

That is the rascal. The feast I had my heart set on.

The spite in his belly is just…

full to the brim.

Yes.

I can even smell

its potent stench from here.

What is the matter?

It is nothing, my lord.

Look here.

This is the procession of Lord Hong Gwon-u.

Swiftly step aside.

What is wrong with him?

Move it!

Just look at you go.

You do not own this street,

yet you insist on telling me to move when you can simply go around.

Just snipping away at your own life thread…

Do not dawdle.

- Get rid of him this instant! - Yes, my lord.

Move it!

What is he doing?

No!

Yeo-ri.

Forgive us for the inconvenience, my lord.

Yeo-ri!

Why that little…

Yeo-ri.

What was that just now?

Why do you ask when you saw everything?

He was setting the table for my feast

and you just barbarically flipped it over!

They say the recently deceased Kwak Sang-chung

was also discovered with a torn talisman.

Was that… also your doing?

Was it?

That was…

Yes. I was behind that.

However, he even kidnapped Yoon Gap's mother and tried to kill her.

What was so terrible about throwing Bibi that heinous scoundrel as a snack?

That scoundrel was no different.

If it was not for that damn talisman,

Bibi would have devoured him ages ago.

I already told you.

Bibi devouring men who habitually commit evil deeds

builds good karma for the land.

Why rage over a deity's affairs?

A deity's affairs…

Sure.

Ending a person's life must seem trivial for deities like you.

But you see,

when a deity kills a mortal, it is divine retribution,

but when one mortal kills another…

it is nothing more than murder.

- Murder? - Yes, murder.

The one who stole my myeongdu to destroy that talisman

is not Gangcheori

but Lord Yoon Gap, the mortal.

I already told you.

Bibi devouring men who habitually commit evil deeds

builds good karma for the land.

Why rage over a deity's affairs?

A deity's affairs…

Thinking about it only fuels my anger.

Are you honestly angry because I dared to end a mortal's life

with the sacred body of Lord Yoon Gap?

What happened to liking me?

You are so desperately worried about that rascal?

Can you not sleep, either?

You startled me.

That is unlike you.

You used to blow the roof off with your instant thunderous snoring.

I remain disturbed about what happened to Yeo-ri earlier today.

It is odd that the Eight-foot-tall Ghost just disappeared like that.

Listen.

Is that…

truly the only way?

You know…

The luminous pearl.

Is draining an Imugi's luminous pearl

the only way to guide the Eight-foot-tall Ghost to cross over?

Is there no other way?

I am sorry.

I am just a mere quack monk and I know of no other way.

Useless rascal.

Your Majesty.

They discovered letters and other objects

from the Queen Dowager in the noble elder's underground shrine.

Then, do you mean that the Queen Dowager is Noble Elder Pung-san's benefactor?

How amusing.

Not too long ago,

you argued that if anyone conjured a nasty hex against the royal family,

its chief victim who would suffer the most

would be the Queen Dowager, did you not?

I do hope Your Majesty is not suggesting

that people can actually be killed through hexes and heretical ceremonies.

Prince Yeongin met his unfortunate demise

due to excessive alcohol consumption.

After his death,

the Queen Dowager, distraught with sorrow and grief,

must have been tricked by that wicked blind fortune teller.

That is blasphemy.

Pung-san is a fortune teller I have long kept by my side.

I am confident about his character.

Someone has framed him for all of it.

And who might that be?

Surely…

Your Majesty must know better than anyone.

Your Grace.

Who was the first to recommend Pung-san to you?

Who is his benefactor?

Your Majesty!

It is time for you to open your eyes!

You were never an affectionate mother,

but you certainly were not a foolish one.

Yet you still have not realized it?

You led your own son to his death by offering him up as a sacrifice.

How absurd…

What sort of nonsense--

Pung-san is a sorcerer who serves an evil spirit.

That is right.

The very evil spirit who led the late king to his demise.

That is Yeongin's undershirt.

No…

That cannot be true.

I do not consider you blameless,

but I will not make you pay for your crimes.

You are already…

suffering the cruelest punishment.

No… That cannot be…

That cannot be true… No…

Perform a recitation ceremony to ward off ghosts.

Make sure that ghost cannot lay a finger on my Yeongin.

Get rid of this!

No…

No.

That cannot be.

No…

That cannot be…

Where did you ever find the audacity to seek me out once more?

Do you know of the misery I am going through to clean up that mess?

Please…

Please, just give me one more chance, my lordship.

Your very existence

has become a great burden in my life.

My lordship…

Damn it.

My lordship.

Do you truly believe you can seat a new king without my help?

What did you just say?

Secure a hideout for this blind creature's body.

The world you seek is not far off.

Noble Elder!

My goodness. Noble Elder.

Are you all right?

Noble Elder!

This used to be the ancestral shrine of His Lordship's family.

It remains out of sight for most. Do not do anything foolish.

Yes. Sure. I understand.

Noble Elder.

Please, Noble Elder.

Please wake up now.

What is going on?

Se-won.

My goodness. You are awake.

You saw it for yourself just now, did you not?

Did you see how the Warrior Deity took hold of my body?

His Lordship did not dare put up a fight.

Yes. I saw it clearly with my two eyes.

Do you get it now?

If you have the Warrior Deity standing behind you,

there is nothing to fear in this world.

Yes, you're right.

Is there a brazier nearby?

It is now time to pick that fully ripe persimmon.

That is what the Warrior Deity proclaims.

Were the marked ones killed by the Eight-foot-tall Ghost?

Yes, you are correct.

Yeo-ri once mentioned

the Eight-foot-tall Ghost must hold a deep grudge against the royal bloodline.

These are the royal relatives who met their sudden and strange deaths

for the past 13 years, after the late king passed.

As expected,

not all members of the royal bloodline were killed.

These must be the members who avoided the ghost's attacks.

Yes.

Then, the Eight-foot-tall Ghost must hold a grudge

against the one who lost all his offspring to it.

It must be against him.

It appears the Eight-foot-tall Ghost holds a grudge

against King Yeonjong, my great-great-grandfather,

who was the sovereign of this nation 100 years ago.

One hundred years ago…

The Eight-foot-tall Ghost mentioned it was born 100 years ago as well.

This cannot all be a coincidence.

It knew Gangcheori failed to ascend on the day of its birth.

I am certain he was also in Yongdam Village

when he met his demise.

Yongdam Village?

It is a village in Ducheong-hyeon.

That place was experiencing tumultuous warfare at the time.

No death that day would have surprised anyone.

It means all of the Eight-foot-tall Ghost's secrets

were buried in Yongdam Village, 100 years ago.

During the war when the northern barbarians invaded,

there was a safeguard for King Yeonjong in the royal procession.

Afterward, he was honored as a meritorious subject

and his family settled in Ducheong-hyeon

to become a prestigious family for generations to come.

His descendant…

might know something.

And who is that?

Lord Choi Won-u.

- Pardon? - What?

I shall go to Yongdam Village in ten days.

There, I will expose the true identity

of the Eight-foot-tall Ghost.

Come on now.

I am on my way to a royal court assembly.

Stop following me and be on your way.

I need to go this way, too.

What is it this time?

What is the issue?

Well… Tell me…

What sort of character

was that Yoon Gap fellow?

Yoon Gap?

Yoon Gap was an unmatched loyal subject.

A true scholarly gentleman.

Scholarly gentleman? As if.

From what I saw, he was cowardly and contemptible.

He tricked Yeo-ri

into coming to this dangerous palace to go after this ghost.

Yet, you and Yeo-ri have nothing but affection for that scoundrel.

"Lord Yoon Gap this" and "Lord Yoon Gap that."

I am sick and tired of it.

What is the matter with you?

Are you jealous?

But you possess a talent

that surpasses Yoon Gap in every way.

Which is?

You have the ability to turn the most solemn supreme sovereign

pettier than any commoner on the market street.

Sure. Of course. And does the most solemn supreme sovereign

possess enough knowledge to trip up the corrupt government officials?

Did you really think I was unaware?

I will do whatever it takes to fight them

and ultimately punish them to the fullest extent of state law.

The King shall take care of the affairs in the mortal world.

The deity should just stand aside and watch.

You should avoid

taking care of wicked old men by yourself, for instance.

And so on.

That object shall protect Your Highness from the Eight-foot-tall Ghost.

What a precious object.

I am truly grateful.

This is a Ghostbane Stone, is it not?

How did you know?

Father showed me his glasses that were made with one.

I see.

Your Highness should also keep it close by at all times.

What is with that King?

Does he know something?

- Know what? - Sheesh!

I told you to stop popping up like that!

Bibi?

Are those two at it again?

I saw it.

I saw where Yeo-ri hid that myeongdu.

I also already figured out where that nobleman I missed last time is.

He is drinking himself silly at a courtesan house in the middle of the day.

Come on, let's go.

Let us speedily enjoy that feast while Yeo-ri remains at the palace.

Bibi.

I am not going.

What?

Yeo-ri was right.

I should not have involved myself

in a deity's affairs when I am in this mortal body.

Gangcheori.

Pung-san is on the run now and he will not be able

to craft any more Haeilbu talismans for the time being.

Fortunately, mortals diligently age with every passing year,

so there will be a never-ending supply

of noblemen over the age of 60 with bellies full of spite.

I, too, am disappointed your ascension has been delayed because of that Haeilbu.

But it will only be a few years.

If you are patient, in a couple of years--

Forget it!

Bibi.

At the end of the day,

you just do not want to upset that brat.

At this rate,

you will be offering up your luminous pearl to banish that ghost.

How…

- How did you-- - I heard everything!

You have to drain your luminous pearl

if you want to banish the Eight-foot-tall Ghost.

That means you have to die.

At the beginning, you told me

that you were just using Yeo-ri to ascend as a dragon.

But look at you now.

Take a good look at yourself.

You are not occupying that body.

That body has swallowed you whole!

You have strayed too far

from Gangcheori the Imugi.

All because of that brat, Yeo-ri.

That dummy. Idiot.

Moron.

How could he abandon his own brother for some brat

who cannot even live for 100 years?

He wouldn't…

Would he actually give up his luminous pearl?

He does not have one.

No Haeilbu talisman.

Show yourself.

It appears you have figured it out.

So? Did you enjoy your meal,

Lord Imugi?

No wonder.

I did notice it reeked of fire energy.

My goodness, I am petrified.

My servant went through so much trouble acquiring you that prey.

How could you glare at me so for all the effort I put into this?

What are you scheming?

Oh, it is nothing special.

Just hand over that brat named Yeo-ri.

- What did you say? - You know the shrine at the Association?

Just bring her there

and I will catch these noblemen one by one

to serve them to you.

I crafted those talismans.

I have a clear roster of who has them in their possession.

Catching and serving them to you is no trouble at all.

Was this why?

Was this why you sold those talismans?

Neither the Warrior Deity nor I

harbor any ill will against the Imugis.

However, because of that damn brat, Yeo-ri,

Imugi Gangcheori interferes every other second

and it creates a giant headache for all.

So, if you just catch that brat and bring her to the shrine,

I will offer her right up to the Warrior Deity.

Then, Gangcheori will have no reason to interfere anymore,

leaving us happy and you happy to ascend.

This is a win-win situation for both parties, is it not?

Right?

I will hold it captive with this talismanic iron net.

Then, you can use the power of the luminous pearl

to stab it with that crescent blade.

That was why…

How could I have made such a request of him?

But look at you now.

Take a good look at yourself.

You are not occupying that body.

That body has swallowed you whole!

You have strayed too far

from Gangcheori the Imugi.

All because of that brat, Yeo-ri.

It looked like Bibi was quite angry…

How can I make it up to him?

- Listen… - What?

Yes? Is something the matter?

I am sorry for taking what belongs to you.

Yes. All right.

The Ghostbane Stone…

What did you do with it?

Where is your Ghostbane Stone?

Well, I…

I gave it to the Prince.

What?

We are to go to Yongdam Village in a few days.

What if the Eight-foot-tall Ghost tries to harm the Prince and Queen

during our absence?

Then, what about you? What are you to do?

At least with that cursed thing by your side, I could rest somewhat easy.

This will not do.

I will go and get it back from that prince rascal.

What? Let go of me.

How can you laugh about this?

I mean, just a few months ago, you despised it so

and tried everything to separate it from me.

I almost forgot.

I believe you also possessed Lord Yoon Gap's corpse

for the same reason. Am I wrong?

Things are different now.

Gangcheori.

I no longer need the Ghostbane Stone.

Do not need it?

What do you--

You are my protector now.

Back in Yongdam Village and even in the capital,

it was always you.

You stayed by my side and kept an eye on me when I was alone.

It was always you.

You are the Ghostbane Stone that kept me safe.

So, I will not be confusing you

with Lord Yoon Gap.

And…

And?

I cannot do stuff like this if I hold on to the Ghostbane Stone.

- Hey! - What?

Why are you smirking over there while you are eating?

Smirk? When did I ever smirk?

I am just agitated by the lack of side dishes.

Stop it. This barley porridge is so gentle on the palate and tasty.

I agree.

It is just so tasty, I finished it in three spoon--

I mean, I finished it in three bites.

We are in this predicament because you squandered your salary.

We have no choice.

Forgive me,

but going forward, we will only be serving barley porridge in this house.

Ma'am, what about the money I gave you last time?

That is too precious to spend.

I will keep it safe and give it to you when you get married.

Do not worry.

Still going on about that damn salary.

I will just go to the King tomorrow and have him pay that salary once more.

So let us get something tasty--

As if that makes any sense.

Do you think the King is your buddy?

Venerable, do you have a moment?

Yeo-ri. How do you know about that?

I thought you would have known.

The Eight-foot-tall Ghost can be banished with an Imugi's luminous pearl.

Is there any other way?

His Majesty once told me

that Neop-deok was the only shaman who was able to quell its energy.

How did my grandma do that?

Even back then, she tried every which way

and tried with all her might to expose the ghost's true identity,

but she failed.

Hence,

she summoned the Grim Reaper.

But the shaman could suffer sudden death if things go awry.

That is right.

It was only possible because she was Great Shaman Neop-deok.

However, you already know that

that ended up failing as well.

But, back then, Grandma was in the dark

about the ghost's true identity and Yapper's existence.

If I am able to expose its true identity in Yongdam Village this time,

summoning the Fire Reaper might be enough.

Fire Reaper?

As in the reaper who takes away souls who were burned to death?

What is it?

You will need one more thing if you wish to summon the Fire Reaper.

What? Were you eavesdropping?

That is not important.

The ghost's identification pendant.

- You need it, do you not? - Its identification pendant?

It would be useful to have,

but how could I ever find that?

Wait…

The Yapper might have it.

That explains how he could summon it so easily.

I saw it at his shrine.

Did you really?

Yes, really.

You do not have to believe me.

Hold on.

What?

Do you want me to come with you?

Come with me.

Do not tell Gangcheori that I know about the luminous pearl.

He must not find out.

I will make sure he is not sacrificed

to banish the Eight-foot-tall Ghost.

This girl…

genuinely holds Gangcheori dear, deep in her heart.

That is exactly why.

That is why you are an even greater danger to him.

If he wholly accepts your affection,

he will do whatever it takes…

to keep you out of danger.

Even if he cannot forgive me for the next thousand years,

I have no choice.

Tomorrow night.

I will bring Yeo-ri to the shrine at the Association.

Excellent.

That is excellent.

Hence,

I am sorry, but please die here and now.

What is he doing here?

Why should I care?

I just need to separate her from Gangcheori

and accept my feast.

That is how I save Gangcheori.

FORBIDDEN

You startled me. Why must you always appear like that?

What took you so long?

Where is the ghost's identification pendant?

Follow me.

I did not get a good look last time.

This shrine…

is quite something.

It was built to optimize

the gathering and harnessing of fire energy.

The identification pendant should be inside there.

Where in the world is it?

And we meet again.

How in the world are you here?

Bibi.

Did you deceive me?

Why?

Gangcheori changed because of you.

At this rate,

he will give up on what he has endured all these long years for.

I will not let that happen.

I will never sacrifice him.

You heard everything.

I am here today to find another way--

Yes.

I am sure that is how you feel now.

However, that very desire…

will only encourage him to go further.

I do not care if he hates me for eternity.

As long as he is safe.

I know you…

You just need to bring that Imugi to the shrine.

Yeo-ri.

It appears you are hell-bent on dying.

Bibi.

You will not get in my way this time.

Lord Imugi Bibi has agreed to help me.

What do you think you are doing right now?

Bibi!

What is the meaning of this?

This is all for your sake.

All because you have changed!

- What did you say? - This is for the better.

I will kill that wench tonight

and get you out of that wretched body.

That is enough, Bibi.

I do not want to fight you.

I do not, either.

However,

this is how I protect you.

Bibi!

Bibi, stop here.

No. I must get you out of that body.

That body is not you!

This whole shrine is full of sweltering fire energy.

At this rate,

they will both be completely depleted of their water-based energies.

There we go. We are almost there.

He…

was not after me.

It is now time

for you to leave

that wretched body!

You cannot, Bibi! Please stop.

You two should not be fighting right now.

He is waiting for one of you two to die!

What?

What does that mean?

The luminous pearl.

He wants the luminous pearl!

Luminous pearl…

What?

No!

Bibi.

Bibi!

Bibi!

Bibi, you will be all right.

No.

No, Bibi!

I feel weird…

It's all right.

I…

No…

The luminous pearl…

No!

Gangcheori, we need to get out of here.

He devoured the pearl. We don't know what will happen next.

Hurry.

The Warrior Deity

has devoured the luminous pearl!

Bibi, hang in there.

Gangcheori.

Stop.

You can let me down now.

Sit.

Bibi.

Bibi, you will be fine.

Serves me right.

I just let myself be tricked

by that blind scoundrel.

The King's grandfather…

He is the true benefactor of that scoundrel.

Stop talking.

Your luminous pearl. I will reclaim it for you.

Until then, just please…

Have you ever seen an Imugi…

without one?

Bibi…

I just…

wanted to protect you.

Seeing you stray so far away…

upset me

and scared me.

You know?

I do. I know, Bibi.

Bibi.

Bibi!

Bibi.

Bibi!

Bibi!

Bibi!

SPECIAL THANKS TO SONG JAE-HEE

My heart just hurts so much.

What in the world is wrong with me?

Now, I know

who the true benefactor of the ghost is.

It is Lord Kim Bong-in.

That is impossible. Yeo-ri must be mistaken.

The Warrior Deity has gained stronger power than ever before.

We must hurry.

We shall set out as soon as day breaks tomorrow.

Command that ghost to end the King's life right now!

Once His Majesty retires to slumber,

secretly let them out.

Choi Won-u was hiding something.

Subtitle translation by: Justin S. Kim