Original subtitles

Why did you do that?

I loved you.

I loved you so dearly.

Why...

Wol-ryeong. He must be back.

Wol-ryeong, are you...

Who's there?

I just made it quickly, but it's better than nothing.

Goodness.

He has Wol-ryeong's eyes.

Does he?

I'm not sure.

His face.

His eyes.

His smile...

I can't remember any of it.

I told him to stab your heart with that.

Killing you would have saved him.

Then why didn't he?

He said you were the first woman who made him feel that way in 1,000 years.

He couldn't bear to live without you.

That's how much he loved you.

The dagger is yours now.

It's the last token of his love for you

as well as his trust in you.

I wanted him dead.

I thought he would be a monster.

So I swore...

that I'd kill the child.

Oh, you've come a long way.

Indeed.

I trust you are well?

People are weak and feeble.

They only begin to regret once they've lost what's dear to them.

Do not forgive me.

I pushed true love away.

I even wished for his child to die.

Do not forgive me.

I will pay for my sins.

Please have mercy on this child.

Spare him from the loneliness that his father lived with.

Please let him grow as a perfectly human child

amongst ordinary humans.

That is my final request

as his mother.

A normal life as a human.

"A perfectly human child

amongst ordinary humans."

Thank you.

-Please enjoy. -Thank you.

-Enjoy. -Enjoy.

Get me some water, Choi.

That's refreshing.

It's torturous for me to drink when you can't.

What can you do?

They hold the provincial salt rights.

They have to be treated well.

Still, all this must be driving you crazy.

It's better than having the price change because of me.

I have to spend money to make money.

Wait.

Do you hear something?

What? What do you hear?

I think I hear a baby crying.

I don't hear anything.

No.

It's certainly the sound of a baby crying.

Stop the music.

What in...

Isn't that the sound of a baby crying?

There can't be a child here.

Right. Wait.

-There! -I really hear the cry.

-There. -What?

How...

-Goodness. -It's really a baby.

What's going on?

How can this be? It's an infant.

What kind of beastly human would abandon a newborn in the stream?

I know.

Oh, my lord. You've found a lucky charm.

You got a lucky charm.

-Who are you? -My name is So-jeong.

Well, let me see you.

While wandering, I picked up knowledge here and there.

And I've learned the secrets of the universe.

If you take this child and raise him,

you will be rewarded with great fortune.

"Great fortune"?

I can see that

you're the type of person who possesses wealth.

But things are not looking so great for you right now.

You're struggling these days, aren't you?

If I raise this child as my own,

everything will work out for me?

Can you swear to keep that bracelet on him until he turns 20?

What is it?

It's a talisman to keep away bad luck.

A talisman?

Rear the boy, keep that bracelet on him

until he turns 20,

and your good deeds and endeavors

will be returned to you as good karma, and you'll succeed in life.

You expect me to believe that nonsense?

The forest, the trees, and the wind

will testify for me.

It's your lucky day, Mu-sol.

You came out to play and found a child that will bring luck.

Why don't I name the child?

Since he was abandoned in the stream, why don't you call him Kang-chi?

Kang for river and chi for abandoned. So it's Kang-chi.

You can give him Choi's last name and call him Choi Kang-chi.

Sirs, I am not even married yet.

Choi Kang-chi. What a great name.

What do you say, Master Park?

It was a place of mystery.

A place no one dared approach.

But a new legend

was beginning here.

Kang-chi.

Choi Kang-chi.

And then what?

Did he raise the abandoned baby?

He sure did.

And His Lordship?

Did he really get rich?

Yes. He became so rich.

After saving the child from the river,

every business he ventured into

became extremely successful.

He became the richest of the rich.

And he owned the finest trading house in the whole province,

the Century House.

CENTURY HOUSE

There are over 100 employees,

10 different houses for guests,

and 50 different rooms.

There are stables for cattle and horses with two stalls each.

It even includes a nice bathhouse for the tired travelers, of course.

And in the kitchens of each guest house,

they cook the finest regional dishes

for their guests.

-Wow! It sounds yummy! -Wow! It sounds yummy!

Anyway, there are the usual traders there,

but there are also tons of merchants from all over the world,

even those from as far away as Ming.

He must own lots of gold and silver if he's that rich.

Oh, just gold and silver?

Every single one of his 12 storehouses

is filled to the brim with all kinds of treasure.

So the thieves thought that they would have an easy day.

Halt!

But no one got away, not a single one,

ever since the Century House opened its doors.

That's not all.

I'm sorry. Please spare me.

Please spare me.

Please spare me.

Sir, what are your orders?

You broke into the storehouse to steal from me?

My lord.

Please forgive me.

I have a mother,

a wife, and seven children.

We haven't eaten in five days.

I had to do something.

Please have mercy.

Spare me, please.

One sack is grain, the other is seeds.

If you work hard and bring me the harvest,

I'll give you more than just a fair price.

Thank you.

How can I

ever repay you, my lord?

Live well.

That's how you'll repay me.

My life is yours, my lord.

Anytime, anywhere, anything...

It's yours.

The owner of the Century House,

Master Park Mu-sol was a noble man

who was respected by all.

The number of starving people lessened, thanks to him.

They even say that

his grace is heaven-sent.

So, what's the moral of this story?

Should you be as noble and good

as Master Park Mu-sol or not?

-We should! -We should!

Excuse me, just one thing.

Yes?

What happened to that baby?

What?

The baby that Park Mu-sol saved from the river.

I'm curious about how he turned out.

How did he grow up?

Well...

That's...

Kang-chi!

Kang-chi, where are you? Choi Kang-chi!

Kang-chi?

He's not here.

What do you mean? He didn't come in?

I made it absolutely clear that he has to work until the day ends.

What now?

Is he in trouble again?

Is he in trouble?

He is. He is in huge trouble.

What?

Are you all deaf?

I said I want Kang-chi. Did I stutter?

Why are you looking for him?

And who might you be?

I'm Park Tae-seo. I run our business affairs.

Why did you barge in here and cause all this commotion?

Do I have to use words to describe the problem here?

Who do you think beat my boys to a pulp?

Are you saying that it was Kang-chi?

If you know, hurry up and bring him.

I'll either beat him up or bring him to the authorities.

I will do something about this today.

I understand. You should leave and wait for now.

We'll sort it out here and let you know.

You'll let me know?

We won't budge until we've settled this here and now.

Well?

Bring him to me.

Bring me that bastard Choi Kang-chi!

Wow. You look gorgeous.

Just like an angel, my lady.

So the man I'm meeting is some sort of administrator?

Not at all. He's a vice minister.

A vice minister.

So the second rank, then.

Exactly. He received a royal commission.

His whole family is moving to the capital next month.

That's why he's in a hurry to get married.

Setting up in the capital

requires quite a bit of funding.

He wants my father's money.

That's why he's in a hurry.

Right, Kang-chi?

Show some respect.

I'm two years older than you.

So what?

You act like you're two years younger.

You become less and less adorable each year.

As a baby, you called me "big brother"

all the time.

That was then, but now...

Now?

Now I am to marry into a vice minister's family.

Sure.

As if that would suit you.

So it won't suit me? What do you mean?

I know you.

You can't stand a boring life. And what? A vice minister's family?

There's no way you'd be happy at a stuffy old house.

I know you better than anyone.

Don't start. Not here.

Her Ladyship will be here any minute.

Oh, no.

Here she comes.

My lady, it's her! She's here!

Lady Cheong-jo, Her Ladyship is here to see you.

Cheong-jo, it's me. Are you in there?

Cheong-jo.

She is, my lady.

She's still getting ready.

Hurry.

Quickly, this way.

Are you sure?

As you said, this is a marriage of convenience.

Is this...

really what you want?

She'll be with you in a moment, my lady.

Step aside.

Mother.

I was just about to come see you.

Was it Kang-chi?

Was he here again?

Of course not. I haven't seen him all day.

I opened the window to enjoy the warm spring breeze. That's all.

Enjoy the spring breeze? There's talk of your marriage right now.

Moreover,

this marriage is as important to us as it is to them, you know that.

Growing up, Kang-chi was like a brother to you,

but you two are of different classes.

You're old enough to know that now. Understood?

Of course. Don't worry.

We had prepared tea.

Lady Gong is outside.

Pay your respects and escort her in.

Yes, Mother.

Tae-seo.

Did you forget that Mother forbade you from visiting here?

Of course not.

I was not visiting. I was just passing by

See you.

It's true.

I swear I was just passing by.

Ma Bong-chul and his guys are here.

Deal with this quietly.

We have important guests today.

Did you come back for more?

What...

What did you just say?

-Kang-chi. -You!

Where do you think you are?

Where else? It's the Century House.

And who am I?

Who else? You're Choi Kang-chi!

Smart.

Then you should know this, too.

If people come in here looking for trouble,

I, Choi Kang-chi, will gather them in one place

and smash them into pieces.

What? Smash us?

Look at you.

Do you hear yourself, you little bastard?

Hey, how dare you?

You rootless, fatherless,

hot-tempered bastard...

who acts all tough while hiding behind

a noble man like Master Park.

You've become a scum who pesters good men like me and my boys.

-Oh, no. -Sir!

-Sir. -Hey, Kang-chi!

Hey!

I'll keep this brief.

You have until the count of three.

One.

Did you just kick me?

You little bastard...

What are you doing?

-I said to deal with it quietly. -Two.

We have important guests. Stop.

Three!

I said, stop!

You spineless animal!

You should stop as well!

You saw what he did to me.

-Ten nyang. -What?

For your trouble. How is that?

Park Tae-seo.

Ten nyang? That's barely worth blowing my nose on.

How about 20?

I think that might do.

Twenty? You dirty bastard.

So scary. Are you really grabbing me by my collar?

I might add ten nyang more. Do you hear me, boy?

You must have a death wish.

Fine. Thirty nyang. Done.

Are you crazy? You're giving this scum 30 nyang?

You're the one who made him ask for ten nyang more. Shut up.

As you say, sir, 30 should do it.

Fifty nyang!

-What? Fifty? -Fifty nyang?

-Fifty nyang? -What? Fifty?

Let's make it 50 nyang, but...

What's he doing?

What was that?

If you can drag me to this broomstick,

-you'll get 50 nyang. -Kang-chi.

Is 50 not good enough for you?

Why don't I kneel and beg for mercy on top of that?

I'm being more than generous here. How about it?

Are you in?

What are you doing, boys?

He's being very generous here.

Go get him!

Come here!

-Hey! -Get him!

Get him!

He's getting away!

Choi Kang-chi.

Catch him!

He's running away!

It's tea made from the first lotus blossom of the year.

Your words and actions

are as graceful as the lotus.

You are indeed

a credit to your upbringing.

Choi Kang-chi!

Get him!

That bastard!

Sometimes our guests can get a little out of hand.

They are separate from the main house.

Not to worry.

Hey!

Kang-chi.

Hey, Choi Kang-chi!

What are you--

Oh, goodness.

Get him!

It's 50 nyang!

Hey, it's 50 nyang!

Here he comes.

Oh, my!

Oh, my!

We got him!

Why are you just standing? Go get him!

It's 50 nyang!

Halt!

What is all this?

Oh, my lord.

Kang-chi, are you all right?

Kang-chi, how dare you! On your feet!

The 50 nyang Kang-chi promised you.

He knelt before you and apologized. Is that fair enough?

Of course, sir.

Can I really take this?

Then be on your way.

Yes, sir, of course.

Let's be on our way, boys.

Yes, sir.

Those brats...

You think you're any better than them?

Apologize to His Lordship.

Which was it this time?

-Sorry? -The reason is always

one or the other.

To defend our house or to defend the weak.

Which was it?

A man makes no excuses.

It was because I couldn't control my temper.

It's my fault.

Boys will be boys. It's no big deal.

But, Kang-chi, you're an adult now.

You'll help Tae-seo and become the head of security in the future.

You should have dealt with this situation responsibly at the house.

I don't know what to say, my lord.

Sit there until midnight and reflect on your actions.

Let's go.

Please grow up, will you?

How long will you put up with him?

Has Lady Gong gone home?

Yes, after I apologized

and gave her silk as a gift.

I am utterly mortified.

My lord, send him away, please?

He's a month away from his 20th birthday.

Will you kick him out of the house

once he turns 20?

-Darling. -I have a bad feeling about him.

I always have ever since you brought him into this house.

An abandoned child?

But our firstborn is on the way.

I couldn't just ignore him.

No. Absolutely not.

We don't even know where he came from.

What if he's a curse instead of a blessing?

Your ships that were headed toward Ming have been lost for two months.

And now our family's fortune is on the line.

Darling.

Oh, no, he's bleeding!

Oh, dear.

What happened?

I'm sorry, my lord. I knocked over the candlestick

and it fell on his head.

Sir! The baby...

What have you brought into our house?

I have a bad feeling about him.

Get him out of our house. Now!

Darling.

Hurry!

There's hot water here.

Quick!

Ma'am. Over here.

Hurry.

Hurry!

My lord, she's in trouble.

Both Her Ladyship and the baby are in danger.

Come over here.

-Bring it here. -What's going on?

It's a talisman to keep away bad luck.

Rear the boy, keep that bracelet on him

until he turns 20,

and your good deeds and endeavors

will be returned to you as good karma, and you'll succeed in life.

What are you?

A blessing?

Or a curse?

My lord, you have a son.

A boy.

My wife? Is she all right?

Yes, sir. Neither Her Ladyship nor your son is in danger.

My lord!

We just heard.

All of your ships have returned.

What? The ships?

All three?

Yes, my lord. All three of them.

My lord, we're saved.

We're saved!

Yes!

-We're saved. -We're saved.

The ships have returned.

Rear the boy,

and you'll succeed in life.

The forest, the trees, and the wind

will testify for me.

I'm starving.

Cheong-jo!

What are you doing? Don't you know this is not allowed?

You don't want it?

Would it have killed you to bring me some chicken?

Why did you do it?

You can't stop this wedding like that.

You know that.

We all do things we don't want to.

Like this wedding.

Either you want to or you don't.

Why do it if you don't?

To protect what you have takes sacrifice

and perseverance.

What are you trying to protect exactly?

Family.

I can only do little as a woman.

But if this marriage will help my father and my family,

if it will help Century House thrive,

that's enough for me.

I can do that.

The house, you, His Lordship, your family, I can protect you all.

I'm tough, you know that.

I do.

But being tough isn't enough.

It's a question of influence and politics.

Influence and politics aside,

what do you feel?

-Do you even like me? -Kang-chi.

Don't think. Just answer.

One.

Two.

Three.

One.

Two.

Three--

It's cold.

Time to go inside.

He's a month away from his 20th birthday.

Just wait until then.

And if something happens during that time, what then?

Surely you've noticed that he has feelings for Cheong-jo.

They've been like brother and sister their whole lives.

Nothing is going to happen.

But something is already happening.

If you don't act,

I will.

Not a chance.

"Not a chance"?

With the ladies, I mean.

A man should be

strong and confident,

and with big shoulders.

Only then will women fall for him.

You look so skinny and weak.

Excuse me, ma'am. I'm a woman.

What?

That's even worse.

What kind of a man would fall for you when you're dressed like that?

Women should have dainty and soft curves.

Only then would men drool.

Sorry?

I'm done here. One nyang.

I'm destined to spend my life alone.

Dainty and soft curves?

Is there anything I can eat to get those?

Don't let that hag get to you.

Tell me something.

Do men really hate girls that can fight?

Do they?

Who knows?

I see.

No. That's not what I meant--

Forget it. You don't have to console me.

I'll grow old alone after all.

It's fine. I don't care.

There's someone for everyone.

Why should you be any different?

Do you see something?

I see a soul, clean and pure.

Oh, so you do see something.

Give me a reading. Will I find love or not?

My lady.

Quiet.

Let's see here.

Let's see.

What? No luck?

I'll die alone like the old hag said?

Not exactly.

Love will find you soon...

Really? When? Where?

What kind of person is he?

You're better off avoiding him if you can.

But it's love and fate.

Isn't fate decided by the heavens?

If you can avoid it,

how is that fate?

Fate brings people together,

but you have a choice.

True love or not, if you choose against it,

fate holds no control over it.

Is there no other way?

A talisman against fate or something?

My greatest friend found true love once.

But he wasn't supposed to meet her,

and so it killed him.

Avoid it if you can. There's no other way.

So you're saying

I'll grow old alone?

Is that it?

You're a woman of good character.

Be patient and your destiny will find you.

It's okay. I thought as much.

A peach tree under the crescent moon. The man there is incompatible with you.

When you meet him, run away.

Understand?

BI-JO TO RETIRE TO THE COUNTRY

RESONANCE HALL

Where are you going?

I have to see someone.

I doubt I'll be back by tonight.

I see.

Tae-seo will look after things, so don't worry.

Prepare my horse.

Yes, my lord.

I'll be back.

What's all this?

Ledgers from the last three months.

Look over them

and check if the numbers are balanced.

Wait. Why me?

Is this because of yesterday?

You cost us 50 nyang.

It's time to pay what you owe.

I'd rather do physical labor.

Like clean the stables, maybe?

Or tidy up the storehouses?

Sit.

Don't move until you're done. Understood?

What a cold-hearted son of a...

You got off easy.

Enough with the whining.

So make sure you get it done today, okay?

Hey, Tae-seo!

Gop-dan, what brings you here?

MEET ME AT THE WATERMILL TONIGHT PARK CHEONG-JO

TRAINING CENTER

MIND AND BODY UNITE AS ONE

Master Dam, Master Park from the Century House is here.

It's been a while.

Thank you for coming, Mu-sol.

I left the moment I read your message.

It's as quiet as a temple when Kang-chi is under control.

He's probably dozing off by now.

Kang-chi, that rascal.

Cheong-jo, it's me. Are you here?

Cheong-jo.

Gop-dan.

What's going on?

Why did Cheong-jo send for me?

Is something wrong?

She's inside.

Ask her yourself.

Cheong-jo.

Cheong-jo, it's me. Where are you?

Cheong-jo.

-My lady. -It's true what they say.

People are no more grateful than beasts.

You're a prime example.

How do you mean?

You're a low-class nobody.

How dare you covet Cheong-jo's love? How dare you?

Forgive me, my lady.

But...

I meant no disrespect.

What then?

My feelings are sincere.

What?

What's that? Sincere?

Even a low-class nobody like me

can be sincere, my lady, so--

Silence!

You brought this onto yourself.

You there.

-Yes, my lady. -Yes, my lady.

But why? Bi-jo is coming?

A man in his position so suddenly...

It wasn't sudden.

For months now, there have been murders

in Jinju and Tongyeong.

Recently, there have been murders in the southern provinces as well.

So two investigators were dispatched.

And? What happened?

They were found dead...

near your trading house.

Near Yeosu.

Is Bi-jo involved somehow?

He has placed men in the provinces over the past few months.

Anyone against him has been removed.

Lee Kap-su in Namhae,

Choi Jun-mok in Jinju, and Nam Gil-man in Suncheon.

They've all been murdered

and were stripped of their commercial licenses.

And?

And you're probably next.

You and the Century House.

My lord, we're here.

Ten or so men as escorts.

Three times that number in hiding.

So about 30 warriors are somewhere where we can't see them.

I can sense their bloodlust.

You have a choice.

Leave the Century House now and never come back.

The Century House is my home.

Where would I go?

Please don't tell me to do that.

Too bad.

If you won't leave on your own, I'll make it so that you can't come back.

Here.

Wrap him in a straw mat and beat him to a pulp.

Then throw him out.

But, my lady, His Lordship is absent right now.

I'll inform His Lordship.

It would be worse if he found out

that this scum wanted his daughter.

To have such trust betrayed.

My lady!

We have our orders.

Don't take it personally.

Follow him!

Stop!

Get him!

Since we've informed Father of Bi-jo's arrival,

let's go back.

By the way,

why did he say that there would be

a crescent moon on the peach tree and not peaches?

I think there's a deep meaning to it.

You shouldn't take people like him too seriously.

I wish I could ignore him,

but I can't stop thinking about what he said.

His words keep coming back to me.

I hear people.

I'll go straight ahead. You approach from the side.

Stop this. I don't want to fight you.

Could he really be a monster?

The drug has no effect on him.

Try not to hurt him.

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

Who's there?

Who are you?

There are a lot of you

for one unarmed man.

This isn't any of your concern. Leave.

I will after you answer my question.

Perhaps the recent provincial murders

were your doing?

I said, leave.

Sorry.

When I start something, I finish it.

Who is this?

I'll answer with my sword.

I sent my most trusted agents.

Will you let them protect you for now?

What do you say?

Cheong-jo.

Is that you, Cheong-jo?

Don't worry.

I, Kang-chi, will protect you.

There's a crescent moon above the peach tree.

Avoid it if you can. There's no other way.

Do you know who I am?

Or have we met before?

Will you leave quietly?

Or would you rather I teach you a lesson?

How dare you?

And if I do remember,

would it mean something then?

What happens

if I don't avoid that fate?

What if I can't avoid it?

Subtitle translation by Jin-young Song