Original subtitles

This drama is based on the life of On Dal, a Goguryeo general from the Yeoljeon (Biographies) of Samguksagi. The characters, events, and specific chronology may be different from history.

Is this Gochuga's idea?

What's the difference?

It's a revolution for Gyerubu.

This Yang Chaek!

I'm willing to raise an army!

If we succeed in this revolt,

I'm going to seat you on the throne.

My Goguryeo will be... a country that you have never seen before.

I should live long and healthy

to see your Goguryeo with my eyes.

Yang Chaek of Hwangju Castle launched an uprising with soldiers.

Please let me go.

The royal son-in-law is leading the punitive force and heading to the Hwangju Castle now.

Episode 16

Ah, Commander.

Yes, sir.

Your mission this time is very important.

Let's go!

What is the meaning of this?

Once things are settled at Hwangju Castle, take care of Go Sang Cheol quietly.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Moonrise River team @Viki.com

How... How could this...

The tongue is the source of ten thousand troubles.

That's what the general said.

What do you mean the commander is dead?

Please forgive me, it's my fault.

I caught him being bribed by the princess, so I was looking into it confidentially...

Bribe?

Yes.

The commander would never do that! You drove the matter to this result, just based on your suspicion?

I planned to question him after his return, but they said he caught on and tried to run away.

He even wielded his sword at them!

I'm sorry, Father.

If the princess managed to bribe the commander, there would be a major setback...

Please do not worry.

I checked the king's quarters and Magnolia Hall, but fortunately, it hasn't leaked.

One wrong step can lead to failure.

There shouldn't be even the tiniest mistake.

I'll keep that in mind.

I had to put out this fire by getting rid of the commander.

But we'll have to be wary of other people's eyes for a while.

For the sake of the revolution, and for your safety,

I'll have to be patient even if I want to see you.

If we thrive, we will thrive together,

but if we fail, we'll be buried together in the same pit.

That's what fate said about our future.

As long as I'm by your side,

I'll have no regrets being buried in the same pit with you.

Here's a message from Jangbaek Herb store.

Nanny.

Yes, Your Highness.

Please be at ease.

This is the Magnolia Hall where you raised me.

I'll accept your word, Your Highness.

I know you don't trust me, but...

I will give you my loyalty for the last time.

I found out where Doo Joong Seo is.

I'm coming in, Your Highness.

Did you get any news from Hwangju Castle?

It's not about that...

A soldier watching Gyerubu sent in a report.

Commander Go Sang Cheol returned as a dead body.

Did he report that Go Sang Cheol is dead?

He left a few days ago for an urgent matter, but his destination was Hwangju Castle.

I apologize for what happened in the past.

For me, Lord Kim's order comes first.

All her henchmen have gone on a punitive expedition, so the princess will be coming alone.

I will slash her as soon as she shows up.

Slash her?

Your head will fly off before you can pull out your sword.

Stay hidden quietly like a dead man,

and as soon as I spray this tranquilizer on her, you should all attack her at once.

There will be only one opportunity.

Granny!

Granny!

What kind of horrible dream did you have to make you groan like that?

It's nothing.

Just sleep. Go back to sleep.

What should I do?

I'll be right back with water!

Granny!

Granny, here.

Are you okay?

Come out.

Do you think she figured it out?

It seems that today is not the day the princess dies.

Get out of here.

General.

Her Highness the Princess is here.

I know Go Won Pyo instigated the insurrection.

Or was it Go Geon?

I came knowing everything, so tell me the truth.

Gyerubu was behind the insurrection.

Confess!

We'll show you mercy if you do.

Is it mercy if I get beheaded rather than dismembered?

I'm going to die anyway.

My dependants will be able to live by being on Gochuga's side rather than the king's!

- This piece of— - Stop.

I'll settle this. You should go back to Pyeongyang Castle first.

Settle?

Bring his dependents now.

I'm going to have to see how many of them have to die before he breaks.

Yes, Your Highness.

Dal, are you hurt anywhere?

You said that to scare him, right?

You're bluffing to get him to talk, right?

No.

If he keeps quiet, there may be blood spilled.

How could you?

Don't you say such idle things!

Go Won Pyo and his son are going crazy!

The royal family may be in disarray at any moment,

so I have to find out who's behind it no matter what.

They're the blood of a traitor anyway.

If they're lucky enough to escape execution, they'll just end up as slaves.

You can prevent that because you're a princess!

I can't because I am a princess!

The laws are strict and their wrongdoings are clear.

How can I let them go?

I don't know the law of the country, but we should save his innocent family.

Making him confess and punishing Go Won Pyo and his son...

This is the only way right now.

While fighting the soldiers like a madman,

I remembered a memory from when I was young.

Gyerubu and Go Won Pyo's soldiers, who were slaughtering the people of my tribe...

But...

Last night, I was Go Won Pyo.

Constantly slashing, stabbing, and hacking...

Don't you do that.

I'll shed all the blood, so you stay away far from it.

It's okay for a princess to do that.

Before I was a princess, I was an assassin.

Going to a strange place and killing people I didn't know,

I had nightmares every night when I went back home.

Those horrible memories agonizingly remained here!

All this tragedy was caused by Go Won Pyo.

Now the destroyed lives out there, and you and me...

were all caused by his ambition.

So...

You can't help it this time either?

Yeah.

If it enables me to kill Go Won Pyo,

I will become Go Won Pyo.

My wife...

My lady...

says she's going to be a bad guy like Go Won Pyo.

I can't just stand by and watch.

Dal.

Dal!

General!

General!

General!

General!

Move!

What do you mean an insurrection?

You mean they started a military campaign in Jooahn Castle?

Even the atmosphere at the nearby Muwon Castle is unusual!

It seems that Yang Chaek of Hwangju Castle isn't the only one involved in the insurrection.

Your Majesty.

A beacon fire has been set at the Jangnyeong Fortress!

What? Even from Jangnyeong Fortress?

Hwangju Castle was suppressed and Lord Yang Chaek—

He became the kindling,

so his work is done.

I didn't expect the princess to send On Dal with the punitive force.

If everything goes as planned, then it won't be a revolution but a minor event.

By now, Jooahn Castle, Muwon Castle, and even Jangnyeong Fortress would have raised soldiers.

From now on, this will become a fight against time.

I'll secretly arm my soldiers.

Sonobu and Gwannobu will also move together.

Make sure everything goes according to the plan!

Yes, Father. I've only been waiting for your order.

They're still talking?

It's taking a while.

Ga Jin has every reason to be mad.

How could he kill the lord without permission?

Dal messed up this time.

Dal is the general of this force.

Is the general at higher level than the princess?

I wonder who he has to thank for his job?

You think Dal joined this force to gain success?

He volunteered for the sake of this country

because he's the only one she can trust even though he doesn't want this job.

Good for you guys.

What's gotten into her recently?

I'm here because I was entrusted with military power by the king.

I didn't come here as the princess or your wife.

I came on behalf of the king.

One of the traps a poacher puts out is called a tooth snare.

They put iron bits into a rope, like teeth,

and when a deer gets caught in one, it can't move at all.

The more the deer moves, the deeper the teeth go in.

If you see a deer caught in those traps, you have to just kill it.

Even if you let it live, it'll limp around and become food for wolves or wildcats.

Yang Chaek was not a deer.

He was just a soldier who had been bought by Go Won Pyo, and you,

disobeyed the king and killed him.

- Not to let you commit any sin, instead I— - You became my sword?

You say you did it for me, but you blatantly ignored what I said?

I didn't do it because I enjoy it.

I feel dirty!

I feel like I can still smell the blood!

Face the reality.

Do you have any idea how precarious Pyeongyang Castle is right now?

Stop talking about the country!

This is an issue between just us two.

What should I do?

How can I get rid of your anger?

Please tell me, Ga Jin.

Dal, not like this.

Get back to the city now. Leave the work here to me.

A messenger is here from Pyeongyang Castle.

Jooahn Castle and even Muwon Castle?

Yes, Your Highness. He ordered us to subjugate them immediately.

Let's start rearming and leave at night.

We have to destroy each of their soldiers before they join.

Yes, Your Highness, we'll get ready.

Let's go.

- What about General On? - He will return to the city.

He'll go back to the city.

I agree.

I agree. I think he needs a break.

He's really worn out.

I'll keep commanding the punitive force.

You should rush back to Pyeongyang Castle

We're done talking about this.

I know I'm in the wrong. I'm sorry.

I messed up dealing with the lord.

So you should get back to the city as soon as possible.

We don't know what Go Won Pyo and his son are going to do,

and you're the only one who can stop them.

I'm not asking you as your husband.

I'm proposing this as a Goguryeo's general to protect the royal family.

It's not about us,

it's about the country.

I, General Go Geon, am here to receive and honor the king's order!

You may stand.

Since Northern Zhou's invasion, the border defense has become more important.

Therefore, I need you to take on this heavy responsibility, General Go.

Are you commanding me to go to the border?

Due to several rebel forces, the country is in turmoil.

At times like this, we need to prepare more for an external force.

Then, the defense of the palace...

I, Princess Pyeongyang, dare to bear the title of Captain of the Royal Guard!

Welcome back.

Put aside your princess status for a while,

and protect the palace and the royal family as captain of the guard.

I accept your command!

What are you afraid of?

It's not that I'm afraid, but I'm surprised.

It seems that there's no place in the country that is not in Go Won Pyo's clutches.

General On Dal will punish all of them, so don't worry.

Also, I will take the responsibility for the defense of the palace.

As soon as I'm done organizing the guards, I will strengthen the surveillance in Gyerubu.

I must rest.

If there's anything else you need me to do...

No, you may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Is there anyone outside?

Yes, Your Majesty!

Is that you, Tae Gam?

What is this?

General!

They say a minute feels like three years, but to me, it feels like ten autumns have passed.

I missed you.

No need to say it.

I already know.

I heard it from Tae Gam.

He said the king requested a sedative?

Yes.

He hasn't taken it in a while, but he suddenly ordered one today.

He must be feeling anxious.

I'm sure he is.

The royal family is hanging on by a single thread.

I made the medicine much stronger than before.

Then that means he'll be out of it for few days.

What about the order you received to go to the northern fortress?

Before that,

I'm going to start a revolution.

The princess will struggle with being the captain of the guard,

but what can she do with On Dal being out and the king high on medicine?

Still, don't let your guard down.

In few days, the ruler of Goguryeo will change.

They will soon raise their soldiers.

An ice pick hidden in a pocket will eventually poke out.

If they decide they can no longer delay,

they'll uprise without waiting for a justification to be made.

The Gyerubu soldiers are already very strong, but if Gwannobu and Sonobu join them,

it could be very difficult.

Uncle, did you send a message to Jeolnobu?

I did.

But they're so far away.

Even if they come straight to us after they receive my message, it'll take them ten days at least.

Ten days...

Until the Jeolnobu soldiers arrive, and...

until General On returns from his punitive expedition, we just need to hold out until then.

Do you think they'll be able to settle things easily and return?

We have to believe.

All we can do is believe in General On and wait...

Jooahn Castle

Let's go!

Jangnyeong Fortress

Suyang Fortress

Let's go!

Let's go!

Guwol Fortress

Granny!

Granny...

Granny, you're coughing blood!

Stop panicking and give me some water.

Should I go down to Ghost Village and get some medicine?

I don't need medicine.

Wol.

Yes?

As soon as you wake up in the morning, pack a bundle.

Pack?

Where are you going to go?

If you know, are you not going to follow me?

It's okay.

There's a terrible rumor reaching even the temples in the mountains.

They're anxious that the country will fall.

Don't worry about things here and go back to the temple.

How could I not worry?

If there's bloodshed in the palace, there's no one to protect the prince!

Please promise me

that whatever happens, you will protect the prince's life!

I won't go back until I hear that!

When you were kicked out of the palace,

do you know why I didn't confront the princess?

It's because there's not much time left for the king.

After the world is turned upside down,

you can take your time returning to the palace.

Then, will the prince be safe?

Are you already fully recuperated?

How can I stay still when I hear that the country is in turmoil?

Go Won Pyo will not save the prince.

Go Geon won't let him go either.

If he lives, he'll become future trouble.

Why would they have mercy on him?

I don't know what you're talking about.

He may be our half-brother, but we still have a special love for him.

The crown prince may even hand over the throne to his younger brother.

If you want to save the prince, no...

If you want to see him become the king, stand with the winning side.

Winning side?

Then, are you saying Gyerubu is fighting a losing battle?

Yes. They will lose.

Chief Hae of Sonobu is already on the royal's side.

Isn't he quicker than any other at weighing the advantages and disadvantages?

Your little tricks won't work on me.

Whether it's little or big, think carefully.

General.

Dal!

It's dead.

What?

I didn't kill it...

But this little guy just...

No... did I do this?

Poong Gae!

Did I kill it?

What are you saying? No, you didn't!

The night air is chilly. You may catch a cold.

Nanny.

I can't see the moon. (T/N: 'The moon' in Korean is also pronounced as 'Dal'.)

The moon is always there.

It's just hiding behind the clouds.

Will it come back out?

It will, right?

A silver mine?

So what you're saying is

you found the silver mine in the territory you got back?

That's right.

Based on how far it goes, the amount is...

What did the princess say?

Silver is a property that immediately belongs to the national treasury upon discovery.

I haven't told her yet.

How can we predict which way this will all go when we're all standing "on top of a pole a hundred-ja (300m) tall?"

[T/N: "on top of a pole of hundred-ja (300m) tall" means "at the brink of an extreme disaster".]

To be honest, to us, the safety of the tribe comes first, right?

- Of course. - That's why

I wanted to meet you quietly because you're the only person

who has a lot of experience in this matter.

To correctly mine the silver mine, excavating, transporting, purifying...

It won't be easy to take this on.

Then...

Why don't just the two of us push ahead with this secretly?

Chief Hae!

You're here as well, Chief Sa!

I'll be leaving, I've got something to take care of at home.

Wait...

That little...

Were you discussing important matters

with Chief Sa of Sunnobu since early morning?

Important matters? No, we were just chatting.

Is it something I or Gochuga shouldn't know?

How could you even say that?

I'm not even part of Gyerubu. Do I have to report all of my chats?

I've still got my pride! My goodness!

Pride?

My Queen! My Queen!

What happened, Father?

You were right.

Chief Hae must be on the king's side,

judging from his frightened behavior.

What a quandary.

By being the only ones helping Gyerubu,

our whole family could be wiped out...

What should we do?

You said the revolt is imminent, right?

Whether it's the royal family or Gyerubu,

we have to choose.

I heard that the king asked for you to come by.

I'm sure he's out of it because of the medicine.

What did he call you for?

It seems he's going to shorten his life by a few days.

Tonight is the night, Geon.

I enter the palace as a vassal in the day, but at night...

I will be the master of the royal family.

Yes.

Gyerubu Gochuga is here!

Really? That happened?

Oh, it's Gochuga!

Did you call him?

You wanted him to see me like this?

You called him in, Your Majesty.

I did?

How strange!

Anyway, since you're here, sit.

Why did I summon Gochuga ...

I'm sure I had a reason to call you to the palace.

If it's not urgent, we can talk about it later. Rest first, Your Majesty.

I remember now!

There's a rat wandering around the palace.

I summoned you to catch him.

I caught the rat who tattled on you requesting a sedative, Your Majesty.

He's been eating the grains that Gochuga spilled this whole time.

I'm being falsely accused. This isn't true.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty—

My lady, Hyeon Bi, please return to your hall.

From now on, you will be charged with the crime of treason.

What do you mean detention?

Are you saying Father is detained at the imperial palace?

Yes, and Tae Gam was immediately beheaded, sir.

General, what should we do?

Notify Gwannobu and Sonobu immediately!

Be armed and rally in front of the palace gate!

Yes, General!

Mo Yong!

Are our soldiers on the field?

I just sent them.

But it looks like Gochuga fell into a trap!

All we need is for General Go Geon to be safe.

He will finish the revolution.

Hold.

- Are you Sonobu troops? - Yes, General.

- What about Gwannobu? - I haven't seen them yet.

Let's go.

I can't believe you came to the palace with armed soldiers at this hour.

You could be marked as a group of traitors, Instructor Go.

How dare you call us traitors!

You're speaking too unfairly, Your Highness.

I heard my father is being detained,

so how could I sit still and wait?

He's having a chat with the king now.

He'll return when they're finished,

so take the soldiers and go away.

Since I came all the way here, I'll escort him out.

I told you to go away.

I'll wait.

It seems General Go brought an army with him.

He's a more devoted son than he appears.

One word from you will be enough.

If you order them to drop their weapons, you'll save a lot of lives.

You should save those lives yourself, Your Majesty.

Do you desire the throne this much?

Enough to draw blood?

You've been sitting in that spot for too long.

If you step down, the internal strife will subside.

Pathetic man...

Whose side do you think Gwannobu will stand on?

- Are you Gwannobu troops? - Yes, sir!

- You came. - Yes, sir.

Go!

Gwannobu is from the prince's mother's side!

Did you believe they would stand up to the royal family because they were scared of Gyerubu?

Your Majesty.

Gwannobu have joined us.

Chief Sa, it seems that the scale is already tilted,

but it seems only Gochuga can't see it.

Go Won Pyo!

Whether it's just death of you and your son or your whole clan is wiped out,

the choice is yours.

Disband the soldiers and surrender immediately.

That's what Gochuga ordered!

- Gochuga did...? - Really...?

It's a lie! Don't be swayed!

It's over, Instructor Go.

No.

It is my father's will that's over.

I haven't even started yet.

Draw your weapons!

Give up, Instructor Go.

It'll be over when you kill me.

I don't want to do that.

Then I'll finish it.

Whoever wants to die, come out to me!

To the last piece of flesh, to the last piece of bone,

I'll cut you into small pieces.

Take Father with you.

Huh?

What are you talking about? What about you?

There's someone whom I have to save.

Are you talking about General Go Geon?

He's still a dead man even if he's alive. What the hell are you going to do?

Please follow this man.

You're telling me to follow him when I don't even know where I'm going to take refuge.

I'm trying to repay your kindness as my stepfather.

Trust me.

Hurry!

Mo Yong!

Mo Yong!

Giddy-up.

Find him!

Find Hae Ji Wol!

Find him!

Find Hae Ji Wol!

Search everyplace! Find him!

Be quiet!

Quiet down!

This is...

This scene...

Is this truly your decision, Father?

Even if we end up dead, you should've told us to fight to the death!

Even if we die,

we have to save Gyerubu.

Father.

Father, you are the family, Gyerubu itself.

Do you not know?

I will not fail like you did, Father.

I didn't know where I'd be born,

but where I'll die,

I will determine.

If you don't want to die vomiting blood,

you have to come to me to get the antidote.

Seorabol, the Capital of Silla

The family feud within Goguryeo is reaching a climax.

Troubles with other countries can easily arise when the troubles within are causing a disturbance.

This is a golden opportunity to restore Adan Fortress.

Yes, Your Majesty.

The soldiers and horses are all ready and waiting for your order.

Go to Adan Fortress immediately and drive out the Goguryeo people!

I will deliver the king's order!

Is he outside?

Come forward.

No need.

Are you Goguryeo Sonobu's Hae Ji Wol?

Yes, Your Majesty.

You chose well coming to Silla.

I heard you are good with financial affairs. Please help Silla in the future.

That is too much, Your Majesty.

I promise you.

If Goguryeo falls, you will be returning home in glory.

I came to see your boss.

An escape from prison?

The shopkeeper with good calculation is saying stupid stuff.

As Go Geon and I agreed, I'm done after killing the king.

I have no obligation to get the Go father and son out of prison.

As the situation changes, the terms of the agreement change.

I need some assassins to take to the prison.

You dare to give me an order?

It's not an order, it's an answer.

The only answer that could save your life.

You have to take the antidote within two days.

Otherwise, you will bleed to death from every hole in your body.

I can torture you until you give me the medicine.

Go ahead and try.

See if I'll talk first before you turn into a corpse.

Don't.

The smell of blood is awful.

Ga Jin.

Am I... a fool?

Who said that?

I did.

You sound like a fool saying that.

As for me, the whole world can ridicule me for being a fool ...

as long as it's not you.

The water was...

It was so sweet and refreshing.

The well we dug up together.

It was as clear as dew.

Do you think it still is now?

I'm sure it is.

This water is different from the well water.

This is blood water.

I'm sorry, Dal.

I'm sorry for everything.

Don't be sorry.

I'll go if you tell me to go,

I'll stand if you tell me to stand.

♫ Even the flower that couldn't fully bloom is fragrant ♫

♫ So I know wherever you are ♫

♫ I will come find you ♫

♫ The foolish me knows nothing about love ♫

♫ But to just give everything ♫

♫ As that's all I want ♫

♫ The pain becomes the rainy season ♫

♫ My heart sinks under the water ♫

♫But I am still looking at you ♫

River Where the Moon Rises

How could you betray me?

She said she's sick of us. You, me, Ga Jin, all of us.

I decided to make you my successor as the leader of Cheonjubang.

Are you going to betray me when I raised you?

I know you're Silla's spy.

As soon as this is over, I will cut your head and send it to Silla's king.

I heard you killed over 100 soldiers during your punitive expedition. How did you feel?

Do you want to know what it feels like to kill someone?

Have you made a decision how to punish Go Won Pyo and his son?

As soon as the day breaks, he will be executed by beheading.

Oh my, my baby.

Please allow my son, Dal, to go back with me on this path.

I have no desire to go back to that mountain valley, so stop saying such things!

Dal, as your mom, I'm trying to let you breathe. You're suffocating.

My boy, is that you?

Your Majesty!

You're still alive somehow.

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Moonrise River team @Viki