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I'll say it again. Bow your head.

How dare you speak to Her Grace that way?

Show her respect.

You hit me, Viscount?

Oh yes, it's the best medicine to open your ears!

Want another?

I don't report to you. I report to Choe Yangbaek...

commander of the Overlord痴 guard.

And that gives you the right to speak to Her Grace that way?

Does it?

Dismissed.

No one can disobey the Overlord痴 orders.

You made a mistake today. When you insult me, you insult the Overlord.

I said dismissed.

All right. I知 telling the Overlord.

Neither you nor Her Grace are immune to his commands.

However high the position, one's parents are always higher.

Dismissed.

Someday I値l get you for this.

Move out.

Viscount Kim.

Yes, Your Grace.

The world has gone insane.

But you still have a job to do.

Your pardon.

My boy was miraculously returned to me and they want him dead.

And they sent for me.

I don't have long to live.

Surely not.

After his father died, that animal has gone rabid.

And you just watch?

He dies or you die, you must choose for the good of Koryo!

Your Grace.

And where are the chancellors? What are they doing?

Burying their heads in the sand!

I don't know what to say.

And you called yourselves the late Overlord's retainers?

Especially you, Viscount, you have a grave responsibility.

Yes, Your Grace, I feel it deeply.

My father dead, my son unjustly sentenced to die.

Kim Kyongson, Jusuk, all dead and what have you done?

Tell me that.

Please, Your Grace, try to calm down.

Tell me. What are you thinking?

Tell me!

- Your Grace, please! - Say it!

Who will save my boy? Who will stop this injustice?

Who will hear the ghosts of the innocent?

Who?

I'll ask you again, did you or did you not spare Oh Seungjok?

I had nothing to do with it.

Speak plainly. Did you?

How else did he survive with stones tied to him?

I don't know, I don't know.

You got guts, I値l give you that. We're running out of bones to break.

And still nothing.

Seungjok..

Well? Come on. Did he save you?

I don't know. Just kill me, you maniac!

What? Maniac!

And here you used to call me your brother. Maniac?

Brothers? Do we share the same name? The same blood?

Another brave one. Fair enough.

You use my own words against me.

- More. - Sir?

More. Oh yes, more!

Stop! Enough!

Will you talk?

I let him go.

Right. See, was that so hard?

How did he survive the sea?

That's all I want to know.

Whether it was a bizarre twist of fate or not...

You are insane, you bastard.

Bastard? Bastard? Are you calling me illegitimate?

Yes, you bastard!

What did Oh Seungjok ever do?

Other than being cursed with you as a stepbrother?

Why do you want him dead?

You... mouthy little...

Dawn must follow the night.

War has ravaged our people.

Do you think your rantings and killings are helping Koryo?

- Just kill me, you dirty bastard! - Fine! I will!

Kill them! Kill them all!

Yes, sir.

You have your orders. Take them to the execution grounds.

- Take them away. - Kill them all! Kill them all!

No, no, wait, should we beat him to death?

Or dump him in the ocean and see if he survives that again?

- Uga. - Overlord.

Handle it personally.

Dump them all in the sea.

Sir.

- Move out. Take them away. - Sir.

Maniac!

I'll see you in hell! I won't forgive this, Choe Hang!

Look at him, like mother like son.

Well, where is Her Grace?

I told you to collect her.

Viscount Kim prevented it, sir.

Who? Kim Jun?

Yes, Overlord.

He whipped me and then he told me to go away.

Kim Jun is helping my stepmother?

Kim Jun?

He whipped my man?

Kim Jun?

Jade, some tea.

Something is happening. All the retainers are here.

Yes my lady, all except Choe Yangbaek.

What could it be?

What now? You disobeyed the Overlord's order.

He'll send more men.

No doubt.

We're already useless to the Overlord.

There's a reason he sent Song Kilyu to Kim Kyongson.

He means to dishonor his late father's retainers.

He sent General Song to kill Kim Kyongson.

In the end, General Song will be just like Choe Yangbaek.

Disobey and it's treason.

Obey and we're tarred with the same brush.

I wish I had died. Better that than Kim Kyongson dying at my hands.

We will be forced out of the Corps into distant posts.

It's the only way he can avoid trouble.

Cat got your tongue? Say something, Kim Jun.

Why bother? What is there to say?

I'm starting to worry about you as well.

How long will you remain in his good graces?

This clearly can't go on.

We're the Guard Corps.

We have become an object of hatred and fear for the court and our people.

The worst are these massacres.

It's not punishment, it's murder.

Sending for Her Grace is an affront to humanity.

To show just how far he dares to go.

He will kill her.

He is betraying his father's Legacy.

He began by killing loyalists and members of his own family.

He killed Seongjok twice now.

- Move out. - Sir.

We must act or it is the end.

Not just of the Corps. The entire country.

The late Overlord trusted you.

Any thoughts?

Kim Jun...

Tonight... I'll see the Overlord.

Oh Seungjok is dead this time.

Yes, sir.

My men confirmed they did not come up before reporting in.

When I heard he was alive I thought it was a miracle.

I mean, coming back from the sea.

Now, what to do with my stepmother...

Overlord.

You must deal with Kim Jun.

He dared to disobey your direct order.

Quite so, sir. He's gotten above himself. Whipping your men?

Who in all of Koryo would dare do such a thing? He must be dealt with.

Now, now, Kim Jun and me, we're brothers.

Sure, I値l have to deal with him.

But for now, what about my stepmother?

Anyway, Oh Seungjok died for treason, that's what this was about.

- Am I right? - Quite right, sir.

Thoughts, Choe Yangbaek?

Since you ask, may I suggest forgiveness?

The world is watching you. She is your stepmother.

Stepmother, you say?

I have no stepmother.

I can't forgive her.

What matters now is wrapping this up quickly.

Quite so, sir. You can't stop now.

Send poison to her tonight.

The sooner the better.

Seize the clan's property and kill the whole family, servants and all.

It's the only way to be sure.

Understood?

Overlord, Her Grace has done you no wrong.

Think of the will of the people.

Whatever, Choe Yangbaek.

What's happened to you?

Losing faith.... or just your guts?

Go on, send the poison. Now.

Understood?

Yes, sir. As you command.

Oh, and about Song Kilyu...

He's had a long career.

And too many followers.

Give him a distant outpost in the country somewhere.

Yes, sir.

The same with Pak Songbi and Yi Kongju.

They've been with the Corps too long.

Post them somewhere with the Ministry of War to fit their ranks.

Yes, sir. I will give your orders to the Personnel Authority.

It's all falling apart.

I can't wait any longer. This is the end.

We will talk one last time, just once.

If that doesn't work, it will be my life or his, as the fates decree.

The world is yours.

Helping Manjun will assure your own future.

You and I are alike. You're like a son to me.

If the time comes that he doesn't do as you tell him...

take over.

Father, will you be all right?

The Overlord must be furious at you

for helping Her Grace and whipping Wonbal.

Move out.

Viscount Kim.

We meet again. I知 here to see the Overlord.

Where's Viscount Choe?

Taking poison to Her Grace.

What? Poison?

Poison.

Oh, and Viscount... it didn't hurt when you hit me, so there.

Just stand aside.

Im Yon, I look forward to seeing you in the arena again.

I said stand aside.

Time enough to kill you later.

Sure.

Who have we here?

Viscount Kim.

It's quite late.

Sir.

Well, go on then.

What brings you here so late?

We need to talk.

Alone, if that's alright.

We're alone, aren't we.

This is between us.

Have your men fall back to 20 paces beyond the outer wall.

Twenty paces?

This must be important.

Sure, why not? Since we're close.

You there.

Yes, sir. Wonbal, at your service.

Pull your men back to 20 paces outside the wall.

No one is to enter.

Sir!

Now?

Yes, sir.

Fall back outside the wall. No one stays inside.

Sir.

Come on.

Right, so what's so secret that you have to send my men away?

What is it?

Spit it out.

Oh, wait.

You whipped my man Wonbal. ls it true?

Yes, sir.

Isn't that an insult to me?

Is it? I was merely disciplining a subordinate.

You sent poison to Her Grace. ls it true?

You can't be too careful when it comes to treason.

She's Oh Seungjok's mother.

Can't you rescind your order?

That is my request.

I can't do it. Yangbaek already left. She has it by now.

Now, now, enough of this. What's on your mind?

Please rescind the order.

You must spare her.

I said I can't. Not that.

What brings you here?

I come on the Overlord's orders with poison for Her Grace.

Oh, no...

What are you saying, Viscount?

Poison! For Her Grace?

I have my orders. Take it inside.

I can't. I won't. It's absurd!

Why? Why poison her? Why?

Take it in.

Your Grace.

Viscount Choe...

Viscount Choe has brought poison, Your Grace.

I told you to take this inside.

Your Grace, what will you do? He has poison.

Poison? A son poisoning his own mother?

Viscount Choe...

What happened to my Seungjok?

The same sentence as before.

Is that so?

What else can you expect from a maniac?

Give me the poison.

You heard her.

Your Grace, what will you do?

Give it to me.

Your Grace...

Who is he to order my death?

We have laws in Koryo. What about due process?

Tell him I won't die, not that way.

Choe Yangbaek, the late Overlord is watching you from beyond.

That scum will pay. As will you!

Must it be this way?

I'll ask once more...

Rescind your order.

Please.

I said no!

Manjon!

Who? Manjon?

You!

Put aside your rank and title. I speak to you as your elder brother.

What?

- Little fool. - Fool?

Has your sense of inferiority so blinded you?

Now listen to me, you little bastard.

- Bastard? Bastard? - Sit down!

Sure, alright.

But what's this about?

Have you forgotten your father's wishes?

Don't abandon your retainers. Love your stepmother and her son as your family.

If you have forgotten, you are no Overlord, no lord at all!

Now hold on, Viscount.

I can't smell it, but are you drunk?

Silence! Sit down!

I sat. I知 sitting.

Do you remember your vow to me?

You swore that if I gave you a chance to return to Kangdo...

you would never forget.

You swore serve the Corps, to remember our people, to lead your retainers.

And if you failed. I should kill you.

Remember?

Well, that...

What's that for?

Now you must keep your word.

Keep my what, Kim Jun?

Are you going to kill me?

Yes. You have to pay.

Wait...

Anyone out there? Anyone? Someone? Anyone!

Anyone out there? Anyone! Someone!

I see now you can't keep your promise.

You're showing yourself for the bastard you are!

Now you must die as you vowed.

Die? Hang on, die? Me?

Come on, you didn't think I meant it, did you?

Put your knife away. Now!

We're alone.

You will die and I will follow you.

Now, wait, it doesn't have to be like this.

Brother! Why, brother?

We're brothers, aren't we?

No one else, just you... I treated you better than anyone, didn't I?

Please, just calm down, alright?

Pick up the dagger. Now.

Why should I?

Pick it up.

Sure...

But what do I do with it?

Kill yourself, or kill me. Now.

One of us has to die.

Me for choosing you.

Or you for betraying your vow.

If you're scared, I値l do it for you.

Do it. Do it!

I can't! I can't! I can't do it!

Kill me, Overlord.

From the first to the last, I acted according to the late Overlord's wishes.

I have shown you my loyalty.

You are my lord again.

I submit myself... to your punishment.

I swear, did you have to scare me to make your point?

I thought I was dead.

Sit up. Come on.

Kim Jun, I know this was for my own good.

I'm not a complete moron. But you don't know me.

I'm afraid...

and lonely.

Overlord.

The late Overlord told you...

'First you must love, you must trust.'

If you don't, you値l lose everything.

If you kill everyone, who will serve you?

Who will trust you?

You are making enemies. What will you do about them?

Overlord, will you spend your life being an illegitimate little boy?

Grow beyond that. You are truly blessed.

Don't you see that my life is yours to command?

Inferior. Illegitimate.

You know what those words mean?

I scrub and scrub but they won't come clean!

They think they're better than me, plot against me. What else can I do?

Well, what?

Your late father told me about Tsao Tsao...

His father was the foster son of a eunuch, but Tsao Tsao rose above that.

He was the greatest hero of his age.

Overlord...

Consider his story.

I won't come here again.

Kim Jun...

Father, what happened?

You don't need to know.

Choe Yangbaek delivered the poison tonight.

I fear for Her Grace.

We did all we could.

Once in motion, it's hard to stop.

What a world.

Well, that was close.

How dare he do that to me?

No, he risked his life to help me. He meant it. I'll give him that.

But, it won't do. No!

Trust. Love. No such thing! Not in this life!

Overlord, Uga reporting.

Oh, yes...

Enter.

Sir, Her Grace broke the bowl and refused the sentence.

Choe Yangbaek is awaiting your orders.

She threw the poison away? She dares to disobey?

Make her drink it.

Force her!

Yes, Overlord.

Kim Jun is wrong. That's not how you rule.

You need power. That's what matters.

Power.

Kim Jun doesn't understand.

This is out of hand.

She's his mother. Poison?

Does he have any decency? If he did, would he do this?

Terrible...

The people are upset.

Her Grace's son, Oh Seungjok, made it back alive only to be sentenced again.

It's a disaster.

It's unheard of!

I must call on Her Grace.

It's inhuman!

The tougher things are for Koryo, the worse our domestic politics get.

The Mongol envoys are back.

Yes, they're at Seungchonbu and want the Emperor to leave the island.

Our last envoys to the Mongols already agreed.

We are to leave Kanghwa island, as we promised.

Our envoys have been detained.

One has. Privy Council Yi Hyon has been detained.

Jangil came back with the Mongol envoys.

Oh, and here...

A letter from the Duke of Yongnyong, held hostage these ten years.

What does it say?

If His Majesty doesn't meet with the envoys, it will mean war.

They expect him to cross to the mainland?

He can't. Not without the Overlord's permission.

The Mongol envoys are in Seungchonbu.

And want me to join them.

They have consistently demanded that you leave Kanghwa.

They see your staying here as a sign of aggression.

True.

How long has this war lasted?

I'm tired of it.

The people are too, and what do we do?

We've been on Kanghwa for twenty years now.

We must stop fighting.

You should go to Seungchonbu.

Perhaps so, but will the Overlord approve?

Going there is tantamount to surrender.

And this envoy is a nasty piece of work.

We've already sent members of the Imperial House.

We can wait for now.

Koryo can't be trusted.

We march, you play the good dog, we leave, and you act up again.

On and on for years now.

You are strong. We're a small peninsula.

We're just trying to survive.

You promised our last envoy that you would leave Kanghwa island.

But you haven't.

We're working on it. We'll leave soon.

Enough. How many times do you think we'll fall for that?

Where's this king of yours?

If he won't move the palace, the least he could do is meet us on the mainland.

He's getting on, he isn't well.

Another excuse!

He has until tomorrow.

If your little king doesn't show, we'll leave.

And that means war. Understand?

By order of the Great Khan.

What are you reading?

New orders. You're assigned to Kyongsang.

Kyongsang?

If I leave now, I may never be back.

What about you and me?

We're assigned to the Ministry of War.

To the Conscription Directorate.

Conscription? We're in charge of the draft?

Meaning we'll have nothing to do.

We expected as much.

We're through in the Guard Corps.

What about Kim Jun?

I'm not sure. I know he confronted the Overlord last night.

There's no telling what was said, though.

I just know he hasn't been into work today.

And Her Grace?

She refused the poison, but another detachment has been sent.

They're going to force her.

But for what reason?

Why does he hate her so much?

Who knows? A reason for hatred...

To the Overlord, hatred itself is reason enough.

The whole world is to blame, at least as far as he's concerned.

Your Grace, we have our orders.

Take the poison.

Your Grace, you must obey.

If you don't, we have been ordered to force you.

What will you do?

Your Grace.

Fine. Death comes to us all.

But I won't kill myself. What have I done to deserve poison?

Do what you must.

Your Grace, there is no other way. We have our orders.

Forgive us.

Fine, you bloodthirsty demons!

Do what you will? The heavens are watching. They see you!

You. Escort Her Grace out here.

Sir.

Your Grace, what should... Your Grace...

No! Your Grace!

How can you do such a thing?

Take her.

Your Grace.

Let go! Unhand me! I curse you all! Unhand me!

Your Grace... Your Grace...

Unhand me, let go!

Your Grace.

We will execute the sentence.

Give Her Grace the poison.

No! You can't do this!

What are you doing? Stop this instant.

We act on the Overlord's orders.

Don't interfere.

Have you no fear?

Doing this in broad daylight?

No, you can't.

- Well. Take them away. - Sir.

We have laws! This isn't right!

Viscount, you know that.

Don't you see?

This is the end of the House of Choe, the end of the Corps!

Well! Take them away.

- Viscount! - Don't!

Give her the poison.

You! Choe Yangbaek!

That scum will kill you, too!

- You're dead! - Get on with it already.

I curse you all! Unhand me!

Your Grace... Your Grace...

You will pay.

My husband will make you pay.

Kim Jun... Kim Jun...

How could you bring that animal here, Kim Jun?

- Your Grace, Your Grace! - Your Grace!

- Your Grace! - Your Grace!

Your Grace! Your Grace!

What? The Mongols insist that His Majesty leave the island?

A letter from the Duke of Yongnyong, held hostage these 10 years...

He says this envoy is not to be trifled with.

He urges His Majesty to cross the channel.

What does the court say?

They believe it is the only way to prevent war.

What are you thinking?

You know why my father came to Kanghwa.

To fight the Mongols.

Crawling across the channel to suit the Mongols...

It's as good as surrendering.

Isn't that so?

But Overlord, what can it hurt to make one visit if it will end the war?

It's surrender, I tell you, surrender!

Is that what you want?

- Not at all... - Anyway!

His Majesty cannot meet with them personally.

Where he goes, Koryo goes.

Oh, no. Send a member of the Imperial House.

Yes, Overlord.

Your day is up.

And I don't see that little king of yours.

The Great Khan said it he doesn't show, it means war.

Are you ready for that?

His Majesty is old and unwell.

But a member of the Imperial House is with us.

Enough!

You must want war.

It's always the same. You have never treated us fairly.

If we march now, it won't be like before.

We're ready for you.

Our troops are waiting on this side of the Yalu.

This means war. Remember that.

So Koryo wants war.

Grand Marshal Yeku, you are in charge.

Yes, Great Khan.

Our men have returned from the West and are well-rested.

We're ready.

Allow me to fight with Yeku and we'll destroy the enemy.

Allow me to go, as well. I will help you win.

Alright. You've been Mongol for years now.

Go and destroy Koryo.

Yes, Great Khan.

And Yi Yon wishes to renounce Koryo and join your court.

Will you have him?

Very wise.

We can use you in the fight against Koryo.

I agree.

Thank you, Great Khan.

May I offer counsel before you launch the attack?

Speak.

You must defeat them before the fall harvest.

Kanghwa relies on regional provisions pouring into the capital.

Block the provisions before the harvest, and they will surrender.

Wise counsel indeed.

Allow me to take Yi Hyon and Hong Bokwon with me.

We will raze the peninsula.

Granted. You are my uncle.

I look forward to good news.

Ah, and take the Duke of Yongnyong with you.

He's a member of the Mongol court.

Yes, Great Khan, as you command.

We're all members of the Imperial house.

We ride together.

Grand Marshal.

We've been fighting them for 30 years and Koryo still hasn't learned its place.

I've never seen anything like it, not with all the countries we've conquered.

This time they will surrender. They must!

Enjoy. It's not much.

Not at all. Thank you.

Here, a drink.

I understand Lord Jong Ahn rushed over to try to stop the poisoning.

He hasn't changed a bit.

Still as outspoken and just as ever.

Viscount, etiquette and law have left Koryo, and no one is speaking out.

The Mongols are on the march and we have no defense strategy.

What are your thoughts?

Are you wondering what to do with the Overlord?

What do you mean?

I heard how you called on the Overlord.

It was effective.

I don't know for certain, but I suspect the meeting was to make your final decision.

You're very well informed, Lord Yi.

Drink.

You seem troubled, Viscount.

Really? How so?

In your heart.

You're surrounded by enemies. I understand.

You once said the Guard Corps is Koryo.

You saved a horse to lead Koryo.

But that horse refuses to be led.

Am I wrong?

I have a proposal for you.

Viscount, save Koryo.

We can if we work together.

What proposal?

I want to ease your burden.

I asked what proposal?

Viscount, aren't you considering how best to remove the Overlord?

Lord Yi!

Am I wrong?

Do you still think it's possible to save that animal?

I want to help you kill him.

You're drunk.

I didn't hear this.

Viscount.

I didn't hear this!

Subtitles by MBC

This government is no longer capable.

It's slaughter. They don't stand a chance.

Mongol soldiers have crossed the Yalu River!

When the enemy troops appear, they all run and hide.

We need a plan, a plan!

They can't hold out for more than a few days.

The time to hesitate is past.

I'm not killing a man. I have to exorcise a demon.

Can you help me?