Original subtitles

Subtitles by MBC

I'll ask you again. What brings you here at this hour?

The Overlord has returned to his residence.

With the Mongols gone, that makes sense.

But I'm still curious...

Why were you so insistent that the Overlord move into the Guard Corps?

What's your point exactly?

He only got sick when he moved to the Corps.

Why is that? He's perfectly healthy.

There's no existing conditions.

So why is he so sick? Where did it come from?

Is he that sick?

Kim Jun...

What is it, Yangbaek?

Why did you insist the Overlord move into the Corps?

That's why you're here?

You suspect me now, too?

The Mongols attacked. Kangdo was cut off.

The nation was burning.

The Corps is the heart of Koryo.

The Overlord should be at its center. So I insisted.

What's the difference, the Corps or his residence?

One is his own home, the other the home of Koryo.

Kim Jun!

You know as well as I do...

The Overlord is worthless as a leader.

You know that, do you?

So what is the real reason you wanted him at the Corps?

That's the old Yangbaek. Thank you for your candor.

He's not worthless as a leader, he's destructive.

So you... attacked him?

Is that it?

I'll ask you again. Did you attack him?

Is this an interrogation?

I can't help but ask.

Kim Jun, you called on the Overlord some time ago.

His men were dismissed.

What did you talk about?

You want to know?

That's why I'm here.

He was killing people...

ruining the country...

and destroying the Corps.

And so?

I said we should die together, if he can't hold it together.

What? You dared to say that?

Yangbaek, we're friends.

But, you betrayed the late Overlord.

You were to look after Her Grace.

But you delivered the poison yourself.

I am loyal to the Overlord. That's all I know.

There's loyalty and there's moral duty.

Blind obedience is for slaves, dogs.

Fine. I'm a slave, a dog.

We're at an impasse.

I'm warning you.

The next time we meet, I'll kill you...

if the Overlord is hurt.

When that time comes I'll have a score to settle with you, too.

Our friendship is over...

I hope it can be mended.

I thought as much.

You and the old retainers are against the Overlord.

Remember this...

Sooner or later, one of us will die.

If it's not palsy, then what? Some internal injury?

Your pardon. His condition is difficult to diagnose.

First we will use acupuncture and medicine...

Go away.

You can't treat what you can't diagnose.

But if you can't use your limbs. It may be related to a head injury?

Go away.

You're guessing.

This is wrong, that's wrong, I might as well diagnose myself.

Go.

Off you go.

I guess the joke is on me.

I'm a living ghost.

I can't move. I dirty my drawers. What a crock.

Try to relax. Pushing yourself won't help.

We'll find you the best doctors and the best medicines.

I'm dizzy. I close my eyes and I'm surrounded by ghosts.

I saw my stepmother this morning.

Bleeding... chasing me.

Oh Seungjok was there, Uncle Jong...

even Kim Kyongson.

And my father...

Overlord!

Sir, that's just delirium.

We have the people looking for mountain ginseng across the country.

What good will that do?

Leave me.

Yes, sir.

Choe Ui...

Yes, Father.

I brought this on myself...

for the people I killed.

I felt illegitimate for being my father's bastard...

I felt like everyone was pointing at me...

so I killed them.

Ui...

You're illegitimate, too.

But don't let it ruin you like it did me.

Kim Jun told me Tsao Tsao was a eunuch's son...

and he became China's greatest warlord.

Something is wrong, I can feel it.

Father...

It appears that the Overlord is paralyzed.

As much as I hate to say it, his illness is degenerative.

- It's true. - What should we do?

No one can know how serious this is.

His guards have already surrounded his residence.

No one is allowed in or out.

Understood?

Of course. If people found out, things could get out of hand in a hurry.

Exactly.

We'll lose public support. The chancellors will start getting ideas.

You need to control the court.

Need you ask?

I will keep the personal guard on full alert.

This calls for it. Understood?

We have to be prepared.

Quite right, Viscount. Quite right indeed.

If we're not prepared, it could mean all of our necks.

- Put everything in its place. - Yes Ma'am.

This is no good.

At least those Mongol barbarians are gone.

The whole country starving, the roads to the capital are blocked...

Keeping the Overlord fed in style was no picnic, I can tell you.

Now we can breathe.

Too true.

They moved the Overlord so fast. Is something wrong?

Who knows? Maybe he wanted to go home.

Puni, sit.

You're wrong.

What?

They are saying he is sick with something and he's not getting better.

What are you saying?

Is it serious?

Quiet. Loose lips will get you in trouble.

But he's definitely sick.

That's why he went home.

Oh, dear.

How the mighty have fallen. You can't ignore heaven forever.

Do you have lives to spare?

I've been dead a long time now.

Make way! Make way!

The Mongols have returned! The Mongols are coming!

They have crossed the Yalu!

Make way!

July 22 1254, just six months since Yaku withdrew his troops...

the Mongols crossed the Yalu again.

This was the Mongols sixth invasion, led by Jalairtai...

the cruelest of all Mongol commanders.

The reason for the invasion was the death of their commissioner, Yi Hyon.

The Koryo Emperor was ordered to return to Kaegyeong.

And the people of Koryo were ordered to shave their heads.

They reached Kaegyeong within a month.

And immediately prepared to launch an attack on Kanghwa.

They cut off the capital, razed the peninsula...

and demanded total surrender.

Hong Bokwon...

Yes, sir.

What a nasty country. All the commanders that have come here...

Especially the great conqueror, Yeku.

Don't I know it? I was with him.

Yeku died in the end.

A great waste.

How big is Kanghwa Island anyway?

It houses the entire capital of Koryo?

Yes, sir.

This Choe Hang is running the military now.

The Choes have been running Koryo for 60 years now.

Nasty pieces of work, the lot of them.

That's nothing to me.

I'll do what my predecessors failed to do.

I'll root out Koryo once and for all.

Hear me.

Yes, sir.

We're cutting off Kanghwa until they surrender.

Not so much as an ant will get through.

Yes, sir.

We'll strangle the Koryo scum.

Yes, sir.

March to the south.

Sir.

We have our orders. We move South. Move out!

Sir.

The Mongols are back.

They've bypassed Chungju and are riding on Sangju.

If they take Sangju, Taegu is right there, and Cholla not far beyond.

This is serious.

We must send envoys at once.

It's Koryo's only hope now.

We'll send a detachment to talk peace.

And another to mobilize for war.

After so many wars, we have nothing to fight them with.

Our troops and our people have reached their limit.

We must strengthen our forces.

They're too strong. We must hear their terms.

We'll finally have to keep our word.

What word is that?

Send our elderly Emperor to the Mongols?

Shave our heads?

We may as well surrender.

But we have no way to fight them.

Our people are scattered. We have no country without them.

We'll have one if we surrender?

But they said it will be over if we leave Kanghwa.

And what does that mean? How will it be over?

It will leave us with no country, and a Mongol hair-style!

Three decades of war have exhausted us.

They have conquered entire continents.

We can't win.

Nor have we lost.

We've fought bravely for 30 years.

They can't beat us. We just have to endure it.

But for how long? We have to face facts.

I don't want to bow to the Mongols either.

Kangdo is under siege.

They enslave our people at leisure.

What about that?

Didn't we tell them to hide?

Coastal islands, mountains, but they were too stupid to listen.

Exactly!

If you'll pardon my saying, Kanghwa has only had 6 months breathing room.

Now we're cut off again.

We'll be starving again before long.

Somehow, some way, we have to get goods into Kangdo.

Give me a detachment and I'll find a way.

How can you? They've blocked off every road.

The key road in is located at Onsu.

It connects to the shipping route into Kangdo.

I'll keep the route open.

Thank you, Yi Chon. You have command of the patrols.

I'll open a way.

We've had our say.

We understand each other.

But, in accordance with the Overlord's wishes...

and as Director General, I must refuse.

Surrender would be permanent.

His Majesty and our people are exhausted, it's true.

But we must endure.

We will continue to send envoys, and to fight.

Jalairtai is across the channel.

Lord Choe On can meet with him.

Right away. I'll do what I can.

The military council is in session?

Yes, Sire. The Mongols have surrounded Kangdo.

They're discussing strategy now.

I felt I was alive again when I crossed the channel.

What kind of life is this?

Kaegyeong is so much more spacious.

Will I ever see the endless beauty of it again?

Don't say that. The Guard Corps has reached its limit.

The Overlord has been ill for some time now.

He'll just be replaced by another.

But his son is a fool.

He's nothing to worry about.

Don't you say that. He may be a fool, but those around him are not.

I'm tired. I've worn the crown for 40 years.

30 of which, we've been at war.

The Mongols can't be defeated.

I'd just as soon bow to them.

How my people must hate me...

Sire...

Kill them! Burn them all!

Kill those who run away! Burn every house!

Young, old, male, female... enslave them all!

Have our troops have razed the villages and taken prisoners?

Yes, sir. About 200,000 at this point.

200,000?

Our lands will be flooded with Koryo slaves! 200,000?

That's plenty. How many Koryo scum are there?

Three million, I believe.

Three?

Yes, that's how we'll root them out, oh yes...

And what about Kanghwa?

We can't be sure, but they must be starving.

We've blockaded all the supply routes.

Excellent.

Oh, and a Koryo envoy is here.

Really? Here to beg, no doubt.

Send him in.

Sir. The Koryo envoy.

Choe On of Koryo.

Yeah. What do you want?

Is your King surrendering?

- Is that likely, sir? - What? Then why are you here?

His Majesty is concerned for his people.

He wants to put an end to this unnecessary war.

Surrender is your only option.

Leave Kanghwa and return to Kaegyeong immediately.

It is difficult to meet all of your demands.

Your order that we shave our heads.

And that our elderly Emperor go to the Mongol court.

Is there anything you can actually do?

The Duke of Angyong went in His Majesty's place before.

Perhaps he could do so again?

Pulling that once wasn't enough for you?

If your little King is too old, send the Crown Prince.

Not just the Crown Prince, sir. No, no.

The King doesn't run Koryo, a military regime does.

Summon the head of the Guard Corps, Choe Hang.

Choe Hang?

Yes, sir.

Right. Well? Will the Crown Prince and this Choe Hang visit our Khan?

If so, we'll consider it.

The Overlord is quite ill.

He's what? Is everyone in Koryo sick?

Choe Hang goes or else.

Yes sir, I will make your demands known.

Please free our people.

That's an act of barbarians, not a great nation, such as yours.

He said go!

If you don't like it, then surrender already.

Idiotic Koryo scum. Well, off with you!

Go on, Koryo scum!

Hong Bokwon...

Yes, sir.

Aren't you from Koryo? Is that any way to treat your homeland?

Well, they're still morons.

Anyway, you understand Kanghwa better than anyone.

Have our spies scout Kangdo for us.

Need you ask? I'm already on it.

Lord Choe called on Jalairtai in the Mongol camp?

They demand we move to Kaegyeong and the Prince...

and the Overlord go to their court.

What will you do?

There's no avoiding our present situation.

But is it possible in the Overlord's condition?

It will be difficult, yes.

We need to buy time to get through the current crisis.

You didn't say anything in the council meeting.

I wanted a word with you in private.

It seems to me the Corps will have a new Overlord soon.

How long do you plan to stay in Kangdo?

How long?

Until Koryo is free.

It's been 6 months since His Majesty's son went to the Mongol court.

What does that mean?

Isn't it the same as the Imperial House acknowledging subserviance to the Mongols?

It was a means to stave off war.

But we've already bowed to them.

Things have changed.

Let's end this useless war.

Who knows how much worse it will get?

We're equal to it.

Pride is no reason to fight a war.

You asked how long I would support you. The time has come.

Let's save our people.

I have a different view.

I told you before. Kangdo is the only way we can save Koryo.

There's no difference between Kangdo and Kaegyeong at this point.

- We're all tired. - Everyone is.

It's a question of spirit. Going to Kaeygyeong will be the end of Koryo.

No it won't.

Staying here is hopeless.

Endless war and no end to our trials.

What did our people ever do?

They were cursed being born here.

Two hundred thousand of them have been taken.

Our people are enslaved.

It's worse than it's ever been.

I was a slave once.

I know that misery.

The 200,000 are important, yes, but we must think of the rest of the country.

We came to Kangdo to prevent all of Koryo being enslaved.

Do you understand, Lord Yi?

Viscount Kim...

I thought you were the future of Koryo.

Now I see that I was wrong.

As hard as it is, there is hope for tomorrow.

Hope for you, Kim Jun.

Think it over.

The elite memebers of the personal guard.

Carefully selected per your orders.

Our lord is very ill.

If you fail in your duties, you fail him.

Yes, sir.

Viscount Choe believes the Overlord's enemies are everywhere.

The elite guards are at your service, sir.

Don't let your guard down.

Be ready to mobilize at a moment's notice.

- Understood? - Yes, sir.

Father, what should I do? Please get up.

I was wrong.

Everything has a price.

Mine... is death.

I should have listened to Kim Jun.

The Mongols sent for me?

Yes, Overlord. Lord Choe says it is one of their conditions.

If you and the Crown Prince go to their court, the war will be over.

What did you say?

Kim Jun is running the Guard Corps now.

He says to promise what we must and formulate a plan later.

Leave it to him.

Don't interfere with his plans.

Follow his orders.

The Mongols have no one to match him.

And...Ui...

Yes, Father.

My stepmother came to me again last night.

She won't let me go.

I'll be leaving you soon.

Overlord, how can you say that?

You'll recover soon.

No, it's over. My time has come.

Viscount Choe...

Yes, sir.

My son... look after my son.

They'll look after his studies.

You look after his safety.

Can you do that?

Need you ask?

You may rest assured.

But we are at war. You must recover, sir.

You must.

I'm finished... finished...

Sir! Sir!

Father!

I thought you were the future of Koryo.

Now I see that I was wrong.

As hard as it is, there is hope for tomorrow.

Hope for you, Kim Jun.

Think it over.

Lord Yi, I know better.

You have always wanted to leave Kangdo.

You can't see past the Imperial House.

That is not the way for Koryo.

They agreed to our terms?

Yes, sir.

It's almost too easy. Koryo must be pretty desperate.

Why shouldn't they be?

They hardly have any country left.

We capture everyone we see.

The Crown Prince? When will he arrive?

Sir, as soon as he can prepar for the journey.

Things are difficult here now.

As soon as you withdraw, we will meet your terms.

Don't trust them.

We leave, they will disobey again. Then where are we?

Choe Hang is ill. Can he make it?

As soon as he is better.

Don't trust that, either.

After he gets better, one stomach ache and they'll say he's too ill to go.

All right, go tell them this...

Never mind the other terms.

Never mind shaving your heads.

But you must leave Kangdo, as a sign of good faith.

This is your last warning.

But, sir...

Silence, Hong Bokwon.

Yes, yes sir.

We won't wait long.

You have one last chance.

We'll withdraw to the Yalu and see what you do.

I give you three months.

Are we clear?

Yes, sir. I will inform His Majesty's court.

Sir, this is a mistake.

Go.

Hong Bokwon...

Sir.

We invaded without sufficient rest.

We must form a line for the duration.

Koryo has no food, nothing.

Winter is coming. We must rest and send for provisions.

If we don't, we'll starve and freeze to death.

Yes, sir.

Must you go to the Mongol court?

Yes, Sire. That was the Guard Corps' answer.

It's what is best for Koryo.

But they're barbarians...

I want to go.

To see for myself what they're like.

And how we managed to fight them off for so long.

I'm not long for this life.

I'm weaker by the day.

Will I see you again if you go?

Try not to worry. My going is for the best.

How can I make plans if I don't?

Plans?

To see for myself if I should work with the Mongols

or fight alongside the Guard Corps.

To plan for the future of Koryo.

I've waited a long time to hear that.

Each day drags us down, but you have dared to dream.

I'm proud of you. Very proud.

The Overlord must be very ill.

We haven't seen him for some time now.

The Imperial House must prepare for the future.

No, don't. Don't come after me. Why are you...

- I was wrong. - Father.

- I was wrong. Forgive me. - Father.

Go away...

Be on your guard.

Watch every gate.

Report any suspicious activity immediately.

Sir!

The Overlord may not last the day.

Your orders?

Rather than place guards, we should mobilize the men and take Kim Jun.

He's our main cause for concern.

He's right.

The men are ready.

Don't rush it. We're still at war.

We can't afford a civil war.

Kim Jun is dead either way.

No one can stand against the personal guard.

Stand guard.

Sir, the Overlord may not last the night.

Our man on the inside confirmed as much.

Choe Yangbaek is mobilizing his men.

We should be ready.

He's right. You two met the other night.

I don't think it was a good meeting.

Muster the men.

For battle?

Just in case.

Yes, sir.

You go to Pak Songbi.

You, the Ministry of War.

Yes, sir.

Are any of the personal guards loyal to us?

Of course. They don't all follow Choe Yangbaek.

Many of them served Song Kilyu and Yi Kongju for years.

I understand.

But double check which of them we can count on.

Of course.

The time has come at last.

At last...

Overlord.

Yangbaek...

Overlord.

I want... to see Kim Jun...

one last time.

No, sir. He is the one that made you this way.

I know that.

But still... one last time.

I want to ask for his... forgiveness...

To ask...

- Sir. - Overlord.

...forgiveness.

Sir!

Overlord!

Father.

- Overlord... - Overlord!

- Sir. - Overlord.

- Sir... - Father!

- Overlord! - Sir!

Father...

Sir...

No one can know he's dead.

Muster the men on the Overlord's orders.

Any unauthorized troops will be arrested for treason.

All high-ranking officials are ordered to the Overlord's residence.

That way they can't act.

Kim Jun, Pak Songbi, Yi Kongju, all of them.

The chancellors, too.

We will induct the new Overlord.

Muster the guard.

Declare martial law and guard the Overlord's residence.

Disarm anyone that enters.

Sir.

What is this?

The Overlord has sent for all the high-ranking officials?

Jalairtai has agreed to our terms.

Why declare martial law?

I met your man earlier. He said to muster the men.

Why?

Surely not...

Yes. The Overlord is dead.

Choe Hang?

I see. So that's it.

But who imposed martial law?

Choe Yangbaek.

Then we must comply.

He is following orders.

That's why he sent for the high-ranking officials.

We must be ready.

One mistake and blood will flow.

Choe Yangbaek knows our strength.

We have to be prepared for the worst.

Not that it's likely.

Right.

Hear me.

The Overlord commanded me to serve his successor.

Late last night he finally lost his life to his illness.

According to tradition, his son Choe Ui has been named Overlord.

Any objections?

Tradition is tradition. Why would we object?

Just so. The Overlord is dead. Long live the Overlord.

As of today Choe Ui rules the Guard Corps.

We are still at war.

Any foolishness is punishable by martial law.

Overlord, if you please...

I am Choe Ui. I accept my father's position.

I expect your support.

Well? You heard the Overlord.

Pay your respects.

Hail Koryo.

Hail Koryo.

Hail Koryo.

In 1257 Choe Hang died.

He enjoyed a brief truce with the Mongols during his 8 years as Overlord.

Choe Hang was a tyrant.

He ignored national affairs and murdered court officials.

Just prior to Choe Hang's death, Jalairtai captured 206,800 Koryo citizens.

Within a year of Choe Ui taking office...

the House of Choe would fall.

Song Kilyu has been censured?

Yes. We have a report from Kyongsang.

It seems he took extreme measures...

to move the populace during the last invasion.

He did?

I know you, Viscount. Think of the times we live in.

Choe Ui has only just taken over.

The real power lies with Lord Son and Lord Ryu.

This censure will mean Song Kilyu's death.

Thank you. You're right.

They mean to remove all the old retainers.

Thank you again. You have saved Song Kilyu.

But we can't hide this for long.

It will be in the Imperial reports as well.

We have to act quickly.

We can't ignore this any longer.

Lord Ryu would find a way to kill Song Kilyu, with or without this.

And we will be next.

We have to muster the men. We're out of time.

I agree. The longer we wait, the worse it gets.

Choe Yangbaek will strike soon, that much is certain.

It's not Choe Ui.

Lord Son, Lord Ryu and Choe Yangbaek are using him to seize power.

But they don't have it yet.

But there's a problem.

What?

You and Im Yon and his men have organized the men.

The problem is the court.

They won't go along with a coup.

What else can we do?

We all love Koryo more than our own lives.

Reform will call for drastic measures.

Such as?

The House of Choe will fall.

Without it, the Corps is meaningless.

We should do away with the Guard Corps.

Do away?

Do away?

This is our chance to join forces with the throne.

For the military and the court to work as one.

For the good of all the people.

You mean to restore the Monarchy?

It's long overdue, and it will not hurt the fighting spirit of the military.

I propose a revolution.

A new Koryo, a new Guard Corps.

Are your men ready?

We're with you.

Then we will need the chancellors' cooperation.

We need their support.

Ryu Kyong and Choe On are the heart of the court.

We need their help.

We've got Song Kilyu.

We wanted him gone anyway, and this censure will help us to do it.

He's trapped, like a rat.

But Kim Jun may act quickly.

We have to act faster.

If we've figured it out, the Guard Corps has, too.

Sir, trouble!

Viscount Kim Jun is on the move.

Come again? Moving what?

His men, sir.

What?

The ministry troops are deploying.

Pak Songbi and Yi Kongju are already on the move.

This is why I had you on full alert.

Muster the men.

Yes, sir.

Prepare for battle. Put your men on alert.

- Sir. - Kim Jun is acting fast.

But he's no match for us.

Find them now. Locate the enemy.

Yes, sir.

Kim Jun...

Kim Jun...

Hear me...

We have devoted our lives to the service of Koryo and the Corps...

But a tyrant has hurt our people, persecuted our Emperor...

and led Koryo to war and ruin.

Today we choose to save Koryo, to save her people.

Death to the traitors! Move out!

Move out!

Move out!

Move out!

Move out!

Subtitles by MBC

Let's go!

Kim Jun started a rebellion.

It will be suppressed soon.

Don't sacrifice innocent soldiers.

It's still not too late.

Please respect the honor of a warrior.

The era of unconditional loyalty is over.

How could you ask for our loyalty?

The King has passed away.

The throne cannot be unoccupied at any time.

Get ready to bring in the queen.

You mean, you want to switch the lineage?

Rather than a weak King, don't we need a King who can protect this nation?