Original subtitles

Yim Chun-su an Kim Bok-nam, you are under arrest!

What are you doing? I haven't done anything wrong!

Let go of me! I'm not a criminal! Let go!

Wait! This is a mistake! These men are innocent!

Step side!

No! These men are innocent!

That is to be determined by the Royal Repository?

What happened, sir?

What do you mean?

Like you told me, they've been toying with the grading of the

salt and making a profit on the tributary goods.

But they were following your orders!

I've assigned them to collect the tributary foods, but I

didn't tell them to lie about its quality and pocket the difference.

Have you no fear for he gods?

I don't know why you are angry with me, but I'm victim as well.

Those men have caused terrible injury to the reputation of my business!

Do you think you can place the blame on them and get away with this?

I will not let you. I will reveal the truth no matter what!

Sure, do whatever you wish.

Stop!

Speak the truth!

This is injustice. We were just following the baron's orders.

Where do you think you are to utter such a blatant lie!

Do you wish to die?

No, sir. It's the truth!

You still refuse to confess?

What are you waiting for? Continue the torture until they speak!

Ju Tae-moon knows no bounds.

He bypassed the Court of Equity and made an arrest!

I'm not surprised.

They made their move, an we cannot idly stand by.

They think they're off the hook if they can cover up the crime

involving tributary goods, but we have evidence of other crimes.

Do we really have a chance against them?

I feel bad for the two men who are unjustly suffering,

but this may give us a chance to make a forceful counterstrike.

All right. I will rally the scholars as soon as possible.

I will go back to the Internal Affairs Agency and plot my own

course of action.

The Royal Repository was originally set up to manage food items and

miscellaneous supplies that are being used in the palace and to oversee the

staffing of servants. But recently, his agency has been committing all

kinds of unlawful acts in the process of acquiring supplies.

And it's been confirmed that men like Yoon Won-hyung with close relations

to His Majesty are involved in these criminal activities.

What's more, when a part of their operation became exposed, a number

of eunuchs arbitrarily set up a detention facility punishing

innocent men to cover up their crimes. This cannot be tolerated.

Accordingly, we will present His Majesty with a letter of appeal

and wait for his reply in the palace in a sit-in demonstration.

Explain this, Prime Minister!

It says that you and Attendant Ju are abusing your authority

and tyrannizing the people!

It is a outrageous accusation, Your Majesty!

How could servants of the state dare tyrannize the people?

Then why do the scholars claim that you do?

What do you suggest?

The scholars of Sung-kyun Academy cannot be ignored.

No, it can not, Your Majesty.

The academy scholars' appeals have never been ignored no matter

how trivial since the founding of this kingdom.

Accordingly, I advise you to respond that you will conduct

a thorough investigation and bring the truth to light.

What is your opinion, Prime Minister?

I agree with the Internal Affairs Minister.

I advise you to conduct a thorough investigation.

Very well. I will respond as you advise.

Sung-ryon, how did it go?

His Majesty has accepted our appeal.

Is this true?

Let us wait.

Your friend would be released once the truth is revealed.

Is there... a problem?

What are these?

These records are different from the records I saw the other day!

I don't know what you mean.

I had copied these records word for word! I don't believe this!

Did anyone alter these records after my visit?

I demand the truth!

Whatever do you mean? Alter the files?

These are the very same documents you saw the other day.

Perhaps you made a mistake the other day.

What?!

What do you mean you can't find the evidence?

You assured me that you had irrefutable proof!

It appears they have altered their records.

Alter the records? That's absurd?

You must believe me, sir. You saw my copy of this records.

But I can't do anything with suspicion alone.

We are dealing with His Majesty's two right-hand men.

Without the original, your copy doesn't proved thing.

In fact, it will do more to prove their innocence.

Allow me to subpoena the entire Royal Repository staff and eunuchs.

If we question them, we will find proof of misconduct in handling

official documents as well.

I was terrified when you agreed with Minister Oh about conducting

a thorough investigation!

The Prime Minister never misses a thing!

But the Internal Affairs is going to reinvestigate.

It's not going to help us if they call in the entire staff and

question them one by one.

No, but don't worry. We've been through worse than this.

The physical evidence is gone, but they know the truth.

They won't give up that easy.

We have to deliver a final blow.

We will know soon enough whether this will destroy us or strengthen

His Majesty's trust for us.

Report you findings.

The two prisoners have confessed their crimes, but they were

unlawfully arrested and punished.

We have yet to find evidence that support the other charges, but...

No evidence? Are you telling me that the Internal Affairs and

Sung-Kyun Academy have been acting on suspicion alone?

But there're many questionable issues, and we wish to continue

our investigation.

Internal Affairs Minister.

Prime Minister...

I commend you for your hard work.

I'm just...

Do yo have a moment for some tea?

Send you away? What do you mean?

Your Majesty, I have caused you great distress with my negligence.

My subordinate's failures and misconducts are my responsibility

and I deserve to be punished.

I do not fear for myself, but I fear I might cause you harm.

No, how could I possibly dismiss you?

You were always by my side like a brother, and you took care of

me like a father.

Your grace is immeasurable.

Your kind words alone are enough for me, so...

No, I said.

I shall protect you, so cast aside your fears.

Your grace is immeasurable!

The Internal Affairs Agency has conducted an Investigation against

the Royal Repository in response to a petition by the scholars of

Sung-kyun Academy.

The following is my response upon conclusion of that investigation.

This is not the first time the Royal Repository enforced the law.

The defendants were justly punished for their attempt to disregard the

standard set by the law in collection of tributary goods

and deceive the government.

I find no grounds to transfer an authorized official who made an

arrest in the interest of the state. The motion for dismissal is denied.

Moreover, this case has been settled by the confession of

the accused; thus, it is not to be discussed again.

I cannot accept this!

I'm certain I will find evidence if I dig deeper!

Stop the investigation! It is His Majesty's order!

The scholars of the academy will not give up even if we stop.

I'm sure His Majesty's statement has been delivered to the academy.

It's time to wrap it up.

Don't press forward with this for you own sake.

If you defy the royal command, you could be charged with treason.

The scholars' concern for the state affairs is truly commendable.

But if their voices are used to vilify high ministers of court

without evidence to support their claim, they are to be kept distant.

The first duty of a student who has entered the academy of higher

learning is to focus on their learning.

Act with discretion and practice restraint.

How did this happen?

The prisoners are on the verge of death.

How can you stop the investigation?

I don't know what to say. I knew they were powerful, but...

This must be how they managed to carry on their scheme for decades.

What is to become of the prisoners now?

Are we going to let them die in confinement?

I don't know what to say...

Talk about hard luck...

He suffered enough injustice being born a dirt poor peasant,

but just when he can put food his mouth, he is doomed to die!

Chun-su, you fool...

If you were going to go like this, why did you have to befriend me?

Look who's here!

If it isn't the backstabbing traitor who sold his friend out!

I have to ask you for a favor.

You can forget it. I don't know you.

Mujik.

Let go of my arm before I get mad!

I heard that you have a friend in the detention facility at the

Royal Repository. I must see Chun-su. Can you get me in?

You're the one who put him there and now you want to get him out?

I'm begging you.

What are you going to do? Break him out of jail?

I'll find a way. And if that's the only way, I will break him out.

Now that's a joke!

What do you think you're doing?!

If I can just talk to him, I know I can find some kind of evidence.

Get up from there? A nobleman can't kneel before a peasant!

A friend's life is at stake. I don't care about status.

I have no excuse for what I have done to Chun-su.

But you have to know this.

Chun-su is a friend I treasure more than my own life.

Stop right there?

Hey brothers, what are you still doing here?

Mujik, is that you?

What are you doing here? I told you to fetch the brothers!

Do you know this boy?

Oh, he's a new kid that just joined the gang.

What are you waiting for? Introduce yourself!

Pleased to meet you.

We got off on the wrong feet. I didn't know who you were.

Brother, I have a little party going at the back gate.

Come wet your whistle.

I'm on duty. I have to guard my prisoners.

Come on? Are you afraid they'll break out of here when they're

barely clinging to life?

Let the new kid watch your post and come with me.

I shouldn't be doing this...

Oh, it's all right!

Kid, stay right here and watch the prisoners. You got that?

Chun-su, Chun-su!

Chun-su, wake up!

Water... Water...

Here. Here's some water.

I'm sorry... I caused to you and Chun-su...

No, it's not your fault.

Baron Huh did this to us.

This is what I get for twenty years of loyalty.

Isn't this pathetic?

But I will not go down like this.

Baron Huh, that bastard, I will kill him if it's the last thing I do!

I hope I'm not asking too much of you.

Don't mention it. Chun-su isn't just your friend.

He's my friend too. We really grew on each other.

Thanks. I am counting on you.

Don't worry about us, and watch your back.

The baron has hired some butchers to guard the place.

Fire! Fire!

Fire?! Where is the fire?

The warehouse with medicinal herbs from Ming, sir!

Oh, no!

You must find his journal.

That's the only way to bring the baron down.

He won't store it in an obvious place.

He will keep it very close to him.

That idiot!

You!

Guards! Guards! Come quickly!

Guards! Thief!

That way!

Go now! Go!

But...

Just go! I got you covered.

What?! You lost him?!

Forgive us, sir.

You are hired killers for heaven sakes!

How could you let him get away?

Yi Soon-shin, that weasel slipped away...

But there's only one place he could've gone.

Who is it?

Who is it?

What happened?

My lady, we must quickly move him inside!

Father...

I do not know what happened, so I brought him here away from the

eyes of the others.

You did the smart thing.

Gatekeeper!

What brings you here at this late hour, Baron?

Forgive me, sir. I have reasons to believe that a thief that

broke into my house tonight is hiding in this house.

You've been misinformed. No one entered my house tonight.

It's possible that he is hiding here without your knowledge.

I hate to impose, but please allow me to take a look around.

This will be my last and only request.

Very well. As you wish.

This is my daughter's room.

Please allow us to take a look.

Even the father is careful about entering a maiden's room.

Don't you know the customs of the nobility?

But sir, I am acting on a testimony of a witness.

I must assume that the thief is in that room if you tell me to leave.

- Come in. - Yun-hwa!

What are you waiting for? Come in and take a good look.

But if you do not find the man you are looking for, there will

be consequences for violating the privacy of a maiden.

No, wait out there.

Are you satisfied?

What more do you want? Leave this room.

How much more contempt must I tolerate?

It's bad enough that you've force yourself into a maiden's room.

Do you now wish to tear it apart?

Leave now. I will not tolerate any more disrespect!

What are you doing here?

Lady Yun-hwa has a message for you.

For me?

You wish to go to the baron?

Do you know who you are up against? The baron isn't your only opponent.

Imperial Attendant Ju Tae-moon, Prime Minister Yoon Won-hyung,

this could be a fight against the King who would shield them!

One man has already lost his life. I have no other choice.

This is the only way to save my friend's life.

They will not release him that easily no matter what you say.

In fact, they will try to hurt you as well.

I can't back down.

You may be disqualified from the exam.

You may never get the chance to realize your cherished dream!

I know.

Master, it's Kyun.

Enter!

Brothers...

Soon-shin...

I'm sorry to cause you concern once again.

Don't be silly. We heard everything from outside.

I can' let you go alone.

I will round up the members of Deung-ryong and we will go together.

No!

What do you mean, Master? Why are you stoping us?

If we send him alone, there is no telling what they might do.

That's a cross Soon-shin alone must bear.

I cannot obey you, Master. I refuse to let him go alone!

Are you going to turn Deung-ryong institute into a martyrs' den?

Master...

Kyun, Master is right.

Soon-shin!

What are you doing here? Are you out of your mind?

You wish to make a deal?

That's right. If I don't return by 7:00 pm, your journal will be

turned over to the Court of Equity.

Fool. How are you going to prove that journal is mine.

You can't bring me down that easily.

No, I can't prove anything. Even if I could, I'm sure your

connections in the Courts of Equity will make that proof disappear.

If you now that why would be so foolish?

But if copies of that journal are delivered to Attendant Ju and Prime

Minister Yoon, what then? Along with a note saying that the original has

been delivered to the Court of Equity as well, of course.

What?!

If they see that you've been making a detailed record of all the fancy

gifts you've been going them, even a fool would know your intended use

for that journal. You may not end up in prison, but you would lose their

trust at the very least.

What? Release the criminal who stole government property!

One of them has already died in confinement.

I fear it will hurt your esteemed name if the other one dies as well.

Add glory to your name with display of mercy.

But what if that boy starts talking and causing trouble?

Don't worry. I will make certain that he keeps his mouth shut.

Chun-su! Chun-su!

Thank god you're all right!

What's wrong with you? Do you know what he did to get you out?

I don't care.

Chun-su...

What's wrong with you? Your friend risked his...

Don't even mention him. He's no friend of mine.

I told you, you're wrong about him!

Chun-su, Baron Huh would like to see you.

Go ahead and drink it.

Me, sir?

I had them brew the best herbs for your injury.

It will make moving around much easier.

Sir...

A good medicine is always bitter. Go ahead an drink it.

I apologize. I trusted Soon-shin's words and I put you through this

awful ordeal. How will I ever make it up to you?

One never knows what evil lurks in the heart of men...

I just want you to focus on getting well.

I didn't know that you're all alone in this world with not

one family member to care for you.

Consider me as family from now on. You can think of me as your father

or an uncle if that's more comfortable.

Sir...!

I will take care of you like a son from now.

Do you know what I mean?

But regardless of the circumstance that led to this, I did save your

life by getting you out.

And even animate don't hesitate to jump into a fire to pay back a debt

of gratitude if you save them from death.

How about it? Will you obey my orders from now on?

Yes, sir. I will follow your orders, sir.

You will?

Yes.

Hide this somewhere in the laborer's quarters and go to the authorities.

I am telling you to turn him in.

And I will keep you near and place you in important service.

Thank you for the other night.

I'm glad. I'm really glad that you are okay.

I could not be happier about your friend, but I am ill at ease.

They are not to be taken lightly.

The baron will not stand down after the humiliation he suffered.

Master...

Go to Gon-yang with this letter and find Master Nam-goong.

He is a man of great heart. He will teach you valuable lessons.

Master...

Open this gate!

Goodness! What's going on?

That conniving bastard!

What is the meaning of this?!

We are looking for a criminal who not only embezzled government

property but stole valuable goods intended for His Majesty's use.

Begin the search!

Don't be like that. You can't do this to a friend.

Go to the tavern if you can move around.

He said he'd be there waiting for you.

I think you should listen to Master Bang.

What are you talking about? We're not letting Soon-shin go anywhere.

I think Master Bang's concerns are valid.

I think he worries too much.

Kyun...

You know what he went though to stay in the institute,

and he doesn't have much time before the exam.

Who's out there?

Soon-shin, this is you!

What's wrong?

It's Baron Huh's doing.

I will go to the authorities at once and reveal the truth!

No. This warrant with your sketch means that they have acquired

solid evidence against you.

But still...

Haven't you seen what they have done to your friend?

They will make up a crime if you are innocent.

But, Sung-ryong...

You must flee for now and find a way to prove your innocence.

Darn this rotten government!

Go.

We could be spotted if we move together, so let's say our goodbyes here.

Be careful. You must be out of the city before dawn.

Brothers...

Be careful.

This is it. This is my last good turn as a friend.

I'm alone from now on. I have no friends of any kind.

We will go our separate ways. So don't resent me...