Original subtitles

A monk's hat, sir.

Winter, 1217, fourth year of the reign of King Gojong.

The warrior monks were in revolt.

In 1215, Mongols drove the Khitan into Koryo's northern territory.

The battles still raged.

To aid the king,

General Choe Chungheon assumed the title of Overlord.

The Choe House brought stability to a nation beset by internal strife,

a nation devastated by over 100 years of corruption.

But with reform came abuses. Across Koryo people joined the resistance.

Among them were the warrior monks.

- The needlework. - Thanks.

Wola, you bring the needlework?

Yes.

Hello.

Uh-huh.

Ouch.

You still leave an opening.

The staff, the sword, what you hold isn't important.

What's important is focus.

You go where your heart is.

Yes, Master.

I'm no match for you.

Listen to you.

The day you're a match for me the world will end.

Who's been teaching you these last 10 years?

Anyway, well done.

Enough staff work.

Let's try a little unarmed combat.

Ready?

Yes, Master.

Anytime.

How about now?

Improper stance means no balance, no strength.

Hmph.

Wasting time all day, teaching this bit of fluff.

Abbott, he's fair-to-middling.

I might make something of him yet.

You want him like you?

How long have you been trying to master the Heart Sutra?

Three years? Four?

Oh, now, Abbot.

To each his own.

Some chant, some meditate.

And some protect others.

We each follow our own path.

Hush, you.

Come along, Musang.

Yes, Abbot.

Come on, Wola.

Sir.

You brought something? What now?

Dried persimmons. For you and the Abbot.

Persimmons?

They're so expensive…

Well? Come along.

Yes, Abbot.

- Let's go. - All right.

They're like brother and sister, those two.

True. They grew up together, as close as any siblings.

Still, looking at them, they're not related and they're both single.

Isn't it time to put a stop to it?

Careful, the abbot won't like hearing that.

He has high hopes for Musang, high hopes.

But won't it be hard for Musang to be a proper monk?

After all, a runaway slave--

Watch what you say.

Still, Musang is a better fighter than a monk.

You saw how he used the staff.

He very nearly took me.

Siddhartha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

“This is the precious truth. We are all enlightened.”

“Our own delusions keep us from seeing it.”

What does this mean?

Sir… Nirvana is our reality.

Our narcissistic delusions prevent us understanding that.

Tsk-tsk-tsk.

That's the textbook answer.

Studying the Buddha requires your whole being, all that you are.

Enlightenment…

is not achieved through pat answers.

Yes, sir.

Hmph, too clever by half.

Enlightenment is found in reading the Buddha's heart.

You can't see it all without perseverance.

Fortunately, there is strength and goodness in you.

You must have done well in your past lives.

Abbot.

What are you looking at?

N… nothing, sir.

Now, where are you in the Four Books and Five Classics?

The Doctrine of the Mean.

What is the Doctrine of the Mean?

The Mean does not lean one way or the other.

It is unchanging.

The mind must be in a state of equilibrium.

The Doctrine of the Mean teaches balance and harmony.

Yes, yes, well done.

I want you to apply yourself to the classics and the ways of statecraft.

But above all, the writings of Buddha.

It is proper that a great man devote his life to this.

Yes, sir.

You've lived too long in the mountains.

You know nothing of the world.

Or if you will do well in it…

or not.

These are hard times. Confusing times.

No one knows the future.

Monks cannot neglect their martial training.

We must know how to protect ourselves.

Again. Both hands…

and strike.

Ready.

Strike.

Again.

No… Hongji?

You're alive.

Yes, Brother.

The Abbot… is he here?

Of course. Come with me.

It's… it's urgent.

What is it? What's so urgent?

Where are the others?

Dead. All of them.

Except Master San.

Jisan?

Yes, Abbot. He was with me…

but I saw him taken by Choe's security forces.

Take it step-by-step. What's all this about security forces?

Kaegyeong is in chaos.

The capital?

Rebels.

Rebellion.

Rebels? Who? Where?

The warrior monks broke from the front…

and marched on the capital.

What? Explain yourself.

Over 1,000 monks left the front and marched back to Gaegyeong.

Musang, leave us.

Y-yes, sir.

Master Hongji was gone a long time.

Something's going on.

What?

Hm? Nothing, Wola. Here, let me.

You carried this heavy thing?

It's not heavy at all.

Hm? Come on.

Why did the monks rebel?

To kill the head of the special forces, Choe Chungheon.

And Kim Dokmyong.

Kim Dokmyong?

A truly evil seer.

We asked about the rebellion.

Why did the monks rebel?

It's just…

We were freezing, half-starved, the battle was lagging.

Too many losses, too much liquor, and the complaints piled up.

Tell me, why should we be forced to fight?

The complaining got worse.

And someone suggested marching on the capital.

Kill old Choe…

and particularly that seer, Kim Dokmyong.

Who forced the monks to fight? Kim Dokmyong, Kim Dokmyong!

I see… I see…

After two days march…

we were at Kaegyeong.

Open the gates! The Khitan are on us!

Open up!

Open up, hurry!

If the Khitan are marching here, why aren't you fighting them?

You won't let us in?

Open the gates!

Enough of your lies!

We already got our orders about you.

Stand down, you traitors!

Brothers, attack!

Stop them!

Archers!

Attack!

The gates!

Death to Choe Chungheon! And the seer Kim Dokmyong!

But we were fools.

Too reckless, too rushed.

The special forces had an informant in the regular troops.

The capital guards were prepared.

Kill them!

Kim Dokmyong has escaped.

Find him!

- To the special forces! - To the garrison!

Death to Kim Dokmyong!

- Death to Kim! - Death!

They're traitors. Kill them.

There!

Kill them! Kill them all!

Bar the gates.

Round up all the monks in the capital… and kill them!

I managed to get out of the city…

but Jisan…

Jisan…

We have to get away.

They captured Jisan. The special forces will be on their way.

That's what I rushed here to tell you.

This is urgent.

Listen, Hongji…

you have to go.

You're dead if they catch you.

He's right. You should go.

A-Abbot… How can I… alone...?

We have to face this.

But you don't.

You can hide in a hermitage I know of.

But for now, go.

Yes, Abbot.

I hope to see you again.

Listen, Keumgang.

Yes, sir.

If they do come the village will be in danger.

They're here to avoid the world, they're like family.

Call Musang.

It's dangerous for them to see him.

This is an emergency. Move.

Yes, sir.

Who wants this one?

Me!

Here we go. Enjoy.

Thanks!

- Enjoy. - We will.

Ugh. My eyes.

Are you all right?

Hm? I'm fine, I'm fine.

Mmm, tasty.

Ah, we should take some to the abbot.

Relax. I've been giving them plenty.

You have? That's good.

You, too. Here.

Whew, hot.

What's that?

The emergency bell?

Head to the village. The special forces are on the way. Hurry!

We have to protect the villagers. Move!

- Sir. - Move out. Hurry.

Where did Musang get to? Musang.

Please, Abbot.

Sir, they're here.

We have to get you out of here.

What is this? This has never happened before.

- What is it? - That's my question.

- Something's going on. - Something bad.

We have to go. Everyone, get out!

Wola, come on!

All of you! If you run, you die!

Stay where you are!

Don't run!

This way.

Musang, soldiers.

Suni, Suni..!

No, Suni… Suni!

Follow me, Wola.

Whoa.

- You there. - Yes, sir.

We got all we can here.

- Burn it. - Yes, sir.

March on the hermitage.

Roust those monks once and for all.

Yes, sir.

- Well? - Sir!

Abbot.

Mommy…

This is intolerable. How dare you?

I'm Yi Kongju, Commander of the Special Forces.

You're Abbot Subeop?

We have our orders.

You and these villagers are under arrest.

On charges of being involved in the revolt of two days ago.

Arrest them.

Take them. Every last one of them.

Arrest them. Starting with him.

How dare you?

He's an elderly abbot.

Stand down.

How dare YOU?

Who are you to talk to us like that?

You… you maniac monk..!

Well? Get them!

Protect the abbot.

Kill them all!

Just get him!

Enough, enough!

Stop, please!

It's all right… all right…

Wha..? Another maniac monk!

Drop that sword.

Kill all the rebels.

Stupid monk!

Take that!

Die! Die!

Musang.

Die, die!

No!

Who are you?

- Don't. - Wola, Wola…

Wola..!

Move it!

Burn the hermitage!

You! Have you no fear of the afterlife?

We have our orders.

Well? Take them.

Don't leave a single commoner in the village.

Sir.

Escort the abbot to Master Satong.

Sir.

- Get up! Come on! - Abbot, Abbot.

- Musang. - Wola… Wola…

Wola, Wola…

Musang…

Wola..!

Musang!

Wola…

Madness… madness…

Report.

Things are going as expected, sir.

However, there are still many monks at large.

That may take some time yet.

And those arrested?

Monks from good families have been taken to Bo Songbae.

Yet there's something strange about all this.

General Song, you've heard something?

Under interrogation the monks claim...

they acted on General Jeong Sukchom's orders.

That's absurd.

My Lord, from what I hear the interrogators are very harsh.

Wouldn't they say anything under torture?

Move out.

Stand aside!

[Heungwang Temple]

Head Abbot, hundreds of monks have been executed.

The bodies are piling up in the roads.

The rivers are filled with blood.

Even some monks here in Heungwang Temple have been implicated.

What should we do?

It's pandemonium, rebellion.

Anyone associated with it has been taken, their houses burned.

How can you let them die?

You have to do something.

Sir.

- Namu Amitabul… - Sir!

Halt.

Sir.

I'll ask you again.

You're coming here was an act of rebellion.

Well?

We told you the truth.

We came back because we were cold and starving.

You still say that?

Say it was rebellion and you'll live.

General Jeong is at the front. The others have confessed to acting on his orders.

Why are you the only ones that say different?

It's not true. I don't know…

Spare me! Please!

This isn't getting anywhere.

You'll be begging for death soon enough.

Your feet will only be fit for dogs to eat.

You men! Roast their feet for the local dogs.

What shall it be? Life or death?

How can I tell you what isn't true?

We came here to kill Kim Dokmyong.

You monks. Kim Dokmyong is all you care about.

And deservedly so.

He's certainly earned it.

Apart from Kim Dokmyong…

You were, in fact, after the Overlord.

Yes. You forced us to fight.

We're not your beasts, not your slaves.

We came to kill you all.

Ignorant monks, rushing here without a sword among you?

On whose orders?

Was it Jeong Sukchom?

It's not true.

What's not true?

We have the other confessions.

General Jeong was fed up with the war.

He said he couldn't fight using you riff-raff.

He said the only way to save Koryo was to kill the overlord.

Hearing this, you monks marched on Kaegyeong for General Jeong.

Making him the instigator behind all this.

I don't… I don't know…

Do you want to die hard or easy?

You men! Burn them to death and discard the bones.

Listen! Please!

You're right.

It was Jeong Sukchom.

Water… Water please!

I knew it. You could have saved yourself a lot of pain.

Oh, well…

- You men! Take the fire away. - Sir.

Now tell me again.

What exactly did General Jeong say?

[The Home of Choe Chungheon]

Look out for strangers. Stay alert.

The rebels could be anywhere.

Yes, sir!

- So that's it? - Here you are.

Keeping the rider in the saddle, eh?

Whatever it takes.

Pressing forward with the pawn, eh?

Sir… We have more liquor.

Good.

Well? Are we playing chess here?

Well said.

That's checkmate if I ever saw it.

Well, let's have a drink.

We've already emptied a few bottles and we still haven't heard anything.

More, Overlord?

Of course.

Keep it coming.

Yes, Overlord.

- Here you are. - Right, right.

Oops, oops.

You sure can drink, eh?

Two bottles down and you keep going.

Not at all. I can't see what's in front of my face.

All the same…

Overlord, if you insist, I'll have some more.

Of course. Take that.

Oh, well, then I'll have to block like this.

Oh, I'm so drunk… whew…

Faker.

“I'm drunk, I'm drunk,” and it doesn't affect your game.

If you please, sir.

- Dokmyong. - Sir.

- A drink. - Yes, Overlord.

So that's it?

Excellent work.

Do you wish to see the Overlord?

He has company?

Yes. Yi Kyubo is with him.

Oh? Let's go, then.

Salute!

Choe U.

Choe Hyang.

I understand you're quite busy.

Father put the youngest in charge of this monk business.

So it would seem.

His eldest is with the special forces…

it seems he was stuck with me.

You think so?

Kyongson, you're here, too?

Just so, sir.

The special forces keeping you busy?

Yes, sir. How is it here?

The usual.

Too many guests. Hard to guard.

I thought I had you.

Then this.

I move here, you move there.

A policy of intervention.

Look here, Kyubo.

How much are you writing, anyway?

“Hermit,” I understand, but “Three-what-now?”

Three Kingdoms? “Three Vices?”

It's nothing.

I love drink, poetry, music.

A little nickname, is all.

Oh, must be nice.

I'm not long for this world.

I wish I had that kind of time on my hands.

The King needs you, sir.

You bear the burden of the people.

No one could fill your shoes.

You talk pretty, but I know better.

It's it true?

If people really thought so…

why would 1,000 monks break in at night…

to take my head?

Only because they're fools, sir.

Exactly. Monks these days are all fools. Corrupt to a man.

No, no.

I'm too old.

I don't hear what I should.

My eyes are dimmed.

Not like I was in the old days.

I'm washed up, washed up.

I'm through. Again.

Yes, Overlord.

But I've a lot to drink, so--

We have plenty more, don't worry.

We have a few bottles yet.

We'll play till they're empty.

Dokmyong.

Overlord.

Another drink.

Yes, sir.

- Here, sir… - No, I couldn't.

- Please. - I can't.

Overlord, your sons to see you.

Send them in.

Father, Choe Hyang tells me most of the rebels have been dealt with.

Don't concern yourself, sir.

Yes, sir.

We have most of them. They're awaiting sentence.

We'll round up the rest and get the whole story out of them.

What are you doing?

We going to play or what?

Overlord, perhaps we've played enough…

I said sit down.

Sir, your sons…

It's all part of running a country.

When you hold power, swords come from anywhere, anytime.

Why get worked up over it?

How did the tournament go?

It was postponed due to the current emergency.

Still, I understand participants are flocking to the capital…

from all over Koryo.

Oh?

As well they should.

A tournament is worth the trouble.

Listen, Dokmyong.

Overlord.

When does Jeong Sukchom get here?

I sent General Sang to fetch him, didn't I?

Yes, sir. He left on the first day of the rebellion.

It's been two days now.

Dig ten fathoms deep and you still can't know a man's heart.

You called for my father-in-law, sir?

Your father-in-law wants my head.

Father.

He's greedy for power, that one.

Father, you've misunderstood.

You know he's not like that.

When it comes to power…

there are no fathers, no sons, no brothers.

Much less in-laws.

The two of you have ruined my mood.

You, Three-Whatsis.

Yes, sir.

Sit.

Let's drink and play.

Overlord.

Father.

My father-in-law is leading the battle against the Khitan.

The men need him there.

Taking a general from the front lines requires careful deliberation.

Father.

Your brother is dealing with this.

You think I shouldn't trust him?

Father.

Three Vices…

Sit.

Sir.

- Dokmyong. - Overlord.

- Another drink. - Sir.

Move it out!

[Traitors]

Move it out, you scum!

You want another?

Move, move!

Move out!

No loafing, there!

Move, move!

Water…

Whiny old fart!

Whiny… old…

He's an old man.

Why do you keep beating him?

What?

Oh, you don't approve, huh?

You don't like it, huh?

How about this?

Musang…

Musang, Musang…

Cowards…

Get up, you!

Up!

Well? Get up.

Come on, up.

Up!

Miss..!

You rotten little..!

- Halt! - Miss.

My Lady, are you all right?

Monks? Who are they?

Insurgents involved in the recent rebellion.

From Chungyong Temple in Yangju.

How can you be so cruel, whatever their crimes?

Your pardon. There are so many of them…

Many monks have been caught and killed.

What is this young man's crime?

Miss, we should go.

More than a few monks will be punished for what they've done.

Let's go, Songi.

Miss, we should go.

It must hurt. Use this to stop the bleeding.

Let's go.

(Come see me.)

- Move out. - Sir.

Jisan… Jisan?

Abbot…

I'm sorry.

It's my fault… my fault…

No, it's all right. It's the times we live in.

They're all from the Chungyong Temple in Yangju?

Yes, sir.

This will take forever.

We already have their confessions.

Oh, well, it has to be by the book.

Who's that old monk?

A disciple of the Head Abbot.

Oh?

He looks like he would be.

Pull him aside for now.

Sir.

Lock up the villagers.

Monks, over there.

Get the village scum out of here.

Musang… Musang…

Wola… It's all right. We'll be all right, we'll be--

- Keumgang. - Abbot.

I'm fine.

Move it along.

- Abbot. - Musang.

- Abbot. - Musang.

Musang…

We already know the Chungyong Temple was involved in the rebellion.

We'll deal with the rebels first.

First, your family background.

- When did you take vows? - When?

If you're truly monks, we should be able to confirm it.

What's your name?

Seunggun.

Who took your vows?

The abbot.

When?

October, 1205.

Next. Name?

Jungchan.

Vows?

Same as Seunggun.

- Take him! - Sir!

Wait.. Why are you..?

- Master..! - Master…

Name?

Name?

We know all there is to know about you.

Some of you are runaway slaves.

If we find you're not guilty, you'll be released.

We'll check your names against our list.

All right, I see.

You're all innocent, is that it?

I guess we'll have to use the rack.

Where were you born?

Where did you run from?

What house did you serve? You had better tell us now.

- Men! - Sir!

Put ‘em on the rack!

Sir.

So, you're monk name is Keumgang and your old name was Kim Yunho.

You were a real hard case back then, huh?

Why did you take vows?

To be a monk, why else?

What?

Master, Master…

All right, fair enough.

A monk for ten years now.

Teaching martial arts, is that right?

We'll leave that for another day.

Now, you.

Name?

I'm Musang.

“Musang?” That means, “Here today, gone tomorrow.”

True, life is meaningless, you got that right.

And your background?

When, where and how did you take your vows?

Will you tell me or not?

When, where and how did you take your vows? Will you tell me or not?

Who were you before you took vows?

Your family?

I don't know.

No?

No?

Musang.

You must have had a mother, a father, a household.

Tell me when and where.

I don't know. I have no idea.

You hear that?

No family? He's a fake.

Right? You're a fake.

Enough of this.

Hang him up. He's up to something.

- Hang him up. - Sir.

- Abbot. - Musang.

Abbot…

Musang…

Abbot… Master… Abbot… Abbot!