Original subtitles

You'll enter the tournament?

Yes.

I already told you, in the arena it's kill or be killed.

And still?

Still.

What changed your mind?

The work detail is no place for a man?

Exactly.

I like your candor. Can you ride?

Let me ask you this first.

If I make it to the end, you'll grant a single request?

A request?

Freeing you from that hell should be enough. Something else you want?

There is.

I can't grant any wish, but a reasonable request is possible.

But that's for later.

First you have to survive.

Can you ride?

Yes, I can. I've ridden now and then.

Now… and then?

Hear that? Now and then.

That's not what matters.

What matters is his will to survive.

Right. Exactly right.

If you have the will, you can't help but ride well.

The real issue is killing quickly, accurately.

Beat them to death. Understand?

Yes.

That I would like to see.

Take him out. There's only a day left.

Brief him on the essentials.

Yes, sir.

Leave him to me.

All right. See to it.

Yes, sir.

Let's go.

He's growing on me.

We'll see if he's a fighter.

But if he's lucky enough to survive the second round…

what about the final?

Can he survive that?

Only the heavens know that.

Yi Kongju… you…

You've had your eye on him all along?

Yes, sir. He can do it.

The reason I didn't recommend him at first was those doe eyes of his.

Hardly the killing type, don't you think?

How like you.

But now…

something has changed in him.

There's blood thirst there.

So I think he may do it.

Right. Exactly right.

They're rough but very eager.

Chunmyong, what do you think?

Your combat skills are second to none.

They look good.

Feverish to a man.

I have to agree, sir.

Do you?

I agree, as well.

It's something to see.

Who is that?

You mean the titan?

He can lift a bale of rice with one hand, that one.

In other words, a monster.

And this one, he's a wizard with the staff.

Just what we need for the arena, sir.

At least it won't be boring, sir.

It won't be that.

A real scholar there.

Watch the game!

You'd already be dead.

Good thing this is just practice. The real thing is birch.

And birch can be worse than a sword, you got that?

I got it, I got it.

- Remount. - Yes, sir.

Morons! Keep your balance!

Get up, get up. Stay alert!

You played last year in your capacity as private forces.

Now you'll play with these slaves.

Kim Jun.

Sir.

It's a game in name only.

Of course, it's over when one side puts the ball through the other's goal.

So you don't strike the ball, you strike the men.

Remove the men and hit the ball at your leisure.

Understood?

Of course, that's not how polo used to be played.

But that's how we do it in the special forces. To select men for private armies.

Mount up.

When was the last time you rode?

A few years ago.

You sit well, at least.

It's this slave and me against the two of you.

- Places. - Sir.

Well? Throw the ball.

You see the ball, hit it. See an enemy, hit him.

Use both feet, hard.

Tighten the reins.

Here they come. Stop him! And don't get hit!

Hold the reins and stay on.

Be one with the horse. Lose your balance and you're dead.

Get up. Mount up. Now.

The ball!

Hang on.

Keep your balance.

Wait… Who's that?

That monk… I mean, that slave?

Well I never…

It's gorgeous, Miss.

A little scary, though.

Scary?

But where's Chunsim with the fruit?

Um, she had to…

Obviously.

I wish she'd get over it.

There's no star without a heaven. But Yangbaek, isn't interested.

You can't tie down heaven.

You could help.

I can't take care of myself, what can I do?

Miss, tons of people are coming to the capital.

I'm aware.

Tomorrow is the tournament.

The capital is always full for that.

Peddlers, performers, it's like a holiday.

Exactly.

Grandfather Choe attends and all the nobles, great and small.

And on the last day, the Emperor himself.

The tournament can make a career or end a life.

It's something to see.

Miss? You're going?

When I went two years ago I kept my eyes shut the whole time.

Men dying, it's terrifying…

Oh? I've attended since I was little.

I like it.

Oh, no…

But where did that Chunsim get to?

She'll be wherever Choe Yangbaek is.

So unseemly.

Attention!

Not exactly inspiring, are they.

Yes, sir. Much worse than last year.

We have to use the best of the slaves.

Any decent volunteers have been swept up by Chae Hyang.

It makes sense.

The volunteers all go through the security forces.

Right into Choe Junmun's hands.

They have to be split into tourneys.

Let's hope it doesn't weaken them further.

Right. That's it.

Catch him off-guard.

The ball is nothing.

Hit the man and you have the ball.

Now, kill him!

You have to kill to win.

That's all for today.

Kim Jun.

One day of training for the games would make a passing dog burst out laughing.

But your best may just be good enough.

I hope you can live through it.

Yangbaek, all done? Oh, you're sweating.

Hey, I'm talking here, at least look at me.

Can't you hear me?

What is it now?

Fruit. Pears.

I've been waiting to give them to you.

Fruit in winter.

Thanks, Chunsim..

Oh, you. It was nothing.

Aren't you the slave my Lady saved?

Remember me? We saw you in jail.

You're in the games?

He is.

Kim Jun here signed up.

Take this.

Eat it all.

You'll know who you fight with in the morning.

Those are hard to come by and you give them to him?

Don't you care about my feelings?

Chunsim, don't upset your mistress.

And stop wasting time hanging around here.

Yangbaek, the performers are in town, want to go?

Maybe when you're off?

Don't be silly. Just go.

I'm busy.

Jerk. Like you're so big.

I'm pouting, jerkhead.

Yangbaek, think it over. You have time tonight?

C'mon, it'll be fun.

Wola, isn't that..?

Isn't that your monk or whatever?

Yes. Musang.

Right, Musang.

But what's going on? Why is he with Yangbaek?

And those other men?

That's odd. Walking around with worker slaves and such.

Jerk-dumb. Blech.

Chunsim, Chunsim.

What?

Wait.

Weren't they coming from the training grounds?

Yeah, so?

We saw Yangbaek.

Wasn't that a monk with him? Musang?

Not Musang. Kim Jun, Kim Jun.

You hear about the runaway slave?

Oh, right, right. He was Kim Jun when he was a baby.

But what was he doing with Yangbaek?

What's with all the interest?

Why, you sweet on him?

Ah, right, you were captured with Kim Jun.

Tsk-tsk-tsk. So sad.

Whatever's between you and Kim Jun, forget it.

He entered the games.

You know, the tournament?

The games?

Yangbaek showed him the ropes.

My Yangbaek knows his games. Am I wrong?

He'll be the last man standing again.

Oh, Wola, this is bad.

Musang, Kim Jun, he's in the games.

Why would he volunteer..? You know what the games are?

Butchery, plain and simple.

Seven, eight out of ten die there.

And he volunteered.

What's this? Koguryo is building forces near our Western capital?

Yes, sir. We have a report from the local border commander.

With the Khitan war and all, the people are concerned.

Of course they are.

What's the border commander doing?

He hasn't launched a punitive raid…

The Khitan have reached Dongju.

Is there any good news at all?

We have reports that General Kim Chuiryo…

defeated the Khitan at Chongju Province in Yanggwang.

It's not all bad news, sir.

What about the tournament? Isn't it tomorrow?

Yes, just so, sir.

I hear my brother has quite a team.

So I'm told, sir.

They've had the cream of the crop this year.

Still, we have to try.

Who's in charge? Song Kilyu?

With Yi Kongju's help.

And that other guy? The old slave.

Choe Yangbaek, sir?

That's him. The last man standing.

Two, three years ago, I think?

Yes, I believe so.

We haven't had games worth seeing since.

Don't let the capital guards neglect their duties.

My grandfather and the king will be there.

Muster the men accordingly.

Of course.

Let's get going.

Nothing like drinking all night.

Well said.

What's this? Snacks?

Well, now, what have we here?

C'mon, I like you, you like me.

I know you like it.

Where you think you're going?

I grab your hand and that's that.

Didn't you know? It's your lucky day.

Please don't…

Please…

Look at you.

C'mere, you. You deaf or somethin'?

You're making me mad here.

Honorable, sir.

Trash.

When are you going to pull yourselves together?

Worthless!

Your pardon, sir.

Out of my sight.

Yes, Honorable.

Honorable. And Choe U's bastard sons, Manjong and Manjun.

Born of a concubine …

they could not address him as “Father”.

Choe U could not bear to call them sons.

Their bitterness showed in despicable behavior.

“Honorable” is an honorific for a stranger's father.

We know their mother's name was So Ryonbang.

Unfortunately, Choe U had no other sons.

Say that again?

Who's doing what?

You, too. The slave you saved.

Kim Jun.

And?

He enrolled in the tournament.

And he looks so weak, too.

Kim Jun?

Wait… Have you forgotten?

You saved him from execution in the prison yard.

Right.

So he entered the tournament?

Yes, Miss.

I saw Yangbaek training him myself.

Unbelievable. Isn't the arena a sucker's bet?

Except for Choe Yangbaek, of course.

Listen to you.

Oh?

But I wonder…

Why would he walk into danger?

Isn't it obvious?

Anything's better than working the quarry.

I suppose.

But for a monk to enter the games…

That's my point.

After all your trouble to save his life, he just throws it away.

True. It is hard to believe.

As bad as public service is, to choose this instead…

Is it really that awful?

Yes. I heard slaves die there every day.

Still, it's a shame.

As you said, after all the trouble I went to.

Yes, Miss.

I think it's sad.

He must have a reason, don't you think?

You want to find out what it is?

I don't know. Most men enter the arena to change their lives.

It should be interesting.

He's entering the arena.

Why is that, I wonder?

I had forgotten all about him.

Would you like to see him?

Him?

After all, you own him, in a way.

If not for you, he'd be dead, wouldn't he?

Chop ‘em fine, now.

We're serving tomorrow.

Yes, ma'am.

The Overlord will be there. And the Lady.

Not to mention all the nobles in attendance.

Everything has to be just so.

Of course.

I'll keep them in line.

You heard the lady.

Back to it, all of you.

Ma'am.

Kannan, you look after this.

Yes, Miss Nanjang.

Stoke that fire. No mistakes, now.

Does this thing know what she's doing?

Of course.

No more broken dishes.

You want to live, you'll watch it. Uh-huh.

You've got to watch things here.

Leave it to me, you go on.

Woohoo, look at you. Have you turned back the clock?

With a face like yours…

the men will be lining up.

You think?

Uh-huh.

Well, some of the men have been awfully flirty.

Kannan, I'm counting on you.

Yes'm.

Hurry back.

Oh, dear, oh dear me…

Nasty piece of work.

What lunatic would flirt with that?

Wola.

Hm?

Get ready. You want to see Musang?

Uh-huh.

Then hurry.

Thanks.

As good as a feast!

You said it. Look, chicken, even.

How long has it been?

It's like I've been reborn.

Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. Isn't that what they say?

Now, now, now.

“Die from overeatin', that ghost's a-grinnin'!”

A toast!

Anyway, I'm glad you entered.

Well done.

We've got to survive. Right, Kim Jun?

Why aren't you talking?

Well? You scared?

Listen to you, scared?

I saw him at practice. You should be so scared.

So shut it.

Am I right?

I guess. Eat.

Now! We've got to live!

All of us!

- To life! - To life!

- To victory! - To victory!

- To survival! - To survival!

And to eating!

Wola, what are you doing here?

Musang.

It's all right, I'm fine.

But it's too cold to be out.

How are you? Enduring?

More important, what about you?

The games? Is it true?

Why?

You can't. I've heard about them.

You can't go there.

Wola.

Listen to me.

I'm not a monk anymore.

Musang.

I was a Choe house slave, like my father before me.

And I'm still a slave.

But Musang…

I'm not Musang now. Did you hear me?

Did you?

I'm a slave. A Choe house slave.

A runaway slave.

I can't last long in the arena.

All that waits for me there is death.

One more thing.

I can't let you stay here.

If I survive, if I make it to the end…

I may be able to get you out of here.

Musang, I've heard about the games.

You can't go. You can't.

Most everyone dies.

We have no choice now.

You, me… we have to live.

It's the only way out for us.

Musang, please, think about it.

Please, please…

Who's this then?

She was with Kim Jun in the temple, Miss.

Oh? So she's family, in a way.

Well? Scoot, go away.

Musang, please, please, please.

Look at her, with you here and all.

(Scoot.)

I didn't know construction detail was so hard.

Bad enough to enter the tournament?

This is the first time I've really looked at you.

Has it been difficult?

She asked you a question.

Are you mute?

I'm still a slave in your house.

Death in the quarry, in the arena, it's all the same.

I chose the arena.

Death?

Must you die?

Death has passed you by once.

It won't come back now.

I'm grateful to you for saving my life.

My point exactly. Fate is a curious thing.

I'll get you out of public service.

I'll get you an easy job. You needn't enter the arena.

Well? Thank her already.

Those eyes…

Thank you.

But it doesn't change anything.

Why?

The fate of a slave is the same wherever he goes.

I'd rather choose the arena and live as a man.

Slave or not, it's the only way for a man.

Oh? I won't say I'm sorry to hear it.

But the odds are against you.

Living as a man, I mean.

My mind's made up.

Then there's no need to discuss it.

I respect your decision.

But don't disappoint me.

I saved your life. Don't throw it away for nothing.

Understood?

I own you, after all.

Your life isn't yours to throw away.

I'm glad we met. Glad that the life I saved has grit.

As a man should.

I'll root for you. See that you survive.

Understood? Survive.

Today's trip wasn't wasted. Come along, Chunsim.

Yes, Miss.

I'll do that, you go on.

Yes'm.

The Miss was there?

Yes.

Well, it makes sense.

He's alive because of her, after all.

It's natural for her to worry about his entering the arena.

Listen, Wola, I'm curious.

What's between you and Kim Jun?

I know he was a monk and there wasn't any of that…

but the way you rely on him…

You grew up together, right?

I see, alone in the mountains, no parents.

I understand.

You were brother and sister in a way.

And as you grew older, well, those feelings deepen. It's natural.

Am I right?

But listen, I have to say he made a good decision.

Wola, a slave's life is no better than a hollow gourd.

But if he survives the games, he may get a posting.

A posting?

Exactly. You know how great that would be?

They're slaves in name only.

Haven't you seen Choe Yangbaek?

Or Kyonga and Uga, for that matter.

All the lady slaves…

batting their eyes, shaking their tails.

A lot of prestige.

And that's not so bad.

It's not impossible.

All right?

The great Choe Hyang is asking after me?

He is.

Will it be all right?

What?

What do you think?

The next overlord.

People…

Didn't I say it would all work out?

Look, it will be fine.

And when it does, what will be your title?

We'll worry about that later.

But you're sure?

All my divinations show a downward spiral.

I'm worried. Worried to death.

It's so close your vision is blurred.

Don't worry. Trust me.

And all… will be yours.

No doubts?

We're both seers, come on now.

Trust me.

In fact, I consulted the heavens last night.

Soon a star will rise over Koryo.

Then the Overlord..?

Things will happen quickly after the tournament.

You should prepare yourself.

[Anheungni, Choe Jungheon's Residence]

Father, in your own good time.

Oh, a nice day for once.

Good. A perfect day for it.

Right. Move out.

Yes, Overlord.

Make way for the Overlord!

Blow the trumpets.

Honor Guard, present!

Long live the Overlord!

- The Overlord! - The Overlord!

Let's get going. Father should be arriving shortly.

Yes, My Lord.

Don't get those dirty. Get these loaded.

It's got to be perfect for the lords and ladies.

Yes'm.

- Move it, move, move. - Ma'am.

What is it?

Nothing.

Let's go.

We should arrive before Father. Hurry.

So you work here?

Y-yes, Miss.

Tell me, how does she know a thing like you?

They ran into each other her first day here.

Oh?

Father, welcome.

Thank you.

Today should be something.

Yes, Father.

The tournament is a way for our warriors to show they're alive under heaven.

Warriors of Koryo.

It's a fine tradition.

Yes, Father.

So you made it.

Yes, Father.

You look pale. Look after yourself.

Yes, Father.

Songi.

Grandfather.

When are you going to get married?

No luck finding a decent man?

Not at all, Grandfather.

Look harder, you'll find one.

Yakson.

Overlord.

I expect great things from you in the coming year.

Yes, Overlord.

Right. Let's go.

Sir.

Make way!

Oh. Jinpyo?

With the young men from the Royal Secretariat.

Ah, of course.

Choe U's boys, huh?

Yes, sir.

Today we read from the Book of Mencius in the Four Books and Five Classics.

King Hsuan of Ch'i asked…

“Is it true that Tang banished Chieh and that King Wu smote Chou?”

“May a subject, then, slay his sovereign?”

How did Mencius respond?

How should I know?

As if I care?

Or can even read this stuff?

Then I'll tell you.

Mencius replied…

“He who outrages humanity is a scoundrel,”

“he who outrages righteousness is a scourge,”

“a scourge or a scoundrel is a despised creature,”

“and no longer a king.”

Look, Master…

They're starting the tournament soon.

That's all I can think about.

You think we're listening? I swear…

To continue…

Huh?

Mencius said…

“The people are precious above all things. Next come the gods of soil and grain.”

- “The sovereign matters least.” - I can't stand it.

Let's stop here today.

The arena is calling. That's what matters.

See you next time.

Now wait…

Right, thanks. We're late, we're late.

Come back here.

What you see here are great treasures.

The words of Buddha.

They must be pressed with care.

In this way his words can reach all the world.

The more a country struggles, the more it needs the holy word.

Here lies the path for all people.

Yes, Venerable.

Housing the complete canon of Buddha's words is a blessing above all others.

Do you know when the Tripitaka Koryo was created?

Yes, Venerable.

As a prayer to halt the Khitan invasion some 200 years ago.

Exactly. It took 77 years all told.

And the monk Uichon established the Directorate for Buddhist Scriptures.

And published the Supplement to the Tripitaka.

Yes, Venerable.

All this precious knowledge is stored here on woodblock prints.

Heungwang is an historic temple.

This sacred and beautiful work has been placed in our charge.

I'll remember, Venerable.

Abbot, you're--

The games, sir. It's a national event.

We'll miss it.

Enough.

What does a monk care about a tournament?

Hongji, where have you been hiding?

In the Chongju Province hermitage in Yanggwang

Where you and your friends drank wine by the barrel?

Oh, now, Abbot.

I've been praying and practicing martial arts.

Really. Oh, and Abbot…

I was heartbroken to hear about Musang and Wola.

It's all karma.

Blame that if you must.

And Musang, his lot is the merciless castle construction.

But he's disappeared. And I have no idea where he's gone.

Abbot, let's go to the tournament.

Everyone will be there. With any luck, we can ask someone.

Yes.

Come on.

Head to toe, all living things, they'll all be there.

And who knows? We may even see Musang there.

Yes.

Heroes!

Pride of the Koryo Empire!

Today we are honored to have our greatest leader, the Overlord himself.

The tournament today will decide who among you is fit to fight for Koryo.

Who are the heroes who have the will to live.

To the victor, the spoils.

So fight, fight for victory.

Fight for glory!

Keep cheering!

The order has been given!

Have the team captains step forward.

Both sides will come forth to receive their assignments.

Whew, I'm getting dizzy.

What did I say? We should have got here earlier.

At least they haven't started yet.

We'll be able to see from there.

Yes, Abbot, let's go.

Where should we sit?

Wait, Dad can see us there.

There, over there.

Good thinking. Let's go.

I can't even stand where I want…

Easy with those, everything just so.

Don't spill. Keep your wits about you.

Little… step-by-step, easy now.

I swear, you're all worthless.

Move it, go on!

Move!

Keep the rice punch and cake for the lords and ladies separate.

Yes'm.

- Use the smaller dishes there. - Yes'm.

Absent-minded… that is it!

You! You!

Move it along!

Oh, Wola…

Well? Go on!

I'm sorry.

Not so sloppy. Clean, sparkling.

This decides your turns.

Sir.

Each of you take one.

[Second Tourney]

[First Tourney]

Separate the men. Front and center!

Stand with your tourneys.

You only have one life. Fight for it.

First tourney, mount up!

Sir! Move out!

Whichever side,

by whatever means, lands the ball in the goal, ends the match.

Those are the only rules.

Stay 20 paces from the ball.

At the sound, when the flag waves… begin!

Warriors… places!

Places!

It's started.

Yes, Father.

Get up, get up!

Byong…

You..!

The ball!

Good.

How dare you…

- Byong! - No!

Dirty..!