Original subtitles

Wola... Wola...

I'll save you. I'll get you out of here.

Wola, Wola...

Abbot, Abbot. I'll send Wola to you.

I'll do it, Abbot...

Leave such chores to the other girls.

Conduct yourself with discretion.

Attend to Her Grace wherever and whenever she requires.

Now get some sleep.

Yes, ma'am.

[Heungwang Temple]

You realize strong liquor eats up your insides.

Why haven't you retired for the night, Head Abbot?

Cause of you, thank you very much.

After all I taught you, look at yourself.

Do I differ so much from what you taught me?

Lose everything to find yourself.

Wasn't that what you taught me?

Yet you still haven't let things go.

Which you must.

To be a monk, your learning and knowing must be pure.

To learn the Law, you must purify the heart.

In doing so, you know the Law.

The more I think on it, the heavier a monk's burden seems to me.

We lock ourselves away, study the inner being.

Obsess on Karma for fear of the next life.

Karma, that ultimately leads us to the gates of hell.

Karma is Karma.

Come back to the temple. You still have much to do.

There's much I need your help with.

Much that only you can do.

Why wait on an old sod like me?

All is vanity.

You're wrong there.

Let it all go.

Cling not to clinging.

You know what I mean.

Cling not to clinging.

Release your attachment to things.

Go forth alone, as a rhino's horn.

Your attachment to these children is an obsession.

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow he may be dead.

Musang is like my own son.

Musang.

Soon we leave for the arena.

Our match is in the afternoon.

It is the last match.

Move out.

Sir.

Attention!

I'll call on my father, then return to escort the king.

You go on without me.

Yes, My Lord. Take care of yourself.

Let's go.

If it isn't Wola.

How did she come to serve you?

Oh, she's in my care now.

Ma'am? Is that so?

How wonderful.

Shall we?

I see they're at it again.

A very close game today.

You're not drinking as much as usual.

Why? Too early in the day?

Have another.

I've already had four cups, Overlord.

Oh?

Look at this chess board.

The perfect battlefield.

Kill or be killed.

Hit or be hit.

This lay-out isn't unlike Xiang Yu's battle with Liu Bang.

Yes, so I understand.

In retrospect...

life seems so transient.

Warriors twisting regimes, killing kings.

Nations destroyed. Their people, miserable.

In the end my brother and I founded a great military house.

Wrote the ten injunctions, initiated reforms.

Until my brother got too greedy and had to be killed.

And my nephew, Pak Jinjae, a great help to me...

who had to be killed.

Power corrupts, it's inevitable.

Not only that.

I've gone through four emperors.

One of them wanted me dead...

but I never had one of them killed.

There are still those in the court that insist...

I persecute the royal house.

Without the House of the Overlord...

Koryo would cease to exist.

Overlord, perhaps you should rest.

You look tired.

No, no, no...

Let's play. It's my move.

Horse takes cannon. What do you say to that?

Then I'll move my elephant... here.

Checkmate?

Where did that come from?

Oh, my eyes are getting old.

It was a ruse, a trick.

Again. Set them up.

A trick? It's all above board, sir.

Above board? Oh, no.

It is.

Shall I take back my play, sir?

What? What was that?

What? Take it back?

Sir, sir..!

Filthy cheater!

Overlord.

Think you can cheat me at chess?

Not only that...

what about all the bribes you've taken?

Overlord.

Using our chess games to flaunt your authority?

And now, cheating me?

At chess?

How dare you?

Yakson, are you there?

Yakson, you there?

Attention!

Choe U, you're here?

Oh, Choe Hyang.

A few pressing points about the Mongols before heading to the arena.

Quite right. Pressing, indeed.

I'm escorting His Majesty, but came here first to offer you my help.

Welcome. Shall we?

Of course.

Are you out there? Where's Yakson?

Where are you?

Overlord, it's Yakson.

At your service, sir.

Yakson.

Overlord.

This traitor, this Yi Kyubo, take him away.

He dares to mock an old man?

What happened, Father?

He was cheating at chess.

Not only that, I hear he takes bribes to turn a blind eye and what-have-you.

To think I kept him so close... that's what I get...

Surely not. He's known for his integrity,

and candor in the Directorate of Chancellors--

No, no, no.

Get him out of here.

Yes, Overlord.

You heard him. Take him away.

Lord, if you please.

Thank you for being stern.

Your servant Yi Kyubo now withdraws.

I wish you health and long life.

Enough of your lies!

Based on what I've seen, you should be executed.

But I'll spare you in light of our long history together.

Banish him to the far reaches of Koryo.

Overlord? Well? Take him away.

That's that.

Come on, you're here, aren't you?

Yes, Father.

It's the final day of the tournament?

Yes, Father.

And the Mongols?

We are prepared to grant their request for 1,000 sacks of rice and 1,000 men.

With your permission.

My hands aren't what they used to be.

My eyes are cloudy.

So that Yi Kyubo cheated at chess.

You do as you see fit.

I've long since entrusted you with the Guard Corps.

Yes, sir, but this is a crucial time.

The movement of men is a complex operation.

Yes, yes, so it would be.

It's the last day of the tournament. Will you be attending?

No, no, I'm too upset over this Kyubo business.

And a little dizzy.

I'm not going.

I'm not moving.

You go on. His Majesty is waiting.

Yes, Father.

Dokmyong, you go, too.

It's the last day. Enjoy.

I couldn't.

I said enjoy!

Sir? Ah, yes, yes, Overlord.

Choe U.

Sir.

I nearly forgot.

Come here a second.

Yi Kyubo...

Don't send him to his hometown.

But in light of past service, a small posting somewhere.

You read the scroll?

Yes, Father.

My time has come at last.

Remember.

Whatever happens now...

don't come back here.

Even after I'm dead.

Understand? The day you act rashly...

is the day you die.

Father.

Retainers rarely support the eldest son, sad but true.

Fish won't gather if the water is too clear.

Never forget that.

Go.

They'll get suspicious.

Go on.

I may not fulfill your great purpose...

but I can serve you in this.

I swear to administer justice...

and to protect Koryo.

I know. I know you will.

Now go.

You look like Father had something to say.

Ah, he doesn't want Yi Kyubo sent to his hometown, just some small posting.

Well, they've known each other a long time.

A lot of music, poetry, wine and chess.

You don't find that every day.

It makes sense.

Shall we?

His Majesty will be waiting.

Of course.

Move out.

Yi Kyubo.

At least he escaped with his life.

Let's go.

Yi Kyubo, by age nine he was known as a poet of genius.

He rose in the court late, recommended to the Overlord by Choe U at age 32.

He was known as a drinker and a libertine.

His love of drink, poetry and music...

earned him the nickname “Three Vices”.

Even today The Collected Works of Minister Yi...

remains a literary and historical work of great beauty.

[Emperor Kojong's Palace]

Come in, come in.

It's a pleasure to see the Head of the Royal Secretariat and Lord Choe Hyang together.

The two men who represent Koryo justice.

Justice, Sire? You embarrass me.

We merely toil in your shadow to do what little we can for the country.

“Little.” I don't think so.

The Overlord runs this country.

A fact I know all too well.

Tell me, how is he?

About the same.

I had hoped for some improvement.

I'm sorry to hear it.

Ah, it's the last day of the tournament?

Yes. It is our honor to escort Your Majesty.

Also, under the auspices of the Royal Chancellory...

I seek your approval to muster the Guard Corps to deal with the Mongol incursion.

Ah, I heard about that.

But I'm stuck in the palace, what do I know?

I leave the politics to the Guard Corps.

Now, about the games.

How are they? Anyone worth watching?

I believe so, Sire.

Well worth watching.

Good. I hoped as much.

I wish I'd seen the first matches.

But the ruler just goes the last day.

It's not fair.

In that case, next year we'll be here on the first day.

Shall we go, Sire?

Yes, yes, let's get going.

General Choe, escort His Majesty.

Yes, sir.

Sire, your escort, if you please.

Let's go together.

Make way!

Make way!

Make way!

Are you all right?

Do I look all right to you?

Part of being human is growing old and ugly.

Not at all, sir.

Sending Yi Kyubo away has left a hole in my life.

If only I could have kept him a little longer.

But that might have cost his life.

At least you can stay with me.

Need you ask?

You need only command me.

Get me my medicine.

Yes, Overlord.

There, there.

This, sir?

Yes. Bring it here.

Here, sir.

This medicine was given to me...

by a priest from Mt. Geumgang.

Even the royal physicians,

...don't know how to make it.

Taking them has kept me alive.

They're nearly all gone.

Only a few days left.

Tell me where to go and I'll get the priest.

No, no, what, should I live 1,000, 10,000 years?

No more medicine.

After a while they lose their effectiveness.

And this one, this is for my last day on earth.

Can you believe?

Eat this and I'll feel young again, heaven and earth at my command.

But only for one day.

I had no idea such things existed.

Judging by the potency of the other pills...

I don't think the claims about this one are a lie.

But Yakson.

Yes, Overlord.

You're the only one that knows about this pill.

Understand?

Yes, Overlord.

Flowers fade.

Nothing lasts forever.

Life is too short.

We're here and then we're gone.

Which isn't quite as sad as I thought it would be.

Yakson.

Overlord.

You know why?

Why, sir?

Why I want you with me now?

I sent your little brother to my son.

Kim Kyongson, I mean.

Yes, Overlord.

It's all for the good of the next generation of my dynasty.

The world is a confusing place. Be careful.

Don't throw your life away. Find a way to stay alive.

The young hold the swords now.

I reprimand them until it hurts.

I dissuade them, they don't listen.

The House of Choe has come to this.

Be wise.

Yi Kyubo is gone. Now it's your turn.

You're in the tiger's mouth now.

In its jaws.

They've been aiming for you a long time now.

You knew that?

You didn't?

I knew, sir.

Good.

If you know you have a knife at your throat, you know how to avoid it.

Good.

I leave you to deal with that.

Have you thought about my gran daughter?

Oh, Overlord, I haven't as yet...

She's always been forceful, clever.

You're kind, reserved.

The two of you will make a strong family.

I hoped to see you two wed before I die.

But time isn't on my side.

Time.

Chancellors, Ministers of the Court...

and all of you attending the tournament...

we are honored to have the Emperor among us today.

All praise the Emperor!

This is the last day of the tournament.

In the games we see the best and bravest of the Koryo Empire.

You have fought well.

Today we expect a grand finish.

Fight bravely and show our Emperor what the men of Koryo are made of.

The winners will earn praise and rewards.

The last man standing will receive...

a Sword of Honor from the Emperor himself.

Red and Blue, come forth.

As you heard, this is the last match.

Let the Red and the Blue come forth!

Let the games begin!

This is it.

Helmets!

Sir.

Kim Jun.

They'll come after you first.

You know how slow the Titan is.

Start with the others.

Watch out for that bandit, Gopil.

He's the strongest of the lot.

Mount up!

Sir!

Move out!

Helmets!

Mount up!

Kill Kim Jun first.

Yes, sir.

- Forget strategy. Kill them all. - Sir.

You both owe Kim Jun. Time for some payback.

Yes, sir.

Titan, this is your last chance.

Take him down!

Say no more!

- Move out. - Sir!

You stand before the Emperor.

Salute!

You all know the rules.

Whichever side lands the ball in the goal ends the match.

Stay 20 paces from the ball.

Positions!

Attack!

I'll take the bandit.

Kim Jun first!

Doksam, take that bear.

I'll take Bong.

Don't worry. Let's go!

Kim Jun, you're mine!

Come on!

You!

You're mine.

What? Pathetic!

Cheater. That's no mallet, that's a weapon!

Shut up and die!

Watch out! His mallet has a blade!

Come back here!

Watch out! His mallet has a blade!

Watch out!

You!

What the--?

Fine, then...

Wait a minute.

Is that a mallet or a weapon?

It's not birch. It's a blade.

It looks like it.

Death to cheaters.

It can't be allowed. Despicable.

That's the key to victory, to war.

Anything to win.

Well done. Very well done.

Wait, it can't be. He's got a weapon.

Can he do that?

Stand and fight!

Your mallet... That's cheating!

Lord Choe U's silver mallet. You like that?

You or me, one of us dies!

Kim Jun!

Let go of that!

- Cheater! - Let go!

Let go!

Doksam...

Go, Kim Jun... Go!

Doksam... Doksam...

- No! - Scum!

Doksam!

- No! - Yes!

You see, Sire?

That warrior there is one of our recaptured slaves.

Is that so?

Amazing, yes.

Worthless... did you see that?

Why make a weapon like that just to die?

Whoa, Manjong.

The slave guy still whooped that weapon guy!

I saw, I saw.

He's not human!

Covered in blood and still he fights..!

The arena drives them crazy!

Did you see that?

If you hadn't given him the Lord's mallet it would have been so much worse.

Yes, I saw.

He killed the worst of them, but he's covered in blood.

Vile... Bringing in weapons...

Will he make it?

All that blood. Oh, dear...

Buddha, save him... Buddha...

Kim Jun!

No, no, no!

No, Kim Jun. Get up. Get up!

Kim Jun!

Kim Jun, pull yourself together, Kim Jun...

Look at me. Look here.

Kim Jun! Get up!

Kim Jun!

You!

Oh, no!

Look at the scaredy-baby.

Where's he running to?

- Well said. - This is worth seeing!

He should just stop and beg.

Well said. It's indecent, the coward.

Fool! You fought hard till now.

Move... Move, get up!

Do you hear?

Pull yourself together, Kim Jun!

Please, Buddha. Save him.

Kim Jun! Mount up!

Kim Jun! Mount up! Now!

He did it.

That's right.

That's Kim Jun. You can't keep him down.

You're dead, Kim Jun!

I won't lose to you again!

Gapi!

Come on!

That's it! Right there!

You're a demon.

I've fought many men in my life as a bandit.

I never met anything like you.

I knew it.

I knew you could do it, Kim Jin.

You did it.

Did you see, Sire?

The Red won.

Ah, exhilarating. Truly.

A great match.

Truly invigorating.

Yes, sir. An amazing slave. Unbelievable.

To think he was hiding in the mountains.

I've seen a lot of games, but never one like this.

True, true, invigorating, indeed.

- Invigorating. - Invigorating!

We won. We won.

We won!

- Victory! - He did it!

Kim Jun! Kim Jun!

Kim Jun! Kim Jun!

Let the last man standing come forth.

Come forth.

Well done. A great match.

Now all honor is yours.

Now you may serve your country.

Give thanks to your Emperor.

Now! The Emperor's Sword of Honor.

The Emperor's Sword of Honor.

Dismount and kneel.

Rise.

You will be assigned to the Guard Corps.

Before that, the victor may claim one more reward.

We may grant any request within the laws of Koryo.

What is your request?

Speak!

Gold? Silver? Or silk perhaps?

You were ordered to speak.

Sir.

I have only one request.

This slave's request...

This slave's wish...

Send the Guard Corp's slave Wola to stay in the Temple with Abbot Subop.

Send the slave Wola to Abbot Subop.

Her name is Wola.