Original subtitles

Stay on your guard. Protect our lord.

- Sir. - Form ranks.

- Form ranks. - Sir.

Why so nervous? Slowly, slowly.

I'm just going for a drink, don't get excited.

He's walking right into your hands. Now's the time.

We can end this, my lord.

Choe U coming here is a heaven-sent opportunity.

Kill him now. Then all our troubles will be over.

Well? Send word to the ambush.

Yes, sir.

Spread the word.

Attack Choe U's party when they arrive. Move.

Yes, sir.

Move!

Halt.

Are you trying to make a fool of me?

What kind of man invites his own brother to his house...

just to kill him?

At the very least I need a reason, a justification.

But my lord...

- My lord. - My lord.

There will be plenty of chances to ensnare my brother.

You think I'd only leave myself one opportunity?

Power taken by foul means leads to a foul administration.

It must be taken cleanly or not at all.

After I've tried everything, after my best efforts, when those fail...

then we'll draw blood.

Understood?

Well? Get ready.

My brother is on his way.

- Yes, sir. - My lord.

Choe U, welcome.

I can already catch a whiff of pine. Very nice.

Ah, I see everyone is here.

Yes, sir.

Oh, there you are.

I asked that you come along.

I wanted to see the hero of the games again.

Thank you, sir.

Shall we?

See to my brother and his guests.

Yes, sir.

Well, quite a spread you laid out for us.

It's been so long, how could I not?

Please, eat your fill.

Thank you. A drink with you.

Of course.

This is a happy day. Let's celebrate.

- General Dae Jipsong. - Sir.

- And Jusuk. - Lord.

- Pak Sangbi. - Lord.

- Song Kilyu. - Lord.

- Kim Kyongson. - Sir.

Each of you is worth 100 men.

Pillars of strength that support my good brother.

He has my respect as well.

A great warrior, a man of letters, a gifted calligrapher.

Now, now, enough already.

Here, a drink.

Right you are. A drink.

A toast.

General Choe Junmun.

Yes...lord.

The tournament wasn't easy for you and General Choe Janggun.

To all of us.

Yes, lord.

My father went to Uncle Choe Hyang's?

Whatever for?

I don't know. Maybe they needed to talk.

But why take Kim Jun along?

Good question.

Ah, maybe Choe Hyang was curious.

You know, see the champion up close and such.

Oh? But something isn't right.

I hope I'm wrong.

Oh, Father...why would you walk into such danger?

I have to say, though...

General Dae here got a little out of hand at the games.

Me? Why?

Every time the Blue took a beating...

he kept screaming, "That bear, look at that bear!"

Not easy to take, it's true.

Sorry about that. I couldn't help myself!

Just so. But hardly fitting.

The fact is, the Blue took honors in the first matches.

It's true, but then that slave there...

Exactly. With him all bets were off.

Oh, yes.

It still sticks in my craw.

We can't have the hero sitting all alone.

I especially wanted to get a look at you.

Come over here. We'll have a drink.

He's a slave. Don't overdo it.

A slave that swept the arena.

Well? Come on.

It's all right.

Good. Very good.

The face of a slave, it's a pity.

If only we'd met in better circumstances, instead of Songi.

Oh, well. Drink.

Yes, lord.

And another. Here.

Stand up.

Choe U, he's your slave, it's true.

But I'm the one that spared his life.

What do you say,

... to giving him to me?

Well, how can I, when he's part of our household now?

I doubt he would go.

Still...

I'm greedy for good people.

I don't stop till I have them.

Your name is Kim Jun?

Yes, lord.

Your master here values your opinion.

What do you say?

I have use for you.

I'll free you.

I'll release you from slavery.

Not only that, I'll give you a key position. My word on it.

Why don't you say something?

My offer doesn't interest you?

Say you want to serve me. Tell him.

The lord asked you a question.

You'll never get another chance like this.

Speak up.

Lord...

Right, right, get on with it.

I'm no animal, I won't leave a house that treated me well.

Lady Songi spared my life to serve her father.

A life as a slave isn't enough to repay such graciousness.

Ah, a sense of duty.

Very well said.

A shame, but there it is.

Today's a day for drinking.

Choe Chunmyong.

Yes, lord.

The slaves may be uncomfortable here.

Fix them up outside.

Take them to the others. For a drink.

Yes, lord.

Kim Jun, come with me.

It's all right. Go on.

Now, now, let's get out of here and really celebrate.

I've arranged for some courtesans to entertain us all night.

Perfect. That's what I like to hear.

I haven't been drunk in a while. We'll fix that tonight.

Well? Let's go, then.

Choe U and I will catch you up in a bit.

Go on, off with you.

What are you waiting for?

Off you go.

We need a moment to talk.

Yes, lord.

General Choe, escort our guests.

My lord.

Shall we? Let's go.

Let's dig in.

What the--!

Hold on, this isn't the arena.

You must be curious.

The lord has ordered you to have a drink.

We'll let you know when your master leaves.

Until then, enjoy yourselves.

Enemies are bound to meet, they say, and here you are.

What do you say? I was hoping for a rematch.

Yeah, me, too. Kim Jun, right?

Well?

What a feast.

Let's eat.

To think I lost to you.

What makes you so great?

Let's have a drink.

- Ugh. - Come on.

You expect me to serve you, huh?

I'm pouring, come on.

Here.

And you.

My name is Kim Jun.

Hello.

A toast. Come on.

My men were surprised you came.

They thought you would make some excuse.

Any excuse would have done, even a sick stomach.

Too true.

A drink?

Absolutely.

Choe U, the sun is on the western hills.

When it goes down, darkness will fall.

Koryo's treasures can be yours.

Women, property.

How does a life of luxury sound?

Better to live as a man than a fool...

even for a day.

The sun has set.

To you, perhaps.

But I can still see it.

I'll ask you one last time.

Live a life of ease.

I'll ask you...one last time.

Give up on ambition.

Father doesn't want this for you.

I'll keep this short.

I'm our father's favorite, I know that much.

I can't guarantee your safety after this.

Is that so?

Only for today. But never again.

Understand?

So drink your fill tonight.

Thank you.

Thank you, brother. Thank you.

But it's not night yet.

Who knows when it will come.

Watch yourself.

There's still much to do.

Choe U.

Delicious.

Shall we go and have another round?

About face.

General Song Kilyu, commander in the Guard Corps over the Slave Brigade...

will now induct the new men.

Commander Kim Jun, step forward with your men.

Kneel and swear allegiance.

You have a proud heritage.

You are to shield our lord with your lives at all times, in all places.

You are our brothers in arms and our lord's soldiers.

Death and glory!

For our lord!

Death and glory!

Congratulations, Kim Jun.

Congratulations, Kim Jun.

Thank you, sir.

Well done, Kim Jun.

Last night was terrible.

How was your discussion?

It's going to get worse.

They'll be moving fast.

Yes, sir. We'll be on our guard.

Choe Hyang is no fool.

He declared war.

He'll have a plan.

Keep him under close surveillance.

Yes, sir.

How are things at the front?

And the Mongols?

The battle is in full swing.

The Khitan have holed up at Fort Kangdong.

Their supply route is cut off. They should open the gates soon.

The remnants of the Khitan can't hold out against the Mongols.

Overlord, you seem tired.

Perhaps a short rest?

Resting means lying down.

Which at my age...

isn't much different from dying.

I'll keep moving as long as I have breath.

Movement is life.

Overlord, Choe Hyang to see you.

Enter.

What is it now?

I heard you were coughing all night. I brought a doctor.

Oh?

Oh, well, just the usual hack and wheeze.

If you'll allow me to examine you.

Forget it.

As if that could help.

But Father...

Sir, the doctor is here. You might as well.

Don't pester me.

Doctor, don't let me see you here again.

Understood?

Go.

Yes, Overlord.

Sir, he said chess is too taxing.

- Please-- - "Rest," is that it?

I'll rest soon enough.

Forever, in the grave.

I know why you're here.

"Is it today?"

"Or tomorrow?"

"Or in a few days?"

Am I right?

Not at all.

Choe Hyang, these men.

These men of yours.

Kim Dokmyong here.

Choe Junmun.

Ji Yunsim and Ryu Sonjol.

All the men people say are my top aides.

It's true, they've had their uses.

An interesting bunch.

Kim Dokmyong with his fortune-telling.

He sure knows how to talk.

Mostly just wind, of course.

Choe Junmun.

What are you now, a lieutenant-general?

Over the capital and royal guards?

All in your service, sir.

What I know about you...

Disgusting.

That Donghwa girl.

She was a favorite of mine.

I've known a lot of women, but never one like her.

Oh yes, I asked.

Was there someone she liked better than me?

Him. Choe Junmun.

A man among men or some such.

All night long, what-have-you.

Ah, I thought, I took her from him.

So I said, "Bring him round."

And who was it? Him, Choe Junmun.

Junmun.

Yes, Overlord.

I gave you a good price for her, didn't I?

I have to say, though, you're not exactly lieutenant-general material.

Ji Yunsim, you're even worse.

Sir.

You're tired. Please.

You, his mountain ginseng.

Well? Get his medicine.

Where's his medicine?

Father...will you take your medicine?

I have...

I have a lot to say that you don't seem to want to hear.

Fine, go, all of you.

The sight of you wears me out.

Go.

Yes, sir.

Father...

Has Choe U been by?

He says he's busy running the country.

Let's play.

That's all. Off with you.

Come on. Chess.

Dokmyong, you, too. Out.

- Sir? - Out, out.

Yes, sir.

Doctor.

What do you think? About my father.

He's on the point of a collapse.

I'm afraid he doesn't have long.

When he banished Yi Kyubo I thought he was going senile.

I was wrong.

Just so, sir.

At this rate, we may lose the opportunity we've anticipated for so long.

Absolutely not.

Everything is going in our direction.

My brother knows it.

I just wish he'd let it all go.

I don't know what he's holding out for.

Lord, if you'll excuse me, I should go.

Of course.

Sir.

My lord.

If we keep losing ground, they may take our opportunity from us.

I believe he intended to banish Yi Kyubo.

We've netted the fish and they're escaping one-by-one.

The Overlord knows our plans.

We're out of time.

I agree with Yi Jangyong.

I told you the time will come.

I need just cause to take over the country. Then no one can point a finger.

It takes wisdom, planning.

Choe U can't move an inch at this point.

I disagree.

We should muster the men.

We've landed the big fish. Why wait?

Haste. That's always been your problem.

How is your father?

Watching over the Guard Corps, as always.

Not long now.

I'm not long for this world.

The world is changing. A new history is unfolding.

You can't get power just by wanting it.

And when you have it, you can't use it how you want.

Know the will of heaven, know the people...

and use it wisely.

Pathetic, the lot of them.

The old Overlord is at death's door?

All's well that does not end well.

There's no doubt. Two, three days at the most.

- Two or three? - Two at least, three at most.

Don't forget your friends.

When you're a highfalutin, I mean.

Oh, you know I won't go that high.

All's well, all's well...

That does not end well.

Oh.

Oh, oh, oh.

Can it be? Can it possibly be?

What, what, what?

The Prime Minister.

I can see it now. You'll be Prime Minister.

Uh-huh. Listen to you.

It's true.

That's odd.

I can see that far, but no farther.

What's that mean?

Nothing, nothing.

Anyway, a highfalutin, for sure.

Property. Endless fields of wealth.

Lord, Yi Kongju.

I have Kim Jun.

Enter.

He's the lord. Remember your place.

You're Kim Jun?

Yes, my lord.

Nice work in the arena.

Tell me, why did you refuse my brother's offer?

It's not like that here.

Favoritism breeds chaos and I won't have it.

Two loafers in this house is enough.

A monk named them. Manjong and Manjun.

They're your responsibility.

They study at Heungwang Temple every other day.

You're to stand guard.

Understood?

Yes, my lord.

With my life, sir.

I understand they run with a rough street crowd.

You're to make daily reports on their activities to General Bak Songbi.

Understood?

Yes, my lord.

Ah, my lady.

Oh, if it isn't Kim Jun?

Yes, Your Grace.

We heard you might be here so I brought Wola along.

My lord, you remember Wola?

Wola?

The girl Kim Jun named for his one request.

This is her.

Oh, the slave girl he wanted sent to Heungwang Temple?

Exactly.

I gave my word. Send her away.

That might not be for the best, my lord.

Oh? Why?

With your permission, I'll explain later.

Fruit, my lord?

My lord, a dispatch from the front.

Enter.

Dismissed.

You're excused.

You might take some air with your brother.

Your Grace.

My lady, why haven't you sent this Wola girl away?

Ah, well, I believe those two are in love.

Is that a fact?

Hm? What's this?

My lord?

Read it.

The Khitan were destroyed.

The Mongol-Koryo coalition beat them.

I see.

But so quickly...

Exactly.

Much faster than we expected.

Which means the Mongol envoy is on it's way.

The Mongols destroyed the Khitan.

A feat they accomplished in less than a month.

The Khitan marched from the Jin to escape Jin Dynasty rule.

But they met the Mongol forces marching on the Jin and turned south.

They invaded Koryo with their thousands. A brutal struggle that lasted three years.

Koryo could not oust them.

So the Mongols used it as an excuse to enter Koryo.

The united Mongol-Koryo forces easily defeated the scattered Khitan.

The Mongol move into Koryo was their first step in taking over the world.

Well done.

And you.

Well, then, it's hard to believe you couldn't oust the Khitan in three years.

We managed to clean them out in under a month.

We Mongols are taking the world by storm.

Genghis Khan is riding west as we speak.

His cavalry has crossed the desert.

He invaded Moscow and the Islam nations.

I'll tell you this, his 30,000 cavalry annihilated...

300,000 Muscovites in a month.

Or hadn't you heard?

But, how on earth..?

Koryo's living in a dream world.

You'd better wake up if you want to survive.

Our envoys should be at your capital soon.

To establish ties, elder brother to younger.

If you reject us...

and in a matter of days...

Koryo will go up in flames.

One thing after another.

And with Koryo's troubles go my own.

Wola.

Why did you do it?

You know how hard it was to arrange this for you.

Of course, Musang.

I'm not Musang, I'm not a monk. I'm just Kim Jun.

Our old lives are gone forever.

You're still Musang to me.

What are you thinking?

Abbot Subop is waiting for you.

What are you doing? Why are you being so thoughtless?

Abbot Subop is going to spend his life in the temple.

But not you, Musang.

I won't leave you.

I mean it. Do you think I could stand to live without you?

How many times do I have to say it?

I'm not Musang.

I understand. I won't call you that anymore.

May I call you Brother instead?

You don't know how things are.

The abbot said the same thing to me once.

But now I know.

How to survive. How not to end up dead.

Wola, you can't live here.

This is a bad place.

A place where only the strong survive.

Wola...

But I have you.

I've always wanted to call you that. "Brother."

Everyday, every time I see you ...don't you understand?

Why did you try to send me away?

Don't you know that life without you is like a living death?

Wola.

I hope I never wake from this dream.

It feels as though Buddha has shown his mercy at last.

Try to think of it that way.

So young.

There's nothing I can do. You're so young.

Kim Jun. Sorry to ruin the moment.

But General Song is asking for you.

Thank you.

Wola, you should go.

I will.

Let's go.

Oh, Kim Jun.

I hear Wola isn't leaving the Guard Corps.

I hear something else, too. You're not related by blood.

You're a lucky man.

What could be better than marrying the woman you love?

Don't be ridiculous.

Ridiculous?

I wonder.

Chop-chop, clean that up.

I swear. Things can change just like that.

Look at that Wola girl.

Little cry-baby gets to serve Her Grace, and what?

She's getting married?

So I'm told.

That's what Her Grace's servants say, anyway, so it's probably true.

Talk about things looking up.

I swear, it's not fair.

We can't even get next to a man.

Why does she have all the luck?

Ugh.

She's pretty.

What? Did you... What?

Was that a cut?

What you lookin' at?

How's that?

Wola doesn't want to go?

Yes, Miss.

And what? There's talk of a marriage to Kim Jun?

It's true.

Her Grace has discussed it with the Head Lady.

All the servants say so.

Oh?

It's just so strange.

How on earth?

It's that Wola.

I just bet there was something going on before they came here.

- If not-- - You're wrong.

It's just talk. Marriage, after all.

It's true.

Her Grace confirmed it herself before she did anything.

If they were really like brother and sister...

why would she refuse the gift he risked his life to give her?

Good point.

True. It's all quite confusing.

He lied to you.

You can't trust Kim Jun, Miss.

Enough. He said it's not true.

He lied.

Watch your mouth.

He's not the type. The rumors are mistaken.

- But Miss-- - And!

If it's true...

What do I care?

He can marry if he wants.

Wola can stay if she wants.

What do I care?

He has been attached to your service.

Commander Kim Jun.

Kim Jun?

Hey now, the slave from the games?

Yes, sir.

Huh? Oh, right, right.

Oh, yeah, that was some game.

You could fly, whoosh.

Anyway, great! Glad to have you here.

He's attached to you during the day.

At night or in emergencies, he's assigned to the garrison.

Ah, right, a soldier.

Anyway, welcome.

Wait...

Weren't you and Wola...?

Right. You came with her from Chungnyong Temple.

Then you asked that she be sent to Heungwang, right?

Yes, sir.

She's your sister?

I've got my eye on her.

I'm hoping to make her a part of the family.

Manjong.

It's true. I'm not kidding.

Well, if I may, it's time to got to Heungwang.

If you please.

Right, time to go.

Let's go, let's go.

Is that Kim Jun?

Is that the slave from the games?

It sure is.

Now he's stuck with scum-boys.

Young Lord, where are you headed?

Where were you yesterday?

Oh, yeah, I'll see you when I get back.

Couple of cuties.

Manjong, let's hurry.

Right. Move out.

Back in the day I carried on with the girls, sure.

But not anymore.

That Wola.

What man wouldn't be interested, huh?

[Heungwang Temple]

The wind is picking up.

I heard good news this morning.

Abbot Hyesim is on his way.

Not the Head Abbot from Suson Temple?

Why not?

He's a great Zen master.

Yes. I admit I'm a little giddy at the thought of it.

Giddy?

Of course, he's a venerable man.

He was Lord Choe U's tutor.

Yes, sir.

Oh, Subop has family coming here?

Yes, Venerable.

The girl from Chungnyong Temple.

Some ties in this life aren't easy to break.

So long as we don't let them rule us.

Merciful Kuan Yin.

State your business.

Subop from Heungwang Temple.

I'm here to collect someone.

Someone? Who?

What's this?

He claims to be collecting someone.

Ah, a familiar face.

I'm looking for Wola.

Lord Choe U gave his word to Musang in the arena.

I'm Monk Subop, here to collect the slave Wola.

I don't think there is any need for that now.

No need?

He gave his word in front of the whole arena.

Yet there may be no need.

Who says?

Your lord gave his word.

Who are you to break it?

Get me Musang.

Or Kim Jun, I suppose.

He's on assignment.

Your commanding officer, then.

We'll take care of this right now.

Gyonga, this won't do.

Send word to Her Grace. He won't leave otherwise.

Yes, sir.

What's this all about?

Who gave the order?

Who says Wola can't go?

No one. It was Wola's choice.

That's absurd.

Why would she do that?

Let me see her.

Go get her, go on.

I've sent a man. Be patient.

An older abbot by the name of Subop.

He's here for Wola.

Subop?

Yes. He wants to see Wola.

He's persistent. He won't leave otherwise.

What will you do?

Abbot Subop is here.

Shall I speak to him?

I can, if you're uneasy. I'll say you can't leave.

No. I'll speak with him.

He has to be told I'm afraid.

You're right, but he'll be hurt.

He raised the two of you.

Yes, Your Grace.

Well? Go get her.

Bring Wola here.