Original subtitles

1

Year 1719. Latter end of King Sookjong's reign.

2

Ill-talk that the crown prince could not beget an heir was spreading widely among the land.

3

With that, the Seoin Faction (western faction) that had clenched the royal court

4

was divided into Noron (old learning) and Soron (new learning) factions.

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Each were trying to enthrone a different prince to the royal seat.

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And on the crown prince's side, only the powerless, minority-numbered Namin Faction (southern faction) remained.

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Amid this chaos that engulfed the entire nation,

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Joseon had an institution called the Saheonbu (Office of Inspector General)

9

which had the highest authority of the judiciary branch.

10

When practicing the Prajnaparamita deeply,

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one perceives that all five skandhas are empty

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and is saved from all suffering and distress.

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Form does not differ from emptiness.

Emptiness does not differ from form.

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You... you're...

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We are all living lives hanging off the edge of a cliff.

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A slight push and we will plummet instantly.

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Do you know what one realizes when that instance comes?

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To lose power is akin to imminent death.

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Timing and subtitles brought to you by

The Guardians of Justice Team @ Viki

20

His Majesty arrives.

21

It's certain.

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The crown prince will not beget an heir, Your Highness.

23

[Prince Milpoong, Lee Tan (Noron Faction)]

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Your Highness, it means the crown prince could be replaced.

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[Prince Yeonryeong, Lee Hwon (Soron Faction)]

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However, it's not just at that time, of course.

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[Min Jin Heon (Minister of the Interior, Noron faction)]

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It's possible someone's life is plummeting right at this moment too.

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In life, what goes around comes around.

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I will hear you first.

31

Why have you summoned me, an inspector of the great Saheonbu, Your Excellency?

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You are a dragon from a stream.

(Means a big shot with meager origins)

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Even though you placed first on the exam to your current ranking,

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since you are from the Namin Faction, you already know you cannot go high in your officialdom.

35

The reason you are not taking that cup is due to another engagement?

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For example... a yadasi?

(when inspectors mobilize together to charge a high-ranking official of a crime)

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How did you know?

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A few low-grade inspectors like yourself plan to strike a mishap tonight,

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without understanding which way the world is turning.

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The world sometimes calls Saheonbu officers, haechi.

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Haechi, the legendary animal that judges good and evil.

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[Saheonbu]

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However, do you know why that animal only exists in legends?

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It's because, in reality, it's impossible to judge good and evil.

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Byeong Joo!

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You came!

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I knew you'd show up.

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That's because,

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in reality, only winner and loser, survivor and dead exist.

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Today, the reason why we, Saheonbu inspectors, gathered,

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is not for politics or current trend.

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Instead, it's to keep law and justice.

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Even if it's the weakest arm, if that arm wields the sword of justice, that power is strong.

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But, as it turns out, there are those fools who believe otherwise.

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[Episode 1: Low-born Prince]

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We're here. They say it's Hanyang (capital city).

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The liquor-peddling country bumpkin has succeeded in life,

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to have come to this grand Hanyang.

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The city is still full of bigger losers than you.

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It's time to leave and you just won't tell me until the end?

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What do you do?

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A wealthy merchant? The son of a minister?

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The most useless man in the royal court too.

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I told you already.

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But still, you are the first person who ever treated a wench like me as a person.

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Since I came out anyway, I'll check out the capital and go back.

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When you get off the ferry, get the porters and go there.

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Go first.

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I might be late.

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Where is it?

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Can't be... is it your home?

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Are you in your right mind?

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I'm not even a gisaeng. I'm a liquor-selling wench off the streets.

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If you go around with a thing like me, fingers will point at you.

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Don't worry if it's that.

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In this land of Hanyang,

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that's the role I play anyway.

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This way, here.

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This horse was originally picked out by Deputy Minister's madam to gift to their son-in-law,

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but that son-in-law suddenly passed the civil service exam.

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You know how the nobles can't get promoted easily if they ride an expensive horse

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because of that "upright official" policy.

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So what if one's a noble? They can't show off their wealth.

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That's right. It's better to wear the middle-tier hat.

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Those with the royal winged cap are shaky in their position right now.

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Hey, find him suitable stirrups.

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Yes. This way.

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The punk doesn't know much about horses anyway, so just wrap it up.

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I'll start the price at 300 and end at 200.

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Hey, did you finish trying it?

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Your butt feels titillated, right?

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What's the occasion for you to show me a genuine one?

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Well, we adjust the game for the player.

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Who'd mess with a man who cons the frauds?

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This is hard to get even when you pay a thousand.

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Take this punk and please save me once.

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How did you bite that one?

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I didn't bite it. I got bitten!

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He told me to find a suitable one, out of nowhere.

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Which bookworm would dare to take on such a big task?

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But since my life's over already, it's no matter to me?

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Such heartbreaking words from you. It's not that, but your skills...

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Give me a brush and an inkstone. You said the exam is at the hour of snake (9-11 AM), right?

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You're going to let me live then?

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It's late so I'll ride this punk there.

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Avoid Gye-dong as you go.

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Last night there was that chaos, so the roads are a mess.

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Chaos? Why?

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Yadasi. Overnight, the prime minister was served yadasi.

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What? The prime minister?

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Move back. Move back!

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Gosh, the Saheonbu inspectors served yadasi to the prime minister.

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Then what is this? It means he did commit a crime.

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I told you to take this out immediately, so why aren't you?!

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Yadasi?

[Kim Chang Joong (Prime Minister, Noron Faction)]

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How dare you rascals from the Saheonbu! Do you know who I am?

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Are you curious about what yadasi is?

[Yadasi: when inspectors mobilize together to charge a high-ranking official of a crime]

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Pardon?

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It's for the Saheonbu inspectors to reveal secret crimes

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- of the high ranking people like him to the world.

- I won't leave them alone.

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That's why a rampage is happening like this.

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Isn't it fun?

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Hey you bastard, go ahead and say it again.

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Even a tiger!

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gets bitten by a dog sometimes.

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Even so, how can your scream be heard over your fence?

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Interior Minister, why show up there suddenly?

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Inspector General Excellency is coming!

[Office of Inspector General]

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Inspector General Excellency.

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Do you not realize the political timing?! The rumor that the crown prince's abode might change is all over the place.

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Why mess with the prime minister who is the head of the Noron?

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Have you heard? Between the Prince Milpoong and Prince Yeonryeong,

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I heard the owner of the crown prince's abode will be decided.

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Of course, Prince Milpoong has the advantage.

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Because of that, there are Namin gatherings supporting Crown Prince.

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That's why! Why at a time like this, did we, the Saheon, specifically pick

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the Prime Minister who is the head of the Noron!?

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Do you not know that the Noron are supporting Prince Milpoong?

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I am not taking sides here, but I am saying if this is correct politically.

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Just how have you been managing the lowly officials?!

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What do inspectors mean in Saheonbu?

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Some say we are swords keeping the laws. But we are not.

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We are just 24 underlings.

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Do you understand? The underlings like us

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are just following orders

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and catching petty thugs!

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But last night,

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some bugs who don't know their place and caused trouble—

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It wasn't trouble but Yadasi.

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And we inspectors can report high ranking officers' corruption!

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So you guys planned it without your leader's knowledge

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and made me into a fool in the eyes of my superiors!

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You are going too far.

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Inspector Han did tell you, but you ignored him.

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Why are you there?

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Weren't you the one who was trying to climb the ladder quickly?

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Because you're Namin,

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you want to hurt the Norons since the crown prince you're supporting is swaying back and forth in power?

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Is this the kind of justice you were talking about? It's fraud!

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Don't distort this as a faction specific issue.

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The only Namin here is Inspector Wi and we weren't trying to practice politics

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but were doing our jobs as Saheonbu inspectors.

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So you will continue to poke at the prime minister?

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The prime minister put pressure upon the police bureau

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to hide the murder investigation that I was holding.

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What do you think the reason is?

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It's certain that it's because Prince Milpoong, whom the Noron are supporting, is involved—

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He said to drop it because there is no evidence!

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If he hadn't interfered like that,

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we wouldn't have gone through with a yadasi.

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- Hey, Han Jeong Seok! You bastard!

- Stop, sir.

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Then I will leave now to do my job.

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Stop right there.

174

Job? That's not your job.

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Stop meddling in that and go on rounds.

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What good timing. There's a test for government officials being held at Sungkyunkwan.

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- Why don't you inspect the testing grounds?

- Head Inspector.

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Yes! Head Inspector, that's who I am!

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The one who hands out job assignments!

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I'm warning you. Insubordination is not allowed in Saheonbu.

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If you want to act on your own will,

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resign and leave.

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Aigoo, ain't I late?

[Manhwalu Pavilion]

184

Look at the quality of this brush.

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If the rain hadn't stopped, we would have been in big trouble. Right?

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Your face looks pretty dry.

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You couldn't sleep either, worrying about if the tests would be postponed?

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I slept well and there is no way that my face looks dry.

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No, you're wrong. Your face is darkened all around.

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Or maybe you have a chronic illness.

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Wait!

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What is this?

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What are you doing?

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Alcohol? You gave up early and drank all night?

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Why did you do that? It's not over until the end, so why did you do that?

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Not your business. There are lives that have already ended the moment they start.

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You've failed the test quite a lot.

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That's why your face looks rotten.

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Let's just say that's why.

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Well actually, my fail count is in the tens.

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All the people here are like that.

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It's not just you.

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Right! There is a saying that goes "You must fail a thousand times to become top."

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So let's...

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until the end, okay? Persevere until the end.

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Okay. But I didn't ask and I'm not curious, so...

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Here. This is a brush made of yellow-throated marten fur.

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A new brush.

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You came riding on a nice horse.

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But why does your brush look like this?

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- No, I don't need—

- I'm

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Park Moon Soo.

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And you?

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What is your name?

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You've been inspecting for so many years, so how dare he put you on rounds!

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That Joo Yeong Han! Can he do whatever he wants because he's the lead?

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Are you really going to stop investigating that case like a coward because the target is the prime minister?

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Ah Bong, how many years has it been that you've worked under me as an assistant?

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- Five years. Why do you ask?

- You fool!

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He's saying there's no way you can't bite into a steamed pumpkin.

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Do you think that's something he wouldn't do?

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52 years old, No Tae Pyeong?

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Hey mister. Isn't it a bit awkward?

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You, what is it again this time?

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You told me that you were a Jang. But you wrote "52 years old, No Tae Pyeong."

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You must have lived a troublesome life.

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Even if you look rotten, you're saying your face is one of a 50-year-old? You're taking the exam for someone else, right?

228

Taking exam for someone else?

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Not knowing that, I even lent you a brush.

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Inspector! Here, there is someone who is taking an exam for another person!

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What are you doing!

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I used it well, but this is not a brush made with yellow-throated marten fur but hog fur.

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I thought you should know.

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A hog?

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Pig fur? Hey!

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You! This, this is mine.

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Hey! You stop there!

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I'll come for you soon.

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You, stop! Stop right there!

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Hey you!

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Stop right there!

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- Hey you!

- Get him!

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I'm telling you to stop!

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Get him! Hey!

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Isn't that Hyung Moon Soo?

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What's going on? What's the problem?

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Huh?

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Where (do you think you're going)?

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Wow, pretty good.

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Punk!

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I'm tired.

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Let's go now.

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Already? But I'm fine.

254

You take money to be a substitute test taker?

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Some people wager their lives there, you punk!

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I give you a warning. You shouldn't wager your life on it.

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I saw it fleetingly and in this life, you're a no-go.

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What?

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Why this pimp-looking thing!

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Hey, you just stand there. Stand there!

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Stand? I am standing already.

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You!

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Fifty-two-year-old Noh Tae Pyeong!

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That crazy . . .

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Step aside.

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This is Grand Prince Yeonryeong's entourage.

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Move aside.

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This is Grand Prince Yeonreong's entourage.

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Are you nuts?

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It's the prince's entourage. He is a prince.

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- Moon Soo.

- Huh?

272

Brother Jeong Seok.

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What are you doing? Why are you here?

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You came just in time.

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Some punk was taking the state test for someone else at the test grounds,

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and I was chasing after him but the prince . . .

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Wait a minute. The test grounds?

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Why did you go there?

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It can't be that you took the state test?

280

Again?

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Well, so I think I might have.

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Just ignore me, I said. Just pass by me like everyone else.

283

Why do you insist on acknowledging me?

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So you are still boisterous,

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Older Brother, Prince Yeoning.

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[Prince Yeoning, Yi Geum]

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Indeed.

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Quite!

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I wonder if it was a worthy sight to you all.

290

What a treat to the eyes.

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I've never seen a dance like that!

292

Indeed, you are Prince Milpoong who posses all the six arts of a gentleman.

293

Since everyone has such high expectations of me, I gave it a try at sword dance.

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But as it turns out, when I give it a try, it works!

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I made up each and every move!

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But isn't a sword dance a bit too much?

297

The guests are having to suffer outside in this weather due to you, Prince Milpoong.

298

I don't see the crown prince, by the way.

299

- That's . . .

- By chance . . .

300

Did something happen overnight, Crown Princess?

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Not at all.

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He has a stomachache so he's resting.

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Oh no.

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I wonder if he's lying down too often.

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Since the seat of the national foundation shouldn't be vacated for any moment.

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I thank you for your concern, but His Majesty and the current royal family will

307

look after the national foundation well, right?

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By this current royal family, you mean.

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I mean, it's not a concern to you, Prince Milpoong, as side family.

310

I apologize that I'm late, Your Highness.

311

Prince Yeonryeong!

312

I was waiting for you for so long. What took you so long?

313

I met someone welcoming so I came with him.

314

Since it's Your Highness's birthday, all the royal family should come.

315

By royal family, I think everyone's here already.

316

Of whom do you speak?

317

Can't be, Prince Yeoning?

318

When in Hanyang?

319

Where does he think this place is, to come?

320

He thinks he's royalty too?

321

I bid you my greetings, Your Highness the Queen.

322

Have you been well?

323

Well, yes.

324

What an occasion for me to see you too.

325

Summon Chief Royal Secretary,

326

right this moment.

327

Do you know what I hate the most?

328

Someone selfish. Someone exactly like you who gives others trouble for your own benefit.

329

And I'm a prince no less!

330

And one who is about to become the king too!

331

You think I can't slash you because this is the palace, right?

332

I did wrong. Please, Prince.

333

You're wrong, bastard!

334

This is all going to be mine!

335

So your habit of doing things personally remains the same.

336

You'll end up in trouble doing that one of these days.

337

Inner palace guards are at Jinseong Gate.

338

You'll get caught doing this.

339

Remove him and go take a look.

340

Just ignore it.

341

Prince Yeoning. Older Brother.

342

This is why you're amusing to me.

343

Your attitude changes so fast. You called me older brother?

344

You're not an easy feat.

345

To come to a place like this too. I guess you do your sniffing around.

346

Are you going to cling to Prince Yeonryeong's side?

347

Stop your concern about me who has no interest in the happenings of the royal palace. It's tiring.

348

What concern? More like you don't qualify

349

since your mother is a low-born.

350

That's why everyone finds you uncomfortable, Older Brother.

351

A royal prince with low-born blood flowing in him.

352

It's embarrassing no matter what, no?

353

Why do you cling to Prince Yeonryeong?

354

You're both sons of the king but one's a prince and the other's the abandoned one.

355

Doesn't it make your stomach knot?

356

Since you're singing about blood. Let's skip the 'older brother' calling, Tan.

357

You're not even the son of the king.

358

So in other words, the collateral family line?

359

I am the direct descendant of Crown Prince Sohyeon!

360

The royal throne was supposed to be my father's and mine!

361

Stop your whining.

362

What law is that? It's whoever who eats it.

363

I hear Prime Minster Kim Chang Joong was served yadasi.

364

That was because of you, right?

365

It's obvious. You caused some trouble and Noron who are supporting you had to stop it.

366

And so that's how that disturbance came about.

367

What? Did you by chance get yourself caught killing someone?

368

Shut up, punk!

369

A thing like you as a king?

370

The next reign will be Prince Yeonryeong so stop your naught.

371

If you're good, you'll be spared so don't cower too much either.

372

Shove that aside.

373

Or you'll get hurt too.

374

Prince Milpoong.

375

You need to come quickly.

376

His Majesty is sending a royal edict to you right now.

377

What?

378

Me?