Original subtitles

Today...

[Episode 26]

the bests of the best warriors in Joseon are gathered!

Go bet your money!

He’s not an average opponent.

Be careful!

Don’t worry!

Oh ho, you laugh?

Just know you'll have your funeral today.

Isn’t he the swordmaster's disciple?

Isn’t it Baek Dongsoo?

It’ll be an exceptionally interesting match today.

Stop! Stop!

Penalty for attacking the vital parts!

You should’ve told me that before the match!

You’re not allowed to attack the vital parts.

Penalty loss!

He won!

In the next match, Baek Ho from Mount Baekdusan will

challenge Jang Taesan, the bounty hunter!

If you win this match, it will be your third victory.

Face off!

Auntie, there's Dongsoo!

Don't make a fuss! I see him!

Here!

Oh my, he makes so proud!

It’s Baek Dongsoo’s match.

The swordmaster's disciple in the martial arts competition for stakes...

Doesn’t it sound good?

His adversary seems to be too weak for him.

I’m afraid it won’t be very interesting.

Then do you want to challenge him?

Let me face him.

We have a special guest for this match!

It has been a long time.

Would you mind standing out of the way?

Then I'll stand down.

Why are you here?

Why?

Wouldn’t it be for the same reason you're here?

I can't disappoint my old friend.

On who do you think your friend will bet his money?

So who will you bet on?

I can’t ignore my old friend.

I’ll bet on Baek Dongsoo.

Really?

Then I’ll bet on...

Start!

Dongsoo, go get him!

Isn’t it a well-balanced match?

Don’t you think?

What is this? Why is he so strong?

He’s a Japanese warrior who turned the palace upside

down before.

And he's once tried to assassinate His Excellency Prince Yi San.

What?

What’s wrong?

Nothing!

What’s the matter with you?

Dongsoo!

How can all the tickets be sold out?

There are no more tickets!

He’ll be okay. Let’s go back home.

Really, this is frustrating!

You can have this if you want.

Thank you!

That can't be that rotten piece of scum, can it?

Let’s get inside. Here! We have two tickets!

Let's go in!

Dongsoo!

No, Samo!

Why not?

What could be wrong with him?

His drink must have been drugged.

Drugged?

Ah... Someone must have played a prank again...

How can you call it a prank in a real sword match

where they put their lives on the line?

Look over there!

This is a gambling den where flesh and blood fly!

Some make big money while others go to hell.

Isn't it ridiculous to expect fair play here?

All we have to do is to enjoy the match.

Do you by chance still have compassion left for your old friend?

I don’t have any compassion for him.

However, this unbalanced match is boring.

Really?

Keep watching.

When Baek Dongsoo crosses the threshold of hell,

it’ll become interesting.

You are weaker than I thought.

The match has just begun.

Good.

Dongsoo, don’t you know how tenacious you are?

You've been through all kinds of hardships so far!

Even Hades won’t stop you!

Your Excellency!

Father!

Win this!

You’re Sagoeng’s son and Master Kim Kwangtaek’s disciple!

Dongsoo, don’t give up in any circumstance.

You’re not afraid of anything in this world.

You can do it because you’re Baek Dongsoo.

Dongsoo!

I’m Baek Dongsoo, the future best warrior in Joseon.

You’re Baek Dongsoo, the best warrior in Joseon.

Dongsoo!

Are you okay?

Is this your doing?

What are you talking about?

He has a long life line for certain.

So you drugged his drink?

You didn’t trust me, then.

Better safe than sorry!

He staked his life on the match.

Please don’t do that again.

But why isn’t Master Chun here?

He’ll be okay, right?

He’s just sleeping.

He must have been tired all that time.

Are you alright, Dongsoo?

Why?

Are you afraid he’s still alive?

If he’s still alive,

are you going to kill him with your own hands?

Don’t touch him.

I lost both of my parents.

I don’t want to lose him too.

So please don’t touch him.

We’re in the same situation.

Dongsoo... He's still my friend.

We’re in the same situation.

How is he doing?

He’s doing... [King Yeongjo]

All my body's energy has been exhausted.

I can’t turn back time.

It’s the fault of my lack [Yi San (Future King Jeongjo)]

in filial piety towards you.

How is that your fault?

Your filial piety towards His Highness is deep.

Seeing him being so delighted [Queen Jeongsun]

to see you also delights my heart.

Shouldn't it be so, Your Highness?

Father, we can’t delay it any longer.

[Kim Hangu (Queen Jeongsun's father)]

[Kim Kwiju]

[Jeong Hugyeom]

[Hong Inhan]

Are you alright?

Dongsoo!

Come have a seat!

Are you feeling okay?

I’m sorry for having worried you.

You’re so amateur! [Seo Yoodae]

Anyhow, you're just lucky you weren’t seriously hurt!

All who won three consecutive times disappeared at once?

Yes, sir.

Wow, you were great today!

You did a great job!

But...

What is the true nature of this competition?

True nature? There is nothing like that.

It’s just fight, stomp, punch, win, and finish!

This wasn’t a big business before.

But since a big aristocrat put his influence in here,

the scale of this competition's gotten bigger.

It's attracted more and more warriors. .

They say they'll hire those who stand out in the competition!

In other words, this is like a market for the most elite warriors.

I suspect Lord Hong Daejoo bribed elite warriors and hired them.

He’s gathering the warriors who won’t get traced to

him even when they die.

That’s right.

I’m sure Lord Hong is building a private army.

I need more detailed information.

Do you have any good ideas?

Won’t it be best to trail Lord Hong?

Will you be okay?

Recently, Lord Hong’s relatives have bought up a big amount of steel.

It’s certain they took all

the available steel from the marketplace. [Yeoncheol: Liquid steel used in sword making]

And I’m sure they will manufacture swords with that steel.

[Jang Taesan]

However, I don’t know where their hideout is.

If you win three times, they will contact you first.

So there’s no need to rush.

There will be a meeting of ruling party

members in the courtesan house at 7 o’clock. [Sulsi: From 7 to 9 in the evening]

I’m informed Her Highness the queen will be there too.

Does the queen attend the ruling party members’ meeting?

Lord Hong Daejoo, who has the armed forces under

his control and the queen, who sits at the center of the ruling party...

It won’t be bad if I show up at this opportunity.

Who is it?

Let’s go.

Baek Dongsoo!

Woon!

Go back.

It's not your place to get involved here.

What about you?

Is this your place to get involved?

I don’t have time to play around with words.

Do me a favor.

Go back.

I’m not leaving.

If one of us has to go, you go.

Do you think you can beat those powerful politicians with your martial arts?

Please leave.

You getting involved won't change anything.

What can you do then?

Indeed, you have so much blood on your sword,

you must have gotten everything you wanted.

Baek Dongsoo!

What has your sword of justice done in the meantime?

In the end, your sword hasn’t saved anyone.

Are you justifying your incompetence to those innocent victims?

Shut up!

Because of your weak lies that you'd protect everyone,

how many people have suffered?

Throw away your hypocrisy.

Woon, I told you to shut up.

Woon, you!

Who are you?

Capture them!

Today, we’ve made a difficult decision to gather here together.

Just as in the year Crown Prince died,

shouldn’t we unite and swear

our loyalty to Her Highness, the center of the Noron party?

These are the blood signatures of all the heads of armed

forces but General Seo Yoodae.

Blood signatures of all the heads of armed forces?

Are you going to mobilize the army as well?

That is part of our strategy.

I mean a part of our strategy for our ultimate success.

I’m sure you all know Her Highness' intentions.

Shouldn’t we live and die together?

Lord Hong Daejoo, who is that man?

He is a warrior who will lead our coup d’état.

Tell me about your plan.

Yes, Your Highness.

We have already collected enough funds for the coup.

The warriors we bribed and hired are willing to die for money.

So they’re ideal for our plan.

And we’re making weapons numbering 200 spears and swords each plus 20 rifles.

Tonight, there’ll be another comet falling toward the palace.

And the ugly rumors will spread

that the prince is planning to assassinate His Highness the king.

It’s not His Highness or Prince Yi San, but all of you

who are in the most dangerous position.

Don’t forget this.

Please trust us, Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Stop!

These goons!

How dare you make a scene in this place?

Let them go quietly.

What’s going on?

I don’t think I invited you here.

A secret meeting in the middle of the night!

With the presence of His Highness,

I would have believed that I was on the floor of the court.

You punk, how dare you speak rudely!

Of course, this is not a place for a man of humble birth like me.

Your Highness!

Lord Hong, don’t forget the day of our coup approaches.

Yes, Your Highness.

What is going on in there?

Baek Dongsoo,

why do you always cause trouble wherever you go?

Then do you expect me to

act like I didn't see what they’re plotting?

Do me a favor!

For now, you can’t do anything against them.

Because you don’t have any evidence to prove their guilt.

Go.

What kind of humiliation is this?

It was just a prank I pulled with my old friend.

What’s wrong with that?

Prank?

Do you have any idea what was going on before you barged in?

Didn’t you tell me before?

It’s a gambling den where flesh and blood fly.

All we have to do is enjoy the match.

Our lives are a bloody battlefield.

I’m just enjoying the moment.

Fine!

How did you know we had a meeting here tonight?

Lord, aside from what happens in the palace,

do you think there's anything that goes on

outside of the palace that I'm not aware of?

Alright then, what happened to Baek Dongsoo?

I’m asking you what happened to him.

Lord, why are you asking me about him?

Do you by chance have compassion for him?

What did you say?

Then I should get going now.

Wait!

Do you know why I’m not punishing you

even after you have provoked me so rudely?

Actually, that’s what I was curious about.

Of course, it's because I need your help.

What is it?

I need an imperial order.

This is a letter from Her Highness the queen to the Chinese emperor.

We need an imperial order stating that he doesn’t want Prince Yi San to be regent.

[Proxy Regent: Crown Prince oversees affairs of state when king is ill, old or incapacitated]

Please transmit this letter to the emperor.

No matter what happens,

I need his imperial order within 15 days.

Lord Hong, I saw uncertainty in his eyes.

What if he doesn’t transmit the letter?

That’s not for you to worry about.

Where is Myeongju?

He must be at the top of Mount Bukaksan by now.

Look at the way that little brat talked back to me.

Why did you do such a thing?

It wasn’t very much like you.

Then what is like me?

Aren’t you as grave as a mountain and as calm as an ocean?

Even the mountains and ocean

tumble down and thrash when the time comes.

Furthermore, I’m merely a man who is swayed by worldly affairs.

Cut the line!

What?

Did you run into Woon?

Yes.

Did something happen between you and Woon?

No.

We’re in the same situation.

Dongsoo is still my friend.

It's a chilly night.

Do you want to go jogging with me?

Look, it’s a shooting star!

Hey, it’s Mount Bukaksan!

Let’s go.

Hey, Baek Dongsoo, I'm coming too!

If I shake off this assassin’s karma, would you allow me to see you?

Could I dare ask your forgiveness for the blood on my hands?

Wait a minute!

Can’t you smell something?

It smells like gasoline!

That’s right!

It’s coming from over there!

Wait a minute!

There’s nothing here.

Let’s get to the top of the mountain!

Okay.

Chorip!

I know how.

The wind blew briskly from

the northeast every time the comet fell.

Do you know why?

Because the shooting star could fall only when

the northeastern wind blows.

The northeastern wind?

It was all fabricated.

What is all this about?

According to the flyer, Prince Yi San will avenge

his father and become king!

This flyer says it’s the heavens' will.

Oh my goodness!

What is that?

This is a strange flyer floating around the marketplace.

Let me see it.

How could this kind of thing happen?

Please calm down, Your Excellency.

Their travesty has gone too far.

However, please stay cool and figure out their intention first.

You keep asking me to stay cool and prepare for the future...

How can you always ask such cowardice of me?

I can feel the blade of their sword on my neck.

The sound of their horrid laughter never stops ringing in my ears!

Your Excellency!

So I can’t sit back and wait forever.

I’ll punish those who threaten me and dishonor my father’s

name no matter what.

We’ll help you.

So please do according to your will!

Your Excellency!

These kinds of slanderous flyers are circulating.

The public sentiment has worsened.

This is a conspiracy.

They’re making a frantic last-ditch effort.

I know who did this.

I’m sure that pig Lord Hong is pulling strings behind it all.

What do we do with that trash now?

However, we shouldn’t act rashly.

Yeongsuk, did you find out something? [Yeongsuk: Baek Dongsoo's written name]

Yes, we solved the mystery of the falling comet.

Really?

They release kites loaded with gunpowder from the top of Mount Bukaksan and light them

only on nights when the wind blows from the northeast.

I knew it.

And what else?

Lord Hong’s relatives have been buying up not only the liquid steel

and red cords but also gunpowder in large quantities.

Gunpowder?

Gunpowder is all sold out.

I see.

Mister, we’re going to make some firecrackers.

You don’t have any left?

Firecrackers?

I think we may have that much.

Where is my daughter?

Jinjoo is not with you?

No, she'll be at the martial arts competition.

Martial arts competition?

Again?

She won’t be participating in the match. Please don’t worry about her.

If Jang Taesan wins one more match,

he’ll have won three consecutive matches.

Someone will definitely contact him. So you should follow him.

Three victories?

If I win one more match,

that's three consecutive matches for me too.

Whatever!

Break!

He wins!

What shall I do? I won again!

What if my father scolds me again?

You did a good job!

Just a minute!

Are you Hwang Duryong?

Yes, why?

Follow me!

Wait for me here.

Let me see...

This is unrefined gunpowder.

You need niter,

sulfur and charcoal to make gunpowder.

Niter is the element that is the hardest to get.

They have been buying up something in large quantities.

Do you know what they bought up?

It was this gunpowder.

They plan to use this for the rifles in the revolt.

But why isn't Jinjoo back yet?

Let me go and find her.

I have to go back to the palace. So why don’t we go out together?

Yes.

Here they come.

You said you'll pay us double

for his limbs and ten times for his head.

Of course.

If you bring me his head,

I can give you as much gold as you can find in Joseon.

And here you are!

What is it?

It's rattlesnake’s poison.

Just to be sure.

Father, that man I saw the other night...

Is that handsome man Master Chun of the Black Assassins?

Yes, Your Highness.

However, how he acts so recklessly...

Father, please call for him.

Your Highness, why do you want to see a thug like him?

The day of our coup is before us.

Don’t you think we need at least one preventive measure?

However...

Please call for him in secret.

The problem is...

Lord Hong is the only person who knows how to contact the Black Assassins.

Really?

Master Chun?

Do you mean Her Highness wants to see Master Chun?

With the coup approaching, she’s growing anxious.

She wants him to take a critical role.

I have tried to dissuade her...

However, she’s insisting.

That’s understandable.

Then I’ll send him a messenger.

Why she wants to see a lowly assassin like him...

We only have eight warriors.

We need at least 10 more experienced warriors.

Yes, our competition has become popular among warriors from every corner of Joseon.

They continue to stream in.

In just three more days, we’ll be able to gather 10 more people.

Lord Hong!

Hwang Duryong and Jang Taesan!

Contrary to your appearance, your martial arts skills must be the first rate.

People often say that.

Lord Hong, they’ve already sworn absolute loyalty to you.

So may I see a demonstration of your martial arts?

Stop!

Don’t come any closer, don’t!

Father!

This is not a man but a woman.

Plus, she’s the daughter of the former Master Chun.

What did you say?

Attack!

This is a secret letter from Her Highness.

I need an imperial order stating that

he doesn’t want Prince Yi San to become a regent.

You have a message from the palace.

It’s from the queen.

Stop!

She must be more impatient than I thought.

What are you going to do now?

This is the bait that I threw out to her.

I should meet her.

Did you say Hwang Duryong

won three consecutive matches?

That’s true.

Then where is he now?

I don’t know that far.

Father, Father!

Calm down.

You don’t even have to tell me what’s going on.

I can guess everything.

You have to kill her no matter what!

Attack them!

You thugs, I’ll see you later!

Take your sword with you!

You rascal, you got in trouble again already?

Come here!

That’s not it!

That must hurt!

Who are you guys?

Why have you been trailing me?

Why don't you ask the king of the underworld?

So you're saying you're that good...

Die!

We're tripping over Baek Dongsoo at every turn.

So we need to get rid of him first.

If it’s about him,

regardless of our plan,

I’d have fought him at least one more time.

Then when are you going to see him?

I don’t know...

Father!

So what happened?

You have exceptional skill!

Why would the queen want to see a man of humble birth like me?

Stop! You are too rude!

Father!

Let me get to the point.

What do you think about working for me?

It sounds like you’re asking me to betray Lord Hong.

How can you twist Her Highness’ true intentions like that?

However, if a man of exceptional ability like you were to support her,

she would feel more assured than if she had a great army.

If I do, what do I gain in return?

I’ll give you everything you want.

Wealth, power and honor...

Ask me anything!

Let me think about it.

I’m not a very patient woman.

I also am not one to make a hasty decision.

Then would you like to show me what you have?

I’m an assassin.

Don’t you know what an assassin can do?

Can you bring me anyone’s head immediately?

Whose head do you want?

What if I say my king’s head?

Your joke goes too far, Your Highness.

Then...

Bring me the head of the swordmaster's disciple, Baek Dongsoo!