It seems the other officials have already joined the revolt.
If you hold out until dawn,
we will get the palace back with the reserve army.
It seems that the palace is not the only thing I have lost.
You may be dressed in the garment of a royal guard,
but you are also a soldier of joseon.
The king murdered his siblings,
and ordered his generals at war to surrender.
What reason do you have to follow him?
Is that all there is to being a soldier?
Step aside.
I caught you.
Father, did you see it? Aren't I better now?
This one is pretty big.
It will fetch us a lot of money.
It is so cute!
Is it happening again?
It is fine, I am all right.
Let's get moving.
Your eyes have turned blue as if they are bruised.
It seems like blood is likely clumped up inside.
Did he get worse, then?
Do not worry too much.
When you go to the trading post in the village,
you should be able to obtain herbs for the eye.
The owner there owes me,
so I will tell her to take good care of you.
- Thank you for that. - Sure.
Even the best herbs will not work when it is too late,
so get there before it's too late.
May you attain buddhahood.
There is a way to get your eyes fixed.
How could I ignore that as your daughter?
What are you so scared of that we never get off this hill?
Aren't you sick of it all?
Do you think the world below will be any easier?
As for me,
all that matters is that you're safe.
If you don't want to go, just stay here.
I am going to go alone if I have to.
"To repatriate your people, bring 25 silvers per woman, and"
their demands are unspeakable.
What must we do?
Your majesty.
We cannot afford to pay to free all our prisoners,
so their families should take that burden.
He is right.
We must secure our nation's finances for the future.
But we can't carry on ignoring their requests.
- What if they... - Then,
will you abandon our loyalties to ming
and take orders from those barbarians?
Your majesty, I would like to meet them personally
and try to find out what it is that they want.
As you please.
We'll be sending our daughters to qing as tributes at this rate.
As a mere tributary state,
they consider us as their servants.
What do you plan on doing, sir?
Is it true that you will retire?
Yes, I have overstayed my welcome.
We are still in need of your wisdom, sir.
Will you really be leaving the office?
What do you know about hwangbang?
I heard they are slave traders who sell prisoners of war.
That is in name only. They are just executioners.
Their master is said to be in the capital with the traders.
What could they be scheming?
Meanwhile, the nobles are fighting whether we should be for or against qing.
Such things should be discussed in the council meeting, my lord.
I can never figure out what he is thinking.
He is probably blaming himself for the state of our kingdom.
But isn't that futile?
I am sure he will get involved.
It's in a soldier's nature
to want to duel someone who is stronger than you.
Over here!
It's cool, right?
Buy a ring. There are hairpins too!
With the end of the invasion, there are so many foreigners.
Come take a look. What a hot day.
As a fellow man of joseon, please show us mercy.
I want some mercy too!
I have to buy them again from hwangbang, ship them,
feed them and put them to bed.
But you can't raise the price all of a sudden.
- It wasn't us. - Mom!
- We don't have a say in the price. - It is okay, honey.
- Stay with dad. - Mom.
It was the noblemen who raised the prices,
so why don't you go ask them for some money?
They make profit by buying and selling prisoners for a fee.
Oh, right.
We might release your wife if you give us your child.
Please! I am begging you
you little
The master is waiting.
Do you have a death wish?
My apologies.
If you cause any more trouble,
I will cut your head first.
Let's go!
Please, sir. Please let my
father!
How dare he touch me.
Those rotten bastards!
Father.
There is no need to get involved.
What is this ruckus?
Get off your horses and identify yourselves.
We are envoys of the great qing.
Even your king won't be able to arrest us.
You can try if you want.
Let's go.
Father!
Let's head back.
I do not understand the aristocrats of joseon.
Why do they insist on taking ming's side when ming is near ruin?
He does not understand the way of the aristocrats.
When a parent is sick,
it is unfilial for a child to abandon him.
Relying on sick parents
could lead the children to an early grave.
If the child dies first, that too is unfilial.
He is lord kurutai, the cousin of the emperor,
and the master of hwangbang.
He is hwangbang's master.
Your reputation precedes you.
Your fluency of our language is a boon for us all.
Not at all. One of my men's mother is from joseon.
I heard a bastard like him is looked down on here.
Do not bring a translator from now on, and learn our language.
We will be meeting often, after all.
Brew tea properly!
Just like how we're brewing joseon.
Do you know how to train wild dogs?
We do not bring home pesky wild dogs to train them.
I will tell you, though.
You tie up the Alpha dog,
and kill its offspring one by one.
Then it will bark like crazy at first,
but eventually, it will wag its tail.
Even though we pledged subservience, you still must treat us with respect.
This must be the swordsman
I have heard about even in qing.
Please forgive my indecency.
How about we watch him spar together
for a change of mood?
Just humor him a little then back off.
My men are watching.
He is said to be uncontrollable. Just do as I tell you.
Your sword is no more than an ornament.
Enough!
You truly are a master of the sword.
Thank you for a great show.
The best swordsman in joseon?
If you let me go on, I could have had his head.
You really think that?
Could I have lost then?
Interesting.
Follow me.
You may have been ill-informed.
- It is the monk who owes me a favor. - Pardon?
But he told me
that stupid monk
even if I owe him,
you cannot obtain such a rare herb without a connection.
The price is also quite high.
Very well.
Let's go.
We are not asking for a handout.
I picked out perfect pelts, so they will be worth quite a bit.
This is not a matter of a few pelts.
Leave them. We will pay you a little extra.
Forget it!
Do not take us for beggars.
Father always said goodwill is never without cost.
Let's go, father!
They have arrived.
Father.
Aren't they the thugs from the village?
Let's get going.
I am honored that you have graced this humble place.
Politics are for boring bureaucrats,
I am just a merchant who enjoys the arts.
Joseon is the right place for that.
Great scent.
How about a job with me?
If you take my slaves and resell them, you will make a lot of profit.
Thank you for your generous offer,
but I'm not audacious enough to trade people.
Isn't prostitution also another form of trade?
This place is
a trading post, not a brothel.
Chicks are better than men.
I heard you're skilled with the dagger and even suppressed a local swordsman.
May I see it in action?
It is only but a trick to survive in this harsh world.
Please rest comfortably. It was great to meet you.
I was told he was crazy about swords.
Is he that good?
Make sure you do not get mixed up with them.
I am an idiot for trusting that damn monk.
When did you get this?
Have a great meal.
How much?
Leaving already? Five pun, please.
Here you go.
Madame!
Tae-ok! Isn't this tae-o0k?
Have you been well?
I am always barely hanging on.
By the way, oh my, my, my!
Look how big you've grown.
Maybe because I breastfed you,
you will break a lot of hearts.
It's been a while.
That indifference of yours has not changed one bit.
He is like a stone. Why do you like him so much?
Chatty men only use their tongues to hit on girls.
A real man should have a heavy tongue and a heavy pecker
what is a pecker?
It is nothing.
You must be tired. I will fetch you some food.
Okay.
It is so nice!
A young girl, you say?
She will be caring for my ailing mother,
so don't get the wrong idea.
In that case, I have just met a suitable candidate.
Don't forget that discretion is of utmost importance.
Absolutely, my lord.
There you go.
Thank you.
Here, take it to your mother.
Thank you, thank you!
A swordsman's hands are for holding a sword,
not a rice bucket.
How about it?
Would you like to earn a position in the qing court by working for me?
A swordsman truly shines when he serves a master
who knows his worth, doesn't he?
I have just left public office, so I do not intend to go back.
I always get what I want in the end.
A word from me
could be enough to release all the prisoners held in qing.
I heard that
you have unsheathed your sword at your former king.
Imagine what would happen to joseon
if you directed that sword at me.
Should I order to bring him back?
No.
Sailing is fun
when there is wind.
Tae-ok, are you up?
Did my father go somewhere?
He left first thing in the morning.
He doesn't even know his way around here.
He wouldn't go far without you.
He will be here shortly, so wait a bit.
So this is where you were.
How did you know I was here?
You shunned me yesterday for being poor.
No need for that attitude.
After today, I will look like Buddha to you.
Is that true?
Can I really get my father's medicine if I care for her?
I promise you.
Can you do it?
If I can get those herbs, I would do anything.
But my father
I will give him boarding nearby
and take care of him until his eyes are fixed,
so do not worry about him.
Thank you. Thank you so much!
Thank you!
So where will my father stay? Is it a new home?
Are you really that happy?
She lives in the mountain with a nearly blind father.
I would like to adopt her and help her out.
It is as if I am looking at a ghost.
You had that expression when you disappeared,
and you still do now that you have reappeared.
The child must be all grown up.
She is a precious child.
We will live quietly
just like we have been doing.
That would be best.
But even if you shun the world, will it let you be?
The wailing of this world will reach your ears in the end.
Pardon me.
Where did tae-ok go?
The trading post lady took her.
Something good must have happened.
It is hot, eat slowly.
Oh, all right. Thank you so much.
How will you inform your father?
He will get his eyes fixed, and I'll join a noble family.
I don't see why he wouldn't allow it.
No parent will be happy to part with their child.
Parents also have a soft spot for their children.
Don't you worry!
Oh, dear.
I am frightened to death.
Strip at once!
Who told you to move?
Everyone, out.
What is going on here?
Resting comfortably as you said we should.
Is this vulgarity what your master intended?
Are you calling my master vulgar?
Joseon martial arts are surely useless.
I will show you what a qing man feels like.
You must not treat a woman like that!
Are you okay?
How dare you.
Who the hell are you?
The child dropped in to get herbs for her father.
She is a mere child. Please forgive her.
What did you say?
Get on your knees and crawl to beg for forgiveness.
Then I will forgive her.
- How dare you! - Stay back.
- Very well. - Father.
I will let you leave,
but as for your bratty child,
I will send her home after taking her virginity.
He knows how to handle a sword.
Huasam!
Let go!
Stay out of this!
Enough!
That is enough.
I will leave quietly, so sheath your sword.
Please take care of it.
I am sorry.
I do not care about how I was born,
and why we live in hiding.
You are my father who fed and raised me.
I am okay, so do not worry.
But I am happy that we found a way to get medicine for you.
What do you mean?
I just need to care for a lady as a noble's foster child.
Are you saying you will sell yourself to treat my eyes?
What will I see then?
Let's rest up today and head home tomorrow.
Did you not ever think that
I would want to wear nice clothes and live in a nice house?
Even if I am not a Princess,
I would like to live comfortably as a foster child of a noble.
I have made up my mind.
You can go home alone.
Lord jung is said to have retired for greener pastures.
Shouldn't we come up with a plan as well?
What if the king orders our daughters as tributes?
I better look for a foster daughter.
This is very worrying.
You must watch your tongue.
This storm may not last a long time.
Joseon will never change even if the rest of the world does.
Is it true that you ordered
the generals on the battlefield to surrender to the enemy?
Are you asking as a soldier?
I am asking as your vassal, your majesty.
Seung-ho.
No creed is more important than the lives of my people.
Even if it is the king's.
- Madame. - Yes.
Please take good care of my father.
Sure, don't you worry about him
and live a good life.
You got it?
Recollect the humiliation that we suffered
and listen to the wailings of your people.
Cut off the invaders' necks, and right the wrong...
Stop.
He had a cane?
Yes, sir.
And you just watched?
But he
no excuse, master.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
You cannot raise your child forever in the mountains.
You know the world is crazy these days.
It is better off that she became a foster daughter to a noble.
I will visit often.
Why not go to the trading post and see tae-ok before you go?
You will feel better!
My goodness.
- What is going on? - That poor thing.
They were so happy to have their daughter back.
But the daughter was teased as a slut, and hung herself with her mother.
And what of the other children who were left behind?
They will live the rest of their lives as bastards.
- Poor things. - My goodness.
Tae-ok.
Once you are changed and ready, go to our cottage.
Yes, father.
Did you pack all of sook-yi's belongings?
Yes, my lord. We will depart as soon as...
"Cut off the invaders' necks."
I've read your plea to the king.
My lord!
Please help, my lord!
Do you think you could change my mind this way?
Let's see how long you last.
You will die first thanks to your father.
She's the cane man's daughter.
Will you resort to such measures to save your real daughter?
How cruel of you.
You weren't even a wild dog, but a mere rat.
Stop!
Good thing you are here!
They are using a ruse to hurt my family!
Please stop these men!
I do not resent you, lord.
I was also blinded by my futile creed.
What are you saying?
I did not lead the revolt because of what you said.
You know very well that my actions were taken for the good of this nation!
It was only for your own benefit.
Come on out!
Where is he?
Son of a bitch.
Diel
How dare you.
Where is my daughter?
Lord Lee asked me to look for a foster daughter.
Did you say just
lord Lee?
This is all due to my carelessness.
Please allow me to help you.
Do not get involved and seek shelter.
Where do the swordsmen gather in this area?
They usually gather at the brothel.
You must not hurt qing's envoy so recklessly!
This could lead to...
My daughter was taken! My only child!
I must dispatch the royal guards and capture them at once!
Your majesty, lord Lee and the governor are here.
Let them in.
Welcome, lord Lee.
We were discussing about the matter of the qing army at the border.
Please join us.
Who are the slave traders looking for?
Better to look for a peasant who can read.
How do we find a man who uses a cane like a sword?
I know. Let's tell them we can't find him and go get a drink.
What's that?
Why you
Who are you?
- This way. - Hurry up.
I was just following their orders.
I went to the diner but you weren't there.
So I just brought them the diner owner.
Where?
When you cross the bridge, you will see a slave camp.
I am sorry, please do not kill me.
If you need money, I can give you as much as you want.
Watch carefully!
If anyone tries to rescue you,
I will make sure they will end up like this. Got it?
Drink. Drink up.
Help! Please help my husband!
Please, please help!
Darn it.
I ought to beat some sense into them.
I told you to be quiet
are you here to rescue one of them?
- What is wrong with you people? - Get rid of him and come back!
Go on and eat. I'll be right there!
Answer me when I ask you...
Let me go! You bastards!
Sir!
What do you want?
She was here until two hours ago,
but they took the young girls away.
My goodness.
That poor young thing looked very frail.
Honey, open your eyes!
Our daughter is waiting at home!
Please open your eyes, honey!
We have to go home!
You just have to retrieve the lord's daughter quietly.
My apologies,
but we have received orders to refrain any contact with the qing.
If a problem rises
if you act discreetly, there will not be a problem.
Help me now and I will make sure to look after you in the future.
Have our men on standby.
Yes, sir!
Pressuring them too much could cause a problem.
Are you meddling in my affairs?
It's not that
I came here myself because you play politics like shit.
My apologies.
When stepping on a worm,
you must do a thorough job
so that it doesn't squirm.
I won't forget.
Where is huasam?
He has not returned from the trading post.
He must be having fun like a boar in the mud.
We'll depart tomorrow when everyone returns,
so move the girls to the boat.
Yes, sir.
I will try to negotiate first, but do not lower your guard.
Do you understand?
Yes, my lord.
Do not unsheathe hastily as we will be before the qing's envoy.
- Yes, sir! - Yes, sir!
We are soldiers of joseon!
There will not be trouble if you stay put, so return...
You joseon bastards sure love to yap before a fight.
Attack!
Had you stayed obedient, you could have saved your neck.
You came to meet the emperor's envoy armed,
your king will not be able to refute as well.
My daughter.
Please spare my daughter's life.
Get your guns!
Just shoot!
Fire!
How is that possible?
You were the one who protected king gwanghae.
Please help me. They took away my child!
Please help!
Survive this.
Survive this
and protect the nation
that you have changed.
I will do anything, so please save her!
Please save my child!
She is a poor child who grew up without a mother.
Please!
Father.
Tae-ok.
You're a resolute one.
You're the last one.
The man with the cane got to us again!
Remember him? The kid who got away back then.
This isn't a time for relaxing. You must ready yourself.
If you let your guard down, you could
Is that so?
I'm sorry. What I meant was
so, it's your tongue
that gets you killed.
I'll have to get him first.
Bring me his daughter!
As you wish.
There is no need.
He will come looking for you.
Do you know him?
I have managed to stop you from going blind,
but you still need to be careful.
I will pay you back for this.
You could still go completely blind!
Is this all there is to being a soldier?
Imagine what would happen to joseon
if you directed that sword at me.
Go to the coast. There you will find the hwangbang ship.
Stand down.
Is this the creed that you speak of?
I'm only trying to save this nation from further torment.
To me, that child is my nation.
Do you think you can defeat me with those eyes?
Swords are made to simply stab and cut.
Very well.
Even the king regarded your swordsmanship highly.
Amazing.
Even with eyes like that
If you lose, you must accept death.
Come with me.
If you win, I will release your child.
Father!
Come at me!
Father.
You coward!
You insisted on fighting.
Do not resent me for dying.
You
truly are
Stop!
Father.
Tae-ok.
Father.
Tae-ok.
It's okay.
Everything is fine.
Let's go.
Let's go home.
What do you make of that boy?
He may be fast,
but without form, he is reckless.
Without form, doesn't he seem free?
Remember this.
From now on, you are the sword of his highness.
Tae-ok.
Are we going the right way?
Of course, just follow me.
I am fine with living up here. Why do you want to go back down?
I would like to see the world now.