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Episode 15
Sungnyang.
Sungnyang!
It's me.
S-Sire...
Nyang!
Sungnyang!
I could have sworn she was here.
Sungnyang!
...My Liege...
Nyang!
You rushed off.
I saw Sungnyang.
She's fast for a girl.
She's long gone by now.
My Liege.
Very pretty.
What are you doing here?
You're cold.
I'm fine.
Hush.
Nyang.
She's not here.
I'll go find her.
Never mind.
I'll wait here.
Leave me.
Here? In this hovel?
My Liege.
I know she's just a maid.
But what a dump.
Right then.
Right.
A mirror will go here.
And a better bed.
Her kerchief.
Sungnyang.
...You smell so good...
A Blood Vow?
Written in blood before Khutughtu Khan died.
Then his killer...
...was El Temur.
Which is why he tried to kill Togon in Daechong.
El Temur will suspect his own men.
I'm working to that end.
To make him lop off his own limbs.
It's dangerous for you here.
One mistake and you'll be killed.
The moment I lost my throne I was already dead.
Sire.
I will get my throne back.
And to do that I must get rid of El Temur.
Allow me to help.
Command me, Your Majesty.
You cannot.
Sire.
I won't have you risk your life for me again.
If it means restoring your throne...
my life means nothing.
Sungnyang.
You think I'm just a Yuan palace servant?
First and foremost, I am a subject of Koryo.
Your subject.
Let me do this.
Even if I'm caught...
I won't be a burden to you.
I was wrong.
I should never have come here.
Sire.
Do nothing.
That is an order.
Ten o'clock. Ten o'clock.
I have to go.
Sire.
There.
I'm sorry, Sungnyang.
If you get in trouble, neither I nor the Emperor...
can save you.
Sungnyang, lie back.
You're as light as a feather.
Because your arm is so cozy.
Is it? Well, it's cozier over here.
Come here.
C'mon now.
- Hee-hee. - Here.
- Oh, you. - That's it now.
What are you doing?
I was testing...
What about you?
Where have you been?
Turning you down when you were drunk wasn't enough?
You're back for more?
D-drunk? When was that?
You don't remember?
Not at all.
Ask your eunuch.
I'm sure he remembers.
Was I, um... really bad?
You should go.
Fine. Good. I will.
Listen, Sungnyang, that night...
Going, going.
Night.
You really don't remember?
I told you.
You got liquored up and stumbled into her chambers...
Ugh, you should have stopped me.
Not just stood there.
Your mind was made up.
And?
Did I... you know...
...do something to her?
I couldn't say.
I'll kill you.
That Wang Yu character looks so good just standing like this.
Nothing I do works.
What?
I'm cool too.
Yes, My Liege.
El Temur has to be angry enough to lop off his own limbs.
If I were as all-powerful as him... what would infuriate me?
Long time, Lord Zhang.
You received Her Majesty's invitation?
Yes. I'm on my way now.
Please have a good time.
What is it, Sire?
Public appeals.
To the throne?
El Temur is using the imperial seal.
They say the Emperor is illiterate.
I can use the appeals to pour oil on El Temur's fury.
Getting an appeal to him won't be easy.
Leave that... to me.
I have a friend on the inside.
We have to be able to trust him.
Not to worry, Sire.
Put a dot on your face whenever you need my help.
A dot?
When I see that, I'll be here, same time, same place.
Fair enough.
The King cannot know I'm helping you.
The day he finds out, I'll get it first...
We have no choice.
We need Sungnyang on this.
A luncheon? With the Dowager?
Just so.
The Koryo king, the Emperor and Her Majesty.
Without me?
Hmph. So I'm nothing now?
Secure me a seat.
Your Majesty, it is a small affair.
And you were not invited...
Do as I say.
Your Majesty.
The Koryo king?
Wang Yu.
A drink with you.
How could I refuse such a gracious request?
I only thought of you as a warrior.
You are an artist as well.
The arts also serve. Service is chivalry.
Martial arts and creative arts are not dissimilar.
Well said.
Where there is no service, there is no valor.
Art without learning holds no value.
Martial arts without knowledge hold no danger.
Right.
I finally agree with what you're saying.
Are you suggesting that Wang Yu has no learning?
They say he as an animal side.
As well as a taste for the ladies.
He is my guest.
Watch your tongue.
She isn't wrong.
In battle the animal comes out.
Wine with a lovely woman...
takes one's breath away.
Oh my. Was that meant for me?
Very well said indeed.
Yeah, well, um, I've been reading poetry before I go to bed.
You?
You can read?
I'll recite a poem.
You reply with another.
At your service.
'Ode to a Princely Deposit.'
'Ode to a Prince Deposed.'
At the Capital wall a white-headed crow...
'Perches on the door.'
...perches on the Autumn Gate and cries in the night.
It flies to...
...um, the house... the roof?
I just had it.
An excellent choice.
What does it mean?
As to that, well...
The crow, see.
(White.)
It's white-headed, see.
And at night, um, 'Caw-caw,' cause it's crying.
And that means...?
You don't know? Everyone else does.
Well, your turn.
'A View in Spring.'
Our nation lies in ruins.
Yet the hills and rivers remain.
Within the walls of Changan...
trees and grasses grown unchecked.
Flowers weep for our times.
Birds grieve for our people.
For three months...
the beacons have been lit.
Now a letter from home...
is more precious than gold.
My hair is grey.
I seek to pin up the wisps of it...
but they are too few.
That wasn't so great.
You'll have to do better than that.
Why?
It was wonderful.
Quite moving.
Tu Fu, I believe?
A lament for his nation and his family.
Brave and sensitive.
I see why the ladies can't resist you.
You flatter me.
'Tofu?'
- Come along. - My Liege.
You owe me an apology.
Or have you forgotten how rude you were to me?
At the shrine?
Is this how Lord Brave and Sensitive acts?
Is slapping a deposed king the way of the Yuan?
You owe ME an apology.
How was I supposed to know...
Nor did I know it was you.
Circumstances were against us.
Let's leave it at that.
Hmph.
Who does he think he is?
A royal piece of work.
Can you get an appeal into the Emperor's office?
I'll find a way.
El Temur is persistent.
If it's discovered, he'll arrest the staff and anyone else that went in.
We won't be able to help you.
I know.
It's not just you.
The King is also at risk.
I'll take extra care.
Let me know when the appeal is ready.
We'll meet here...
Long tails are easy to catch. We can't do the same thing twice.
Well?
See this?
Tomorrow night I'll stick it in here.
I see.
Don't be mad at the King.
He's just worried about you.
I know that.
We're counting on you.
I'm so mad I can't sleep.
Look at me.
Not you.
You.
Shall I read?
Is there anything Wang Yu can't do?
That you can? I doubt it.
Wh-wh-what?
That's all you have to say?
There's soccer.
Football?
Soccer is what you do best.
Well...
I HAVE been playing it since I was little.
I'm pretty good.
Is Wang Yu?
I haven't seen him.
Really? Not even once?
But he probably is.
How can he be good at something he's never done?
Perhaps a match?
All the eunuchs will be there.
To cheer your victory.
You're all right when you're not being a nag.
Get the eunuchs. I need to practice.
Tonight?
Come along.
Come along, I said.
No more than three paces, remember?
Congratulations.
Your skill with a ball is unmatched.
I couldn't see you, you're so fast.
Amazing, My Liege.
What good are any of you?
You have to try harder.
Stop me.
- Yes, My Liege. - Yes, My Liege.
Idiot. How dare you...?
Your pardon.
Kick it over.
Wait, wait.
It's harder than it looks. Bring it here.
Khutughtu Khan is dead and buried.
El Temur gloats for all to see.
The day the Khan's Vow is read,
the heavens will roar and blood will flow.
Jombak, can you read?
Of course not.
Then you're perfect.
Copy this.
Me?
These hands use a sword.
But a brush? I've never even held one.
That's why he's telling you to do it.
Just draw, like a painting.
I don't have to write.
Just sort of... draw?
Yes, sir.
You shaking?
Relax.
I'm not shaking, my hand is.
Don't know why.
Relax your wrist. Take your time.
Yes, sir.
Easy now.
All right.
Slowly... relax...
All done.
Perfect.
It's up to you to get it in with the other appeals.
Yes, Sire.
Eunuch Dokman is from Koryo. He'll help us.
I'm making my attack.
Try your best to block me.
- My Liege! - My Liege!
Are you all right?
Fine. Your turn.
I won't go easy on you.
See? I stopped you.
This is soccer. See?
I won.
Huh?
No fair.
My Liege.
Nyang, you...
My Liege.
My Liege, tonight? With me?
Am I so irresistible?
My Liege.
Where have you been?
Wha...? Who...?
I've waited for so long.
Waited for what?
Hold me.
Lady Noh.
Lady Noh!
Who was that?
She has lost her mind.
Your pardon, My Liege.
Lady Noh, Lady Noh!
What's she doing in the palace?
Who are you?
The Emperor is mine. I won't share him.
She's here somewhere. Search everywhere.
Let go, let go, please.
Let go, let go.
Has a court lady come in here?
She was being good for a while too.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Please, give me another chance.
Just one more, please.
Take her away.
Don't...!
This is my room, I live here.
It's my room.
- Yes, of course. - It's my room.
My Liege, where are you?
My Liege.
Who was that?
She was Khutughtu Khan's favorite once.
When he died, the shock of it unhinged her.
We've kept her in the Pavilion of Women, looked after her.
She's getting worse.
What are you doing in here?
What's it to you?
Why are you reading this?
The Emperor likes to be read to before bed.
If you'll excuse me.
What is it now?
I serve the Emperor now.
Insolent.
I killed your mommy?
I've killed plenty of palace maids.
I can't remember how many.
Make no mistake.
It's not that I can't kill you.
I just won't.
Someday...
I will kill YOU.
You two killed Kopsol.
- We didn't. - Believe us.
You have a choice.
Confess that you killed him and die painlessly.
Otherwise, you'll still die, but in agony.
It wasn't us.
- I don't think they did it. - Hey!
If you can't find the killer, make one.
If we don't find someone,
Tangqishi will kill us.
Did they confess?
Not yet.
Not to worry.
We'll get it out of them.
Why are you sweating?
I don't know.
I've got the chills. A cold, maybe.
Give me your hand.
Any other symptoms?
Maybe it's something I ate.
I've had the runs all day.
Tongue.
Sir.
He has the plague.
What? The plague?
Scum.
The plague? That can't be.
Put him in isolation.
Maybe if you washed more.
- Take him away. - Sir, sir!
I haven't been out of the palace. The plague? Impossible!
Sir, sir!
Sir!
Strange. He really hasn't left the palace. How...?
The corpse.
The corpse?
Kopsol's?
Definitely.
I tossed it in the Koryo village well.
He got it from the corpse.
Sir!
Sir, it's impossible.
Sir... sir...
[The Koryo Village near Daidu]
I hope you're reborn as a dog or a pig.
Anything but a man of Koryo.
Sir. They're back.
They? The king and his cronies?
What now?
Come to kick us when we're down?
We're here to help.
How?
Ah, with a banquet?
Better yet...
Some meat for a sacrifice?
Watch your mouth.
His Majesty has brought you money.
Money?
Here. Money and lots of it.
He's giving the Emperor's reward to you.
I know you all resent me.
But those who live, must live.
Look around you if you're not blind.
Abandoned by our country, barely scraping by.
You think a little money will win us over?
We don't need it.
If you don't want it to get rough...
Go.
Look at yourselves.
You know what this money is?
He risked his life in battle and survived.
This is blood money.
Sire, they're not worth it.
Enough.
If that's how you feel, I'll go.
But we've come all this way.
At least let us see the village.
Sire.
They've got the plague.
What good is risking your life?
I'm willing to pay a toll.
Ten gold coins for every ten paces.
Well?
What? Not enough?
Twenty, then?
- Twenty? - Twenty?
Not a penny more.
...six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Sire, the money...
Looks like I spent all the money before I could leave.
I'm thirsty. Perhaps some water and a little chat?
Use the well.
- You. - Sir.
Keep a record of the paces they take to leave.
Yes, sir.
Crotchety old fart.
He'd suck the blood out of a flea.
Moron.
Ahem. My ear tickles.
Clean it.
Huh?
You deaf?
What, should I clean your ears?
C'mere, chop-chop.
I have never cleaned anyone's ears.
Hm.
And I have never cleaned my own.
So come on.
Chop-chop.
C'mere.
Use this. Nice and easy.
Go on.
That's it, that's right.
Not bad for a beginner.
That's it. There, that's nice.
My Liege, Wang Yu.
Don't stop.
Enter.
Welcome, Wang Yu.
I'm almost done. Wait there.
Nice and easy now.
Owie.
I swear, that hurt.
Your pardon.
Leave us.
What did you want?
What do you say to a soccer match?
Soc-what?
Soccer, you and me.
No, Yuan against Koryo.
Well? What do you say?
What? Scared?
What are the stakes?
Stakes?
So you're a sporting man.
All right, name your stakes.
The secretaries gather all the appeals.
After they are reviewed,
they are placed in the pile.
Lord Zhang then walks across the court...
and delivers them to the palace.
That's when...
...I have to switch them...
The wind is cold.
Mop the corridor?
Hm.
With wet cloths.
The water will freeze.
Suppose someone slips and falls?
Will you do it?
Sure. Easy as can be.
You all right?
Oh, my back.
Are you all right, sir?
How did it get so slippery?
I have a soccer match.
So if we can hurry...
These are affairs of state. You're worried about a game?
If you please.
Go on. Enjoy your game.
May I?
Thank you, sir.
What's all that about?
What's got them all worked up?
The Emperor is playing soccer against Wang Yu.
Soccer?
Would you like to watch?
Kicking around a stupid ball.
I'd be better off reading a book.
I'm late. And they couldn't bother to tell me?
Your Majesty.
Toilette, Your Majesty?
To support the Emperor, of course.
Yes, of course.
Let's be prepared.
- Harder there. - My Liege.
We got word from Dokman. The appeal was delivered.
Excellent. Tell him thank you.
Yes, Sire.
If we lose your wives and children will suffer.
My Liege, eunuchs don't have wives or children.
Ah, right. I knew that.
You play for the honor of your Emperor.
Risk your lives if you must.
- Yes, My Liege. - Yes, My Liege.
We play for Koryo.
Don't let me down.
- Yes, Sire. - Yes, Sire.
Since when are you interested in soccer?
Yuan versus Koryo. I must show my support.
What are the stakes?
Who knows?
Money, most likely.
No hands. That's the only rule.
The first to place the ball in the opponent's basket three times wins.
Let's begin.
Stop him!
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Khutughtu Khan is dead and buried.
El Temur gloats for all to see.
The day the Khan's Vow is read,
the heavens will roar and blood will flow.
Who...? You...?
Who dares challenge me?
Who would dare?
Who? Who dares mock me?
Who?
Be as one dead. The living dead.
Some kind of document inside the palace.
The world we want will come faster than we expected.
You're a bold one.
You got drunk that night and acted that way.
What did I do exactly?