You'd murder your king?
Get them!
My king.
- You're the Queen's man? - She gave me this order.
Stop this instant!
Do you serve the King, or the palace vampire?
Now I'm not king, I can't command you.
But, to save my people, I can't die here.
Whoever fears Gwi, run now.
If you'll join me,
point your swords in the right direction.
My king, forgive me!
I followed Chief Counselor's orders!
I'm in no position to blame you.
I sinned against our nation.
I'll fight for redemption.
From now on, I am King.
What's this mean...?!
Forgive me, but...
What? 'King' isn't enough?
Then...
How about emperor?
Well?
Ridiculous!
The throne isn't anyone's!
What's Chief Counselor think?
- Laws are in place... - You forgot?
Taejo and I made the laws.
Yes, but recent events made people distrust you...
That's why I evicted the vampire and his servile king.
Am I right, my Queen?
If that vampire returns,
your necks won't be so stiff.
Where to begin?
What's a king do?
He handles national wealth for the people's good...
That's coming from you?
Forget it.
All of you, bring me silver.
The Advisor role is vacant.
It goes to whoever gives the most silver.
W-What...?
What's this rot?
How'd a monster seize the throne?
Where'd he learn dirty politics?
Why's the Queen by his side?
Chief Counselor, will you let this happen?
Miss Jo, your blood's strong.
But why hasn't he come to his senses?
Let him rest.
Naeuri is still...
Ah. Alright.
We have things to do.
Take care of him.
Father, Mother.
Where are you?
Father, Mother!
Crown Prince?
Your Highness!
Brother.
Myung-Hee!
I'm a beast, unable to be with a human.
100 years, 200 years... that's my reality.
Naeuri, Naeuri...
I can't keep up with you.
Ho-Jin.
Yes, Naeuri.
Is something the matter?
No.
Um, Naeuri, slow down a bit for me?
Well...you're even old...
Soo-Hyang made arrangements
so the bookseller will be waiting for you now.
Bookseller?
You arrived, Naeuri?
Soo-Hyang.
I found this bookseller.
[ Temptation of Father and Son ]
I can find what you're looking for.
Valuable books, old books, banned books...
And Prince Jung-Hyun's Journal of course.
Yang-Sun.
Scholar.
No, Yang-Sun. There's no need anymore.
Let's go.
No!
Yang-sun.
Please drink my blood.
Are you okay, Scholar?
Do you recognize me?
What happened?
Why am I here?
- You're unhurt? - Huh?
How'd you escape from Gwi?
You remember nothing?
I remember running into the dungeon to save you.
But after that...
That escaped vampire was right there...!
He almost ate me!
I wonder where he went.
- But who kicked him out? - I don't know.
The puppet king was exiled!
- Did we get a new king? - That's the story.
But the vampire's gone; who the king is won't matter.
What did you tell him?
- It wasn't my aim. - Then?
That monster manipulated kings over centuries.
How can you match wits with only 10 years' service?
You think that wily vampire will trust you?
To save the king, I don't care about myself.
You really think Gwi let the King go?
I know Gwi well, so I made plans.
You safeguarded the king.
Do you love him?
You sought the throne, even selling me,
but you're a glorified servant.
Just watch.
He'll realize the dark dungeon is his place.
Petitions are to be read, not stepped on.
What nonsense.
The ministers are unhappy and holding meetings.
I asked them for silver so their pockets are hurting.
If they defy you, they won't govern.
Then the people will revolt.
You're adept in politics.
Don't under-rate humans.
They can't choose a ruler, but if they choose not to serve,
there's no convincing them.
Are you worried about me
or telling me how you feel?
True; I look down on humans.
But you'll see it too...
A human heart is weak and cunning.
I'm going out for a while.
Who goes there!
I'm the king. Don't you know about me?
Is Miss Jo okay?
What if he's not normal on waking?
It's fine.
He passed out after her blood wore off.
But he got that strong?
If Yang-Sun hadn't left, he'd have killed Gwi then.
That wouldn't end it. Vampire instinct rules;
he could've replaced Gwi.
That's the maternal line?
Miss Jo, is the lord awake?
Is he still scary?
He's back to normal.
But he can't remember his actions.
- So don't discuss it. - Mm, okay. Isn't that better?
Many people saw him emerge as a vampire from the palace.
He'll find out what happened.
Just a little while...
I worry he'll blame himself severely.
What happened?
- Soo-Hyang, you were there... - You helped us escape.
- Is that true? - Sure.
Gwi couldn't chase us in sunlight.
Where's Master Baek?
I'll check it out.
No, don't.
L-let me find out.
You haven't recovered.
Please rest, Scholar.
You called me?
It's good you discarded the weak king.
But the throne...
How will the people react!
Under law, you can't be king!
I said I made those laws.
Ruling isn't easy.
You demand silver? Why is that?
Hardship will occur...
A war, of course.
War? How...?
Now a vampire left the palace, what if others turn up?
We must be prepared.
Melt the silver into bullets.
What are you asking for?
Do you plan to rule by fear?
Why not appoint a human
while you rest underground?
Your Majesty!
What is it?
Vampires showed up outside the capital.
Vampires...?!
Vampires? Seriously?!
Get the troops. I'll lead them myself.
Mother...!
Thanks very much.
Thank you...
Burn all the bitten corpses.
As ruler, I'll rid the land of vampires.
I'm healed, and feel better than ever before.
Are you better?
I don't know why, but it's like I was never hurt.
Still, you should rest a bit.
But why were you so reckless?
Scholar...
Never leave my side again.
Understand?
Yang-Sun, this scar...
Scholar.
Don't you smell her blood?
Drink her... and conquer the world!
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
How'd you get this wound?
It's not serious.
I must verify things.
Scholar, wait. Wait...
- Naeuri. - Scholar!
Where are you going? You can't.
Where's my black garb?
Well...about that...
I'm repairing it. It's old and ripped.
Hand it to me.
No. Listen.
Now!
- Ooh. Vampire! - It's...it's the vampire!
Run, run!
I have a bounty on me?
It's the vampire!
No!
- See here. - Keep off!
I can't be a vampire!
How'd you know my identity? What did I...?
Didn't you lead vampires two nights ago...?!
Please let me go!
The king will get rid of you!
Did I...did I lose control and harm people
and make them vampires?
Did I feed on Yang-Sun and become a monster?
You're back, Kim Sung-Yeol?
Why are you on the throne?
Gwi, you bastard!
Mind your manners as my subject.
Don't you know I can easily end your life?
So you consumed that child?
I think not.
You can't be king.
So don't torment the people; step down from there.
Why not drag me off it?
If you feed on that girl, it's possible.
Then what happens?
Won't a scarier version of me sit here?
You covet it too.
Shut up!
I made this nation with Taejo and saw ugly royal behaviour.
So do I exist to help those runts?
No, they want you dead.
Not only you, but I also!
No, we're born to hunt man.
Denying our immortality is as unnatural as human suicide.
So is it natural for us to rule humans?
Humans control animals.
I don't force humans.
But look. They fear me but follow me.
Enough nonsense!
Do you think you have any true followers?
You can talk rot but I'll kill you.
Why, because I killed your lover
or killed many people?
Are you innocent?
Can you live without human blood?
People fear you more than me.
Why waste effort on them?
Why don't you go away
and live with Yang-sun till she dies.
Afterwards if you want, come back.
If I tire of being King, I'll hand it to you.
Enough. Enough!
Kim Sung-Yeol came.
He lost the will to fight me.
I doubt he'd give up.
He has much to protect.
You also.
Love is a weakness.
It's also a human strength.
The King skipped exile.
I heard men tried to kill him.
Since he survived, your weakness remains.
What if he finds out what happened?
He'll despair.
He held onto humanity so long.
But to face Gwi, he became a beast.
Naeuri.
Where's Baek In-ho?
Um...well...
While protecting Yang-Sun, he died.
Did I kill him?
No, no way! A guard...
Don't lie!
Ho-Jin spoke true.
He died saving me; it wasn't your fault, Scholar.
This was his.
I had strength to save him
but I didn't recognize him.
And I almost fed on you.
This isn't your fault.
I'm getting rid of the key now.
Gwi's on the throne?
People opposed the proclamation
but vampire attacks changed their minds.
Vampires?
Gwi led troops to kill them
and gained public support.
How'd vampires suddenly...?
People saw a vampire run from the palace.
Not Gwi, but Kim Sung-Yeol?
So people support Gwi.
Did Kim Sung-Yeol bite people?
He was different; but I doubt it.
Many saw him.
Get my horse. I'll see him.
Will he lock himself in forever?
He's in shock.
This won't do. I'll force him...
Why don't you go in?
Scholar.
Once, twice, three times, four times, five times.
I can think of five already.
What do you mean?
It's the times you saved me.
Not just me; but many others.
But if I really did this,
what use is my past?
I don't know how many I harmed.
I could hurt humans anytime.
You won't do that ever...
You're the Scholar I know.
You lost yourself to save me from Gwi.
My lord!
Sorry to interrupt but...
T-t-the king is here.
- I heard you were attacked. - The Queen saved me.
Isn't she with Gwi?
She did that to save me.
She was Gwi's person; now she's mine.
I must protect her.
So the secret is...
Yang-sun's blood lets me face Gwi, but...
A new 'Gwi' is born?
Forget the key. Gwi's killing people.
We must save them.
Vampires run rampant.
You're sure it's Gwi?
Did you do it?
I don't remember. If I...
You won't harm anyone.
You're not Gwi.
I don't know how we differ.
Trust yourself.
If you'd done it, vampires won't roam.
Gwi did it; and Gwi kills them.
He orchestrated this?
People follow him already.
Will you watch him killing and saving people?
Gwi's using the people's fear of vampires.
Once they know the truth, they'll oppose him.
I'll fight with the Black Robes against vampires.
Even if I can't overcome Gwi,
if I can save even one person, I will.
Jin.
I don't know how to apologise.
I resented you for a while, but not anymore.
To save this nation, I need you and Kim Sung-Yeol.
But I don't want you hurt.
Scholar fears becoming like Gwi.
If I had to die to kill Gwi, I'd do it.
I only fear causing Scholar to lose his hard-held humanity.
Protecting someone gives strength.
I learned that from you and Kim Sung-Yeol.
Scholar.
I came to read and think.
But what were you writing?
Weren't you waiting for my sequel?
People reject Night Scholar and follow Gwi
because fear obscures truth.
The story may lack talent
but I'll do what I can to tell the world.
Alright.
~if all the world's light is the colour of you~
~then my small life will be a gift~
~my heart only has one person~
~a love that can never come again~
Night Scholar lost himself with his lover's blood
but woke to battle Gwi.
Scared people regarded him as a vampire like Gwi
but soon realised what he fought for.
I hope things are like your story.
It's a waste of silver!
Still, it's good pay for each slayed.
- Yeah. Where is it tonight? - Yangju; tomorrow, Ichun.
How's he know where vampires will show? Impressive.
"A hero is born in chaos".
It's over there; let's go.
- Thanks. - Gwi will arrive soon.
Let's retreat.
I'm a bit late.
Did anyone survive here?
Why are you late?
Who handled these?
Black Robes and a scholar saved me.
Really?
Only you saw it?
Yes, I saw it...
I won't forgive Gwi.
We were near enough to stop it.
Where is it next?
I heard it's Ichun tomorrow.
Scholar.
He's not here?
Did he read what I wrote?
What to do?
What is it?
Naeuri isn't here.
Calm down.
What if something happened to him last night?
He's not that weak.
After seeing the King, he probably took action.
People reject Naeuri and support Gwi.
But ignoring people dying would play into Gwi's hands.
Naeuri suffers the most.
Yet he does what he can.
We should as well.
What's that?
It's the Night Scholar sequel everyone's waiting for.
You've been writing at night.
Good work.
It's not much, but I want to help Scholar.
But the booksellers are gone.
Don't worry. We have money
so we'll distribute copies.
If we hand them out for free, who'd refuse?
Anyone here?
Anyone home?
Is anyone here?
Is this the late merchant Kong's house?
It is.
I can pay plenty... so quickly....this...
Is it possible?
No, I can't.
I understand.
[ Night Scholar Chronicle ]
I won't take money.
Did Forbidden Quest's girl write this?
She helped us when my father died.
I know Father's colleagues
so let me handle this.
[ The Night Scholar Sequel ]
Read this. Thanks.
I prefer this strong king to the weak one who served Gwi.
However scary the vampire, can a stranger be king?
When did we ever know who the king was?
There's another story.
What is it?
The new king is the palace vampire!
- Hey! What crap! - It's true!
And the attacking vampires are sent by him ...ahng!
Who told you that?
So frustrating...
A group of men save the people.
Every night, they follow the vampires.
Aren't you the King?
Who are you?
I'm ex-official, Jin Yool.
After you left, I too...
The Black Robes leader is the ex-king!
I am no longer king.
How can you say that?
I endangered my people; how can I be king?
That's not the case!
You saved us!
I am of no use.
Your saviour has fought Gwi over 100 years.
It's him.
And the mysterious scholar
is none other than...
Oh heavens!
The people praise Your Majesty.
Your deeds will be recorded for future generations.
I could tell them myself
but this isn't bad.
However, a novel slandering your image is confusing people.
Imagination opposes reality.
Burn every copy
and kill anyone reading it.
It raises public dissent
so measures should be harsh.
They don't fear vampires yet.
Your Majesty!
What is it?
Vampires appeared at Kanghwa.
Vampires again?
I'll be back.
Black Robes already came
and dispatched them.
What?
He's a vampire!
A vampire!
He's dangerous!
Are you the Night Scholar?
He's the Night Scholar.
- What? - Night Scholar?
The one who helps us?
~angled steeply in my life~
Let's help him.
~knife edge sharpens my fate~
~like a dream or a painting~
~you make me live~
~even if I cover my eyes~
~even if I block my ears~
~this love becomes even clearer~
~I resent it but I want it~
~you flew into my arms like a butterfly~