In 108 b.C.
The gojoseon nation, in their bid to build their empire
across han ban island and liao dong plain
waged a war with the mighty cavalry of han nation.
After a year-long campaign, gojoseon nation was annihilated.
Since then, the hans have set up nak-rang, Jin-beon, lim-doon and hyeon-to-goon.
These four militant groups are on the former lands of the gojoseon nation.
Under the hans' suppression, the citizens of gojoseon have escaped,
either migrating to other countries or wandering aimlessly without rest.
As the suppression intensified, the gojoseon citizens began a resistance movement.
At the center of it all... was hae mo-su!
Buyeo city hyeon-to-goon group
hyeon-to-goon city.
Episode 1.
You're the most outstanding warrior!
Your opponent and you, who hath been selected in this dueling competition,
will be permitted to go to the capital of sheng en.
Go and get the imperial warrior sword.
Yes!
The sword master has arrived late.
The dueling competition has ended. Please leave!
If you chase me away,
you will regret it.
Let me duel with him.
He will receive his punishment by death when he loses.
Begin!
Highest official
protect the tai shou!
Quick! Protect the tai shou!
Assassin! Assassin! An assassin has entered the city!
Enter the city! Enter the city!
Enter the city immediately!
Help!
It's the dalmu army!
Quick! Run for your lives! It's the dalmu army!
Quick, let's flee!
- The injury has extended to the bone. - The sword was lined with poison.
- Send his highness to the palace immediately! - No!
I want you to treat me.
Hae mo-su, duo wu army chieftain
is there no detoxifying morphine powder?
Geum-wa, buyeo crown prince
escort prince geum-wa back to buyeo palace!
If... I don't receive treatment immediately...
Geum-wa, buyeo crown prince
I will lose my arm...
If you lose your arm,
you can take mine as yours forever.
Move back to camp!
Dalmu army stockade.
Buyeo city
the hundreds of refugees who have fled hyeon-to-goon,
have reached hui fa river valley.
King hae bu-ru buyeo king
this time, the credit goes to hae mo-sua again?
Yes.
Thanks to hae mo-su,
our country's population has exceeded a million.
However, we killed the han ambassador
- during our campaign to save the refugees. - Never mind.
King hae bu-ru buyeo king
the refugees must settle quickly.
Provide them with the best assistance that you can give.
The refugees who have settled here, will be a hug asset for our renewed rise in power.
This is all a result of your majesty's good fortune.
Whether it's a result of your majesty's good fortune or clandestine scheme,
we should not arrive to such a hasty conclusion.
Chang an = capital of han nation
your majesty, your loyal subject, bu deuk-bul, had returned safely from Chang an. I trust you are in good health?
Ambassador.
- General. - Yes.
Buyeo official
you must not render any aid to the refugees, currently residing at hui fa river valley.
Ambassador,
are you suggesting that I disobey his majesty's decree?
You must do as I say.
Han nation's cavalry has passed through liao dong.
They are moving towards hyeon-to-goon group.
This is so as to prevent the refugees from escaping the rule of the han four groups.
But...
What about the refugees who have settled down in buyeo?
They have already attained a buyeo citizenship.
They won't be discovered. Don't worry.
However,
if we proceed with providing aid by protecting the refugees,
we might be made to suffer a reprisal from han nation of an unknown degree.
Furthermore, the ambassador who was killed
was a favorite of the han emperor.
Thus, we must
abandon the refugees and let them fend for themselves.
Aren't our soldiers equipped with the same ironware arms?
- We can do battle with them... - Your majesty,
our soldiers' arms are made of iron castings that are only slightly harder than bronze,
whereas the han cavalry utilizes copper Spears to do battle.
Your majesty, I'm from the divination palace.
What is it?
The high priestess requests your majesty's urgent arrival at the divination palace.
Father, I have returned.
Why have you returned so early from your sightseeing tour?
I fell off my horse and, unfortunately, it has resulted in my ill health.
As the country's crown prince, how can you be so frail?
How can I entrust the country to you in the future?
Your majesty, the high priestess is awaiting you.
Are you coming with us to the divination palace?
No. I need to take a rest.
A few days ago,
as I was examining the constellations and the sun and moon,
I noticed an astronomical anomaly.
Is it ominous or auspicious?
I have never heard of it, nor have I come across such a phenomenon.
Therefore, I am unable to make an accurate divination.
What is this phenomenon then? Could you give us a detailed account?
In the middle of the buyeo sun,
a three-legged bird appeared; After some time, it vanished.
A three-legged bird?
Yes.
A two-legged bird
represents your majesty and the crown prince who would be inheriting the throne.
But now, there is one more leg...
Does it signify a third contender for the throne?
Whether it signifies buyeo's continued strength, or division of the country,
it is difficult to say.
This is the route taken by the transport of hyeon-to-goon army's military supplies.
How many escort soldiers are there?
Approximately 80 to 100 soldiers.
Our opportunity to strike will arrive
when they load the military supplies onto the ship.
Then the soldiers will split up between the ship's hold and the bank.
If those refugees carrying the military supplies join us,
our position would be secured even if the enemy overpowers us and we retreat.
Are our arms mended?
Prince geum-wa has agreed to deliver 30-odd swords within a month.
The enemy's swords are lined with poison; See to it that you are extra careful.
- Yes, sir! - General!
The various clan groups are now heading towards hyeon-to-goon for a gathering.
They include buyeo, you wo ju, xing ren, fei liu, ju cha, liang...
Even the ha-baek clan leader is going.
They've called a meeting to discuss ways to stop us!
I've long predicted that such a day would arrive.
- Qiu shan ren. - Yes, sir!
Go to hyeon-to-goon city and gather information on their activities.
Yes, sir.
Must we go to hyeon-to-goon city?
Hyeon-to-goon city's tai shou,
has called a gathering of the various clan leaders.
Father, you should remain in the palace,
I will go in place of you.
Your highness,
it is unwise to do so as we might incur the wrath of hyeon-to-goon's tai shou.
That would be highly unfavorable to our disposition.
As a general, how can you speak such weak and inferior words?
Are we to remain meek and submissive and comply with the emperor's orders forever?
When can we establish our authority?
I still think I should go in place of you, father.
Your majesty, I agree with his highness.
Alright, then.
Hyeon-to-goon city
your invitation card?
You may enter.
Who is that?
That is the ha-baek clan leader's daughter, miss yooh-wa.
Open the gates!
Geum-wa!
Yang zheng!
We have not met for a long time...
It's been 10 years.
No. You... what happened? Why are you...?
I'm now the han imperial family's guard.
I'm off to see hyeon-to-goon city's tai shou right now,
I'll see you around some other time, alright?
Wasn't Yang zheng the prince of gai ma nation?
Yes. We were childhood friends.
He became a slave when han nation captured and invaded gai ma nation.
He certainly has good prospects, rising through the ranks
from mere slave to imperial guard.
This sword was given to me by his majesty, the emperor
when I was assigned the post of tai shou of hyeon-to-goon.
Those who assist hae mo-su
or take in the refugees who fled from hyeon-to-goon
will be dealt with by this sword!
However...
Those who manage to kill or capture hae mo-su
will be bestowed with riches from his majesty.
Your excellency, it is ready.
Begin!
Yes!
Enter the city!
They are his majesty's vanguard cavalry
who were sent to invade and fight gojoseon nation.
They are, the remaining refugees who were caught fleeing hyeon-to-goon.
Amongst the group of you,
if one person succeeds in taking down the entire cavalry,
I will Grant you freedom!
- Take the sword. - I'm scared...
Kill them all!
Your highness, control yourself.
Please stop the massacre!
I said please stop the massacre immediately!
What did you say? Keep quite!
This is the decree from the emperor!
How dare you go against his majesty's decree?
How can his majesty order such cruel violence on bare-handed refugees?
How can he order such brutality?
Such malice... I question if he is qualified to be the supposed benevolent son-of-heaven!
How dare you!
You little wretch! How dare you insult his majesty?
Why are you all still standing there?
Take her away immediately!
Take her away!
Were you the one who led the cavalry here?
The emperor decreed that I capture hae mo-s...
Hae mo-su is the hero of the refugees.
He reflects the hopes of the nations under oppression from the hans...
You, the former prince of one of these nations, were put in charge of his case! This is inappropriate!
Don't get upset.
When I capture hae mo-su,
I guarantee there will be no adverse effect on your country.
Not only will there be no influence at all,
with my power and authority,
I can assist your highness, the future king of buyeo.
Geum-wa,
I will help you.
I do not desire such assistance.
I will not become a lackey of han nation.
However, I have a request.
Ha-baek clan leader's daughter,
miss yooh-wa... could you release her?
Open the door!
Yooh-wa, come out!
As you insulted and humiliated the emperor, we ought to punish you severely.
However, prince geum-wa of buyeo begged me to release you.
So I have decided to let you go.
Do refrain from such reckless behavior in future!
- Bring her out! - Yes, sir!
I heard you were the one who helped me.
Many thanks for your kindness.
Having witnessed such wickedness and cruelty,
I have still failed by remaining silent on the matter.
I am regretful of my own inaction.
I do not know what the hyeon-to-goon army might do to you,
so I think it is best if I escort you, miss, back to the ha-baek clan border.
No, thank you.
I have soldiers with me, so there's no need for your trouble.
Dalmu army stockade.
It has hit the Mark!
General!
What was the reason for hyeon-to-goon city's tai shou's gathering of the clan leaders?
General...
Tell me.
The han cavalry massacred the joseon refugees
in front of the gathering.
Hyeon-to-goon city's tai shou threatened them with the han cavalry.
Those who do not cooperate in capturing the general will be slain.
Hence,
bu yeo's king hae bu-ru
has made the decision to turn back the refugees from hui fa river valley.
What should we do?
- Bai shan ren, mao shan ren... - Yes, general!
Contact prince geum-wa immediately.
Inform him that he must deliver the arms from buyeo as soon as possible.
- Yes! - Yes!
Once the swords have arrived, we will set out on our expedition.
Make all the necessary preparations.
Yes, general!
Maybe this might be a good thing after all.
How is it a good thing?
Driving the refugees out from hui fa river valley
will waver the citizens' loyalty.
How is that a good thing?
I feel that the three-legged bird that the high priestess has seen is highly inauspicious.
Didn't she say that it is hard to judge if it will be an ominous or auspicious sign?
The appearance of the three-legged bird,
is surely an indication of the emergence of a new hero.
Consider, your majesty, who might be the new hero of the peasants in our present political situation?
- Hae mo-su? - Exactly!
Currently, hae mo-su's only agenda is in saving the refugees,
but once he gets around the idea of building a nation,
the countless refugees settling in buyeo would surely follow him and heed his call.
If he had such high ambitions,
he would have led the refugees away!
If your majesty was hae mo-su,
would you bring such heavy baggage along to war?
So, you are saying that we have been taken for a ride?
Hae mo-su...
Is dreaming of becoming emperor!
Emperor?
No matter if he is hero or emperor,
for the sake of buyeo's future,
we must get rid of hae mo-su!
Your majesty! An assassin!
Bring him back alive!
- Search thoroughly! - Yes, sir!
Go!
What's the matter?
An assassin has gained entry. Please return to your quarters, your highness.
An assassin? How is his majesty?
His majesty is safe and well.
Everything is fine here, you may leave.
- Let's go! - Yes!
What has happened?
Dae-so was awoken by the loud disturbance...
An assassin had slipped into the palace,
please return to your palace chamber.
Our son received such a huge fright and refuses to calm down.
My lord, would you try and pacify him?
I need to hurry off somewhere else.
Please return to your quarters.
You called?
Tell the general he must delay the expedition for the time being, and go into hiding.
- I will contact you all in the future. - Yes!
Forgive me, I nearly killed your highness.
How did you come to know?
I saw your highness transporting arms secretly out of the palace,
and so I made a guess.
If you divulge my secret,
I can have you killed.
I'm not afraid of death.
But if you kill me, his majesty and buyeo will die too.
Can you afford such a heavy price?
What did you say?
Hae mo-su and I are best friends.
- I'm helping him. - You scoundrel!
Your majesty!
Scoundrel! Are you bent on leading buyeo to destruction?
We are of the same race as hae mo-su and the duo wu army.
If we fight with them, not only would we betray our people,
but once we do need help, we would succumb to han nation.
Are we then to risk our future for momentary peace?
We have yet to make any preparations for war!
If we go into battle with han nation unprepared
we shall meet the same fate as gojoseon.
The situation is not as it seems, father.
The internal power-struggle within the imperial family has intensified.
Han nation is also under threat from domestic trouble and foreign invasion.
What military strength have they left to launch a campaign?
Father, do not worry too much.
Even if your highness is right about the situation,
there are 3 million han troops stationed at liao dong.
Has your highness forgotten the devastating might and power of the cavalry?
The han troops are using copper arms, your majesty!
Father, if we want to forge an alliance to fight off the hans,
the only person that can bring them together is hae mo-sul!
Hae mo-su has aroused our suspicions. What if he betrays us?
He will never do such a thing! I swear my life on it!
You swear your life on it?
Of what importance is hae mo-su? Of what importance is hae mo-su exactly,
such that the crown prince of buyeo is willing to lay down his life on him?
No, not in my status of crown prince,
but as his friend and comrade.
I believe in hae mo-su's integrity.
You are willing to sacrifice your own life?
Yes.
If you had to make a decision between buyeo and hae mo-su,
which would you choose?
I'll...
Die instead.
Your majesty!
You still want to see hae mo-su?
The han troops are within a 5 km distance from us.
- How many soldiers? - 50 odd, less than expected.
Excellent!
Before the ship arrives, qiu shan ren leads the men and divides them into two teams,
instructing them to wait in hiding.
Once we attack and give you the signal, move in and join the ambush.
Yes, sir!
Let the soldiers rest before the hyeon-to-goon army arrives.
Yes!
Where is general hae mo-su?
He has left the camp for the expedition.
What?
Retreat!
Have the lower reaches of the river been searched?
Yes.
My apologies...
He isn't dead. He definitely isn't dead!
Search again!
Divide into two teams and search through the nearby villages and tributaries thoroughly!
As long as no corpse has been found,
the han cavalry will not give up on locating hae mo-su!
General hae mo-sul!
General!
General hae mo-su!
You look deep in thought. A penny for your thoughts?
Don't tell me...
You are thinking of your savior, the crown prince of buyeo, miss?
The crown prince of buyeo, unfortunately is married. He even has a son!
Even if you are in love with him,
you can't be willing to become his concubine?
Who said I love him?
This is not my first day serving you, miss.
Of course I know what young miss is thinking about!
Prince geum-wa... is he handsome?
Can you stop talking about him?
C-Cor-corpse!
Oh my god! A corpse, miss!
Miss!
Let's go and check if he's alive.
Miss!
Why are you still standing around?! Come and help!
Yes!
Go tell father that I will not go back home.
If you don't listen, miss,
he will come down to bring you back.
I said, go back and tell father
that I would rather die than be forced into a facade of a marriage!
Miss!
Yooh-wa.
Father!
Why are you brewing medicine?
My child! Where are you hurt?
Whenever I think about marriage, I feel extremely giddy and weak...
So I decided to take some medicine.
Abeuji, please don't force me! I would rather die!
Father!
Do you think that by using such a trick, I would be fooled?
Your sister was like that, too, in the beginning.
Isn't she now living a well-off life regardless?
When are you going to stop being so stubborn?
A hundred pounds of salt is enough to last our clan a year.
Your prospective groom will arrive in 10 days.
If by then you still refuse to comply, then you are no longer a daughter of mine!
You got that!
Let's go.
Miss...
Oh no! The medicine has boiled dry!
Hot! Hot!
Ha-baek village
chief...
- These are the goods? - Yes.
These are 100 sheets of leopard skin exported from liang nation to xing ren nation.
How much is the transportation fee,
considering the length of the journey?
The people at xing usually pay us 20 pounds of jewelry and precious stones.
Merchant huang.
Yes, chief?
I don't want jewelry.
Demand from them salt, also
notify them that in the future
all transportation fees
are to be paid in salt.
But once miss yooh-wa marries,
won't we receive sufficient salt from the prospective groom?
Don't talk nonsense! Do as you're told!
Yes, chief!
Are you thinking of allowing young miss's whim?
My other two daughters have willed to my desire,
so for yooh-wa, let her do as she pleases!
Then why did you tell her otherwise, chief?
If I listened to her so easily, where's the fun in that?
Let her stew in misery!
If he was half as handsome as this guy, I would have no complaints at all.
But he looks like a pig!
What are you laughing about?
Nothing. Does this mean young miss
saved this gentleman because he is handsome?
Don't be silly!
Actually, he is not really that handsome.
He just has a certain macho quality about him.
So, when this person comes around,
you can ask him to pose as your prospective groom, miss.
Crown prince geum-wa is already married, so no luck with him.
But this man, maybe he can!
That's right, I have such a plan already, so hush!
Thank you very much.
I do not know who you all are,
but I'm grateful to you for saving my life.
May I know where is this place?
He's alive! Oh my, he really is alive!
Miss, he's asking you where this place is.
You're in ha-baek village.
You were unconscious for three days already.
I saved you!
How marvellous! He really is alive!
No, I helped to save him too. Right, miss?
But what really happened to you, sir?
This is the place. This is the place where I found you.
If you walk along this river upstream, where would it lead to?
The upper reaches of the river, I think?
Which river converges with this river?
The one that converges with fei tributary
is dong jia river, I presume.
Upstream of dong jia river is...
That's enough, thank you.
You were carried from dong jia river downstream...
it seems like...
Oh my god!
You drifted over such a long course and you're not dead?
I'm sorry.
You are miss yooh-wa?
Yes.
Can I request a favor? Could you help me to get a horse?
What? Are you thinking of leaving now?
- Yes. - No, you can't!
I will repay your kindness one day. Please help me.
You don't look like someone who's trustworthy at all.
Moreover, you haven't told your savior your name yet.
It won't do you much good to know my name, so I did not say.
But I know miss's name and residence,
so I will come back to repay your kindness.
I don't believe you!
If you want to show your gratitude to me, repay it now, then you may leave.
But I'm not of any help now. I can't do much.
Yes you can!
You want me to pose as your prospective groom to deceive your father?
Yes.
But I don't have any money for the dowry,
and I don't have time to pay your father a visit.
I won't take up much of your time,
just tell him you will come back in half a month with 100 pounds of salt.
That way, the guy who looks like a pig...
No...
I mean, my impending marriage will be called off. It still won't be too late for you to leave.
What are your plans after that?
When the time comes, I will explain myself to my father.
What can he do by then? The wedding would have been cancelled.
Surely you wouldn't want to remain unmarried for your entire life?
Better than marrying a person who looks like a pig!
Miss, you should not judge a person by their looks.
But that person, he does not have good character either.
If he really loved me, he wouldn't have resorted to bribery for my hand in marriage.
If he was as good as hae mo-su...
If he was hae mo-su... his looks won't matter.
Although I have not personally met hae mo-su,
his courage in risking his life for the refugees,
would be enough to make me love him, even if he looked like a pig or lacked an eye.
This person, hae mo-su, is too dangerous.
You must never meet him.
And you absolutely must not fall in love with him.
Are you kidding me? He will not even glance at me.
I never really meant what I said.
So, what do you say? Will you agree to my request?
What is it?
Oh my goodness!
Miss, that is where my wound is.
You have returned, chief.
Is there good news?
You are about to receive good fortune, chief.
Me? What are you talking about?
You will learn about it in due time, chief.
It will arrive shortly.
As I need to collect the transport money from guan na,
I will be setting off to meet the clan leader of guan na tomorrow.
- Make the necessary preparations. - Yes.
Chief!
Aren't they...?
Miss!
I'm going now to inform abeuji that I have a new suitor.
Miss! I beg you!
- Get out of my way! - You'll be punished!
Miss! Please, I beg you... Don't be like this...
Miss!
Are those gathered here all the people? Are they?
Yes.
There's nobody left inside.
Who are these soldiers?
Hae mo-su sustained an injury to his arm.
If you discover his corpse and report to us immediately,
you will be rewarded greatly!
However, if you dare to hide him,
I will make sure that all of your heads will fall to the ground!
Why would we go against han nation?
If we happen to meet any stranger,
we will immediately report to you.
Don't... don't tell me?
Let's go.
Move out!
It is of no concern to us,
so rest at ease and go back home.
Just in case any one of you sees a stranger around town, immediately report to us.
As long as everyone fulfills their dutys, there should be no trouble at all.
- You may leave! - Yes!
What's wrong?
Chief, I have some important news to tell you.
What?! Why didn't you inform me about it earlier on?
At first I thought he was just young miss's crush.
I'm sorry.
Injured man...
That does not necessarily mean that he is hae mo-su...
I also hope that's not the case. But what if?
We'll just have to capture him back for questioning.
I have considered such an option, chief.
However, if that person really is hae mo-su,
even if he is injured,
my men and I are not his match.
If the news of his escape from our clutches gets around,
our clan might be exterminated.
Then... what do you suggest we do?
We must report this matter to the han cavalry as soon as possible.
Not only would we have we fulfilled our duty,
but even if he gets escapes,
that would be the responsibility of the cavalry.
But hae mo-su is the hero of the joseon people.
We have refuse not to him aid, but inform on him as well?
Chief,
if we do not do so, our clan will be exterminated.
What is it?
You... you are hae mo-su?
You are general hae mo-su, aren't you?
No I'm not.
It looks like you are mistaken, miss.
Then how were you injured on your arm?
Didn't you say you drifted downstream along the dong jia river?
I was trying to cross the river when I accidentally fell in.
The injury on my shoulder was from being knocked against the rocks.
What exactly has happened?
The han cavalry arrived at our village.
They will exterminate our clan if anyone is found hiding hae mo-s...
That general hae mo-su he sustained an injury to his arm too.
You leave the room first.
What is your name?
My name is Lee gan-sang.
I'm sorry to have disturbed you.
Do have a good rest.
The han cavalry arrived at our village.
They will exterminate our clan if anyone is found hiding hae mo-s...
What are you thinking of, miss? You look deep in thought.
I had really hoped...
That this person was general hae mo-s...
What?
How can you hope for such things?
If we were hiding hae mo-su, our clan would face extermination!
I know our clan would be destroyed...
But when I was on the mountain road, thinking that it might be him... my heart leapt.
I wished the person I saved...
Was hae mo-s...
Have you... Fallen for him?
You will not love another? How can you like a refugee?
If master knew about this,
the punishment would be great, miss.
Alright, that's enough. Let's turn in.
What's wrong with me?
I hold no grudge against general haemosu
for the sake of my father and my tribesmen
please help them take revenge!
You must do that for them!
You must!
That dude's haemosu
from the minute I set sight on her
she took my breath away
your highness
you cannot keep lady yuhwa by your side
don't worry...
I have already sent her
to the da-mul hideout
after the victory
if haemosu builds a nation
both he and the migrants
will dream of a united empire
succeeding the perished gojoseon
this is the absolute truth
after I gain victory over han
and liberate the migrants
I am going to ask the heaven and earth
to let me continue this bond with you
until the day of my death
will you Grant me my wish'?
Since you're not telling me your name
let me tell you my name
my name is jumong