"Episode 14" "Orabeoni." "All right..." "I'm coming, you wench." "Like that one?" "Kiddo." "How far are we going to get?" "They're all the same, you wench!" "Are we going to prance about all day at the market?" "Still, it's the first time you buy me something," "I'll have to pick the prettiest one." "Quite the shenanigans for a few rolls of silk..." "Go ahead and pick one." "Orabeoni." "Let's go look that way." "All right..." "Young Master." "You were alive..." "Thank you." "For being still alive..." "Thank you." "For looking so happy..." "Thank you." "Listen well." "Shooting is all about courage." "No matter what happens, never lose it and you will succeed." "Is that clear?" "Ggeutbong." "Can you really do it?" "S..." "S..." "Sure!" "'Course I can." "Pour the gunpowder..." "Insert the pellet." "Flash the pan, aim and..." "He croaks!" "If it could only go that way, all my worries would be over." "But, are they really taking this path?" "It's not a frequently trodden path, except for those in the know?" "!" "They said it would be today or the morrow, so we'll just have to wait." "Ggeutbong." "You go that way." "Ahh..." "Also, you stand by over there, and when they pass, alert us with the ax." "Also, Chobok." "You just go home." "Why?" "This is too dangerous for you." "I'll do something as well!" "Be it alerting you or grabbing their money." "I said go back!" "A wrong step today, and it'd be trouble." "Just go back." " Still..." " Chobok." "You must go." ""A yangban named Yoo and his retinue."" ""They capture runaway slaves..."" "and sell them to smugglers!" "Smugglers?" "!" "Yes..." "They get three-four nyang for each one." "Ahh..." "What a bunch of motherless asswipes..." "They're even worse than yangban and slave hunters put together!" "I heard this during my days as a hunter..." "If you are sold to a smuggler, you can kiss your life goodbye." "But..." "It's not just a couple?" "It says here it'll be at least four or five?" "And they said it would be four-five people..." "What now?" "Hey!" "Pour in the gunpowder." "Insert the pellet." "Flash the pan, aim..." "and shoot." "When they appear, flash the pan." "How could it be so many?" "They said they would be four-five at most." "It's a whole throng of them." "If I target the middle, someone will probably get hit?" "I got one..." "Right?" "They're over there." "That way!" "Here..." "This way..." "He went that way." "There." "You can get up, he's gone." "Hurry up." "Over there." "You really..." "Wangson, you fool..." "Always hitting and ordering me around..." "Are you the only slave hunters here?" "I'm Wangson!" "Wangson." "You just wait." "I'll catch him by myself and get all the bounty." "Try even asking only for your part..." "I'm not giving you a penny!" "So what you're asking is..." ""Where are my underlings' bodies?" Is that it?" "Whatever happened to them, I'll have to give my boys a proper burial." "But why could your boys have died?" "Of all the places they could croak at, they hang themselves at the Apgujeong pavilion." "Ahh..." "How could lowly vermin dare to go there?" "And that's not the only thing I'm suspicious about, all things considered." "What did you do that day?" "Did you run out of people to suspect?" "Uh?" "!" "Say what you will, but there was comradery between us." "How many years on the streets do you think we spent together?" "Enough with that scurrilous prattling, and come with me." "Come where?" "We'll have to drop by the capital bureau." "Why would we?" "Ahh..." "We'll have to tell my superiors what happened, and then you can ask them to find your boys." "Who knows, uh?" "Work your charm, and you might even get a ceremony." "Better a rod that bends than one that breaks, right?" "Why?" "Want me to come with you, so you can frame me for murder?" "Ohh Ohh..." "You little knave..." "How dare you accuse a bureau officer?" "We always and only act in accordance with the law, and..." "I know, I sure do!" "Chief Oh." "What place is this capital bureau?" "Isn't it a place where you walk in and then barely creep out?" "While I'm still being nice, give me a hint of where my boys were dumped, will you?" "I'll get going." "You knave!" "How dare you so guilefully defy a capital bureau officer?" "Chief Oh..." "You will gain nothing by taking me along." "Think I'd take it lying down?" "I'm Cheon Jiho." "Remember how much money you pocketed?" "What kind of palaver are you prattling..." "Uh?" "Chief Oh." "All rotten fish taste the same." "Wh..." "What?" "Rotten what?" "We're all from the same mold, rotten just as you are." "So..." "Will you help me find where my boys were dumped?" "I'll get going." "Th..." "That little..." "Look, Jumo." "What are you waiting for?" "Yes..." "And you call this wine?" "Keep filling it with water and I'll close this place!" "Ahh..." "Who ever said we added water?" "I ought to..." "Just have a seat." "Think we would do something so stupid?" "Just sit." "Have a seat." "What are you waiting for?" "Go get him something to drink, and a chicken to boot." "Hurry!" "Chicken?" "I'm on duty." "~ Gwangsan's Jang Donggun, Naju's Lee Byungheon, Jeonju's Song Kangho, Pyeongtaek's Han Seokgyu ~" "Here is a list of the people each of you will meet, along with traveling expenses." "Some of the people you meet will provide you with troops, others aid our cause financially." "I see familiar names..." "I'm sure that's the case." "There are people who stepped down from office amongst them." "Did they all pledge they would aid our cause?" "Indeed." "His Highness is the sole legitimate heir to the throne, so is not just cause on our side?" "I believe legitimacy and just cause are not what matters now." "And what else would possibly matter?" "If we take up arms in unison, we can repel that perfidious king and his spurious ruffians in one strike." "Instead of deliberating upon how to build a new day for our country, should we not first talk about what principles it should be based on?" "What principles?" "!" "Did we not all pledge to follow His Highness's wishes?" "And what would such wishes be?" "Are you not aware?" "I'm trying to make sure we all know." "From legislation to institutions, from military to diplomatic matters, shall I enlist all the changes which must be made?" "All of us will become the flagbearers of our new tomorrow." "But even flagbearers remain subjects and nothing more." "Subjects must follow their ruler's wishes, so what wishes could a child like His Highness possibly foment, to lead us all?" "We shall help pave the way for that." "Is not a subject's foremost duty that of fostering a virtuous ruler?" "General Song." "We are the only ones who can help His Highness to the throne." "Wouldn't fostering him day by day suffice?" "Let me ask just one thing." "Once we all depart, what will you do with His Highness?" "Shouldn't I be entrusted with his care, naturally?" "I will take care of him." "Listen." "Yes, Naeuri." "Where is the abode nearby which was once used as seowon?" "If you head that way straight until the end of the market, you'll find it at the nearby village, turning..." "What..." "What now?" "He's here..." "Here!" "Ahh..." "See what I told you?" "Nothing but a slave, and look at him..." "You're mine..." "Song Taeha." "Ahh..." "What's with them now?" "General." "Something feels strange." "Seems like they're only using His Highness to gain control of the court." "If we are supposed to gather troops and funds all over the peninsula, how about encampments and ranks?" "They're sending us into battle without even knowing our numbers, or any strategy." "It is clear General Song is fomenting ulterior motives." "He will not entrust you His Highness?" "!" "Those weren't the words he used." "When he claimed he will be responsible for him, is that not what he meant?" "You needn't worry." "Men of arms always let fealty and honor guide their actions, and are notoriously lacking in artifice." "How could someone who spent a lifetime on the battlefield answering orders... possess any insight into a nation's righteous founding principles, or how to lead a people with virtue and resolve?" "How are we supposed to proceed, then?" "We can no longer idle away like this." "There will be no need to wait any longer." "It is now time to issue orders." "Why... aren't you saying anything?" "Did you not say this was not a revolution aiming to change our system, but only our leading tenets?" "Enough." "But they ask us to take up arms now?" "Are we supposed to take up arms against our past compeers?" "Didn't you tell us the real revolution only starts when the hostilities are over?" "This is a crucial juncture." "Can we squander time discussing its merits?" "They're on our side, so we must come to a compromise." "I wish to do so myself." "However, will that be feasible?" "Aren't we used to civilian officers exploiting us men of arms for their means?" "We are all disciples of the Master." "Let us not even say that." "I must." "I did not survive that torment alone to face all this." "What I'm saying is I did not survive and flee Jeju alone... to become a varlet at their schemes' service." "Hanseom." "Do their vision and mine differ?" "I think so." "And is having another point of view necessarily wrong?" "You cannot let a mere disagreement cloud our greater goal." "Have you forgotten?" "That it is something we must always bear in mind?" "The prattling knows no end." "And they call themselves men..." "Looks can be deceiving, all right." "Ahh..." "Really..." "Five hundred nyang." "They'd be mine in one shot..." "He ran through that chicken in a moment." "Did you really water down the wine?" "Just two gourds each..." "Listen to that!" "Should have only poured one gourd!" "As if it was your first day on the job..." "I made up my mind." "About what?" "I... am going to marry General Choi." "Why... is this so slippery?" "Think about it." "Where else would you find a man like General Choi?" "We'll marry with all the frills, and as for drooling buffoons like Chief Oh, they won't set foot here again." "Still, he's an officer." "Think of his influence." "He can just take the military examination and we'll be set." "Just wait for him to pass it." "Will an "officer" dare to glance at him the same way?" "Still, you have the dauber next door." "Who, that crawly old fart?" "Forget it." "When General Choi comes back," "I'll just barge in without excuses." ""If you don't marry me, I'll get it over with and die."" "How can a woman act that way?" "Only slatterns would do that!" "You must patiently await, for the man to act first!" "Still, I've been just glancing at him for years..." "I know what you're feeling." "And General Choi certainly knows what he's doing." "So don't make it too obvious, all right?" "Right..." "That's how you do it." "*older friend (amongst males/females);" "mostly from southwestern dialects" "Seongnim*." "I'll still do it." "What's with these slippery shenanigans?" "If I force him to either kill me or live with me, think someone as clement as my General Choi would kill me?" "Dongsaeng!" "Don't you worry." "Even if we marry, I'll take care of you for the rest of your days." "Go in and rest." "Where did he go?" "Where the hell did he go, in the meantime?" "Ahh... five hundred nyang..." "Really." "I'll have to come back with the others." "Is anything the matter?" "What?" "What..." "You look perturbed." "It's nothing." "I just... went to the market, and..." "There was nothing befitting, so I came back empty-handed." "I'll have to head to the scullery." "Wangson." "General Choi." "I'm back." "Forget it." "I'll deal with this alone and get all the money, so do as you please." "Wangson, you little twat..." "Orabeoni..." "Orabeoni, where are you going?" "You know?" "I will spend the rest of my days." "Together with you." "Ahh..." "I almost had him..." "How many of them are there?" "The ones I saw alone were, what, six..." "And if we add the ones I couldn't see..." "What kind of country would you wish to live in?" "What?" "What kind of country would you wish Joseon to become?" "By any chance, are you facing discord with the others on the matter?" "I'm not." "Pledging to make Joseon a stronger and richer nation, changing the world..." "Until a concrete vision is behind any of those claims, it will all remain nothing more than shallow word-mongering." "I... was only taught the tenets a woman should follow." "I didn't learn how to live as a person, but instead to never betray the discretion a woman should show." "I trust you're not looking for answers from someone like me?" "I indeed am." "Isn't witnessing the person you most cherish live in happiness... what will change the world around you into a better place?" "Of all the things I've heard in my life, do you know what the most daunting was?" "That the world will never change." ""This world will never change, so never even think about it."" ""Don't even think of dreaming."" ""Just..." "Accept the life you were given."" "I wish this world... could become a place where such words are never spoken in vain." "We can just make sure no one thinks that." "Go ahead and eat." "Every one of life's great endeavors starts from a hearty meal." "You prance about like a raging fly." "And what's wrong with that?" "Even eagles cannot catch flies." "Who sent you here?" "Who knows..." "Eat this instead!" "Wangson!" "Who sent you here?" "But, tell me..." "Who am I dealing with, pummeling people this way?" "Speak, or you will die." "Ahh..." "Are those... royal commands?" "Wangson!" "Wangson!" "Wangson!" "Wangson!" "Wangson!" "Wangson!" "Wangson, you fool..." "Where did that little twat go?" "And I told him not to fool around..." "So, does that mean you will refuse to follow my lead?" "I will follow it, but not before we discuss any concrete plans." "I'm afraid we have no time for that." "Provincial reports from Jeju will be on their way to the court, and in no time troops will be dispatched all over the peninsula to trail us." "If that happens, we will have no chance to realize our plans, and will spend the rest of our days on the run." "The court will already be aware of us." "And how could that be possible?" "Those reports aren't expected there yet." "Hwang Cheolwoong was there." "He came to the exile premises to harm His Highness." "Then, are you suggesting Hwang Cheolwoong reported to the Left State Councilor?" "They must be aware of our future movements already." "Taking up arms in haste could be deletery, on the contrary." "Then, all the more reason to hasten." "In the morrow at the break of dawn, you shall all depart." "We must fulfill our goals all in one step." "Nothing done in haste can ever succeed." "There was no haste in preparing all this!" "It is fruit of the Master's strenuous efforts the last few years." "Not me, but the Master!" "Is that clear?" "He ordered me to do so, if you managed to find me." "What now, General?" "You will have to depart." "These being orders from the Master..." "That could be a fabrication." "It is time we take a step back." "But nothing can be completed in a single step." "Let us each try to ascertain what kind of numbers we're dealing with." "Once we have a clear notion of that, establishing ranks is a possibility." "Should it not be the case, then what?" "It probably won't." "What?" "Are they not our compeers as well?" "Even if such is the case, we must explain why, and help them find another solution." "Ahh..." "Still, I didn't leave the rifle there to run away." "How could you leave it there?" "Think how expensive it was..." "They started wielding those swords in our faces, so I got so scared the pellets wouldn't even enter... right?" "Right." "The barrel's hole is much too narrow..." "Shouldn't they make it wider?" "The hell are you prattling about?" "And I thought you slaves had finally grown some guts..." "So, what, any other changes you need?" "Then again, with some money it would be possible." "What did I tell you?" "You need a lot more courage with rifles than men wielding a sword." "Even when a tiger is about to open its jaw right in your face, didn't I tell you to never lose your composure?" "Did I, or not?" "Ahh..." "That..." "It was no tiger, those scamps were wielding swords and just..." "If you act like that, when are we ever going to kill all those yangban?" "Still, I brought my rifle back, at least." "Give it a rest!" "We killed no fewer than three of them." "Still, it feels strange any way you think about it." "How could nobles donning those robes fly about in that manner?" "They pranced all over the place like cats, long steps and all." "That fool in front... seemed like he even avoided being shot?" "It's just by chance." "There might be people avoiding arrows, but not rifle shots." "Enough with this..." "How about we ransack some yangban abode?" "We'll need money to get new rifles." "Find me the money, and I'll get you anything you need." "All he talks about is money... money..." "Stop with your slander, and just think about it." "If you wish to accomplish great things, should we not share our tasks?" "You use your bodies, and I use my brain." "Uh?" "Ohh..." "My..." "R..." "R..." "Rifles!" "So much for showing some guts..." "What are you all staring at?" "Who left their matchlocks behind and fled terrified?" "And I joined the faction with faith in you..." "Ahh..." "You..." "You brought these on your way here?" "Chobok!" "I brought my rifle when I fled." "And you couldn't hit anyone, I bet?" "You've had dinner, haven't you?" "Let's show some courage, will you?" "How are you going to infiltrate the palace, this way?" "Ajeosshi." "Let's go." "Milord said nobody must leave the abode at night." "I'll get going." "Good job today." "It said it would only be four-five people, but seeing so many surprised me." "You don't know how fast I was running to alert you..." "I told you not to worry and go back." "If I don't worry about you, who would?" "Get on my back." "Come on." "Still, from now on, don't just run into everything like that." "Break a leg in winter, and it'll take ages to heal." "Ajeosshi." "What?" "Am I heavy?" "Heavy?" "!" "As much as a bear who's been starving three months straight." "If a bear starves for three months, does it become light?" "Heavy." "It's still a bear." "Quite the lascivious gaze we have there." "Could it just be my gaze?" "So you said so yourself?" "That you wanted to become like me?" "I don't want to resemble anyone, but someone who distinguishes herself, no matter who she is compared to." "I shall make it happen." "In return, abandon all the vestiges of your past." "Forget your past as a Pyeongyang gisaeng as well." "Will you be able to?" "Why would I not?" "First, we will have to change that name of yours." "Dongdong is much too frivolous." "I frivoled my life away, so if my name suggests that, why would I be concerned?" "From here on in, the words you will be allowed to say in my presence... are only two." ""Yes..."" "and "I understand."" "Is that clear?" "If you wish, fine with me." "Is that clear?" "Yes." "*Je of pure wine, Ni of whispering/a swallow's chirping" "~ Jeni* ~" "Jeni." "It shall be your name from here on in." "I understand." "*upscale versions of gibang (gisaeng parlor)" "It's your first day at a giru* like this." "When you laugh, make no sound, and when you cry, don't wobble like a varlet." "Also, you must never, ever look at your patron in the eyes." "He has enough power to make or break this nation." "His Excellency has arrived." "So you will surpass my repute?" "I can't wait to see that." "Three died, and two were injured." "We tried to trail those who ambushed us, but we failed." "Did you cover your tracks?" "Yes." "We had military tags and swords to begin with, so it will be hard for them to be identified." "What happened to the injured?" "The physician is tending to them, but as we lacked herbs for treatment, we had to bring it in." "If they were awaiting in ambush, does it not imply they were inspecting all those gateways?" "Wouldn't it all be the Left State Councilor's doing?" "Forgive my belated introduction." "What is her name?" " Yes, her na..." " My name is Jeni." "Quite the peculiar name..." " Yes, Je..." " It combines the Je of "limpid nectars"... and Ni of "subtle whispers."" "She subtly whispers like a swallow before limpid nectars." "It's a fine name." "May you cherish her." "She is new here." "I am merely new in this place, but I have been Pyeongyang's foremost gisaeng until yesterday." "From here on in, becoming Joseon's foremost gisaeng is my goal, so I await with bated breath Your Excellency's utmost support and care." "Ehh!" "You wench have found quite the amusing little slattern." "Wangson, you little..." "Why are you here alone?" "Did no one come back?" "Orabeoni." "Come on in." "I wiped the floor." "Wangson, you fool..." "What happened to you?" "Enough with the wiping." "You're distracting me." "It's all done." "From now on, I'll cook and do all the sewing for you." "Why would you?" "Just..." "I'm nothing but a scrounger, so I'll at least have to earn my keep." "Turn around." "Why?" "Is there anything you have to say?" "Kiddo." "Do you really have nowhere to go?" "If that's really the case, head to Mount Worak." "Find the summit, and you'll meet someone named Jjakgwi." "You'll be able to settle down there, and find people who can protect you." "We're going to part ways and stop this slave hunting anyhow, so it's time you go your own way as well." "I'll provide you all the traveling expenses, so no worries." "Expenses?" "!" "Think I was following you because of money?" "If you don't want it, be my guest." "Orabeoni." "Is it because of that woman?" "What?" "Did you become a slave hunter to find her, and now are quitting because of her?" "You wench, how dare you!" "Just go, little wench." "Look!" "Remember the day they excised slavery away from our burning flesh?" "On that day," "I cried tears of joy, and not of pain." "For you and I were born anew." "This time, finally, as real people." "There is no way... slave hunters would be on my trail." "I am no slave." "If they are slave hunters, they're not on my trail." "I... have something to tell you." "Go ahead." "There are... plenty of things..." "I couldn't tell you." "I actually..." "Actually..." "I knew you weren't ordinary runts the moment I saw these..." "My guess was right." "If you have eyes to see, take a look here." "What, like this one?" "I have plenty of things to ask you." "My compeer." "Where is he?" "I ask the questions." "You only answer." "~ On The Next Episode Of ~ SLAVE ~@~ HUNTERS" "Let us head to the capital bureau at once!" " Try to take me there, if you can." " Surround him!" "Why would I be your "darling"?" " Just wrap her up." " Wrap her!" "Our goal is not that of replacing a ruler, but changing this world." "Have a safe journey." "Think of what could happen to His Highness!" "Everything will be solved by today, so just await." "General Choi!" "Wangson!" "~ Trail me and you're dead ~ Song Taeha" "Song Taeha!" "Is it you?" "!" "Think a runaway wench would have it so easy?"