"Episode 12" "She already got married." "With former Commissioner Song Taeha." "The Qing delegation arrived?" "!" "Yes, Sire." "We will arrange a simple reception in the morrow." "Ingguldai is here as well, I trust?" "Indeed, Sire." "Port of a southern tributary of the Han River, where Injo sued for peace ~ Reign of King Injo, 15th Year (1637), Samjeondo ~" "Ingguldai is here..." "He once again will force exacting demands upon us." "We guessed as such ourselves." "How is the matter in Jeju proceeding?" "I sent a physician in utmost discretion." "A dexterous one, I wonder?" "Certainly, Sire." "You need no longer worry about Jeju, methinks." "Your Excellency, I laud your efforts." "Your grace is immeasurable." "Let us depart." " Are all preparations complete?" " Yes." "Pave the way and wait for us." "Eonni." "Here." "What did you find?" "Here, traces all lead that way." "Take a look." "Four-five men at least, along with a woman, it seems?" "Found any trail?" "That leads to a temple?" "!" "They're likely inside there." "They might have reunited at the temple, so let us go together." "I prayed for peace and prosperity to grace your future endeavors." "It is now time to leave." "Yes." "Why aren't you asking where we're headed?" "Because that is not what matters." "It's whom you walk that path with which does." "Orabeoni!" "Orabeon..." "Ehh..." "Really..." "Aigoo..." "Isn't the general a little late?" "They shall soon arrive." "Who are you?" "Hey..." "Little disciple." "Seen this man, or not?" "Did you just call me disciple?" "What else should I call you, a mudang*?" "*female shaman" "What ignorant utterances." "Say what?" "*male/female Buddhist disciple (unordained) **male/female Buddhist lay devotee" "Bhiku and bhikkhuni*, along with upasaka and upasika**... are the four great disciple groups of Buddhism." "Devotees of Buddha's teachings are christened disciples, but those who are ordained such as myself must be referred to as monk." "Aigoo..." "He does feel a lot more like a real monk than others we've met as of late..." "Fine..." "Monk." "So, have we seen him or not?" "*honorific for ordained monk" "People generally address us as "Seunim*"..." "You little moppet, should I set the entire shrine on fire?" "All right..." "Seunim." "Goddess of Mercy." "I saw him." "He paid his respects along with his followers, and headed down the mountain." "How many people with him?" "Down the mountain where?" "Five or six people, and behind the temple, you will find a pathway leading down the mountain." "Seen this woman?" "Goddess of Mercy..." "We observe women as if glancing at a rock, so..." "So, have you seen a rock looking like this, or not?" "I did not continue glancing after she entered the shrine." "Hey..." "Kiddo monk." "Achieve enlightenment, uh?" "Poor souls destined to wander the netherworld..." "Wangson, that way." "General Choi, take the right." "Hoof traces spread all over." "One ran this way." "That way... two." " Over there?" " Two here as well, I think." "All that work for nothing." "We let them inveigle us." "What are you going to do?" "We missed it." "Of course we did, what else?" "We missed something from the very beginning." "The fact they were men of arms." "It's obvious they would use military tactics." "General Choi." "When we lost him at the tavern, what strategy did he use again?" "What was it..." "Swaying the tree and hiding under its branches." "If gathering in such chaotic frenzy and then spreading out all at once is a ruse, it can only mean... the truth is hidden inside." "It's the carriage." "Aigoo..." "Aigoo." "Free the way!" "Ohh..." "Orabeoni!" "Have you seen a carriage?" "Carriage?" "Yes." "I saw one?" "!" "Where?" "Down there, at the gates..." "Where are you going, again?" "Let's walk there." "Hey!" "What is it?" "The bottom is cold." "They fled a long while past." "They completely fooled us." "I knew it, felt way too easy." "Even tigers flee opposite their den when on the run, and all we did was going after footprints right under our noses..." "Let us just find a tavern and fight off the cold." "Let's do that." "We ran all day and I can't take it anymore." "I'm hungry." "Aren't we eating?" "We'll have to leave the horses behind somewhere around here." "Did you disperse our traces?" "Yes." "No matter who's on our trail, they'll lose any trace once they leave Unju Temple." "And if they manage to reach this place, they'll only grope in confusion." "It will be quite the task for you." "I will go down the river, erase any trace and then reunite with you." "Be mindful of avoiding any unwanted attention." "Yes, we shall meet later." "Let's go." "Let me escort His Highness." "No." "Let's go." "Over a decade has passed since Joseon pledged... allegiance to the Qing empire, but the Joseon we are experiencing today is quite far... from the idea of a vassal state." "There could be no suspicions fomented about our fealty, so what suggested such concerns of yours?" "I hear you purchased large quantities of water ox horns, as of late." "It could only pique His Imperial Majesty's curiosity as to why." "*Uhwang (ox bezoar) Cheongshimwon/hwan (palliative)" "The powder obtained from those horns is a constituent of medicinal treatments*, and as it is much more effective than powder from bull horns, it is in very high demand." "I might be here as an envoy, but I spent my entire life on the battlefield." "Think I wouldn't know that Joseon's horn bows... are only made with water ox horns?" "May you abate your concerns, Your Excellency." "Joseon's bows shall never be aimed at the Great Qing Empire." "That is to be seen." "I will mention it myself later, but may you confer on the matter with His Majesty in advance." "May you speak." "There was deep and mutual friendship between Sohyeon and me." "His sons are like my own offsprings." "I've heard that, upon being exiled to Jeju, only one of the three sons survived." "Should His Majesty accord me his consent," "I would like to raise his last surviving son." "Is that all I must convey?" "On personal terms, I am looking after my blood brother's son, but it's also a way to strengthen political ties between Joseon and Qing, so I will take him with me on my way back to our homeland." "As you wish." "Is he clamoring for the Royal Successor's absolution?" "How could anyone allow such harebrained tomfoolery?" "We must grant him his wish..." "He wishes to rescue him?" "The repercussions will be quite intriguing." "General Song!" "Seonbinim..." "I laud your efforts, on this arduous journey." "Forgive me." "I could not protect the master." "Is it His Highness, the Royal Successor?" "Yes." "Escort him inside, and pay your respects." "Certainly." " Escort His Highness inside." " Yes." "We will be joined by more guests." "Fine." "Go inside and change your garments." "I said go inside and sleep." "If you find Eonnyeon, what will you do?" "What do you think?" "As the law commands." "Could she really have joined Song Taeha in conjugal ties?" "How could you trust a slave's words?" "They'd say anything to save their fettle." "If she did marry and is living in happiness, what then?" "She can't live in happiness." "Not with me enduring all this..." "Not after all that happened to me." "A decent, happy life is out of the question." "Whatever the case, resign yourself." "What matters to us are the 500 nyang on Song Taeha's head." "I hope you will not let her hamper our mission." "How could she do that?" "They're both runaway slaves, all we need to do is capture them." "The breeze is biting." " Let us go in." " You sure don't want to listen..." "I said go in first." "I shouldn't really say this, but aren't we family?" "If anything is troubling you, just lean onto us." "Family?" "!" "Who, familiar scoundrels like us?" "We're just tagging along the same path." "You have arrived." "We have been waiting for you." "I almost couldn't recognize you." "Donning these robes after so long, they feel unfamiliar." "Seeing you bedecked that way, you feel so distant." "May you enter." "I arranged quarters for you." " Escort her." " Yes." "No." "I will." "Who on earth is that woman?" "Ahh..." "Can't you see for yourself?" "My new sister-in-law." "Your new what?" "!" "Why, did you have an older brother?" "What's this, did slavery rid you of your smarts as well?" "If she's your sister-in-law, the same goes for me..." " Then, who is the older brother?" " Ehh..." "The hell are you saying?" "According to the physician, if you persevere with the treatment, there might be a significant recovery." "Seobangnim..." "Where is he?" "He headed down to Jeju." "When... will he be..." "His tasks there are all complete, so by now... he must have reached Hanyang already." "Upon his return, he will be reinstated into office." "He now deserves to be bestowed greater responsibilities." "When that happens, you will get to live together away from here." "You two can live in happiness, with nary a concern about your father." "Be good... to him." "All right." "It's your spouse, of course I must." "This time, your spouse... has accomplished something remarkable." "Your Excellency." "I brought the infusion." "Bitter as it may be, never forget to take it." "Bring it in." "Mother..." "As if we didn't have enough on our plate, now even the Qing delegation is here..." "What are they subjecting us to?" "!" "We need to add some laurels to our repute, if we finally want to avoid such menial tasks." "Is the sun ever going to grace us with such a day?" "They'll only praise the day at sunset." "I find them a varmint who sold off state horses, and all they ask me is where Song Taeha is." "Wretched..." "There is no place to go..." "I'll be damned..." "Is..." "Is this a murder or something?" "Hurry and take a look." " Why does it always have to be me..." " Aigoo..." "Right as we speak, am I not preparing for any surprise attacks?" "!" "Aigoo, can't judge a situation to save his life..." "I see." "Ahh..." "Really..." "He's still breathing." "Then, did he guzzle all night and got... pi...pi...piss drunk?" "Wait a moment." "Seems like he was stabbed?" "!" "My wretched luck..." "Hwang Cheolwoong from Gwangtong Bridge." "The hell are you looking at his tag for?" "Just take him to the capital bureau!" "Wait..." "Wh..." "Wh..." "Who did you just say?" "Hwang Cheolwoong." "If it's Hwang Cheolwoong from Gwangtong Bridge..." "Is he not the Left State Councilor's son-in-law?" "!" "Are you trying to come with me?" " Me?" " Aigoo..." "Really." "So, what, we both take off and nobody finishes patrol?" " Is that so?" " Get going!" "All right." "Ehh..." "Always so tactless." "What happened?" "Someone..." "Why are you sleeping?" "Get up." "I said get up!" "Speak to me." "How did it go in Jeju?" "I said open those eyes!" "Did you complete your task?" "Did you fulfill your call?" "You..." "Was he unconscious when you found him?" "Yes..." "Your Excellency." "It's a relief I could rescue him, otherwise he would have risked direful consequences." "Did anyone witness all this?" "Uh?" "I alone escorted him safely away from any furtive glance, yes!" "Did he... leave any words before he collapsed?" "Let alone speaking, he wasn't even breathing, and could only regain his senses after I rescued him." "Despite the urgency of the situation," "I headed to a dispensary and clamored them to prepare herbs for him." "Your efforts were remarkable, indeed." "I shall remember your dedication, so leave your name at the gates." "Yes, Your Excellency!" "I shall serve you with utmost fealty!" "My gratitude, Your Excellency." "My gratitude." "My gra..." "Your humble servants salute the Royal Successor." "Forgive our lack of fealty for not fulfilling our call in time." "Forgive us." "Your Highness!" "How could you abandon your son and perish?" "Your Highness..." "Considering their tactic of dispersing on their way out, they will surely try to hide their traces starting from Unju Temple." "Fruitlessly trying to follow in their footsteps will lead us astray." "They must be... somewhere around this area." "With all those people by his side, will our numbers be enough to deal with him?" "Ahh..." "What are you, scared?" "It's a 500-nyang hit, numbers don't matter." "We don't even know whom we're facing, so no use wetting your pants ahead of time." "General Choi, you take a look around." "With more men joining him, they'll surely need meat and drinks." "Meat?" "!" "I'm hungry." "Also, Wangson, you check with realty dealers." "Find out if there were any recent acquisitions, or whether empty abodes were recently rented." "Then, what about me?" "Kiddo, you search the market." "See if anyone is buying goods in large quantities." "As for me, I'll find out where that carriage comes from." "What are you doing here?" "I was going to prepare lunch..." "Ahh..." "There is no need." "We will take care of it ourselves." "How can men cook?" "Leave the scullery." "We do it quite well..." "Hurry up and leave." "Yes, then..." "Have you enjoyed a soothing repose?" "I hadn't slept in silken quilts for so long, I spent the whole night squirming." "It was reported to me you were going to cook." "Do you receive reports on such issues as well?" "The battlefield was always our home, so although they might not be able to cook delicacies, they certainly know how to feed themselves." "Leave it to them." "Still, would it compare with a woman's touch?" "You've endured enough quandaries, so you deserve some respite now." "How could you always be so tactless?" "I just wanted to cook for you with my own hands." "Fine." "Make sure no man enters the scullery, from here on in." "I will." "It would be better to buy some meat." "There isn't much I can work with here." "I shall make sure you're provided with it soon." "Thank you... for remaining by my side." "What happened in Jeju?" "Why are you not answering me?" "Did you not say even in-laws are sons?" "Should you not first ask me how I am feeling?" "Is that what you wished to become?" "Did you fulfill your task?" "Will you need to return there?" "He wasn't in Jeju." "Where was he?" "Song Taeha got there first." "You disappoint me." "I never imagined you could only amount to this." "I merely lost their traces for a moment." "The path you took is of no interest to me, only the results speak for themselves." "I will find him." "You must." "For if you don't, even demise will not allow you to return here." "So she wasn't really your sister-in-law, but you just said that." "Did you gulp down your smarts along with the soup?" "So, what, you're calling the general Hyungnim, now?" "Why, think I want to?" "I was told to do so, and I can only follow my command." "Then, what, did they marry?" " You're back." " You still..." "Did you have a good rest?" "Sleeping with covers after so long felt so unfamiliar, I couldn't." "By the way, can we leave the cooking to her, from now on?" "From here on in, try to avoid the scullery, and let us see if you still can hold your own in duel." "Yes, certainly." "You're injured, so take a step back." "Gwangjae." "Is your two-leg stance still as it used to be?" "Yes, General." "How much leeway should I give you?" "Let us start even." "Seobangnim." " First, take care..." " That voice of yours." "I don't want to hear it." "My life has been laden with mistakes and misdeeds, but I made no bigger mistake than that of marrying you." "Listen well." "For I shall trample upon your father, and get back on my feet with pride." "Sire..." "I am mortified to tell you this, but I could not settle our matter in Jeju." "Did you not say the man you chose was dexterous?" "Forgive my ineptitude." "You surprise me, Councilor?" "!" "You, making such blunders..." "I wonder if our reception was unsatisfactory." "It wasn't, Sire." "I always visit these shores with utmost joviality." "So you will depart in the morrow?" "I plan to stay a few days longer." "The physician prohibited me from any drinking." "Sire." "It is time to take a decisive step." "I wish to take Seokgyeon with me." "No malicious intents are moving me." "Sohyeon and I were blood brothers, so it is time I live up to my duties with his son." "As his grandfather could not do so, you wish to make up for it?" "Forgive me." "He was exiled in accordance with the law." "Exile which you could easily abolish with a royal command." "His Majesty the Emperor might proceed with or without his court's consent, but no such powers are bestowed upon they who grace our throne." "Setting aside Joseon's political ties with the Qing, it is a personal request of mine." "I shall deliberate with my subjects." "Until Seokgyeon is brought to me," "I shall await by lodging at the royal embassy." "At last, we can finally serve the legitimate successor of our royal bloodline." "We shall forsake current Crown Prince Bongnim, and advocate for the Royal Successor to take his place, devoting our every effort to give back our country to whom it belongs." "Yes." "The master is no longer with us, so you and I must lead in his stead." "We all have the utmost trust in you, General Song." "You must lead us from the frontline, General." "Do you have any plans?" "We plan to gather adherents all over the peninsula." "In due time, must we not take up arms?" "*literally restoring due political course (mostly dealing with royal lineage issues)" "Is a restoration* what you're looking for?" "Our quandaries will not end with the mere proclamation of a new crown prince." " The Royal Successor's absolution..." " He's no Royal Successor, but our Crown Prince." "Why don't you seek audience with Prince Bongnim, to impel the Crown Prince's absolution from exile?" "The court is already controlled by the Left State Councilor and his followers, would they ever accept someone they strove to oust from the palace?" "An armed insurrection would result in many victims." "Has any revolution ever succeeded, without shedding a drop of blood?" "Manifold compeers have joined our cause." "And I hope you will accord us your trust as well." "You must lead our revolution." "Your Highness." "Aren't you tired?" "Why is that?" "Come here." "Also, that woman." "She can be trusted, so you need not worry." "In the short term, our existence is on the line." "But that of our country is what's at stake, in the long run." "Protecting our identity is essential, so no outsider can be accepted within our ranks." "That woman is going to live with me for the rest of my days." "Look, General Song." "If needed, we will even join in conjugal ties." "Reflect upon it, on the fact that women can hinder a man's great endeavors." "I reflected long enough." "If you'll excuse me..." "Listen." "I'll ask again." "Any large orders or purchases of meat as of late?" "*Samin (four people):" "Joseon's middle class - scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants" "You seem to be a fellow lowborn looked down upon by commoners*, so let us show some respect." "Don't you know that butchers and eating mutts must never be disturbed?" "There must be a group of men lodging around here." "Did you serve them here?" "Even if they did, we're all dealing with yangban abodes here, should I incur trouble just to make you happy?" "Foolish scamp..." "Let's see..." "Let's see!" "Aigoo..." "You can look anywhere, but no luck." "Ahh..." "Wait a moment." "You only have one register?" "How many abodes are going to be sold in a hamlet like this?" "So, nobody rented any as of late, either." "Or maybe any group of men looking to purchase one?" "Ahh..." "Really..." "Give it a rest, will you?" "Who is ever going to buy realty at this time of the year?" "Ahh..." "Really..." "You're the only one dealing with this around here?" "You will find no one around here who can match my connections." "Take another look." "In detail, will you?" "Close up." "Orabeoni, you really don't know?" "As if there were only a few people buying it, how am I going to remember everyone who bought wood?" "Any big purchase as of late?" "By the way..." "And you are?" "Are you homeless?" "Want some lodgings?" "Ahh..." "Really..." "It's like stepping on piss here." "Uh?" "!" "Think anyone would be intrigued, if you go at it so placidly?" "You need to show some passion if you want to catch them, Orabeoni." "So..." "If you see a bunch of men carrying swords on your rounds, drop by the tavern down there and let me know." "Then I might..." "You know?" "!" "Look." "Seen a group of armed men prancing about as of late?" "Not really." "Usan-gol scholar," "Kang Mingyu." "It's getting cold." "Come inside." "No." "Your sudden avoidance is all the more awkward." "Come on in." "Will you... join me in marriage?" "What?" "I think we may need to join in conjugal ties." "We may... need?" "!" "Is marriage something you do out of need?" "That is not the case, but we need someone to look after His Highness, and..." "Then, find yourself a nursemaid." "You're also attracting my subordinates' attention." "It is merely to protect your honor and repute?" "There might be people unsettled by our relationship." "Then, I will just leave." "Are you refusing my proposal?" "Yes." "Isn't what you really need an intimate compeer or a faithful subordinate?" "That is not true." "Then, what is it?" "What need would joining me in marriage fulfill?" "His Highness will catch a cold." "I will close the door." "What brings you from the Board of Punishments all the way here?" "I found one of your carriages near the stone Maitreya." "Why was it left there?" "How could I possibly know where my spouse uses her carriage?" "It must have been left there on her way to the temple, as it had lost..." "I am aware your spouse does not seem to frequent temples, if I'm not mistaken?" "!" "Who did you lend that carriage to?" "Is Minister of the Board of Punishments Choi Jibong faring well?" "He certainly is, so stop worrying and answer me." "You're telling me a patrol officer of the Board of Punishments... doesn't even know the board minister's name?" "The Minister's name is not Choi Jibong, but Park Jeongsu." "Hand him to the local authorities!" "Your Highness." "Men are quite peculiar, aren't they?" ""I love you, let us live together..."" "How nice it would be to hear such words." "I will enter for a moment." "Whatever the case, I am a runaway slave now." "While you're a maiden from a yangban clan." "Can a slave propose to a yangban maiden?" "More than which class we were born into, it's whom we belong to that matters." "Being a slave..." "That means nothing." "You asked me what need our marriage would fulfill, right?" "What I need... is none other than you." "It is not to repay a debt of gratitude, nor is it any sense of responsibility guiding me." "It's not even simple loyalty, for all the vicissitudes we together lived through." "It is because, inside this heart of mine, you are the only one." "For the rest of my days," "I will cherish you." "Will you join me in marriage?" "You know?" "I'm no board officer." "I'm much more wicked and savage than you imagine." "Who did you lend that carriage to?" "I..." "I don't know." "Seems like you have quite the large family." "Son, daughter..." "Ahh!" "Even that devoted disciple who shares your berth." "Why are you doing this to me?" "The carriage." "Who did you lend it to?" "A fellow scholar asked me for a carriage and some lodgings, that's all." "Who could it be..." "Don't ever try to bring harm to my family." "Who is it?" "*Seowon: private lecture halls (mid-to-late Joseon);" "also provincial political headquarters" "Head to the next hamlet and look for the old lecture hall*, and you will find out." "I will always act with resolve, unchanging in my ways." "Is there anything you wish me to say in return?" "Like pledging I will become a good wife, or... promising I will treat your subordinates with care." "Hurry up." "Right, be careful." "Over there." "Are you planning to idle as all this goes on?" "General Song is wasting his time." "How can the leader of a revolution engage in conjugal ties... on the eve of our grandiose endeavors?" "With no time to squander, is he concerned about settling down?" "He must be stopped." "General Song." "He lost the righteous path." "He is not the same valorous warrior who left his kindred behind... to bravely lead our conflict." "The ceremony might go on, but only trouble awaits him." "No trifling romance can hinder a revolution!" "Right." "Fix that." "Careful." "A bit higher than that." "I've come to face the bride." "If she did marry and is living in happiness, what then?" "She can't live in happiness." "Not with me enduring all this..." "Not after all that happened to me." "A decent, happy life is out of the question." "~ On The Next Episode Of ~ SLAVE ~@~ HUNTERS" "I have some work for you." "Who is this man?" "I want to know the list of scholars who clamored for his absolution." "Why would you need that?" " Know Song Taeha's whereabouts?" " I don't know." "You don't know him?" " Our mission can't be hindered by a woman." " Shouldn't we stop them?" " You have no intention to leave?" " I'll remain by his side and help him." "You will only hamper his path." " Let's just forget this." " Take a look at her." "I'll finish this by myself, so do as you wish." "Stop it!" "Enough!" "We met by fighting each other, so let us part ways doing the same!" " At such a young age?" " I am already a spirit maundering for revenge." "Killing one man more or less no longer means anything to me." "You know who I'm referring to, your husband!" "You know what a killer he's become." "Where is he?"