"Is it going to be much longer?" "Go on in and sleep without me." "But..." "Who are you?" "!" "I..." "You... you're...?" "!" "Mijin!" "Mijin!" "Don't just stand there!" "What do we do?" "Is she going to be all right?" "She appears to have suffered anemia to begin with, and she's lost a lot of blood from the wound." "Sir..." "On top of that, she's infected with tetanus." "There isn't much I can do." "No, take pity on her." "Help her." "Please help her!" "I'm sorry, it's out of my hands." "It's up to god now." "Who knows how her baby is when the mother is in this condition." "I don't know if she'll be able to make it through labor." "What's wrong?" "What's happening?" "I think she's in labor." "Then what are you doing out here?" "I don't know what to do." "Get back in there!" "Get back in there, I said!" "Push!" "Push!" "Eunu..." "Yes..." "I'm right here, Mijin." "It's a girl." "Would you like to hold her?" "Look at her tiny lips." "I think she's hungry." "Master, it's Soon-shin." "Are you in resting in peace?" "I've come to tell you that I'm taking the military service exam." "I haven't forgotten." "The plundered, abused and neglected people... they are this country Chosun." "I'm taking my first step forward to protect them and to serve them." "Watch me, Master." "I will keep my promise without fail." "Here." "Try some." "You have to eat and get well." "Put the past behind and start over." "Don't be so difficult." "Eat if only for the baby." "I've never seen such a pretty baby." "She looks just like you." "Oh my, what a pleasant surprise?" "What brings you here, Sir Yi?" "Have you fared well?" "Of course." "Where is Eunu?" "Is he home?" "He's inside with a guest." "I think you know her too." "Soon-shin...!" "Have you fared well?" "Yes." "Someone I know?" "Who might that be?" "That's..." "What's wrong?" "You don't look too well." "And why are you hesitant to answer my question?" "Well..." "Oh, the baby will catch a cold!" "Um, um, do you remember my cousin that came to our wedding?" "Your cousin?" "She got herself pregnant out of wedlock." "I felt sorry for her, so I had her come here for the delivery." "I see." "So that's why you look distraught." "Yes." "Military service exam?" "Really?" "Have you been to see the Master?" "Yes..." "I'm sure he was delighted with the news." "You must pass the exam." "Nothing would've pleased the master more than to see you place first..." "By chance... have you heard anything about those who were taken?" "I guess the answer is no." "Do you wonder about Mijin?" "I get this feeling she is alive somewhere." "Every time I come here, I get this feeling... like she's going to come though that door any minute calling my name." "If, if she is alive... would you cherish her and take care of her like you used to no matter what she's been through or what kind of situation she is in?" "What do you mean, Eunu?" "I can't." "Stop being stubborn and just see him." "Soon-shin still cares for you." "No, I can't." "You know I can't." "Mijin..." "Don't make me feel more wretched than I already feel." "Please, Eunu." "I'm sorry, my baby..." "I'm sorry I didn't get to hold you very much..." "I'm sorry I won't be here to touch your adorable cheeks again..." "I'm sorry..." "I'm sorry that you had to be born of a mother like me..." "I'm sorry..." "I'm sorry, my baby..." "Madam!" "Madam!" "Go back home now." "I'll visit again." "What's wrong, Eunu?" "You seem anxious since yesterday." "Is there something you want to tell me?" "Eunu..." "No, no." "Just pass the exam, Soon-shin." "Master Namgoong and I and Mijin, too, if she is alive somewhere, will be praying for you to pass the exam." "What happened?" "You nitwit!" "How could you let them out of your sight?" "I was busy sending Lord Yi off this morning." "I came in to see if she wants some porridge, and she was gone." "Where could she have gone with the baby in her condition?" "You're a woman." "Why are you training in martial arts?" "Just because, just because I want to." "Where is she?" "She disappeared into thin air!" "Where could she be?" "I searched the whole village." "Where could she have gone in her condition?" "Mijin!" "Mijin!" "Out of my way!" "Where were you?" "The baby, where's the baby?" "I abandoned her, Eunu." "I abandoned my baby..." "It's what's best for everyone..." "Mijin!" "I don't have much time left, do I?" "What are you talking about?" "I know it..." "It's strange, but I can sense it." "Be quiet." "You have to get tough and get back on your feet!" "Who says you're going to die?" "Eunu, there's a difficult favor I'd like to ask before I die." "May I come in?" "Yes, Mother." "What are you doing up so late when you have to leave early in the morning for Seoul?" "It's an officer's robe." "Yes, Mother." "Unpredictable is a man's life." "I never thought that Soon-shin would pursue a military career." "It was unimaginable had you seen him in his youth." "How was he as a child, Mother?" "He is just like his father." "He was fainthearted and cried a lot, which once caused me great concerns." "It's hard to believe." "Oh, I must've used a cart full of sticks on him in my attempts to toughen him up." "Nothing would make me happier than to see him passing the exam, but I can't help worrying about you." "Being a military officer means that he will be away from home in the frontier." "There will be times when you are lonely and afraid." "And at times waiting will wear you out." "Waiting..." "It is very difficult sometimes although you know you must be patient." "Don't worry, Mother." "I will be fine." "Yes, if anyone can do it you can!" "You are so wise and gentle." "But if it becomes too difficult, lean on me." "I know you had a lonely childhood growing up without a mother, so it worries me when I think about the loneliness you might have to endure again." "Mother..." "I wanted to help you get dressed and ready for the exam today if nothing else." "I'll see you when I get back." "Military Service Exam" "Someone quickly get that horse under control!" "Yes, sir." "That was a close call!" "Today not the day to get yourself hurt!" "Are you all right?" "Are you all right, my man?" "Sir..." "Are there any injuries?" "No, sir." "How am I going to repay you for this?" "Nonsense." "I'm just glad you are not hurt." "Be more careful." "Are you really all right?" "How could I be all right after such a hard tumble?" "Aw, my joints!" "I can't believe that man is all right." "He's not like you." "He's a warrior taking a military service exam." "He rolled like the wind and landed like a feather." "I brought you some tea, my lord." "You may leave it there and leave." "Yes, sir." "You look just like your father right down to the way you read." "I guess neither of you want to know how Sir Yi is doing." "My lady, wouldn't you like to go and watch him at the testing facility?" "Never mind." "My lady..." "Worrying isn't going to change anything." "We just have to trust him and wait patiently." "Have you taken the written exam?" "Yes, Sung-ryong." "I wanted to look for you the moment I got here, but it didn't seem proper given that I am here on official business of the Ministry of War." "I'm sure His Majesty has high hopes for you as well." "I hope to find your name on the top of the winners list when I deliver it to the throne." "Sung-ryong..." "Here." "I got you some water!" "Are you going to be all right?" "You should rest now, I got us a clean room for us." "But it's not over yet." "What's the point?" "Soon-shin is the best one out there." "He will pass with flying colors." "But still, I want to watch it through the end until they announce his name." "Hwe!" "Are you hurt?" "Are you all right?" "Soon-shin..." "Soon-shin..." "Stretcher!" "Fetch the stretcher!" "No, that won't be necessary." "Look to yourself first before you blame others." "Don't let this day be forgotten." "Remember their pain in your heart." "They are the heart of Chosun." "It is your duty to protect them." "And the first enemy you must overcome is yourself." "I will try." "No, I will do it, Master." "And I will not fail." "Thank you..." "I thank you for allowing your most shining moment to be the last memory of you that I can take with me..." "And I thank god for allowing it..." "Mijin!" "Mijin!" "Wake up, Mijin!" "Wake up!" "Mijin, you can't die like this." "You can't die!" "Mijin!" "Mijin!" "14 years later in 1586 The North Military Base" "My man!" "It's been a long time." "I heard you've been in active duty as a deputy commander of Jongsung." "It's good to see you." "Greetings, Chief Commander." "Newly appointed garrison captain of Chosan Fort Yi Soon-shin reporting for duty, sir." "Have a seat." "I see that you were previously stationed at Tonggubi and Konwon." "Yes, sir." "Then I'm sure you're not foreign to the situation in the six camps, but the nomands' rampage has recently become worse than ever." "It's a battleground everywhere you turn." "Not only are you expected to keep your men under strict discipline but you must also keep a close eye on local civilians as well." "Remember that there are civilians that have illicit dealings with the nomads." "I will remember that, sir." "Well then, you are dismissed." "Did you complete the three-year mourning?" "Yes..." "I can't believe you lost your father and both of your brothers without warning." "It must've been a terrible blow for your mother." "I'm very sorry that I didn't have a chance to pay my respects being out here in the frontier region." "Don't be." "Soldiers in the border region are hardly able to attend to their own household." "Don't let it bother you." "Come." "Let us go to Jongsung." "I have a feast waiting for us." "No, I was planning to head out to Chosan Fort today." "But your official duty doesn't start for another three days." "Why the hurry?" "I'd like to get there in early and check outcome things." "You really are something." "Is this a confirmed fact?" "Yes, Chief." "Yi Soon-shin, the bastard that captured Ui Gi-nai four years ago in Konwon is coming to Chosan as a garrison captain?" "Ui Gi-nai was closer to me than my own blood brother." "Bring me Yi Soon-shin?" "Bring him back alive." "I will let the wild dogs feast on him." "I will let him die a slow and painful death." "Only then Ui Gi-na's soul will be truly comforted." "Capture him." "Go out there and capture him at once!" "Yes, sir." "Judging by your appearance, you are not a native." "Reveal your identity!" "I am Nalbal."