Jung-hwa, leave us.
What happened?
I have learned that
he was sent to a borderland fortress-building site.
So what was he doing at the arena today?
I made a big mistake.
I shouldn't have spared their lives at Jung-hwa's plea.
They must harbor a grudge against me,
and they'll point their swords at me someday.
We must get rid of them now to be rid of any seeds of trouble.
But we have no means now. We must bide our time.
Drink to your content.
Well done.
I've trained many gladiators,
but I've never been happier than I am today.
With today's victory, you have restored my reputation
and made lots of money for me.
Drink up.
If you win again in tomorrow's match,
I'll grant you any wish.
- Master. - Did you find out?
Yes.
Master Wang's gladiator's name is Won-so.
He'll be fighting Goong-bok tomorrow.
Won-so...?
I have never heard of him.
Master Wang acquired him a few months ago.
He was the best gladiator in the Julkang Province contest.
I'm sure he's no match for Goong-bok.
If you fight like you did today, no one can beat you.
Good.
Goong-bok.
What are you doing? Are you drunk already?
Nothing scares me now.
I can win no matter who I meet in the arena.
Let's go back to drinking.
Madam Jami is in Yangzhou.
- What did you say? - Madam Jami is in Yangzhou.
I told you I saw Lady Jung-hwa at the marketplace.
I wasn't seeing things.
Lady Jung-hwa must be in Yangzhou too.
He's been in my heart for many years.
Please at least find out whether he is alive or not.
My lady, someone is here to see you.
- Did you find out? - Yes.
Where is he?
He was taken to a borderland thousands of miles from Yangzhou.
It's where heinous Chinese criminals
are taken to build fortresses.
Most men can't last even a few months.
It'll be difficult for him to come back alive.
I'm sorry, but you should get him out of your mind.
Goong-bok.
I know how you must feel now, but you should get some sleep.
We have to fight for our lives tomorrow.
You have to stay alive to meet Lady Jung-hwa,
and get your revenge on Madam Jami.
Your opponent is even stronger than Yu-pyo.
Get some sleep.
Are the goods ready to sail to Shilla?
They're being transported.
You should oversee it yourself. Make no mistake.
Madam Jami will attempt to trade with someone else,
if we give her an excuse.
Yes.
Master, Madam Jami is here.
Show her in.
You should have summoned me.
I have a favor to ask of you.
Please sit down.
We're transporting the goods you'll be taking to Shilla.
Yum Moon is overseeing the process.
Loading will be completed in a few days.
And what is this favor?
Please arrange for me to attend the arena.
Would you like to go again?
Is it a difficult favor?
No, I never thought you'd take such an interest in it.
I'll arrange it.
On your words, I lost 500 silver coins yesterday.
I must get my money back.
I'm not a very good loser.
You really love to win, don't you?
Where is Master Wang?
He's in the waiting room by the North Gate.
That cunning snake...
So he doesn't want to show Won-so...
That's Choi Moo-chang.
That man is Choi Moo-chang.
Boss.
It's me, Goong-bok.
Master, we have to stop the fight.
- What are you saying? - That slave is our teacher.
They can't fight to the death. Please stop the fight.
It's too late!
For the fight to stop, one of them will have to die.
- Master! - It can't be helped.
What are you doing? Attack!
I can't.
Would you have me kill you? Kill me.
Boss...
You shouldn't worry about him any longer.
What do you mean? He's still alive.
How could I not worry when a man
who harbors a grudge against me is still alive?
But you saw the fight today.
Goong-bok is a gladiator who must fight until he dies.
You needn't get blood on your hands.
He'll die in the arena someday.
He's right. He's destined to die in the arena.
I can't forget the way he looked at me.
I can't leave him be.
You promised me you'd grant me any wish.
I have a wish. Would you grant it?
What is it?
- How much? - One thousand silver coins.
After he restores your reputation, will you hand him over to me?
I'll give you 200 silver coins as prepayment.
Even if he should die in a fight, you keep the money.
But if he lives, I'll give you another 200 silver coins.
What's there to think about?
I'm offering a thousand silver coins.
You wouldn't invest that much in a warrior slave.
Who is it? Who put you up to this?
You sure are quick.
I can't tell you that.
And all that matters is the money you'll make.
Are you not feeling well?
I'm fine.
Will the loading be completed on time?
Yes.
- Here is the list of goods. - It's all right.
You go over it.
It's me, Neung-chang.
Come in.
What happened?
Their master is hesitant to make a decision.
I think he wants more money.
Money isn't the issue. Bring them to me now!
- What is the matter? - It isn't your concern.
You should get some rest now.
You're the luckiest men alive.
No other gladiator has recovered his identity so fast.
- Where are we going? - You'll soon find out.
Let's go.
Master, where are we going?
You'll soon meet your new master.
Who is he? Will we continue to fight?
Your new master holds your fate.
- Is Master Sul in? - He is expecting you.
Please come in.
Pay your respects. This is your new master.
Master, don't you recognize me?
I met you in Chunghae years ago.
I stowed away on your ship bound for China.
I'm Goong-bok.
And I'm Jung Yon. I was with him on the ship that day.
I do remember.
You were the bold boys who got on my ship without passports.
It seems we're bound by some fate.
A thousand silver coins?
Who'd pay a thousand silver coins for a slave?
I don't know.
But I took a big loss to honor my promise with you.
You wouldn't refuse my request now, would you?
What is it?
Help me sell my wines in Chang'an.
All right.
I said that money isn't the issue.
Why couldn't you buy them when someone else did?
I'm sorry.
Where are they now?
We just know that they've left Master Jo's.
We don't know where they are.
They'll die as gladiators.
Forget them now.
I have made many enemies over the years,
but none has bothered me more.
I have a feeling I'll regret not killing him sooner.
I don't know how you came to be gladiators in China,
but I won't question your past.
You are no longer slaves.
Master spent lots of money to bring you here.
What would you have us do?
You'll be my security officers.
My merchant group was attacked by bandits.
My men were killed and all the merchandise was stolen.
I'll put you in charge of training.
Have the men ready to guard our next trip.
They're the new security officers.
This is Lady Chae-ryung, Master Sul's daughter.
Do you remember me?
Yes.
I was in a desperate situation, and I put you in danger.
Please forgive me.
It weighed heavily on my heart to see you taken away like that.
I'm glad to see you again.
Stop!
They're the new lieutenants in charge of training.
This is Captain Jang.
He is the head of the security officers.
I'm Jang Sung-pil.
- I'm Goong-bok. - I'm Jung Yon.
If you're to fulfill your duty,
you must learn about strategy and how to speak Chinese.
We'll hire you a tutor. Please concentrate on your studies.
A security officer needs to be more than an excellent martial artist.
China is a vast land and has many dialects.
You must learn the language as well.
We can rest easy now, can't we?
Master won't put our lives in danger, will he?
He wouldn't do that.
They said we're lieutenants, right?
I hear it's the second highest position
among security officers.
Am I dreaming?
I guess our string of bad luck has ended.
Nothing can go wrong now, can it?
Don't get too excited.
We were told what to do when we were slaves,
but things are different now.
He spent lots of money to bring us here.
I'm sure we'll have lots of responsibilities.
Stay on your toes.
There was something about Lady Chae-ryung.
What do you mean?
She is the master's daughter, and a chief of his merchant group.
But she was too nice to you. Maybe she has feelings for you.
Don't be silly.
- Is everything well? - Yes, chief.
Say hello. They're new security officers.
There are endless conflicts among merchants in Yangzhou.
If an argument breaks out with another merchant,
you must handle the situation.
Make sure you meet all the shopkeepers.
Yes.
Let's go.
My lady.
- I have a favor to ask you. - What is it?
There is a merchant group from Shilla in Yangzhou.
And there is someone I must meet. Please allow me.
Do you know where they're staying?
I don't know.
There are dozens of inns in Yangzhou.
How will you find them?
- Chief Yoo, would you help them? - Yes.
Thank you.
Follow me.
Is a merchant group from Shilla staying here?
No. Ask someplace else.
We need Master Yi's help now,
since we're unfamiliar with things in China.
But we must trade with China directly someday.
You must learn the business quickly,
and establish our position here.
Yes.
Please assist her well.
Put your worries to rest. I'll do my best.
How did it go?
The merchant group from Shilla has already returned.
Let's go.
We'll soon open a market in the marketplace.
I need you and Soon-jong to run the shop.
Please learn Chinese as quickly as you can.
I already speak some Chinese.
- You do? - Why...
Watch me. How much is this?
It's too much. Give me a discount.
- What do you think? - You're very good.
How will you run a business here
when you don't speak a word of Chinese?
Let's go.
Why aren't you in bed?
Are you thinking about Lady Jung-hwa?
It's for the best. What would you do if you met her?
Shouldn't you be happy when you're in love?
It's better you don't see her if it will only hurt you.
You're right.
I must defeat Madam Jami first if I'm to turn our fates around.
I must defeat Madam Jami to make up for the pain
and suffering I've had, and to meet Lady Jung-hwa again.
But how will you defeat Madam Jami?
- I plan to learn business. - Business?
Master said he was once a slave, just like us.
I'll become a big merchant like the master,
and wipe out Madam Jami's wealth and power.
I'm Jung Yon.
I'll be teaching you the art of stick fighting.
I must test your skills first...
You. Come forward.
Bandits won't go easy on a girl. And I don't go easy on girls either.
Come on.
Don't just waste your strength.
You must know the vital points and attack those points.
Stop!
There are 36 vital points on a human body.
Pressure on some points can cause paralysis.
The points are here, here, and here.
The points that could kill a man in an instant are...
Here, here and...
I've been a security officer for years.
We already know all the vital points.
Hurry up. You're so slow.
Come on, we're busy here. Get moving.
- Da-bok, have you seen Soon-jong? - No, I haven't.
That brat. Where did he go off to now?
There he comes.
You brat, where have you been when we're so busy?
I've been out looking for Goong-bok and Yon.
You fool, where will you find them?
I have to look for them until I find them!
They must be suffering so much...
Just thinking about them breaks my heart...
Don't look for them anymore.
It's no use.
What do you mean?
They were sent to a borderland thousands of miles from here.
Only heinous criminals are taken there...
I hear that no one gets back alive.
Poor things...
So forget them now.
This is the list of goods requested by Madam Jami.
A ship will sail for Shilla in a month.
Please have them ready.
All right.
I have a favor to ask you.
What is it?
Madam Jami wishes to import Shandong wine.
If you'd allow me,
I'd like to handle the deal myself.
You can't.
It was agreed we'd handle all buys
for goods to be sent to Shilla.
Madam Jami has also agreed to that.
You can't deal directly.
Do as you wish.
Master will be furious when he finds out.
You must tell her no.
I'll take care of it. Don't worry.
There you are.
- Is everything well with you? - Yes.
You're looking wonderful.
So how is it being a security officer?
- I have so many headaches. - Why?
There is so much to learn. Chinese, military strategy...
Yes, a dunce like you would have a hard time.
- What happened to our teacher? - Moo-chang?
He's basking in luxury now.
This is Daeryung wine.
This is white wine.
And this must be Shandong wine.
Boss!
Goong-bok. Yon!
Has your wound healed completely?
Yes, you stabbed me in the perfect spot. I'm fine now.
It's because you taught us the vital points.
That's right. I must've had foresight.
Have a drink.
Boss, you've succeeded.
It was my lifelong wish to drink myself to death.
I have the world at my feet now that I'm working at a brewery.
There are more than a thousand different kinds of alcohol in China.
It's quite fun to learn every one of them.
But the best wine of them all is Shandong wine,
the one we're drinking now.
Master Jo trains gladiators,
and he also dominates the liquor market in the Shandong area.
Master Jo's Shandong wine is even offered to the emperor.
It's been a long time.
Who do we have here? It has been a long time.
This is the chief of Madam Jami's merchant group from Shilla.
Madam Jami was a radiant beauty. But you're even more beautiful.
What brings you here?
I'd like to do business with you.
Please allow us to import Shandong wine to Shilla.
Shandong merchants always test their partners
before beginning a deal.
Do you know what the test is?
If you want to do business with me, you must drink a jar of wine.
- Master. - Stay out. This is between us.
I'll drink.
Would you like another one?
I'll gladly have another if you offer it to me.
Would you do business with me now?
Fine.
Are you all right?
Yes.
My lady.
My lady!
My lady...
Are you all right?
You fainted.
I couldn't take you all the way back to the shop.
I brought you to an inn.
I'll wait for you outside. Let me know when you're ready.
Chief, it's me, So-hong.
Did you not miss me?
You haven't visited me in a long while.
- So-hong. - Yes.
I'd like to spend the night with you.
You're my master. I'm yours whenever you want me.
You asked for me?
Is it true you let Madam Jami's chief
deal directly with Master Jo?
Yes.
Why did you do that?
I decided a small trade would be all right.
Bamboo can split from even the smallest crack.
You mustn't let Madam Jami have even the smallest opening.
Yes.
Do you by any chance have any feelings for Jung-hwa?
No.
All right. You may leave.
Begin.
Traveling merchant groups are the targets of many bandits.
What would you do if you were attacked in the desert?
I'd divide the leading cavalry and send them to the sides.
And move the central cavalry to the front.
And what if you're attacked in the mountains?
Divide the cavalry into four groups,
and use them as a shield on all four sides.
The security officers' skills have improved greatly. Good work.
We need to transport goods to Yangzhou Harbor.
This is your first assignment.
- Get ready. - Yes, sir!
- Are you ready? - Yes.
Who is the merchant for this trip to Shilla?
It's me.
Why would you volunteer when you can have it easy in Yangzhou?
How can you be jealous of my success?
What?
Are you jealous that I'll win Lady Jung-hwa's trust?
Don't worry. I'll do fine.
- Here. - What is it?
It's beef jerky. Eat it all by yourself.
- Load the ship. - Yes.
You must be tired from your trip.
Unload the goods first, and load the ship with goods for Shilla.
Yes.
It's been a long time.
I heard you have opened a shop in the marketplace.
I wished to do business with you, but chances keep escaping me.
We plan to open a shop in Shilla soon.
May we ask for your help in the future?
I'd be glad to help if I can.
- How did it go? - The ship is all loaded.
Good work. Let's go back.
Goong-bok!
My lady.
My lady...
Are you the chief of Madam Jami's merchant group?
Yes.
Arrest her!