How did this happen?
I don't know, Your Highness.
He was here this morning, but when I came to ask him about his breakfast...
His Majesty is nowhere in the palace! What shall we do?
The place I want to die at is different. I will die there.
Don't stand there!
Summon all the eunuchs and palace maids to search the palace for His Majesty!
Yes, Your Highness!
Your Majesty...!
Except for the maids in charge of Her Highness' meal, all of you will go to the Grand Palace!
Yes, My Lady.
All of Her Highness' palace maids must have been summoned too!
- Your Highness! - Is she inside?
- Mother! - Have you heard anything?
No one knows anything, Mother. Everyone is searching for him,
but he is nowhere to be found.
How can this happen?
I heard that he has difficulty walking in his condition. I don't know he could be!
What if something terrible happens to him?
- Your Highness! - What did you find?
I do not think he is within the palace walls.
Do you mean he left the palace without anyone knowing?
Your Majesty, you are not well. Please return to the palace.
No, I'm fine.
Welcome! Would you like some rice cakes?
- Yes, pack me some. - Yes, My Lord!
How is business?
Yes, business is good and so is the economy. I wish this would continue forever!
- Indeed? - This is all due to His Majesty's grace and mercy!
Grace and mercy?
What has that old fellow in the palace done that was good anyway?
Don't say that! You shouldn't say such things!
So what? I can criticize the king if I want.
But you still shouldn't say those things. How else would us peasants live such a good life?
What other king would pay so much attention to his people like this?
Indeed? Is that what your king did for you?
I don't know how the noblemen feel, but our king is like God to us peasants!
That's good to hear. I guess that old fellow didn't waste his life.
I told you that you shouldn't say such things!
Here you go, My Lord. It will be two poon.
- Here's three poon. Keep it. - Thank you, My Lord!
I hope you sell a lot. The world will become a better place. You'll see.
- Live long and see it before you go. - Thank you, Sir!
Thank you! Goodbye!
Song Yeon, aren't you going to the Bureau today?
Yes, but I wanted to finish this first.
Dae Su didn't come home last night, did he?
No, I don't think so.
They say His Majesty is on the brink of death. The palace must be in chaos.
I used to serve His Majesty too in the palace. I feel terrible too.
Are you going out now?
I should try and sell my merchandise before the nation is in mourning. I'll be back soon.
Alright, Uncle.
Who... who are you?
That's strange. She's not here either?
- Who? - Song Yeon! I can't find her anywhere!
- Come to think of it, I haven't see her today. - Me either!
I haven't seen her too.
- Have you been to the warehouse? - Of course!
I wonder what's going on? Do you think something happened to her?
She probably decided not to come in because she wasn't feeling well...
Not feeling well? She wouldn't have been absent without telling us!
- It's already evening... - Yes, she wouldn't do that.
Has something really happened? Or is she really sick?
- Is she the one? - Yes, Sir.
- The Bureau Damo is here. - Let her in.
Go on inside.
Welcome.
Your Majesty!
I am glad to see you again.
Come closer.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Did you just say a portrait, Your Majesty?
That's right. I will describe a face to you.
Can you listen to it and draw me a portrait?
A long time ago, I took all of his portraits and had them all burnt.
Because of that, the prince has no images of his father left.
I would like to return that to the prince.
You may think what use is a portrait when I have killed his father.
But I would like to let him see his father's face for the last time.
What of it? Can you do this for me?
Yes, Your Majesty. I will try my best.
He had a honest and clear face.
A narrow and slim face with a high nose.
Everyone said he had a noble face.
And he had very red lips.
His eyes... Yes...
His eyes were exactly like the prince's.
His eyes always shone with honesty and intelligence like the prince's.
Your Majesty!
I'm fine. I'm alright.
And furthermore, he was full of laughter.
I never knew how to laugh.
But this boy would always laugh
even when he was with his father who only knew how to be angry.
- Announce our arrival. - Yes, Excellency.
Your Highness, Lord Chae and the Chief of the Palace Guard are here.
Are you saying that His Majesty told you not to tell anyone of his departure?
He... he said that if it was made known, then everyone would object.
He forbade me to inform anyone of his departure and his destination.
Please forgive me, Your Highness, but His Majesty was adamant.
- I had no choice! - I don't want to hear your excuses!
Don't you realize how ill His Majesty is?
How can you allow His Majesty to leave in such a state?
Forgive me, Your Highness!
So where did His Majesty say he was headed?
Speak!
Yes, Your Highness...!
Your Highness, I have prepared a palanquin.
No, that will take too long. I will take a horse.
- I will ride ahead. Send physicians and attendants. - Yes, Your Highness.
Let us meet again soon.
I will be a good father to you there.
Your Highness!
- I am here to escort His Majesty home. Where is he? - He is inside.
- Your Highness! - Song Yeon!
What are you doing here?
He is in the building behind me.
Your Majesty, it is I. I have come to escort you back to the palace!
Your Majesty!
Please open your eyes, Your Majesty! It is I, Your Majesty!
Anyone there? Call the physician!
Your Highness.
Why isn't the physician coming? Call the physician!
Yes, Your Highness!
Your Majesty! Please open your eyes, Your Majesty!
What happened? Why did His Majesty collapse at his private residence?
What did the physician say? Will Father be alright?
Say something! Why aren't you saying anything?
It does not look good, Mother.
What?
How is he? Will he be alright?
Please... please have me executed, Your Highness!
Your Highness, please allow me to check if he is breathing.
His Majesty has passed away!
No, Your Majesty! You can't do this!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
You can't go, Your Majesty!
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
I will go to the Grand Palace and wake him up!
No, Your Highness! You know that is not following royal customs!
No! I don't care about royal customs! I want to go see Father!
- I will go and see Father! - Your Highness!
You can't just go like this, Father!
You can't just go like this!
Mother...!
Princess...!
The king is dead!
Your Majesty!
Thank you.
This was given to me by my own mother, Lady Choi.
Take it.
I want to give this to you as a token of my appreciation for the portrait.
No, Your Majesty. How can you give such a precious item to me?
No. I heard that you are childhood friends with San.
Take it.
A while ago, he said this to me.
He said that you were always of great help when he was in trouble or in difficulty.
That now he thinks of you more than a friend.
He is a lonely boy who grew up without a father because of me.
Thank you for being a true friend to him.
I hope you will continue being one to him.
I hope you will stay with him for a very long time
and comfort him with that bright and cheerful disposition of yours.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty...!
The eunuchs will soon begin dressing His Majesty's body.
Alright.
And Your Highness, this...
- What is this? - This was found in his private residence.
It is a letter for you.
This may be the last letter I write to you.
That is because this will be the last night I spend in this world.
When I woke up at the sound of the wind,
I finally understood.
I knew that today would be the day I am finally freed from this long and difficult life.
I always swore that I would never die in the palace when I became king.
That is the reason I left the palace without telling anyone.
I wanted to live and die amongst the people on my last day.
Death is as part of life as sunrise and sunset.
It is not a sad event for one to pass over to the next world.
So do not cry, my San.
Do not suffer because of me.
But you must forgive your heartless grandfather.
And do not forget your loving and affectionate father.
As your father did before he died,
you must care deeply for your people.
I hope you will be a king who cares deeply and cherishes his people.
I won't forget, Grandfather.
And I won't forget your wish.
I will never forget.
This paintings are to be used for His Majesty's funeral.
They must be completed by tomorrow.
Pay attention to each brush stroke, and each shade of color!
Sir, is it possible to have one more day?
- Is there a problem? - We have so much work and not enough people!
Alright, I will speak to the Ministry of Rites.
Artist Tak and Artist Yi, come with me.
Yes, Sir.
And Song Yeon, you should come too.
Yes, Sir.
- What are they, Sir? - They are manuals regarding coronations.
These manuals record all the paintings that the Bureau must produce for Coronations.
- So why are you giving it to us? - The three of you will be made in charge.
- What? In charge of the Coronation? - Yes, Artist Tak will be responsible for all.
Artist Yi and Song Yeon will help him to prepare everything.
The coronation is only four days away, but the funeral has complicated matters.
I will put my faith in you, so please make sure you do a good job.
- Yes, Sir. - We will do our best!
- I should look at it first! - What are you doing?
- What do I do? I have to see it to be prepared. - What preparation? You may just follow my order.
What?
Have you forgotten? I've been made responsible for the Coronation!
- You should know your place! - You're such a jerk!
This is truly an honor! You just wait, I'm going to be promoted!
Promoted! My foot! I'll be promoted before you!
What?
You know the prince is becoming king. And I was of great help to him!
- Don't you agree, Song Yeon? - What?
I'll be right back.
You're full of hot air! Look at how she ignored you!
- Give that to me. - Hand it over!
Your days as the Royal Guard of the Crown Prince are now numbered!
You have all worked hard.
His Highness has not forgotten your blood and sweat in protecting him.
When he ascends the throne, all of you will reap your rewards!
It's four days. It's a short time, but it can be a long time as well.
Do not forget that the safety of His Highness rests on your hands.
Until it is over, we must all work hard to ensure the safety of His Highness.
- Do you understand me? - Yes, Sir!
It feels strange to know that we will no longer be Royal Guards in a few days!
Why? We're not going anywhere different. We'll just be protecting the king!
He's right. When His Highness becomes king, you will all be Imperial Guards.
- Does that still make you feel strange? - What? Imperial Guards?
Of course. You have all worked so hard. You will be promoted to a higher rank.
When His Highness becomes king, your work will become more important.
His enemies will not give up. In fact, this may just be the real battle up ahead.
You must all work hard to protect the safety of His Highness.
- Yes, My Lord. - We will heed your words, My Lord.
- Dae Su, someone is here to see you. - Me?
- Song Yeon! - Dae Su!
- What brings you here? - I have good news for you!
Good news? What is it?
I've been made responsible for the Coronation! I'll be helping Artist Yak and Artist Yi!
- Really? - Yes!
That's great! That's really great!
- Isn't it? - You must be so happy!
I'm so glad I can do something for His Highness' coronation.
Silly girl! If you're happy, then I'm happy too!
How is Princess Hwa Wan?
She is much better. Her health had weakened due to shock.
So she should recover shortly.
And what are your plans?
What do you mean?
Now that His Majesty has passed away, His Highness will surely become king.
So shouldn't you have some plans for your future?
The coronation is only four days away. Even you won't be able to do anything in that time.
I'm telling you not to do anything too reckless.
- Are you doing what I ordered? - Yes, My Lord.
Do not worry.
Have you made your decision?
Even so, how can we possible do such a thing?
Will you just give up your life so easily?
Are you sure this could work? We don't even have a private army to help us!
This is...!
This will be posted on all walls and gates of the Capital.
But what can this accomplish?
Can we remove the prince from the throne by inciting the people?
We can accomplish nothing with this.
But on momentous occasions like the coronation, the people's favor is very important.
But we must have the people behind us.
This is just the beginning, Excellency.
If we have the people's favor behind us, Qing will help us.
What do you think, Excellency? Will you make up your mind?
Uncle!
- You're up already? - I have to go to the Bureau early today.
- Where are you going, Uncle? - I should start my sales.
They say that golden cloth was used for His Majesty's funeral!
That's why yellow cloth is selling well these days.
Obviously no one can afford real golden cloth!
You know that funerals have to be done well so that the descendents are blessed!
Descendents are blessed when you live a proper life before you die!
Let's go, Uncle. I'll help you with your cart.
- Up to Kwang Bridge? - Kwang Bridge?
- Fine! Let's go! - Let's go!
It's cold, Uncle. Please don't get hurt! Dae Su, you be careful too!
Dae Su! What's that!
- Is that really true? - That can't be true, is it?
What crazy guy did such thing, Dae Su!
What does it say?
It says that the prince took advantage of His Majesty's failing health to take over the throne!
It says that whoever kills the prince will be made a Royal Censurer!
- Then the rumors were true! - I know!
Then isn't that considered patricide?
Go home!
Don't let yourself be fooled by nonsense! Return to your homes!
Hey! Don't push!
Go!
Damn it!
How can they say that the prince caused the death of His Majesty!
How can they accuse him of chasing His Majesty out of the Palace and ruling in his stead?
How can they say such things?
And to offer a reward for his murder? What damnable wretch is behind this!
They are doing this to move the sentiments of the people.
- Where were these posted? - All over the Capital!
Your Highness!
They are not only posted in the Capital, but also in the outlying towns and villages.
It is a ploy to move the people's favor. You must do something!
- Let me take care of this. I will... - Let the Prefecture handle this.
But Your Highness, the perpetrators must be punished!
If they are preparing something, this will not be the end of it.
We must find out in detail what their intentions are!
I know that. But the nation is in mourning.
I will not allow investigations to cause chaos and disorder at this time.
So make sure this is handled quietly.
So have you met with him?
- Yes, My Lord. - What did he say?
He told me to have the Prefecture handle it. He was worried about the commotion it would cause.
Yes, he would do that. We are in mourning, after all.
The postings are an atrocity, but I do not think we should worry too much.
I doubt anyone would try to assassinate the prince simply because of these postings.
I agree. And even they did try, it would not be an easy feat.
However, I do not think that is their purpose.
What do you mean?
The prince's enemies are not so foolish as to eliminate him in this manner.
This is not their goal. Their true purpose lies somewhere else.
My Lord, you have a visitor.
Indeed?
I am sure you know the reason I have summoned you.
Yes. (Hong Sang Bum)
I have scoured the whole nation. I found an assassin in Hong Chun.
- Assassin? - Yes.
His skills with the sword is incomparable to anyone else in the whole nation.
He is rumored to have been a military officer in the government.
And there are also rumors that he was a mercenary for trade guilds going into foreign lands.
His ability to defeat dozens of foes with his sword
earned him the nickname God's Sword.
Your Lordship! Please spare me a coin!
Your Lordship! Please!
Your Lordship! Please spare me a coin!
There is no one here. Something is amiss.
That is not possible. He said he would be here...!
Come alone next time you have business with me.
My Lord!
Come in.
- Did you summon us? - Yes, there is something you must do.
- Let me introduce myself. I am... - You are Secretary Jung Hu Gyum.
Come directly to the point. What is it that you want?
If you know who I am, then you must know who I want dead.
What of it? Can you do it?
There is no one in this world who is immune to an assassin's sword.
So now it is time for me to tell you my conditions.
How much do you want?
Ten thousand yang.
That is a great sum of money.
Yes, a great sum indeed.
Because I am talking about ten thousand pieces of silver.
Ten thousand pieces of silver? That is half our national budget!
You want the life of a king. I do not think that is too much to ask.
Give me half tomorrow, and the other half when the task is accomplished.
Can you guarantee that you can take the prince's life?
I do not start something I think I will fail in.
- What? Ten thousand pieces of silver? - Yes, Mother.
He must be out of his mind. How is that possible?
But we have no choice but to trust him.
Do you think he will succeed?
Can he do this?
He is amazing. I have never seen such outstanding swordsmanship.
But where are you going to obtain such a large sum of money?
I will use the money in our estate, and get our supporters to sell their possessions.
I will soon be ascending to the throne, Your Majesty.
I will be taking your place in taking care of our people and government.
I am afraid.
I do not know where to put this fearful and nervous heart of mine.
But I will not waver.
No matter what, I will always remember your advice to be a good and wise ruler.
So please watch over me, Your Majesty.
Please watch over me with Father.
Really? They're not doing anything?
I've been following Secretary Jung and his manservant for a few days, but there is nothing suspicious.
They looked like they were in hiding.
How strange. I was sure Secretary Jung was involved in this.
I think Dae Su is right, My Lord.
We have found out that Minister Hong In Han and a few others were trying to obtain money.
- Money? - Yes, Sir.
They have been selling their land and possessions. It looks like they may be trying to run.
What should we do? We should get them before they run away!
- No, that's not it. - What?
If their intention was to run away, they had many opportunities prior to this.
They're not running away with the Coronation only a few days away.
Then what is the reason they are selling their possessions for money?
Secretary Jung!
What is going on? Shouldn't you keep me updated?
- I have not been updated either. - What?
One of his conditions was that we do not contact him unless he contacts us first.
Are you insane? I am risking my own life and my entire wealth on this!
- And you're saying I shouldn't know anything? - We are all being watched.
He is right to say that we should limit our contact as much as possible.
What if he just takes our money and disappears?
If that happens, he will have to live in hiding for the rest of his life.
- He is not a fool, so do not worry. - How can I not worry?
The Coronation is right at our noses! What and when will he do it?
Now she's been put in charge of the Coronation! Her future is glorious indeed!
- She's so lucky! - You know, I have so much respect for her!
I have a question for you.
I heard Song Yeon is in the palace. Where is she?
May I ask who you are?
Don't you know who I am?
She is Attendant Kim, soon to become Madam Kim of the Queen's Chambers.
Please forgive me, My Lady! I did not recognize you!
Song Yeon is not here. She has gone to the Grand Palace.
- Indeed? - Yes.
When she returns, tell her to come to my chambers immediately.
Yes, My Lady!
She's so scary! It must be her lofty position!
It's strange though. She looks familiar to me.
- Really? - Yes, she's given me that look before.
Where did I see her?
In our past life?
We will begin the painting of the Grand Palace.
As you well know, the five colors used not only bring prosperity and health, but also drive off evil spirits.
That is why we have been ordered to repaint the walls of the Grand Palace.
- We only have two days. Let us hurry. - Yes, Madam.
The green is a bit too dark. Why don't you lighten it up a bit?
Al... alright.
What are you doing over there?
What are you doing? I asked you a question.