You and the girls you just saw will someday be
mistresses of noblemen in the imperial city.
You thought life was that easy?
Goong-bok
Done.
Where did he go anyway?
I haven't seen him all day.
Why are you looking for him?
But this is harsh.
He's making us do all the work.
I should just rat on him.
Go ahead.
Go ahead and rat on me.
You brat...
I got you out of that dirty job cleaning up dung,
and now you want to rat on me?
Fine, I don't need you either.
Get out of here.
Come on.
I was just kidding.
I'll make all the horseshoes.
Get some rest.
Brat.
Here, drink this.
I'm tired of horse milk.
Just the smell alone is enough to make me throw up.
Just drink it.
It's wine.
Hands off.
Here, you take a sip too.
Where did you get this?
I can make anything but women now.
Hey, stop drinking.
With your skills, I'm sure you can make women too.
I don't care if she's ugly as hell.
Make me a wife.
Why...
Goong-bok.
Yes.
Open that box on top of those logs.
Bring it over.
Here, it's yours.
It's not fancy, but I poured my heart into making it. Cherish it.
That's harsh.
You only made a sword for Goong-bok?
You can't even wield a wooden sword properly.
You have no use for a real sword.
Keep up the good work,
and I might make you one in a few years.
Madam Jami hosts a martial arts contest every fall.
If you win the contest, you can join her private army.
Come any time you're ready.
MUJINJU, PRESENT DAY GWANGJU
Be gentle.
Treat them as if they were yours.
You brat, I'm up to my neck in work.
Where have you been all day?
Come here.
You're Da-bok.
What brings you to Mujinju?
I brought her.
Why?
We need a woman around the shop and...
I have to get married too.
- Married? - Yes.
Da-bok wants to marry you?
Not yet, but just wait.
I'll give you a grandson soon.
You haven't got an eye for anything else,
but you've got an eye for women.
Nicely done.
That's the best thing you did your whole life.
Da-bok, welcome.
She must be hungry.
You should get her some food.
It's all right.
Let me know if there's anything to be done.
No, you must be tired from your trip.
Get some rest.
He was a purchasing officer at Mujinju Base,
and recently opened a dry goods shop at the market.
The name is Mak-bong. This is my son.
My name is Soon-jong.
Make sure to pay the rent on time.
You'll be shut down immediately
if you're caught with unapproved items.
Of course.
I have something to ask you.
What is it?
When is the martial arts contest?
It's the seventh of next month.
Why do you ask?
You want to enter too?
No.
They're authentic items from the imperial palace.
How did you get these?
I can't tell you.
It's a very good imitation, but it's not the real thing.
I can't buy these.
If you want to continue to do business with us, withdraw your swords.
I won't tell Madam Jami about today's incident.
Be quiet.
Why are you taking that little girl?
I paid ten silver coins for her.
It's none of your business.
Get her to the ship.
Wait.
What?
I'll take her.
I'll pay twice what you paid for her.
How did it go?
We couldn't close the deal.
They're coming back on the seventh of next month.
Who is that girl?
She was sold to a Chinese sailor.
I bought her back.
She could be useful.
You look hungry.
Let's go.
What's going on?
Don't move around. Stand straight.
Get the count.
Line up.
What's going on?
Well...
Choi Moo-chang! Tie him up!
I have no one to call family on the face of this earth.
So I have no one to miss on my long journey.
But I'll remember you two.
I'm sorry I couldn't make you a sword.
There's a jar of wine buried behind smithy.
Yon, that's yours.
Boss.
Don't ruin your life by making rash decisions.
Yes.
Let's go!
Boss.
Boss!
We want to learn martial arts.
But you're just slaves at the ranch.
I have to get out of here alive.
I'll learn martial arts and find a way out of here.
So you really plan to slit the foreman's throat?
Forget this nonsense and go to sleep.
My parents were killed by pirates.
And I was wrongly accused of colluding with pirates.
If I can get out of here alive,
I'll avenge my father's death.
This world is hard enough just to survive.
Don't get any silly ideas.
You haven't said a word all day.
Say something.
I have nothing to say.
I wonder what happened to the boss.
The foreman said he'd be executed.
It's no use thinking about a dead man.
Forget him.
That's easier said than done.
We've lived so many years together...
Shut up and hold it down tight.
Goong-bok. Yon!
Soon-jong.
How have you been?
Where's your father?
I'm here alone.
He quit his government job.
He's opening up a shop at the market.
That's wonderful.
It's the seventh of next month.
Men with any kind of martial arts skills
are already gathering in Mujinju.
That's only days away.
How will Goong-bok and I enter the contest?
Don't worry. I bribed an official.
He'll send you two on the next
trip to take horses to the base.
This isn't the military base.
Where are you taking me?
Shut up and follow me.
This is Choi Moo-chang, the man I spoke of.
He was a captain at one point.
His martial arts skills were renowned in Mujinju.
He was accused of treason and was hiding out on the ranch.
Untie him.
This is the governor of Mujinju.
It's been a year since I came to Mujinju as governor.
I've wanted to remove corruption among the nobles,
and look after the people's welfare,
but my lonely efforts were not enough.
Madam Jami and the Jingol nobles dominate the Mujinju
market, freely smuggling goods into the country,
and raising private armies, thereby exploiting the people.
If you have proof of their smuggling activities,
you can punish them in the name of the law.
From foot soldiers to commanders,
the army of Mujinju is bought out by the nobles
so that they will protect their interest.
There isn't one man I can trust.
In order to rid of the smuggling and corruption,
I have to secretly investigate their
illegal activities, and swoop down on them.
I'd like to entrust you with that mission.
Do you think you can do it?
I have selected thirty horses, as you ordered.
Replace their horseshoes,
and get ready to leave for Mujinju.
What brings you here so suddenly?
The governor has ordered that a few healthy men be
selected for enlistment in the Okeum Island navy.
What?
There are two men by the names of Goong-bok and Yon.
Tell the foreman you're to enlist a few men in the Okeum navy.
And bring them to me.
I'll take these two.
But without them, we have no one to make horseshoes.
Please leave them.
I'm only carrying out the governor's orders.
Take them away.
Foreman, what's going on?
You're being drafted into the Okeum navy.
You're to leave for Okeum right now.
We won't bind you, but if you try to run away,
you'll be killed on the spot.
YANGZHOU
Wine.
If you're out of money, you should call it quits.
What are you saying? Continue.
Go and bring So-hong.
She's the best courtesan at this inn.
I'll bet her.
Fine.
She's mine now.
Shut up. You cheated me.
I can't admit defeat.
Take the silver coins and throw them out of here.
Move and you'll die.
Don't do this. Calm down.
- Did I cheat? - No.
I'll serve you tonight. Let's go to bed.
Don't you like me?
What's wrong? You're my master.
I'll do anything you say, Master.
You're your own master now. Do what you want.
I've seen many courtesans in Yangzhou,
but she was the most beautiful of them all.
Yet you left without touching a hair on her body.
Then why didn't you give her to me?
It's a mystery.
I've never seen you sleep with a courtesan.
Are you a real man?
Something must be going on.
Where have you been?
I've been looking everywhere for you.
What's going on?
The master called a meeting of all the chiefs.
He plans to send a merchant ship to Shilla in a few days.
Who's the captain?
It hasn't been decided yet.
What is it?
This is the meeting of the chiefs.
It's no place for you. Leave us.
Master.
I heard you're sending a ship to Shilla.
Please send me to Shilla.
You insolent fool! How dare you!
Take him away right now!
Chief Han.
Yes, Master.
Please be seated.
Come closer.
I appoint Yum Moon as captain of the merchant ships to Shilla.
Master, we're well aware of your affection for Yum Moon,
but he's too young to be the captain.
Please withdraw your command.
Have you ever known me to withdraw my words?
Be prepared to leave for Shilla.
I'm sending you to Mujinju with the same resolve
as when I pushed you off a cliff once.
You came back alive then,
and I believe you won't betray my trust this time.
Once you arrive in Mujinju,
establish our base for conducting trade with Shilla.
Madam Jami dominates the marketplace.
It won't be easy to establish our base there.
But I wouldn't have entrusted you with this mission if it were easy.
As for those chiefs who don't trust you,
prove them wrong once and for all.
You must be tired from your long journey.
Yum Moon, long time, no see.
You've sure gotten tall.
Pay your respects to the captain.
Forgive me.
I heard a few of your men betrayed the master,
and embezzled goods from China.
Where are they?
Slay them.
Captain, please...
Please spare our lives.
I need to talk to you.
Must you slay them?
I've known Joong-dal and his men since I was small.
If I don't command their respect now, I can't lead them.
Slay them.
Please don't kill us.
Don't kill us!
Please... don't kill us...
Halt.
We'll spend the night here, and leave first thing in the morning.
If you attempt escape, you'll be killed on the spot.
Yon.
I heard that the men in the Okeum navy spend
their whole lives confined to the island, fighting pirates to the death.
We can't go there.
What do you plan to do?
I have to enter that contest no matter what.
I don't know if they'll accept runaway slaves, even if we
win the contest, but we can't let it end here like this.
What?
I need to go.
Follow me.
Stop them.
What's going on?
They escaped.
Chase after them.
Goong-bok.
Yon! Yon!
We have to catch our breath.
We're dead if we get caught now.
I'm going, even if it kills me.
Good.
Gook-joo.
Yes.
Recite the poem we learned.
Do you know what it means?
Yes.
Tell me.
I waited for spring to come.
I wanted the spring wind to blow away my worries.
But spring lasts forever, and my worries see no end.
You have worries too?
Yes.
What are they?
I miss my mother.
What's wrong with you?
You're showing tears already?
Don't you know that your good behavior supports your families?
What can you accomplish with such weak resolve?
Ho-young.
Yes.
Let's call it a day.
Gather everyone's laundry and do it.
Yes.
Jung-hwa.
I heard that Madam Jami is hosting a martial arts contest tomorrow.
I plan to enter the contest.
Brother.
I don't want to waste my life stationed at insignificant posts.
You mustn't.
Why do you oppose everything I do?
Please be patient.
Your opportunity will come.
You don't know what you're saying.
In order to advance in the Mujinju army, you have
to know the nobles in the imperial city, or have money.
My opportunity won't come, no matter how long I wait.
What post do you have now?
I'm a lieutenant at the Sajakeum Division.
That is a miniscule post.
Yes.
I should have paid more attention to you sooner.
I'll ask the governor to transfer you to a more important post.
No.
I'll take care of it.
Thank you.
I'll never forget your kindness.
We'll be able to learn every move of the Mujinju army
through Jung-hwa's brother.
Tell the commander to appoint her brother to a key post.
Yes, madam.
You can't seek Madam Jami's audience
unless the master himself requests it.
Just as we expected.
How can we establish our base at the marketplace,
when you can't even meet Madam Jami?
I heard that Madam Jami is hosting Yum Moon
a martial arts contest tomorrow.
I'll enter the contest.
If I win the contest, I'll be allowed an audience with her.
I knew it.
Get to work. You're not going anywhere.
I really can't work today.
Why not?
Madam Jami is hosting a martial arts contest.
I have to be there.
Do you have a death wish?
Why would you go there?
You've never held a sword in your life.
Goong-bok and Yon will be at the contest. Not me.
How would slaves enter the contest?
It's a long story. I'm going.
You!
Where is Soon-jong going?
I don't know.
That brat. When will he grow up?
- Da-bok. - Yes?
Would you please make a man out of him?
I worry how he'll survive in this harsh world.
So let's not wait any longer.
Let's do away with the ceremony.
Ceremony?
Yes, the wedding ceremony.
Whose wedding?
Yours and Soon-jong's, of course.
I have no feelings for him.
That fool...
He was in his own little world?
Stand in line and have your identification ready.
Wait!
My friends aren't here yet.
What shall I do?
It's you again?
What can you do?
If they're not here, that's that.
Then can I go wait in their place,
until they get here and can join the contest?
Don't be ridiculous.
Scram!
The contest will now begin.
Who is that man?
His name is Kim Chang-gyum, and he's a lieutenant at the Sajakeum Division.
Lieutenant...
Find out how he is involved with Madam Jami.
The contest is over?
They're in the third round.
There will be a winner soon.
Goong-bok! Yon!
Did you bring them?
They escaped.
What? You fool!
The final match will now begin.
Approach.
What is your name and where are you from?
I'm Yum Moon, from Yangzhou, China.
You came from China to enter the contest?
I'm a captain of the Yi Do-hyung merchant group.
I have sought your audience earlier, but failed.
I entered the contest to seek your audience.
Master Yi and I have been trading for years.
But I haven't heard from him in years.
What is the purpose of your sudden request for my audience?
Master Yi has been occupied with establishing
his trade in China, so he had no opportunity to pursue business here.
Now that he's established himself in Yangzhou,
he wishes to reestablish trade with Shilla.
What do you want from me?
We'd like our own shop in the Mujinju marketplace.
And what will I get in return?
We'll supply you with prohibited goods
that promise big profits.
Jung-hwa.
Who is he?
I don't know how to answer that.
I don't know either.
I think he's very taken with you.
I could see it in his eyes.
You're too young to say things like that.
Bu-young.
Yes.
Take them for their flute lessons.
You'll be scolded if you haven't practiced.
Let's go.
I believe he's Master Yi's adopted son.
He's been raising a tiger's cub.
Will you give him a shop as he requested?
Well...
I'll have to wait and see.
How did it go?
I had an audience with Madam Jami.
Will she give us a shop?
She said she'd consider it.
But I'm sure she'll grant our request.
Good work.
What happened?
Do you know how much I spent to get you out?
Why were you so late?
Goong-bok and I ran away.
What?
But I bribed the official to let you out.
What do you mean you ran away?
We were getting ready to leave for Mujinju with horses,
when we were drafted for the Okeum navy.
And?
We figured we'd escape and find a way to join Madam Jami's private army,
rather than waste our life on an island.
Let's go.
There are troops all over the market looking for smugglers.
You're slaves with no identification.
You have to hide.
Hey.
You should apologize.
I'm sorry.
I haven't seen you before.
Where are you from? Let me see your identification.
What are you doing?
I'm a purchasing officer with the military.
We're on official business. We have to go now.
Let me see your identification.
What's the ruckus?
I was inspecting suspicious men with no identification.
Captain, do you not recognize me?
I'm Goong-bok, a slave at the ranch.
I met you a few years back.
I recognize you. What brings you here?
I've trained day and night to become your security officer.
But due to unavoidable circumstances,
I wasn't able to compete in the contest today.
Please give me a chance.
I'm sorry, but the contest is over.
Wait for the next opportunity.
Let them go.
You may go.
Captain, I have a favor to ask of you.
What is it?
Come.
Father.
What are you doing here?
How could you bring them here?
What else could I do?
You and I will be killed if we harbor runaway slaves.
Send them away.
Find them a place to hide.
Follow me.
I'm sorry to burden you.
I guess it's just my fate.
Let's go.
The captain wants to see you.
They're here.
I'll give you a chance.
You're to fight the winner of the contest.
Begin.