Wake up.
Wake up!
How is he?
It's too late.
Save him.
I'll give you all the money you want.
Is there any way?
Poison has spread throughout his body. It's too late for any remedy.
If you don't save his life, you won't get out of here alive.
Please... and I don't even know what kind of poison was used.
There is nothing I can do for him...
I told you not to take him lightly.
I almost had him. But someone else showed up.
I lost all my men.
But someone else showed up.
Another man? What do you mean?
I don't know. But he was a martial arts master.
I heard that one of your slaves was an expert on poison.
You mean Kwan-bong?
He died in a match.
But why are you looking for him?
One of my men was stabbed with a poisoned throwing star.
Is there any way to save him?
He must be very special if you came here yourself.
Since a man's life depends on it, I'll tell you.
He's the best at handling poisons.
Who is he?
You are Yu-kang?
A man is fighting for his life
after being stabbed with a poisoned throwing star.
You must go and save him.
I don't know who you are,
but you should find a doctor.
I have a lot to do Before sunset.
Time is of the essence here.
I'll slit your throat if you do not obey.
You're serious, aren't you?
Can you save him?
It will be difficult.
Save him.
I know it's hard.
But you must save him.
What medicine is that?
It's not medicine. It's poison.
Poison?
It's poison extracted from centipedes and toads.
What are you trying to do?
You're going to give poison to a man
who's dying from poison?
Fight poison with poison.
This is the only way to save this man's life.
I'll stop if you don't trust me.
Fine.
Go ahead.
I'm sure he has a good reason.
What reason could keep him away for two days?
Where did he go?
I asked you. Where did he go?
He left saying he was going to meet Lady
Jung-hwa.
He'll come back.
Please talk to Master Sul for him.
I'm going crazy.
Who is Lady Jung-hwa?
None of your business.
You have to keep Goong-bok's disappearance
a secret from the other officers.
Especially from Captain Jang, okay?
Yes.
What is this smell?
Are you wearing powder?
Snap out of it.
A security officer shouldn't be wearing makeup.
Train harder if you have the time.
What happened?
You said you could save his life.
I never said that.
How dare you!
I did all I could.
Do what you will with my life.
Where have you been?
Is something wrong?
No, but...
Please tell me when you go anywhere.
I don't know what to say when the master asks for you.
Is something on your mind?
I think I should tell you this.
Goong-bok is fighting for his life
after being stabbed by a poisoned throwing star.
Where did he go?
Wait, I haven't seen Lady Jung-hwa around...
What?
If Goong-bok is with Lady Jung-hwa...
That will be big trouble.
Where could he be?
I brought him.
Where is Goong-bok?
I'm looking for him too.
He's been gone for three days without a word.
Where did he go?
That wretch...
How could he do this to me?
Why are you looking for him?
I wagered a thousand silver coins on him.
If he doesn't show up, I'll lose it all!
So it can happen to us too
I never thought we'd have to say goodbye
I guess my love wasn't enough
I guess it wasn't enough
I'm sorry for everything
But to tell me to live as a stranger
To tell me to meet someone else
Your words still don't seem real
You're leaving me How can you leave me?
Don't do this Please see how sad I am
What am I to do about all my regrets?
I want to turn back time Don't leave me
I miss you so much it breaks my heart
I have never seen any man survive such strong poison
for three days.
Will he live?
We'll have to wait and see.
But he's lasted this long. I think he'll recover.
I let a man get away.
I couldn't find out who did this to him.
He owes his life to you.
Are you going to leave like this?
I know he'll be fine.
Goong-bok!
What happened to you?
Look at you. What happened?
I'm sorry.
I was unconscious after being attacked by a
poisoned throwing star.
A poisoned throwing star? But who?
I don't know.
Are you all right now?
Yes.
I told Father I put you on duty at Yangzhou Harbor.
Go and get some rest.
What is it?
It's an official letter from the grand chief.
Grand chief? What is that?
There is a committee of head chiefs
who represent the Shilla merchant groups.
The grand chief is the head of the committee.
Is that right?
Who is the grand chief?
It is Master Sul Pyong.
What is it?
It's an order prohibiting all slave trade.
An order? Who is ordering whom?
It's not an order from the Jie Du Shi.
Even if it were an order from the Jie Du Shi,
we'd take big losses if slave trading were
prohibited.
You need only disobey the order.
It's not a simple matter.
The only way Shilla merchants could flourish
against Chinese merchants in China Was
because we were united against them.
To Shilla merchants in China,
an order from the grand chief is the law.
Then you mean to cease the slave trade?
There will be a meeting of head chiefs soon.
A new grand chief will be selected at the meeting.
Master Yi could take the post as the new grand chief.
But our power as a merchant group is too weak.
I'll help you.
If such is the post of grand chief,
you should take it.
It will benefit me as well.
There must be some head chiefs who are against
Master Sul.
Who are they?
Master Chun of Chuzhou and Master Heum of Yangzhou
have competed with Master Sul for trading rights.
Arrange for a meeting with them.
Yes.
If Master Yi covets the post of grand chief,
what's to stop me from becoming the new grand chief?
I should try my luck.
You'll also benefit
if Master Yi becomes the new grand chief.
I guess you don't know the nature of my relationship
with Master Sul.
He is also a man who brings me large profits.
If you really want my support,
offer me something tangible.
We'll arrange for your Shandong wine to be
sold in Chuzhou, where we dominate the market.
There you go.
I'll seriously consider it.
Master, Master Jo is here.
What brings you here?
I have something important to discuss with you.
Many head chiefs are unhappy with your recent order.
What about you?
I'm not interested in the slave trade.
I have no complaints.
Rumor has it Yi Do-hyung Is working the other head
Chiefs in order to get the post of grand chief.
It's nothing to laugh at.
Many head chiefs have already gone over to his side.
Have you?
Well, I won't go over to his side
if you show me a little consideration.
I have no interest in whether you do or not.
What is the meeting of the head chiefs?
Chinese merchants have regional committees.
We Shilla merchants in China also meet regularly
and support each other.
Father is the grand chief who represents the committee.
There will be a meeting of the head chiefs soon.
You'll be in charge of their safety.
Be prepared.
Yes.
It'll be difficult for Master Yi to succeed
as the next grand chief with his influence.
We do make big profits from the slave trade,
but you need not get involved in this.
That isn't the reason I'm getting involved.
We don't know when the rebels in Mujinju will
be subdued.
I plan to expand my business in Yangzhou for now.
Then we need Master Yi in that post.
It'll be difficult to bring down a great man like
master Sul overnight.
But what will happen if I don't become
the next grand chief?
I'll be a laughing stock who was played by Madam Jami.
My own chiefs will have no respect for me.
There is only one way.
There is only one post of grand chief.
It will have to be Sul Pyong or me.
There is only one post of grand chief.
It will have to be Sul Pyong or me.
Who are you?
Drop your sword.
I chased the inspector general's assassin once,
when I was Madam Jami's security officer in Mujinju.
He was a better swordsman than I,
but he spared my life.
I didn't know why.
I knew the dagger in his heart had the same plum
blossom engraving as the one on your dagger in Chunghae,
but I wasn't sure that assassin was you.
But now I am.
That assassin who spared my life was you, Yum Moon.
Why are you after Master Sul's life?
You are a sword and I am a sword.
Different masters wield us. That's our fate.
Then I guess this is the end of our friendship.
I never want to face you again like this.
Even if we do,
you'll never point your sword at my throat again.
Leave me.
Welcome. Please come inside.
You are looking well.
See you later.
Let's go.
You must have heard by now.
There was an uprising in Mujinju recently.
The rebels have seized the coasts as well.
You must exercise extra Caution when trading
with Shilla.
Is it true that Madam Jami is in Yangzhou?
She is staying with me.
As you already know,
she dominates the marketplaces in Shilla.
If you wish to make her acquaintance,
let me know.
I'll be of help to you.
Be quiet.
I have sent out an official letter prohibiting slave trade.
Any merchant group caught trading slaves will be removed
from the committee according to our house rule.
I can't agree with you.
We can't call ourselves merchants
if we turn down opportunities to make money.
Even the grand chief can't interfere in our business.
You'll lose credibility if you only pursue money.
Selling our own people must be prohibited.
It is our law to follow the grand chief's orders.
Slave trade must be prohibited.
- I can't agree with him. - Neither can I.
- Master Heum. - Be quiet.
We'll select a new grand chief today.
Let's postpone that decision for the new grand chief.
Fine. Let's do that.
You guys look great.
What are you doing?
People are watching. Go away.
It's my prerogative where I go.
Where have you been all these days?
Were you too scared to enter the arena again?
I had my reasons.
Fortunately things worked out all right.
But if Master Jo had lost a thousand silver coins,
you'd have made an enemy for life.
You did well.
Yon.
- Who's the new grand chief? - That's none of my business.
- How about a sip of wine? - Boss!
That's right. You're on duty. That's too bad.
It's good.
You want to go over there and take a sip?
- Boss. - Let's go.
- What's going on? - They're voting now. But...
There are an unexpected number of head chiefs
opposing the master.
Who would they support if not Father?
It's Master Yi Do-hyung.
I'll announce the results.
There are seven votes for Master Yi Do-hyung.
And for Master Sul Pyong...
Six votes.
Master Yi Do-hyung is the new grand chief.
Please say a word as the new grand chief.
I lack a great deal compared to Master Sul,
in terms of business and experience.
I'm embarrassed to have been selected as the grand chief.
But I'll do my best to carry out my duty,
as not to betray your trust.
What will you do about the slave trade?
Give us your order as the new grand chief.
I won't interfere in each merchant groups' business.
I'll leave the decision up to each head chief.
What happened?
Master Yi was selected as the new grand chief.
It would have been impossible without your help.
It's for the best.
You overexerted yourself overseeing our business,
and acting as the grand chief.
Maybe this time was given to you to get some rest.
I have no regrets about losing the title.
But Yi Do-hyung taking the post worries me.
He'll disturb the market with Madam Jami.
Don't worry too much.
You have many head chiefs who follow you.
They will be kept in line.
- What happens now? - What do you mean?
Master has stepped down as the grand chief.
Does that mean our influence will diminish?
We'll have to see about that.
But I think I've seen that new grand chief before.
He ran a shop at the Chunghae marketplace.
He is Yum Moon's master.
And he became such a huge merchant?
- Congratulations, Master Yi. - Congratulations.
Congratulations.
I owe it all to you, Madam.
I became the grand chief with your support.
I'll also support you in every way
so you can trade in Yangzhou.
Thank you.
I have found interesting traits in Chinese merchants.
Shandong and Guangdong are both coastal provinces,
but merchants from the two provinces are very different.
Shandong merchants only make trades approved by the law,
and Guandong merchants only make ones that are prohibited.
That would make Master Sul a Shandong merchant,
and Master Yi a Guangdong merchant.
I guess you could say that.
I have prepared a gift for you.
Since you have earned one wing by becoming the grand chief,
you must have your other wing.
I'll invite the officials of Jiangsu Province, and hold
a banquet.
Let's invite the other head chiefs,
and show them your power.
You must become the real power leading the Yangzhou merchants.
Not just a grand chief in name only.
Thank you.
This will be my first appearance to the Yangzhou merchants.
Do not neglect anything in preparation.
Madam Jami says she's holding this banquet in my honor,
but it is actually for her. She says she'd support me,
but she could just as easily stab me in the back someday.
- Be wary of her. - Yes.
Who did you support as grand chief?
Who do you think I supported?
I wouldn't dare read your thoughts.
Do you know how I survived in this fiercely competitive
Yangzhou market?
Because no one could read my innermost thoughts.
Will you benefit or lose
from Master Yi's new appointment?
It's not a loss.
Master Yi is the new grand chief,
but he doesn't have much influence in the market.
He'll only make some money from the slave trade.
The more flaws he has, the more profit I'll make.
More profit...
- Good day, Master Sul. - How are you doing?
We're doing well under your supervision.
But is it true you stepped down as grand chief?
Yes.
But you're the grand chief to us.
All the other merchants in the marketplace agree.
That's right.
Master Yi is throwing a banquet.
He has also invited government officials.
He has also sent you an invitation.
Other head chiefs, including Master Jang,
have decided not to attend.
You should not attend either. It will only bring you insult.
What do you think?
Should I attend or not?
If I were you... I would attend.
Why?
I've heard conflicts have deepened among Shilla merchants
because of the selection of the grand chief.
If you do not attend, the situation will worsen.
You're right. I should attend.
Will you talk to the head chiefs who decided not to attend,
and persuade them to attend?
Yes.
Welcome.
The guests have arrived.
- And Master Sul? - He is here.
He has slighted me and refused to do business with me.
He'll greatly regret it someday.
I'd like to thank those who have voted for me once again.
We have officials from the government, and Master Wang,
the Jie Du Shi's relative, is also in attendance.
I plan to lead our merchant group by honoring
everyone's opinion.
Let me pour a drink for everyone on that note.
- You should go down now. - All right.
There is someone I'd like to introduce to everyone.
Goong-bok.
This is Madam Jami from Shilla.
This is the Minister of Justice.
He says you're very beautiful.
He works as a security officer for the Sul Pyong
merchant group.
Well, you've seen him alive now.
Does it cause your heart to waver?
I have forgotten him.
Forgotten?
It's not easy to forget someone...
yet you've forgotten him.
Just give me your order.
I'll get rid of him. What are you saying?
How will you handle the consequences for killing
Master Sul's security officer?
We should have killed him when he was a slave.
She came back because there was an uprising in Mujinju.
What do we do?
She saw the two of us. What do we do?
Calm down.
I never wished to see your face again.
But you have somehow survived.
I clung desperately to my life in order to see you again.
Why? Did you plan to slit my throat?
If that could erase my grudge, it would not have been so
painful.
I have endured years more painful than death itself.
There were times that my grudge against you
filled me with pain.
But I have let go of that grudge.
I have found another way to take revenge.
What is that?
I will destroy your wealth and power with my own hands.
Withdraw your sword.
I'll be watching you. Go ahead and try.
Our power in the market is being threatened
after my stepping down as grand chief.
Merchants from the West will come to Yangzhou with goods.
I plan to strengthen our foothold in the market
by securing most goods from the West.
We need silk for payment if we're to be assigned
goods from the customs office.
You're right.
I'll lead a merchant group to Yuzhou to buy silk.
You'll be in charge of security for the trip.
The most profitable Business in Yangzhou
is selling goods from the West.
We can't trade directly with merchants from the West.
They hand over all their goods to the customs office.
And the customs office will assign goods to merchant groups.
But you need to pay in silk, not money.
Because the good Western merchants prefer most is silk.
Then we can secure more goods by securing more silk?
That's right.
This will be your first traveling assignment.
Be prepared.
Please teach our officers.
I haven't held a sword in a long time.
And I never plan to hold one again.
You won't help us when Goong-bok and I have been
entrusted with such a big task?
You have wine everywhere.
What could change your mind? I'll bring you anything.
Why, you little wretches...
Fine. I'll see how you're doing.
Yes.
Enough.That's enough!
How could you defeat bandits that way?
You. You. You.
You're to stay behind.
And you too.
She's skilled enough for the job.
Dismissed.
Why, you...
You have a soft spot in your heart for her, don't you?
- No, I don't. - Don't try to lie to me.
I can see her sitting right in here.
Why...
I'll soon leave for Yuzhou.
I'll be in charge of the group.
I plan to buy lots of silk in bulk.
I need you to finance us.
I have a favor to ask you in return.
What is it?
Let our merchants join your group.
Jung-hwa will go with you for now.
And I'll meet you in Yuzhou as soon as I return from
the Silla community in Chuzhou.
It will be a difficult journey, but you'll learn a lot from it.
Yes. I'd like to go.
All right.
Are the preparations going well?
Yes.
Master Yi won't be leading his group.
A man by the name of Yum Moon will be taking his group.
They have joined forces with Madam Jami to buy silk.
This is a very important trade for us.
Prepare well.
Hurry!
What are you doing? Get moving.
- Hello, Chief. - How is it going?
We're about ready to leave.
- We'll leave at daybreak. - Yes, sir.
Chief, Sul Pyong's group has left Yangzhou.
We're a day ahead of them.
They have left earlier than we expected.
We won't be able to buy silk at this rate.
We must cross the desert and go to Mingzhou.
But we must cross not just the desert,
but two very steep mountains.
That's the only way we can be ten days ahead of them.
- Do as I say. - Yes, sir.
We'll soon cross the desert and dangerous mountains.
It'll be a very difficult journey for you.
Don't worry about me.
I would have stayed in Yangzhou
if I knew I was going to suffer so much.
I'm glad I'm on this journey.
But you seem tired too.
Traveling this vast land makes those years
I lived in desperation in Shilla
seem to have been in vain.
I want to discard all the sad Relationships I have made
in this land of sand.
Are you talking about Goong-bok?
You made the right decision.
What's the point of keeping him in your heart
when you can't see him again?
Forget him now.
My lady!