Miss, I am ju-mong.
Come in.
What is it?
I have a transaction for you.
Go-San nation?
That's a very distant place. Are you going to bring the whole merchant caravan?
Yes, I am
miss, that's too dangerous.
Yes, dangerous and pointless as well.
There is nothing worth trading in go-San nation.
Therefore, there's no need to lead the merchant caravan there.
Well, you heard them.
If I were to be successful in go-San nation...
Not only can we earn a huge amount of money, we can also carry our popularity further.
Please have faith in me. Please let me go.
If you mean to kill and silence me, that will be a bad judgment.
.There are many more mouths to silence.
Do not attempt another thoughtless act like this.
I am no longer the ju-mong that used to fear your threats.
If you threaten me,
it will be you that will pay.
Na-ru, are you there?
Go immediately to yeon ta-bal trade clan and summon so seo-no to the palace.
Yes, your highness.
How did it go?
He agreed to let us go.
But... how did you know about go-San nation's salt production?
Even my father, who roamed all lands under the heaven, didn't know about it.
Oh, my mother heard it from my grandfather who was the chief of ha-baek village.
The ha-baek village people earned a living by helping trade clans move their goods.
So countless merchants have moved in and out of ha-baek village.
The information must have leaked from somewhere back then.
We're setting off as soon as preparations for the journey is complete,
please pack your belongings immediately.
Yes, I will.
Prince dae-so requests an audience with miss so seo-no,
please come to the palace.
Tell the prince that too many problems came up, and I can't go to the palace now.
Miss...
The prince... will not be pleased with your reply.
Why would I care if the prince is happy or not?
I am not a person whom he can summon as he pleases.
Please tell the prince what I have said.
Help so seo-no,
to prepare for the journey ahead. Nothing must go wrong.
Chief...
It's too dangerous for so seo-no to travel to go-San nation.
Although my skills are quite adequate...
the bandits near go-San nation may put the caravan in danger.
If we must go we should send scouts ahead first...
If you cannot even overcome this danger, how are you going to lead future caravans?
Last time we travelled to heng-in via a well travelled route
now, let so seo-no open up a new route for herself.
I'd like to see just how capable she is.
Hurry up and get ready.
Yes, chief.
I will take good care of so seo-no.
You can put your heart at ease.
Oo-tae, you don't have to go this time around.
Why not?
I have other matters for you to attend to.
Chief...
So seo-no is witty, far sighted, and she cares for the people.
However, she lacks in experience, and might get herself into dangerous situations.
Last time we went to heng-in to trade weapons, something really bad almost happened.
This time around, it's going to be far more dangerous.
I still feel uneasy about this.
Please let me go with miss.
I know you're worried...
But please, just do as I say.
Letting miss go to such a dangerous place...
How could he not feel a sense of guilt?
I don't get it.
Sa-yong...
Please try to persuade him.
Brother oo-tae...
I am going to a dangerous place as well.
Don't you worry about me or do you worry only about so seo-no?
What are you saying?
It is not like you to let others know your intentions so easily.
Stop your rubbish!
So seo-no has been under my care since she was a baby.
My concern for her stems from the fact that I am her elder.
But I am sure brother oo-tae and so seo-no aren't true blood siblings.
You rascal.
Thanks to you guys for finding people from go-San nation.
That has made me more confident on this journey.
Thank you for your hard work.
What's there to thank us for? This task was as easy as wading in shallow water.
I heard the journey will be long and dangerous.
Please come back in peace, brother.
Please come back in peace, brother!
Why don't you guys come along as well?
What?
The journey will be tough, please be prepared.
Wait, brother...
Brother... brother...
What did I tell you?
We're sure to have to go along.
Ah this is getting insane!
How are we going to travel this long road under the sun?!
Are you sure the road is going to be long?
The last I heard, it's infested with bandits as well.
Ah, what the hell.
She said she had her hands full with the clan, and doesn't have time to come to the palace.
She said that, knowing full well it was a request made by me?
Yes, your highness.
What an arrogant and disrespectful girl.
I get it.
Since she cannot come, then I will have to go.
I'll get prepared now.
That's not needed.
We need to get ready for a meeting with the ministers.
We'll go some other day.
Twenty rolls of silk...
As oo-tae is unable to go with us, we need to search for someone skilled in martial arts to protect us.
Ahh.. I told you not to worry!
With oh-yi, ma-ri, hyeop-Bo, we can easily subdue the common bandist.
You don't have to worry, I'll take care of it all.
Miss, I have something to tell you.
I'm busy now, let's talk later
I have to speak to you now.
What's the matter?
I still think you shouldn't go.
It's already settled.
Who's idea was it to go to go-San nation anyway?
It was prince ju-mong's idea.
But although the idea was his,
I believe we should do it too.
The people are still unaware that with go-San nation's salt.
Every time the han dynasty puts pressure on buyeo city our trade clan will stand at an advantage.
You are right.
But you see only the tree bathed in sunlight.
And fail to consider the shadow that the tree creates.
It'd be good for our trade in the long run if we manage to find salt in go-San nation.
Of course that will be to our advantage.
But because of this, buyeo will be free from the stranglehold held on them.
This will make buyeo much more powerful than it is now.
If buyeo can secure a steady supply of salt, we'll be helping our enemy seal his weak spot.
The consequences won't be good for gyeh-ru.
To keep gyeh-ru clan in a good position to resist buyeo, salt will be our greatest weapon.
If we were to go to war against buyeo,
what will we use to fight them?
If you are to become chief, you will have to lead the people of gyeh-ru.
Don't just look at the facts,
you have to think further than that.
Eww... how shameful... What are you doing?
What shameful?
What the hell are you doing?
Mu-song.
How can a brother do this to his sister?
I never thought you were that kind of person.
Ahh... why did you have to come at this time?
The meal was done, and I was just about to eat...
What a waste!
What?
Prince, I am not an animal.
Would I do such a thing to my sister?
Mu-deuk...
Is not my sister.
Can I trust your words?
I heard her calling you, "brother, brother!"
Ah no, that...
What else would she call me by? Father?
Mu-deuk and I...
Have different father and mother.
Oh really? Is that true?
Do others know about it?
If you don't believe me, you can ask mu-deuk.
Well, in any case, you must be careful not to let the others see.
- What's so funny? - Nothing.
Others might say this of me,
but... how can a prince tell me something like that?
Before I knew you, your highness...
I've heard a lot about you, so I may know a little.
The way you womanized... was unmatchable in buyeo city.
The last time I even saw it for myself.
Oh right...
Can you use this opportunity to teach me some of your tricks?
That was all in the past.
After I've seen her lady, I need to speak to the ironsmith leader, and you as well.
Wait for me at the ironware workshop first.
Sheesh, not going to teach me even one?
What a miser...
What are you doing up so late at night?
I may not be able to see you for a while,
so I've come to say my goodbyes.
Where are you going?
I'm journeying to go-San nation.
Go-San nation? Might it be for the salt?
Yes, it is.
Although the trade problem with the han dynasty has been solved...
His majesty's worry has not abated.
I would like to handle this problem for his majesty.
I know you have good intentions.
But I heard from your grandfather,
no one really knows if go-San nation has any salt.
Please don't worry,
I've met some people from go-San nation at buyeo city.
I am confident.
Since you've put your heart in it, then do go ahead.
Actually...
In the past...
I've heard of the salt mountain...
And have long desired to travel to go-San nation myself.
If you manage to find salt there,
it will be an immense source of strength for buyeo.
His majesty will be pleased.
When I'm not around,
please take care.
The journey will be tough, you have to take care of yourself too.
Yes, I will.
Ju-mong,
Take this along with you on your journey.
Isn't this a Jade ring?
It's beautiful. Why do you hide it around your neck?
Take it with you first...
Then when you meet the girl you like, give it to her.
Go on, have a drink.
When I'm not around...
I don't know what my brothers will be up to, please be careful.
Yes, your highness.
You must keep an eye on the ironsmith leader, do not let him get into trouble.
If anything happens, seek help from my mother through mu-deuk.
Yes, your highness.
You don't have to worry about these, please leave in peace.
Leader
yes?
Though I may be leaving...
My mind is troubled with the secret of steel crafting.
Even if we are tired, we must press on.
Your highness,
we have something to show you.
Hey, good job there.
Here, take this.
What's this?
Oh, just leave the sentry duty to me.
Why don't you guys go get a drink, eh?
Ahh no, it's okay, really...
You little rascal, you think it's easy for me to part with my money?
Now accept it before I change my mind.
Thank you sir!
Nah, what's there to thank me for?
Just let others know that I, mu-song, am a very kind person.
Well, what are you standing here for? Quick, go!
Yes, sir.
Ah yes, hurry hurry...
Don't come back so soon!
Psst, here.
Come out!
Here, I present to you.
Please look carefully.
It didn't break,
until now.
Among all the swords crafted in buyeo's ironware workshop...
This... is the toughest of them all.
A sword of this grade,
is comparable to the swords
crafted in the han dynasty.
Does that mean...
We've already mastered the secret of steel crafting?
Not yet.
If not, then how did this sword come about?
I guess, the secret must lie in, the way iron is processed.
This sword was crafted by accident in our ironware workshop,
but we were unable to reproduce anything like it.
Under these circumstances,
wouldn't it be a fallacy to say we've mastered it?
However, we are seeing a possibility of it happening.
Please wait for a while more,
I will discover the secret of steel crafting.
So-young.
Yes?
Because you are young,
have you been looked down by the other priestesses?
Yes, I do have that feeling sometimes.
But, they are all wary of my powers.
But of course,
you musn't be afraid of them.
Govern sachuldo well.
Yes, I understand.
Priestess yeo mi-eul?
Go ahead.
I've been feeling uneasy ever since I entered the palace,
it's as if a bad aura has been... Supressing me.
Child!
Child! Child!
Child!
Is chon-rang here?
Are you looking for me, high priestess?
I'd like to pay a vist to lady yoo-hwa.
Yes, high priestess.
Go-San nation, you say?
Yes.
Why the need to go somewhere that far?
It probably has something to do with the trade clan.
Since he wants to see the world,
then stepping out of the house... Should broaden his knowledge in all aspects.
My lady.
Yes?
Did you know that ju-mong learned his martial arts skills from hae mo-su?
Yes.
Somehow, I feel that this is a part of fate.
I have something to ask you.
Does ju-mong know that...
Hae mo-su is actually his father?
Since ju-mong wanted to learn from him he must have stayed with him for quite a while.
Do you think he knows the truth already?
I don't think so.
That... is a big relief.
If ju-mong were to find out about this,
it will be a major blow to him.
If it were to happen,
I'm afraid it will cause him to blunder in his quest.
I will tell him about this personally when the time comes.
But until then, this must remain a secret.
I understand, your majesty.
I seek an audience with lady yoo-hwa,
please pass this request to her.
His majesty is with her now.
Do pass on my request.
My lady, I am mu-deuk.
Come in.
What's the matter?
High priestess yeo mi-eul seeks an audience with you.
I am having a conversation with yoo-hwa at the moment,
tell her to come back another day.
I have told her that,
but she still insists on seeing her.
Your majesty, I should comply.
Summon her in.
You're here.
I've come to deliver some important news.
Please have a seat.
You look much healthier,
it's been hard on you. I'm sorry.
What news do you bring?
Your majesty, recently, I have been keeping in touch with the priestesses from sachuldo,
and I learned much about buyeo and its surroundings.
Oh, ?
What has the news you brought got to do with lady yoo-hwa?
Actually, amongst them, there is one that is rather disturbing.
The da-mul bow, sacred relic of shijo mountain, has been broken.
Is that true?
Is the da-mul bow really broken?
Yes, it is.
Of the three princes that went to shijo mountain,
prince dae-so and prince young-po said...
They needed great effort to draw the bow, so it is unlikely to be them.
However, ju-mong completely denied going to shijo mountain.
If so, who broke the bow?
Ju-mong said he didn't go.
But can we be sure that other than prince dae-so, and prince young-po... no one else went to shijo mountain?
That we do not know.
The da-mul bow is an ancient, and divine relic.
Your majesty has strung it once before.
The da-mul bow is not something that can be broken by a mortal being.
The being who broke the bow, will surely cast a dark shadow over buyeo's future.
A dark shadow?
Priestess, are you using those words again to confuse lady yoo-hwa?
The da-mul bow could have been broken because of old age.
It is possible that it could have broken on it's own.
If you decide to get all superstitous and fidgety, then let the divination palace handle it.
Your majesty, how can you say that?
To foresee any ill omens and take precautions to avoid it,
worry about the future of buyeo, is the job of the priestess and the divination palace.
You speak of buyeo's future.
Listen closely, priestess.
Buyeo's future lies not within the divination palace...
But with me.
I will make the decisions.
Summon the priestesses from sachul-do.
Yes.
Is anything the matter?
We have to hold the divine ceremony ten days from now,
please be prepared.
Except events like the memorial ceremony,
ceremonies like this should only be held during major events in the country.
What exactly is going on?
Buyeo and the divination palace are about to go through a crisis,
I heard they're performing the ten day divine ceremony.
This has never happened since the last king ascended the throne.
If the people of buyeo were to know about this, fear and panic will erupt.
His majesty expresses his urge to go to war against the han dynasty.
Both for our national affairs,
and the challenge for the crown prince.
His majesty did not consult the divination palace either.
But made the decision by himself.
How can the priestess not be infuriated? You're saying they might challenge his majesty's power?
History has shown that a challenge between the princes is even more frightening than outside threats.
We must not let the history of our previous dynasty repeat itself.
We must stop this challenge that is tearing our government apart.
Ever since hae mo-su's death, his majesty has changed completely.
I have served under him for years,
yet recently his thoughts have eluded me.
I don't know what to do as well. Very worrying indeed.
To keep gyeh-ru clan in a good position to resist buyeo, salt will be our greatest weapon.
If we were to go to war against buyeo, what will we use to fight them?
We will resume our plans to go to go-San nation.
I...
want to help prince ju-mong.
I want to help him get an advantage in the competition between the princes.
I will still continue to help him in the future.
You asked me once what we will use to fight when war erupts against buyeo.
I will turn prince ju-mong into our weapon.
This will be a weapon far more powerful than salt.
Your guards protecting the caravan must be careful.
Even at night, you must not let your guard now.
Am I clear?!
Yes!
This is your first time on an expedition,
you must be exceptionally alert.
Don't worry.
Your job as guards does not solely involve protecting the caravan.
You must scout ahead, seek a short yet safe route, and be a good navigator.
I understand.
Please take good care of so seo-no as well.
Yes.
Preperations for the expedition are complete.
If we manage to pave a new trade route between go-San nation and us,
and successfully open trading oppourtunities,
it will be a major step to our trade clan.
This expedition was made possible by your persistence.
You've taken a great responsibility, don't forget that.
Yes, I'll be going now.
Good.
Everyone, please be careful!
Yes, chief!
Let's set off.
Yes, miss.
I do not feel at ease, letting so seo-no go by herself.
So seo-no cannot live under our protection all her life,
she must create an even world for herself.
Bu-young?
I heard you were going on an expedition,
please take care.
When I come back,
I won't be sure if I'll have the money to redeem your freedom from do-chi.
Please bear with me. Wait for me.
Your highness...
Go-San nation?
Yes, I'm sure it's go-San nation.
Might it be that you heard wrongly?
What resources can they squeeze out of there, to justify sending a trade clan over?
Han-dang, go again and find out more.
Yes.
What are you standing here for? Get going!
Chief, actually there is something else which I'm not sure I should say.
Speak.
From my limited foresight,
I cannot understand why you, sir, would want to get close to prince young-po.
Do you think prince young-po will become the crown prince?
Han-dang.
Yes?
Come closer.
Yes.
You rascal,
do you think I'm stupid?
Am I stupid?
In this world, how can someone as naive as young-po become the crown prince?
I just want to milk his fortune, that's why I've been close to him.
Ah, yes.
Halt!
Turn around.
Which palace are you from?
Jin-suk palace, your highness.
Jin-suk palace...
You.
Yes, your highness?
Come to my place tonight.
What?
Don't be so shocked,
nothing will happen.
You must come, you hear?
Yes, your highness.
Your highness!
All the palace maids are properties of his majesty, aren't you aware of that?
What on earth do you think you're doing?
His majesty doesn't get close to the maids at all.
Those few won't even get a taste of men before they rot in the palace.
I'll take care of them... what's the big deal?
This... this.
Your majesty,
the divine ceremony has already been going on for three days in the divination palace.
Your majesty should visit the divination palace,
and comfort the hardworking priestesses. Your subject believes this should be done.
Prime minister.
Yes, your majesty.
I have already spoken to you about things concerning the divnation palace, haven't I?
In the future,
anything that has got to do with the divination palace,
don't ever bring them up to me again.
According to chief yeon ta-bal,
recently, heng-in country has been acting strangely.
What's that supposed to mean? What's going on?
When the governor of hyeon-to met with the king of heng-in,
the general of ok-Jo was there as well.
The relationship between heng-in and hyeon-to is frail,
but leaders of both countries have started exchanging information.
It looks like we have to keep a close watch over these countries.
Dae-so, what do you think?
I suspect the governor of hyeon-to is trying to forge an alliance between hae-in and ok-Jo
to put a stranglehold on us.
I will pay a visit to chief yeon ta-bal to study this issue carefully.
Brother.
The priestess and father are drifting further and further apart.
That is not something you need to worry about.
Brother,
what are you saying?
Are you saying you told priestess yeo mi-eul about this?!
She accused ju-mong and I of breaking the da-mul bow.
How can I not tell the truth?
What?!?!
You have no idea what you told her,
the consequences that it will bring to our prestige, don't you realize it at all?
What is it really that you store in your head?
No,
it's not just once or twice, the person who wastes his breath on you, is the foolish one.
Sorry.
The truth is already out. What's there to do?
Brother,
what else haven't you told me?
That rascal ju-mong said he did not visit shijo mountain at all.
If so, then who broke the da-mul bow?
How the hell would I know?
Why didn't your masjesty notified us before coming down?
I heard the governor of hyeon-to had a meeting with the king of heng-in.
I'm here to find out their reasons for doing so.
Please come in.
Why... don't I see your daughter around anymore?
Oh, so seo-no?
So seo-no is bringing a caravan on an expedition to go-San nation.
Go-San nation?
Why going to somewhere that far?
She will be the future leader of my trade clan.
That task is no big deal.
Then... has ju-mong gone along with her?
Yes.
Why?
Nothing.
Chief, do you know how ju-mong and so seo-no came to know each other?
I heard prince ju-mong almost died when he fell into a pool of quicksand.
He was saved by so seo-no.
She even brought prince ju-mong to mount shijo.
Your majesty, please forgive me
I got lost after crawling out of the quicksand
as I got too afraid,
I didn't dare venture to shijo mountain, nor see the da-mul bow.
It's getting dark soon, we'll set up camp here.
Yes, miss.
Hey, listen up!
Prepare to set up camp!
Woah! Sure smells nice here!
Oh-yi!
Brother,
let's dig in.
Hey, hyeop-Bo,
Not tired?
Ah, I'm fine.
There's a feast ready in the tent,
please help join us.
Ah, that's not needed,
I want to eat here with my folks.
I'm but a worker in the caravan,
I will stick together with my fellow folks, please don't worry about me.
When we near heng-in, we must make good use of time and not stall.
From then on, it will be unchartered territory, which may take some time to navigate.
It seems, it may rain soon.
Miss, we must make it down the mountain before it starts,
it may not rain tonight.
Miss, we might as well invite prince ju-mong inside.
He said not to bother him.
So let him be.
Sound asleep already?
Hey, hey oh-yi.
You know, I can tolerate going around on an empty stomach,
but keeping awake after a meal? It really kills me.
Yeah, even the most powerful warriors won't be able to keep his eyes open.
Cut the chatter, better get yourselves holed in.
Yes...
Why aren't you sleeping yet?
Can't seem to fall asleep.
Something bothering you?
To say there's nothing would be a lie.
Despite disagreements from father and the leaders,
I insisted on going ahead with this expedition.
I may not even find what I set out to look for.
Miss.
We must succeed.
Why do you say that?
You're smarter than the average person.
When I first met you on the road to mount shijo,
you said, even ten of me won't be a match for you, do you still remember?
You also said that I'm a useless fool.
Well, you did look rather useless back then.
Not even knowing the proper way to thank your benefactor.
Pretty timid...
And talked a lot too.
Yeah, because I was ignorant.
Do you still feel that I'm useless?
What can I say?
Seems to have improved a fair bit.
But compared to prince dae-so,
you're still quite far behind.
Which younger brother in this world can be more outstanding than his older brother?
If that came from your heart,
then you're still as useless as before.
No... could they have fallen for each other?
Seems to be the case.
Sa-yong,
let's have a bet.
Five bags of salt, says miss has fallen for prince ju-mong.
You?
How about prince dae-so?
Since you want to bet, we should play with higher stakes.
How about a cart of salt?
What?!
She may have him in her heart, but things may not turn out the same in reality.
I understand her pragmatic nature.
Do you still want to bet?
You're no fun at all.
I was betting for the fun of it, why blow up the stakes?
Priestess yeo mi-eul,
her majesty wants an audience with you.
Dismissed.
Priestess yeo mi-eul, it's not just anyone else, it's her majesty.
Her majesty has always been supporting you.
I said, dismissed!
How did it go?
She won't let anyone near the altar.
If this goes on, his majesty and priestess yeo mi-eul will drift further and further apart.
Even if it were so, I still think his majesty made the correct decision.
Priestesses of sachuldo gathering together and carrying out ceremonies without permission from father?
This should not even have happened.
But the priestesses are not doing it for personal gains.
Although we chart buyeo's future through the heavens, the priestesses have no long term power over buyeo.
If I were to become king, I will not allow divinity and politics to mix.
You must be careful. Please mind your words.
Till now, a word from the priestess,
can still move the hearts of the common folks. You must be careful.
Chief.
Anything the matter?
The governor of hyeon-to city has arrived at buyeo.
What?
Didn't the caravan stationed at hyeon-to city receive any news of this?
Yes.
What is his purpose in coming to buyeo?
Your highness.
Something up?
The governor of hyeon-to city, Yang-jeong, has arrived at buyeo.
Yang-jeong?!
The governor of hyeon-to, Yang-jeong, pays his respect to his majesty.
A visit out of the blue, anything important?
Hey brother, did you know?
Sa-yong has been looking at you,
must have been completely captivated by hyeop-Bo.
Hey leader!
What?
How far are we from heng-in?
We're almost there.
It's just across that mountain.
Once we reach heng-in,
those girls there, I'm coming for you!
Oh-yi, ma-ri!
Tonight we'll make merry with those heng-in girls!
What are you looking at?
I'm thinking of making a map of our route.
This is a map taken from buyeo, it's full of mistakes.
Brother, just leave these stuff to ma-ri.
He has fantastic memory.
Yeah, the things he has seen, he never forgets them.
Please take a look to see if there's anything wrong.
Woah, you missed out a few here.
At first, there was a crossroad here before the mountain route.
It follows this direction here.
Eh that's true. There was a crossroad!
And, there was another route at this mountain.
It follows this direction.
What did you say?
That wretch from yeon ta-bal who landed us in this situation is here.
In fact, she's at the inn right now.
Drop your weapons!
I told you that these swords were made of forged steel.
Why are you so foolish?
I... I've done you wrong.
It is too late.
Brother oo-tae
kill them all.
That wrench who landed me in this state,
dares step into heng-in?
Men!
Yes!
Bring that girl to me right now!
Yes sir!
We're currently at this position.
We'll follow i-do river, pass cheon ma-liang.
But we're already behind schedule, we should look for a shorter route.
Looking for a shorter route is a good idea.
But I fear that instead of finding one, we might end up on an even harder route.
We should just stick to this route, and take our time.
Oh-yi, ma-ri, hyeop-Bo and I will scout for a new route, and be your navigator.
Then so be it.
Okay, everyone please go back and rest.
In which room the leader of the caravan is staying?
Who are you?
Poh Kim
bandits
our location and the scale of our convoy
have been spotted by them
if we continue the journey
we might run into danger
dammed
listen carefully, go inform your emperor
it will be the han, and not buyeo