River Where the Moon Rises (The Moon Rising River / Dalyi Ddeuneun Gang / 달이 뜨는 강)

(This is based on the Tale of On Dal in Chronicles of the Three States.)

(Characters, incidents, and dates do not match historical facts.)

She only knows her name. Yeom Ga Jin.

Can you please let her stay here?

The day Mother died.

I must know what happened that day.

Whose memorial service is it?

Dal is his son. General On Hyeop.

"General On Hyeop"?

The Sunno Tribe also suffered for no reason.

They were framed for treason.

I have no time for a country bumpkin.

I am here to find someone.

The Jangbaek herb store!

You left that place along with the princess!

She is the daughter of the king. Princess Pyeonggang.

Listen to me carefully.

Your life is not yours alone.

The people of the Sunno Tribe sacrificed their lives to save you.

If you want to kill yourself, you need to get their permission.

Are you going to stay in this village?

The princess is dead.

"Pyeonggang".

It is a strong and blessed name.

That is your name, Pyeonggang. Do you like it?

There seemed to be circumstances she could not explain.

I could not bring her with me.

But I can tell you this on my life.

It is definitely the Princess.

Does she resent me?

No. She did not say anything as such.

She will have grudges.

She will hate her heartless father.

Right now, bringing her back safely is our priority.

If the rebels hear of this...

The rebels...

would include Gochuga, right?

My father does not yet know.

How far...

can I trust you?

You must trust me...

to see the Princess again.

I will find a way to bring her back safely.

When we are ready,

you just have to give the command.

I am a filial and thoughtful son,

I do not wish to cause my father concern.

By that, you mean...

I was never in to see the King,

and you...

never saw me.

I do not know what is going on,

but how will you suffer the wrath if Gochuga were to find out?

Head Eunuch.

That depends on your sly tongue.

Speak less...

and extend your lifespan.

The King went to Magnolia Hall?

I heard he came by suddenly and took a look around.

But that is not the only strange thing.

He was usually drunk on alcohol or high on drugs.

Today, he touched neither...

and stayed in his chambers.

When one acts out of the ordinary,

they say their time here has ended.

You might get your way much easier.

Great things do not happen by luck.

The King is obsessed with the Princess' ghost.

We must turn that fear into reality.

The Princess?

The young girl who went missing when the Queen was killed?

Yes. After that, she lost her memory...

and lived in Cheonjubang.

How could this be?

We should throw her out immediately for the safety of the village.

She said she wished to leave out of guilt.

I am not sure, Chief.

What would my father have done?

The general...

would have followed the flow.

The flow?

Sometimes one must stay even if we want them gone,

and one must go even if we ask them to stay.

Do not try to work against nature.

But what happened that day tore our tribe to pieces.

My father died framed and shamed.

That was not the Princess' fault.

I know that, but...

I cannot even look at her face now.

It is just too hard.

Are you home?

Where is she? Did she really leave?

My goodness.

I thought you had just left.

What is this?

On Dal's mother made it for me. Do I look strange?

No, no. It suits you perfectly.

Dressed like that, you look like one of us.

Will you stay with us and not go anywhere now?

If only I can.

If you want to, it is done. What are you worried about?

I must throw something away.

Oh? There she comes.

The young lady brightened up the whole village.

That pretty thing was a killer?

That is so dreadful.

She said she quit. Do not bring it up.

Can a meat-eater...

survive on vegetables and herbs alone?

I am sure Dal has a lot on his mind.

Will you really not eat?

Where is he?

You stayed up all night,

will not eat all day, or move a finger!

Will you shrivel and die where you lie?

You fool!

You fool!

You got your way!

You brought the girl back,

the King's army did not get what they came for.

What else is there?

The villagers said they accept her knowing she was a killer!

What are you so upset about?

You broke your word with me to leave the mountain,

and you even went to Pyeongyang Castle?

I would love to break your legs,

but I am holding back.

I am sorry, Mother.

If you know that, come in and eat.

I should be punished for doing wrong.

Just like we promised.

Dal.

Dal.

He is truly captivated.

My gosh.

The well was almost dry, and so is the stream.

We might all wither away if the drought continues.

Let us go higher up.

Oh? Dal!

What?

Why is he suddenly keeping a distance?

Did you and Dal fight?

No.

As if I have the right to fight him.

I wronged him in many ways.

Dal may speak like an uncultured swine,

but he is really sweet.

He will get over it soon.

Do not worry at all.

You just saw him.

He is taking his hoe to get punished.

To get punished?

Did you promise your mother...

you would work if you ever...

left the mountain again?

You are doing this because of me.

I should be the one to get punished.

I came to say something upsetting.

I will stay in Ghost Valley.

I know I am guilty and being shameless,

but I want to live.

I do not want to go to the palace where Father acts like I am a ghost.

I will no longer...

do anything that gets blood on my hands.

I will work in the fields, fell trees, and gather herbs...

and live a good life, like you.

If you do not like it and say no,

I will leave.

The stars are not aligned.

What?

The drought will go on for a while.

That is why I am digging a well. It is not because of you.

Then are you okay with me staying at Ghost Valley?

The villagers accepted you.

You. What do you think?

My thoughts?

My thoughts?

I should start thinking how I feel about it.

Are there any leftover iron pieces?

Could you add this and melt it all?

Yes. She brought them here herself.

She told me to make sickles or whatever the villagers need.

If a killer throws away their blade, it must mean serious business.

How could it be you?

Your father...

killed my father...

and annihilated my tribe.

- Dal. - Do not ask.

You can go...

and find a way to live on your own.

You returned from the mountain empty-handed.

Why are you here now?

If I am empty-handed,

I can carry whatever I find.

The King is up to something.

If you do not do something about the Princess,

I will get involved myself.

You must be busy with politics.

Leave it to me, Father.

What brings you here late at night?