The Night Owl (올빼미)

NOT LONG AFTER THE CROWN PRINCE RETURNED HOME,

HE FELL ILL AND DIED

HE BLED FROM HIS EYES, EARS, NOSE AND MOUTH

AND APPEARED TO HAVE DIED FROM POISONING

JUNE 27TH, 1645 ANNALS OF JOSEON DYNASTY

-Thank you. -Sure.

Did you prepare for the test?

I should quit drinking. It doesn't help.

We can become rich if we work as royal physicians.

They're hiring acupuncturists this time, right?

Hwang, who got into the palace last year, bought a house.

How many rooms in his house?

It's a mansion.

I should have been nicer to Hwang.

Why?

You're taking the test too?

-Yes. I'd like to try. -Right.

Kyeong-Soo, you should try to get rich too.

Of course! Kyeong-Soo can get rich!

-Finish up. -Sir.

Prepare for the visit.

Yes, sir.

He's here! Hurry up!

Greet Sir Lee Hyung-Ik, the head royal physician.

It's an irregular pulse.

It could be a sign of pregnancy.

He is low on energy.

If he doesn't get acupuncture treatment now, he could die.

Shall I treat him?

This thread is different from what I normally use.

I think he is sick in the mind rather than the body.

Sir, how about trying acupuncture?

I've seen enough.

I believe he had a stroke.

How dare you talk out of line!

Are you blind?

How do you know that?

I heard him walk with a limp earlier, sir.

As his breathing is short and irregular,

his hasty and impatient personality must've brought on the stroke.

How can you diagnose him without feeling his pulse?

It's nonsense to feel the pulse with thread, sir.

How dare you!

It began as a means to avoid touching the ladies of the court.

In truth, we must talk with patients to make a diagnosis, sir.

How would you treat him with acupuncture?

Here! Over here!

Throw it!

Brother!

I warned you not to run, didn't I?

You did it!

Congratulations!

You got a job in the palace. Kyeong-Soo, you'll be rich!

I knew you would make it someday!

He always worked so hard.

Try it.

Good things happen to those who live honestly.

Of course!

Here you are.

What? Is there a problem?

No. Thank you.

Why are you always so patient?

When I become a royal physician, everything will be fine.

Here, eat.

-Delicious, isn't it? -Yeah.

When I return from the palace,

I'll buy a house, treat your illness, and everything will be good.

Gyeong-jae, I won't be able to come back from the palace for a while.

Why? For how long?

I'll have lots to learn at first. I'll come back in a month or so.

But after that, I can commute from home.

You said that when you went to find herbs in the mountains too.

Yes, but it took longer because you wanted mountain roots.

I had to find those too.

You feasted on the roots, remember?

Are you okay, Gyeong-jae?

Why you!

When I get paid, I can clear my debts.

Please give me a month.

Then come back in a month!

You know Gyeong-jae will die without the herbs!

Out!

You already owe me so much!

Make sure you take your medicine when I'm not here.

I have no one else but you.

Don't worry, I'll be back.

Just wait for a month.

In the palace,

you must pretend you didn't hear or see anything.

I guess that doesn't apply to you.

Anyway, you must watch your mouth at all times.

I guess they fancy handsome men.

Don't mind them. Women find me attractive.

Isn't the palace the other way?

This is a new shortcut.

Let's go.

It's this way!

If you must answer, just say yes.

In the palace, there are places we can go

and places we must never go, so pay careful attention.

You must never go near the high ladies of the court.

Be careful.

This is the royal clinic.

The medicine cabinets are over there, and that's the storage room.

Right. You can't see.

Come this way.

Here, have a seat.

That's good.

Just wait here, I'll bring your uniform.

-Let's finish up and go for lunch! -Coming!

A newcomer mustn't touch the medicine!

You don't even know what it is!

Don't be so rough on him.

He touched the poison.

He didn't know it was poison.

I'll warn him. Let it go this time.

That little boy has some temper!

Jeez.

Have a seat.

Sit down.

As we work to save lives here at the royal clinic,

order of rank must be upheld.

-But… -What?

Why is there poison here?

To make a potion for executions.

Sorry.

Here, have some.

You must be on night duty every other day.

I don't sleep much, so I'll help you the first few times.

Don't worry.

Please sleep if you're tired.

What? I never sleep on night watch.

I'll read a book over there.

You don't need the light, right?

I'll turn the lights off.

He has such keen senses.

Women find him attractive?

Cordyceps, styptic weed…

Gyeong-jae, it is cold at nights.

Are you doing well?

It feels as if we've been apart for a fortnight now.

Everyone here in the royal clinic are kind and good to me.

I have meat served in all my meals and am very comfortable here.

Come this way.

The east gate is to the right as soon as you come out.

Don't worry, he's blind.

Rookie, sort all the herbs here.

Understood?

How can a blind man do that?

It's to teach him a lesson.

I'll buy some food and be home in two weeks.

Don't forget to take your medicine and stay healthy.

-Why do you seem so excited? -What?

No, I'm not.

There are only a few days left until the Crown Prince's return.

The Crown Prince went to Qing as a hostage for…

Eight years.

The Crown Prince's son has never seen his parents.

No wonder he has that disorder.

A disorder?

Only people of the royal clinic know.

Prince Suk-Chul still wets his pants at age ten.

You mustn't tell anyone!

Yes, sir.

I'm here for Lady Cho. She has a severe stomach ache.

Lady Cho? I'll call a royal nurse right away.

No need.

We have a blind acupuncturist.

What are you doing? Bow to Lady Cho.

Are you the new acupuncturist?

Yes, Your Highness.

Follow me.

My lower abdomen feels cold and I can't digest my food.

I'll treat her abdomen with acupuncture, sir.

You may do so.

Will you take all night?

You've found a good acupuncturist this time.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Your Highness, the Crown Prince has left Uiju.

I guess my body is reacting to the Crown Prince's return from Qing.

Chills happen from worrying too much. It's best not to worry, Your Highness.

I'm not worried about me.

I'm worried about my son.

This is from His Majesty.

There.

Did you see?

If you tell anyone you saw me, you'll be punished.

-Prince Suk-Chul! -Sir!

Prince Suk-Chul!

-Prince Suk-Chul! -Prince Suk-Chul!

Have you seen the Prince?

I am a blind man.

Prince Suk-Chul!

Where are you?

Prince Suk-Chul!

Is it true that you can't see anything?

Yes, sir.

Since when?

I've been blind since I was born, sir.

Then you've never seen your parents' faces?