Gyebaek (계백)

= Episode 34 =-

It's already so late, what's the matter, Your Excellency?

I have an urgent matter to report to His Majesty.

What?

What is wrong with you? It's an emergency,

open the door.

Yes.

Open the door!

Isn't this naesin jwapyeong?

It's already so late, where are you heading?

Do you want to see His Majesty?

Do you want to tell him that I'm a Silla spy?

Is that your admission?

I wonder.

It's the original written by Your Majesty.

As Baekje's Queen, aren't you ashamed of yourself?

It's a bit disgraceful.

No matter how you curse me, I'm fine with it.

I don't intend to explain and make you understand.

Even if I die, your sins will be exposed.

I won't let that happen.

Your Majesty, how do you intend to deal with him?

Don't tell me you're thinking of sparing him?

Naesin jwapyeong is someone needed by Baekje.

Your servant is aware of that too, Your Majesty.

It's better if we can bribe him and bring him over to our side,

but he's not a person who will cross over to our side.

If we let him live, that will signal our death.

Please make up your mind quickly.

Naesin jwapyeong, it would have been better if I had a grudge against you.

If bribery would work, I would offer you anything you wanted.

I would also let you join us.

You want to kill me to silence me?

Please forgive me.

Your Majesty, how can you not know?

The person whom you should beg for forgiveness is not me.

You should seek Baekje's forgiveness.

Why did you establish contact with Gim Chun Chu?

It was not my intention to betray Baekje.

I just wanted to do a transaction with Gim Chun Chu,

but things got out of hand.

Why must you do that kind of transaction?

What else do you lack?

I needed Tang's acknowledgement

that I'm the Queen and my son is the Crown Prince,

and to let the whole world know of that fact.

That mere formality, how important can that be?

Didn't the king of this country already acknowledge you as the Queen,

and your son as the Crown Prince?

I need, I urgently need that formal status.

You have said His Majesty has acknowledged me as the Queen,

but what if His Majesty were to pass away, what would I do then?

You, naesin jwapyeong, naedu jwapyeong and all the noblemen hate me.

My power comes from His Majesty.

Without His Majesty, my power will also vanish.

Even if His Majesty dies, you're still the Queen.

Until I obtain Tang's acknowledgement, I'm not.

My status and powers need to be acknowledged by others, only then will they become valid.

Just for that, you betrayed Baekje?

How can such a smart person like you fall into such a trap?

It's still not too late. Go and beg His Majesty for mercy.

Repent sincerely, and accept your just punishment.

I will do that when my Hyo ascends the throne.

At that time, I will abdicate and become a nun.

I will pray for everyone's souls for the rest of my life.

Your Majesty. I, Seong Chung will die, I will die for your sake.

Furthermore, I will not hate you,

and therefore, I beg you, please return to being the Queen of Baekje who will serve the country.

Naesin jwapyeong, you're a loyal subject of this country.

I will repent before you sometime in the future.

I, Seong Chung, in this place here we have sworn to be brothers.

Our convictions are... We will not crave for power.

We will not crave for money. We will not crave for status and fame.

We'll only focus on resurrecting Baekje and the people's livelihood, without greed.

Even if my physical body dies, my soul will live on.

Hyeongnim.

When did you come?

I just stopped here momentarily before leaving on my journey.

Where are you going? Is it very far?

If you say far, it's far. If you say near, then it's near.

Gye Baek, I really do have good, sworn brothers.

I can now entrust my will to other people.

So, even if the road I'm travelling is lonesome,

what is there to regret?

Please take care of my funeral preparations.

Hyeongnim, where exactly are you going?

Your Majesty, your servant Gye Baek reporting.

We have successfully recaptured Tobi City. It'll be fine to just guard the city for the time being.

Your servant would like to continue with the offensive against other cities.

I'm going to go to Seorabeol to check out any short cuts and their military fortification.

After I've completed my survey and investigations, I'll be returning to Sabi City.

Someone out there.

Yes, General.

Deliver this to His Majesty.

Yes.

General, we're ready to go to Dongjang City.

Yes, but I've this feeling something has happened in Sabi City.

What?

It would be good if we could complete our scouting of Dongjang City and Doksan City quickly.

Then General, shall I go to Sabi City and check it out?

You want to go by yourself?

Didn't you say you've not been to Goguryeo and Silla,

and you'll accept all the investigation tasks.

Why are you finding fault with me?

Isn't the General worried about Sabi City? That's why I made my offer.

It's not that. I had a strange dream, and I'm probably feeling a bit sensitive.

Let's hurry up and get ready to leave.

Yes, General.

Yes.

That should be a good place.

Gye Baek sent this.

Dongjang City and Doksan City are the two fortresses that can hinder the Silla army.

Gye Baek should be able to capture both cities.

But we're short of troops.

With our present troops, it's barely enough to defend Tobi City.

How can we increase our military strength?

We can train the newly recruited troops, but they can't be considered elite troops.

First of all, we'll request the noblemen to deliver up all their private soldiers.

That won't be easy, do you have any ideas?

I will consult with naesin jwapyeong concerning this matter.

Fine, you must definitely come up with a plan.

Is anyone in? Is anyone in?

Hey, Seong Chung!

Seong Chung!

What happened? Quick, wake up!

Hey, Hey. Somebody, please come!

Is there anyone out there?

This can't be, this must not be!

Get up! Get up! Please get up!

I'm telling you to wake up. I'm telling you to wake up!

What are you saying? Seong Chung is dead?

I'm so sorry, Your Majesty.

Naesin jwapyeong died in his home, and was discovered by naedu jwapyeong...

This doesn't make sense. No, this can't be.

Your Majesty.

He was fine yesterday.

Just one night and he's dead, how can I believe that?

Your Majesty.

My Queen...

What is this?

Your Majesty, I can't believe this.

Heaven didn't forsake me, how could this have happened?

Why?

Are you sure it's a Silla arrow?

Yes, jojeong jwapyeong.

This must surely be the work of a Silla spy.

Jwapyeong, please don't be too sad, it will harm your body.

We know you're sad, leave the funeral preparations to us.

Do you know who the culprit is?

It must be either a Silla spy or an assassin.

Silla spy?

Yes, that's right. The culprit is a Silla spy.

Just wait, Seong Chung. I will definitely avenge your death.

Handle naesin jwapyeong's body with respect and dignity.

You handled this properly, didn't you?

Of course, Your Majesty.

Anyone who takes a look will conclude it's the work of a Silla assassin.

Your Majesty, naedu jwapyeong is seeking an audience with you.

The one who should come, is here.

You must be grieving over naesin jwapyeong's death.

I am sad too. Is there anything I can do for you?

Yes, one thing.

What is it?

Go and see His Majesty right now,

and inform His Majesty the one who's liaising secretly with Silla is you.

Also inform His Majesty, your secret was discovered by Seong Chung, and you therefore had to kill him.

What nonsense is this, naedu jwapyeong?

How dare you accuse Her Majesty of being a Silla spy?

Let it be, wisa jwapyeong.

Your Majesty.

Naedu jwapyeong, you're consumed with grief and are therefore not your normal self.

Therefore I'll just pretend I didn't hear what you said just now.

Seong Chung, compared to anyone else, was much wiser.

Do you think a person like him would not have made prior arrangements?

He had evidence of Your Majesty and Silla's secret liaison.

Seong Chung has left the evidence with me.

Looks like you have really lost your mind.

I'm really worried about you, naedu jwapyeong.

I'll give you time to think about this.

If you don't believe me,

come to Seong Chung's house at midnight tomorrow.

I'll show you the evidence.

Don't worry, it's probably just a trap set by naedu jwapyeong.

He's just trying to test us, he's doing this deliberately.

If we go there, it'll only confirm his suspicions.

Are you sure you've destroyed all the evidence?

Of course, Your Majesty.

All the evidence in naesin jwapyeong's hands was destroyed.

Didn't Your Majesty see with your own eyes?

Naedu jwapyeong isn't a simple person.

Are you sure he's really bluffing us?

I'm so ill at ease.

Your Majesty, if you're so ill at ease,

how about if we were to kill naedu jwapyeong too?

He was so close to naesin jwapyeong, he won't give up on this.

That's enough.

If we do that, things will become worse.

It will make His Majesty suspicious.

Yes, Your Majesty.

You can leave now.