Gyebaek (계백)

Gye Baek

Episode 15

Halt! I will kill you.

This man meets your standards.

He will give up his life for you anytime.

Why are you hiding that criminal?

Where is he?

Let's go. There are many people waiting for you.

The citizens arrested him and sent him to the Justice Minister.

Did you send for me?

You wanted to serve me, did you not?

Has that desire changed?

Of course not, your Majesty.

Good. I will give you your first mission.

There is a man you must kill for me.

I await your command. Who is this man?

Episode 15

A man named Gun Cheol who is imprisoned in the Justice Ministry?

That's right.

There must be no mistakes.

If you fail or captured, you must take your own life.

If you succeed, I will accept you as my personal guard.

I will do as you command.

Are you sure about this? Security will be tighter than ever.

I have to try.

Is there anything I can do to help?

You can help by not helping me.

You told me we couldn't acknowledge each other.

That means you've already done something wrong.

I know. But I can't help but be worried...

This is just the beginning.

There are steeper obstacles waiting for us.

But if you're this worried already, all that will do is make me worry more.

Have faith in me.

Alright.

When Seung kills Gun Cheol, all the soldiers will head there.

You and your men must go and retrieve the ledger during the chaos.

If Seung is unable to escape, do we rescue him?

Your mission is to retrieve the ledger.

His role is to be bait for the soldiers.

If he survives, good. But if he dies, no matter.

Yes, your Majesty.

- Nothing out of the ordinary? - Yes, Minister!

No one can enter without my permission.

- Be on your guard! - Yes, Minister!

Seung never entered the prison.

He appears to have lost confidence.

Perhaps we should kill Gun Cheol and retrieve the ledger too.

Was I a bad judge of character?

He didn't seem like a fearful man to me.

Your Majesty, your guard Seung wishes to speak to you.

Enter.

Why have you returned?

Gun Cheol isn't at the prison.

He isn't? What do you mean?

Are you sure you're not using that as an excuse?

Of course not.

Security at the prison was too lax.

It seemed to invite an assailant, rather than to keep in a criminal.

If I had entered the prison, I would have fallen into a trap.

Then where do you think he is?

I wouldn't know.

But if it were up to me, I would have kept him outside the city.

They will have to move him at some point. We will have to wait until then.

I thought you were just skilled with the sword, but it appears you have a sharp mind too.

- You may leave. - Yes, your Majesty.

So he is still refusing to reveal the names of his superiors?

How formidable are these people that he fears them so?

I have my suspicions, your Majesty.

What are they?

Three years, when he was exiled and dismissed for skimming off the government salaries,

it was the Royal Secretary who reinstated him.

But the Royal Secretary works closely with the Prime Minister.

Are you saying that the Prime Minister is involved in this?

This is what I suspect, but I have no evidence.

Without Gun Cheol's confession, we can't even begin an investigation.

Perhaps if you grant him amnesty...

Where are you holding him?

- In a cave outside the city. - With the ledger too?

No, there is a temple nearby. The ledger is hidden amongst some scrolls.

Bring him back. I will question him myself.

If he confesses, I will save his life.

Yes, you must get his confession.

What meaning is there to pull off a feather?

You must get the entire beast.

I will most certainly do so.

I will send the new guards to you. Make sure you bring him back safely.

Yes, your Majesty.

Who amongst them is Gun Cheol?

Assassin!

Seize the assassin!

Strike.

Archers!

Arrows!

Get him!

Well done.

But how did he pick out Gun Cheol out of the three men?

Could you?

I was planning on killing all three.

That is like you.

But if you had done so, you would not have been able to retrieve the ledger so easily.

In any case, he is a mysterious fellow.

- Leave me. - Yes, your Majesty.

Gun Cheol is dead, and you lost the ledger too?

Please forgive me.

We worked so hard to protect him. How did they know?

You and I were the only ones who knew where he was being kept.

Your Majesty, it wasn't me!

I stake more than my life on this. I stake my honor!

Does this mean we will never know the truth?

It is irrefutable that the Royal Secretary was involved in Gun Cheol's reinstatement to government.

If we begin investigating this, we will be able to find the root of everything!

Were you hurt at all?

No.

I was worried, but you have done well.

How did you know the second prisoner was Gun Cheol?

I was lucky.

I doubt it was luck.

No need for humility. Tell me the truth.

To be honest, I was a bit confused in the beginning.

But when I focused on the mission, I realized there was something different about the second man.

Something different?

It was the way he walked.

The first and last man's walk seemed at ease and normal.

But the second man seemed nervous and unbalanced.

It was obvious that he didn't know where he was headed.

Perhaps he was nervous that someone would kill him.

It was difficult, but I risked everything in that choice.

It appears I have a new personal guard that I like very much.

Is there something you want as a reward?

Yes, there is.

What is it?

Please allow me the honor of serving you until the very end.

Who's end are you referring to?

Obviously it is my end.

Your loyalty and intelligence pleases me more than your swordsmanship.

- Don't you agree? - You deserve this, your Majesty.

From today onwards, you will be my personal guard.

It is an honor, your Majesty!

You could have kept him alive. Did you really have to kill...?

What are you talking about? Because Gun Cheol died, you will live!

Besides, I have no idea who killed Gun Cheol.

Why are you keeping secrets between us...?

Royal Secretary...!

In any case, I'm glad this is over.

Nothing is over yet.

Your Majesty... Please forgive me for the trouble I've caused.

So you do realize you've caused trouble?

Even though Gun Cheol is dead,

the investigation will still be carried out because you reinstated him to his position.

They will find out about the silver you accepted from him.

Please don't worry about that. Even though I am tortured by the Justice Ministry,

I will never open my mouth.

How am I supposed to believe that?

You have caused everyone to become corrupt.

Because of you, the people have little faith in our government.

I am ashamed.

Perhaps I should resign from my position and go into exile for a couple of years.

Give me your command and I will obey.

Do you really think that will placate the people in any way?

Take your own life.

Your Majesty...!

The criminal who could have revealed the corruption of government officials was killed.

Even the ledger was stolen.

The person responsible for his death was obviously involved in the corruption.

He is probably here right now.

If you confess now, mercy will be shown.

But if your guilt is proven later, you will not be able to escape death.

Royal Secretary, it was you?

Your Majesty, it's not that.

I do not know who killed Gun Cheol.

But the person most responsible for the corruption is...

the Prime Minister!

Look here, Royal Secretary!

What is this nonsense?

Why are you denying it, Prime Minister?

Gun Cheol and his colleagues sent silver to your house, didn't they?

I'm certain it wasn't just the Outer Storehouse.

All the offices of the interior must have done the same thing!

Royal Secretary!

Are you out of your mind?

Do you have evidence?

Would a shrewd man like the Prime Minister leave evidence behind?

But I know what I heard. If you investigate this, I'm sure the truth will be revealed.

Your Majesty, this is outrageous! I have never received bribes before.

Is that so? If you are guilty, you will be punished.

Perhaps you should be investigated so that your innocence can be proven.

Your Majesty...!

Royal Secretary!

Royal Secretary!

How could you do this to the Prime Minister?

Don't you realize he is the head of the nobles?

If you betray the Prime Minister, you betray us all!

You will pay for this!

Do you think I'm doing this because I want to?

You know very well how submissive I was to the Sataek family!

But they told me...

...to take my own life.

It's true that I had pity for Gun Cheol and helped him out in the past.

I even offered to resign and go into exile. Is this what I get for my years of service to them?