God of War (Soldier / Military Official / Moo shin / 무신)

I'll say it again.

Loose talk about the Guard Corps puts you in danger.

That sounds like a threat.

It isn't. I'm saying this out of genuine respect for you.

You expect me to believe that?

When I was a slave, when Choe U and Choe Hyang were fighting, I was there.

When your life was nearly forfeit.

Remember?

When the country is stable, when our people sing hymns of peace...

I'll gladly retire to the country. Understood?

You can choose life or death.

But if you choose death, don't waste it.

Die for Koryo, you fools. Understand?

Try to remember how he spared your life.

Surely you realize he holds the ultimate power as the Overlord as it is?

I don't think he's greedy for power, either.

But your own investigations show that those close to him are.

Which is why I'm investigating.

And why do I bother? To separate fact from fiction.

As one of the Overlord's counselors, I'll say it again.

He would never usurp the throne.

Yet as one of the Emperor's counselors, I can't help but worry.

Will you help, Viscount Kim?

Help?

I'm a minor viscount, but whatever I can do within the law to halt injustice, I will.

Thank you. Thank you, Viscount.

Whatever happens, we are both committed to the Emperor...

and to Koryo's sovereignty.

I believe you.

The Guard Corps and the Imperial House share the same fate...

and now the same blood.

The Crown Princess is from the Choe clan, the Overlord's own blood.

Doubt feeds on itself and in the end can be self-fulfilling.

As you say, the Corps needs your help, do you see that? Do you?

These are dangerous times.

We can't afford to antagonize them.

Would I be so foolish?

This kind of thing takes many meetings.

But Kim Jun is the heart of the Guard Corps.

If he turns against us, the whole Corps may follow.

He has that kind of influence?

Yes, Sire.

I remember he was a champion of the tournament.

He was awarded a royal sword.

Yes, Sire.

His military skills are unequaled.

Not only that, he is a man of letters.

It's understandable why the Overlord freed him.

Quite so.

Anyway, I'm glad to have his assurance in this matter.

We have too little real power as it is.

We're at their mercy.

Your Grace, Pak to see you.

Send him in.

Well?

Your Grace, pardon my intrusion at this difficult time.

My husband is dead.

You were often here as his aide.

But now people will talk.

Just so, Your Grace, but I'm afraid this is quite urgent.

Go on.

Viscount Kim Jun.

He has been looking into my affairs.

That's not my concern.

You have to stop him. He's looking into Lord Kim's case again.

One of his men told me.

That's not my concern.

What about Lord Kim's case?

He's dead, all of them are dead, why re-open the case?

You have to help me.

Send for him and make him stop.

The case has nothing to do with me.

Now leave.

Do as you see fit.

He knows I've been to see you.

If you don't act, this could get much worse.

If it does, it does.

If it does, we're all dead.

Your Grace included.

When people do wrong, sooner or later they will be punished.

Either we live or we die.

Never come here again.

You'll come to regret this.

It appears Pak is behind the plans to usurp the throne.

He's using Ju Yonji to help influence those loyal to the Overlord and gather troops.

We know for certain Ju Yonji pulled something similar...

on Choe Hyang in the old capital.

A fact Pak could use. He must have found out.

I suspect so.

Before Pak reported Lord Kim's coup, Ju Yonji had two "visions."

His first meeting with the Overlord, then just prior to Lord Kim's arrest.

Yes, sir, it's pretty clear that's how it went.

Yes, a well-laid plan.

Yes, sir. And it appears Lady Songi was involved.

She arranged that Pak be appointed to the Directorate.

In return he gave her regular reports.

Up to today.

Today?

Yes, sir.

Continue surveillance.

If it gets out it could cost you your life. Lady Songi is involved?

- Yes, sir. - Dismissed.

Lord Buddha.

Hear my prayer, the prayer of a contrite spirit.

I am evil. I killed my own husband. I know what awaits me in the next life.

But I pray you will take pity on my late husband.

Protect him from another woman like me in the next life.

Welcome into paradise where no injustice can hurt him.

Hear this sinner's prayer.

Hear me, Lord Buddha.

It's bad, very bad.

Lady Songi is mixed up with Pak?

Yes, sir.

Is there no way to stop their absurd plan to put the Overlord on the throne?

It's high treason. The Overlord can't want that.

I made that clear to Yi Jangyong.

Yi Jangyong?

Yes. It appears they are aware of what's going on.

Then the Emperor and his counselors must suspect the Guard Corps.

Yes, sir. We must allay their suspicions.

Yes, we must.

It is our duty to make it clear the Overlord has no such intentions.

But if we continue the investigation Lady Songi may be implicated.

If Pak is guilty, then Lady Songi...

Do you think she did it?

I don't know. I'm at a loss.

But something is wrong about Kim Yakson's case.

But to think she was involved?

A terrifying crime, to murder her own husband.

Sir, what are your orders?

The throne cannot be usurped. It would mean chaos, especially now.

Be ready to make the arrests. I'll talk to the Overlord.

Sir. What about Lady Songi?

Ultimately we can't pretend it didn't happen.

We have to leave it to the Overlord, don't you think?

Sir!

We'll do all we can. See if there's any way we can keep Her Grace out of it.

Yes, sir.

We have to move faster than we thought.

You've got to muster your men.

Didn't you say we would get the Emperor to abdicate?

That would have been best, but we may be exposed.

The Directorate General is following us.

Us? But why?

Whatever the reason, it's doesn't bode well for us.

We have to act.

You told us the Overlord gave his tacit approval...

of the seer's Golden Dragon vision.

That's how this started, isn't that so?

Ah, well, I said he laughed... which isn't quite the same thing.

What is it then?

It's all too uncertain.

Muster the troops? Muster the troops?

Either way, the Choe clan will replace the Wang clan on the throne.

If we want to be retainers, it will take some risk.

We'll ready the men.

I swear... Readying the men is one thing.

But aren't we moving too fast?

We need only surround the palace. Throw open the gates and drag them out.

Once the court hails the Overlord's accession, that's that.

As if it's that easy?

If we're being tailed, they'll know we're mustering our men.

Which is why we have to hurry.

In the actual event, it's what the Overlord does that counts, am I right?

Exactly.

The Mongols insist we send a member of the Imperial House?

Yes, sir.

We've stalled them with excuses, but we can't for much longer.

We can hardly send the Emperor.

Yes, sir. Perhaps one of the Princes as a compromise.

Choe Chunmyong is over at the Dragon Tiger Guards?

Kim Jun suggested it.

Misguided loyalists are planning a coup to put you on the throne.

The Emperor is aware.

What's that?

It's because of Ju Yonji. He predicted a Golded Dragon?

Dragon?

Ah, right. He's quite a talker. I laughed it off.

Others took it seriously. Kim Hijeh,

No Jijong, Pak and Ju Yonji have formed a cabal.

A cabal?

Yes, sir. Time is pressing. If we don't do something they'll mobilize their troops.

What are you saying?

The idea is absurd.

What? Pak? Ju Yonji?

Yes, sir.

We looked into Ju Yonji.

He and Kim Dongmyong were attached to your brother.

What? With Kim Dongmyong?

Yes, sir. Ju Yonji has a history of fraud.

Unbelievable. He conspired with my brother...

and now strolls into my own house?

"Golden Dragon?"

Arrest him. Arrest them all for treason.

And this Pak character?

He testified against Kim Yakson.

He's with Ju Yonji? Arrest them immediately.

Yes, sir.

We don't know what they'll do. Have Song Kilyu muster the men.

Yes, sir. Who will lead the interrogations?